Another baby's first or why I'm glad October is over!

This weekend will go down as the worst we've had since big guy was born. Everything went wrong his weekend. Any plans we had went awry and big guy got sick and then launched himself off our bed! Wait, I'm getting ahead of myself.

Saturday we wanted to go do fun stuff. Instead, big guy was grouchy, tired, and I was starting to wean him from one BF session to a lunch. It was tough on the ta-tas, but big guy handled it well. So, we got nothing accomplished. No cleaning, no activities, no sleep.

Sunday- a new day! Big guy wakes up with a runny nose and a cough. No biggie, this is his third cold. We were supposed to go to my friend J's house for Halloween festivities- but no one was feeling it. We cancelled. But there was still candy in our future. Big guy was being a tough napper, hubs and I were bickering. Then came our afternoon nap. It was awesome! However, it ended when big guy launched himself off our bed when he was waking up. And landed on his head! Loud thump, screaming baby, hubs freaking out, and me trying to remain calm.

When hubs was freaking out and saying something sasnwrong with his face then I started to freak out! I was most worried bc I couldn't see what was wrong with him. I think I just kept yelling- I broke him! After hubs drove like a psycho to the ER, big guy was looking at me like whats the problem? We walk in and he smiles at the first woman he sees. Now I know he is ok!

We got in very quickly and the dr was there fairly soon. His blood pressure, pulse, temperature and weigh were all fine. The dr was concerned bc he landed on the corner of his head- where the edge of your eyebrow goes into your hairline. Apparently there is a large artery there- so big guy got his first CAT Scan! He looked so tiny in he machine! Results came back fine- skull, brain, and arteries all looked good. No concussion. He was fine. I was fine. Hubs was still all freaked out.

We went home and fed big guy and put him to bed. Hubs and I had a big talk about our son and how we aren't going to be able to protect him from everything. In he end, we were all ok. And I am so glad October is over!

Yay & Hi

LaSt week big guy hit a bunch of milestones. One being saying (in my opinion) two words. Or at least mimicking what I said to him! The first happened in the bathroom. Big guy loves light switches and can occasionally smack them to turn off the light, much to his delight. So, we walk into the bathroom and turn on the light, big guy gets excited and smiles and I said, "yay!" and he looked at me and said "yay!" it was really cool.

Now you might be thinking it's a fluke- ok how about this. Big guy is crawling towards the cat food bowl- a favorite haunt and I yelled his name to hopefully get him to turn around. He stops and I said "hi!" in a great high pitched mommy voice. He flashes me a smile, says "hi!" and then continues to crawl away! So there!

Sleepy baby

This is what I saw the other day when I went to get big guy from the car. Sometimes he is just too cute and it makes me so happy!

Caught! Escaping from the laundry basket!

Have you ever seen a cuter naked baby trying to escape?

What's lefty doing?

Big guy has been on the move for a few weeks now and I thought I'd give an update on his progress. Though his crawl isn't typical, it's effective and fast! He now uses his right foot to inch his booty in the air and then drags himself forward with his hands and forearms. It's like an inchworm and army crawl all in one!

yesterday, I noticed that he was dragging his left leg around, instead of helping righty out with the butt lift. I was worried that it might be injured. But he's been standing fine and actually takes a lot of first cruising steps with it. Ok, what's the deal with lefty? I pointed this out to hubs and he said he noticed it too. Hubs said it looks like his rudder! And sometimes he'll bend lefty at the knee and it looks like a little periscope!

Big guy knows his name!

On friday big guy was scurrying around the house and I see him going for his favorite spot, the sliding glass doors and the curtains, which is his sneaky pit stop before he does a speed burst to the cat food! This is where Grandma Dino tells me that's how he makes antibodies! And I feel like he gets enough of those from the amount of hair he eats from the kitty cat. Well, I was sitting on the couch and I yelled out his name and he turned and looked at me. OMG!!! Big guy knows his name!!! It was awesome! I wonder if he has been doing this for a while and I just haven't noticed. Since then I have been yelling it out just to get a turn and smile!

Who knew Grandma Dino hated pears so much?

On Wednesday, Grandma Dino came over and hung out with us in the afternoon. Big guy was starting pears! Apparently, Grandma Dino hates pears- she was forced to eat them all of her childhood due to a pear tree in her backyard- which explains why I never ate pears as a kid! Side note- I also was never allowed to wear headbands! Moving on, Grandma Dino is relating her hatred of pears and I'm thinking, oof, I hope big guy can tolerate them.

I bust out the pears and take a lick off the top of the container- I like to taste before big guy does. It tastes like apples, but with a really grainy texture. Eww. But, I put on a smile and big guy gets his first bite. A bit confused, but then opens his mouth up right away! He loves them! Yay!

Big guy is a good eater, like hubs, who I call a golden retriever b/c he'll pretty much eat anything that is put in front of him. I don't want my weird food issues on big guy. Even though I don't eat red meat, I don't want big guy not to try and figure out for himself what he likes or doesn't like. I think it's a fine line that I'll have to continually work on!

Uh-oh Spaghettios!

Early thursday morning- around 1:30ish I hear a yelp. I consider ignoring it, like I normally do, but then another little yelp came out. I peek over the covers and see a smiling baby looking back at me! Only he wasn't laying down, he was sitting up with his hands on the top of the crib just about to pull himself to standing!

Yikes! The crib hasn't been dropped yet! I make a crazy noise and sprint from bed, hubs follows me in some crazed way with his arms out trying to catch him. Only he was several feet from the crib still (hey- he wears glasses in real life!) and I grab the big guy. Hmmm, he must have discovered how to do this sometime on wednesday, but he has not shown any indication of learning this skill while awake. Must have been a nap time discovery.

Later that morning- around 3am, big guy decides to wake up and not go back to sleep. So cruel! We were both exhausted, my belly was upset and I decided we'd stay home to recuperate for the day. I brought the big guy down stairs and we hung out with hubs for a little bit. Big guy starts crawling around and then effortlessly gets into a siting position. Hmmmm.

I was talking to Nanny S later that afternoon and mentioned it, apparently she found him in his pack n play like this on wednesday! Ah-ha! It was a nap time discovery. He has now perfected it and it's so cute watching him do it. Most of the time he manages to do it so that he ends up sitting right next to or on top of our sides, legs, or bellies. He's such a snuggler. I love it so much!

Where's Spot? Spoiler alert- he's in the basket!

Aunt A bought big guy a "Where's Spot?" book. We've been reading it with big guy since he was born. On wednesday I was frantically getting dressed in the morning and hubs and big guy were reading it. Hubs looks at me and says to hold on and watch something. I made a snappy remark, but hubs again said to hold on. So, I slow down and stand next to them. Hubs reads, "Is Spot behind the door?" Big guy looks at the bright blue flap and reaches over with his right hand and opens the door to reveal the bear with the honey jar!!!! He's interacting with books! I then proceed to clap and watch them go through the rest of the book. I was in awe that morning. The next day I read it with him and he went through the whole book lifting and opening flaps, with the exception of the pink piano because he ripped it off and brought it to the bath tub a few weeks ago.

cruisin'

Big guy has started to cruise! I'm telling you- spending all day with a baby older than oneself is very helpful. Truthfully, big guy has been ahead on all his milestones, so I'm not surprised that he has started to cruise and eight months. He started on monday when hubs was home with him. Moving from his play table to the couch and then along the couch. He has been practicing all week. On friday night, he moved all the way down the couch in search of a bag of pretzels.

So, in addition to crawling around, big guy is now figuring out this whole walking thing. I mean, he's been attempting to walk since he was a couple months old- always wanting to stand and doing high knee stepping all around the house, though mostly chasing the cat. But this is serious, he's on his way to becoming a toddler!!

chicken salad

many months ago I lamented about my weight and going to buy chicken salad. Whether subconsciously or not, I haven't had chicken salad since. However, I am now (yay) below my pre-pregnancy weight and the other day I had a hankering for some chicken salad. Hubs, big guy, and I walked over to the market to go buy it and get some cheese and chips. As I was walking through I thought about how I was now a skinny mommy buying chicken salad and it put a huge smile on my face!

sippy cup

The same night we started the puff, we started the sippy cup. We had gotten two as a gift, but I couldn't figure out how to close them without all the contents dumping all over big guy when he attempted to drink. I was really impressed the first time that he was drinking so much! But then I took him out of his high chair and he was soaked!

So, I went to the trusty rite aid (I just love it there!) and picked out another one. Bingo! No leaks and in fun colors. Big guy was hesitant at first- but then surprisingly started to take little sips. My plan is that after he eats his puffs throughout the meal, he takes a sip or two. It is working so far. Then when he is totally done. We sit on the floor and take some long pulls.

What is really funny is that sometimes I think he forgets that he is drinking b/c he'll take a big sip and then swallows and makes a surprised noise and face and looks at me for reassurance. And I say it's OK and he smiles and keeps drinking. My plan is now expanding to him drinking at all meals.

Lunch. It's been approved!

On saturday we went to the BF group for working moms. We asked LC T is if was OK to start serving lunch. She weighed big guy and he is at a steady 20 lbs. Which he has been at since four months. I then surprised her by saying I was still pumping twice a day. Apparently, when I had been there a month earlier, she was under the impression that I was going to stop sooner. However, this weekend, we are combing the 9am and noon feeding into an oatmeal breakfast at 9, BFing at 10:30, lunch at 12:30, and Bfing at 3ish. I'm so freakin' excited!

As mentioned before I have loved BF the big guy, but pumping sucks. My current plan is to drop to one pump a day until thanksgiving, and then over turkey day break, wean the last pump time! So, we'll see how it goes.

Apple da sauce

We started apple sauce today! Big guy really liked it! And apple sauce poops are kind of like banana poops. Dark and thick!

And for my next trick... the puff

Wednesday night the hubs had to work late. He wasn't home for big guy's dinner. And this was especially sad b/c big guy was starting the puff! The puffs are these gerber baby puffs- whole grains, banana-flavored, and shaped like asterisks. I videotaped it and can I say it is the funniest video to watch.

Big guy starts out attempting to pick up the puff. The trouble is that the puffs are sticky once your hands/fingers are wet. Big guy would start to pick them up and make his way to his mouth and then it would slip out or get stuck to the palm of his hand or arm. Then he would get pissed off at the puff. This continues for a few minutes and then he finally got it in his mouth! It was so exciting. Then he chewed the puff! I started to clap and mimic chewing. Finally, he smiled and the puff slipped out!

Over the weekend, big guy became very proficient at eating the puffs. He can now pick them up with a pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) and get them into his mouth in one swift move. Funnily enough as he is going to pick up the puff, he opens his mouth in anticipation of it eventually arriving there!

The best part of my day

The other day I came home and hubs and big guy were already home. I really hate when I don't get to take him out of the car. So, of course he was already inside. When I got home, big guy and I mutually reached out for each other. I asked him how his day was and he gave me a smile and a squeal. Then I said, "Can I give you a kiss?" and he leaned his head into me and I kissed his forehead. As I walked up the stairs I thought, this is the best part of my day!

Reach out and touch something

Big guy has discovered the love of car keys. I believe it's a stage that all babies go through. At first they aren't very interested. And then one day, they see the keys- shiny, loud, always in mommy's hands, perfect size for little fingers and mouths- ah, perfection. So, big guy like to play with keys. And tries to eat them which is a constant battle. They are so dirty.

His new trick is when we are coming in from a stroller ride and I've already opened the door, but the keys are still hanging from the lock. As we walk by he reaches out his left hand and grabs the keys. It's really cute. Then of course once I give him the keys, he immediately stuffs them into his mouth! Darn!

And then I just let go

Big guy has always loved taking baths. He's a total water baby. However, big guy also likes to move, all the time, nonstop. So, when he's in the bathtub, he's moving all the time, nonstop. When he was tiny, we would put him in this cute little chair with ducks on it that leaned back. But when he learned to sit up, he didn't want to lean back. No, he wanted to sit up, and then tip the chair forward.

Ok, next plan. We had gotten as a gift a blow-up ducky bathtub. It's so cute and quacks when you squeeze it's nose. We had high hopes that were quickly dashed b/c big guy freaks out when he's in it. Full on screaming, his whole body gets red, and huge crocodile tears.

So, one night hubs was doing something and I had to give big guy a bath. I decided to put very little water into the tub and instead just plop him down, hold onto his arm and hope for the best. Thrashing ensued. It was tub pandemonium. And then i just let go of his arm and he sat calmly and played with a washcloth while I washed his back. Perhaps this was the trick. To not touch him at all and he'd sit quietly. Maybe this will be something I try when all other options fail in future situations. Just maybe.

8 Months!!

My big guy turned eight months old on sunday. It's amazing! He's such a different baby than he was even a month ago. He pulls himself up, he talks, he moves- a lot. Everyday he becomes more proficient at everything. It's awesome. I'm totally in awe of him!

The Orchard

On sunday big guy, hubs, and I went to a local orchard and met up with Grandma C, Grandpa J, and Uncle I. The place was packed! Luckily, they have plenty of parking. We met up with the family and looked at all the different pumpkins. There were so many. Truthfully, big guy was pretty overwhelmed. Big guy chose a smallish pumpkin for himself and Grandma C bought it for him.

After purchasing our smallish pumpkin, we said hello to the chickens! they were a bit mangy, so we didn't get too close. Big guy liked the fuzzy feet chicken the most- they look like the kitty cat in poultry form. We then took a ride on this little train. It was not very exciting for me, however, big guy really liked going under when the train went under the overpass. Following this, we ate some food and big guy had some pizza crust. Then he threw a huge tantrum and we left for home.

No naps for you!

This past weekend was really busy. And with extreme business comes not being in the house for adequate naps. Oy. Not good. Saturday and sunday we got realy good morning naps- two hours. Though sometimes I think of these naps as continuations of bedtime. He was up at five am both days and then was down for a nap by six. Then the rest of the day was shot!

On saturday we met up with Grandma Dino at the Babies r us. Big guy took a mini nap on the way there. Then we got to shopping. Oooh, I love the babies r us. I got a new changing table pad, diapers, wipes, jumbo box of oatmeal and the big guy got a new toy. I know, I'm not big into buying toys. But it's a table (he just learned to pull to standing), makes awesome noises, ditties, songs (it actually says that on the box), and is underwater themed (starfish, crabs, fish, and a ball filled with glitter). Best gift ever!

Following the shopping extranaganza, we went home and went to a semi-free bbq, ate some terrible food, and then went home to a mini-nap. Big guy needed a huge nap, but no dice. Then we had dinner out with friends. Big guy did great! It was his first real restaurant experience. He was such a good boy.

Then sunday, we went to the orchard and same thing, no big afternoon nap. Damn! The only good thing was that big guy slept great, like eleven hours, all weekend!

Naturalist

My big guy loves being outside. Ever since the weather has been nice- around march, the child wants to be outside more than inside. Which is fine by me! Hence, our summer and fall was spent going for walks, visiting the parks, sitting in the front yard pulling grass, standing outside and mangling our garden, and essentially being one with nature. Big guy is also obsessed with trees. Now that the weather has become more breezy, we take walks and he cranes his neck up to see the leaves blowing in the breeze. He could stare at the trees all day. The soft movement, gentle rustling noises, and feeling the wind in his hair. He's a naturalist, like his grandma Dino. He is instantly put in a better mood by being outside. And now, so are hubs and I!

Dust Motes

I've spoken about big guy's cute habit of trying to pick up sunbeams, but on sunday it got cuter. It was really sunny and a strong beam was coming into the family room. Big guy looked up and saw the dust motes floating in the air. He wiggled his way over to the beam and starting trying to catch them as they floated. It was so precious!

Are you a crab or a volcano?

A few years ago, hubs and I were watching that Discovery Channel series- Planet Earth. Sigourney was talking to us about the deep sea. I just love watching shows about the deep sea. All those sea creatures who survive on so little- no light, very little food, no one else around- and yet they light up and sparkle. It's amazing. Well, we get to a really deep part where there are the plumes or volcanoes of gas that are escaping from the earth's core. Pretty cool. It's some insane temperature that would essentially melt people. However, there is this one breed of crab that live on these plumes. They can scurry about, swim in the gas, and find stuff to eat.

Hubs looked at me and said that I am like the volcano and he is the crab. It's our joke about how fiery I am and how he is the only one who could stand to be so close to me. He's stuck with me! We are the perfect pair. So, yesterday, hubs started to wonder, will big guy be a crab or volcano? He thinks he's a volcano. I think he might be a crab who will have to find his volcano. I guess we'll see who is right!

And now he can pull up!

Yesterday, big guy was playing with his jungle mat. It has two bars the cross over the top that you can hang dangly things from and there is music that plays at the very top. Big guy, for some time, has enjoyed standing at the music box and smacking the top. Also, there are two butterflies there that he likes to grab. Well, big guy and I were sitting on the mat and playing with the butterflies. He got a really determined look on his face. He reached up and put his hands on the two bars and pulled himself to standing. Uh-oh spaghetti-o's! Now we are definitely in trouble. After pulling up, comes cruising. and after cruising comes walking. But it happened so fast!

Pizza crust

Sunday morning we went to visit Aunt K, Uncle E, and Cousin C. They live in NJ. Big guy was in good spirits and took an awesome hour and a half nap on the way there. We got to their house around 11:45 am and I fed big guy. Cousin C is in the all-star soccer tournament weekend, so we went to watch his game.

The weather was perfect! Mid-seventies with not a cloud in the sky. we laid out a blanket and big guy proceeded to lay on his belly and try to eat grass. He loves grabbing at grass, plants, trees, pretty much any living thing outside. All the soccer moms were a flurry with his cuteness.

Big guy really enjoyed watching all the big kids run around. He got upset when we won the game and all the parents starting cheering. It was the first time he's seen a crowd scream. He got overwhelmed. The poor bo-bo. Following the game, we ordered pizza for late lunch/early dinner. Since it had been a few days since bananas, I gave big guy some pizza crust and he was skeptical at first, but then really liked chewing on it. It gets really soggy fast- I don't think ever realized that. It was cute seeing him figure out what it was and try to eat it. i think the crispiness felt good on his gums.

Mesmerized

Thursday brought with it music class! Finally. Seeing as big guy went to the first class. Then he was sleeping through class number two and was sick for class number three. Class number four brought relative healthiness. APparently, big guy laid on his belly the whole class and stared at Mr. J while he played guitar and sang about Puerto Rico. He was totally mesmerized!

Get on the Banana boat

We started bananas! I had bought a banana the other day and since we had successfully completed green beans, I thought we would give bananas a try. Plus, I could easily mash a banana. Well, turns out big guy is not so into bananas. I put a little bit in his mouth and he made a "this is gross" face. I think b/c of the texture. It was pretty slimy!

I bought some already prepared Gerber's bananas. Much better reaction. He still made a face- I guess b/c they aren't his bitter veggies he's used to! But he did eat them. Maybe they just have to grow on him. I also got pears, apples, and peaches. Yum!

Round Two

Big guy got cold number two. This one seems a bit more potent, I think b/c he wasn't completely over cold number one. He definitely has a pronounced cough. And he's been running a low grade fever for about four days. Poor thing is just all overheated. Of course, then I got the cold. Then hubs got the cold. Big guy has also not been sleeping well for the past two weeks. I'm definitely tired. But he is still in good spirits.

Let the baby proofing begin!

This morning, my big guy crawled! Amazing- at seven and a half months. He was playing with one of Pips's big sisters and she dropped the toy they were playing with and he just got up on all fours and scurried to get it. Everyone clapped and then he flopped onto his belly. He hasn't fully crawled since, but has perfected a little inchworm crawl. He gets up on all fours. Hops forward and lands on his belly. Then he pushes himself back up.

Clearly this means we are in trouble. Hubs had better babyproof soon. It seems like an overwhelming task. so glad hubs is the one who has to do it. Big guy is so fast. On his belly he can turn a three-sixty and then go forward. I can't believe he's so big!

My boys

Pumping Rant

I have loved breastfeeding. Big guy and I have had some bumps along the way. My milk didn't come in for a few days. Big guy lost a lot of weight in the beginning which took lots of pumping and some formula those first two weeks to get him to a good place. Nursing strikes. Tender nips. Engorgement. But we have had the best time- the snuggling, the sleepiness, spending all that time together, knowing I can provide what he needs for nourishment. It's a totally awesome experience and I'm so gad I've been able to do it.

Pumping on the other hand sucks. There is no snuggling. Instead, a pump that doesn't do as good a job as big guy and an annoyingly loud noise- it's two fold. Sometimes I make up words to go along with the noise. Most often I'm chanting in my head. Jive-ho. Jive-ho. Jive-ho. People knock all the time on my door trying to break-in. Ok, not really, but what is it with knocking and then trying to walk into doors. Doesn't that defeat the knock if you are just goig to bust in.

I've felt rushed this week. Admittedly, it's nice to close my door twice a day for 20 minutes and either answer email, google chat, or make phone calls. But this week has been busy. Today, I started early. 7 minutes in, a knock. Gimme a few minutes. then, the f!@# fire alarm goes off! really? really?

Cutest baby ever?

Have you ever seen a cuter baby? This might be my new favorite pic I have taken of the big guy. and he had a cold when I took it. he has hubs's disposition. So happy!

Skype

Big guy and I skyped for the first time tonight with Aunt M. It was really cool b/c all of a sudden, we were talking to her and she was on the computer screen. Big guy loved it- he kept launching himself at the screen and stroking Aunt M's face. Then of course he was on top of the keyboard and was making all kinds of windows and bizarre apps pop up. But it was really fun and cool that she could see the big guy and that he was interacting with her. Too fun!

Potato

Last night hubs and I had bbq chicken and baked potatoes. There was supposed to be asparagus, but I ran out of time! anywho, big guy is always so interested in our food, so I busted up my potato and put a couple of tiny chunks on his plate. He was really thrilled! However, getting them from his plate/tray to his mouth was another story. I picked up one chunk and put it in his mouth. He started to chew (a good sign!) and then made a face like, "what is this, it has no flavor." Which is really funny! I guess he is used to his veggies being very flavorful. WHich is OK with me, b/c then he'll like all the other veggies more.

I was excited to think that he can start eating what is on our dinner plates. he's growing up so fast, it's truly amazing!

Greenbeans

Friday we started eating greenbeans! Oddly enough, big guy loves them. He didn't make a face or anything when he first ate them, just swallowed and opened his mouth for more.

Market Day

On saturday big guy and I took a trip to Grandma Dino's for the Market Day festival. Which is essentially when people bring their wares to sell- like people who make jewelry, pillows, soap, stain-glass, etc. Big guy and I arrived around 11am and ate some oatmeal outside.

Big guy loved Max the collie. Max kept coming over to him and licking his face and hands. Every time he got licked, big guy would go into a hysterical giggling. After eating oatmeal and having the remnants licked off his face, we changed his diaper and big guy squirmed all over Max as he lay down. Big guy pulled his ears and then started grabbing his lips and wiggling them around. ANd the best thing about dogs, they don't care if you do that, unlike the kitty cat!

Following big guy's lunch, Grandma Dino and I had lunch at the local bagel place and then walked the couple of blocks to market day. Big guy was flirting with all the ladies and just soaking it all in. He desperately wanted to pick up all the fallen leaves on the ground and essentially grab everything he saw. I plopped him into Grandma Dino's arms and let him squirm. Grandma Dino bought him a cute sweat-onesie that I think is going to make him look like a marshmallow. I'll have to take a pic of it! Then we got a present for one of my coworker's office. And most importantly bought a huge bag of kettle corn. Mmmmm, so tasty.

Big guy fell asleep in his stoller on the way to the car. I let him sleep and drove home. Overall, a very successful day!