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.