Some Firsts

Bobby took his first nap in his real crib today. He had previously been sleeping in a portacrib (about 25 x 37) but he'd been scooching up against the sides and sticking limbs through and sometimes even turning perpendicular in it, so it was time to get the man some more real estate. So we brought Grammys crib down from the third floor and it is now in Bobbys room. Cousin Archer is actually using it tonight, but we'll get in there soon.

Also, we took a bath in the real tub tonight! We are not done with the blow up duck bath yet, but he sure does look comfortable in there. He actually started out with Wiley and Archer for about 30 seconds but was soon all alone and seemed to enjoy it. He sat very well and didn't slip around at all. It was even fairly deep.

Duh

Forgot to mention, best Christmas present ever, Rick's unit is leaving Iraq in January!!!

They are the last Marines in Iraq, and they're getting out. Assuming he's on the last plane out, I tell myself February. Also, a lot could change between now and then. What we really don't know is, if he 1. is cut loose altogether, 2. still has to work in California, 3. still has to work in St. Louis, where the unit is from, or 4. has to go to Afghanistan. Some men are going to Afg. but he isn't one of them as far as he knows. Better ramp up the job search. Don't want to be one of the statistics and make him move in with his in laws for too long.

Best present would be him actually coming home, but this is great news compared to May.

More

Continued.... Doctors appt went well, talked about eating and development and such, all seems to be going well. He thought Bobby sat up very well, which he really does, He has excellent body control, he's just a bit lazy and doesn't roll over. I forgot to ask about sleep. It doesn't concern me, but I think it should and I think we can be doing better and I don't want to ingrain habits that will bite me later, but it is what it is.

He said we are okay to eat 3 times a day, eat meat, even more finger foods etc.

We also went to open play time at the little gym with the 11-19 month olds. Bobby had fun, mostly watching but also holding on (in lieu of climbing) and assisted jumping.

Oh yah, he has a really nasty cold. Super serious snot. Very congested and not even a runny nose, it's just all up in his head - if only the poor thing could blow his nose, he'd feel a thousand times better. I just keep hoping for big sneezes. I measured a little fever with it, but at the doctors they said only 98.3. He is a bit irritable but otherwise still happy. We can play normally, but he'll cry a little when I lay him down to change his diaper. Just seems to have a short temper. It sounds so slurpy when he's nursing and he won't let me suction it out, and it doesn't work well enough anyway. And, he really won't even let me wipe the 2 green streams that come from his nostrils. Very irritated when i wipe, same with food after dinner. So we'll see how the night goes, he's down already at 6:30, but I'm sure he'll be up in about 30 minutes. Might bust out the tylenol to give him some relief.

Six Months (and 17 days)

17 pounds, 15 ounces. (50th percentile)

27.75 inches (75%)

44.5" head circumfrence (50%)

4 needles, including H1N1

SNOW

Snow, and sleep. I've pretty much decided not to let him cry it out, It probably does work, but still can't do it. I think every 3 hours is unnecessary, but there's not much I can do about it. Maybe things will change when we get down to 2 naps, but with upcoming travel disruptions, it's not the time now (and he's still young).

It snowed a good bit today, started at 1pm and hasn't stopped, just lightened off and on. It's really wet snow, but has a good accumulation. It's actually really pretty and peaceful. We'll venture out if the sun comes out. Don't know if I'll drive to the gym yet. no rush to get out there with the southern folk.

12/18

It's snowing here!

Last night, Bobby went to bed for good at 7:30pm, then was up at 10:30pm, 1:30am, and 4:30am. At 4:30 it took an hour to get him back down, he was very drowsy but wouldn't go back to sleep all the way. Then he slept from 5:30am to 7am. Any advice out there? Our friends pediatrician just told her to do some sleep training b/c there's no reason she shouldn't be sleeping through the night at 6 months. We'll see what they say on Monday. I am not looking forward to that but I know something should be done as he's getting worse. Now I don't have to go to work or anything, but we'll see. He is also taking very short naps and is still swaddled and nursed to go down. I forsee problems with this down the road, especially when I stop nursing, and he doesn't take a bottle or a pacifier.

He continues to do well at eating. Both feeding himself and eating his mush. Very interested in whatever I eat. So far likes all the veggies plus apples and pears and crackers and a bit of pudding too. Advocado was lunch today. Had some banana at breakfast and we'll try some oatmeal and maybe vegetables for dinner, making this our first three "meal" day.

Happy Baby

I wish you all could be in my bedroom in the morning while we hang out and get ready for the day. Bobby is so chatty and smiley and seems really like he is having fun. He's so charming. When he gets out and about, he's a little more mellow, although today he did really well with strangers while shopping and he is getting used to the crowd at the library and at the girls at the gym. (It seems like all my pictures look the same lately, but it just happens to be where I charge the camera and he's so happy, I want to capture it.)

12/14

Bobby loves to play with drawstring cords, all cords basically - you know, anything he could strangle himself with...

I think I've mentioned it before, but Bobby loves Sophie. He watches her all the time, to the point of distraction. And now that Bobby might have some food around him, Sophie likes him back. And of course, the teething biscuits look like dog treats.

He was up at midnight, 2am and 4am last night.

12/13

Quiet weekend here.

Bobby had a good visit at the gym day care today. No tears. He was rested and well fed and is hopefully getting used to it.

He continues to not really nap though. He went down three times, yes, but for probably 3.5 hours combined. And we've reverted to being held a lot and waking up a lot in the middle of the night. He went down around 8 tonight in the hope to stay asleep a little longer than 5:30am. I didn't keep him up late, he just woke up from a nap at 5:30pm so it was natural.

Christmas shopping is almost all done, presents are wrapped and cards are sent. Still don't have the holiday spirit though and I'm really fighting the urge to bake the cookies that I want to so badly.

December

• We are now eating oatmeal with carrots. delicious.
• Took him to the child care at the gym. They came and got me out of aerobics class after about 40 minutes. He was crying. This wrecked me b/c if your kid never cries, its so hard to see him with wet red eyes. It was probably the tons of toddlers and loudness and crazy colors and tv and whatnot. We're going back nonetheless tomorrow.
• He's a really good baby. Very chill and very happy. Easy to take care of. I'm lucky.
• Soooo excited to see Cooper J.
• Rick is good. Probably a bit bored. Mentioned that it is good that everyday is the same b/c there is no build up to Christmas.
• 6 month check up and vaccines isn't until the 21st
• Thinking about driving up to DC to shop and kill time

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Update: Holy Crap

So about that last bit. Bobby pooped today and made up for yesterday. All at once, I actually have a picture but think it's improper to post it, it's that bad. Sometimes it leaks out his back along the waistline of the diaper (in a little line) but this went about 5 inches up his back AND then back over and down his bum, about a handful, for lack of a better description. WOW. And getting his filthy shirt off meant his arms and back and pretty much everything else got covered. Pictures upon request (sicko)

Six Months

So big news of the day... Bobby did not poop today. First day ever. He has been down to one big messy poop a day with the introduction of solids, but I didn't give him any yesterday so no poop.

He is doing great. I think I forgot to mention he has cut his first teeth. Two on the bottom. Not enough for a picture, but they're there. They came in without event, no rash or fussing or runny nose. He has a pretty legitimate bite too, mostly gums, but he'll clamp down on you.

The big thing we're dealing with is sleeping of course. He didn't take a nap until 3pm today. Crazy boy. It doesn't bother him either. He did fall asleep in my arms at 12:30 but when I went to put him in the crib, he was awake and ready to go. He also woke up 4 times between 7pm and 7am last night. That is a lot.

We had our friend over for a little play date. She is 5.5 months and tiny, but can crawl and get up on all fours. Not sure what this weekend will hold. Too cold and late for holiday activities downtown.

Rick is doing well, he is doing some intense training so he can get his grey belt in combat training (hand to hand, wrestling, mma, stuff like that) I just hope he doesn't get hurt doing that.