More Firsts from the First 57 Days (8 weeks, 1 day)

We have now known our Sprout, our baby Zeke, for 57 days. It is pretty remarkable what can happen in just 57 days. I can't imagine all the things that Zeke has learned in that time, and I know I can't believe all the things that we have learned. 58 days ago, we hadn't changed anyone's diaper. 58 days ago, I had never taken care of a baby for more than a few hours. 58 days ago, I had never been responsible solely for the nourishment and care of another living being. (Pets don't count -- they could make it if the door was left open and they went into the world.) 58 days ago....58 days was another world.

Recently:

* Zeke has started making two syllable sounds like "a-goo".
* Zeke finally has a pacifier he will use other than my index finger (see photos from April 16).
* Zeke not only smiles, but I think he kinda giggles a little.
* Zeke has started enjoying some of his toys like the mobile above the co-sleeper.
* Zeke went to his first Japanese restaurant.
* Zeke went to school for the first time tonight and slept through his first play (like me, he may not care much for theatre).
* Zeke got left at home for five hours with his grandmother last week while Mom and Dad snuck off for dinner and a movie.

Finally, my favorite:

* Zeke has had two baths in a row that did not involve him crying so much that you would think I was boiling him for baby soup. Very cute. I like the way his hair is fuzzy after a bath.

Things have been going pretty well in regards to the care and maintenance of the child. I have now gone three weeks without dairy for the most part. There have been a few slips like when I took a sample at Whole Foods of a savory dill cream dip or ate a cheese replacement that had milk protein in it. Dropping dairy seems to have helped with having a fussy baby. His poop changed color (58 days ago I NEVER talked about the color of anyone's poop) and we stopped having to sit on the exercise ball and bounce him and we now longer play the ocean sounds CD at full blast.

Of course, it could be that we are just learning to respond to his needs better and understand better what he is trying to tell us. I have to tell myself that it is that AND a milk protein intolerance because I just have to believe that changing my diet so radically has a reason. I admit that it hasn't been too bad to give up dairy, though I wouldn't want to do this permanently. I was even able to fill my need for pizza the other night with a vegan pizza at a local pizza place -- yes, it had soy cheese and fake pepperoni and sausage. It was pretty good, to be honest, much better than it had a right to be. Giving up cheese and ice cream and buttery goodness of baked goods might even help speed the loss of a few more baby pounds, so I am not complaining...too much. Besides, I can add it to my list of "Things to Make My Child Feel Guilty About in the Future".

We are also starting to put Zeke on something of a schedule which is really hard for me, though a snap for him. I have never been consistent enough to do something at the same time everyday. We now have a bedtime and a bedtime ritual, though. I am building up to try and get him on a full day's schedule, too. He probably doesn't need it so much as I need a reliable schedule when I go back to work next week and leave my two guys at home. Wish us luck!