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!

 

Blessed

One of the purposes and highlights of our trip to Jackson was Poppie's blessing of baby Austin.  Poppie has blessed all the children in our family, and it was very important to me that he bless Austin.  As the patriarch of our family, it was Poppie's right and our privilege.

In the Old Testament, it was customary for fathers to bless their sons or grandsons.  We followed the example of Jacob, one of Poppie's favorite men of the Bible, when blessing Austin.  In the 48th chapter of Genesis, we are told that Joseph took his sons Manasseh and Ephraim to his father Jacob to be blessed.  Jacob, who was renamed Israel, was very ill and almost blind with age by this time.  However, he "rallied" himself and sat up on the edge of the bed when Joseph approached with his sons.  Joseph had his sons kneal before Jacob.  Jacob reached out and crossed his hands, placing his right hand on Ephraim and his left on Manasseh.  We learn through this simple gesture that true blessing only comes through the Cross of our Lord Jesus.

As Dallas held our son, Poppie crossed his hands, putting one on Austin's head and the other on his feet, and prayed over him and blessed him.  Mom was there with a hand on Poppie's shoulder and another on Dallas'.  Mama Shoe had a hand on Poppie's other shoulder and one on mine.  Austin, not really fond of the position he was in, screamed.  The rest of us cried for another reason.

Austin may not have the opportunity to get to know Poppie.  I hope as he reads this some years from now that he will learn a little bit about the Godly character of his great-grandfather and begin to understand the legacy -the blessing- that Poppie left him.

Crib Notes: Week 11

Hi, Everyone.  We've been super busy, so I just couldn't find time to post! 

As I reflect back on the first 3 months of life, I have to say that I am just getting better and better with age.  I'm getting bigger and so strong.  I am holding my head up like a big baby, and you should just hear me talking.  I have lots of opinions on things, and I'm not afraid to share.  I have long conversations with Mommy and Daddy.  Daddy thinks I'm just about ready to start saying simple words like mama, dada, and onomatopoeia.  He keeps practicing with me.

I can see really well, and I'm trying to teach my arms to reach up and grab all those fun toys that I can see.  Sometimes it works, but these arms just aren't ready to cooperate full time.  When I do bat at my toy, Daddy says it is intentional.  Mommy tends to think it is still just an accident.  But just give me a few more weeks, and I'll be reaching for everything!  I love to watch Mommy walk around my room, and I really love to watch my mobile.  Daddy and I love to watch football together, except when the 49ers don't do what Daddy wants them to do. 

I'm not even 3 months old, and I'm already wearing some of my 6 month clothes.  Mommy has had to pack away all my little baby clothes and start putting me in the big boy clothes.

Blessings

Today was a rough day.  Austin was really fussy.  And crying.  Not just crying, screaming.  Most of the day.  Wouldn't nap or let me put him down.  It was rough.  But I want to remember the really great things that happened today instead of the crying.

Today, Austin was looking up at me while nursing.  When I looked at him, he smiled and nursed and smiled.  Those two things aren't very compatible, but he made it work.  I thought my heart was going to bust out of my chest.  It was such a tender, sweet moment.

Today, as usual, I put Austin in the stroller to go around the block with Nemo.  It was a beautiful day, and I had been cooped up in the house with a screaming infant all day so we took the long block.  Today, Austin talked to me the entire walk.  We talked about everything from the beautiful weather to the pending trip to Jackson.  He was so animated and sincere and beautiful.

Today, I put Austin in his crib to watch his mobile go round and round.  I thought it might stop the crying.  I was straightening up the nursery and packing for our trip.  Today, he didn't look at the mobile.  Today, he watched me move around his room.

Today was a great day.  Austin was perfect.

When I Grow Up, I Want To Be A Helicoptor

Our talented little boy is practicing his moves in his crib.  The last three times I went in to get him, he had done a complete 180 in his crib.  His feet were at the same place I left his head just hours before!  And he is doing all this while swaddled in his Woombie (basically a fitted, stretchy sleeping bag that we zip up to keep his arms and legs from flailing and waking him up).  I'd really like to know how he does it!

On a similar note, Austin almost slept through the night again last night!  He woke up crying at midnight.  I soothed him and put him back to sleep, and he didn't get up to nurse until 5:30.  Unfortunately, he did a lot of crying in his sleep, so I got up several times thinking he was awake and hungry only to find him asleep and crying.  Which, if you think about it, is pretty sad.  He must have been having nightmares all night.  Makes me cry thinking about it.  Still, the books say that 3 nights is a charm.  We'll see if he can skip the middle of the night feeding again tonight!

What a Night!

We had a breakthrough last night! 

Due to our schedules yesterday, Austin ended up on a 2 1/2 hour schedule instead of the 3 hour schedule we have been working on.  He was perfect all day.  Happy, not cranky or fussy.  Went down for naps without complaining.  Last night, Dallas did the standard dream feed at 10:30.  Austin usually wakes up to nurse around 2:00.  He woke up crying at 1:00 last night and didn't settle back down, so I got up to check on him.  He had scooted almost completely out of his Miracle Blanket (the Woombie was being washed).  I reswaddled him, soothed him, and put him back to bed since it was too early to nurse him.

He didn't wake up again until 5:30!!  He skipped his middle of the night feeding!

He may not choose to skip that feeding again for another 3 months, but he did it once!  That's progress. 

And I'm keeping him on a 2 1/2 hour schedule for the time being!

Crib Notes - Week 10

Hi, Everyone!  This has bee such a FUN week!  I have so much going on that it'll be hard to remember it all.

First, I have new friends!  Oh, it is so much fun to have friends.  I wish you could meet them.  My new favorite friend is a handsome young man.  He smiles at me, and I talk to him.  He also has a mommy that smiles at me.  His mommy looks pretty tired, though.  I think my new friend should learn to sleep better.  Anyway, I love to visit my new friend.  Who is he, you ask?  Oh, didn't I tell you?  He is the "Baby in the Mirror!"

I also have my new gorilla friend.  He entertains me on my changing table.  He sings and giggles and lights up.  I can't help but smile when he's around.  Look!  Mommy has a picture of him.

I finally noticed the mobile in my crib.  It plays music and goes round and round and is just the most interesting thing I've ever seen.  Speaking of my crib...I have to work really hard to get comfortable some days.  This week Mommy put me down for a nap.  I was snuggled safe and sound in the middle of the striped blanket.  When she came to get me, look where she found me...  And I can do that with my legs and arms swaddled in my new Woombie blanket.  Pretty impressive, huh?  Daddy watched me get my head jammed up into the corner of the crib in only 6 minutes!

Daddy and Mommy went on a DATE this week!  Aunt Melissa and Uncle Mike (They are not my real Aunt and Uncle.  They are pretty cool and fill in since Aunt Shay and Aunt Phyllis are so far away.) came to babysit.  Aunt Melissa is known as the baby whisperer.  They say she can put any baby to sleep.  She tried to do it just like Mommy, but I knew the difference.  I stayed awake until Mommy came home and put me to bed!  I don't understand why Mommy and Daddy wanted to leave.  I mean, I was here.

On Friday night, Mommy went to have time with the girls.  I was such a big boy for Daddy!  I went right to sleep just like I was supposed to.

I really am a big boy now, but sometimes I get no respect!  Can you believe Mommy made me wear these ridiculous socks?  Doesn't she know that all the other babies are going to laugh at me?  And what about that silly dog of ours?  Just because I can't move, Nemo thinks it's okay to sit on me?  Just wait til I can crawl!  I'll get that dog back!