I will be gone this weekend for a good friend's bachelorette party. It's going to be so much fun, and I am super excited...but I sure am going to miss my boys.
Happy Friday everyone!
Friday, April 20, 2012
Who Loves the Weekend?...
This guy!...
I will be gone this weekend for a good friend's bachelorette party. It's going to be so much fun, and I am super excited...but I sure am going to miss my boys.
Happy Friday everyone!
I will be gone this weekend for a good friend's bachelorette party. It's going to be so much fun, and I am super excited...but I sure am going to miss my boys.
Happy Friday everyone!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
The Adventures of Baby Bo: 5 Months
5 months.
5 MONTHS!!
I can't believe it. BB is almost half way through his first year of life, and oh what a 5 months it's been! I don't realize how much he really changes over time until I look back at old pictures and videos. I get so excited for every new stage and milestone, but at the same time get so weepy when I realize how quickly everything is going by.
The best thing about his growing self has got to be his emerging personality. He is such a playful, sweet, and sensitive baby. He loves being around "his people" and tends to get sad pretty quickly when he feels like he is alone, or in the care of someone he does not know very well (which doesn't really happen very often). I feel the worst at night when I lay him down to bed (in his own crib finally!) and he immediately lets out such a sad cry, that I know is his "please don't leave me, I'll miss you so much" cry. He has learned to soothe himself by sucking on his hands while falling asleep now, so the crying typically subsides within a matter of minutes, if not seconds. It still doesn't make that first short wail any easier though.
He takes 3 naps a day, unless one is cut short for some reason, in which case a short fourth nap gets shoved in there somewhere. He goes to bed every night now at 7 pm on the dot. Mr.Bo and I originally began with trying to give him an 8 pm bed time in hopes that it would help to regulate his sleeping during the day. After only a few days though, he began to expire around 7. This seems to be the time that his internal clock has set as his bed time, which means he wakes up around 6 am every morning. These times have been working out pretty well, especially on the evenings we are at home, because it means Mr. Bo and I have some time to ourselves at night. The 6 am wake up time has been fine with us since Mr.Bo and I have both been getting up early to get ready for work anyway. However, now that I will not be babysitting during the day anymore, I think we are going to take the next few weeks to work on moving his bed time back to 8 pm, giving him a later wake up time of 7 am. This way we will still have some alone time in the evenings, but will also have a little more flexibility when it comes to making plans outside of the house, without feeling like we have to rush to make it back home by 7 in order to avoid a grumpy, over-tired BB (and I will get to "sleep in" in the mornings).
We have been practicing eating rice cereal over the past month, and he is finally able to keep it in his mouth and swallow it, instead of spitting it all right back out. Our pediatrician told us that at this point the cereal mainly serves the purpose of being a "practice food" and not a food of sustenance. At 6 months he should begin eating pureed veggies, but I imagine we will probably begin that sooner rather than later. He drinks four 8 oz bottles a day, and considering he sleeps a solid eleven hours at night, that seems to be enough (babies his age should apparently only be drinking around 32 oz in a 24 hour period anyway).
BB can also roll over now!....Well, he rolled over..... Meaning he rolled over once, and that's it. Despite my best efforts and encouragement, he has not done it again since. I suppose that's ok though. Our pediatrician says by 6 months he should have it mastered, so we still have a month. He is starting to be able to sit up with some support though. Usually not for very long, but when he does he seems to love it. He is definitely ready to join the upright world, instead of always being flat on his back!
We had a great Easter with family this year. Mr. Bo's parents returned from their winter in Arizona, and brought along with them Mr. Bo's brother, wife, and 4-year-old daughter, who all got to spend the week before Easter with us. We spent Easter Sunday with my parents and grandparents. BB even got a little Easter basket! It makes me so happy to know that BB has so many people around that love him. With so much love, it's no wonder he hates to be left alone in his crib. I would be sad too!
5 MONTHS!!
I can't believe it. BB is almost half way through his first year of life, and oh what a 5 months it's been! I don't realize how much he really changes over time until I look back at old pictures and videos. I get so excited for every new stage and milestone, but at the same time get so weepy when I realize how quickly everything is going by.
The best thing about his growing self has got to be his emerging personality. He is such a playful, sweet, and sensitive baby. He loves being around "his people" and tends to get sad pretty quickly when he feels like he is alone, or in the care of someone he does not know very well (which doesn't really happen very often). I feel the worst at night when I lay him down to bed (in his own crib finally!) and he immediately lets out such a sad cry, that I know is his "please don't leave me, I'll miss you so much" cry. He has learned to soothe himself by sucking on his hands while falling asleep now, so the crying typically subsides within a matter of minutes, if not seconds. It still doesn't make that first short wail any easier though.
He takes 3 naps a day, unless one is cut short for some reason, in which case a short fourth nap gets shoved in there somewhere. He goes to bed every night now at 7 pm on the dot. Mr.Bo and I originally began with trying to give him an 8 pm bed time in hopes that it would help to regulate his sleeping during the day. After only a few days though, he began to expire around 7. This seems to be the time that his internal clock has set as his bed time, which means he wakes up around 6 am every morning. These times have been working out pretty well, especially on the evenings we are at home, because it means Mr. Bo and I have some time to ourselves at night. The 6 am wake up time has been fine with us since Mr.Bo and I have both been getting up early to get ready for work anyway. However, now that I will not be babysitting during the day anymore, I think we are going to take the next few weeks to work on moving his bed time back to 8 pm, giving him a later wake up time of 7 am. This way we will still have some alone time in the evenings, but will also have a little more flexibility when it comes to making plans outside of the house, without feeling like we have to rush to make it back home by 7 in order to avoid a grumpy, over-tired BB (and I will get to "sleep in" in the mornings).
We have been practicing eating rice cereal over the past month, and he is finally able to keep it in his mouth and swallow it, instead of spitting it all right back out. Our pediatrician told us that at this point the cereal mainly serves the purpose of being a "practice food" and not a food of sustenance. At 6 months he should begin eating pureed veggies, but I imagine we will probably begin that sooner rather than later. He drinks four 8 oz bottles a day, and considering he sleeps a solid eleven hours at night, that seems to be enough (babies his age should apparently only be drinking around 32 oz in a 24 hour period anyway).
BB can also roll over now!....Well, he rolled over..... Meaning he rolled over once, and that's it. Despite my best efforts and encouragement, he has not done it again since. I suppose that's ok though. Our pediatrician says by 6 months he should have it mastered, so we still have a month. He is starting to be able to sit up with some support though. Usually not for very long, but when he does he seems to love it. He is definitely ready to join the upright world, instead of always being flat on his back!
We had a great Easter with family this year. Mr. Bo's parents returned from their winter in Arizona, and brought along with them Mr. Bo's brother, wife, and 4-year-old daughter, who all got to spend the week before Easter with us. We spent Easter Sunday with my parents and grandparents. BB even got a little Easter basket! It makes me so happy to know that BB has so many people around that love him. With so much love, it's no wonder he hates to be left alone in his crib. I would be sad too!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
A Tale Of Two Kitties
Mr. Bo and I have a blended family. Yes, it's true. Before you go quickly making assumptions, let me clarify.When we got married we both contributed one cat each to our family. Mr. Bo brought along his childhood buddy, Dr. Katz. I brought along with me a cat that I like to refer to as my "frist baby," Dinah. It's been 3 1/2 years now since we were all untied in holy matrimony, and while we now refer to them as "our" cats, deep in my heart I know the truth. I have, and always will, love Dinah more than I love Dr. Katz. She will always be mine, and he will always be Mr. Bo's. This is not simply just a case of "his and mine" though, but actually has more to do with the fact that I find many of Dr. Katz's qualities to be less than savory.
For example, Dr. Katz will not, by any means, drink from the pet water dish. He will do everything in his power to drive you crazy, including but not limited to: yowling, waking you up every morning at 4 on the dot by walking on your face, clawing at the door frames, and peeing in your favorite purse...all in an effort to let you know that he would like you to fill the bathroom sink with water so that he may drink from it. This is the only place Dr. Katz will drink from...that or mine and Mr.Bo's cups that we as ignorant humans think we can set down on the coffee table without having a cat face thrust into it a mere 5 seconds later. Yes, Dr. Katz is very good at letting us know when things aren't going his way. There are times though, that his efforts are completely in vain, because we cannot figure out what in the world it is that he wants. This made the the piles of cat poop that we have been coming home to lately (that we assumed Dr. Katz was leaving for us), all the more frustrating.
Then there's Dinah. Sweet, apple of my eye, cat after my own heart, sweet, precious Dinah. I'm not kidding people. I am obsessed with this cat. All she needs to do is walk into a room and I smile.Over the past few years I have become increasingly aware that the feeling is mutual. She is more loyal to me than any dog I have ever owned. She is everywhere I am, so often so that when I notice she is not in the room I worry that she might have gotten loose (She is always trying to sneak out the door). These days she especially loves to be where I am if I have BB with me. Ever notice how she has made appearances in more than one of my BB photos? In case you haven't, check these out...
I'm only sort of joking when I say that I feel like Dinah and I are kindred spirits who found each other in a wide, wide world of kitties and humans. :)
So imagine my utter dismay when this morning, as I unloaded the dishwasher, Dinah walked in and pooped in the middle of the kitchen floor RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! I was shocked. All this time I have been blaming Dr. Katz for every disgusting pile I found, when come to find out, they are in on it together! So now what am I supposed to do? I feel as though apologies may be in order from me to Dr. Katz, but how do you apologize to a cat? Treats? Some catnip perhaps?...
... Or maaayybe I will brush this incident under the proverbial rug and pretend it never happened, and go on blaming "his" cat. Yes, that sounds much easier than an apology. I will probably just do that.
For example, Dr. Katz will not, by any means, drink from the pet water dish. He will do everything in his power to drive you crazy, including but not limited to: yowling, waking you up every morning at 4 on the dot by walking on your face, clawing at the door frames, and peeing in your favorite purse...all in an effort to let you know that he would like you to fill the bathroom sink with water so that he may drink from it. This is the only place Dr. Katz will drink from...that or mine and Mr.Bo's cups that we as ignorant humans think we can set down on the coffee table without having a cat face thrust into it a mere 5 seconds later. Yes, Dr. Katz is very good at letting us know when things aren't going his way. There are times though, that his efforts are completely in vain, because we cannot figure out what in the world it is that he wants. This made the the piles of cat poop that we have been coming home to lately (that we assumed Dr. Katz was leaving for us), all the more frustrating.
Then there's Dinah. Sweet, apple of my eye, cat after my own heart, sweet, precious Dinah. I'm not kidding people. I am obsessed with this cat. All she needs to do is walk into a room and I smile.Over the past few years I have become increasingly aware that the feeling is mutual. She is more loyal to me than any dog I have ever owned. She is everywhere I am, so often so that when I notice she is not in the room I worry that she might have gotten loose (She is always trying to sneak out the door). These days she especially loves to be where I am if I have BB with me. Ever notice how she has made appearances in more than one of my BB photos? In case you haven't, check these out...
I'm only sort of joking when I say that I feel like Dinah and I are kindred spirits who found each other in a wide, wide world of kitties and humans. :)
So imagine my utter dismay when this morning, as I unloaded the dishwasher, Dinah walked in and pooped in the middle of the kitchen floor RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! I was shocked. All this time I have been blaming Dr. Katz for every disgusting pile I found, when come to find out, they are in on it together! So now what am I supposed to do? I feel as though apologies may be in order from me to Dr. Katz, but how do you apologize to a cat? Treats? Some catnip perhaps?...
... Or maaayybe I will brush this incident under the proverbial rug and pretend it never happened, and go on blaming "his" cat. Yes, that sounds much easier than an apology. I will probably just do that.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
This Week In Entertainment
In case you are one of the few who don't know, let me give you a brief catch up. The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where the entire population is divided into 12 districts, and ruled by one capitol. In order to remind the citizens of their over-all rule, as well as being a punishment for an attempted uprising against them, the capitol selects 2 children (a male and a female) at random from each district to participate in an annual reality-type-show called "The Hunger Games." The children are placed in a giant "natural," yet controlled arena (think "The Truman Show") and forced to fight to the death until there is one left standing. Intriguing, yes?
I was afraid that my expectations were just too high, and that I was going to be disappointed. I was not. I loved it. "The Hunger Games" got everything right that "Twilight" got wrong. I was able to like the movie independently from the book (meaning I enjoyed the movie, not just because I liked the book, but because it was actually good). It stayed just about as true to the book as it possibly could without making the movie too long and drawn out. There was no over acting, no cheese, and the CGI graphics looked realistic and spot on. I left the movie theater feeling much the same way I did every time I finished reading one of the books; as if there was no way I was possibly going to be able to wait for the next one. But alas, I will. Even if you haven't read the books (and shame on you if you haven't), go see this movie.
Monday, March 19, 2012
The Adventures of Baby Bo: 4 Months
Well, it's that time of the month again. No, not THAT time of the month...I mean that time of the month that you all wait on pins and needles for; that time when I ramble on and on about all the new and exciting things my baby is doing this month, that perhaps he wasn't doing last month. I'll just go ahead and say "you're welcome" now, because I know these are all things you really want to know about, but just don't quite know how to ask ;).
I'll start with the really good stuff. Last Thursday BB had his four month check up, and is doing great. He now weighs 16 lbs 3 oz, putting him in the 75th percentile for weight. He is also 26 1/4 inches tall, putting him in the 90th percentile for height! This surprised me since he doesn't strike me as an incredibly tall baby, but does appear to be quite round. He got two more vaccination shots, as well as the all clear to begin eating rice cereal! I was so excited that right after his appointment I made a quick pit stop by Target to buy cereal, bowls, and spoons. After work Friday night I also bought him a highchair so we can begin experimenting with the cereal this week!
He is excellent at grasping objects and "playing" with them, which is really cute to watch, and also means he can entertain himself somewhat without relying on constant song and dance from Mr. Bo and myself to keep him occupied and content. He is not rolling over from his back to his stomach yet, but can roll from his stomach to his back (He has actually been doing that for quite some time). He is starting to suck on his hands more, which is nice because I'm hoping he will become less reliant on his pacifier now. I try to allow him to get a little frustrated before rushing to his aid every time he fusses so he can learn that he is able to soothe himself. He also is beginning to not need to be swaddled to sleep.We were planning on "breaking" him of the swaddle over spring break, but now I'm hoping for him (fingers crossed) be completely swaddle free by the end of this week. We are also working on helping him to fall asleep on his own and so far, NOT so good. We were so hopeful when, for two nights in a row we were able to put him in bed un-swaddled and awake, and he would fall asleep in minutes with only minimal crying. Since this weekend though, things have completely regressed now that we decided we are no longer going to replace the pacifier every time it falls out (because it happens a lot). Trying to let him "cry it out," even if only for a short period of time, is stressful and heart breaking. I really hope this transition works itself out quickly.
We are beginning to feel like a more consistent sleeping and eating schedule is just over the horizon, but he definitely still throws some curve balls now and then. For example, we now lay him down every night between 7:00 and 8:00, and he usually sleeps until between 6:00 and 7:00. Sometimes though, he wakes up even earlier and usually ends up throwing in what I like to call a "power nap" about 45 minutes after waking up. These naps usually look something like this...
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Baby Bo continues to be the apple of my eye, and the source of all my pride. It is amazing to think back over the past 4 months and realize how much our lives and perceptions have changed. I have quickly learned that spending an hour in front of the mirror each morning to get ready isn't going to work anymore, and that's okay. A majority of our weekends are now spent at home on the couch, and we often times get our kicks from opening a bottle of wine and putting together baby equipment, like a highchair (betcha can't guess what we did Friday night). I love that boy more than I could have ever imagined I would before he was born. Even though I am constantly tired, often frustrated, frequently overwhelmed, and feel as though I have exhausted my patience reserve yet somehow keep finding more, there's not a whole lot I would choose to change right now...Even on those days when I have to tell myself, "Remember, you CHOSE this." Now if only I could find someone to do the laundry and clean my house for free. :)
I'll start with the really good stuff. Last Thursday BB had his four month check up, and is doing great. He now weighs 16 lbs 3 oz, putting him in the 75th percentile for weight. He is also 26 1/4 inches tall, putting him in the 90th percentile for height! This surprised me since he doesn't strike me as an incredibly tall baby, but does appear to be quite round. He got two more vaccination shots, as well as the all clear to begin eating rice cereal! I was so excited that right after his appointment I made a quick pit stop by Target to buy cereal, bowls, and spoons. After work Friday night I also bought him a highchair so we can begin experimenting with the cereal this week!
He is excellent at grasping objects and "playing" with them, which is really cute to watch, and also means he can entertain himself somewhat without relying on constant song and dance from Mr. Bo and myself to keep him occupied and content. He is not rolling over from his back to his stomach yet, but can roll from his stomach to his back (He has actually been doing that for quite some time). He is starting to suck on his hands more, which is nice because I'm hoping he will become less reliant on his pacifier now. I try to allow him to get a little frustrated before rushing to his aid every time he fusses so he can learn that he is able to soothe himself. He also is beginning to not need to be swaddled to sleep.We were planning on "breaking" him of the swaddle over spring break, but now I'm hoping for him (fingers crossed) be completely swaddle free by the end of this week. We are also working on helping him to fall asleep on his own and so far, NOT so good. We were so hopeful when, for two nights in a row we were able to put him in bed un-swaddled and awake, and he would fall asleep in minutes with only minimal crying. Since this weekend though, things have completely regressed now that we decided we are no longer going to replace the pacifier every time it falls out (because it happens a lot). Trying to let him "cry it out," even if only for a short period of time, is stressful and heart breaking. I really hope this transition works itself out quickly.
We are beginning to feel like a more consistent sleeping and eating schedule is just over the horizon, but he definitely still throws some curve balls now and then. For example, we now lay him down every night between 7:00 and 8:00, and he usually sleeps until between 6:00 and 7:00. Sometimes though, he wakes up even earlier and usually ends up throwing in what I like to call a "power nap" about 45 minutes after waking up. These naps usually look something like this...
.jpg)
Baby Bo continues to be the apple of my eye, and the source of all my pride. It is amazing to think back over the past 4 months and realize how much our lives and perceptions have changed. I have quickly learned that spending an hour in front of the mirror each morning to get ready isn't going to work anymore, and that's okay. A majority of our weekends are now spent at home on the couch, and we often times get our kicks from opening a bottle of wine and putting together baby equipment, like a highchair (betcha can't guess what we did Friday night). I love that boy more than I could have ever imagined I would before he was born. Even though I am constantly tired, often frustrated, frequently overwhelmed, and feel as though I have exhausted my patience reserve yet somehow keep finding more, there's not a whole lot I would choose to change right now...Even on those days when I have to tell myself, "Remember, you CHOSE this." Now if only I could find someone to do the laundry and clean my house for free. :)
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Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Cribs and the Art of Sleeping Arrangement Maintenance
I'm really not an overly sentimental person; I throw away greeting cards, movies rarely make me misty-eyed, and I can't help but be annoyed with people who get so emotionally attached to seemingly insignificant items...So why is it so hard for me to move BB out of the Pack-n-Play in our room and into his own crib at night? Because being a mother has turned me into a sentimental sap, that's why.
You see, BB has been sleeping in a Pack-n-Play by our bed since the first night back from the hospital. When I was still nursing it was especially convenient because I could just pull him into the bed with me and feed him, then put him right back to sleep with out even getting out from under the covers. After we switched to bottles we started bringing formula and bottles upstairs with us so we could mix them in the bathroom without having to go down to the kitchen every time he woke up, therefore never having to leave the bedroom. We agreed that when BB began sleeping through the night we would put him to bed in his own room...Well guess what; He has been sleeping through the night for a month now and is still sleeping in the Pack-n-Play right next to our bed....the only reason being that by moving him into his own room I feel I have to fully accept that he is no longer a newborn, and that makes me incredibly sad. I'm just not ready. We even bought a video monitor a few weeks back so that I could watch him in his bed at night. Still. Can't. Do. It. We are taking steps though (I say "we" because even though he may not admit it, I don't believe Mr. Bo is ready to move him down the hall either). If you would allow me to go off on a tangent for a minute....Our bedroom is technically two bedrooms turned into one, separated in half by a pair of french doors. We leave the french doors open so that it pretty much just feels like one big room. Well, Mr. Bo had the brilliant idea to, instead of going cold turkey, simply move the Pack-n-Play to the other side of the french doors for awhile. This way BB is at least not right next to the bed. This has been our arrangement for the past two nights, and I have to say, having him just a few extra feet away is helping me get used to the idea of eventually moving him down the hall (which really isn't that far away either).
So how did this happen? How did I go from a cynic who swore to never become "that mom," to this emotionally charged fool?...
You see, BB has been sleeping in a Pack-n-Play by our bed since the first night back from the hospital. When I was still nursing it was especially convenient because I could just pull him into the bed with me and feed him, then put him right back to sleep with out even getting out from under the covers. After we switched to bottles we started bringing formula and bottles upstairs with us so we could mix them in the bathroom without having to go down to the kitchen every time he woke up, therefore never having to leave the bedroom. We agreed that when BB began sleeping through the night we would put him to bed in his own room...Well guess what; He has been sleeping through the night for a month now and is still sleeping in the Pack-n-Play right next to our bed....the only reason being that by moving him into his own room I feel I have to fully accept that he is no longer a newborn, and that makes me incredibly sad. I'm just not ready. We even bought a video monitor a few weeks back so that I could watch him in his bed at night. Still. Can't. Do. It. We are taking steps though (I say "we" because even though he may not admit it, I don't believe Mr. Bo is ready to move him down the hall either). If you would allow me to go off on a tangent for a minute....Our bedroom is technically two bedrooms turned into one, separated in half by a pair of french doors. We leave the french doors open so that it pretty much just feels like one big room. Well, Mr. Bo had the brilliant idea to, instead of going cold turkey, simply move the Pack-n-Play to the other side of the french doors for awhile. This way BB is at least not right next to the bed. This has been our arrangement for the past two nights, and I have to say, having him just a few extra feet away is helping me get used to the idea of eventually moving him down the hall (which really isn't that far away either).
So how did this happen? How did I go from a cynic who swore to never become "that mom," to this emotionally charged fool?...
....oh, right.
Monday, March 12, 2012
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