And

5:19am this morning. He knows. If he wakes up earlier, I’ll be there. Must break this.


So I turn on the tv. He’s interested in it for about 30 seconds and probably only because it’s bright.

Somethings wrong with my laptop. Sucks. It has slowed down a lot and I hate that I can’t find anything wrong.

He is also really cute. Natch. A while back I was singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star while nursing him and he started opening and closing a fist – the hand motion for a star. I wasn’t even doing it. Now he does that and sometimes, the Itsy bitsy spider.

He wakes up with a dirty diaper. I think it’s a wake up poop, not an overnight one. And then after I change it and we play for about 20 minutes, he poops again.

10 MONTHS

I am blogging because I rarely do, but to me, our lives are dull, so continue at your own desire. 

We had a nice trip up to DC/NJ/PA and got to see Rick and Roseann and a couple of my friends. I wanted to do more in DC but was a bit unorganized and sort of unable to get it together with transportation and naps and all that.  I will have to go back to see my NCS and GW girls and my yoga teacher. I really really miss coaching right now - that it's racing season and so nice out.  I don't even think UNC has any home races to get my fix.

Bobby is doing great though.  Sleep is still our big 'issue'  but it's a lot less of an Issue, just something I'm always working on.  Last night marked the fifth time, in his entire life, that he slept through the night.  That being 7pm to about 5:45am.  I am really trying to get him to stay asleep until 6am.  This might mean a little crying until then, so the question is, if he's smart enough to get up earlier and earlier if I go to him at 5:55/5:37/5:42am, does the reverse hold?  If I dont' get him, will he just chill out in there?  Probably not the time to work on it with house guests!  Also he went down for his 2 naps today without any fuss.  However, this second nap seems to be over right now. And I didn't even get to eat lunch yet! 

He is a bit of a picky eater but gets enough good stuff in.  He is quite cheeky but of course adorable.  He will imitate you (eventually) so we are working on our sign language, but he just ends up clapping.  He tries to make his fingers snap if you do it in front of him.  He often will plant his feet, straighten his legs and stick his butt up in the air as if he's about to stand up.  He cruises down the coffee table, but won't walk if you hold his hands; he just leans foward.

Swim "lessons" start tomorrow!

Updates

So, in case you didn't get the whole story, I went to a junior league meeting the other night way down south Elm street, almost near Lee, and was the first car parked on a side street off Elm and sometime in the 1.5 hours I was inside, my car window was smashed and my GPS was taken.  That's it.  didn't even rifle through the console or diaper bag etc.  Annoying more than anything.  Replaced window for $200 and GPS for $120.  Would have waited, but would like it for my roadtrip next week.

Bought a big boy car seat for Bobby.  $280 and I paid $128 thanks to coupons and gift cards -THANKS ROSEANN.   I shopped around Babies R Us for other stuff, but found I didn't need anything there anymore.  I guess I don't have a little baby anymore.  He's on to bigger and better things.  Not really that sad about it though. 

We are learning how to sleep here and it is going pretty well.  He cries for either 0 minutes or 30-40 minutes then falls asleep on his own and wakes up once or twice tops in the middle of the night - in which he is able to put himself back to sleep in about five minutes.  He had been sleeping until at least 7am, but the last 2 mornings were 5/5:30am.  Today though, I nursed him and then slept with him until 8:30am!  Totally messed up nap time of course, but he needs it and we'll deal with napping after travelling is over. (mini brag:  he slept 7:10pm to 5am on Thursday, of course I was still up hourly though)

We are driving up to DC next week then onto NJ where we'll get to see Rick again, very excited about that.  Not sure how he'll do in the car for that long (Bobby, not Rick) but we'll take our time and see. Will pass on going to St. Louis for Ricks last weekend there (4/11), I really want to, and even found good flights, but the boy needs to be in his crib.  And I signed up for swim lessons and want to be here for them.  And I'm supposed to run a 10miler with Emily that weekend.... I guess I need to find a babysitter for that. 

Bobby doesn't like to eat off a spoon, unless it's yogurt or something sweet.  Only likes to feed himself and even then is really picky.  I think it's a phase/transition so I just have to give him time and keep trying to make sure he eats more than carbs!

Otherwise, he is a happy healthy baby with ridiculous amounts of energy and curiosity.  He is very fast and a good climber, so watch out! (And now that I look at this picture, I would have not let him in there at all, (moot point now since he then broke that table)) He loves the bath and I can't wait to get him in a baby pool this summer.    This is a really busy month and we are excited to have Rick back and see the Martin boys again soon.

He's a Machine

I may have a robot for a baby.  He doesn't seem to need sleep or food to survive.  He continues to take really short naps and they seem to be getting farther apart which makes for the possibility that we only nap twice - no big deal for a 9 month old but not when they are barely over an hour added together.  he plays so hard and so nonstop, I don't know how he doesn't crash for hours at a time.

he is a really slow eater too, and pretty uninterested in food.  I try to feed him often since he doesn't take in very much at all at one setting.  Breakfast is pretty light, second breakfast is just a little fruit,  lunch varies and if we get it timed right, dinner can be substantial.

so what does he like?  baths and water - from the water dispenser in the fridge, sinkwater, showers, cups of water - all fun.  "brushing" his teeth, climbing stairs, climbing anything actually, opening doors, knocking down blocks. laptops, banging his head against the wall, dancing to music, the dog - a lot, throwing things on the floor and me.

i mention this because he is particularly attached to me.  fine playing by himself, as long as he can locate me.  this makes childcare at the gym difficult and my workouts get cut short.  this part is lousy.

we are gearing up for spring and summer and happy the weather is getting better.  we can go walking more now, but he is getting over the stroller and wants to be out of it.

He wore his Virginia jersey for the ACC tournament, but they lost to Duke, oh well.  He was also trying on some shorts, which are a little small, but show off his calf nicely (right Allison)  He also likes to put blocks on his head, hence the pose.  He is really not my kid though,  those skinny legs, sheesh.  maybe the pasty white part though.

Stats

9 months
19 pounds 8 oz (50 percentile)
30 inches (75%)

Shout outs

Interesting week here. Rick came to GSO for 3 days. Yay.

First, huge huge THANKS to mom for watching Bobby lots and lots. Not because Rick and I went on dates and movies, but because we were soooo sick. Lots of puking and other stuff, Rick was way worse than me, I'm just tougher actually, but we were just tired and weak and nauseous for a good 2 days. Rick also had a fever - which you don't usually get with a stomach bug. So I was a waste of space, and Mom thankfully stepped in to feed, walk, play with Bobby etc. So his trip was pretty lousy, no dates, no home cooking, no rest, very little playing with Bobby, and then his flight was delayed and we had to get up at 3:30am to catch a 6am plane in RDU. But he's now in St. Louis and doing better - for now. Work situation is still iffy. I think Bobby missed the bug, but actually he did puke a couple times Sunday night, but I just attributed it to his rough cough /post nasal drip and my infection if anything. And he was over whatever he did have right away.

Second big thanks to Elizabeth. Who brought Archer up to NY state for a quick 36 hour visit just to babysit so we could attend Kirins wedding. It was the longest period for me away from him (over 7 hours) but I wasn't really bothered. I knew he was in good hands - even if he was awake too late, I didn't mind b/c I know he hates sleep. I was also happy to hear Wiley survived.

So I am very lucky to have family around and able to help me out in such a big way.

Bobby is crawling decently, not super motivated to get around, but he gets it done. He is super noisy too, just non stop rambling. He seems to want more than anything to stand and walk. He pulls himself up on anything and then will let go of one hand and tries to jump to another object. He climbs up on me all the time. He's gonna be trouble. He still is a very bad sleeper. 2-3 very short naps, I don't know how to consolidate them. Still waking 2-3 times overnight on a good night. Bedtime can be 15 minutes, but it can be an hour long battle too. We've had no schedule/routine so I don't blame him for being messed up, but it's getting a bit old.

Oh, and while all of this is going on, there's also this. When we were in California, Bobby was fussy, so I was trying to help him nurse. Sometimes when he gets overtired he needs a little help starting nursing to settle down. Guess I forced him a little and he wasn't interested so he bit me. Hard. That was Feb. 10. It bled later that day when he did nurse (bloody mouth). And I don't remember what happened between then and now, but sometime last weekend the cut just got infected/bigger/deeper/who knows, but it hurts like hell. So I'm either going to have to find some medical super glue, not use that side or see a doctor soon.

I'm ready for my kid to get to the funny and silly personality blog posts.

mini milestone

this was so good, i had to turn the computer back on. When Bobby woke up at 11:15 tonight, I went him to find him STANDING in his crib! This is a big deal for him since it takes several steps to get there and I've never seen him pull himself up during the day. He's been trying for months but I guess now he can. This could be bad b/c anytime he's on his tummy, he'll want to get into seated position.

of course, he's up again, the first 30' of putting him down didn't take. gotta go!

cALIFORNIA

We are having a nice visit with Rick. The weather is phenomenal. Bobby is being really good although his sleeping is sometimes messed up. He is in the hotel crib which helps us all sleep better. He has had some late bedtimes but weathers them fine. We had a great visit with Judy, spent the afternoon touring and playing, then Rick came up for a home cooked dinner. Uncle Rob had a show in town so it just worked out to see him. Rick made a quick call to go to Islands since it is so convenient and pleases all and is baby friendly. I actually offered Outback.

I leave on Monday then Rick meets me in Saratoga Springs for Kirins wedding. Then he will go from there back to St. Louis for work for 2-3 months. I'll give him a week or two to get the lay of the land and we'll see what is next.

Bobby is still not crawling but can pivot really well. His teeth are very goofy, it will be silly when you see them when he smiles. i also hear him grinding his teeth occasionally. And, he likes to bite. You think he is coming in for a hug but he ends up trying to nibble on my shoulder. I am concerned about his eating. He is really hard to get food into. Not interested in being spoon fed, and likes finger food but will not stay still to eat. Sheesh.

SO you've probably figured it out now, but I am in California. Literally bought my ticket about 4pm on Saturday, then at 4am left for Raleigh airport for a 6:30am flight Sunday. Called Rick at 6am his time from Cincinnati and he came and got me at 11am. We got a car, some lunch and settled in to watch the Superbowl in his hotel room in Oceanside - which is right outside the base gate. Bobby did really well on the flights again, took some short naps and wasn't fussy or even that bothered by the cramped quarters for 4+ hours. I think he went to bed at 5/6pm and slept rather well but got up at 5am! I thought he had adjusted today, he took his 3 naps at usual times, but was not able to go down while we went out to dinner. He is actually now in that hotel crib (see flickr) but the mattress is so hard, I doubt he goes back in there after he awakens and I don't blame him. I get the idea of co-sleeping. It's so easy for the mom and quite comfortable/comforting for the baby. I just don't want to make it a long term thing. He is going to be all sorts of messed up sleep wise but it's worth it.

Today we drove around, went to Kohls, ate lunch with Rick, got some groceries, then went for a walk around the marina for about an hour. It was so warm and sunny and just lovely out. Rick worked until about 6, which is silly b/c no one else has anything to do but a couple of guys and him. Boo. Then Dinner at Islands!!! Rick is good though. Bobby is taking some time to warm up to him, but it's probably less him and more "not mom" so that sucks b/c I had visions of going running and stuff like that without the dear child, maybe later on.

8 Months

It's very hard to put a baby to sleep when it won't stop clapping. I think there was a little interpretative dance in there as well.

He is getting better at feeding himself, often having to put several fingers in his mouth in order to release the food though. He seems to be not interested in the food if it's on a spoon and just wants finger foods, even if the delivery is difficult.

Not surprising, but I am putting away a lot of 6 month clothes since he is getting too long for them. Still room in other directions.

Still only crawling backwards. but he does get up on hands and toes now.

Snow

at least 6 inches, now it's freezing rain/sleeting and packing it down some. just yucky out.

bobby finally rolled over from his front to his back. and he seemed really proud of himself. he did it repeatedly on my bed, but since he leads with his head, he seems not wanting to repeat it on the floor.

he slept well enough last night. doc said antibiotics would take 3 days to work but we definitely got some peace, slept 7p-2a straight, then i couldn't put him in his crib so we slept in my bed 3-7 with some wakeups, but so much better than the last 2 weeks for sure. he skipped his morning nap and is down now, i want to go shovel but might give him 10 minutes to make sure he's under.

local paper came, but NYT and WSJ did not... (i actually thought the same guy delivered them all)

sophie attacked the diaper pail yesterday. carried it into bobby's room, several feet and chewed the handle, but thank god, was unable to penetrate to get to the poop!

Wah

I feel like I've been giving Bobby a lot of Tylenol lately, so I decided to not give it to him last night since he had a fine day. I don't know if it was coincidence or what, but Bobby has an ear infection. I wonder if the Tylenol had been suppressing his fever and it just came out last night or what. Probably not, but I hope he hasn't been sick for long and I ignored it. But I guess if you have a cold for a month, it's going to turn into something like this. He wasn't draining liquid from his ear or pulling at it so the 101.0 fever this morning told me to go to the doctor. He had a very sleepless and irritable night but has gotten 2 good naps in today and when he wakes up, I'll start him on the amoxicillian. He was 19,5 pounds at 7 and 3/4 months - still a lean little thing.

The cold has come in. It is suddenly very bitter out and I guess the snow is coming. If they say 6-12", it'll be about 3-5 I'm guessing. Enough to make us stay home of course. I wanted to have a big errand day and hit the gym before it came, but the boy needs sleep and cuddle time, so that's the new plan. Also, wanted to see the Wilson's this weekend, but that might have to wait.

Jan. wrap up

nothing special going on, except our chronic nonsleeping, so I haven't written much lately. napping is a bit of an issue now, he's just not interested in staying down (or can't make himself) and likes being awake in general. sometimes takes 2 naps, then gets cranky at night.

i screwed him up majorly at bedtime. i can get him to fall asleep fine, even without the swaddle, but now i can't get him into the crib, out of my arms, without waking him up. it usually takes 3 tries even when i was sure he was asleep.

we almost have all 4 top teeth fully through. he likes to try to bite us with them.

still working this cold, no fever, just snot and an occasional cough

he's still pretty happy if not just a bit short tempered.

rick is getting out of iraq next week.

my new month resolution is a spending freeze. airplane tickets, shower gifts, wedding gifts, new dresses, new makeups, trainer sessions, new car tires, little gym. i am stopping as soon as i find shoes for the wedding.

MLK Day

A sleeping blog- what a surprise. Either out of sheer exhaustion or some tylenol, Bobby slept from 7pm to 3am last night, then ate and slept again until 5:30am. And he was even going down again, but I think he had swallowed so so much snot all night, he vomited up everything in his tummy. It was so sad seeing it go everywhere. He got in a quick rest from 6-7am.

I think he feels absolutely lousy, but only acts like it when tired. So the Martins are watching him currently since he only managed a 40 minute nap and cried literally as soon as I turned on the computer and settled down with a diet coke.

These teeth are probably the beginning of a rough period for the little guy while more teeth come in! I had said recently, teething only causing teeth, but I amend that. No diaper rash or fever for us, but mucous for sure. He had a snotty cold for several weeks that just dried up and this different than that.

Sunday 1/17

Having a great time visiting with the Martins. Lunch out yesterday, then Cash's birthday celebration. Baptism today. We had a super rough night, two actually, but last night he was up probably 8 times in the (only) eight hours he was in bed. We figured it must be teething, He's been mouthing everything. I hadn't checked in a while, so I went in, and sure enough - teeth!

Top four teeth. The middle two seem to be right under the surface, one for sure you can see, but what's sort of goofy is that the two outside front teeth have come through. Very vampire-esque.

1/16/09

Bobby can clap! He's been banging things he holds together for a while now and would hit things in his hand with his other hand, but Grandma Vegas taught him how to clap with flat palms tonight. Yay.

Off to the new City Center tomorrow and having a little birthday celebration for Cash.

Las Vegas

Back on the road again. 7 months old is very different than 7 weeks or 4 months - the last times we flew. Bobby was still really good, very charming, and quiet. Luckily I was literally the only one in security line in Greensboro. Followed no one, no one else came up. Good thing b/c I took my time. Baby/carrier/stroller/purse/shoes/belt/diaperbag (with laptop and kindle in it!). I think I took 10 minutes, but the TSA folks did come and help load me up, maybe I looked that pathetic.

Short flight to Charlotte felt longer, was cramped, but I dealt and we were able to just play a bit since the flight was 4-4:40 ish. Was able to stop in the USO when changing terminals since I didn't leave until 6pm. Changed diaper, tried to nurse, had a little snack, went to gate, boarded close to last - to see where the empty seats were and to shorten the amount of time we were cramped in there.

Luckily I had an aisle seat and no one was in the middle. This was huge b/c I could nurse him and use the seat for his junk. There was a 6 year old girl across the aisle who loved him and Bobby just liked watching her - and everyone and anyone else on the plane. I guess he fell asleep around 7 (i'm guessing) for maybe an hour and a half, I guess I should wear a watch, but he was definitely up at 9pm and then stayed up. Sleepy but unaffected and definitely not interested in going back to sleep. luckily we got in about 40 minutes early. Got our bags, met Carolyn and then he finally lost it in the carseat - just sobbing.

So quickly to bed (now on to pacific time, 8:30pm). I thought he was just adjusting to the time change wisely, but at 3am he seemed to forget he wasn't on Eastern time. He woke up 11pm, 3 am - wouldn't go back down until 4:30 and then was up at 6:30 but very chipper. He wouldn't nap this morning until after 10am but he's a trooper and enjoying Cash and Allison and Slider, and of course Carolyn and Chandler.

We're babysitting Cooper currently and it's quiet time for a little bit longer I hope. It's crazy how quickly I forgot how 'new' babies are. Just awkward, noisy little things. But sweet too.

Last Night

Bobby slept from 6:40 (-7:20) - 3:40.
Chugged a bunch of milk, projectile spit up a ton, then slept again, 5-5:40-7:30.
That shouldn't be impressive for a 7 month old, but for him 8+ hours is really unusual, after several nights of midnight/2am/4am/5:30am wakeups. I actually got up at 2am to check on him. He had rolled onto his tummy and that is probably why is slept for so long. Naps are still generally 40 minutes but the second one has been 2 hours a few times, but that also means he's awake from 2 or 3pm on and gets cranky way before what I would like bedtime to be.

7 Months Old

Thought I'd just put some notes up. Bobby is still a good bit snotty, going on 3 weeks now, but no other symptoms and seems to act just fine. It seems to be manageable and we suction out a lot in the mornings, b/c I worry about that all draining when he's nursing, but it doesn't bother him.

Sleep issues are still the same. In bed about 11.5-12 hours at night, maybe just under, but still waking up 3-5 times. Up around 6:30am usually. Naps are where I would like to improve if I could. He usually takes three 40 minute naps. You can set your watch by it. So there isn't a lot of time to get a ton done, usually a shower and he's up e.g. Sometimes it's less, but it's often all he needs and it takes the edge off and we go back to playing.

He is ridiculously energetic and curious. Grabbing for everything and anything. Likes to bang things together.

He is about the same verbally. Occaisonal da/ga/ma/la sounds, but more often just grunts and giggles and squeals.

His favorite method of communication is spitting though. It's like a raspberry on steriods. I don't think I taught him this, I don't know what triggers it, he just does it, and follows it with a cheeky smile. Even if you don't react shocked or at all, he still will do it a couple times, including during a meal. I have tried to get it on video but not successfully yet.