Milestones

Ugh!  We ordered off the kid's menu today!  When, oh when, did he get so big?

Maternal Musings

Dear Mom,

I wanted to send you a very belated apology for falling and cutting my chin open at the pool when I was a toddler.  I can only now begin to understand how your heart must have shattered into a thousand tiny shards, and I'm so sorry for causing you that pain.  I haven't yet figured out how to protect Austin from ever getting hurt, but I'm working on it.  I'm not sure I could handle it.

I love you,

Whitney

Maternal Musings

The top 3 topics of conversation for new parents in no particular order are sleeping, eating, and pooping,

Maternal Musings

Why, with all the bright, colorful, fully researched, interactive toys within reach, does a baby always want the one thing they can't have?  And how do they know what the one thing they can't have is?

Maternal Musings

When your baby has been constipated, hurting, and miserable for 7 days, there is nothing that smells sweeter than the malodorous stench of a stinky diaper.

Maternal Musings

For those of you who, like me, thought Austin couldn't get any cuter, he has proven us wrong.  He is so much cuter this week than he was just last week.  He is so alert, inquisitive, animated, and interested.  I can hardly stand it!

Maternal Musings

Austin hasn't had a stinky diaper all day.  Is it really possible that 1/2 teaspoon of avocado and maybe 3/4 teaspoon of oatmeal could constipate him?  Surely not...

Maternal Musings

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

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.

Maternal Musings

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