Happy one month, Simon!

One month has sure gone by fast! And the learning curve has been steep, just like the first month of intern year -- again with the analogies to residency (they have so much in common though!) Here are a few reflections of things I've learned, milestones achieved, and what's ahead:

Looking back

• Words cannot describe how much I love, adore, and care for Simon. It's something that's impossible to understand until you're a parent, I think. I definitely had no idea before he was born (even though I could feel him moving around while I was pregnant, it was still different).
• Learning baby cues. Had no idea what he wanted in the beginning. Now I kind of do but it's still difficult to figure out what to do sometimes.
• Sleep deprivation is hard. I am surprised by how little sleep I actually need to get by, and still function during the day, but it sucks. And the bad part of not sleeping enough is that it makes me more easily irritable and forgetful. One of these days I will sleep more than 3 hours at a time and it will be amazing.
• Some things I would change, looking back with some perspective and experience: 
• read a few more parenting books to get an idea of what to do prior to delivery instead of learning everything on the fly
• read more about breastfeeding and see a lactation consultant sooner. Breastfeeding might have been a little less stressful the first few weeks
• set more boundaries for my mom during the first week (she came to visit way too often, was overly intrusive with some of her advice and presence -- of course she had good intentions, but it was way too overwhelming and created unneeded stress in addition to being a new mom)
•  limit visitors (so so difficult for me to do, since it seems so rude to turn away well-meaning friends and family, but in retrospect it was really disruptive to forming a schedule, and Simon gets over stimulated with all the people, not to mention exhausting for both of us to host so many guests)

Looking forward

• His one month checkup is tomorrow, along with his 2nd hepatitis B shot
• Recheck thyroid function tests on Friday. Hoping for good results.
• I have to go back to work in 3 weeks :( not feeling ready, but hopefully we can plan enough for it to be a relatively smooth transition
• Starting sleep training. The "Babywise" book was recommended to me by a friend, and we are trying it out. I really hope it works because things would be much simpler if we had a set schedule! It certainly is hard to listen to Simon cry, though. *crossing fingers that this works*

Happy 1 month birthday, Simon. We love you.