Yep, It's Monday Morning

Sometimes, Baby gets all sorts of worked up when he realizes he's hungry.  So, there's no way food settles in his stomach.  Usually, I give him an extra bonus ounce of food because I know some of it is coming back out.  This morning, the boy had perfect aim and missed the burp cloth so I got to clean the couch at dawn.   I thought I was safe an hour later when I placed him in his bed, but he saved it so I got to change the sheets on his bed, too.  At this point, it was time to get ready for work (or about ten minutes past time to get ready for work), and he just looks up at me and starts giggling.  Who can blame him?  I was in a state of undress, glasses askew, carrying a most unpleasant odor and running around like a crazy person.  I'd laugh at me, too.

Weekend Update - A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That

Last Friday, after the school party, we went to Target to pick up some birthday presents and Little Miss's reward.  Then, we had a quick lunch and head to Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law's house to hang out at the pool.  The babies are so much bigger than the last time we got together.  They amused each other on the play mat.  It was too adorable. The older kids also had fun together as well.  We stayed for dinner and then overstayed our welcome by about an hour.  We all went to bed when we got home.

On Saturday, we all got up early.  Little Miss had a morning birthday party.  Husband brought both kids.  I left around the same time to meet a friend for a birthday brunch.  It was delicious and always fun to catch up.  I came home and took a nap with Baby.  Husband went to hit a few golf balls.  Then, it was a pretty quiet evening after that.

On Sunday, it was fairly lazy.  None of us had plans.  I took Little Miss to the grocery store and then I took nap in lieu of the massive amount of cleaning I had to do.  In the evening, Little Miss went straight to bed after a busy weekend, and we just watched some television while I geared up for returning to work after 8 weeks.  Maternity leave went quickly!

Real Life

I'm back at work. It had to happen eventually. With Baby needing surgery some time this year, I wanted to conserve my allotted time off. I'm better immersing myself with work versus splitting my time. I don't feel that's fair to either my home life or my work life. Husband is at home with the kids for the next couple of weeks. 

I'm sure it's a great time, but Little Miss does know how to feed the ego. Every day, she tells me that she wishes I was staying and that she misses me - which is what she did when Husband stepped out for an hour last night, but that's not the point. Today, Husband emailed me the above photo. Totally cute, and it does make me miss the little munchkins.

Also, excuse Pinkalicious and her inappropriate behavior.  You give that girl one too many Pink Lemonades, and she's lying down with her dress up over her head.

Weekend Update - A Little Bit of Crazy

Last weekend, it was insane.  On Saturday, Husband went out with his friends to play golf and then go watch something - golf or World Cup or both.  The kids were a little crazy, but they pulled it together for the last baseball game of the season.  After the baseball game, the coach and his wife had everyone over for a end-of-season cook out.  There was a moon bounce and tons of food.  The team was full of great kids and parents.  It was enjoyable.  Everyone was so supportive even in a season full of rain cancellations.  The kids were given little medals and baseballs.  We bought team pictures as well.  It was a fun day.  Baby slept through everything.

On Sunday, I met friends in the city for brunch.  It was a lot of fun.  Then, I had to run home to bring Little Miss to her last skating lesson.  After skating, I met a friend for a birthday dinner.  I was definitely ready for some relaxation after that day!  The weather was beautiful though - not too hot or too cold.  So, we ate outside and had a really pleasant evening.

Comparison

We keep saying how much Baby looks like Little Miss.  It's hard not to compare the second child to the first.  Little Miss is closer to 3 months in the photo below where as he's not quite 2 months, but I was looking for pictures in similar poses.  They look more alike when sleeping, but you can still they're still siblings.  Either way, we create pretty darned cute kids if I do say so myself.

Week 8

Week 8 has been fun.  Baby has started kicking.  He makes some faces though they only really tell us what stages of gassy he is.  He makes sounds other than screaming.  Nothing is cuter than his little coos and chatter.  He is quite strong in his legs and with his neck.  He's started grabbing things though mostly accidentally.  He still eats and sleeps approximately the same amount as he has been.  

He still loves to be swaddled, but he is stretching out more and more and becoming more comfortable with his limbs being free.  He's still really good.  No complaints from us!  It's fantastic seeing more and more of his personality come through.  He's very easy-going, very affectionate.  I'd say he's impatient, but all babies are at this age.  All things considered, he's as patient as he can be.  To a point.  Next week will be another visit to the surgeon and the following week is his 2 month well baby visit.  Time is flying!

School's Out for the Summer!

On Friday, it was Little Miss's last day of school. I saw her off on the bus and then we all went to see her end-of-school-year show. Baby was really good. We brought some food, but he chose to sleep through most of the festivities. All of the children were fascinated with the baby and greeted him at the door.

The class all sat down, and the teachers presented individual awards to each student.  Little Miss received the "Daring Diver" award which meant she enthusiastically dove into new experiences and loved to try new things.  She also received a perfect progress report.  She had a few "P" (progressing) marks at the half-way point and received all "M" (mastered) marks at the end of the year. 

After awards were handed out, the class performed some songs and dances.  Then, there was lunch.  Everyone contributed for some sandwiches and snacks.  The kids got all hopped up on sugar.  It was a lot of fun.

As a reward, when we went to Target to pick up a few things, Little Miss was allowed to pick something for her good marks and hard work in school.  She chose a Play-Doh set.  That's proof we are proud of her.  Play-Doh was created by the Devil to ruin every fabric in the world.

Crib Time

Baby doesn't sleep much in the crib though we put him in there when he naps.  For the most part, he likes it.  He especially loves the mobile which Little Miss never noticed.  All these pictures were taken within about a minute.  

He still loves to be swaddled, but he can handle being unswaddled occasionally.  He will sleep more sound if he is swaddled at night and during naps though. 

Our Little Jets Fan

I, personally, like the crying picture.  I think that sums up being a Jets fan.  This was also taken during week 7.

Father's Day

This picture was taken the night before Father's Day.

Week 7

Week 7 was kind of status quo.  Baby did grow out of newborn pajamas, but he can still squeeze into newborn separates.  The 0-3 month clothes are a little big, but at least they fit.  He ate a lot and more often this week, but he was good.

We took a couple of trips to the doctor and to my parents' house and into work to say hello.  He did very well on the Metro and loves walks even if he hates any wind or breeze.  He also hates to be less than 4 billion degrees.  Still, we've been lucky.  He's a good eater and a great sleeper for the most part.  

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus

While I was pregnant, women were the most likely to hold a door or give me a seat on the train.  Now that Baby is here, I find men are the ones who show the most interest.  They are holding doors, remarking how cute Baby is and asking how old he is.  It's kind of amusing.  Today, a man in the elevator chatted me up about Baby and told me his best friend and his wife had a boy, and he couldn't wait to spoil him.  At elementary school, the boys are the ones to come up and say how cute he is and how little his hands and feet are.  Even on the train, a little boy came up to peek in at the baby.  

Of course, this is far from a scientific poll, but it amuses me. 

The Stanley Cup

Well, if the New York Rangers don't win the Stanley Cup, it won't be for our house's lack of team spirit!

Weekend Update - Hello, June!

Last weekend, we had a busy one. On Friday, Little Miss was sick - again. She woke up throwing up. No fever though. So, Husband stayed home with her while I took Baby to the cardiologist. She recovered by the end of the day though.

On Saturday, Little Miss convinced me she was all better. I took the kids to get portraits taken. They came out ok. I liked a couple of the two of them together and fell in love with one of the pictures of Baby. I didn't buy too many however. After the portraits were taken, we hung out at the mall and then went to my parents' house. My parents watched Baby while Sister, Nephew, Little Miss and I went to the county fair. The kids had a great time riding the carnival rides. We stayed until we were about to melt and then went to my parents' pool. My parents stayed home with the baby while we ordered pizza. We got home quite late, but it was a good day. In the meantime, Husband had a friend and his wife over to watch the Belmont Stakes so I visited once we got home.

On Sunday, it was a lazy day. I think I took like four naps - with and without Baby. Husband ran some errands and hit some golf balls. Then, we took Little Miss to skating. It seemed like a busy day, but it wasn't - probably because we were all recovering from Saturday.

Week 6 - Chunky Monkey

Baby is now over 9 pounds (his original birth weight was 7 pounds 5 ounces).  He went from eating every two hours to every four hours and has started eating every two to three hours again.  The boy can't stop eating.  Seriously.  I am not keeping up with him so we supplement.  Even with supplementing, he has become fussy and wanting to eat constantly.  When I can, I'll feed him and nurse him non-stop, but ain't nobody have time for that.  I mean, seriously.  Maybe if I wasn't going back to work soon, I would cater to his every appetite, but I'm trying to get used to the scheduled pumping and living a life though with mixed results.  

With his appetite increasing again, he is waking up earlier though he will sleep longer if we cuddle, but I don't want him used to that either.  

This week, we visited the nephrologist who practically gave the all clear on his kidneys.  She just needs to see the scans from the ultrasound last week.  We may need to see her after his surgery or after he begins potty training, but we're still looking at a ways down the road.  

Baby has started to really enjoy constant movement.  He does best if he's being rocked or walked or pushed in the stroller or moving in a car.  He did enjoy the baby swing today as well though he catches on to that quickly so it had mixed results throughout the day.

Week 5 - The Week of the Doctors

Week Five was pretty routine.  He started sleeping through the night (if you count waking up at 5:30 sleeping through the night which I sort of do even if I am cranky at 5:30 in the morning).  He's still a good sleeper.  He sleeps best in the evening and morning, but he generally likes to stay awake in the afternoon.

He's really a good baby.  He really only cries when he's hungry (or being dilated or naked - all fairly good reasons except for the naked bit, but I'm sure that's related to the dilation).  

Week Five brought some good news.  We received information from the geneticist saying that all the tests showed that Baby tested negative for any genetic markers related to the skin tag and inperforate anus.  We had an ultrasound on his kidneys.  He was diagnosed with some hydronephrosis and kidney issues are sometimes associated with the skin tag so it was worth following up.  He did not care for the ultrasound at all, but it was quick.  On Friday, the results showed that the kidneys were all showing within normal range.  (Side note:  I locked my keys in the car at the radiologist office.  My dad came and kept me company while we waited for auto assistance.  Baby was really good and luckily slept through most of the wait.  His food was in the car unfortunately, but I used Dad's car to nurse him - good thing I'm walking food and that my parents live less than a mile from the doctor.)

On Friday, we also visited the cardiologist.  At birth, Baby had what appeared to be a hole in his heart.  This is something that could be found in most babies.  Because of the inperforate anus, he was tested from head to toe.  Most tests came back negative such as the brain scan and numerous blood tests.  The assumption was this little hole would close up on his own.  His EKG came back normal, but the echo still showed a small hole which could be a PDA which would possibly resolve itself or a little extra vein leading nowhere.  I forget what that was called.  Either way, the cardiologist wasn't worried.  He asked us to follow up in a year which also proves that this is not urgent.  There's no murmur and he clearly is a strong and healthy boy.

Week Four

As I mentioned after Week Three, Baby was slightly below his birth weight. Well, between Week Three and Week Four, the little guy ate as much as he could, as often as he could and any which way he could. He gained a pound and a half in two weeks. He hit all his milestones, and the doctor was pleased. 

He had quite a good  routine starting.  With a fuller belly, he was becoming quite a good little sleeper.  He still woke up one time in the middle of the night, but I got some solid sleep before and after he woke up.  He pretty much ate in his sleep, too, so the middle of the night feeding went smoothly.  He still likes to be cuddled, and we both enjoy our nap time together.

Weekend Update - Goodbye May!

The week after Memorial Day was a little insane. Little Miss was given the all clear to go back to school right before Memorial Day, but we came home from Maryland with a UTI so she had to go back to the doctor. Then, on Friday, Baby had to go in for his well child visit. So, it was a week full of doctor appointments with no end in sight to additional visits. 

On Saturday, we had baseball in the middle of the day. Little Miss had her best at bat so far. She hit a fantastic straight hit. She was called out at first, but it was only because the throw was faster than her run. 

My parents made it to the baseball game.  After, we were heading to Fairfax for portraits of the kids, but we hit so much traffic, we had to cancel our appointment.  My parents took us out to dinner for our birthdays.  After a long (very long) wait, we had a delicious meal and some conversation.  Little Miss enjoyed the grandparents' attention quite a bit.  

 On Sunday, I got up to get a much-needed manicure (and to use a voucher about to expire). On the way, I dropped off a gallon-size bag of lettuce that we grew. The elementary school has a program to grow lettuce for the school and to feed the local hungry. Our attempt failed miserably (or superbly, I suppose) in the fall, but we grew quite a bit of lettuce in the spring. We trimmed it down and continue to grow lettuce with great success. I got back from my manicure in time for Little Miss to go to her skating lesson where she graduated to the next level.

Movies Watched in May 2014

1. 21 Jump Street
2. Broadway Idiot
3. Red 2
4. White House Down

Still a pathetic time for movies. I recorded 21 Jump Street awhile ago on cable and finally watched it in an effort to clear out the DVR. I watched Broadway Idiot on Netflix. The other two were on cable. None of them required much brain power and all were fairly enjoyable for what they were.

Books Read in May 2014

1. Hope Ignites by Jaci Burton  (NOTE: This is part of her Hope series.  The order of which can be found here.)
2. Edge of the Enforcer by Cherise Sinclair  (NOTE: This is part of her Doms of Dark Haven and Mountain Masters series.  The order of which can be found here.)
3. It Happened One Wedding by Julie James (NOTE: This is part of the FBI/U.S. Attorney series. The related books can be found here.)
4. Catching Cameron by Julie Brannagh (NOTE: This is part of the Love and Football series. The order in which to read the books can be found here in the Novels tab.)

Decent month full of quick reads.  I'm enjoying my romance run.  All of the books were solid with great stories and characters.  June is not looking as promising so far though.