Zane continues to be a laid back baby, very content when rested and fed. If he is fussing it is certainly rest or food he needs. He doesn't even fuss with a dirty diaper, so there is not much fussing going on. I can tell his eye sight is getting better as he is focusing on the environment and our faces more. Although this is not from his third month, I must share this picture that I captured of Zane last week. He was completely and totally focused on Keith's face like he was studying one of the wonders of the world. It was the first time I have seen him so intent and focused on a subject.
Zane has fallen into a decent routine during the day of waking around 7am to eat and then going every 2-3 1/2 hours during the day of eating with a decent nap in between. I kept trying to "see" a schedule but it just was not there. I recently heard about an app called Baby Connect and for $4.99 you can track your babies every move and then see the patterns. Still debating if seeing that is really worth five bucks. My planner side says use it, my Mommy side says a schedule will come when it comes. While his days are good, sad to say, his nights have continued to slowly deteriorate. It's not horrible, but lets just say I am not getting much sleep at any one time. Yes, I have created a paci pusher and instead of laying there listening to him fuss, I choose to get up and give him the paci to quiet him. Well, that has turned into a frequent thing. Not sure what to do about that, but feel it is a BIG contributor in my feeling overwhelmed, fatigued and exhausted. And that's when I wake up!
I guess this too shall pass.
Zane has become quite strong with tummy time and actually enjoys it. He flips easily from his front to his back, and has started really looking at his toys. The most exciting thing is seeing him start to reach for things. He really bats at them more than reaches, but it is amazing to see none the less.
He has been practicing sitting in his bumbo and can last a few minutes before getting tired.
Zane's biggest mission is finding his thumb, or just enjoying his fist. When he can get it, he works on it like a toothless man eatin a corn cob. OK, so maybe I am thinking of my toothless patients, but you get the idea. : ) I have heard many Moms do everything they can to keep their child from being a thumb sucker, but honestly, I could care less. That is a battle I will fight one day if I have to, but right now I would LOVE for him to self soothe at night. That is really the only time we use the paci. Speak of the devil....I hear Zane fussing now (he went to bed an hour ago). *Sigh*
One thing about Zane that makes me melt is how he absolutely lights up from the inside out when his eyes meet yours. He smiles with his eyes and the happy open mouth grin is just a bonus. While this is more recent, this is a good example of what I mean.
Heck, that doesn't even do it justice. It is the kind of smile that makes all the sleepless nights worth it. And even makes it easier to bear that at this moment Zane is STILL in their fussing while he should be sleeping. : ) This too shall pass, this too shall pass, this too shall pass. Maybe I need to have that tatooed on the back of my right hand, so in everything I do I will be reminded.
Zane, while he is still the easiest in the bunch (at least during the day), has added a dynamic this is teaching me a lot. I am learning that not every mess can be straightened in a day. Laundry will never be truly "caught up", and it really doesn't matter if I get to the pile of papers today or tomorrow. Being a Mom of three is busy and it is hard. It think some women are just wired in a way where they wake up early to dress and shower, cheerily greeting their children at the breakfast table for a hot meal, then spend the day engaging their children in fulfilling activities that are bonding and teach them how to be loving, kind, smart, helpful and respectful. When there is down time, that mother goes to work, diligently planning healthy meals, washing and folding laundry, cleaning and organizing her home. At the end of the day, she thanks God for her blessings and wakes up the next day ready to do it again. (OK, so maybe that is not reality but it sure seems so for some!) Me? I stumble downstairs with bed head in PJ's to find the kids have eaten breakfast already. I make and drink my coffee while the kids engage in some form of media. I bark orders and parent from afar all day as I get them to help me *barely* maintain order. I am often short and rude with them when they are not compliant and then punish them when they are short and rude to each other. Really funny how hypocritical it is for me to lecture them about being "kind" to each other when I am the example they are following. When they ask me to play, I say "In a minute", when they ask me to watch I say "I am" but really I'm distracted. Yes, I just had a baby, and yes, I am sleep deprived, but somehow those "excuses" don't excuse it all. It is a hard balance to not be hard on yourself but then again, strive to be the mother you want to be. Sometimes, you just have to dig in and hold on, praying your children are too young to remember how short you fall, and just stand in amazement that you have been given the gift of motherhood in the first place.
Last, but in every no way least, Zane has communicated his collegiate loyalty to us:
