2 months, 22 days old
I had high hopes when starting this blog that it would be about all the milestones and happy times and fun stuff in our lives but right now that is not my reality.
Barrett started daycare this week.
I'm miserable.
I started back at work last week but was lucky enough to have Aunt Rachel volunteer to stay with us to watch B for the first week. I was 75% fine with starting back at work because of this. I, obviously, didn't want to go but I was okay with it. No tears, no real stress, a bit of sadness and off to work I went. I was able to get hourly updates on how he was doing so it wasn't the worst thing ever to be away from him. I've left him quite a few times in the past. I could do this.
Yesterday morning arrived, and again, I was fine. Joe went into the office late so he was able to help me with the first drop off. B was great that morning and slept through our quick goodbyes. No tears. We're all good. The day went by slow. I missed him mostly because I wasn't hearing about how his day was going like I usually can. I ended up sneaking out about 20 minutes early to pick him up because I was getting antsy.
I get into his room. As soon as his teacher gets up and hands him to me, I could tell he had a bad day. His eyes were so red and he looked so sad. As she handed him to me, he started crying and I pretty much lost it. It was like he was relieved to see me and sad that I left him there. I can't describe it. I keep playing that over and over in my head. I can't shake it.
I hurry to get him into his seat and out of there while trying to avoid his teacher who is updating me on his day. I just wanted to leave. I walk out of the building with tears streaming down my face and was pretty much inconsolable for 3 hours. I can't even imagine how awful I must have looked when Joe walked in the door after work. He probably thought someone had died.
So that's where we're at. Almost 24 hours later and I've been crying all day. He is back at school and I composed myself just long enough to take him into his classroom. Joe pretty much mandated that he pick him up today but I really want to leave here early again and get him myself.
I really hate this.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Happy 2 Months!
2 months old
I'm gonna get the bad(ish) stuff out of the way first.
Sleep: My great little sleeper during that first month of life is well.....::yawn::.....gone. I shouldn't say he's gone but that he visits rarely. I've brought some of it on myself (yes, I admit it) but he is pretty spoiled and our sleep is taking the toll. With the Thanksgiving holiday happening this month, he and I spent 10 days at my parents house. Two things: he was triple spoiled and he had no routine. I was running around visiting people and doing things so he was forced to follow along. Thankfully, he is a rockstar traveler. He goes with the flow so well when we are on the move and it's one of the best things we could get in a baby because we have very busy schedules and rarely stay at home.
Anyways, he's spoiled. He has lots of grandparents and aunts and uncles and makeshift aunts and uncles who like to hold and cuddle and play with him. This meant that Mom and Dad were in for a treat after going back to our boring home after all that attention.
So after that trip, it's been an adjustment on sleep. He's slept 5 hours straight three times in his short lifespan and our low point was a few nights ago when he woke up every hour and essentially spent the night attached to me eating. Thank you growth spurt. It's amazing how I can adjust though. 2 1/2 hour stretches are the average at this point and that I can handle. He eats and goes back to bed. Easy peasy. My schedule has adapted and it's nothing anymore to get up a few times a night. Although, once an hour is NOT COOL. (You hear that, B?)
Enough about that, let's get to the fun stuff.
His likes are still the changing pad. So.many.smiles. The only time he cries and fusses on that thing is when he's really unhappy. Also, we put up the Christmas tree last week and he is Uhb.sessed. He'll stare and stare and stare at those lights, although I shouldn't be surprised as our main light in the living room has been an obsession for quite a while.
Sure fire way to get a smile? Picture frames. Again, he's obsessed. My parents have an entire wall of pictures in their living room and every morning, we would sit on the couch while he kicked and cooed at them. He's also loving exhaust fans these days. I know babies love the white noise and it's amazing how it can calm him so quickly. I had him nap in his bouncer the other day in the kitchen while the fan went because it kept him asleep. Whatever works!
I mentioned a few posts ago that he loves his playmat and he also LOVES his swing. Or should I say Mom loves his swing. He naps in that thing daily. I would pay triple the price to have it. And thank goodness ours plugs into the wall because we'd have to buy stock in batteries if it didn't. Speaking of naps, we started the transition to his crib. He napped in it successfully on Saturday but until he shows longer stretches at night, I'm holding off a bit to move him in there permanently. At this point, he still sleeps in the bassinet next to our bed at night (or with me in bed while dad sleeps on the couch. THE HORROR!). Let's hope for a good update on this topic come the next birthday month.
What else? Tummy time is still a work in progress. He tolerates it for small periods of time. No rolls yet but I'm not in a big hurry. He'll do it eventually. Kicking, cooing and squeaks are frequent around here, as well. He is not at all interested in grasping at rattles yet but will hold on to fingers like no other. He certainly likes the noise of rattles though. He's so serious looking when you shake them in his face.
Doctor appointment is scheduled in a few days so we'll see how much he's grown. I think we have a 12 pounder on our hands!
I'm gonna get the bad(ish) stuff out of the way first.
Sleep: My great little sleeper during that first month of life is well.....::yawn::.....gone. I shouldn't say he's gone but that he visits rarely. I've brought some of it on myself (yes, I admit it) but he is pretty spoiled and our sleep is taking the toll. With the Thanksgiving holiday happening this month, he and I spent 10 days at my parents house. Two things: he was triple spoiled and he had no routine. I was running around visiting people and doing things so he was forced to follow along. Thankfully, he is a rockstar traveler. He goes with the flow so well when we are on the move and it's one of the best things we could get in a baby because we have very busy schedules and rarely stay at home.
Anyways, he's spoiled. He has lots of grandparents and aunts and uncles and makeshift aunts and uncles who like to hold and cuddle and play with him. This meant that Mom and Dad were in for a treat after going back to our boring home after all that attention.
So after that trip, it's been an adjustment on sleep. He's slept 5 hours straight three times in his short lifespan and our low point was a few nights ago when he woke up every hour and essentially spent the night attached to me eating. Thank you growth spurt. It's amazing how I can adjust though. 2 1/2 hour stretches are the average at this point and that I can handle. He eats and goes back to bed. Easy peasy. My schedule has adapted and it's nothing anymore to get up a few times a night. Although, once an hour is NOT COOL. (You hear that, B?)
Enough about that, let's get to the fun stuff.
His likes are still the changing pad. So.many.smiles. The only time he cries and fusses on that thing is when he's really unhappy. Also, we put up the Christmas tree last week and he is Uhb.sessed. He'll stare and stare and stare at those lights, although I shouldn't be surprised as our main light in the living room has been an obsession for quite a while.
Sure fire way to get a smile? Picture frames. Again, he's obsessed. My parents have an entire wall of pictures in their living room and every morning, we would sit on the couch while he kicked and cooed at them. He's also loving exhaust fans these days. I know babies love the white noise and it's amazing how it can calm him so quickly. I had him nap in his bouncer the other day in the kitchen while the fan went because it kept him asleep. Whatever works!
I mentioned a few posts ago that he loves his playmat and he also LOVES his swing. Or should I say Mom loves his swing. He naps in that thing daily. I would pay triple the price to have it. And thank goodness ours plugs into the wall because we'd have to buy stock in batteries if it didn't. Speaking of naps, we started the transition to his crib. He napped in it successfully on Saturday but until he shows longer stretches at night, I'm holding off a bit to move him in there permanently. At this point, he still sleeps in the bassinet next to our bed at night (or with me in bed while dad sleeps on the couch. THE HORROR!). Let's hope for a good update on this topic come the next birthday month.
What else? Tummy time is still a work in progress. He tolerates it for small periods of time. No rolls yet but I'm not in a big hurry. He'll do it eventually. Kicking, cooing and squeaks are frequent around here, as well. He is not at all interested in grasping at rattles yet but will hold on to fingers like no other. He certainly likes the noise of rattles though. He's so serious looking when you shake them in his face.
Doctor appointment is scheduled in a few days so we'll see how much he's grown. I think we have a 12 pounder on our hands!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Tougher than I Look
1 month, 29 days old
He looks way to big here, you guys, but holy cuteness, batman!
Onsie courtesy of Ben, Emily and future girlfriend, Annabelle.
Most of my posts are probably going to be quick tidbits like this. B doesn't have a baby book (Awful Mother Alert!) so this is as good as it gets. Hope you're cool with that. :)
He looks way to big here, you guys, but holy cuteness, batman!
Onsie courtesy of Ben, Emily and future girlfriend, Annabelle.
Most of my posts are probably going to be quick tidbits like this. B doesn't have a baby book (Awful Mother Alert!) so this is as good as it gets. Hope you're cool with that. :)
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Playmat fun!
1 month, 27 days old
We had a baby shower a few weeks back, thrown by Joe's aunts and uncle, and one of the new toys we received was a playmat. At first, B wasn't really a fan. I would lay him down and he'd pretty much cry immediately. I think he was afraid of all that stuff in his face. Earlier this week, he's really started to take to it though. He can hit a few of the pieces with his flailing arms (he obviously doesn't do it on purpose yet) and he loves to stare at the lights flashing. It gives me a good 10-15 minutes of free time to fold some laundry or put away the dishwasher before he gets bored and starts whining. It's a definite favorite, ranked only behind the swing and our living room fan, as a must have for this stage.
We had a baby shower a few weeks back, thrown by Joe's aunts and uncle, and one of the new toys we received was a playmat. At first, B wasn't really a fan. I would lay him down and he'd pretty much cry immediately. I think he was afraid of all that stuff in his face. Earlier this week, he's really started to take to it though. He can hit a few of the pieces with his flailing arms (he obviously doesn't do it on purpose yet) and he loves to stare at the lights flashing. It gives me a good 10-15 minutes of free time to fold some laundry or put away the dishwasher before he gets bored and starts whining. It's a definite favorite, ranked only behind the swing and our living room fan, as a must have for this stage.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Bath time!
1 month, 26 days old
The kiddo has been pretty good when it comes to bath time. He's so laid back about the whole process. The sponge baths were not his favorite, but ever since we moved him to his tub, he has been a fan.
Although, these pictures may show otherwise. ;)
I can't wait until he gets a bit bigger and really starts loving bath time!
The kiddo has been pretty good when it comes to bath time. He's so laid back about the whole process. The sponge baths were not his favorite, but ever since we moved him to his tub, he has been a fan.
Although, these pictures may show otherwise. ;)
I can't wait until he gets a bit bigger and really starts loving bath time!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
An update
8 weeks old
My apologies for the long absence. I've not been making time to update mostly out of laziness. I usually blog at work so it's been difficult for me to cut out a time to sit down and write. In my free time, I'm usually editing pictures or reading other blogs but I promise to get better. 2 1/2 weeks left until my leave is up (::tears::) so you can expect more consistent updates then.
I'll be writing Barrett's two month post next week so I don't want to go into much detail yet but basically he's huge! I almost don't remember my itty bitty baby. He's been so fun recently as he gets much more alert though so I'm really loving this stage.
We don't quite have a schedule down yet but we're surviving. Breastfeeding is going fantastic. He likes it so much that he spends most of his day eating. I did have a decent chunk of frozen milk but we've cashed out the stock because I've managed to get some time away from him. I wanted to make sure we practiced with bottles plenty before work and now we're in growth spurt central so I haven't been able to replenish. Must.get.on.that. Thankfully, he takes a bottle like a champ.
Joe and I managed to get away on our first date night when he was 6 weeks old for Casey and Jenna's wedding. We had a great time but it was definitely different to plan the logistics. It's not quite as carefree as our previous date nights. I had to pump on the way up to the wedding in Joliet as well as on the way home and it was an experience to say the least. I'm pretty sure I gave a few semi drivers a free show. I had a minor freak out when I spilled a bit on my dress pre reception and of course, I leaked like no other on our ride home before I could get my pump set up. Ha! Never a dull moment. (Was that TMI?)
I could go on but this is long enough. Instead, I'll leave you with a few recent pictures.
My apologies for the long absence. I've not been making time to update mostly out of laziness. I usually blog at work so it's been difficult for me to cut out a time to sit down and write. In my free time, I'm usually editing pictures or reading other blogs but I promise to get better. 2 1/2 weeks left until my leave is up (::tears::) so you can expect more consistent updates then.
I'll be writing Barrett's two month post next week so I don't want to go into much detail yet but basically he's huge! I almost don't remember my itty bitty baby. He's been so fun recently as he gets much more alert though so I'm really loving this stage.
We don't quite have a schedule down yet but we're surviving. Breastfeeding is going fantastic. He likes it so much that he spends most of his day eating. I did have a decent chunk of frozen milk but we've cashed out the stock because I've managed to get some time away from him. I wanted to make sure we practiced with bottles plenty before work and now we're in growth spurt central so I haven't been able to replenish. Must.get.on.that. Thankfully, he takes a bottle like a champ.
Joe and I managed to get away on our first date night when he was 6 weeks old for Casey and Jenna's wedding. We had a great time but it was definitely different to plan the logistics. It's not quite as carefree as our previous date nights. I had to pump on the way up to the wedding in Joliet as well as on the way home and it was an experience to say the least. I'm pretty sure I gave a few semi drivers a free show. I had a minor freak out when I spilled a bit on my dress pre reception and of course, I leaked like no other on our ride home before I could get my pump set up. Ha! Never a dull moment. (Was that TMI?)
I could go on but this is long enough. Instead, I'll leave you with a few recent pictures.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Happy 1 month!
1 month, 3 days old
HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? I have a one month old?!? Say WHA? It went way to fast and I want to rewind and do it all again. I imagine I will say this every month though. With one month down, in my humble opinion, we hit the baby jackpot. Don't get me wrong, he's a pain sometimes. He certainly doesn't behave exactly like we would like all the time. BUT, he still rules.
We go for his one month well check with the pediatrician on tomorrow so I don't have his stats but Joe and I think he has gotten so much bigger. Thankfully, he's still our little buddy who wants to be held. That's probably my favorite thing about him. He loves to be cuddled. He sleeps like a baby in your arms. (Shocking, I know.) He curls up and loves to dig his head into you. ::swoon:: I probably hold him way more than I should but I can't help it.
Barrett's favorite thing right now, besides eating (!), is diaper changes. Sure fire way to get him to settle down is to lay him on his changing table. He is such a content baby which is a complete 180 from what he was like when he was first born. He would scream bloody murder during the whole process. Unfortunately, he still pretty much hates getting new clothes. I'm waiting for the day when he doesn't wrestle us to put on a new onsie.
I already mentioned that he loves to eat.... like really loves to eat. I was prepared for the cluster feedings to come at week 2 but I figured they would start to subside as time went on. Yeah, no. He nurses for 20-30 minutes on average and then usually wants to eat again within the hour. No complaints though because he is content and happy. I am basically confined to the couch all day long and barely manage to accomplish a thing but I'm cherishing this time. I know it's going to be over soon. That, and I have my iphone and DVR to keep me company. (Seriously, how did nursing mothers survive without these things?!?)
Let's talk sleep.... I've already hit on this but we have a pretty good sleeper in my eyes. He doesn't sleep for more than 3 hours but I really don't mind it. He did regress a bit the last time I wrote so fingers crossed that it doesn't happen again this time. I wouldn't say he has much of a schedule in the sleep department but it's fairly predictable. He seems to be a night owl going to sleep anywhere from 9:30 to 11 but he likes to sleep in. Most days we get out of bed around 9. The time change has seemed to affect him a bit though and he's gotten me up between 7:30 and 8:30 the last few days. As much as I love the late wake-ups, I do hope he starts to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier. I'm not pushing this yet though. It will happen in time.
My content, happy baby had a very rough time this last weekend. Essentially, he whined and cried whenever he wasn't eating or sleeping. Shoot.me.now. We were in Pontiac and like always we had a busy schedule. I'm sure we annoyed quite a few people but he just wasn't happy. I've been racking my brain, reading everything in sight, trying to fix the situation. The only way to make it better was to nurse him. I felt like eating was further hurting the situation (his tummy was the problem) but it wasn't getting better. Just today, I've stopped obsessing and just went back to feeding on demand and keeping him content. His little cries just breaks my heart that I will do whatever to make it better.....I may regret this in the future but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.
Milestones this month:
B is smiling up a storm when in the right mood. Like I mentioned, the changing pad usually brings them out. He's also exceptionally smiley in the mornings after he eats. My favorite time of day! Also, Barrett has really taken to focusing on objects whether it be our faces, the fan, lights, or rattles that I shake in front of him. He will stare for quite a while. Tummy time is improving as well. He's gotten really good at lifting his head when he is using the boppy pillow but not quite as well when he lays on the floor. He is best, however, when we hold him with his head on our shoulder. He would much rather hold up his neck and look around than lay it on us. It must be the height difference between the floor and our arms. Lastly, I found out earlier this week that he's a big fan of music. We play it in the car but at a pretty low volume so I've never paid attention to his reaction. I was working on his 1 month video and going through songs to add as background. He was sitting on the couch with me while I played songs on my laptop and he was so content. I'm going to have to bust out the music next time he throws a fit.
With one month down, I'm really looking forward to what's next!
HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? I have a one month old?!? Say WHA? It went way to fast and I want to rewind and do it all again. I imagine I will say this every month though. With one month down, in my humble opinion, we hit the baby jackpot. Don't get me wrong, he's a pain sometimes. He certainly doesn't behave exactly like we would like all the time. BUT, he still rules.
We go for his one month well check with the pediatrician on tomorrow so I don't have his stats but Joe and I think he has gotten so much bigger. Thankfully, he's still our little buddy who wants to be held. That's probably my favorite thing about him. He loves to be cuddled. He sleeps like a baby in your arms. (Shocking, I know.) He curls up and loves to dig his head into you. ::swoon:: I probably hold him way more than I should but I can't help it.
Barrett's favorite thing right now, besides eating (!), is diaper changes. Sure fire way to get him to settle down is to lay him on his changing table. He is such a content baby which is a complete 180 from what he was like when he was first born. He would scream bloody murder during the whole process. Unfortunately, he still pretty much hates getting new clothes. I'm waiting for the day when he doesn't wrestle us to put on a new onsie.
I already mentioned that he loves to eat.... like really loves to eat. I was prepared for the cluster feedings to come at week 2 but I figured they would start to subside as time went on. Yeah, no. He nurses for 20-30 minutes on average and then usually wants to eat again within the hour. No complaints though because he is content and happy. I am basically confined to the couch all day long and barely manage to accomplish a thing but I'm cherishing this time. I know it's going to be over soon. That, and I have my iphone and DVR to keep me company. (Seriously, how did nursing mothers survive without these things?!?)
Let's talk sleep.... I've already hit on this but we have a pretty good sleeper in my eyes. He doesn't sleep for more than 3 hours but I really don't mind it. He did regress a bit the last time I wrote so fingers crossed that it doesn't happen again this time. I wouldn't say he has much of a schedule in the sleep department but it's fairly predictable. He seems to be a night owl going to sleep anywhere from 9:30 to 11 but he likes to sleep in. Most days we get out of bed around 9. The time change has seemed to affect him a bit though and he's gotten me up between 7:30 and 8:30 the last few days. As much as I love the late wake-ups, I do hope he starts to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier. I'm not pushing this yet though. It will happen in time.
My content, happy baby had a very rough time this last weekend. Essentially, he whined and cried whenever he wasn't eating or sleeping. Shoot.me.now. We were in Pontiac and like always we had a busy schedule. I'm sure we annoyed quite a few people but he just wasn't happy. I've been racking my brain, reading everything in sight, trying to fix the situation. The only way to make it better was to nurse him. I felt like eating was further hurting the situation (his tummy was the problem) but it wasn't getting better. Just today, I've stopped obsessing and just went back to feeding on demand and keeping him content. His little cries just breaks my heart that I will do whatever to make it better.....I may regret this in the future but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.
Milestones this month:
B is smiling up a storm when in the right mood. Like I mentioned, the changing pad usually brings them out. He's also exceptionally smiley in the mornings after he eats. My favorite time of day! Also, Barrett has really taken to focusing on objects whether it be our faces, the fan, lights, or rattles that I shake in front of him. He will stare for quite a while. Tummy time is improving as well. He's gotten really good at lifting his head when he is using the boppy pillow but not quite as well when he lays on the floor. He is best, however, when we hold him with his head on our shoulder. He would much rather hold up his neck and look around than lay it on us. It must be the height difference between the floor and our arms. Lastly, I found out earlier this week that he's a big fan of music. We play it in the car but at a pretty low volume so I've never paid attention to his reaction. I was working on his 1 month video and going through songs to add as background. He was sitting on the couch with me while I played songs on my laptop and he was so content. I'm going to have to bust out the music next time he throws a fit.
With one month down, I'm really looking forward to what's next!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Happy Halloween!
3 weeks, 4 days old
If Barrett's behavior is any indication of his feelings on Halloween, he is not a fan. Bubba decided all he wanted to do today was whine. Maybe he's mad at me for not getting him a real costume.
We didn't do trick or treating this year but we had to have a photo shoot anyway!
If Barrett's behavior is any indication of his feelings on Halloween, he is not a fan. Bubba decided all he wanted to do today was whine. Maybe he's mad at me for not getting him a real costume.
We didn't do trick or treating this year but we had to have a photo shoot anyway!
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