Happy 1 Month Birthday, Porter!

We threw Porter a 1 month impromptu birthday party. Porter's big cousins, Liam and Allie, stopped by and made their own birthday hats. I made a special birthday hat for Porter. Liam and Allie asked if we could have another party next week! "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to!"It has been one month since Porter's birth. In some ways it seems like we have always had Porter but in other ways it seems like the month has flown by. We didn't know what to expect having a baby would be like before we had Porter. It is a lot more work than we thought it would be. How can such a little baby take so much effort?! I am very glad that Tom took off work for the month. It has been great to have both of us home. We are able to tag team the effort so that we can take turns taking a break and get something done. I have been able to still work a little during the day. When Tom goes back to work next month, we'd like to hire someone to be here at our house and watch Porter while I work. That way I can still work and be a mom. I am feeling great and getting used to getting by with less sleep. Tom is learning that babies get diaper rashes, grunt, and cry and it is still normal. He worries a lot about Porter. It is hard to know how to take care of a baby when every baby is different and the baby cant tell you what is wrong. Porter is so adorable. He sleeps good during the night (knock on wood) and wakes up every 2-4 hours to eat. He is very active but happy in the morning. He kicks his legs and waves his hands and wants to do everything but sit still. During the afternoon Porter calms down and usually takes a nap (especially if we go for a drive or walk). In the evening is his witching hour and he is usually cranky. Sometimes he will want to eat every hour to try and sooth himself. The binkie has really helped with this. We do everything we can to make him happy but usually he is just working out his digestive system. Porter keeps us on our toes but when we are away from him for even a minute we miss him. I hate to see him grow up on one hand but one the other hand I cant wait to see what tomorrow will bring! Happy 1 month birthday, Porter! We love you!!

Top Favorite Baby Gear During First Month:
1. Bassinet with wheels (Bam Bassinet by Argington is the best! - we wheel this around from our bedroom, to the living room, to my office.)
2. Boppy (great for feeding and holding the baby)
3. Baby bath tub with hammock (holds the baby safely in the water with their head out of the water)
4. Binkie by Avent (this has been Porter's favorite binkie so far)
5. Changing pad (used for changing diapers and getting in & out of bath tub - Porter is almost alway happy when he lays in this thing)
6. Poang chair from IKEA (great modern alternative to the glider)
7. Miracle Wrap (a must have for getting Porter to sleep at night and not wake himself up)

Other great things:
8. Moby Wrap (I love to use this however you have to wake the baby up to put him in and out of it).
9. Aquafor (this healed Porter's diaper rash and has been great)
10. Nursing veil (uddercovers.com - use promo code "thanks" for 90% off)
11. Favorite toy: lighted stacker toy

Top Favorite Prego Gear During Pregnancy:
1. "The Belly Book" by Amy K.
2. Weekly email from parentsconnect.com & babycenter.com
3. Black dress
4. Belly Butter
5. Sleeping bra (for use during the day to be comfortable)