February 11, 2011
Been too busy to blog and I’ve failed my personal challenge. C’est la vie.
In other news, Little Man now has 14 teeth and will turn 18 months old on Monday. I’ll blog after his well visit with updated stats on Tuesday. And my new personal challenge will be to blog at least once per week.
We’ll see how I do.
Oh, and I joined Twitter. Why, I’m not sure. Same user name. @sweetnjmom (I think you use the @ but I’m a Twitter newbie and now need to read up on this).
February 4, 2011
A lot of my mom friends (see mom blogs link on the right side) will confirm what I’m about to write: TEETHING BITES!
Of course there must be some babies/toddlers who aren’t bothered by a new tooth about to sprout. And I’m happy for their parents and caregivers. Because they are lucky. My son, however, IS bothered by new teeth and right now he is cutting FIVE at once!
Yes, you read that correctly. Five. All four canines (3 are almost out) and his last First Year molar (the bottom left). He has 11 teeth fully out–soon to be 16 and then, hopefully, a break in this madness until his Second Year molars show up. I really hope they wait until he turns 2, six months from now, because it would be nice.
Little Man is, overall, a happy fellow. He almost always has a smile on his face and a hello (or Hola!) to everyone. He waves and chatters. He likes to “share” his toys with you. But he’s stubborn and if he doesn’t get what he wants, he can throw a MAJOR tantrum. He throws his body on the floor and cries and kicks and squirms his little body like a worm and can occasionally (on purpose!) bang his head on the floor or a wall. I hate that part. Headbanging should only be done at a metal concert.
So the last few weeks have been interesting. We moved on January 19th. He adjusted pretty well, but the drooly, chompy, bitey phase has been rough. He even bites his clothing to alleviate the pain. But when you try to give him Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen … well, you need two people to force that down his throat. Little Man is STRONG! And he has a rash on his cheeks from the drool and the cold. I try to put Boudreaux’s Baby Kisses on it as frequently as possible, but with 3 dogs (mine and my brother’s two) you get a lot of dog hair and it’s not fun to have fur stuck to one’s gooped-up face.
Hopefully these teeth will poke out soon. I see the tips of two of the canines (upper) and that last molar is being stubborn, but it’s slowly emerging. The light is at the end of the tunnel–for now.
February 3, 2011
Remember my goal?
I didn’t.
No post yesterday. No post on Tuesday. Here it is, February 3rd, and I’m only now typing away on my MacBook. Yep, I failed on my own challenge. Now the question is: Do I start fresh from today?
We’ll see… I can’t think of much to say today. I’m tired. Little Man is cutting his last molar and his canines. And I’m waiting for the cable company to arrive with my replacement DVR since the old one SUCKED and wasn’t recording my shows. They have 50 minutes to show up within their “window” of 8 – 11 am. I’m not holding my breath. And they’ll probably show up JUST as Little Man falls asleep.
January 31, 2011
Tomorrow is February 1st. It’s the shortest month of the year, so perhaps I can use that to my blogging advantage. I’m going to TRY to blog every day in February. My blogs may only contain a photo or even a brief thought, but I hope to get back on the blogwagon again. Little Man will turn 18 months on Valentine’s Day, so it’s a milestone month. We’ll see how I do.
January 2, 2011
No? Yes, snow.
NO!!!
And mama is showing off her Photoshop fun, too.
December 29, 2010
Little Man is a dancing (and singing) fool!
And Little Man’s mama has been a major slacker with this blog. I’ll have to give an update later today or tomorrow on all the happenings in my life. Lots going on… this mom is glad the year is almost done!
November 30, 2010
I found out I was pregnant. Time sure does fly. Now I have an amazing 15-month-old son who is the light of my life. Then, just a week later, Dude’s beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel died–on my mom and brother’s birthday. What a roller coaster of emotion that time was. Here we were, overjoyed to be expecting our first child, and a beloved pet dies. Even though she was 15, it was hard. And we didn’t want to say anything to our families that early (at only 4 weeks along) so we waited until I was 8 weeks. A bit early, but I felt that if anything happened I’d want my family to know. So why not share?
Last year, on Black Friday, I slept as much as possible because Dude was home with me to share the burden of caring for a 3-month-old who still wasn’t sleeping through the night (and that took time). I didn’t go out, that I recall. I just remember being TIRED. Actually, I’m pretty tired today. But my sleep issues have nothing to do with Little Man.
So this past Friday, we actually WENT OUT. We stopped by my parents’ house. We ran some errands. And when Little Man fell asleep in the car on the way home, we spontaneously decided to head to the outlets that were about a 30 minute drive–so he’d sleep longer–and if it was too busy, we’d head back. But by 4:30 pm, the crowds must have slowed down a bit. So we hit up Carter’s and Stride Rite and got a few basics for the boy. His first pair of real sneakers (which he likes better than the leather shoes we got him) and a few pairs of pants and shirts in 24 month size. They’re a bit big, but the 18 month stuff is a bit tight. He’s right in the middle… almost out of one and almost in the other. But spending the little money we have on our son is worth it. Plus he needs clothes, right?
Maybe next year, on Black Friday, this mom can buy herself something nice. Here’s to a better year ahead and perhaps a better economy and better jobs for my entire family.
November 19, 2010
Little Man is WALKING!!!!
They day before he turned 15 months, last Saturday, he just up and walked at my in-laws’ apartment. We were there for my 3-year-old niece’s birthday party and he started walking about an hour before they arrived. I was so excited. My baby was walking! Of course Dude’s brother was a “Debbie Downer” and was like oh don’t get excited because it’s more work. I didn’t know him when their oldest child started walking but I want to ask someone if he was excited. But he doesn’t seem the gushy type to me. Oh well, not everyone can be exuberant, right?
Here’s video from the Monday after Little Man started walking, taken at my office.
On Tuesday, Little Man had his 15 month well visit and it went quite… well. lol
Weight: 26 lb 9 oz (75th percentile, down from 90th)
Height: 32.5 inches (90th percentile)
Little Man is meeting all his milestones and is, thankfully, healthy. He does still have a bit of that umbilical hernia, but our pediatrician told Dude and I that some children have this until age 4 and not to worry. We only asked because his belly button is an odd looking outie and we weren’t sure if it was just an outie or something else. And I have to say that we were glad to say he was walking. Both of us were a bit concerned that he wasn’t just days before even though we knew that we were late walkers ourselves.
I don’t know why we get stuck on “milestones” but I think parents inevitably do. I like Babycenter’s chart the best. Little Man is ahead on some, on time with others and behind on a few. So that means he’s probably average overall with development and that’s fine with me. Though his word count is far ahead of what they think a 15-month-old should say. He’s up to almost 40!
Here’s the updated list. I may have forgotten a few, so it could be more (also a favorite word of his).
Other stats:
I have to say, this is such a fun age. The only thing I’m not liking is the temper tantrums. But I guess it comes with the territory, right?
November 10, 2010
I don’t know if all parents discover children’s music, but thanks to Nick Jr., I’ve been introduced to the (IMO) genius of Laurie Berkner. Not only does Little Man absolutely adore her music (he “dances” to “I’m Gonna Catch You” and “Five Days Old”) but so do I. And my favorite song is “My Family” even though I often feel pangs of regret when sisters and brothers are mentioned. But overall the song is wonderful, and the line I bolded resonates.
F-A-M-I-L-Y
F-A-M-I-L-Y
F-A-M-I-L-Y
Family!
When you’re in my heart, you’re in my family,
When I’m in your heart, I’m in your family.
When you’re in my heart, you’re in my family,
When I’m in your heart, I’m in your family!
Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers,
Cousins, friends, sons and daughters,
Uncles, aunts, and grandparents
I’m so glad you’re my family!
Oh, I’m so glad you’re my family.
I’m so glad you’re my family
I’m so glad you’re my family
I’m so glad you’re my family.
Even if you’re far away
or if I see your every day
when you’re in my heart to stay
You’re my family!
When you’re in my heart, you’re in my family
When I’m in your heart, I’m in your family.
When you’re in my heart, you’re in my family
When I’m in your heart, I’m in your family.
Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers,
Cousins, friends, sons and daughters,
Uncles, aunts, and grandparents
I’m so glad you’re my family!
Oh, I’m so glad you’re my family.
I’m so glad you’re my family
I’m so glad you’re my family
I’m so glad you’re my family.
F-A-M-I-L-Y
F-A-M-I-L-Y
F-A-M-I-L-Y
Family!
Oh, I’m so glad!
I have several friends who I consider to be my family, because we’re in each others’ hearts. And I am so grateful that by marrying Dude, I have a wonderfully supportive family. It’s like I have sisters, even though I don’t see one of them too often, and I never realized I wanted that.
My sister-in-law, S, lives only 6 miles away so I see her more often than my other SIL, C. Because of that geographic closeness, I know her better and I think she knows me better too. She is such a lovely woman. S has helped me out by running to the store for me (when Little Man was a newborn) or fielded panicked phone calls. When Little Man was diagnosed with Torticollis and Brachycephaly, I had a breakdown and was home alone—she came right over.
My sister-in-law, C, is an awesome person, too. I wish we lived closer and were able to see each other more often. When I initially tried breastfeeding Little Man, C was almost 9 months along with her fourth (my niece who is 6 weeks younger than Little Man) and she went above and beyond the call of duty (by demonstrating) when she tried to help me figure it out. I was actually afraid of disappointing her when I decided to formula feed. And C has such an easy manner with her children. They are kids so they have their moments, but overall they’re wonderfully well-behaved and I hope to learn from her example.
I’m less close to my brothers-in-law. I have more in common (interest-wise) with S’s husband, J. A love of cartoons and Muppets and other juvenile entertainment. And a shared fondness for the Baby Blues comic strip. But I feel awkward around Dude’s older brother (C’s husband), M. It’s probably more me. But I feel stupid around him. I’m much more comfortable with C. So lately I’ve found myself trying not to talk to him. That’s wrong… I need to get over that. But I’m not sure how.
And I’ve mentioned that I adore my in-laws. They’re great. And Dude’s aunt is such a generous woman, who is great with all her grand-nephews and nieces. So I’m lucky. I hit the in-law jackpot. Most people complain about theirs… but not me. Thank goodness!
As for my family, I have mixed emotions. I’ve mentioned my parents, who are wonderful. And my brother, who is complex. But my extended family is harder to discuss. I love most of them. I no longer have emotional ties to my one male cousin. But I never felt close to my female cousins due to the age difference—I’m 6, 8, 11 and 14 years older than they are. Occasionally I am in touch, through Facebook, with my cousin’s on my dad’s side. But I seldom, if ever, hear from my cousins on my mom’s side. I’m not sure if I want that to change or not. I hate getting hurt and it’s easier to be distant than open myself up again to be rejected. And then I think I should be over these fears by now. I’m 40 years old… shouldn’t I be past this? But I guess not.
So my family is Dude’s and my friends. I’m so grateful that I have mended the one friendship that I almost permanently damaged and I’m doing my best to reconnect with friends that I have neglected due to motherhood and exhaustion. I hope they will accept my mea culpas, especially since they did that to me when their children were younger, but if not I will move on. I need to stop beating myself up for past mistakes. I really do.
October 29, 2010
Who knew it started so early—at 14 months? But it does. Oh, boy. Little Man will literally throw himself on the floor and scream if he doesn’t get his way. And there really isn’t a good way to reason with a toddler (even if mine isn’t walking yet). They don’t understand. While Little Man understands much more than he says, he doesn’t understand that touching mommy’s computer at work isn’t a good thing.
I actually wish I made a better salary so I could enroll Little Man in daycare. The first year, bringing him to work with me was great. He slept a lot and I had my baby with me. I was with him. What could be better?
But now I realize he needs more socialization and would benefit from an environment that is structured around children. Not that I think he’d nap better. I actually would be worried he wouldn’t. But he likes company when he plays. And most of his tantrums are because I’m sitting at my desk, trying to work, and he wants me sitting on the floor with him while he plays with his toys. He’s quite social and I think would benefit from being around other toddlers.
However that’s not happening any time soon. There’s a lot of transition in our lives right now and no major changes, except for one that we’ve been discussing, will happen before next Spring. So for now I’m just going to have to “Make it Work” (as Tim Gunn would say) and hope for the best.
Mom of One—and Done! 