The Stats

At Milo's one-month check up, he measured up quite well.

• Weight: 9 lbs., 14 oz. (50th percentile)
• Length: 21 1/4 in. (50th percentile)
• Head Circumference: 15 1/2 in. (75th percentile)

At one month, Milo eats about every two and a half to four hours during the day, and about every three to seven hours at night. This means that Mom and Dad are up just twice a night usually for diaper and feeding duty. The doctor says that since he's eating well and gaining plenty of weight, we can let him sleep as long as he wants during the night. We're hoping Milo will soon see the benefits of getting a solid eight hours of sleep (in a row).

At one month, Milo usually has one or two fussy periods a day. He is sometimes calmed by holding him over your shoulder and patting his back (and sometimes not). He is quickly soothed by his pacifier (Andrew calls it the baby easy button) but sometimes just as quickly spits it out.

At one month, we have both come to the conclusion that Milo sleeps better when he's really warm. He now wears both a footie sleeper and a fleece sleep sack to bed, and sometimes a hat as well. If we also feel chilly, we add mittens to Milo's ensemble.

At one month, Milo still squeaks and grunts while he eats. Much to my chagrin, he sometimes twists and turns while eating, as if trying to get in just the exact right position. I have one word for this: ouch.

At one month, Milo makes the loudest, gruntiest, wettest breathing sounds at night after I lay him back in bed after eating. Andrew and I both are on high alert, listening for sounds of spitting up, choking, or other baby distress. When it gets especially bad, we pick him up, try to burp him, give him his pacifier (which he usually spits out), and make calming shushing sounds. This typically puts him to sleep, and then it's hit or miss as to whether he'll wake up again when we lay him back down.

At one month, I no longer have trouble sleeping with a nightlight on.

At one month, my regular clothes are nowhere near close to fitting. Sigh.

At one month, this whole mom thing is starting to seem just a tiny bit easier and not so stressful. Believe me, it's not easy and I have so much to figure out still, but I'm getting there. And Milo is a good teacher. He's very patient with me. I hope sometime soon he will smile and let me know he thinks I'm doing okay.

At one month, Milo loves giving Mommy kisses.