Zeke is 1 month old

And just like that, Zeke is already 1 month old! The first couple of weeks with a new baby seem to creep by, then things settle into some sort of a normal routine and start to fly by.

• Zeke is doing really well on our eat, play, sleep routine. He is nursing every 2.5-3 hours during the day (usually 3 hours, except evenings, it's closer to 2.5 hours). He is a gassy baby, just like the others have been. The milk comes out a bit fast for him right now, so he gulps a lot of air. We spend most of his awake time burping or bouncing to try to get the air/gas out before the next nap. He takes gas drops with his feeds and probiotics once a day. He's also been to the chiropractor a few times and I've been able to see a noticeable difference in his comfort level in the few days after an adjustment (which is VERY mild. He's always really relaxed). 

• Naps aren't great, but pretty much as expected this 4th time. He will go right to sleep once he's swaddled and bounced a bit. Sometimes he wakes up right when he's put down and will whine a minute and go to sleep. Sometimes he wakes up and cries and needs more snuggles. He will sleep about 45 minutes, then needs help going back to sleep to finish his nap. For a week or so, he would take the pacifier some when he's trying to finish his nap, but now he won't. He will suck on my pinky, so that's better than nothing.  I usually end up having to wake him up at the 3 hour mark to eat. Awake time is around 40-50 minutes right now before he's ready to sleep again.
• Zeke started sleeping in his own room this week, since we got Mae moved to the 'big kid' room. 
• He does get a bit fussy in the evenings, which is common. He really likes to be worn in the baby carrier and will take a little nap before his bath and bedtime feed. 

• He is going to bed around 8:30. He does have trouble staying asleep and usually wakes at the 45 minute mark (like his naps). Jared is the sleep master and gets him back to sleep and puts him down after a bit. He is waking to eat 2x/night, usually sometime around midnight or soon after and then again around 4, give or take an hour either way on those. One night his first wakeup wasn't until 2:30! He wakes for the day around 7-7:30. He is having some other wakeups from gas or just sleep cycle issues and needs help going back to sleep, which is frustrating!!! One night he woke up at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30, but only ate 2 of those times. Hopefully he can get that worked out in the next month. 
• I just moved him up to a size 2 diaper and 3-6 month clothes a day or two before he was 1 month old.
• I'm thinking he's 12 lb now. He is really getting chubby thighs and arms now!

• He has really started looking at things a lot this week. He loves to look at the fan and any kind of light. Mae can give him a good startle when she goes in for a mouth kiss. 

• Zeke tolerates a little bit of tummy time each day. Arabelle is so ready for him to be able to get on the floor and play with them!

• He absolutely HATES the car seat, just like the other kids did. He pretty much screams the whole time and will occasionally doze for a few minutes when he's tired of hollering, then get right back going. I hate it, but there's nothing to do about it, so we just keep going. We aren't on the go that much, so he just has to deal with it. 

• Aunt Kay made Zeke his beautiful quilt in navy, gray, and red and I LOVE it! I'm looking forward to taking his picture each month on his quilt. 

• We have had A LOT of help in the last month while we transition to a family of six. Things have gone so smoothly and we couldn't have done it without all the help from our family and friends! 

Happy 1 month baby Zeke!