Twenty Questions

Linking up with PAIL twenty questions because I need a lighthearted distraction and have enjoyed reading and learning more about you all!  Sorry for the lack of comments, had a lot going on with work in February and a little boy not sleeping with a stuffy nose= tired:[  Here goes...

1.  What was the last thing you threw in the garbage/recycling? 
--Puffs container :] 
2.  What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?
--It's PC's iPod and most likely Pork & Beans by Weezer.
3.  What is your favorite quote? 
--"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."  Gandhi
4.  What chore do you absolutely hate doing? 
--Floors!
5.  What is your favorite form of exercise? 
--Right now it's keeping up with a 14 month old!
6.  What is your favorite time of day/day of the week/month of the year?
--4:30- Home sweet home, Friday, and July- sunshine, sweet tea & flip flops! 
7.  What is on your bedside table? 
--It's on PC's side (I really need my own) but since we share- flashlight, alarm, diapers and a paci. 
8.  What is your favorite body part?
--Do dimples count for this?  And I don't have them:[  But my boys do and I think they are precious:]
9.  Would you use the power of invisibility for good or evil? Elaborate. 
--I'm pretty sure spying falls into the evil category but sorry to say that was my first thought!
10.  If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be? 
--30's minus infertility.  Life is Good.  Crazy, but Good!
11.  What is the first thing you would do if you won the lottery? 
--Sounds nerdy but get an financial consultant/attorney and make a plan, but that plan would definitely include an extended vacation!
12.  What is your biggest pet peeve? 
--People who think rules don't apply to them and they are better than others- grrrr.   
13.  If you could know the answer to any question, what would it be?
--Will I ever learn to drive a stick shift?  I have tried and tried and tried.  
14.  At what age did you become an adult? 
--I was on my own pretty much from after I got a job at age 16... I wouldn't take it back because it shaped my work ethic and determination... but it was tough. 
15.  Recommend a book, movie, or television show in three sentences or less. 
--Really not up to date on much but look forward to Duck Dynasty every week!   
16.  What did you do growing up that got you into trouble? 
--Made too many hasty decisions... like buying a car that was too expensive at the time and getting a perm that I brushed out the next day!
17.  What was the first album you bought with your own money? 
--I honestly cannot remember!
18.  If someone wrote a book about you, what would be the title?
--Pass. 
19.  What story do you wish your family would stop telling about you? 
--The time that I ran from "wolves" in the woods.  Wild pack of dogs, coyotes... what difference does it make,  it was a terrifying experience that I still can't find the humor in!
20.  True or false: The unicorn is the greatest mythical creature. State your case.
--Yes, since I can't think of one any better and I used to collect them when I was younger.  PC would totally say sasquatch.  

This Boy is Busy!

Walking has opened a whole new world for LB... and has us on our toes more than ever!  He is one busy boy and he is into everything and everywhere.  We seriously have to make sure gates are closed and doors are shut or he is out of our sight within seconds and (usually) doing something that makes us nervous!  Below are some snapshots of life lately!

He finds "hiding" places for blocks, toys, cups etc.  The favorite spot is behind the playyard.  I never know what's going to turn up here!

I was just a few feet away and looked up to see this.  Instead of running to grab him, I went for the camera of course!  Needless to say, the step stool is folded away and has a new home for awhile.

He took this basket from one end of the house to the other.  He was on a serious mission! 

See the white baby-proof hook?  It's there to prevent this kind of project but I left the door open and LB  promptly rearranged every pot, pan and lid (and had lots of fun in the process!)

My sweet busy boy! :]

Holding on to Baby Stuff

I am struggling with what to do with baby stuff that we no longer need or use.  The dilemma is that I don't have a good reason to hold on to anything except for the sentimental value.  I have passed along some clothing and toys to co-workers and friends but there are some other-bigger or newer- things that I could sell and be using that extra money towards things we need now.  I can put everything in storage... but why?  One of my best friends gave us a pack-n-play that she had stored in her attic.  I was excited to use it because I had great memories of her kids using it.  But when we went to put it together, squirrels had gotten into the netting and ruined it:[  It sounds like I know what I want to do but when it comes to actually doing it, that's a different story.  I have totes full of LB's clothes from this first year because I just can't get rid of them... yet.  I have one small tote of maternity clothing because I can't do that either... just yet.  But, take the walker for example.  LB loved it and so did we.  But we haven't used it in weeks and I look at it taking up space and think about how another little one could be enjoying it.  That is when my "can't let go" struggle sets in!  We have such great memories of him cruising around in this walker.

If we were not done with ART and TTC then I would hang on to everything and hope that it would be used by a sibling.  But that chapter is closed so I need to separate my emotions and let go of some baby stuff.  I'm predicting that's easier said than done...     

SOS- Survival Week

Not going to post a "Simplifying on Sunday" goal list this week because, in addition to a 50 hour work week ahead, we have three evenings with stuff going on:[  Instead, it will just be a survival week as we end the month of January.  Is that crazy... seems like a month that usually goes by slowly just flew!  This time last year I was half-way into my maternity leave and spending my days snuggling up with a newborn.  Time I will forever cherish that went by way too fast.  Oh how I wish we had the Canada one year maternity leave plan!   

In other news...
This weekend LB officially started walking.  Yay.... I think:]  He had started taking steps around 11 months but then something happened and the kid went on a walking strike.  Anytime we would let go of his hands, he would sit.  If we tried to get him to stand back up and he was on to our game, he would buckle his legs.  I don't know what was up with that... maybe because he had a few hard tumbles... anyway, this weekend he decided it was time.  It is quite a sight to behold because 1- that's my baby walking and 2- he holds both hands out in front of him like a mummy.  Eh, we'll work on that later! 

Off to get some things done for this crazy busy week... hope it's a great one for all of you!!!

Total Random-ness

• An IRL friend told me about the i.Period app that keeps record of anything and everything related to AF.  For anyone TTC, it has a fertility component that's really good.   

• It's a sleet/ice day here in the Southeast and that means everyone loaded up on bread & milk yesterday and schools were closed today in order to survive the winter storm.  Let me brace myself to step out on the front porch to show you a winter storm in the southeast.  Cracks me up...

 

• I'm not complaining about the winter storm because my view right now is my sweet boys enjoying an afternoon nap while I'm cozy on the couch getting to blog about random-ness.  Nice.  (PC is somewhere under that blanket.)

• We made the move to the Stage 2 car seat this week and went with the Brita.x Marathon.  LB likes it but I need to read a little more about it because it just doesn't feel as secure as I think it should feel or maybe it's because he looks smaller in the bigger seat.  We're going to keep him rear facing for a few more months or as long as we can height-wise.   

• This 20 seconds caught on video keeps making me laugh.  We'll call it Operation Paci Rescue!

First Haircut

I held out as long as I could but when LB's baby mullet started curling under and hair started covering his ears, it was time. I just didn't like the thought of cutting my baby boy's first year hair! Yet another first to remind me that we are cruising on to the toddler years faster than I would like.  However, it was not any kind of sad occasion or emotional meltdown (for mom).  Instead I broke out in a sweat trying to figure out how to distract him while PC held him because he kept trying to squirm away from the scissors (which I would probably do too).  Thank you iPhone and some app where cars & trucks make noises. Wish I had gotten better pictures but things were a little chaotic at the time!  In fact, this was just before he squirmed again and PC yelled at me "bring back the phone!"  Good times.

Simplifying on Sunday

Well, I didn't cross everything off the list last week but having a plan was helpful and a step in the right direction so let's try again...  

• Make 2 dinner meals, chicken casserole & taco soup
• Post 3-5 clothing pieces on local classifieds or ebay
• Thank you cards for LB's birthday
• Make dental appointment
• Brush LB's teeth!  He has 12 teeth and that is a mouthful so for the life of me I cannot figure out why I keep forgetting to make this part of the bedtime routine!  Better... and he loves it!
• Call ob/gyn again and ask for credit check. 
• Hang up clothes (As opposed to laying them over the hamper and telling myself I'll do it the next day.)  Obviously I listened to myself:[
• Mail the thank you cards
• Make 2 dinner meals- chicken & dumplings & burger sliders
• Buy a carseat!
• Make LB's next wellness visit appointment
• Work on transitioning to sippy cup for the supper bottle
• Paint magnetic square in the playroom  

What's for dinner?

Why yes mom!  Thank you for introducing me to these yummy foods! 
grilled chicken
grilled fish
muffins
pancakes
bananas
green beans
rice
sweet potatoes
strawberry & banana yogurt
avocados (sometimes)
puffs
prunes (baby food)
goldfish
oatmeal
pouch/squeeze fruits

What are you thinking mom?  After I spit these out, I will promptly toss them in the floor!  No thank you!   
eggs
cheese
deli meat
any kind of pasta
any other veggies besides the ones listed above
any other fruit besides banana unless it's in a pouch
Why are you frowning?  OH, these are supposed to be yummy?  These are easy to prepare you say?  Well, I do like to keep you challenged... maybe you could ask your blog friends what food(s) they think I might like! 

I can't just live off of puffs?  Please allow me to prove otherwise!

Simplifying on Sunday

Simplifying on Sunday (how appropriate that creates the acronym SOS!) is going to be a new addition to my blog, starting today. 

It is probably not of much interest to anyone unless you really want to know of my on-going domestic and organizational challenges but I like that it gives me a feeling of doing something, of accountability and-instead of making yet another list that gets lost through the week- combining it with something that makes me happy- blogging- just seems like a win-win!

This week:

• Make 2 dinner meals, chicken casserole & taco soup (yep, just 2 is a good goal for us... you don't want to know what and how we eat through the week around here!)
• Post 3-5 clothing pieces on local classifieds or ebay
• Thank you cards for LB's birthday (must do because that was a month ago already!)
• Make dental appointment :[  speaking of dental...
• Brush LB's teeth!  He has 12 teeth and that is a mouthful so for the life of me I cannot figure out why I keep forgetting to make this part of the bedtime routine!  
• Call ob/gyn again and ask for credit check.  (We paid on a procedure that ended up being covered by insurance and our account shows a credit but we still haven't received the check.. it has been months trying to get this worked out, grrr.)
• Hang up clothes (As opposed to laying them over the hamper and telling myself I'll do it the next day.)

There, a small start.  I'm really struggling to keep up with things that need to be done at home because I spend my evenings surviving the work week and the weekends soaking up time with my boys.  Major cleaning and organizing is just not happening right now but I've got to do better with the basics!

separation anxiety is not cool

We have had a generally easygoing baby the first year who has adapted well to new surroundings or around new people.

 So, wth happened in month 13?!?

We have left LB in a couple of church nurseries only to check on him and find him crying to the point of catching his breath.  Not cool. 

When someone comes around these days that he doesn't recognize, he buries his head into mine or PC's shoulder and makes a "grrrr" noise.  Not cool, slightly embarrassing. 

He is happy in new places and situations... as long as no one speaks to him.  Mom and Dad are saying "Grrr!"

I have no idea what to do except hope this is a phase and get through it!

As a consequence, I am increasing his chores:]  

Monday Snapshot- Staying Warm

This picture just cracks me up!  You know that scene from A Christmas Story where the younger brother is too bundled up and cries "Mom, I can't put my arms down!"  This is the baby-toddler version!  We went to a theme park over the holidays and had just pulled inside a store to warm up a bit in the pic below.  It was c-o-l-d outside but LB enjoyed the sights and sounds under his two layers, hat, scarf, coat and blanket!

SAHM... if I had the choice

Live to work or work to live?  I used to think I knew which one was me and I am surprised that I am questioning it a lot lately.

We are in the situation that I don't have a choice, but I never thought I would want one.  If people IRL knew of these thoughts they would ask, where is Ms. Mac and what have you done with her!  Wow, how life and perspective can change so quickly.  Do not get me wrong.  I know that stay-at-home is work-at-home and there are good days and not so good days, but home really is where my heart is these days.  I feel guilty being away.  I feel like I am missing out at a crucial time.    

Then I think about how fortunate I am to have the job situation that I do and that I went to college for years- and years- because this was is my dream.  I worked so hard to get it.  Why am I even thinking otherwise?   

One thing that has been really hard is that before I became a mom, I worked a minimum of 50 hours a week there and several more at home.  I have since cut back to 40 hours and am scrambling during the day to find ways to make up for those hours and not take work home.  I was always one of the first cars in the parking lot and one of the last to leave.  Trying to now find more balance leaves me feeling inadequate in so many areas.

These days those last thirty minutes of the work day my mind has already gone home, to those little hands that wrap around my neck and that big smile that greets me.  To see what kind of day he has had.  To hear "mama."  

I just thought that returning from maternity leave would get- as everyone said- easier each day.  It has not.  Every holiday and break, it gets harder.

Last payment on...

... our child!  Yay, we have a receipt and he will not be returned and/or exchanged:]  

I guess in some ways parents are always paying on/for their children but this is the last payment on a loan just to get him into the world!

But worth it?  You better bet your E-I-E-I (extra E-I)-O on it! 

Once an infertile...

I have a boatload of diagnosis related to IF.  In fact, here it is for the blog world to see as written by my RE:

(Miss Mac) is a patient at the (E. Reproductive Center).  She is a 33 year old PO woman with a history of anovulation, endometritis, simple endometrial hyperplasia, unilateral tubal disease and Asherman's syndrome.  She has undergone 8 clomiphene citrate, 3 letrazole and 2 IUI cycles.  She underwent laparoscopy hysteroscopy in 2009 and had correction of the uterine scarring at that time.  Her recent blood work at the ERC demonstrate diminished ovarian reserve with an antral follicle count of 10 and elevated estradiol.  Due to the number of prior failed ovulation induction cycles and diminished ovarian reserve, we have recommended IVF.   
 
One IVF cycle and one precious baby boy later- thank you ERC- you did something amazing with a very messed up reproductive system!

(By the way, can I blame baby-brain or should I know the acronym PO?  The first thing that came to mind was Pissed Off and, although true when it comes to IF, I don't think that fits this particular dx.)

The original purpose for this post was to say that I think I had a smidgen of hope that since my body did this amazing thing that maybe the hormones would straighten out.  I don't even have to ovulate since we are done with ART, but I just was hoping for a once a month cycle that had some sense of normalcy to it.

Not ovulating, for me, means AF starts and she never stops and she is outright hateful about it.  One RE explained it to me that I have too much of one hormone and not enough of the other, so it's like always having a foot on the accelerator and not the brake.  I will spare you the details but what most of my IRL friends describe as a bad AF is the norm here.

So when AF started before well before Christmas and was still here for the new year, I said hello to someone I am not very fond of.

 I can tell you how this will go.  This will trade AF for nausea, neither of which is desirable but one zaps me more than the other and I need all the energy that I can get these days!  Then for the next cycle we will have a repeat unless I get more BCP, which leads me to have thoughts of a hysterectomy going through my mind.  Even the thought puts a lump in my throat and a knot in my stomach.  Even if we are done with family building, it just seems like a door slamming rather than one shutting.  And then to those that didn't get the choice or didn't get the one good egg, I will shut up.  And for you, my heart bursts and the tears flow and I want you to have the desires of your heart... please believe that. 

I want the new year to be full of love and laughter in our home and these messed up cycles, well, they just bring me and my family down with them.  I don't know exactly what that means for us and this post went all over the place, just like my hormones, and I appreciate anyone who read it through and listened. 

... always an infertile.

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:]