Transitions- Any advice?

Lots of blog catching up and two posts in two days can only mean that I have a few days off work and I'm trying to make the most of it!

And I would like to ask for some advice on any area that anyone would like to offer it on the topic of the following transitions:

From the infant car seat to a stage 2 seat.  LB is 20 lbs and 30 inches.  We currently have the Chicco Keyfit 30 (love) and he is fine in it weight-wise but length-wise he is getting uncomfortable.  His feet are almost touching the back of the seat and his head is about an inch from the top of the seat.  Any recommendations for the next car seat?

From bottle to sippy cup.  Not sure when and how this should take place.  At our one year check-up, we told the LPN how many bottles/ounces we were doing and she actually giggled and said "no wonder he is not eating any solids."  We have since dropped a bottle, but we only use the sippy cup for juice/water.  

From no, no to NO! NO!  If a kid can talk, I can talk about choices and consequences all day- basically my day job- but all that I know to do with a one year old who loves to spin the toilet paper holder when I'm running bath water or turn my back for a millisecond is to say "your dad likes the expensive tp so we really need to keep that on the roll... how about a ball instead?"  Then there is the throwing the "dislike" food on the floor behavior- which drives me crazy- so I say "no, no" to which he looks me straight in the eye and promptly picks up the next piece of dislike food and drops it on the floor in a different spot.  Then my "no, no" gets a little bit more stern and then he cries while dropping the next piece in the floor.  So... he doesn't like the word "no" but hasn't connected it with stopping the behavior.  I like the distract method most we give lots of "good job" praise when we can, but there has got to be some no's and some NO's along the way.  Other ideas?

I could google these topics (and we are reading car seat reviews) but I prefer to consult the experts- thank you mom's!  

Meltdown Moments

This year, PC and I decided to forego any major Christmas gift giving to each other and go on a mini-trip instead.  We had a good time but there was one baby meltdown that had us breaking out in a sweat!  I thought I would share it here because when people share a meltdown story, I am laughing and feeling your pain at the same time. 

LB had fallen asleep on the way to eat.  We took him in a fish house restaurant in his car seat still asleep and put him in the net holder thing.  He actually slept through most of the meal but we (thought) we were glad when he woke up because he needed to eat.  LB looked around at this loud place covered in fish decor and he was not happy to be there.  Cue crying.  You would think we would have just headed out the door at that point, but LB loves fish and we didn't take much baby food and needed him to eat.  PC moved the holder and pulled the high chair around.  We try to put him in it, still crying- all the while I'm trying to stuff fish in his mouth- but he stiffens his legs and is not having it.  A shoe comes off.  PC moves around to reach for the shoe and his chair falls over.  Cue big crash noise where there is that second that a (loud) restaurant becomes silent- think crashing plate- and all eyes are us, the couple trying to convince a baby in meltdown mode that he wants to eat fish in a strange place.  That was a very long second and I should have had more sympathy for PC but I had to laugh at that point.  We tried a few more minutes to reason with our baby having the meltdown but it never happened.  Out the door we went with our crying, hungry baby and it took awhile before we got our happy boy back that evening.  Whew!

Something else (funny) that happened.  We stayed at a hotel with an indoor heated kiddie pool and we took some swim trunks for LB... but forgot the little Swimmers.  We had some pull up diapers and decided those were fine for a temporary fix.  Why did I not know that regular diapers blow up in water?  More specifically, stuff comes out everywhere that looks like crushed ice!  Thankfully I got him to the restroom just in time and had to clean up the mess in there rather than in or around the pool.

Sorry, no pictures of either scenario because, in the moment, we were just trying to problem solve as quickly as possible.  But I do have a pre-explosion diaper picture:]  Traveling has become quite an adventure!

I hate CIO.

The getting to sleep routine is fine.  Going to sleep in the crib for an hour or two is fine.  We let him cry for about 10 minutes the first night and 15 minutes the next night, but on the third night when I went in and wiped snot off of his face & changed his shirt from tears, I claimed failure.  What's worse, now he won't take good naps in the crib since we did some CIO:[  I don't judge anyone who went the CIO route, I've read and heard enough to know that it does work and there are benefits for mom, dad and baby, but I can't do it.  Never did I see us co-sleeping but it has happened and now I've made my bed and have to lay in it.  I used to dream about having these kinds of problems and they are indeed still sweet dreams:] 

Merry Christmas!

Making memories with our baby, pinch me because I just said our baby, was simply wonderful.  Hope your holiday was filled with special memories too!  Merry Christmas from Mac, PC & LB!

  

Ailments & Remedies

We have been very fortunate that LB's first year has been, overall, one of pretty good health.  When we have had a baby ailment, those who give us advice usually start out something like "I think we used to..." or "I'm trying to remember what that stuff was called..." Already my memory is fuzzy so I want to document our first year issues here and what we did.  Something LB might (or might not) want to read one day!

Side note:  PC is in sales and one of his customers is a senior citizen center.  I get a laugh out of his weekly visits with them because evidently he tells them every single baby ailment and they have a solution for all of them- some of which we have given a try, but only if it seems appropriate and legal:] 

Constipation.  This fun time when we started solids got its own entire post.  However, I left out that we also added miralax to his juice.  We have now been using the potty for six months for #2, so what started as something I tried just to satisfy grandma ended up being the routine.  Besides the inconvenience of carrying a travel potty, we have gotten used to this and I can't even imagine a poopy diaper with what we flush from that potty!  We have been very lucky with this but I don't count it a done deal because I'm not sure if it might change when he starts walking.          

No diaper rash and I totally give credit to this gem of a cream.  Used it in the NICU and found it at a local business.  Good stuff.

Bloody stool the first 4-6 weeks.  That was scary.  But we took him to the doctor and had tests ran and everything came back normal so we just waited and it went away.  We treated it like a milk allergy and switched to a formula for sensitive tummies. 

Stuffy nose- saline spray and snot sucker.  If you haven't heard of this tool, please look it up and keep an open mind- it is great to clear little noses!  Ran humidifier when needed.  

Cradle Cap-  A wash/rinse paste of selson blue & baking soda, lightly brush.  Did the trick!

Thrush- Gentian v.iolet.  Big Mess, didn't work.  Prescription- darn, have already forgot the name & will have to come back and add it.  It didn't work either.  Senior citizens gave us the name of an old timer with the gift of prayer for healing thrush.  Gone in three days.   Wish I would have known about him when we first started TTC!

Eczema & sensitive skin issues- sis-in-law, in medical field, got us in quick with a dermatologist when the eczema patches weren't getting any better- he gave me great advice and I only wish I had went sooner.  We got a steroid mixed with cerave lotion for the patches and switched to cetaphil body wash and cerave lotion.  LB has never had the powdery, baby smell (but he doesn't stink!) but these special soaps/lotions have kept his major sensitive skin free of problems.       

Hemangioma- nothing. Letting it go away on its own and will not consider surgery at this point.  Bled once- scared me to death- but just held a wash rag to it with pressure and it quit.

Teething- Hyland's gel & teething tablets- seem to give him some relief.  Pacifier- much better than him sucking on his hands and getting irritated skin from the drool.  Sophie the giraffe- expensive squeak toy, didn't work for us.   Baby Advil- we've used this on the worst days because he runs a low grade fever and is just really crabby- helps but we really only use it as a last resort.

Gas- Little Remedies gas drops- seems to help quickly.

Sleep- Senior citizens suggested catnip tea with or without a drop of liquor.  PC brought home something called calm child from a local herb store because it had catnip tea in it.  We have put a few drops in the last bottle and it seems to help him go to sleep faster but doesn't help with his waking/restlessness.  No liquor although mom and dad are getting close to the point of needing it!

Again, overall, we consider ourselves fortunate when it comes to LB's health this first year.  Fingers crossed it will stay that way!     

A Heavy Heart

I usually don't cross over onto my blog with discussion of work or world events but this one just resonates too close.  My school is similar to Sand.y Hoo.k Elementary in many ways.  I can't imagine what the community must be going through right now.  I do hope they are feeling the prayers being sent their way.  Tomorrow I will greet 630 students and put on a big smile, give out extra hugs or high fives, reassure anxious parents while praying that I can find strength to do so with such a heavy heart.  People are trying to make sense of a senseless act.  As I watch my own child discover the world around him, I am just sad about the decline of a strong value system and hope that PC and I can teach and set a good example for him.  We will also make sure he knows the end of the story.  Good ultimately prevails.  Light overrides the dark.  PC loves is obsessed with bright lights, specifically LED.  He's always looking out for the newest and brightest illumination gadgets.  I usually give him a hard time about it but today I am thinking about how much our world needs some light.  A L-ove E-mbracing D-ose of John 8:12... the brightest and most powerful there is!  

Our (lack of) sleep story

Conversation yesterday morning:

PC:  "It's official."
Me:  "I know, can you believe we have a one year old?"
PC:  "No, that he hasn't slept through the night in one year and neither have we."
Me:  "Did you really think that was going to happen, like magic?"
PC:   "I was hoping." 


I'm really not posting our (lack of) sleep story for anything other than to look back on these days at some point in our lives and be proud that we survived it!  It actually has become quite comical... (or maybe we're just delirious) but either way... this is what it is.

LB's crib is beside our bed.  Been there from the previous nursing days when we just took better nightly "naps" when he was within arm's reach.  Somewhere between months 6-9 we considered a good night's sleep 8:30ish to 1 a.m. in the crib and then trying to get at least 2 more hours with him in the bed with us before he woke at 5:30.
From months 9-present, things went from bad to worse.  First of all, going to bed at 8:30 for me & PC started getting old.  PC and I were barely getting any time for each other or to even ask about each other's day and we just needed some down time without all-things-baby.  So we started going to bed at 9:30- woo hoo- livin' it up around here:]  But LB started waking up at 10:30.  So just about the time we were entering REM, we awake to LB's CRY.  I have given up on any and all strategies to get him back to sleep in that crib so he gets in the bed with us and that is when the fun begins.  LB goes right to sleep, he is in his cozy spot between me and PC.  But OMG.  He hates cover so we have him sleeping in as little clothing as possible (in the winter, yep) and he still kicks until he is out from any cover.  He likes his head up against the baseboard so he wiggles up until he bangs his head against it but not only does he want his head on the baseboard, he wants one or both feet on PC and his hands on me. So then the twisting and squirming begins.  Not only does he like his hands on me, specifically he wants them in my hair so he can "comb" it IN HIS SLEEP and, as painful as this could be, if I could sleep through it I did.  Until I started seeing the gobs of hair in his hands in the morning and the THINNING spots on my head.  Oh s#*t.  So I started pulling my hair back tight in a ponytail and putting clips across tight to hold my bangs back.  He likes his paci and wiggles and squirms to find it when it falls out.  So we keep extras on either side of the bed and PC and I have hit each other many times in attempts to locate that stupid smoothie.  Under an armpit?  Nestled in my ponytail?  Cringe if you must but, no, I do not get up to rinse it off.  Mother of the year.  Leaks?  At least once a week.  If it happens before 1 a.m., there is a middle of the night sheet change but if it happens after 1 a.m., pull the sheet off before it gets to the mattress pad and find the thickest, softest towel for a temporary fix.  Mother of the year again.  I have woken up to toes on my mouth and a butt in my face.  Snores and passing gas?  Talking?  Whiny, squealing-type noises?  Yes, yes, double yes.  I have had to pull his whole body off of my head like you might do a cat! All in his sleep.  All in our bed.  Until about 6:15 a.m., if we're lucky. 

A full night of sleep?  Remind me of what that's like because my mind is fuzzy from the lack of it! 
In some areas, we have been very fortunate.  But sleep is not one of them.  Whew.
  

A Birthday Boy!

This weekend we partied with our All Star who turned one today!  We had a great time with family and, although he is the only little one, he had a good time with the grown ups:) I can't believe it has been one year!  It just keeps getting better... And although I use a pseudo name for the majority of posts, this one deserves the special name that has made this year one to remember... Happy Birthday Hampton! You are so loved sweet boy!

Party Planning

A year ago today I was planning (and hoping) for a birth to take place any day!

One week from today, we will be celebrating a first birthday! 

Early birthday present... because a one year old just needs to go 4-wheelin'? 

A (small) party will take place this weekend.  The boy loves a ball so that's the theme, except we'll call it "All Stars" instead of "Balls" :]

LB hates being the center of attention anytime, anyplace so it should be interesting...

wish us luck!

However it goes, feeling very Blessed.

A little formula venting

This is what you see when you open our pantry door. 

When I was nursing, one of those silver cans lasted us a whole month or longer for just supplementing with a night feeding!  Now that we are completely on formula, we go through at least two a week- 27.99 a can.  I don't know why, but I became obsessed with keeping them a few weeks ago.  Maybe I am hoping for some great organizational idea that is p.interest worthy.  Any ideas?  Whatever the reason, this stuff is expensive and I feel for those who have had to use this particular formula the entire first year!  It also drives me crazy how far down the purple scoop is buried!  I keep the old one to use until I can dig down to the new one.   

Happy that we have a growing, healthy little boy but I sure do hope the transition to whole milk soon is a smooth one... so does our budget!   

Santa Pic... who cried?

Ended up at the mall yesterday with LB and my mom and she asked me if she could pay for a Santa picture.  I had no idea how it would go.  LB did not cry.  He was totally amazed at Santa and stared him down, we couldn't even get him to look at the camera.  But my mother let the tears flow.  And Santa handed the baby over to me and hugged grandma, asked if it was her first, and told her everything was going to be okay.  It was a sight to behold!  (Wish I had gotten a pic of that!)   

Then they rode the mall train together and I could not tell who was happier. 

My mom had just turned 18 years old when I came along and she was single by 20.  We grew up together.   Our relationship has been less than ideal over the years, but I do love her.  She is on a mission to be the best grandma she can be and LB and I are both grateful for that.  I bite my tongue a lot (basically she allows him to do anything and everything) but there is no doubt that she loves her grandson.    

11 months

I quit doing monthly posts here because I created a blog with just monthly updates to share with grandparents.  They are so long and I don't want to bore anyone here with all of the things that we are "awww-ing" over.  However, I have not done the 11 month post (or finished the one for 10, 9, 8... sigh) and thought I would double dip this month.  Plus, it will be a good time to go along with our new blog look since we took family pics this month:]  

October 10- November 10 (not quite finished with monthly pic yet)
Weight- Guessing 18 1/2 lbs 
Height- Guessing around 28"

Clothing- started in 9 months and transitioned to 12 months

Diapers- size 3

Hair- Blonde

Eyes- Blue

Feeding- Between 25- 30 ounces of formula, combination of baby food and solids

Sleeping- 2-3 hour stretches, waking around 6 a.m. for the day, yep.  (I have high hopes of posting something different here next month!) 

Favorites- ball, z.any z.oo, any game of chase, music (listening, not dancing), T.homas the Train

Firsts- high school football game, pulling up and standing, steps, presidential election, Halloween

This month more than ever you were such a little boy rather than a baby.  It was really a month of big stuff!  Where do I begin?

Grandma taught you to stick your feet up during diaper changes when she says "let me smell your feet."  Of course, she says "shoo-wee" and you either think it's funny or crazy, not sure which.  I hate to say but they really can be smelly!  Speaking of your feet, they are really chunky!  We finally found a pair of shoes that you can't- or don't- pull off.  They are a 3 1/2 wide with latches from S.tride R.ite.  The sales lady took one look at your feet and said "he is going to always need a wide."  Lol.  I adore your smelly, fat feet!  

First real shoes! 

 Those fat feet have been busy taking first steps!  You did it once at granny's house and we pulled out the phone video and caught it the next time too.  Since then you have been pulling up everywhere and on (unfortunately) anything (this has led to several tumbles & even a bruise on your head) but you are so proud!  You will not take steps unless we are standing there with our hands outstretched and you just can't quite figure out how to slow down and take your time.  Instead, it's more of a run and fall into our arms right now.  Your balance is getting better every day so I don't think it will be too much longer!  You love for someone to hold each hand and let you guide them where you want to go.  (Note, if you watch the video turn down the volume because you would think the child just ran a marathon the way we all cheered!:)

Boy, you love a ball and always have.  So that's our first birthday theme, All Stars... a post for next month and I don't want to think about that yet. You will roll a ball all over the house and chase it as long as someone will follow you around.   

You have gotten better with eating solids but I can't say that you're a good eater when it comes to trying new things.  The foods you eat pretty consistently are avocados, sweet potatoes, green beans, grilled chicken, applesauce and (sometimes) bread.  We've tried lots of other things but you spit out and then toss in the floor what you don't like after one try.  Not so cute:[  You eat solids in small bites on your high chair tray or on a placemat at the table.  Plates and bowls are useless.  You pick them up and turn them over as fast as you can.  (You have always liked to look at the bottom of things, what is that about?!?)  And I know this is not a smart move, but you love a straw with some sweet tea or cherry coke zero every now and then.  I also found out that you get a teaspoon of coffee every Tuesday morning, compliments of a passed on tradition says your grandpa B. 

First Halloween- We only made it to grandparent's houses and you started out cranky but you ended up smiley and looked so cute as our little slugger!  

I could write so much about all of the things you are doing now but time is very limited so a list of other fun 11 month things is just going to have to do!

You are picking up your paci and putting it in your mouth, with attitude.
You love to play with the door stoppers!
Nothing makes you laugh out loud more than a game of chase with mom or dad and the word "boo!"
You LOVE hiking, thank you dad's back!

You love to copy our sounds and (attempt to copy) some words.  You have said three words consistently since you could put sounds together, in this order- hey, ma-ma, da-da and mmmm (when eating and you like something).  When we ask you "how do the doggies go"  you respond with heavy breathing and it is so funny. 
Six teeth, four on the top and two on the bottom!
You love to crawl over things and look back at us like "did you see that?"
You do great in stores and restaurants as long as it is short trips.  I don't think you could be a whole day shopper but you enjoy an evening trip out.
You turn the lights off from your diaper changing table and point to them when they come on.  You are mesmerized by lights.  I can't imagine how a Christmas tree is going to last long!
You are starting to get what "no" means and it sure does hurt your feelings.  It's for your own good, I promise!  

Two overnights this month at grandma's.  The plan is for you to spend the night there once a month on Sunday night when I am out of work on Monday so I can pick you up after your morning nap.  I make big plans to get stuff done during this time while she spoils you rotten.  You get to sleep in her comfy bed and evidently she spends most of the night watching you sleep and feeling your diaper ready to change it if you wet.  The first night, she forgot to take her cell to bed so I spent about 45 minutes trying to get an update and I was MAD when I finally got a response.  Oh, gosh I was at the point of panic and had sent her a text of every letter of the alphabet trying to get her to respond.  She was genuinely sorry and (I think) learned... if you want the baby back again, you will keep your phone close by! 

We took family pictures this month.  During your nap time and I forgot your afternoon feeding.  Um, how does one forget to feed their child?  Nevertheless, you held out pretty good and she got one shot that totally melts my heart.  I have ordered it in a large print for the living room. I will finish this post with that print.  We love you so very much sweet boy!!!  

 

10 Thoughts, One Post

Lots of thoughts that I would like to put in ten different posts but I struggle to get one in these days, so... in no particular order:

1.  Debt Diet- both words should make the "four letter" word list!  Ugh!  PC and I have both determined we must buckle down and get our debt down to our mortgage and my college loans--- fast.  That means paying off a couple of small loans and two credit cards--- fast.  We both have jobs- good news these days, but we have both taken pay cuts- not so good.    

2.  The ALI group that met IRL- so cool.  I got teary eyed looking at all those little miracles together and thinking about how everyone in that group just "gets it."  When is the party moving way down South?  :] 

3.  Ordered some invitations for LB's first birthday.  omg.  Even though it's going to be a small family deal, I can't believe that it's so close and it's for our baby!!!  Pinch me because it doesn't seem real!

4. Halloween

5.  It's really okay with me that I have a mini-PC in every way except I was so hoping LB would not get the picky eater habits.  I know it's still early in the solids-introducing phase but it is not looking good.  PC could eat goldfish crackers for every meal and it looks like the same is true for LB and puffs.  Sigh.

6.  Sleep- I don't know where to even begin so this just needs to be a post in the near future.     

7.  Even though I've had this blog for years, I don't think I've kept up with how to improve it's functionality (is that a word?) so I'm asking for any tips to make it easier to read and comment to your blogs.  As it is now, I read blogs from links on my sidebar or links from comments.  Is there a better way?  Blog reader?  And is there an easier way to add blogs?  I have to copy/paste the link to my sidebar from my settings.  Why when I click on "follow" does it just not add that blog?  Sorry, virtually challenged.

8-10.  I've ran out of time for more thoughts and that is typical these days.  I feel like I am always running without any "me" time.  I'm not talking about a bath with a book, I'm talking about a shower with enough time to shave!  I'm adding this to the #6 post- to be continued! 

Alligator Roll Advice

I sincerely appreciate the advice for how to handle the diaper/clothes changing "alligator roll" (very fitting description 3B, 2B, 1B) but this is how the something to hold strategy goes over in our house.  Lol 

The Fun and the Not So Fun

I took great measures to make sure the grocery store balloon was secure onto the cart but didn't think about it coming loose from the balloon end!  PC and I were too busy choosing bagels and yogurt to see it happen or the look on LB's face, which I'm sure would have been pretty funny.   

This pulling up business has me stressed out!  LB has had some rough tumbles lately.  He has started pulling up on lots of things that do not support his weight and, if we're not within arm's reach, down he goes.  I try to act calm and cool with each fall but I am not cut out to be an actress!  There is a reason it's called hard wood floors, my poor baby's head:[   

 

Diapering and changing clothes has become quite the challenge these days.  LB flip flops around all over the place and sometimes I give up and off goes a (happy) little naked LB.  I asked my sitter and MIL about this behavior and they have told him a stern "no" and the little stinker is an angel for them.  So, I tried that.  Evidently I don't speak the right kind of "no" language.  Whew!

Am I the only one in blog land with a 10 1/2 month old who has never slept through the night?  We keep waiting... and waiting...

Lately I have been trying to organize LB's pictures from his first year to give them to a high school student who is interested in video to turn them into a DVD/slideshow for Christmas.  I am so excited about it but going back through the maternity pics to the birth to these precious past months has been emotional to say the least.  Especially when I found songs I wanted to go with each category... Mi.racle by C.eline D.ion and The D.ay B.efore Y.ou by Rascal Flatts... gah, instead of a box of popcorn I will need a box of Kleenex to actually watch the thing when it's done!

Then I start thinking about Thanksgiving and a ONE year old and Christmas... Blessed and I've said it here time and time again but I mean it... beyond grateful!  Even with the lack of sleep:] 

Getting in front of the lens

A co-worker/friend passed along this article to me recently.  She said it's so true and something she wish she had read years ago when her boys were little.  It's about the mom staying in the pictures.  If you haven't read it yet, it's worth your time.  It really struck a chord with me.  Here we are nearly 12 months into our little guy's year of firsts and I am in a handful of pictures, always feeling the need to be the one to get the picture or to have at least partial hair and makeup in tact.

So when I woke up to the sound of the camera for the picture below, I was fussing at PC.  "Gah... delete that... no makeup, hair is pulled back in a mess... " and he said "but y'all look so sweet together."  I'm glad he didn't listen.  Who cares?  This is how we spend at least half of the night and when our little guy finally starts sleeping through the night, or in a big boy bed, this picture will hold a treasured memory.

And this one.  We're introducing new foods and some don't agree so well with LB's tummy.  This is him with an upset tummy and I just want him to know that I am right there.  My arms wrapped around him, telling him I love him and that I'm so sorry his tummy hurts and I wish I could make it better.

If I hadn't handed the camera over for this, I would have missed the best kiss ever.

From here on out, I am getting in front of the lens and making my best effort to capture those moments that yell "mom is right here!"  And moments that tell a story of how much I love being LB's mom, even if it's not always picture perfect.  

Our Family

For years I have attempted to maintain a level of anonymity here because PC and I are private to a fault.  I also really don't want to share my dysfunctional ovary woes with just anyone IRL. 

But last year those dysfunctional ovaries produced  2 good eggs and I gave birth to 1 super sweet miracle baby, thanks to modern medicine & prayers.

And I can also picture everyone on the blogs that I read the most and truly appreciate that you share so many aspects of your life with people you've never met.  Frankly, it becomes frustrating not always being able to place a face with a name.

Plus I turned 36 yesterday and know there are more important things in life than worrying about any IRL stalkers who are interested in my infertility. 

So there's no time like the present.  The seriously about to kick some butt cowboy PC and his trashy saloon girl Miss Mac and their little outlaw LB are coming out to say hello and that they had a blast this weekend going out of town for a little family adventure.  :]  

Where did the baby go?

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite L.ittle G.olden B.ooks was Where Did the Baby Go?  I have somehow held on to it and it now sits on LB's shelf.  It's a story about a little girl who finds a picture of a baby and asks her mom where she can find this baby.  She looks around the house and finally tries on a hat, smiles in the mirror and realizes that she is the baby in the picture.

 

 I have thought about that book several times recently because I have been asking the same question!

Where did the baby go that once laid in the crib and looked so tiny?

Now we have lowered the mattress because our little baby started turning the monitors on and off!

Where did the baby go that was so excited about seeing a ball?

Now we are running to grab cords and "save him" when he gets stuck behind furniture from chasing a ball!

Where did the baby go that used to ride around in his car seat in the stroller caddy?

Now he looks like such a big boy riding around in a shopping cart!

Where did the baby go with the gummy grin?

Now he has a grin with 3.5 teeth!  (side note:  .5 front tooth has been m.e.a.n :( and please excuse the rice cake crumbs) 

Where did the baby go that had to have pillows under his feet in the Jumperoo?

Now his feet easily touch the ground!

Where did the baby go that needed me the entire bath time?  

Now he needs lots of play time without me (although I am cheering from less than 1 foot away)!

Wow, it feels like LB is growing and changing so much that it won't be long until we are getting ready for school!

Geez, mom!  Quit being so sentimental... I like doing big boy things!  

And some expressions never change:] 

Crazy good times

Life.  Feels so upside down right now but is overflowing with memories that will last a lifetime!  For example, I wanted to check in with the blog world tonight (finally) and post a picture or two, which led to a massive search for my iPhone.  I called it from our land line.  I heard the hum but couldn't figure out for the life of me where it was coming from... until... wait... no, surely I did not...  Um, yes, I did.

See that front pocket of LB's lunch/milk tote?  The front pocket would be the location of my "5 hours in the fridge smart phone" with a dumb baby brain owner!  It's okay, feel free to laugh along with me.

PC (already in the bed) heard me laughing so I proceed to tell him what happened.  His response, "that's not really good for your phone."  Um, babe, do you really think it was intentional?

I had another post in mind but I spent too much time looking for my phone and then defrosting it.  

Crazy good times... how are you all doing? :]

Memorable Moment Monday

I am covered up with returning to work and August/May are the two months of the year that I am stressed to the max with work obligations... but thank goodness that I did not miss this yesterday...

  

those feet are blurry because they are moving and so is LB!  We have a crawl/slither/scoot-er in the house and I just know that he is going to get faster and go further every day now!  Must make time soon for baby-proofing!  By the way, that train is LB's favorite and PC and I frequently have the following tune stuck in our heads "Riding on the train, come and ride with me.  Let's look out the window to see what we can see."  Frequently as in all the time.  Fun times:] 

Memorable Moment Monday

 

Special on aisle 12!  I understand baby boy.  T.arget wears me out too! :]

Who is 40 today?

One of the coolest, cutest dad's on the blog block IMO:]  

40 has never looked better.  

I love you.

 Happy Birthday PC!