Two Weeks

Allen’s two weeks old today. It feels like he’s been with us much longer. It’s mindboggling that only two weeks ago I gave birth to him.

The first few days—when I couldn’t really remember how to position him to nurse or change his diapers without getting sprayed with pee and having poop delivered in my hand—were tough but even they seem like a long time ago.

Since I returned from the hospital, I’ve left the house only once, two days ago for a quick run to Pier 1 and Whole Foods. Otherwise, I’ve been cocooned in the house, taking care of Allen, and hanging out with Ivan, Andy and Mariposa. Since it’s been extremely cold these past two weeks and since it's the holiday season, hanging out at home without a care in the world and doing absolutely nothing (which is a new one for me) has been great. And oddly enough it’s been strangely liberating, to do nothing. Andy fears that I've been going house-crazy but I really haven't.

So far Allen has been an easy baby. He’s been mostly sleeping, which is what newborns do. (Today he seemed a bit more alert and awake for a longer period of time than previous days.) He’s been crying somewhat, more so during the night, but nothing unmanageable. As a baby, he seems to be more “newborny” than I remember Ivan to be. What I mean is, he’s more flaky (because he was overdue), is more spitty-uppy but nothing excessive (which I’m glad Ivan wasn’t because that was one thing that used to gross me out in babies before I had them), etc. He seems to be somehow more delicate than I remember Ivan to be. I feel like I need to take better, gentler care of him.

He’s also full of these little noises and grunts that are just adorable. I have to figure out how to record them. (Every time I try to do so, he becomes quiet.)

Because he's been spitting up a bit (not much but definitely more than Ivan) and seems to have gas problems, I've been wondering whether my diet has been affecting him. I seem to subside on things that could give newborns trouble, such as citrus fruit (and I've been devouring clementines), chocolate, and dairy (cheese). One day I steared clear of those three foods, but I don't think it necessarily made a difference to him. However, since I need to back off chocolate, cake and cheese, so I can start losing some weight, a change in my diet would be good for both him and me.