Maternal Musings

Nursing was much more relaxing before Austin's teeth came in...

Crib Notes - Week 27

Aunt Shay, we need to talk.  Mommy really loves her new camera that you got her for her birthday, but she's driving me crazy with all the picture taking.  I mean I know that I'm the cutest thing ever on two legs, but how many pictures does she need???  None of you grandparents are going to stick up for me, are you?

Well, I probably didn't tell you, but I had a hard time sleeping last week.  I kept waking up in the middle of the night STARVING!  I was about to be 6 mo old, and I went through a big growth spurt.  Plus, there was that tooth coming through.  I woke up calling out for Mommy.  I wasn't crying, but I made sure Mommy knew she was needed.  My lungs are getting pretty strong , you know.  One night when Mommy came to get me, I was so hungry that I tried to suck on her chin.  News flash:  Mommy doesn't have milk coming out of all her pores.  I'm happy to report that both my bottom front teeth have arrived, and my growth spurt is over for now.  I'm back to sleeping all night long like the big boy I am.

Mommy is back on that eating kick.  I am perfectly happy with Mommy's milk, so I don't know why she wants to shake things up.  This week it was something called avocado.  Now, that sounds like a mistake, don't you think?  I think the pictures speak for themselves as to how much I enjoyed it.

Mommy gets all these crazy ideas from books and the internet.  I mean, really.  First it was naps and bedtimes; now it's eating from a spoon.  Will someone please, please unplug Mommy's computer??

Then There Were Two

Austin popped out his second tooth in time to impress his doctor on Friday. Two cute little teethies.

We went in to the doctor for his 6 month well visit on Friday.  She found tooth number 2 during her exam.  We checked for the tooth before bed on Thursday, so it must have popped out during the night.

Austin weighed in at 16 lb10 1/2 oz.  He has slowed down on the growth scale to about the 27th percentile, but the doctor said he is still tracking well along his growth curve.  He is 26" long.  Even though he isn't rolling over, he has good trunk support.  He is sitting up unassisted for a few seconds before falling over, and he holds a three point stance pretty well.  She did give us instructions to give him more tummy time to encourage rolling.

Austin was a big boy for his shots, but this round was harder on him (and on Daddy who has to hold him during the shots) than previous shots.  He is more aware and was more upset by the shots this time.  He calmed down after nursing for a bit.  He also woke up with a low fever on Saturday.  A little Tylenol took care of the problems and made him feel better.  By Sunday, he was back to his normal happy self - especially after a 2 1/2 hour nap Sunday morning.

When I Grow Up



Inspired by the work of Adele Enerson



Photo of the Day

January 25, 2011
Happy to go see Mrs. Fran

It's Okay, Mom. I've Got It.

Austin was having a rough night sleeping tonight.  He was restless and kept waking up.  I was watching him on the monitor to see if I needed to intervene.  The little guy found his paci in the crib.  And by "found" I mean the paci happened to be where his little hand landed.  He picked up his paci, worked it between his hands, and put it in his mouth.  Of course, it was sheer luck that he found it and even more luck that the paci was pointing in the right direction.  Still, it was pretty exciting to see him pick up the paci and get it to his mouth.  He's getting more coordinated every day.

Crib Notes - Week 26

I HAVE FEET!  And Mommy is right.  They are so much fun!  I love to play with my feet...when I can catch them.  They are always moving just out of reach.  But I'm getting pretty good at holding onto them.  It is super great entertainment.

And speaking of great entertainment....Sassy and Mr. Jim got me a DVD for Christmas.  I love to watch Ta, De, and Ed and all the kids and babies tell me about the seasons.  I mean I am FASCINATED by this DVD.  I will watch it for 15-20 minutes at a time.  Mommy and Daddy caught me watching a few times.  By the way, see that cute striped shirt I'm wearing with my uber-cool jeans?  Poppie and Mama Shoe gave it to me for Christmas.  It says "Mommy Needs A Date Night."  I don't know why she would need a night away from me.  However, I think I can take care of myself if Mommy will leave me with some milk and my DVD.  By the way, look how big I am sitting up without much help.

Speaking of things I like to watch, I love to watch the baby in my mirror when I'm on my play mat.  Watching the baby in the mirror is almost as much fun as the DVD.  Mommy keeps moving the mirror around above my head hoping that I'll want to see the baby so much that I'll roll on over.  I also love Daddy to make me fly!  Wheeeeee!  What an adrenaline rush!

So, you know last week when I told you about joining Mommy and Daddy at the table?  Well, this week Mommy did something even more strange.  She put me on the table again and gave me toys that tasted YUCKY!  I don't know what she was playing at, but somebody stop her.  She had names for the toys - carrots, cucumber, banana, green pepper, and apple. Strange.  I don't know why she'd give me these crazy toys.  As you can see, I much prefer my gorilla blanket.

The big news this week is that I have teeth...well, tooth.  I was sneaky.  I let that tooth pop out overnight and surprised Daddy with it on Friday morning, just two days before my 6 month birthday.  I was such a good boy during teething that Mommy and Daddy didn't expect my tooth.  I was hardly even fussy.  But that's not to say it wasn't a lot of work.  Daddy called me snaggle tooth, and I don't think that was very nice.  He doesn't know how hard it was to grow this tooth.  I mean teeth don't just grow themselves you know.  I had to eat lots of milk and take lots of naps and chew on lots of toys to make this happen.  Where's the respect?

****BREAKING NEWS***

In the early hours of the morning on January 21, only 2 days before his 6 month birthday, Austin Scott Brooks, got his first tooth!  This monumental event might have gone unnoticed for several more hours if not for the exceptional parenting skills of Dallas Brooks, proud daddy, who selflessly offered Austin his finger to chew.  When asked about his first reaction to the event, Dallas said he just thought, “ouch, that hurts.”  Upon closer inspection, the left front tooth was discovered poking through Austin’s gums.  When asked to comment, Austin pursed his lips and blew a few bubbles at our reporter.

Crib Notes - Weeks 24 and 25

The holidays are over, and we are getting back into our normal routine.  Mommy is letting me wear something other than red this week!

Since I'm so big, Mommy got out my exersaucer.  She sat me in that exersaucer, and I knew just what to do.  I started playing with the different toys and had such a big time.   It is strange to look at something other than the ceiling when I'm playing!

I got to go back to see Mrs. Fran on Monday. I got the biggest smile on my face when I saw her. I love Mrs. Fran! You heard about how brave I was to help catch Nicholai when he stumbled. Sure, I got a few scratches, but what's a few scratches when you're helping out a friend?

Mommy and Daddy let me sit at the table during dinner. I enjoyed playing with my toys and looking at myself in the mirror behind Daddy. I don't know why they put me on the table, but I like being included. Maybe they felt sorry for me because I got scratched at daycare.

Oh, I also developed a new skill this week.  When I was doing tummy time, I reached out for a toy that was in front of me and pulled the toy in so I could chew on it.  Mommy says it is really good for me to be able to pull toys in like that.  Something about strong muscles and coordination.  I don't know about that; the toy just looked tasty to me.

Photo of the Day



January 6, 2011



You Should See the Other Guy

The 14 month old bully at the daycare got our baby today leaving a little cut across his nose...

Okay, the real story is that Mrs. Fran was playing Peek-a-boo with the kids during circle time.  Austin was in her lap.  Nicholai got excited and tried to cover up Mrs. Fran's face.  He slipped and missed Mrs. Fran's face. Austin got in the way when he caught himself.  Nicholai's fingernail caught Austin on the side of the nose.  It may be the first, but it certainly won't be the last. 

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...

Paci or Thumb?  How about both???

Tickle Bug

My First Christmas Ornament

Worst. Parents. Ever.

Austin has resisted going to bed for a few weeks.  He seems to just want to be with us and cries when we put him in the crib.  And he cries...and cries...and cries.  When we go in to soothe him, it seems to start the cycle over again.  Tonight we decided we needed to break the cycle and let him CIO (cry it out).  It took one hour and 17 agonizing, self-doubting, painful, guilt-ridden minutes.

Update:  I talked to Tiffeny, my co-worker who has 6 girls, about our terrible night listening to Austin cry.  She said Austin misses my scent and that I should put something that smells like me in the crib.  She said he would go right off to sleep if he could smell me. So, I put my pillowcase in the crib 3 nights ago and laid him on top of it.  Austin has gone right off to sleep within about 5 minutes of being put to bed.  With no crying.  All 3 nights.  Could it really be that simple?  Or did he just realize that Mommy wasn't coming to get him after I made him cry himself to sleep?  Or has he just been really tired after daycare?  Or perhaps he is getting back to normal after all the traveling?  I'm just thankful that we have had 3 stress free nights and that Austin is going to sleep on time so he can get the sleep he needs.

Oh, and I'm currently sleeping with a receiving blanket that I'll put in the crib when I remove the pillowcase.  Just in case it really is that simple.  For now.

Crib Notes- Christmas

Merry Christmas!  I've been so excited about Christmas that I've been dressing in red all month long.  Christmas is so great because I get to go see all my family and stay with Mommy and Daddy all week long.

We left on Christmas eve to go to Jackson.  I was a really good boy in the airport, even when our flight was delayed by over an hour.  We were able to take my car seat on the plane, and I fell asleep as we were taking off.  I slept the entire flight and most of the way to Jackson.  Mommy fed me, and the next thing I knew it was Christmas morning and I was at Sassy and Mr. Jim's.  You should see Sassy's Christmas tree.  It was so sparkly, twinkly!

I got to spend lots of time with Daddy on Christmas morning because I wouldn't take my nap!  It's a holiday.  I shouldn't have to take naps, should I?  And it was snowing...on Christmas.  I don't really know what that means, but everyone seemed excited by it.  I accidentally fell asleep on the way to Aunt Shay's house, though, and slept most of the day.  Oh, I wish I had woken up sooner.  There were so many people to see when I woke up.  Aunt Shay and Papa Mac.  Carly and Reed.  And Mommy and Daddy.

Christmas night was even more fun.  Everyone came over to Sassy and Mr. Jim's house.  I'm sure they were coming just to see me.  I got to see Papa Shoe, Mama Shoe, and Aunt Phyllis in addition to everyone from Aunt Shay's.  I was so happy to see everyone again.  I was really sad that Mama Shoe still had shingles, so I couldn't give her a hug.  She promised to let me give her lots and lots and lots of hugs next time I visit.  Aunt Shay give me a little taste of sweet potatoes before I had to go to bed.  It was really hard to get to sleep with all the fun going on after dinner.  I didn't want to miss anything, but Daddy finally got me to sleep.  I slept pretty late the next day, too.  Unfortunately, Papa Mac had to go home on Sunday, so I didn't get to see him again. 

Mr. Jim works really hard to aggravate me, but I can handle him!  And he must really, really love me because he let me play piano with him.  Sassy holds me and cuddles me and reads to me.  We have so much fun together.  Sassy calls me a Gerber baby.  I have to agree.  I'm awfully cute and kissable.

Gigi drove a long way just to see me.  She brought me a worm!  It's not a real worm, silly.  It's a play worm.  I was able to get it in my mouth first try!  Mommy and Sassy went to lunch with Aunt Shay so I could have all day with Gigi.  I was too excited to take a really good nap, so I was a bit cranky.  I didn't mean to be, but tired and excited are not a good combination for such a little boy!

We had to leave to come home on New Year's Eve.  We left town early so Mommy could get a haircut.  Girls!  I don't understand, but it seemed to make her happy.  Daddy and I took care of the manly stuff like taking the bags to the airport and gassing up the car.  I was the best baby on the airplane.  I slept for a little while and just looked around and checked things out the rest of the flight.  It was good to be home in my own bed.  Christmas would have been perfect if Yaya and Papa Carl had been able to come see me.  Mommy says Yaya will be coming to see me in a few weeks.  I hope Papa Carl can get off work to come see me soon.

Don't forget to check out the photo albums page to see all the rest of our Christmas photos.  I took some really cute ones.

Maternal Musings

Last night, Dallas and I were listening to Austin's wails as he railed against being put to bed.  Every 10-15 minutes, I went back into the nursery to calm him down and put him back to bed.  After about an hour of this, we were talking about how best to handle this new bedtime development.  Dallas said, "It used to be so easy.  Just let them cry.  They'll eventually go to sleep.  I used to think people got stupid when they had a baby.  Now I realize that you don't get stupid...it's just that your heart grows about 6 times bigger.  And it breaks to listen to them cry."

Maternal Musings

Five months is so different from newborn.  It is even remarkably different from 4 months. 

Austin is so alert and so aware.  He notices when you arrive and when you leave.  He has learned that I will open the car door to get him out, and he turns to look for me.  He has his own personality - gentle, open, happy, and curious.  He understands games that we routinely play and will start laughing in anticipation when we start.  He also understands that I will leave him alone in his crib, and he expresses his displeasure.  Going to bed used to be a 15 minute exercise.  Now it can be a 2 hour exercise with lots and lots of crying (by both of us).  He is fascinated with other kids.  He has a long attention span and loves watching television, the computer, or the iphone.  He loves music and smiles when you sing to him.  He recognizes Mommy, Daddy, and Mrs. Fran.  He is constantly exploring everything within reach with a gentle touch.  If he manages to hold onto something, there is a good chance it will go into his mouth.  He is also developing a strong attachment to his pacifier.