TGIF

Sometimes you make the funniest faces!

Schedule

Our daily routine has changed several times since you were born, especially our bedtime routine. It seems like everytime we get used to it, you decide to change it up. We just follow your lead. You are the boss around here these days.

For a long time you went to bed around 9:00pm, which was a bit late for us since it meant we didn't eat dinner until late, or we had to eat dinner in shifts. You are more needy in the evening. We can't really put you down to play on your own. You want our sole attention and you want to be held.

Lately, the evening routine has been great and i wouldn't mind it staying like that. It's interesting how it changes. Right now this is what we are doing:

5:30 am (ish) - you wake up for the day. I bring you into bed to nurse. Sometimes, we both fall back asleep for a little bit. Those are the best of mornings.

7:00 am (ish) - we all get up. I change your diaper and dress you for the day.

7:15 am (ish) - on a nice morning, Papa takes you and Bella for a walk

7:50 am (ish) - we all go upstairs and get ready for work. You play on the floor while we shower, etc.

8:20 am (ish) - I nurse you before we leave to drop you off at day care

9:00 am - 5:15pm - you are at day care, we are at work

5:15 pm - we pick you up

5:30 pm - I nurse you (sometimes in bed so I can close my eyes for a couple of minutes)

6:00 pm - You have the daily special (solid food). Interestingly, you keep sucking your thumb after every spoon, or your foot! I guess it helps the food to stay in your mouth and your thumb/feet probably taste yummy with pear all over it. It's messy though!

6:15 pm (ish) - every other day you take a bath, sometimes every day

6:25 pm, (ish) - I get you ready for bed. You are usually pretty fussy at this point.

6:30 - 7:00pm - You'll get your bed time bottle of formula. By this point I don't have any more breast milk left since we just nursed an hour ago. Plus supply is low in the evening.

7:00 pm - we sing and/or read a couple of stories

7:15-7:30pm - i rock you to sleep and carry you into your bed.

This leaves us just enough time to cook and eat dinner and get to bed by 9:30pm. i definitely need my eight hours of sleep (if I am lucky and you don't wake up during the night).

Big Boys

We had a great weekend enjoying the outdoors. The weather has been so beautiful lately. We need to take advantage of these final days of warmth before we are stuck inside for the winter. You enjoyed the huge rocks in the James River.

Since it hasn't rained in weeks, the water level is extremely low and we were able to almost cross the river via the huge rocks. Your papa jumped from one rock to the next with you in the baby Bjorn. It scared me half to death, but I think I have to get used to it. This is only the beginning of all sorts of adventures he will take you on. I am usually not one to easily get scared. In fact, I was quiet the tomboy myself growing up. My friends and I would jump over creeks, across rivers, off of trees, ride unicycles, juggle fire, etc. I broke my share of bones and the hospital knew me by name. Before running off for the afternoon to play outside, my mom would tell me that she has no time to drive me to the hospital today and that I better be careful. It's funny that I am the one that gets scared now. I have a vivid imagination when it comes to all the possible things that could happen to you. Oh man, it's going to be hard. You are not even a toddler yet.

Another highlight of the weekend was the deals we found at the yard sales Saturday morning.
We got some great clothes for you - overalls, pants, PJ's, shirts, 3 pairs of shoes (including the cutest New Balance tennis shoes), jacket, radio flyer wagon, play mat and some other toys - all for $15. Everything is in great shape too. I think some of the pants were actually never worn since it still had the nylon thingy for the tag. I am not surprised that some clothes will not be worn since you little baby's grow like weeds. From now on I will skip old navy and check out the yard sales instead (at least I'll try :))

We found out at the doctor today that you are 28" long, 15.12 pounds and 17 3/4 head circumference. Long and lean (and a BIG head). I wouldn't be surprised if that will be the case in 16 years too.

Miraculous

Just a short 6 months ago you were skin and bones. It's incredible for me to look at these pictures now and think about all that has happened, not just how you have changed, but how our lives are different now. It's hard to think back about a life that didn't include you.

Even though we were happy before, it's not comparable to how happy we are now, with you. It's incredible to think about how this time last year, you were just a little bigger than a peanut. It's astonishing that you become a human being inside my body - how in the world is that possible? I still have a hard time comprehending that. I guess biology/science has never been my strength. It makes me smile when I get to tell someone that I have a son, a little baby, this person that is a part of me, that will always be a part of me and without a doubt the most important person in my life. It gives me chills.

6 Months!

The last six months felt like the fastest six months ever. You are growing and changing incredibly fast! You are sleeping through the night more and more, which is oh soooo great for us. Of course there are still nights where you wake up frequently, but those happen less and less (hopefully I am not jinxing it!), usually when you are about to reach another milestone or are bothered by coughing, teething, etc.

You have been babbling a lot more too, especially in the mornings. After your breakfast, you lie in between us while we try to get a couple of more minutes of sleep and you just start talking, talking, and talking. It's pretty funny. Waking up to your stories is delightful.

You have started to hold the bottle all by yourself which seems like a major step to me. It already makes you less of a baby. I just can't believe how fast this is all happening.

Last weekend we started introducing solid foods. I know you have been ready for it for a while as you love to watch us eat. You eagerly accepted the banana and rice cereal. Hopefully you will be as passionate about good food as we are.

You are definitely starting to look more like a little boy and not just a baby anymore. We will have to wait for the measurements when we go to the doctor next week for your 6 month check up.

Of course you are taking everything in your mouth that you can get your hands on. Sometimes you even try to take a big bite off my face and neck! It's pretty funny.

You are also becoming much more mobile. You can turn in every direction and somehow move yourself from one end of the blanket to the other. People keep saying that we should enjoy this time before you can really move around and all we'll be doing is running behind you protecting you from dangerous corners and stairs.

Two years ago

Happy Anniversary Frank!

Beautiful in many ways

We had a perfect morning. Not only did you sleep through the entire night (11 hours) and I feel fresh and full of energy, this morning I got to dress you in cold weather clothes! We woke up to a beautiful fall morning - dark blue sky, yellow trees, and cool air. I was delighted to get out the corduroys, socks and sweater for you. Of course I had to have a little photo shoot after getting you dressed :)

You, papa, and Bella went on your morning walk to the park to throw the ball for Bella (Erika, your cousin Antonia and Alicia's grandmother, made this amazing cardigan for you).

To top it all off, today is Friday! We have two full days to all be together. This is a big weekend for us too. You will be 6 months on Sunday, it's our two year wedding anniversary, and we are going to start you on solids! I can't wait.

Yipee!

Thank god for coffee

Phew, last night was tough. I am pretty sure it's due to teething. You are also fighting a cough, which constantly wakes you up. I probably got 4.5 hours of sleep in between nursing and rocking you. My body is in overdrive today trying to get through the day. My eyes are burning. I don't know what I would do without coffee. I can't wait to get home for snack & nap (you nurse, I nap).

Email from April 18th

* this is an email i sent to Cate & Ginny April 18th. Since I didn't start this blog until recently, I will add some emails I wrote during the first couple of months of your life, my only documentation of that time. Be aware of graphic details.

hello there,

Just waking up from a short nap. My breasts are sore as hell and hanging from me like sand bags. Breast feeding is going well though considering it's challenges. last time I fed him, 2 hours ago, my breasts were like fountains of milk, literally overflowing. It's crazy. I can't get him to eat enough. I am supposed to feed him every 2-3 hours during the day. He sleeps so much, I spend a lot of time trying to wake him up so that he can eat. Often times when it seems like I got him to wake up, as soon as he latches on he falls back asleep.....so keeping him awake is challenging too! But when he does latch on and eats, it's an awesome feeling (even though it burns).
We already had to go to the pediatrician today. It went well. He likes riding in the car and barely cried the entire time. He got his hepatitis B vaccine and they checked his vitals. He also gained two ounces since leaving the hospital yesterday, which is great. baby's actually loose weight after they are born. His birth weight was 8.3 pounds and when we left the hospital he was 7.6 pounds. In about a week he should be back to his birth weight.

Leaving the hospital yesterday went well. I was totally disoriented when we drove home and felt like I just got out of a long movie. It was weird. Part of me was definitely looking forward to getting home, and the other part was nervous. I had a great experience being in the hospital. The care was outstanding. All the nurses were super nice and helpful. I wish I could have taken them with me! They have nurses that come by just to help you with breast feeding. It was a nice feeling to know you can ring the bell any second and someone will come and help you. Miles didn't make one beep the whole ride home which was reassuring. He rarely cries - mostly when we change his diaper. the first hour at home was a bit frantic but after we got settled it felt good. there are definitely more details I could get into.....there are so many feelings, emotions....my mind is still trying to catch up with my body and reality. I am still trying to understand that I don't have a baby in me anymore. Obviously he is here now, but sometimes my mind just can't catch up.

Frank has been awesome. he is great with Miles and he is doing a great job taking care of me. I am supposed to limit walking up the stairs to twice daily, so I pretty much live upstairs. Last night I went downstairs for dinner for one hour. I am still on pain medicine, which helps to take off the edge. i can walk around OK, but not great. I try to fit in little naps whenever possible. The day seems to pass in a heart beat. I am sorry not to have called you all back yet, there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day.

he is such a wonderful baby, I feel so lucky. I didn't know that baby's could smell that good, are so soft and adorable. the whole thing is more amazing than I can write, especially while sleep deprived, on Percocet, and owner of two heavy ass burning breasts.

i apologize that this email is very disorganized, but this is the best I can do right now.

time to wake up miles.....wish me luck.

Sweet spot

Underneath your chubby cheeks where your neck is hidden is THE most babylicious spot. Every time we kiss you there you have the biggest smile and giggle. It's the best.

Away from home

Last week was the first time I was away from you overnight. I had to attend a conference in Louisville, KY, for three days/two nights. Between pumping in airport and convention center bathrooms every three hours and feeling horribly homesick, it was a terrible trip. Sadly, I am used to not seeing you during the day, but adding mornings, evenings and nights to that, it was tortuous. Of course, your papa took very well care of you. The first day you refused to drink from the bottle before and after day care, since you are used to being nursed during those times. But after that first day of adjusting, you were doing just fine. We also added formula to the breast milk as I wasn't able to pump enough milk for you before I left. That wasn't an issue for you either. In fact, you slept through the night every time.

This trip seemed entirely useless. But then will anything be worth much if it means I have to be away from you, especially overnight?

Since you were born, I am much more critical about how I spend my time. I am lucky that I enjoy my work while you are at day care. I am glad that it's more than just a pay check (especially since it's not a big pay check!). Time seems more valuable now. Even after you are in bed at night and I have a few hours to myself, I don't have any patience for TV and the countless commercials anymore. I rather read, talk to some friends, or most of the time go to sleep.

Needless to say, I am dreading the two work trips that are coming up for me in the next two months.

Challenge

This blog is a challenge for me. I have beautiful journals at home that are 1/4 full (if that). In the past, I have started journal after journal with enthusiasm thinking to myself, this time, I keep it up. This is sort of like a new year's resolution for me, even though it's only October. I decided not to wait any longer, especially since Miles is changing so fast. It's incredible how quickly I have forgotten things that have happened only a couple of months ago. I am already forgetting when he starting grabbing for things, when he rolled over for the first time, etc. Our lives are only getting busier and everything is happening so fast. Hopefully this will not be another one of those journals I have sitting in the drawer at home.

ILL

You have been going through your first bout of sickness. A couple of weeks ago you had a stomach virus causing you to throw up over several days. It was heartbreaking to watch you feel so sick. Of course we have to guess how you feel and what you need, which makes it all the more difficult. All you seemed to want is to be held and comforted. We spent a lot of time in the rocking chair (this also happened to be while your papa was traveling for work for three days and I was all alone with you). Yes, it was hard.


About a week later, we noticed that the inside of your cheeks were covered in white. Thank god for the Baby Book which immediately confirmed my suspicion that you have thrush. It also causes your bad diaper rash. After getting the doctor's confirmation, we have to apply this liquid medication to the inside of your cheeks four times a day, which is not exactly your favorite, but you are cooperating. We have to do this for two weeks, even if the symptoms seem to disappear before then. You have also been waking up congested and a hoarse voice. You seem to be fine though otherwise. Maybe this is due to the change of seasons? Allergies? Just guessing.


A couple of days ago, both me and papa got sick, which has never happened in all the time we have known each other (that is that both of us got sick at the same time). Luckily I didn't catch it (stomach virus) until Sunday night allowing me to play with you for most of the weekend (while your papa was already sick in bed). Luckily, you decided to go to sleep early Sunday night (one hour earlier than usual) letting us all go to bed and sleep. Everyone seems to be better now, however when we dropped you off at day care this morning, Beth mentioned that she wasn't feeling well and that we might have to pick you up early. Let's hope she will be OK and that this is behind us, for now.


Considering this is just the beginning of cold and flu season, I am not looking forward to the many months of winter and the many more possible illnesses.

First time for everything

Here we go. I have been wanting to write down our experiences as a young family (and post some of the millions of pictures we have been taking) and I am happy that I am finally starting, albeit later than I should have. Oh well. I am hoping that this convenient blog format will help me to post frequently and for a long time. The thought that one day Miles will be able to look through this blog and read about his life as a little baby and his parents is what drives me to do this. So this is for you Miles.