life with max: seven weeks in.
Umm so. Is it possible for your own baby to give you baby fever?
Because that’s how crazy I am over this little chubbalove.
HE IS SO FUNNY.
Trust me. I get it. I sound ridiculous. I remember reading (or should I say, ACCIDENTALLY reading blogs/instagram/etc before I was pregnant when I had no interest in really reading about baby stuff) paragraphs by new moms saying how funny their baby was, how their baby made them laugh and so on, and I was like uh, hello, what? There is no way a baby is funny – I mean, adorable, yes, but funny? Hmmm.
WELL. I’m here to tell you that babies are funny. In fact, they are hilarious. I mean, okay, maybe I’ve been stuck inside for too long (like, uh, seven weeks) without much adult interaction and am going a bit stir crazy, but man… Max is wildly entertaining.
His personality kills me and the way his faces change in mere seconds? GAH.
My personal favorite is the furrowed brow. It’s constant.
Then it erupts in a gigantic gummy smile and I.just.MELT.
This is what week seven means in this house:
Life is starting to seem semi-normal again. Sort of.
He seems utterly HUGE to us, especially when he is in our arms. Like he just looks giant – he has grown so so so much in these seven weeks.
When I feed him around 4:30-5am, instead of putting him back in his bassinest, I let him sleep on my chest and talk to Eddie while he is getting ready to leave for work. Max sleeping on my chest is probably the thing I will miss the most in the universe as he grows. As Eddie was leaving for work the other day, he said “I can’t take it, he just looks like a little gorilla on your chest, like how the baby gorillas hang on their mom’s chest at the zoo?” For some reason I found this to be incredibly adorable/hilarious.
I will never ever ever get sick of/forget the “mmmm” sound he makes while he is eating. I’m sure it has to do with my love of food, but I’m like man… I love that you love eating so much!
Last week I attempted to do two long days of work back to back – days like I would have done before having him, around ten hours long. Yeah yeah I know, I’m clueless for even thinking it would be possible. By the end of the second day, I had a massive meltdown and was so exhausted and frustrated at how little I could actually get done. Not to mention how I really just wanted to sit and cuddle with him all day. It was at this point that I swear Max “sensed” it or knew I was about to have a breakdown, because he slept a little longer that night and was super chill and happy while hanging out in the kitchen with me the next day. It was the sweetest thing ever. Does this make me insane? Also, I can’t believe that mothers working outside the home only get six weeks of maternity leave as there are still so many things we are working through at seven weeks. That is practically criminal.
I miss him all the time, even when he is asleep right next to me. I still want to be holding him all the time. At the same time, I crave a minute of alone time and then if/when I get it, I miss him SO much. (Wait. Could I say “time” a few more times?) The other night it felt amazing to just be washing my face upstairs while he was downstairs with Eddie and I’m like… ohhh my what is my life.
I am still DYING to get outside and walk with him in the stroller. Like craving it. Looking forward to it so much. I think it will be my favorite part of everyday once it warms up.
At this point I feel like I will never get a full night’s sleep again in my life and… I don’t even care. A family friend who has kids that are grown with their own children reinforced my thoughts on how I’ll never get this time back. She said not to worry about the house being a wreck (because omg it SO is) because at some point, the kids will be long gone and the house will be spotless and I’ll hope someone comes over to play and mess it up. She said not to worry about sleep, because one day I’ll be sleeping through the night and the kids will be out of the house and I’ll wish for the days where I snuggled my newborn at 3am. Could this BE more true? GAH.
Makes me want to bawl my eyes out.
49 Comments on “life with max: seven weeks in.”
LOVE reading your posts. Like so much. I check all the time for baby updates and I don’t even have a baby of my own!
thank you!!! xoxo
Jessica, he is the sweetest baby, seriously. I honestly don’t think I’ve seen a cuter baby in my life. Is it weird that I want to see more and more pictures of sweet baby Max? He’s so adorable!! Ugh!!! How can one tiny baby be THAT cute? I love reading about your time with him, how much you and Eddie love him really shows. It’s so beautiful. Max gives me baby fever like no other baby ever has, but I’m 24 and working on my career so definitely holding off on that for a while. OMG and hello, Eddie posted on his instagram about men’s day out being a disaster! Can we PLEASE hear that story?
thank youuu!!!
and omg… haha i can talk about that in week 8 update. it was humorous. let’s just say he has a “new appreciation” (his words) for being with a baby full time. ;)
I cannot believe you responded to my comment! Ahhh! You’re basically like a celebrity to me so I’m freaking out right now. <3 <3 <3 tons of love from Las Vegas!!
Baby Max updates are the highlight of my week. He is SO SO cute!!!
love reading your updates every week! Especially since I’ve been going through all of these stages at the same time– my little one was born the day after yours :)
Max is so freaking adorable! I hear the baby fever. I feel it too already, but then I realize that this on is so awesome I just want to spend as much one on one time with her as possible. Motherhood has definitely given me a new appreciation for living in the moment and enjoying every second. Thank you for putting that in words every week :)
This takes care of My wanting another child. He is the cutest!
We have 12 weeks here and try looking at your 3 month old and handing him over to someone so you can go back to work. I just couldn’t do it. I nursed both girls until 18 months. Thank you for sharing Max with us.
PS I had a kitty named Max.. Right back at me…. I always used to get …oh my dogs name is Molly ( My 14 yo daughter ) Off to shovel.
HE IS SO FREAKING CUTE. I can’t stand it! I love these posts because I continue to relate on every level. My heart bursts/breaks when I think about my baby boy growing up. It goes by so unbelievably fast, and I’m only in month four. It is SO hard to take a step back and say “it’s OK to just BE right now. Just hold him. Cuddle him. Soak it all in.” Many a meltdown was had in my house because I wasn’t listening to this advice enough. And, maternity leave is SO not long enough. I was super lucky and able to take off 14 weeks (most paid) with my little one, and even that felt like 3 months too short. Even though I was starting to go stir crazy…it still wasn’t enough time. I can’t imagine having to go back after six weeks. INSANE.
Max is absolutely adorable! My baby girl will be 14 weeks tomorrow and I can relate to everything you wrote in your post. Between craving warmer weather for stroller walks, difficulty managing daily chores, and adopting coffee as a major food group – it’s reassuring to know that we are all experiencing the same challenges as new mothers. Living in the moment, even though difficult at times, is something that my mom constantly reinforces…especially because time seems to have flown since her birth.
My husband and I constantly talk about how much we miss Ayla curling up and sleeping on our chests. She’s too big now…it’s amazing how you forget how small they once were. As cliché as it sounds, it just keeps getting better (especially when they give you that big toothless grin).
ahhh such cuteness overload!
Okay, I am dying to know if the freezer meals were worth it. I’m about to start that lovely project before my baby comes. Do it? Don’t do it?
I’m working on it now and it will be posted later today on this page! :)
Enjoy this time, I was off for 3 months and it still was not enough time. Sleeping on the chest will probably last up until two years old, My 15 month old son still falls asleep on my chest, I think they can hear your heart beat. Take lots of pictures because in a few months he will be walking :-)
I love these posts! Gives me so much to look forward to- we’re expecting our little man the first week of June (first baby!)!!
Ok, the baby fever thing is SO REAL (and you already know this, so yeah). And I totally believe that babies are hilarious. I face-timed with Arthur and my sister/brother-in-law last night, and cracked up because he was literally sleeping and then *ahem* took a massive dump in the middle of the call (TMI, but it would loud and the sound was HILARIOUS)..
Enjoy it! Everyone warns you about how your life is going to change once you have a baby and how little sleep you get and blah, blah, blah. But no one warns you that once they become teens, you become sleep deprived again. Late night curfews, waiting for them to come home safely. Sneaky teens who push all your buttons and push their boundaries. Like every day. Dating and all the worries over sex. I could go on and on! I would soooooo go back to when I could hold them and know that they were as safe as I could make them be.
ALL OF THIS. <3
The craziest thing is that the U.S. is the only developed country in the world without paid maternity leave – you’re considered lucky if your employer does offer it. A woman who comes into my office a few times a week didn’t get ANY – not a single day. She had her baby on a Wednesday and was back at work on Monday. It’s criminal. I’m glad you have this time with Max and know how special it is – he’s adorable!!
It wasn’t until I got pregnant this past year that I realized how few companies offer decent paid leave. I only got 6 weeks paid out of the 12 I took through FMLA because my company has a short-term disability policy (never mind how much I despise calling pregnancy a disability!). I can’t believe your coworker didn’t even get a full week off. That’s repulsive.
6 weeks is shocking! in the UK we get a year of paid leave and it still felt too early for me to be leaving my babies at 11 months. By law you’re not actually allowed to return to work for two weeks after you’ve given birth. Hats off to you ladies that go back to work so early.
Love reading all your baby updates because we just found out we’re expecting! Also — 6 weeks of paid maternity leave? I WISH. No paid maternity leave where I work. I plan on taking as much time off as I can, but it’s going to be unpaid. But to end on a happier note, Max is adorable and your posts make me so excited about what’s coming for us!
You have given me baby fever, but that won’t be happening. I can live through my siblings and their future babies. Gah, Max is the cutest!!!!!
Long for the newborn days!!! My littlest little is 19 months and I was holding her this morning and she longed to be put down! I kept saying no hug mama hug mama :(
umm, I’m pretty sure your baby gives everyone baby fever!! like, I’m literally a 19 year old junior in college and I have baby fever! he is ridiculously adorable and you guys are just the cutest family. ahhhh xoxoxo <3
I am SOOOO living vicariously the baby world through each. And. Every. Word. I miss those times so badly!!!! My baby is 24, and as much as I love him now, I still miss smelling fresh from a bath, cuddles, watching him sleep, oh, everything! Max is absolutely precious, I love the three of you together!! More Max!! :-)<3<3<3<3<3<3<3
MORE BABY UPDATES, PLEASE! Also, I just love his name, and he really looks like a Max. So perfect. Also, thank you for sharing all of these very personal and tender thoughts with us. You have a way with words, Jessica!
Freezer taste and purse taste.. I totally get it. There’s also plastic taste (when your PBJ tastes like the ziplock) and tupperware taste (when your leftovers taste like plastic AND everything that tupperware has ever held, ever). Blah.
Um, 6 weeks paid maternity leave? Yeah right! Companies are not required to give you ANY paid maternity leave. I’d feel like I hit the jackpot if a company offered me 6 weeks paid maternity leave!!
I love reading these updates! My first little guy will be 4 months next Thursday, so it’s so fun to think back on these same time periods. It makes me a little teary-eyed, too.
Before I went back to work, I would bring my little man into the bedroom after his morning feeding, too, and let him sleep on my chest. Oh man, enjoy that (like you are) because you’ll miss it when it’s gone. Every now and then, usually when he’s cranky and screaming from being overtired, he’ll fall asleep on my chest when I’m reclining, but it’s a rare occurrence.
And, yes, getting only 6 weeks paid leave was CRAPPY. I took the full 12 weeks FMLA, but my paid leave was only 6 weeks; and 2 of those weeks were 66% pay. I’m just grateful my company had a short-term policy, and the missed paychecks were totally worth the extra time I got. Some US mothers don’t get ANY paid leave. It’s criminal.
Max is seriously adorable. Congrats again and just keep enjoying every minute. :-)
6 weeks of UNPAID maternity leave :( There is no paid maternity leave mandated or provided in the US, and unless you’re lucky enough to have it through your particular employer, it’s all unpaid. Something to think about next time we vote!
On a happier note, Max is perfect and I love your updates. Looking forward to meeting my own baby boy in June.
He is soooo cute!!! OMG! That furrowed brow! #idie Can I just say that I totally understand how you feel when you say you miss him all the time? Owen is almost 17 months old and just started sleeping through the night again after the 4 month sleep regression (which is so a thing BTW), and I miss him desperately! I’m still not getting any sleep because I miss him so much.
New mum to a 10 week old here! I could SO relate to this post. :) Enjoy this precious time!
My 11.5-month old is sleeping on me as I type… I feel so lucky that my girl still loves the snuggles for her naps (she’s an early riser, read: gets up between 4-5am everyday, gah!). Most of my friends’ babies don’t do it so I’m soaking it all in and not caring about my house being a mess.
As a side note, reading all of your American readers’ comments about maternity leave makes me feel SO blessed to be Canadian. I can’t imagine going back to work after 6-12 weeks, let alone not getting paid for any of the time off. We are so blessed in Canada to get an entire year off, and 55% of our income paid by our government. I’m going back to work in 2 weeks and am dreading it but knowing that I was with her for an entire year, for all those firsts, with an income (diminished but hey, I’ll take 55% over nothing!), instead of what our neighbours to the south get… I’m trying to remind myself of that! I don’t know how you ladies do it, I’m starting to wonder how I’m ever going to get anything done when back to work and my baby is a lot older (read: sleeps more consistently… For the most part!) than a 6 week old!
I love reading your updates on life with Max! I’m currently pregnant with my 2nd baby (my daughter is turning 3 on Monday) and hating every part of being pregnant at the moment. These stories make me appreciate it a bit more and make me look forward to meeting this little one. BTW, here in Canada, we get 50 weeks of maternity leave (I’m one of the lucky ones who has an employer who will cover the extra 2 weeks so I get a full year off). You’re allowed to hate me for saying it. :)
that sweater onesie, though! You know how when most people start a new job they arrive to flowers on their first day or lunch out with colleagues…well, when you work from home a sweater onesie should arrive on your doorstep. I neeeeeeed one.
The furrowed brow! I can’t even… So adorable!
I just have to echo that it totally gets even better! I have a 16 month old and (don’t throw things at me) I really didn’t loooove the newborn phase. I think I was just hormonal and nervous that I was doing everything wrong, lol. But now – now is when I wish I could hit the pause button forever. The babbles, little feet running around, the personality coming out, the kisses and hugs… I love the toddler phase. Even with the tantrums that come with it! :) Just wanted to say that I’m so happy you are enjoying every moment of it now and you will continue to be in awe of the awesomeness that is your baby <3
I died of the cute in that first picture. It’s too much.
But I have a baby boy just a little older than Max and I must know–where’s his romper from?
Oh my word, I’m like sobbing with all the feels right now – this is verbatim how I felt (OK, still feel) with Wes and I can’t wait to go through it all again! They’re precious, right? And I am d y i n g over the picture of Max sleeping. All the smoosh is the best!
It is lovely to read how happy your are. My 3rd child is just 2 months tomorrow, and it is only on this iteration that I truly understand how brief the newborn stage is. This time around, I don’t mind all of the waking – even with the return to work, and being out of the house, I finally understand that it is only a moment. That is what concealer is for under your eyes and an extra cup of coffee. The first weeks back, if like me, you return between 6-8 weeks, can be a little rough (or a lot rough – as it was with baby #2). Give yourself a break. You will get some work done – whatever has to get done, you will figure it out. What doesn’t get done, is likely not a matter of life and death.
My little guy is now 7 and I remember saying all those things to myself and it so true. I was in constant battle with myself to have the house cleaned, dinner made and obsessing over losing baby weight. Don’t worry about the house, sleep, hair etc. It goes by in a blink and then you will have this little man in your house and again be fully rested!
You know I love your food and crumbs posts, and I love these posts just as much — thank you for sharing with us!!! <3
I so look forward to your picture posts and these updates. Your little guy has to be one of the cutest babies I have ever seen…and I am no spring chicken so I have seen many! His face is so expressive and i would bet big money that his personality will be unique and a blast. I can imagine all kinds of hilarious things coming out of that little mouth when he gets to talking.
Thanks so mch for including all of your followers in this amazing phase of you life.
You may have mentioned it early (sorry if you did, I blame my pregnancy brain!) but where is that adorable sweater outfit from?? He is SO cute.
Ugh, the advice your family friend gave you just hit me like a ton of bricks. As I came upstairs for bed and as I pass every room in the house and lament what a disaster each one is, thinking one day it’ll all be spotless because my baby will be grown and out of the house, makes me want to ugly cry! Wah. Max is sooo cute!!
Ummm yeah your last paragraph totally made me cry… it’s like I don’t even know me anymore! When I feed Joseph in the middle of the night I love letting him fall asleep on my chest, then I get up and kind of rock/slow dance with him around the room before I put him back to bed (we put a Sonos speaker in the nursery and play soft music at night). The other night I got SO sad thinking about him being bigger and not being able to do that.
Also, we have a ton of furrowed brows here and they are HYSTERICAL! Love the faces!
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Reading this post with my almost 7 week old snoozing on my arms….I feel the same on all fronts. Missing her when she’s right there, snuggling on my chest, all of it. Love this stage.