Crib Notes: 5 months

Playing at Daycare is Hard Work!

This week I turn 5 months old. Can you believe it? Mommy says time flies when you’re not getting enough sleep!


Being 5 (mo) is great! There are so many things that I can do now that I couldn’t do when I was only 4. Let’s see…

• I can hold my head up so high, and I can see so many things! I’m learning that the world is really exciting. There are so many colors and sounds…lots of people to watch and things to do! It is hard to fit everything into a day since Mommy still makes me take lots of naps.

• I can hold onto things and get almost all of them into my mouth. Daddy says he hopes I’m coordinated like Mommy, but I think Daddy is pretty coordinated. He only drops food on himself once or twice a day. And if it’s popcorn that he’s dropping…well he drops more than one or two pieces of popcorn…but Nemo is always willing to help out.

• I help out when Mommy is holding me by trying to hold on to her. She has built in handles on both sides of her face. She keeps telling me her hair is not a handle, but I think she’s wrong. I think it is a perfect handle. It’s a little harder to hold onto Daddy because he doesn’t have handles, but I’m open to trying to grab his lip, nose, or ear.

• When I’m tired or just waking up, I love to snuggle my head against Mommy or Daddy. I could hold my head up on my own because I’m a big boy, but it is so comfortable to rest against their cheeks.

• I can sit up all by myself in my bumbo seat, and I can sit with barely any help at all in a lap. We’re going to Sassy and Mr. Jim’s house for Christmas this week. Mommy says I will have plenty of laps to sit in!

• I can TALK. A lot. And I have so much to say. And I love to hear myself talk. And Mommy and Daddy love to hear me talk. And it is so fun to make all those sounds. And I can do it any time I want to. And I use lots of words so I can talk longer. And I repeat myself. And I wake up talking. And I talk all the way home from daycare. And I talk in the middle of the night. And I talk to Mrs. Fran and Ms. Rahill. And I talk to my toys. And I talk to myself. And…well, I guess you get the idea. I can’t wait to talk to you.

Maternal Musings

It is much easier to clean out a baby's nose before he learns to find his face with his hands.

Santa Claus is Coming

To MY house!!

That's right!  Santa Claus came to see me and to ask what I want for Christmas.  He said he knew  I would be traveling on Christmas Eve, and he wanted me to know he'd be able to find me. 

 I wasn't at all scared of Santa...but have you seen that beard???  And I had lots and lots to tell him.  It seems that my list is pretty long for someone who has only been around since July!

He even brought presents that he gave me 3 whole days early.  I must have been really, really good this year!

New Photo Albums

There are new photo albums (from Bitsy Baby) on the photo page for your enjoyment.

Crib Notes - Week 21

Did you know that it is almost Christmas? Someone finally told me. Now I understand why Mommy keeps dressing me in red. AND….I got to go see Santa! Santa told Daddy that I had a really long list! Santa’s elves kept trying to get my attention so they could take a picture, but the other kids there were so much more interesting than the elves.

I even missed my nap after seeing Santa because we stayed at the mall. Well, I was supposed to take a nap while Mommy shopped, but there was soooo much to see! People and packages, music and laughter. I just couldn't sleep. And when I got hungry, I was too interested in looking around Mommy’s fitting room to nurse. It was all very exciting.

I started sitting all by myself in my bumbo seat this week. It is really hard, but I'm using my super strong muscles. I also sit in Mommy's lap to read stories and play games at night before bed. I can almost always get the book or toy (or burp cloth or Daddy's tie) Mommy is holding into my mouth. I'm very good at that this week.

Now that I can sit up better, it is easier for me to watch football with Daddy. We’re learning “touchdown” with my arms straight over my head. I still need Daddy’s help to get my arms over my head. It makes me laugh, and Daddy seems to be very happy when the 49ers score a touchdown. If touchdowns are so much fun, can anyone explain to me why Daddy gets so mad when the other team scores one?

Christmas time is such a busy time of year. It is busy for me, too. I come home from Mrs. Fran’s exhausted from all the playing some days. One night, Daddy and I were so tired that Mommy found us asleep on the couch. I don’t know why Daddy was so tired. He hardly ever has playtime during the day.

Crib Notes - Week 20

Daddy was out of town for business again, but this time I didn't get to go help him.  Mommy and I stayed home together, and I kept her company.  I sure did miss my Daddy time in the mornings.  Mommy is great, but Daddy is sooo funny.  We play and laugh in the mornings.

I look so handsome going to Mrs. Fran's in all my great Christmas clothes from YaYa.  Mrs. Fran has trouble giving me enough tummy time because all the girls want to help me.  I must look great in red!

Mommy took pictures of me to send to Daddy every day while he was gone, but I wanted to do something more.  I asked Mommy to make a video, so I could send Daddy a message.

It sure is cold here.  Daddy says we good looking guys without hair have to keep our heads covered so we don't get sick.  I'm not quite ready to fill Daddy's shoes, but I'm doing a pretty good job filling his hat, don't you think?

I've been noticing some things lately.  I'm not certain, but I'm pretty sure Mommy and Daddy are eating things that aren't milk.  I'm not sure, but I'm watching very closely.  I'll let you know what I learn.

I rolled over from my tummy to my back at Mrs. Fran's this week.  I haven't done it at home, but Mommy sure is anxious to see.

The Austin Manifesto

Crib Notes- Week 19

This was such a big week for me!  I earned my very first frequent flyer miles.  Since I live so far away from all my grandparents, I expect to earn a lot of frequent flyer miles over the next few years!  Hopefully, you all will earn your own miles to come see me!

I was a bit cranky when Sassy and Mr. Jim left because I wanted them to stay longer.  I think I got a little bit clingy and made it hard for Mommy to pack for Tampa.  I was going on Daddy's business trip to help!  We stayed with Papa Mac.  I was such a good boy in the airport and on the plane.  I did have trouble sleeping at first because there was so much to see on the plane!  Finally, Mommy covered me up, and I slept nearly the whole way to Tampa.  I would have slept all the way except there was a little boy sitting behind us that wasn't nearly as well behaved as I am.  He kept screaming and waking me up.

Papa Mac picked us up, and once the nice security guy showed us how to put my seat in the car, we headed to the beach!  I love the beach!  I got to have naked toes!  No socks or footed sleepers necessary when it is 85 degrees!  Papa Mac has a sparkly, twinkly blue thing outside the patio.  Mommy said it is a swimming pool, and she said I will love it when I'm older.  Papa Mac also has the biggest sandbox ever!!!  I can't wait to play in it!  I wonder if we can talk Mrs. Fran into getting a sandbox like Papa Mac's? 

Papa Mac even had a perfect bedroom for me...Mommy said something about turning his 3 bed 3 bath condo into a 4 bed 2 bath condo for a week.  The first night we were there, I woke up in my new bedroom and started talking.  My voice echoed and sounded strange, so I talked louder and louder and louder...until I realized I wasn't happy about being alone.  Mommy was right there to take care of me.  I slept better after that.

Yaya came to see me.  We got to go out and play.  She wheeled me around in my stroller and made me laugh...and then I fell asleep.  I didn't mean to, but I did.  She said I'm getting so big and handsome!

Papa Mac introduced me to cartoons!  Cartoons are even more fun than football!  So many colors!

I'm getting really strong.  I'm just about to roll over!  And I can reach out and grab my toys and put just about everything into my mouth.  You already know how good I am at making bubbles!  I was so happy being with Mommy all week long.  We got to play, and cuddle, and talk, and go for walks.  I love being with Mommy.

I got to meet more of my cousins.  Aunt Donna, Uncle Kelly, Shelby, and Sophia.  It was so fun.  Sophia LOVED me!  What is it about these older women?  They won't quit kissing my head.  I got a little overexcited by all the people and activity, but Daddy got home in time to calm me down and help me go to sleep.

I had a little harder time on the airplane ride home (although I was still about the best boy ever).  I cried and cried when Mommy tried to make me go to sleep.  No one seemed to want to sit by us...  Once I calmed down, I was fine for the whole rest of the trip.  Mommy took me to an empty row to change my diaper, and she let me stay there and play until it was time to land.  I love making Mommy laugh!

Apparently Mommies are Never Satisfied

I've decided that babies sleep entirely too much!

It wasn't so long ago when I despaired of ever getting 4 consecutive hours of sleep again.  Today, our child is a wonderful sleeper and sleeps 11+ hours a night - consecutively.  We are so blessed to have a baby that sleeps through the night.  However, I get to spend so very little time with him during the week.  I often wish he would go to bed a little later or that I could still wake up to cuddle him for those 2 am feedings. 

Mind you, we have teething and growth spurts on the horizon and probably our share of winter colds which will keep us up more than a few nights.  At that point, I'll miss the days when I put Austin in his crib at 7 and didn't hear from him again until 6 the next morning.

Apparently mommies are never satisfied.

I LOVE BUBBLES!!!

My new favorite activity is blowing bubbles! Fun, fun, fun! Bubbles make the best sound, and they tickle my lips! And I can do it anytime I want to...and I want to a lot. I entertain myself for minutes at a time. Mommy says I might drown myself if I get any better at it, and Daddy says I save him time. Who needs a shower when I'm around blowing bubbles? I kept Mommy entertained with my bubbles on the airplane ride home from Papa Mac's house. Wheee!

Heart Moments

The more I see Austin grow and change, the more I realize that nearly every day will bring its own treasured memories and wondrous moments.  Most days these moments are small and fleeting, but no less wonderful for their briefness.  Many of these moments happen so gradually as daily we watch Austin grow.  For example, after watching Austin smile in his sleep for several weeks, he gradually learned to use those muscles while awake.  He smiled more and more frequently until one day we realized that the smiles were intentional and were the effect of our actions.  What a wonderful moment!  Another such moment occurred when I realized that particular sound he was making was a laugh.  A laugh caused by my funny faces or Daddy's silly songs.  That laugh is already increasing in duration and will one day catch our hearts again as it turns into a full belly laugh.

However, I'm also learning that there are certain moments that are so unexpected and unpredictable that they nearly stop my heart.  It is not a feeling that can be adequately put into words, so I'll just call them "heart moments."

I have always been able to calm or comfort Austin better than anyone except maybe Daddy.  However, as a fairly easy going 4 mo, Austin is generally happy in most anyone's arms.  He is still too young to fully understand when someone new is holding him, and he doesn't seem to realize that some people are strangers.

Today, however, Austin demonstrated a preference for Mommy to hold him.  He can't crawl or move.  He can't even use his arms to reach for me, but he found a way.  Papa Mac was holding him, and he looked me straight in the eyes and leaned over in Papa Mac's arms toward me.  Papa Mac straightened him up, and I moved.  Once Austin found me, he did the same thing- leaning until he was nearly horizontal.  My heart swelled up and nearly stopped.  I wrapped him up in my arms and felt pretty certain, in that heart moment, that I would never let him go again.

Crib Notes- 4 months

I'm 4 months old this week.  Wow!  I thought this day would never come.  Four whole months old.  Remember back to when I was just a little baby?  Well, I'm doing so many big boy things now.  I can talk.  Mommy calls me Motor Mouth all the time.  I don't understand what that means...maybe when I get really old, like 6 months, I'll understand.  I smile and laugh.  I hold my head up really high.  I can even sit up if Daddy gives me a little assistance.  I sleep through the night.  I look at everything these days.  I watch people move across the room.  Mommy talks with her hands (so does Sassy!), and I get dizzy watching her hands moving when she starts talking!  I like to sit with Mrs. Fran and read books and listen to music.  And I can hold onto things and guide them right into my mouth.

Do you need proof of how big I am?  Well, we went back to the doctor on Wednesday.  I'm 14 lb 7 oz and 26 inches long!  They said I'm very healthy, but they still made me get 3 shots.  Mommy had to get 2 shots, and Daddy even had to get a shot.  We were all pretty brave, but Mommy still had to leave the room when I got my shots.  Daddy said I was much better than when I was a little 2 month old.  I hardly cried at all.  When we got out, Mommy and Daddy kept fighting over who was going to get to hold me!  They have to learn how to share!

This week was Thanksgiving.  Mr. Jim and Sassy came to see me.  I love Mr. Jim and Sassy.  When Sassy and Mommy went to get dinner, Mr. Jim and I talked and talked and talked.  I told him how to fix all the world's problems. Come to think of it, Mr. Jim didn't have much to say.  Good thing I had plenty to say to fill the awkward silence!  Sassy holds me and cuddles me and kisses me.  We talk and play and sing just like we did when I was first born.  The best part is that I never have to sit by myself!  I always have arms to hold me.  Mean ol Mommy still makes me take all my naps, though.  She sure is a stickler for such things.  Don't you think a big kid like me can get away with missing my naps???

Crib Notes: Week 17

I feel better this week, but I still have a stuffy, snotty nose.  Mommy, Daddy, and Mrs. Fran keep shooting saline up my nose, and I don't much like it.

YaYa came to see me this week.  We had a lot of fun.  She read to me,  and we played toys.  She brought me Thanksgiving and Christmas outfits.  I looked so cute at Mrs. Fran's in my Thanksgiving outfit.  Everyone said so!

Gigi sent me a giraffe!  He makes jungle sounds, and he stares down at me when Mommy sits him on my tummy.  We had a stare down, and he won.  Daddy caught my eye, and I turned away.  Who could resist checking out what Daddy is doing?  That crazy giraffe!

Mommy says I can finally announce it!  I've been wanting to tell you for a few weeks now, but Mommy wouldn't let me until I proved it was true for several nights.  It's official!  I'm sleeping through the night!  I'm such a big boy.  I go to sleep at 7 or 7:30 and sleep until Mommy feeds me at 5:45.  Mommy seems very happy about this!

Next week is such a big week!  I'll be 4 months old!  I have to go to the doctor again.  And it's Thanksgiving!  Sassy and Mr. Jim are coming to see me.  I can't wait to tell you all about it.

Tiny Toes

What is it about baby's toes that is so adorable?  From day one, I couldn't get enough of Austin's toes.  I've probably kissed his little baby feet more than any other single part of him.

I think I figured it out the other day.  Those tiny toes and feet are constantly in motion.  Stretching, pointing, flexing, curling.  They are so expressive all by their little selves.  They interact and react when you touch, tickle, hold, or kiss them.  And they are the source of so many future dreams.  Where will those tiny feet take him when he learns to push himself around the house in a crawl?  As he toddles unsteadily toward our open arms?  As he runs around the playground?  As he learns to play football, dance, or sprint?  As he drives off to college or walks down the aisle?

One day soon, my little boy's feet won't be so cute or smell so sweet, but I'll always remember those tiny expressive little feet and toes.  Before his eyes focused, before his lips curled in a smile, before his arms could reach or his fingers grab, before he could interact and express his love or personality in any way, he spoke to me and grabbed my heart with those 10 perfect tiny toes.

It's Not Called Babysitting

When I told a friend at work that Dallas was babysitting for two days, she told me, “Girl, when it’s your own kids, it’s not called babysitting. It’s called parenting.”


So, Dallas was parenting for two days while daycare was closed last week. Look at what a great job Dad did! He kept him on a perfect schedule, introduced hit to cartoons, and got hit to take great naps. He did all of this with a very sick baby on Friday.  Maybe Dal can give Mrs. Fran some scheduling tips. He even found time to update me on his schedule (don’t miss the 2:40 activity on Friday):

Thursday, November 11

7:15 AM - Gentle wake-up by daddy
7:20 AM - Diaper change, talking/smile time
7:30 AM - Cuddle/play/read time with daddy, TV ("Curious George")
8:35 AM - Feeding (4.5 oz)
8:50 AM - Nap
9:50 AM - Woke up on his own
10:00 AM - Diaper change (biiiiiig poopie), talking/smile time
10:15 AM - Stroller ride (Prichard/Cone/Dodson/Reedie/Home), some dozing, Nemo pooped
10:45 AM - Return home
10:50 AM - Couch/play time
11:35 AM - Feeding (5 oz)
11:50 AM - Nap (long)
1:45 PM - Woke up on his own
1:50 PM - Diaper change

The congestion seems to be getting worse this afternoon, that may be because the long nap allowed some buildup. His is sneezing regularly, and his breathing is noisy, occasionally a bit labored until he clears.

He wants to help me get a free car wash, so we're heading out now.

Friday, November 12

7:15 AM - Woke up crying
7:20 AM - Diaper change
7:25 AM - Fussy time (walked around, did some bouncing/singing, tried to comfort)
8:15 AM - Feeding (3.5 oz)
8:35 AM - Nap
10:25 AM - Woke up on his own
10:30 AM - Diaper Change
10:35 AM - Watched "Curious George"
11:00 AM - Fussy time. I put a bottle in the warmer and a pacifier in his mouth.
11:15 AM - Feeding (5 oz, mix)
11:35 AM - Attempted nap
11:45 AM - Woke up, self-entertained in crib (talked to himself, no crying). The video monitor stayed nearly the whole hour, but he seemed totally fine, so I decided not to push it.
12:45 PM - Finally drifts off
2:00 PM - Wakes up on his own, fussy
2:15 PM - Crying hard, I put a bottle in the warmer. Pacifier calms him until I can get the bottle ready.
2:20 PM - Feeding (4.5 oz, mix)
2:40 PM - Couch playtime, (no tummy time, wasn't sure if he was up to it) He gets tired fast. He's groaning a lot, but at one point he stops and just looks up at me with wide eyes for about 90 seconds. I just lost it. I don't ever want him to hurt for any reason.
3:30 PM - Nap (went down after rocking for about 45 seconds, clearly tired)

Crib Notes: Week 16

I had an adventure on Saturday.  I got to go back to Annapolis to have Rita take pictures of me!  I was the center of attention.  It was all about me during the whole photo shoot.  Come to think of it...most of my life is all about me.  Anyway, I was so good during the session.  I only cried a little bit at the end when I got really tired.  I was very interested in the big, black camera.  I didn't quite know what to make of it, so I didn't smile at it a lot.

There are new things hanging around me occasionally.  Sometimes they are there, and sometimes they aren't.  I am very fascinated with them when they do show up.  Mommy says they are called my feet and my hands.  I wonder why they go away sometimes...

I'm learning how to laugh!  It is so much fun to laugh at Daddy and Mommy.  They seem to like it when I laugh.  Me laughing makes them laugh, which makes me laugh.  This is a happy place when I start laughing!

Mrs. Fran had to go out of town this week, so I got to spend one whole day with Mommy and TWO whole days with Daddy!  I loved staying with Mommy and Daddy.  Daddy was a great babysitter!  He let me watch Curious George on TV.  We practiced sitting up and went for a walk. 

The only downside was that I got sick on Wednesday night.  I couldn't breath, and I couldn't sleep.  Being sick is no fun.  Daddy had to take me to the hospital on Thursday night.  I hope I feel better soon.

Key to a Good Night's Sleep

Shut the door to the nursery and turn off the baby monitor.

Oops!  I didn't mean to shut the door and forget about him.  I really, really didn't.  It happened like this.  We were drying a load of baby clothes.  With all the snaps on those sleepers, a load of soft, tiny baby clothes sounds like a load of marbles.  I shut his door when I started the load to keep from waking him up.  I keep the monitor turned off at night because every loud vehicle that goes past triggers the video and because I can hear every sound he makes (assuming the door is open).  When I went to bed, the dryer was still going.  I was going to just lay down and wait until the dryer stopped before opening Austin's door...

I don't know how Austin slept, but I slept great!

Snot Nosed Little Kid

Austin is the snot nosed little kid tonight.  Poor baby is so pitiful.  He rattles when he tries to breath and cries when he is horizontal.  However, in spite of that, he is still full of smiles.  He excitedly told me all about his day with Daddy in between all the rattling breaths.  He fell asleep in my arms twice, but woke up crying hard every time I put him down.  Dallas elevated one end of his mattress, and we were finally able to get him to sleep.  I don't know how long it will last, but at least he is getting a little sleep now.  He'll have to go to the doctor in the morning.

Poor baby got a few hours sleep before getting himself turned head down on the elevated mattress. He woke up crying most likely because the downward pressure on his sinuses was painful for him. Dallas tried to calm him, I tried to suction out his nose, and I eventually nursed him to calm him down. This helped, but we couldn’t lay him down. Every time he dozed off, he woke himself up trying to breath.


Finally, about 1:30, Dallas decided he needed to go to the emergency room. They were able to clear his nasal passages better and sent Dallas home with saline drops. Since Austin is so young, saline is the extent of the medication he can receive. They got home about 3:30, and Austin slept in his carseat until 5:30. I nursed him and put him back in the carseat where he slept until 7:15.

Dallas is home babysitting today while I work. He just called me, and poor little Austin was whining pitifully in the background. He is significantly less congested this morning, but he is obviously painfully tired. My guess is that I won't make it long at work today before I head home to take care of Austin.  I can't do anything for him that Dallas isn't doing, but I'll feel better being with him. 

I knew theoretically that Austin was going to eventually get sick. I sure wish he could have waited a few years!

I Smile When

Austin winds up for a sneeze. He's started putting the "Ahhhh" in Ah-choo.

Austin lets his little fingers relax out of the fist.

Austin smiles with his entire head!

Austin talks to us using his most sincere and earnest expression.

Austin has a big sigh to go along with his big yawn...talk about expressive.

Austin checks out Nemo. He's not quite sure what to make of him. I think it's mutual.

Austin motors around in his crib so that he's facing a different direction every time I check the monitor.

Austin nestles his head against my neck

Austin falls asleep in my arms with a look of complete and utter peace.

Austin wants to protest bedtime but is too tired to cry so he just kind of creaks.

Austin makes Dallas light up just by looking at him.

Austin goes from looking cranky and fussy when he wakes up alone in his crib to looking like everything is going to be okay when he realizes he's not alone to smiling from ear to ear when he realizes Mommy is there.

I remember how very blessed we are with a healthy, happy, beautiful baby.

Crib Notes- Week 15

Freedom! I got it! I learned to roll over in my Woombie. It was great. I got extra time with Mommy at night when she came to save me. She didn't seem too happy about that so I got freedom! One arm free to be specific. Hey, when you're 13 lbs and can't crawl or walk, you have to take freedom where you can get it.

I may not be able to move around, but I showed off my newly earned strength to Mommy this weekend. I've been working really hard on tummy time with Mrs. Fran. Mommy couldn't believe how strong I was to hold my head so high for so long. We went to tell Daddy, and I had to show off again!  Also, I can almost sit up by myself.  Look at how straight my back is, and Daddy only has about 1 finger on me!

It was Halloween. I didn't get ANY candy! Just milk. But I sure was cute. I was the best pumpkin ever.

I even had my own trick for Daddy! See how I'm wearing my cat hat with my dragon outfit? Silly, huh? You might wonder why I'm not wearing the cute Halloween onesies Aunt Shay gave me. Well, I was. And then I tricked Mommy and Daddy. They thought I had a normal dirty diaper. Trick! I had the biggest blowout in history! Daddy had to clean me up while Mommy changed clothes! He had to clean all the way up to my neck...and one armpit! He wasn't as amused as I was!

Milestone alert! I slept all night almost every night this week! I go to sleep around 7:30, and Mommy gets me up about 5:45 to eat. Boy, am I hungry! I don't see what the big deal is. I'm pretty fond of eating at 2:00 in the morning, but Mommy tells me I'm a wonderful, perfect, big boy. I guess that means sleeping all night is a good thing.

Mrs. Fran says I am a perfect boy and really mature for my age. She says I really focus when she reads the picture books to me. Most babies my age would just look around. I sleep and eat well ( almost 6 oz at a time). I would do more tummy time, but Leisal won't leave me alone. She wants to give me hugs and help. I don't need help! And Mommy says all my hugs are supposed to be hers.
 

Perfect Night

We had a perfect night and a wonderful morning. Austin went to bed like a little angel at 7:30. I woke him up to nurse at 5:45. He usually falls back to sleep while he's eating, but this morning he woke up to give me some precious little smiles while I changed his diaper. I loved it! Poor Dallas is having to get ready with a baby that is awake, and I'm going to be late for work; but I wouldn't change it for the world.


This is opposed to Sunday night when I was up twice because Austin rolled over on his tummy and got stuck. He can't roll back over onto his back, and he doesn't seem to realize that he can put his head down while on his tummy. It has to be a very rude awakening to be sound asleep one minute and stuck on your tummy having to hold your head up the next. It gets him all worked up. I have to turn him over and calm him down before he will go back to sleep. Sunday night I was awake every time he made a tiny sound because I was worried he might roll over again. I also couldn't help but worry about future nights when he got even better at rolling over, and we ended up going through this drill once an hour or more. On Monday night I took one arm out of his Woombie, which so far has stopped his rolling ability. He sleeps great all swaddled up with one arm stuck straight out from his side.

Way Down Yonder in the Pumpkin Patch...

Message for the Family

Trick or Treat

Crib Notes: Week 14

I had my first full week of daycare while Mommy went to work this week.  I hate to brag, but I am such a good boy!  I eat well and take really good, long naps for Mrs. Fran, and I hardly ever cry.  I'm so happy in the morning that Daddy has a hard time leaving me.  I sure wish he could stay.  When I get home at night, Mommy and Daddy fight over me!  No one wants to let me go because they both miss me so much.  Before I went to daycare, Mommy got all her hugs and kisses in during the day so I got uncontested Daddy time at night.  Now Mommy and Daddy just can't get enough of me at night!

I'm growing so big.  Mommy thinks I grew about 2 pounds and at least 2 inches while I was at daycare this week.  She wonders what Mrs. Fran is feeding me!  I hold my head up almost all by myself, and I can sit up with a little bit of help.  My vision is really good now.  I can follow Mommy and Daddy as they walk around the room.  I love to watch all the lights and colors on TV.  I look for Mr. Giggles when I'm on the changing table.  He always makes me smile when he sings to me!  And when I knock Mr. Giggles over on top of me, I immediately try to eat him!  I can always find my hands now and know just exactly how to put them in my mouth!  Oh, and I can drool.  Pools of drool.  I've learned to blow drool bubbles even.  I've discovered Nemo.  I'm not sure what to think about him, but I watch him very intently when we're both on the couch with Daddy.  I'm starting to relax my hands.  When I sleep, I no longer hold my hands in cute little fists, but I relax them with my fingers open.  It makes Mommy smile to see my fat little hands relaxed in sleep.

Dallas' trip was cancelled, so he's picking up our baby. Austin will be waiting for me when I get home. Hurry up Metro!

Bed Head

Our little boy woke up with bed head this morning!  He has enough hair that it is standing up on top.  You can see his little spike if you squint!

Crib Notes: 3 months

Did you see the title?  Did you notice?  I'm so old this week that we can use MONTHS instead of weeks!  And to prove how big I am, I weighed in at 13 pounds 1 oz.

And this was a big, big week.  I started school!  Well, okay, it's just daycare, but it's kinda like school.  I know big boys are supposed to like going to school, but I really missed Mommy.  It wasn't all bad, though.  I love Ms. Fran.  She sings better than Mommy, and she says she loves my eyes!  There are other kids there - big kids who can crawl and walk- who are really loud.  I couldn't sleep at all my first day with all the racket these kids were making!  Liesel (16 mo) loves to give me hugs - lots of hugs.  Cecelia (19 mo) is very pretty with those dark brown curls.  Nicholai (13 mo) cries an awful lot, and I don't know why.  I can't find much to cry about.  It's really fun to watch the other kids.  I get to go outside almost every day, and Ms. Fran has a bouncy seat and swing for me.  There's singing and clapping and story time.  I can't do it all yet, but I'm working really hard at tummy time so I can learn to crawl and join in.

I only stayed part of the day this week because Mommy missed me so much that she came to get me early.  She took me home and hugged me and loved me and hardly put me down each night!  I could get used to this!  She did make me take a nap when we got home.  I didn't want to nap, but I sure felt better when I woke up.  I can't wait for the weekend when I get two whole days of Mommy and Daddy time!

The First Week Is Over

And our baby is home from daycare.  He made it through just fine.  I made it through.

Monday was AWFUL - for both of us.  I dropped him off with 3 pages of instructions, including a matrix of times for eat/wake/sleep.  It's been a week, and I'm reasonably confidant that schedule is still in the folder untouched.  He ate off schedule and only slept for 20 minutes.  When I picked him up at 3:00, he had been awake for 4 hours.  Austin's wake times are 90 minutes at most.  He was so overtired that he couldn't settle down and sleep.  I was up with him nearly all night long.  Poor guy didn't know what had hit him.

Tuesday was a little bit better.  Mrs. Fran was pleased that he slept twice for a total of about an hour.  I was once again horrified.  I brought him home and put him to bed.  He took his longest nap to date - one hour and 40 minutes.  He woke up for about 20 minutes, ate, and went right back to sleep.  After a good nap, he had a normal night waking up around 2:00 to nurse.  I, on the other hand, hardly slept because I was so worried about how to handle his schedule at daycare.

Wednesday was a breakthrough.  Austin took 2 really good naps (about 90 minutes each) and acted like his normal happy self when I picked him up.  Still, I was concerned and arranged to stay with him at daycare to show Mrs. Fran how I manage his schedule on Thursday.

Thursday was crazy.  God bless these people that look after our children.  I don't know how Fran does this every day.  It is nuts at that daycare with 4 babies under the age of 2 tottering around.  Austin did great with me there and took his naps right on cue.  I explained to Fran what certain types of crying generally indicate and showed her how I put him to sleep.  I hope it helped her.  It made me feel more comfortable working with her for the day.  Of course, being at the daycare also gave me a ginormous headache!

Friday was a great day!  Austin seems to be more comfortable in his new environment.  His eating is getting back on schedule (especially since Fran is more confidant about how much he needs to eat) and his naps were great!  He took a one hour nap in the morning and 2 two hour naps throughout the day.

Now, hopefully, I won't ruin his schedule over the weekend!  I just might because I have a lot of cuddling, kissing, and baby time to catch up on!

Roll-y Poly

Austin was sound asleep last night.  I checked him on the monitor, and he was sleeping like a little log.  Five minutes later, he started crying.  It is unusual for him to cry in the evenings once he goes to sleep, so I checked the monitor again.  He was on his STOMACH! 

I flipped, yelled for Dallas, tossed the monitor and raced up the stairs.  He was, of course, fine.  He was just angry at being awakened by this odd position!

Babies his age are not supposed to roll over onto their stomachs.  It is a sleeping hazard.  Besides, how does an infant go from dead asleep to rolling over so qiuckly?  I don't know how he did it...and neither does he.  Fortunately, it hasn't happened again.  Nevertheless, I've started taking the monitor to bed with me so I can check on him when I wake up at night.

For the first time in 12 weeks...

I have so much catching up to do.  Austin has been asking me to post his 12 week crib notes, and we had a big week in Jackson.  However, tonight, I can't put pen to paper so to speak. 

For the first time, Austin is going to daycare tomorrow.  For the first time in 12 weeks, Austin will be away from my arms.  For the first time in 12 weeks, I have to trust someone else to understand his cries and attend to his needs.  For the first time in 12 weeks, I can do what I have been wishing- take a shower, take a nap, read email, make a phone call, eat lunch, make a quick run to the store - without worrying about Austin's schedule.  For the first time in 12 weeks, I realize I have been wishing for the wrong things.  I don't want to do any of those things if it means Austin is somewhere else.  For the first time in 12 weeks, I think my heart will break instead of melt.

When I told a coworker whose first child was recently born that I was pregnant, he told me to get ready to hate my job.  I thought I understood what he meant.  I didn't understand it until today.  Today, for the first time, I hate my job.

I know this is a necessary evil, and I believe that Austin is in the best possible daycare we could find.  Fran is wonderful, but she isn't mom.  She has years of experience on me, but I know my baby better than anyone.  And I wonder how anyone can do the job I do when there are 4 other children to care for.  I can't get it all done with only one baby at home.  And I wonder what I'm going to miss.  He is getting ready to start sitting up, reach out for his toys, grab onto things.  I want to see these things first.  I want to save all those precious little smiles for me and daddy.  I want more than a few hours at home in the evening to enjoy him.  Tonight, I want to hold onto him and never let him grow up.

I'm sure Austin will be fine tomorrow, but I am not so sure about me.

Crib Notes: Week 12

This was the BEST week!  We went to Jackson!  There are so many people in Jackson who love me!

Let me clarify...we drove to Jackson.  I think Daddy and Mommy were crazy for thinking that driving that far with me in the car was a good idea, but I was such a good little boy.  We drove to see the Biltmore the first night.  I don't remember much about the Biltmore except that I had a really good nap.  Apparently, there are lots of stairs at the house because Mommy and Daddy had to carry my stroller up and down all those stairs.  They didn't want to risk waking me up by taking me out of the stroller!

I was getting a little cranky by the time we reached Jackson the next day, but once Sassy scooped me up out of Mommy's arms it was all better.  I slept really well while I was at Sassy's house.  Mommy was happy that I stayed on my schedule.  Sassy rocked me and put me to sleep, and then Aunt Shay came to visit.  She picked me up and popped a paci in my mouth.  She wouldn't let Mommy have me back!  I thought things couldn't get any better, but then we went to visit Poppie and Mama Shoe.  I LOVE Poppie and Mama Shoe!  I smiled at them and talked to Poppie.  When Aunt Phyllis got home from work she grabbed me up and we bounced and rocked.  I was so happy with Aunt Phyllis.  Mama Shoe wasn't so happy, though, because she didn't get enough cuddle time.  We made up for it the next day when I took my afternoon nap in Mama Shoe's arms.  Mr. Jim found all my tickle spots, and he loves my fat little cheeks.  I snuck a nap in with Mr. Jim, too.  He had to work with one hand for a while, but he loved it.  Oh, Mr. Jim has the best cars on the shelves in his office.  I can't wait until I'm big enough to play with them!  Gracie couldn't decide who I look like.  This made Mommy laugh because everyone says I look just like my Daddy!  And you wouldn't believe this dog Sassy and Mr. Jim have!  He is nothing like my dog who knows enough to stay out of my way.  Tebo is even smaller than me, and he wanted to play constantly!  He kept trying to give me kisses, but Mommy didn't seem to want him in my face.  Tebo may just be my favorite toy at Sassy's once I can crawl!

 

But the best part of Jackson was Carly and Reed!  They are so cool!  Carly is very grown-up and was very busy with her diary.  She didn't have much time to play with me, but Reed played with me.  He is the best, coolest, most awesome person ever!  I was fascinated by everything he did.  He talked to me and played with my toys.  Mommy says he was the best babysitter I had all week!  I can't wait to go back to Jackson for Christmas to play with Reed and Carly!