Tyr's fourth week in pictures and an update

This week had some ups and downs. First, the sleep situation was killing me. Tyr is growing fine and getting plenty of food - we're not worried about him at all - I'm just dying from this lack of sleep. I know it is normal for a newborn to eat every two hours, but when it takes forty minutes to feed him, another ten to burp him, ten to change and swaddle, and ten or so for him to fall asleep, then however long it takes me to get to bed and fall asleep as well, there's hardly enough time for a nap! And Tyr and I can't seem to work it out to nurse while we lay in bed. So we decided that Brett will take over the first feeding of the night (with a bottle of whatever I can pump plus formula), changing Tyr, feeding him, burping, re-swaddling and placing him back in the bassinet. Then I will take the next feeding, and we'll share any that come after. This way we both have been able to get around four hours of uninterrupted sleep, and that has been wonderful. I'm still tired, but I don't feel like I'm losing my mind and dying. Thank goodness for bottles, pumps, and husbands!
Also this week, Tyr's forehead started peeling. That doesn't worry me or anything, just part of the update, but I started having some pain after nursing so we went to the doctor and she said it is Thrush. She advised me to use a washcloth soaked in a little vinegar and water to clean my "milk machines" and Tyr's mouth before each feeding, nurse as usual, then after nursing apply some cream to myself and air dry. The CNA actually said I should go topless as much as possible. Brett liked that.
Can I just say that nursing for me is not like I thought nursing would be? I saw women nursing and they just unclipped  their bra and moved their baby under their shirt and voila! she's nursing. Okay, maybe those women just happen to be the only ones that nurse in public because it is fairly easy for them and the others that struggle like me stay at home or in their car or use the changing room at Target. Anyway, Thrush is adding a further complication, but even without it I still have to use a nursing guard/shield, which requires both hands to put on and also for my shirt to be completely up. And as helpful as a nursing cover is, it is also difficult for me to manage. If Tyr makes a funny noise and I need to see if he's okay or if he flails and knocks the nipple guard off, things get very complicated. Oh well, Tyr and I will keep trucking through. It just means extra time together.
Tomorrow Brett goes back to work. I'm slightly nervous. I know we'll be fine, but I don't want to be the only adult in the house. I like having my family around me. And while I still can go out and run errands and shop, it takes a significantly longer amount of time with a baby. And even longer if I need to nurse him first. That is all made a little easier with someone to help. I went shopping with Tyr while Brett was at an appointment and it was rough trying to handle the diaper bag, him in his car seat, trying to fit that in the shopping cart, changing him when he pooped, then changing his clothes because he spit up, then carting him and my clothes into the changing room to try on clothes and carting all of that back out. I was dripping sweat and considered never shopping again. I only considered that mind you. I could never stop shopping.
I have been getting caught up in thinking negatively and believing that we're failing and we're not able to do this, but thanks to my mom and my psychologist pointing it out - we ARE doing this, we ARE succeeding. It is just confusing to be successful at something and to feel so cruddy still. So I am working on changing my thoughts and attitude. And it's helping me feel better. : ) For the record, I have to say that I think we are doing a great job as parents. It is hard and doesn't feel so good all the time, but we are figuring out ways to make things work for us and we have been having some fun in the mean time. We also have Tyr for our baby, which helps.
Speaking of Tyr, here he is...

 I caught him nomming on his monkey ear. He likes to do that. Then we put on his awesome hat from Leslie. She is talented!

 Tyr is a rooting machine! And he goes for whatever, his thumb, my hand, monkey ears, the doctor's hand, he doesn't care. He's a man on a mission.

 We spent most of my pregnancy calling Tyr "Little Brother". It's a cute nickname that also serves as a sort of memorial to Odie. My mom and I found this onesie and could not help ourselves!

 Dune was fixing Tyr's nose since it was dry. Dogs know that noses are supposed to be wet.

 I couldn't help myself and had to take a picture of these anemones. So pretty!

 The blanket that Tyr is laying on, not the monkey one he is wrapped in, was made by my sister Alex. She did a wonderful job, and I may just keep it for myself... Tyr may have to fight me for it.

 Leto makes a good pillow for Tyr's bum.

 These pictures crack me up. I think Tyr looks like a grandpa with his undershirt and some sweatpants on. He also has little hair, which doesn't help his situation. : )

 Oh! "Surprised baby" face.

 Haha, still looks like a grandpa. I need to get him a navy jumpsuit with an elastic waistband and some tic tacs or Werther's candy.

 Baby cleavage!!!

 That shirt says "I still live with my parents". Too funny.

 I love those squishy soft ears and fuzzy hair.

 That is Tyr's "World Domination" face.

 He's almost too chubby to make the whistle face. I love it!

 My sweet little boy.

 Tyr just had a bath and was shivering and obviously upset with me for pausing to take a picture. But he's so cute! He's lucky I didn't take a naked one. Yet.

 All clean and oiled and swaddled. I love the smell of Burt's Bee's baby oil. Mmmm.