Preparing for the Holidays...

I can't believe Jacob is six and a half months old, AND it's Christmas-time!  Where did the last year of my life go??  I can't believe how slow it seemed a year ago, and how fast this year.  Just crazy!  But now I face a whole new challenge.  Last year at this time, it was SO easy to be gone for 10 days, visit anyone we wanted to, and pack.  This year?  A whole different ball game!

Now we have to figure out what to get a little boy that is special enough for a first Christmas.  I'm pretty sure Jacob will only care about the wrapping paper, but there's still something special about his first Christmas gift.  And then, we get to travel.  I am SO thankful for wonderful parents and in-laws who want to see us and put up with us for a few days.  So now we prepare.  I need to make my packing list and check it about nineteen times.  You almost would think they don't have stores near where we're going, the way I'm thinking about packing!

So in the end, truly, I am excited to share this holiday with him.  Definitely one of my favorites!  And I'm so excited for him to be loved on by his grandparents and family.  And the food!  I'm definitely excited about that!  The blog will most likely be non-existent for the next two weeks.  I should be back to writing in 2011!  That is weird...  anyone remember worrying about 2000?  Man!

What is your favorite part of the next two weeks??

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Holidays!! 

Mornings are evil...

We didn't have such a good sleeping night last night.  I think Jacob is teething??  I question it, because he's been "teething" for the last 3.5 months.  We'll see if this time something is actually produced.  Anyway, he woke up at 1:30 am in a screaming fit.  Let me tell you, that is the WORST way to wake up!  So we were up for about an hour working on getting him back to sleep.  I was so hopeful for sleeping until 8:00 am, but this is just a pipe dream.

So our next screaming fit was at 6:30 am.  I can't tell you how much I hate that time of the morning.  I don't even know if I can put it into words.  I thought I was becoming a morning person again, but I'm pretty sure I'm regressing.  When in high school, my parents were not allowed to speak to me until I had been up for an hour.  I'm pretty sure I reinstated that rule this morning.  I promised both Josh & Jacob that I would be selling them to the Russians today.  (Just in case you were wondering, I didn't.... yet.)

I can't seem to find a way to get happy in the morning.  Morning is for sleeping and quietness.  It's for sunshine and birds that don't require my voice.  And it's definitely NOT for babies who have learned how to blow raspberries while eating their oatmeal.  Oh how I want my mornings back!  I'm thinking maybe I should run to the other bed in the mornings and camp out for a bit.  The main problem?  My husband hates mornings too.

What is your favorite and/or least favorite part of mornings??

A new type of jeans...

I believe this is an idea I've thrown out with my sister-in-law a few times, but I think it's time to share it with my faithful readers.  The reason?  I do not have the ability to do this, and it's time SOMEONE gets out there and does it!  So this is my idea.

We need a new type of jeans.  I'm weary of calling them "mom jeans" as that ultimately throws you back to tapered leg, faded, high rising "mom jeans".  I'm thinking of a hipper, new jeans.  Jeans that every mom would wear.  Not because they are ugly, but because they do wonderous things to you.  Things that every woman dreams of.

1. They would suck in your tummy.  Not enough that it brings the rest of your tummy above the pants, but enough that it looks like you never had a baby.  Hot.
2. It would make your thighs look like they never expanded.  
3. It would always stay the same shape.  I hate when you put pants on that are uber tight which stretch so much after wearing them for an hour that you need a belt to keep them up!
4. When you turned to the side, it would make you look like a Size 2 again.  Or for the first time.  Whichever.
5. I think they might have to reach up under your boobs just to keep things in place.  A bit uncomfortable, but that's ok.

Maybe these are really the maternity jeans.  But these would be better.  Because they'd suck things in, which obviously you can't do while pregnant.  So, if you are a designer, please start designing.  If you've heard of these, let me know where I can buy 829473 of them & give them to every mother I know. 

What would you add to the list???

My little burrito...

Do you remember how I said before I don't follow all the rules?  Well, one of the "rules" is never use a blanket with your baby.  We've used a blanket since he's been about a month old.  The reason is so they don't pull it over their heads.  Which makes sense, except my baby sleeps on his tummy.  A few times now I've started to worry as he's been able to grasp the blanket. 

But lately, Jacob has created a new ability.  He rolls to both sides and then back to his tummy.  By doing this, he gets the blanket wrapped around him.  Really, he looks like a burrito!  He keeps his hands out, so he's still able to fling his pacifier back behind the crib to lands unknown.  I love watching the different ways he sleeps.  His hands have always been over his head, but sometimes the land on a crib slat or outside the crib.

There is just something so wonderful and peaceful about a sleeping baby.  The sweet way they breathe in and out, the fact that they're no longer crying.  It's just wonderful!  I could watch Jacob sleep all day long.  Except then he would either wake up or I would fall asleep.  And we all know babies don't sleep all day, ever! 

What is your favorite part of watching a baby sleep??

Still looking for guest writers!  Please let me know if you're interested!!

Ahhhh... all done!!!!!

Yesterday, my dear sweet husband graduated from WVU with his Ph.D.  Technically, it was a convocation because finals aren't over yet, but he's graduating no matter what!  So yesterday, we spent the afternoon watching young and old, men and women realize their dreams.  I was so very excited for him!! 

As we listened to the speaker, I found myself amused.  Maybe not the right word for a graduation, but nevertheless.  She spoke about how to get a job.  How you should change your email address to something professional, clean up your facebook, etc. etc.  I was hoping that for most of these people, this was not the first time they heard this!  But what struck me as intriguing was that she never talked about what you should do when you have a job.  So I feel like I need to give my own advice.  They should have hired me!! (Yeah, yeah, I know...)

My advice:

• Never let work come before family.  Although most people think, uh, duh, of course not, it's not as easy as it sounds.  So many companies want your full attention and time.  And they don't care if it's the weekend or if you're at an event for your child.
• If you stop working and stay at home with your child, you are completing the most important job anyone could give you.  Do not feel like you are less of a man/woman because of it.
• Always strive to do your best.  Don't just wing it.  They can tell when you wing it!
• Keep your singing to a minimum.  No one really likes to hear that.  Wait until you have a child who doesn't care how you sing...
• Enjoy every moment.  It's much harder than it sounds.  Much harder.  Even enjoy when you're frustrated, because you are growing as an individual.

See, I told you I should have been the speaker! Hahaha, I can only imagine how bored they would have been!  And in the end, all I could think about was 18 years from now and this little boy I have who will be accepting his diploma.  These next 18 years better go SLOW! 

What would you say to a graduating class??

My bad restaurant baby...

Last night I met a great friend (woot! Hi girl!) for dinner. I was so very excited, but quite nervous about my little bugaboo. You just never know how things are going to happen. So I debated between a high chair and his carseat. I ended up using his carseat. Well, that was a bad decision. He wanted to be up and looking at people. So, I tried sitting him up, holding him, etc. Well, he was mostly quiet, but he was fussing. Nothing pleased him. Except for trying to grab my food. And frankly, that didn't please me.

So I think we need to take a break from eating out. I think people are going to have to come to our house from now on. This makes me sad. I keep thinking if I keep trying or if I do something different, it will work. Maybe he's ready to sit in the highchair now and if we do that he'll be an angel through dinner. And then I laugh. Because if this child is anything like his mommy used to be, there is nothing that will make him an angel.

So when does that switch happen? When does my baby become big enough to warrant a real seat? He can't have real food yet, but he likes to look around. Yes, I did try giving him some of the sauce on my pasta. He enjoyed it, but it wasn't enough to keep him quiet. I know it's important for him to go out so that he gets used to that environment and how to behave. But maybe it's just too early. Maybe I need to wait a month or two until that switch has happened and I can figure out which is best for him. Maybe I need to just keep trying and stop getting all worked up when he makes noise. Because really, babies make noise.

Experienced mom's, I need your help!!!! What would you have done/did you do in this situation??

Are the hormones still there??

Jacob turned six months old on Monday. Seriously?!? I can't believe he is this old already!!! What happened?!? I keep looking back at his baby pictures and I want my little peanut back! But the one thing I really remember is being pregnant. I think that is what is stopping me from having any more children (right now, anyway!)!

The one experience I had was quite embarassing. I was mortified a few times. You see, some commercials made me cry. Especially ones with mothers and daughters. I'm not sure why, but I would cry at the same commercial approximately 20 times. One time, they even had me cry to get someone else to do something (Steve S., you still owe me!). They tell you this occurs because of the hormones. Ok, I can accept that.

I cannot accept what happened a few days ago. A sappy commercial came on (the one with the brother coming home and the sister puts a bow on him and says he's her gift this year), and I started crying. WHAT?!?!? There are no hormones left! How did this happen?!?!? Did God leave a little bit left just to make me feel ridiculous every so often?!? And then, horror of all horrors, Josh caught me. He looked over, gasped, and shook his head. I don't know if he knows what to do with me in these situations!!

Somehow, it seems that after having Jacob, everything and anything can make me cry. I don't know what happened to my hormones, but they are all out of whack! It must be something that just resides in you for the rest of your life! I guess that's the heart of a mother. So, next time you catch me crying at a commercial, don't say a word!!!

What crazy thing did you cry at before or after being pregnant??

Our first crib incident...

What a day! Jacob has been sleeping in his crib since he was 2 weeks old. Yesterday, he turned six months (Happy Birthday Baby Boy!!!). Today was the first incident while napping. Jacob woke up into his morning nap and I knew he was still tired (he was quite grumpy!). So I worked on getting him back to sleep. I entered quietly, stuck the pacifier back in, and left. About the third time I had done this, all the sudden Jacob started screaming bloody murder.

I'm not sure how he figured out the more he screams the faster I come, but he was louder than I ever heard him. So, I knew something was wrong. As I entered the room a bit frantically, it took me a moment to identify the issue. And then I saw it. I saw the leg, peeking through the crib slats. No, it wasn't stuck. He just got it to the point he couldn't bring it back in. I promise, there was no injury!

So I removed the leg from the crib slat. I didn't even take a picture first! And he kept screaming. The danger was over, but he was still upset. So I did what any kind, caring mother would. I gave him his pacifier and left again. Looking back, it may not have been the kindest thing to do. Maybe I should have picked him up and cuddled him. And if he hadn't fallen back to sleep in 2 minutes, I would have! I think my main thought is that I don't want him to realize that screaming bloody murder will bring me in. I only want him to use it when it's true!!

What was your first crib incident???

I love my snuggle bunny...

Today was my first lunch date from my bad heart post. Thanks Karen!!! I have a few more to go... but it was SO much fun!! And I loved loved loved catching up! So while we were there, Jacob got really sleepy. You could tell he was struggling to keep his eyes open. It was so sweet! But he just couldn't get himself to go to sleep.

There is one way he'll sleep. Put him in the car and start rolling. By the time we were home, he was OUT. I woke him up to get him out of his car seat, and then put him right into his crib. It was that bit of transition time that was my favorite. He cuddled his head right into my neck and started snoring again. I did put him pretty quickly into the crib, but that moment of holding him sweetly was enough to get me through some of his crying today.

What is it about a sleeping, cuddly baby that just makes everything about the world right? And it also makes me feel like the most important thing I can ever do is protect him from everything. It makes me want to keep him home and away from troubles and sadness forever! I never want him to feel pain or have his hopes dashed. Yes, I know this is unrealistic. But something about that cuddly little baby makes me want to make sure he never hurts.

What was your favorite cuddle moment??

We missed out on all the fun!!

Because of the sniffles yesterday, we didn't go to MOPS. I was so sad! I literally kept watching the clock and thinking about what they were doing at that exact moment. And then when I heard great comments, I was so sad that I had no idea what they were talking about! Talk about a bummer...

I guess this is to be expected when your child is sick. But when it used to be just me, I never had to miss an event. It didn't matter if I had the sniffles. I guess the reason I miss things now is that my friends are mommies. And I know what it's like to have a sick child for the last month, and that is the LAST thing I want them to experience! Although I'm sure it's a good thing I'm doing, I just want to be with my mommies!

So it's time to invent some germ catcher so I can still go to MOPS. Some sort of tent covering that allows him to breathe but also allows him to come to every event I want too. Could you imagine seeing my kid under a tent? That would be pretty amusing for everyone but him. Don't worry, I'd make it clear so he could see out of it.

I always thought that only daycare babies got sick. So, since I stay at home and have no other children, Jacob should not be sick. I expected him to get his first cold at 5. Obviously that may have been a bit unrealistic, but in my mind it was quite lovely! Unfortunately I guess God didn't agree... haha!

What favorite event did you have to miss when your child was sick??

The runny nose of death...

Maybe a bit dramatic. My dear baby has had a cold for about a month. It seems to come and go. He's had a fever, cough, can't breathe, etc. And then it will mostly clear up. A few days later, back it comes! It's nasty!!!! It seems to be something that is going around right now, but that doesn't make it any easier to deal with.

The problem in our household is the runny nose. When I am congested, I love to clear my nasal airways so I can breathe again. My baby? He would rather have snot running down his face without any interference. The pediatrician told me no more nasal aspirator for a bit. I guess it's a little dry up there? So now we wait for the boogies to escape. Is this too detailed?? The problem is, no matter what way I choose to remove the snot/boogies, screaming ensues.

It's amazing how much an 18 lb (yep, he's a little chunker) can move and wriggle around just so he doesn't have to get nose cleaned. I don't even want to know what the neighbors think we're doing to him when we try to clean him out. My favorite thing? As soon as I have removed my torture device (aka kleenex), he is fine again. Laughing, giggling, smiling. He is such a stinker!!!

Does your child have this issue too?

I like my food HOT!

So there is a crazy phenomenon I've discovered between a husband and wife. In most cases, one person likes their food piping hot. The other wants it a tad colder. I discovered this approximately 3.5 years ago. The first time I pulled dinner out of the oven (yes, I do this on occasion), I tried to feed it to my husband quickly. His response?? "It's too hot" (usually said in a bit of a whiny voice). He then waits 10+ minutes and then will eat it.

I found out that this happens with other couples too. When we were at Thanksgiving, Josh's one cousin told her husband that the food was her husband's food-liking temperature. I guess I should be thankful. Because of this temperature issue, I can usually eat my food first while Josh watches Jacob, and then we switch while he eats his "cold" food. I can't tell you how much this boggles my mind, though! Really, who doesn't like their food super hot???

So for now, we eat about 10 minutes apart. And I continually yell at him that his food is getting cold. And he shrugs. Oh husband of mine. I guess in the end it's the bets of both worlds? We'll see what Jacob prefers when he grows older!!

Do you have this issue in your household??