Declan Update: Birth-5 Months

Well hello there! Did you think I forgot about you?! No no, it’s just been a whirlwind the past few months and I needed to focus on the transition of becoming a mom, recover from my delivery, adjust to the sleepless nights and just catch my breath! I’ve had the intention of writing this post and actually sat down to do so, but then always something happened (Declan woke up from a nap, time to feed, the laundry needed to be changed over, etc).  There have definitely been some hurdles we’ve faced, but I absolutely LOVE being a mom and wouldn’t change any of it!

I read a quote somewhere about how the moment a child is born, a mother is also born. I’ve been changed in a way I never thought possible and have experienced a love I never knew.

We’re finally getting into a groove (yes, it took us a while!) so I’m planning on blogging more often and based on feedback I received on Instagram, I’m going to transition my blog into more of a lifestyle blog- still have gluten free recipes, but add in more baby, lifestyle, personal, etc. 

I thought today I would give you a little update on what’s been going on with our sweet boy, Declan, and share pictures with you. Can you believe he will be 5 months this weekend?! I sure can’t… I want to slow down time!

I haven’t decided yet if I will share my birth story- honestly I’m still processing it all. What I will say is that I did not have the delivery I hoped or planned for and because of that it was a very long, hard recovery for me both physically and emotionally. I’m blessed to have an incredible husband and mom (she stayed a month with us) that helped so much.

I got off to a slow start with breastfeeding because of the circumstances of my delivery and then to be honest I really hated it- it hurt, he struggled with it and I was really frustrated. Luckily I had a lactation consultant that came over to help out and right away she noticed he had a tongue and lip tie. I wish I would have called her to come over sooner because we didn’t get his ties reversed until he was two months old and after that everything changed with breastfeeding. He latched batter, I no longer was in pain and I began enjoying that special bond that goes along with nursing. He’s still exclusively breastfed and all of the little issues he had prior to getting his ties fixed (reflux, gas, colic, etc) have gone away.

A week after we got his ties fixed, Erik and I tested positive for COVID.Talk about a tough month for us! It was really hard since we’re alone in Arizona and our families are in California, so we didn’t have anyone to help with Declan as we recovered. The pediatrician assured me that she hadn’t seen babies affected by COVID and for me to continue nursing him so he received my antibodies. Thankfully, Declan never got it even though he slept on me the entire time I had it.

The first three months were the most challenging and then things started going up from there! Every day he changes so much and it’s so exciting to see him discover the world around him. He is such a happy baby and loves smiling and laughing. He loves cooing, listening to nursery rhymes, having stories read to him, going on walks and playing peekaboo! He doesn’t love sleeping (we’re still working on that!), tummy time (working on that too! ha) or teething (he already has his two bottom teeth!).

Even in the challenging moments, I feel so honored and blessed that God chose me to be Declan’s mom and I don’t take this role for granted. Thank you again for following along in our journey and for all the warm wishes and prayers during my pregnancy and the messages I’ve received checking in on me!

One Week:

One Month:

Two Months:

Three Months:

Four Months:

I plan on posting more about motherhood, tips I’m learning along the way, baby products, etc… but if there is anything specific you’d like me to post about, please let me know!

And if you want to see more Declan updates/pics on a regular basis be sure to follow me on Instagram!

Xo, Kristina 

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