I am guessing that the phase of nap/sleep that we are in right now will be a passing one, so I thought I would document it now.
We are in a phase of rearranging our nap a bit, which on the surface sounds like an easy enough task, but no, no my friend - this effects everything else in the day - amounts and times of meals, sleep at night, moods, times for leaving the house, and so on.
After some advice from my big brother to easy my imposed schedule a bit and let John tell me what he wants to change to (yes, the imposed schedule is due to my need for control, BUT the schedule works for John and he was doing great up until a couple of weeks ago).
So - I stopped waking up him up around 7:45 (I only did this in order to fit two naps in during the day and still be tired at night)..... WOW, I had no idea the kid was such a sleeper! The past several days I am lucky to hear his voice on the monitor before 8:30! Sometimes closer to 9:00!!!
He has not really been tired until 11:00 or 11:30 in the morning, so I keep him up a bit longer and we eat lunch before nap. He has not extended his nap past 1.5 hours, but I hear that will get better. So, he is not getting a 2nd nap, or it is only about 30 minutes if he does decide to go down. This is making for some very cranky evenings. But each day it seems to get a bit easier and he throws less and less tantrums (sucks for Daddy when he gets home from work; I believe Daddy refers to him as a "peach" during these times :)).
Nonetheless, I really just wanted to document the days that the baby slept until 9:00am! Who does that?!?!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Smarter than we think
I believe babies are smarter than what we give them credit for sometimes. After reading Lisa's post of the "where is your..." game, I tried it with John and I was surprised.
We started with 'dog', 'cup', 'ball', 'hat' and 'pete' (his blow up penguin); he knew all of these without much help at all. He would go right over to that thing and pick it up. Then I started pointing to pictures in the "First 100 words" book and then finding it in the room and he loves that game. This morning we worked on "pants" and now he will shake his pant leg when you ask him where his pants are.
As his attention span is pretty short, this game only lasts a few minutes, but we have a lot of fun with it.
We started with 'dog', 'cup', 'ball', 'hat' and 'pete' (his blow up penguin); he knew all of these without much help at all. He would go right over to that thing and pick it up. Then I started pointing to pictures in the "First 100 words" book and then finding it in the room and he loves that game. This morning we worked on "pants" and now he will shake his pant leg when you ask him where his pants are.
As his attention span is pretty short, this game only lasts a few minutes, but we have a lot of fun with it.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
11 months
This month was a big one! Here are some memorable milestones:
- clapping (this was particularly exciting for me, not sure why)
- gives kisses - instant cure for ANY bad day
- mastered the sippy cup
- figured out to open the kitchen cabinets (not one of my favorite developments)
- learned to climb the stairs (he learned this after watching some older kids do it at Ryann Phillips first birthday party)
- had a rash that I was 100% convinced it was the chicken pox, but ended up being a symptom of his viral infection
- went through (okay, is still going through) a "mama's boy" stage, sometimes I love it, sometimes it is a little difficult, but mainly, I know I will miss it, so I have patience.
- went from walking only with encouragement to walking all the time on his own. Just in the last few days did he get good at picking stuff up from a standing position and returning to a standing position without falling.
- started the older class at 'the little gym', he is now a "bird" instead of a "bug"
- has 4 bottles a day (6-8oz), 3 meals (type and volume vary depending on his mood), several snacks and 1 sippy cup of juice a day
- clapping (this was particularly exciting for me, not sure why)
- gives kisses - instant cure for ANY bad day
- mastered the sippy cup
- figured out to open the kitchen cabinets (not one of my favorite developments)
- learned to climb the stairs (he learned this after watching some older kids do it at Ryann Phillips first birthday party)
- had a rash that I was 100% convinced it was the chicken pox, but ended up being a symptom of his viral infection
- went through (okay, is still going through) a "mama's boy" stage, sometimes I love it, sometimes it is a little difficult, but mainly, I know I will miss it, so I have patience.
- went from walking only with encouragement to walking all the time on his own. Just in the last few days did he get good at picking stuff up from a standing position and returning to a standing position without falling.
- started the older class at 'the little gym', he is now a "bird" instead of a "bug"
- has 4 bottles a day (6-8oz), 3 meals (type and volume vary depending on his mood), several snacks and 1 sippy cup of juice a day
And he is off...
After several weeks of practicing walking and really only letting go of the furniture/wall/etc. with encouragment; John decided it was time for some independence!
He walks every where now, it is about the cutest thing EVER! Sure, it is more like a penguin waddling, but it is all his own.
I never realized that the concept of one foot in front of the other was difficult, until we tried to do the "skill of the week" at Little Gym, which was walking (assisted of course) on a balance beam. He was having none of it. We took more than our share of turns on the beam becuase I kept getting back in line to practice. But it paid off - the last time down the beam, he was putting pressure on his legs and putting one foot in front of the other!!!
He walks every where now, it is about the cutest thing EVER! Sure, it is more like a penguin waddling, but it is all his own.
I never realized that the concept of one foot in front of the other was difficult, until we tried to do the "skill of the week" at Little Gym, which was walking (assisted of course) on a balance beam. He was having none of it. We took more than our share of turns on the beam becuase I kept getting back in line to practice. But it paid off - the last time down the beam, he was putting pressure on his legs and putting one foot in front of the other!!!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Happy Birthday Cousin Brendan!!
Happy 2nd birthday Brendan! We had so much fun at the party this weekend with all of your friends and family. Here are a few pictures.
(By the way - sorry we got you clothes. I know it is boring, but I just knew that you would get more toys then you knew what to do with. And, I figure this is the last birthday (until you are an adult) that I can get away with NOT buying a toy. :))
(By the way - sorry we got you clothes. I know it is boring, but I just knew that you would get more toys then you knew what to do with. And, I figure this is the last birthday (until you are an adult) that I can get away with NOT buying a toy. :))
Friday, January 16, 2009
Members Only
A few of our friends have become pregnant or had their first child recently. So between pregnancy gifts and shower gifts, I have written a few cards as of late and discovered that it is impossible to tell someone about parenthood.
Parenthood (no matter if you birthed them or were blessed with them in another way) is a club like no other. One with countless benefits, and countless struggles - both of which will hopefully make us better people.
Some early membership includes (note, this only takes you through the first 10.5 months of membership)
- Discussing breastfeeding in public
- Crying uncontrollably because the emotions for the baby you just brought into this world are overwhelming
- Singing or making silly faces/voices in public to stop the crying (the baby's crying)
- Thinking you have the right to force your opinion on unsuspecting parents (example - this blog:))
- Forced to hear strangers opinions on why or why not your baby may or may not be sleeping, eating, crawling, napping, etc.
- Discussing bowel movements ALL THE TIME
- Taking up permanent residency in an arm chair when the baby is sick
- Finding patience when you are at the edge, because you know the baby does not understand
- Minimal sleep, but maximum play
- An instant bond with other parents
- instantly turns even the toughest of people into mush
- A need to make sure every child around you is safe
- A completely cluttered house (this is our most popular feature)
Again, this is just the tip of the iceberg, there is not enough space on the Internet to write all there is about parenthood.
To the members who do not have your own children - if you can, consider it. If you can't, love the ones around you and you too will have all the benefits of membership.
To the members that have just had your babies or are pregnant with your first child - You are/will be in survival mode and you WILL get through the first few weeks.
To the breastfeeding members - your boobs WILL stop hurting (hey - read the membership rules - I am allowed to talk about it)
To the members with more than one child, or pregnant with your 2nd child - As the rules state - please feel free to force your opinion on me as John grows up, I am sure I will need it.
To the members with a grown child - THANK YOU for your service!
Parenthood (no matter if you birthed them or were blessed with them in another way) is a club like no other. One with countless benefits, and countless struggles - both of which will hopefully make us better people.
Some early membership includes (note, this only takes you through the first 10.5 months of membership)
- Discussing breastfeeding in public
- Crying uncontrollably because the emotions for the baby you just brought into this world are overwhelming
- Singing or making silly faces/voices in public to stop the crying (the baby's crying)
- Thinking you have the right to force your opinion on unsuspecting parents (example - this blog:))
- Forced to hear strangers opinions on why or why not your baby may or may not be sleeping, eating, crawling, napping, etc.
- Discussing bowel movements ALL THE TIME
- Taking up permanent residency in an arm chair when the baby is sick
- Finding patience when you are at the edge, because you know the baby does not understand
- Minimal sleep, but maximum play
- An instant bond with other parents
- instantly turns even the toughest of people into mush
- A need to make sure every child around you is safe
- A completely cluttered house (this is our most popular feature)
Again, this is just the tip of the iceberg, there is not enough space on the Internet to write all there is about parenthood.
To the members who do not have your own children - if you can, consider it. If you can't, love the ones around you and you too will have all the benefits of membership.
To the members that have just had your babies or are pregnant with your first child - You are/will be in survival mode and you WILL get through the first few weeks.
To the breastfeeding members - your boobs WILL stop hurting (hey - read the membership rules - I am allowed to talk about it)
To the members with more than one child, or pregnant with your 2nd child - As the rules state - please feel free to force your opinion on me as John grows up, I am sure I will need it.
To the members with a grown child - THANK YOU for your service!
Victoria
I have not posted about our nanny saga over the last couple of months, but in short.....
We hired someone after Thanksgiving, but for some reason or another (2 weeks for previous employer, holidays, finals, etc. etc. etc.) she was not able to start. Finally, 1 hour before she was supposed to be here to start I got another email with another excuse; I had to tell her that I needed to get someone else.
I went on the hunt again and this time found Victoria right away. She came by the house to meet us and hang out for awhile, it went really well. She will be starting next week!!!! YEAH!
So....my so-called renewed commitment to blogging will start next week when I will have more time for work at work and more time for home at home. Be sure to check back though, I have some good ones on my brain.
We hired someone after Thanksgiving, but for some reason or another (2 weeks for previous employer, holidays, finals, etc. etc. etc.) she was not able to start. Finally, 1 hour before she was supposed to be here to start I got another email with another excuse; I had to tell her that I needed to get someone else.
I went on the hunt again and this time found Victoria right away. She came by the house to meet us and hang out for awhile, it went really well. She will be starting next week!!!! YEAH!
So....my so-called renewed commitment to blogging will start next week when I will have more time for work at work and more time for home at home. Be sure to check back though, I have some good ones on my brain.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
His name is John
I have noticed that we do not call John by his name much, I am suprised he knows it! We typically use his name when we are trying to get his attention or when we are trying to get him to stop doing something, but that is really it.
The list of other names is getting pretty long and varies from mood and person:
- Bubbie (a mixture of baby and bubba; this one has been around for awhile and probably Nana's pick)
- Bubba (to Granddaddy's dismay)
- John John (I noticed this one at Christmas from his Uncle Brent)
- JRJ (I only really use this one when I am typing his name)
- John Ryan (used more frequently as a baby, but has since gone away except in those rare instances of total surprise or shock by me)
- sugar bean (it is what it is)
- baby boy
- tootsers morphed to scootsers(not sure of the origin or why we are keep calling him this)
- monkey (probably the most popular for Carl and I; and often followed by a "butt" or a "boy")
- angel (this is the flavor of the week; but the most fitting!)
I don't anticipate any of these sticking - but you never know.
The list of other names is getting pretty long and varies from mood and person:
- Bubbie (a mixture of baby and bubba; this one has been around for awhile and probably Nana's pick)
- Bubba (to Granddaddy's dismay)
- John John (I noticed this one at Christmas from his Uncle Brent)
- JRJ (I only really use this one when I am typing his name)
- John Ryan (used more frequently as a baby, but has since gone away except in those rare instances of total surprise or shock by me)
- sugar bean (it is what it is)
- baby boy
- tootsers morphed to scootsers(not sure of the origin or why we are keep calling him this)
- monkey (probably the most popular for Carl and I; and often followed by a "butt" or a "boy")
- angel (this is the flavor of the week; but the most fitting!)
I don't anticipate any of these sticking - but you never know.
Monday, January 5, 2009
"Sleep Is For The Weak"
As the holidays have ended, Carl's deadline is today and the bowl is almost here (reason for new background) I feel like things have slowed a bit - well, that, or I have stopped worrying about all there is to do. Either way - I have had some time to dive into the book that Abbey got me for Christmas "Sleep Is For The Weak". It is a collection of blog entries from several 'mommybloggers' and edited by Rita Arens. She had started off with the intent to put together the best of her blogs to give to her daughter one day when she had a child - the project kept going and resulted in this book.
First of all - I love the idea of one day printing my blog entries and having them for all time as reminders of how things once were. I know the time with John will fly by (as it already has) and before I know it, he will be off to school, sports, girlfriends (UGH), driving, college, more girlfriends (double UGH), marriage, babies.... AAAHHHH!!!!! So, I have found a renewed commitment to blog entries for that very reason - one day passing them on to him and his wife when they have babies of their own.
Second of all - For so many reasons - WHAT A GREAT BOOK! It is short little entries, so I can pick up the book and read them during those precious and few moments of quiet (or what has become known as 'quiet' around here). It has literally made me cry from laughing so hard ("the starbucks at the end of the universe" for those of you who have or plan on getting this book), and made me tear up for those sweet or sad moments. It reminds me of the past 10.5 months and gives me some real world insight of the coming years.
I highly recommend this book to anyone with small children!
First of all - I love the idea of one day printing my blog entries and having them for all time as reminders of how things once were. I know the time with John will fly by (as it already has) and before I know it, he will be off to school, sports, girlfriends (UGH), driving, college, more girlfriends (double UGH), marriage, babies.... AAAHHHH!!!!! So, I have found a renewed commitment to blog entries for that very reason - one day passing them on to him and his wife when they have babies of their own.
Second of all - For so many reasons - WHAT A GREAT BOOK! It is short little entries, so I can pick up the book and read them during those precious and few moments of quiet (or what has become known as 'quiet' around here). It has literally made me cry from laughing so hard ("the starbucks at the end of the universe" for those of you who have or plan on getting this book), and made me tear up for those sweet or sad moments. It reminds me of the past 10.5 months and gives me some real world insight of the coming years.
I highly recommend this book to anyone with small children!
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