Monday Sleepies and Sleep Dilemma

Weekends have become a little more familiar now that we have acclimated to having a baby around. We do most of our pre baby activities, but now we just plan (something we never do) and clump activities/errands around Nathaniel's eating schedule. This seems to be working for the most part. We actually make it to Home Depot or Costco now without much ado. Since my dad has been here we have taken Nate to several restaurants and I am starting to get a feel for how to do that as well. We even managed a bottle feeding, dart game and dinner at a sports bar the other night... yep I know 'a baby, a baby in a bar' ;) It was early and no smoking allowed.

The problem with all the action on the weekend is that by Monday the little guy is exhausted. I am not even sure why since he gets the same amount of sleep. I think it is because of all the extra stimulation. Just the looking around and observing all of the new places. That little baby brain is sucking in all the knowledge it can reasonably absorb. It probably is quite exhausting don't you think? Do you remember me mentioning he loves to look at ceiling fans? Well we took him to the fan department in Lowe's so he could look up at all of the fans there...funny huh. It was a cheap disneyland. He was in awe, I could tell by the look in his eyes! We did that awhile ago, we definitely need to go there again because I bet he would get an even bigger kick out of it. Anyway, Monday comes around and Nate is completely off schedule. He naps on occasion for what is a marathon amount of time for him, which throws off his entire eating schedule for 2/3 of the day. This is where I start having a mom dilemma. Maybe I could call it a dilemoma!

Do you let the baby keep sleeping and throw off his schedule for a day (at most two) thinking he needs the sleep or do you wake him up? I have tried both, but haven't felt strongly about either. If I wake him he tends to feed poorly since he isn't mentally into it. If he feeds poorly I figure what is the point. But, if he sleeps he is off schedule. I have kind of chosen to let him sleep since he does usually get back to his routine for the rest of the week. I always stand around staring at him while he sleeps with this dilemoma.

If he got enough sleep EVER I wouldn't hesitate to wake him, but he is still on the low side of sleep. BTW, my forced nap around 10am has been working for the most part and I have noticed a second sleepyish pattern in the late afternoon. Granted it is usually a short cat nap, but it is a start. Little Nate doesn't want to miss any daytime action I guess. Yep, me and the dogs are THAT exciting.

Grandpa Davis is Visiting

Nathaniel met his Grandpa Davis yesterday for the first time. The weather is real nice too so my dad has been able to enjoy Nashville. Overall, Nate has been in a pretty good mood and not at all fussy so the visit is going well. Granted our schedule revolves around the lil guy so it makes sightseeing difficult, but mostly he is here to hang and enjoy Nate's babbling and smiles. We took him to Bosco's, a brewery nearby, and he made it all the way through dinner without crying - Nate not my dad ;) It has been nice having an extra set of hands to carry the heavy car seat besides me just making Kevin do it. Today we went to a local winery and enjoyed a bottle of champagne to celebrate Nate, my dad's bday and just being able to visit. It was yummy.

Nate Note: Lately, Nate really enjoys doing something I like to call *Baby Jacks* These are basically jumping jacks, but done laying down and by a baby. I guess they kind of look like snow angels too. He gets a real kick out of himself when he gets going. He gets all excited and just does a bunch in a row and real fast.

I'm ready for a stroller ride!

His first successful Bumbo time without me holding him.

Not a Vampire

As I thought back over the last 3 3/4 months I realized something; this something should have me yelling *Thank you* from the rooftops to Nate. Even though he was all baby and had middle of the night feedings he pretty much has always been a night sleeper. Even when he wakes to feed in the middle of the night he goes back to sleep. There is definitely some wiggling, but overall a pretty quick trip to dreamland. Nowadays (knock on wood) he is sleeping from about 8/9pm until about 5/6am, which is great. Granted I'm not a morning person so 5/6 am feels REALLY foreign to me, but wow 9 hours of solid sleep is so great! And to top that off he usually will sleep for about another 2 hours after that early morning feeding YAY. I don't get quite as much sleep as Nate because I still go to bed around 11ish (not smart I know) I should be grabbing any sleep I can get. I learn my lesson on some days when I look and feel like a slug.

I should be thanking him though because I have heard horror stories of people up all night in those first few months. I did and will continue not to take Nate's non-vampirish ways for granted. I say non-vampirish because although he sleeps all night he doesn't sleep during the day. Kind of circle of logic isn't it. He probably sleeps so well at night because he doesn't sleep at all during the day. I don't get much done during the day because he doesn't like to nap, but I'd rather have him up during the day than at night. I am trying to track some sleepy periods during the day with the hope that I can start to force a nap a day. I'll keep you updated on my success. Even my friend Kelly was like - wow he really doesn't sleep. You'd think he'd be all grumpy because he'd be tired during the day, but he isn't really (I'm thankful for that too). Now I'd be remiss if I didn't mention his *cat naps*. He does take a cat nap or two or three after eating. He will lay on my lap and sleep for about 20-30 min. I just let him since this is the only other sleep he really gets.

Side Note: Why are they called cat naps and not dog naps. You should see how many naps my dogs take! I'm going to google that and report back :)

Anyway, back to sleeping. Since he rolls now he does toss and turn a bit and is sleeping more on his stomach and side, which partly terrifies me. I'm constantly checking to make sure he can breathe. This new development may change his sleeping patterns (and mine since I wake up to check on him - sub conscious I guess), but I have my fingers crossed that it doesn't and I'd be thankful if you cross your fingers for me too.

So THANKS Nate for letting your mom and dad grab some much needed shut eye!

Snaps, Zippers ....

You don't realize how little you know about baby clothes until you face reality. I've always been in the position of buying cute stuff for other peoples babies, but never my own so I really didn't consider reality. For sure I never considered whether something buttoned, zipped or snapped. I never considered if the outfit was one piece, two or three. I never considered how much material would be around the neck area collecting baby goo and gunk. I never considered the bulkiness of things and how squishing a baby in to a car seat is hard with bulky layers of clothes. I am lucky that other moms (or experienced friends and family) bought me some clothes that a new mom like me would quickly learn to appreciate.

First, there is nothing better than a quick zipper in the middle of the night. When it is dark in the room and you are tired that zipper is the best. Pair a zipper with a blanket material sleeper outfit and you can't help but feel like your baby is comfortable and snuggly quick. Zippers always make a diaper change quick and it is fun to make a bit of a fun sound as you zip it up. A funny sound always brings a smile to lil Nathaniel. So you wonder why isn't everything made with zippers?

Well, my thought is a zipper adds a certain casualness to outfits. Because of this I see why snaps are necessary and also very popular. Snaps are so classy :) The outfit looks a little more put together without the distraction of a zipper line down the middle. Some of my most favorite outfits for him have snaps so they are inevitable. Having said that there is nothing more annoying then missing a snap and not realizing it until 10 snaps later and you have to unsnap everything and start over. It becomes especially challenging when you have a boy that LOVES LOVES LOVES to kick the whole time you change him. We are suppose to be building Nate's fine motor skills, but I think mine are being fine tuned with the snaps. You do become like a master snapper after a month or two. I am pretty sure I went years upon years without even snapping one snap and now I'm pretty sure I snapped 1 million snaps. Also, if you don't kind of hold the material just right and you snap crooked the outfit looks wonky. Granted sometimes you are like... 'ah, it looks fine' and leave it looking wonky.

Now when an outfit snaps or zips in half it becomes even easier. Anything that doesn't have to go over that baby head seems to be easier. Kevin disagrees with me on this one and thinks both are about equal to put on so I'm thinking it is just me and I stink at it. When I am putting an outfit over Nate's head I usually look down and it sort of looks like he is in a baby straight jacket. I then struggle to get his arms in the arm holes. haha. Maybe I should have played with more dolls when I was younger!! (makes me wonder if Kevin did LOL) 

One thing I do know is that putting on clothes is always more fun if you make sounds and goofy faces so I entertain Nate by being consistently goofy. Also, I'm pretty sure that the most adorable outfits can be some of the most challenging to put on...but too bad because baby Nate has to be at his handsome best at all times!!

4th Appt - More Shots :(

Stats

9/30 - He was born and was 21 inches tall and 8 lbs 7 oz
10/11 - He was 11 days old and was 21 inches tall and 8 lbs 9 oz
10/24 - He was 3 and 3/7 wks old and was 21 3/4 inches tall and 9 lbs 9 oz
12/1 - He is 2 months old and 24 inches tall and 11 lbs 10 oz

1/20 - He is 3 1/2 months old and 25 3/4 inches tall and 14 lbs 8 oz

Nathaniel had his routine 4 month appointment on Friday (the appt where you get another set of shots). We moved the appt up a bit for two reasons 1) My dad is coming to town when we had the appt originally scheduled and we were worried Nate would be fussier than normal and 2) Nate's rash on his stomach spread to his cheek. We thought the rash on his stomach was due to irritation from tummy time, but a couple of days ago one of his cheeks started turning red so we figured we better get him in to see Dr. Townsend. 

Overall, Nate was once again deemed to be a pretty healthy little guy. As you can see from his stats he is growing and growing. The rash is most likely a case of eczema. He has fair skin like me and Kevin and with the heater on a lot and the weather being cold his skin is potentially getting too dry causing the eczema. Doctors orders were to use a new cleanser to bathe him with and to put lotion on him 2 times a day. Both the lotion and cleanser are noncomedogenic and fragrance free. He isn't a huge fan of me rubbing lotion on his face. I do think it is helping though... time will tell.

Now on to the shots - Yep they were as bad as last time. It stinks to watch him just immediately wail and turn bright red :( My friend Kelly said it doesn't get any easier and that watching your kid get shots stinks regardless (bummer!) It is a good thing Kevin comes so that I'm not the one that has to hold his little legs down to get the shots in his thighs.

The 6th month appt is March 30th I think.. kind of funny since that seems like exactly 6 months being that he was born on the 30th.. we didn't do that on purpose.

His new favorite sleeping position.
When he is tired of flipping he ends up like this.

Post nap - one happy guy

New Development

Nathaniel still hates tummy time, but he can't stop trying to roll. He accomplished a back to front roll today. He is even sleeping on his side ... funny guy. Now every time he is laying down he is rolling over. The little guy is so goofy though because once he is over he gets a little frustrated. He hasn't quite realized that he can roll back over like he did the other day. It is like he can only have one direction in his mind at a time. Today was all back ---> tummy. Here is a video of this milestone.

Some Pictures

Kelly, Nate and I in the nursery

Kelly and Nate

Squeaky Clean

Drying off after bathtime

A Milestone, plus a visitor

I clearly have't blogged for a bit... But for a very good reason - my best friend is visiting. She (Kelly) is in town from Las Vegas. This is the Kelly mentioned in an earlier blog who was one of the first people to find out I was pregnant. I couldn't wait for her to meet Nathaniel and luckily she was able to fly out here. We have been able to do a few things, but it is mostly hanging out chit chatting and smiling at little Nate (hopefully she isn't too bored)!! I have known Kelly since the 8th grade so it feels a lot like having family visit. It means a lot to me that she was excited to come see him. I am pretty sure that she had given up on us having a kid like everyone else :)

Nate Note - This evening, with Kelly as a witness, Nate rolled from his stomach to his back twice. We were playing with him in his crib. He was trying to get over onto his stomach so I gave him a little tummy time. He was holding his head up pretty well and doing a good job. All of a sudden he flipped himself over. I put him on his tummy again and he repeated the flip. Woo hoo little guy woo hoo

Picasso Body Proportions

Pablo Picasso was known for several things in the art world, but one is his part in creating the Cubist movement. Cubism art usually breaks things up and reassembles images in distorted ways. It is this crazy reassembly of images that makes me think of body proportions. After being pregnant you think a lot about your pre and post body proportions. I'll admit I have a little less in some places and a little more in others, but overall I couldn't be happier and don't really have too many complaints. It isn't my own body proportions I want to talk about though... it is Nate's. Baby bodies are hilarious when you think of them as compared to grown up bodies. Kevin and I laugh quite often when Nate does something that makes the proportions even more noticeable.

There are two that stand out the most to me. First, is arm length. You notice the arm length the most when he does his post sleep baby stretches. He reaches as far and high above his head as he can and just stretches. Well, although he is stretching as far as he can, his arm length barely clears his head. Try it yourself, reach above your head... see how high your arms go... making this baby proportion a little funny. Over the past few weeks we have noticed his arms are getting a little longer, but they have a ways to go before being the standard proportion.


Second, is that super kissable belly. Man, does that cute belly look big. It is like he swallowed a ball. One thing that really cracks us up is when you put baby pants on him. For some reason, no matter what, Nate looks like an old man baby. His pants get pulled above the belly and it makes us chuckle every time. If you pair old man baby pants with a polo shirt and leave the polo shirt unbuttoned he then looks like a 'Soprano'. Add some chest hair and a gold chain and wah-la. Anyway, I digressed, regardless that belly proportion has Picasso written all over it. I sometimes say in a sweet happy voice, "How is my chumba wumba?" and kiss his belly. It almost always provokes an excited smile or reaction from Baby Nate.


A distant third is those baby calves. They are so skinny (and a little curved). This brings me to another subject... I still ponder why newborn socks have gripper bottoms. In what situation would a baby be in to possibly require a better grip on the floor. I sort of get it as they start trying to turn or crawl or 'inch worm' their way somewhere, but in that first month or two I think gripper socks are only for over achievers ;)


Nate Note: The Elvis. The Elvis look has its roots with Kona. Kona has always had this look where one of her lips gets stuck up by her gums. We always say to her, "Thank you, thank you very much" in our best (probably bad) Elvis impression. Or fittingly sing.."I ain't nothing but a hound dog, barking all the time" Kona probably has an Elvis moment at least once a day. Well, to keep up with family traditions Nate does *The Elvis* as well. See the picture below of Nate's Elvis. I still have to get a good pic of Kona doing the Elvis and then I'll post it. When Nate was a week or two old me and my sister would say he was giving us the 'Popeye', but the popeye eventually turned in to *The Elvis*. The Popeye, as you would guess, was where he would look at you with only one eye open. His tear ducts were a little goopy at first so we think the goo sometimes kept his eye shut, regardless he looked like popeye. The Elvis is a much cuter, healthier look :)

This pic is a little older, but it is the best *Elvis* we've captured

This isn't quite Kona's Elvis, but it is a funny lip pic

 

A Couple of Milestones

One of the best things about having a baby is watching them learn things we completely take for granted. Nathaniel is only 3 months old so there hasn't been a ton of milestones to complete, but he is working hard on several things. 

He has really enjoyed mastering the 'half roll'. The half roll is usually on his right side. He doesn't quite know how to get farther than that yet. He gets real frustrated though that he isn't able to roll over completely. You can tell he is frustrated because he just grunts and groans. It is different than his cries. When he looks like he is in one of his 'half roll' moods we usually help him flip all the way over. If you remember from an earlier post... tummy time... is bummer time... this is still the case. It is funny that he tries so hard to flip over and then pretty much hates it once he is over. I guess that is the beauty of not thinking ahead, you just keep trying regardless. Mocha is like this too. He never thinks of the consequences of his actions. For example, Mocha will just jump across gaps and hope for the best. I guess what is on the other side is usually worth it?!? For right now the 'half roll' tends to move him around the pack n play clockwise. We will lay him down at say a 9 o clock position and sometimes when you check back in on him he is at 12 o clock. I am waiting for the time I walk over to Nate's bed and find him on his stomach unaided by us.
 

In an effort to be mobile, Nate tries other methods of movement. He does a lot of what I call 'inch worming' his way across the bed. I have to place him towards the bottom of the pack n play so that if he 'inch worm's' up he doesn't crunch his neck too quickly. It is kind of funny to watch. It is like an itty bitty back bend wormy movement.

Another milestone is that Nate has definitely discovered his hands. They are no longer clinched 24/7 (man is it hard to clean clenched fists). He is starting to get his hand/eye coordination down. There is definitely some hit and misses as his brain puts one and one together, but overall the progress is really great. When he was first moving his hands around unclenched it looked like he was putting fishing lures on a rod or conducting an orchestra. He would make these swirly yet repetitive motions in the air. Once he figured out those swirly things were his hands he started to try and use them. His first goal was to get those hands in his mouth. When he was first trying to do this he'd just punch himself in the face over and over and over .... funny to watch, but sad too. His aim is pretty good now and he puts his fingers in his mouth A LOT. He also rubs his eyes with the back of his hand now, I love seeing that little palm.

Nate is figuring out he can touch other stuff with those hands too. The jungle gym mat has become more interesting since he has moved on to batting at things hanging above him. If he can reach the toys he actually hits them. He loves to grasp rings and burp clothes (and my hair when I forget to put it up). He can even grab the rings and put them in his mouth without just shoving them in his face (huge accomplishment for the little guy). One thing he hasn't quite realized is that if you just let go of something it disappears unless you can go get it yourself. He doesn't really look for things he dropped. It is like he forgets he was holding it. I guess that will be one of the next brain connections. The rings we have been giving him are always attached to something so that he can actually keep grabbing them and letting them go.

It has been a real kick too to see him stick his feet straight in to the air. He will do it like 30 times in a row. I wish I was doing that 30 times in a row I'd probably have some nice stomach muscles. I can only assume he is figuring out those feet are his so stay tuned for more leg/body coordination...

When he accomplishes a lot of these things I like to motivate him by celebrating with a *baby clap* It is similar to a golf clap. I hold my palms together and just clap with my fingers. He stares and gets excited. I especially celebrate after tummy time! He does hold his head up and look both ways during tummy time, but doesn't really like to do any baby push ups yet. Maybe that will be the next thing I report on. Or maybe the next thing will be a baby giggle (we think he is on the verge of letting out some giggles)

Nate Note: We had our first coffee date today. Besides a trip to Cracker Barrel in late Oct, Nate has not really gone any place where you just sit. He is usually moving around in a stroller or cart. He really likes motion and usually cries if you stay in one place for too long. I thought I'd give it a try today and so Nate and I met my friend Meredith at Starbucks. First of all, I don't usually have to carry the carseat very far, but today I carried it in to Starbucks instead of using the stroller. Those things are HEAVY and not at all easy to carry. Ok, back to our coffee date. After I carried the 100 pound carseat in, we sat, chatted and had coffee. Nate just sat in Meredith's arms and took the whole scene in. Besides a drool or spit up here or there he just enjoyed himself. One pregnant girl even came up to us and asked how old he was because it made her feel good to see a calm baby (or something like that).... haha ... we had her fooled. All I know is that I'm pretty sure Nate likes Starbucks too.. YaY

Nice or Annoying?

I am catching up on some holiday topics... so please forgive the timeliness. :)
 

There is one thing that people always do at Starbucks near the holidays. Do other fellow Starbucks addicts know what I'm going to say? It is always in the drive thru. Someone will pay for the person's order in the car behind them. This is a seemingly nice gesture because that person has now bought his order plus the person's behind him. BBBUUTTT, what happens is now the person who got the free order feels obligated to buy the order of the person behind him... so this goes on and on until somebody just accepts the free order and breaks the chain. At first it sort of seems like a nice thing - the original thought is nice. The original starter indeed gave something away, but I always feel bad for the person that ordered a regular coffee (~$2) and then offers to pay for the person behind him who ordered 2 sandwiches and 2 fancy latte's (~$16). In the end only the first person and the last of the chain really gain anything. I did try and think deeper... maybe the person who breaks the chain really needed the few extra bucks...This would make the chain meaningful since everyone just buys the order until the chain gets to the person actually in need. BBBUUUTT, you probably aren't in line at sbux if you really needed to save those few bucks so that theory was quickly crushed.

Anyway, because I can't figure out a better theory I always get a little annoyed by this holiday sbux holiday tradition. Maybe I just feel bad because we are usually the $16 dollar people buying a $2 coffee for the person behind us. Kevin on the other hand doesn't mind it at all. He said it feels like the holidays. He feels good buying someone else's order. Maybe it is just me. Maybe I'm really a Ba Humbug. What do you guys think?

On a side note - going through the sbux drive through is essential since I really enjoy peppermint mochas during the holidays. The Christmas season starts once I have that heartwarming drink. Kind of like fall starts once I have a pumpkin spice donut from Dunkin Donuts YUMMY! The sbux on carothur's actually knows me and Nate. Nate is a regular before he can even drink hot chocolate. They (they being only a girl or two that usually man the drive thru) watched me grow through the pregnancy and were excited once I had Baby Hahm. They know the dogs too!

Nate Note: Sometimes Nathaniel's baby babble sounds like other words. It is fun to try and pick a similar phrase or word and then repeat it back to him. One of our favorites is when his babble sounds like "Ohhhh Yeah". This one happens a lot.

In my new outfit from Grandma Hahm

Looking stylish in my new peacoat and shirt from Aunt Krista. 
He looks like a baby lawyer :) I love it!!

Resolutions

First, I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a joyous New Year!! We sure did. Well, I was asleep by 10pm on New Years so basically the only one awake at midnight was Kevin. Even the dogs were asleep on the couch with me. The holidays with an infant is a new type of celebrating :)

One piece of good news is that I have my new computer battery, which is a nice way to start out 2012. I know, I know... I am basically a stranger, it has been FOREVER since I blogged. Quick summary - my hair seems to still be falling out in bushels - BOO!!!, Nate is still not sleeping during the day (no daytime naps-well he takes a cat nap or two on my lap), Dogs have been enjoying nice weather, Kona has figured out how to get in through the baby gate and now out of it as well, Kevin and I could still use more sleep... uummmm that just scratches the surface. I have been jotting down all of the things I want to blog about and my list is getting quite long. I figured I'd throw those blog teasers out though just to get things started in the new year. Now on to today's topic - resolutions.

This is the time of year everyone sets the tone for themselves for the upcoming year. They set the tone by deciding what resolutions they want to achieve. I myself have never been a resolution type gal. I always just go with the flow, I figure I should already be trying to do stuff I want to do every day, right? I know there are flaws with this method. One flaw is that it is nice to refresh your life vision once a year, I get that. It is hard to move forward if you have no way of knowing if you are moving forward rather than sideways or backwards. This is where a once a year assessment is helpful. Not that sideways is necessarily a bad thing and maybe backwards isn't always bad either (sometimes with a stick shift you have to roll backwards before you actually move forward). Another flaw is that maybe I don't achieve as much because I haven't thought about 'reach' resolutions. A 'reach' resolution is one that would be tremendous to have happen, but probably out of reach. There is the realist in me - I guess I should never consider anything 'out of reach'... yada yada... unicorns and leprechauns exist too ;)

Ok, well if I'm being totally honest, Kevin and I do have at least one conversation where we talk about some things we'd like to do or do better in the upcoming year. I guess we have some loosey goosey resolutions. Maybe one of mine should be not to use the phrase loosey goosey...nah...it is fun to say. The usual suspects are always discussed: 1) Be healthier whether through eating, exercise or mental happiness. 2) Be kinder to everything, strangers, animals, your spouse, yourself. 3) Be more organized 4) Volunteer, read more, drink less caffeine, stop picking your nose in your car (this is still considered a public place). I threw the last one in to see if you were still reading (if you didn't see this maybe you should add 'Don't rush through things' to your resolution list :) haha. Anyway, you get the point. I always hope to become a better, happier, more giving person each year and I really hope I try every day to achieve that through whatever means necessary.

That being said, I did tell Kevin one of my goals for 2012 was to 'keep the kid alive'. I figure I am so green at taking care of an infant that if I can just do everything in my power to help the little guy survive that would be a great goal. Kevin did not like that goal at all. He was like," that is as high as you set your sights - just keeping him alive. I expect more" hhhhmmm I guess he is right. My new goal is to make him a baby genius (wink, wink).... hhhmmm that might be a 'reach' resolution.. I take that back he can definitely be a genius, I did buy him the infant chemistry set for Christmas and a periodic table to stare at in his crib.

Someone posted this quote from the Arizona Republic on facebook today and I thought it was worth sharing.  Whatever resolutions you have or have not set I wish you the very best 2012 has to offer.  **cheers** to the new year.

"Enough with the guilt-ridden 'I must fix my life' New Year's resolutions. They don't help. There's nothing wrong with you. Sure, pick a goal. Do it. You're capable. But no more beating yourself up. Take a breath. See the good in yourself. The phrase is not 'have a guilty new year.' The biggest word in 'happy new year' is 'happy.'" - Diane Porter, The Arizona Republic

This is Nate celebrating the Packers win today

No Santa Tracker Here

Nathaniel is a little too young to understand Christmas this year, but maybe next year. That doesn't mean we didn't have him in several holiday themed outfits throughout the month. Onesies with penguins and reindeer are just too cute to pass up. We read Twas the night before Christmas and Santa Claus is coming to town tonight to him before bed. Yep, he basically talked through both stories (cute as always) We will read polar Express tomorrow :) He was a very good boy in church tonight. There was a time or two I thought he might start talking when the pastor was talking... that might have been a little funny - he didn't though.

I hope to blog a bit more soon (at least every other day) I am getting a new computer battery, YAY. My battery dies so quick now so it makes it hard to have Nathaniel and blog. Anyway, look for more blogging after the new year Woo Hoo.

Here is a pic or two from tonight. I need to get back to my egg nog and A Christmas Story.  Merry Christmas Eve to everyone.

Story Time

Every night before bed Kevin or I (mostly Kevin so he can have daddy time) read a story or two or three to Nathaniel. We are reading Christmas stories to him this month. There are a few in the book that I have never heard of, but most of the stories are good ol' classics. When Kevin is reading to Nate I am usually sitting in the family room. The family room is close enough to the master bedroom that I can sort of hear what is going on during story time. It is the cutest thing. I can hear Kevin reading the first story ... then I can hear him start the second story. It is about this time that Nathaniel starts talking. He talks so much during the story. It is so cute. So basically I can hear Kevin reading the story, but also talking back to Nate. Apparently, the little dude has A LOT to say at the end of the day. I always think he is going to be too hyper to go to bed after all of the talking, but (knock on wood) he usually goes to sleep. I just love hearing the baby babble during story time with dad.

The other day I had a *Nate Note* about how he sleeps - I managed to get a picture today.  I didn't realize how loud the camera was until I took the picture.  He sort of made a monkey noise, but fell back to sleep THANKFULLY.

Tummy Time = Bummer Time

We have not even come close to giving Nathaniel the recommended amount of tummy time. We are slackers when it comes to this... You are suppose to do it a lot and from the moment you get home from hospital. The poor little guy will never develop his neck muscles and motor skills if we have anything to do with it.

I have been so bad about it because he looks so miserable doing tummy time. He just lays there on his face and cries :( I position his arms and stuff to help him, but he is still so sad. Plus, he almost always spits up when he is on his stomach. So then he is crying laying in his own spit up. This is not a pretty scene. I'd rather have him on his back smiling at me. I have tried various time frames after eating to see if it would help with the spit up, but so far he still does it no matter what. It is like a mine field of wet spots by the time we are done with tummy time.

I bought a tummy time exercise mat to help, but he isn't liking that much more. It is a little cloth surf board with a chest pillow to help him build up his arms (baby push ups) and neck muscles. Hopefully after a couple more times he will like it more.

As he is getting older we are stepping up our efforts - even though it is a big **bummer** of a time for everyone. I'm sure we didn't help ourselves by not getting him used to it early on - wish us (and Baby Nate) some big time, tummy time luck!

Holiday Hoopla

An action *sleepy* shot from our Christmas photo shoot

Well, its official, it is nearly impossible for me to get done what I want for the holidays.  Granted I love the holidays and maybe got a little too ambitious in my head.  What sounds great and what is doable are two very different things with a 2 month old in the house.  Cards, stuff for Nate for his FIRST Christmas, baking, shopping, watching cheesy holiday movies, decorating, crafts.... it is hard to squeeze that into 15 minutes of free time a day LOL.  So far I've watched 2 cheesy holiday movies and sort of shopped.  

My shopping can best be described as quick little whirlwinds.  Once Nathaniel goes down for the night at around 7 or 8 I run out super quick to a store or two.  The problem with late night shopping is that by this time I'm actually starting to get tired and lazy so I fade out REAL quick. (I know this doesn't sound like me because normally late night is when I'm at my best - my night owl ways have been considerably changed since Baby Nate)  Kevin and I did run to a few places this weekend and Nate actually didn't mind, he was pretty content.  If I'm being completely honest some of our shopping goes like this now...  If it is a <10 min shopping task and I just have to run in, grab something and go, Kevin drops me off and circles with Nate so that he stays sleeping or at least not crying.  I then text and get picked back up.  There is no lolly gagging in this method.  Truth be told this may be some of Kevin's favorite holiday shopping since he doesn't actually have to shop.  I'm sure he prefers driving around to shopping in crowds ;)

You might think I'd be taking full advantage of internet shopping then - That seems logical and smart, right?  I have had 3 different *good deals* in my carts at various stores that have gone away.  I missed out because once I got around to getting my credit card it was too late.  Something will come up (maybe Nate is hungry, etc.) so I leave the computer come back and my deals are gone.  

I'll be the first one to tell you my time management is hovering around a C+.  Although I'm getting a lot better.  I am certainly learning my way around Nate and it is becoming easier to time showers and eating etc since I can read his moods better.  We have had better outings too since I kind of know whether he is going to cry the whole time or maybe be ok.  A lot is dependent on if there are raspberry sounds and if he gets heavy eyed on my drive around the neighborhood before headed towards stores.  He still does NOT like to be stopped at any point in the car (I don't know if I mentioned this yet).  If we are at a red light the waterworks start, then they stop as you drive again.  This makes shopping in the crowded area of Cool Springs where I live very hard during the holidays.  He has to be asleep or on the verge to make it through all of the lights and traffic delays because of the crowds.  Too many stops and we are pretty much headed home because the crying just escalates.  Nate is a big fan of constant motion.

The baking is a challenge because if Nate does get up or gets cranky in the middle of a recipe I can't just leave the baking stuff sitting around. Hooligan Mocha would eat everything and it would be a disaster :)  He is lucky he is a cuddly dude.  Actually I think dogs and babies are so super cute just so you forget anything bad that they do.  If Nate smiles I forget all the crying from the previous hour.  Just like if Mocha lays his head on my lap and snuggles I forget he just ran off with my shoe.  That is their genetic trick... or I'm just a sucker.  Probably the latter.

Nate Note:  One thing Nate has been obsessed with since he could see them is ceiling fans.  He started staring at them almost right when he got home from the hospital.  I remember he looked at them when my sister was here, which was when he was still only a week or two old.  The fan isn't on or anything either.  I think it is the contrast of the roof and fan blades.  He likes the big star shape.  If you are holding him and turn away from the fan he will strain to try and see it again.  We thought maybe it was just the fan in our room, but he is equally excited about the one in the family room.  He will even giggle to himself when he looks at it, I'm not sure what is so exciting to him, but he cracks himself up.  I made a few flashcards with shapes and happy faces for him and I added a shape similar to the fan and he likes that too.  Although the yellow happy face is what he most enjoys from the flash cards (I just used sticky back foam sheets and cardstock and created the flashcards)   

Kona a.k.a. Houdini

It has been awhile since I updated everyone on the status of how the dogs are doing around Nathaniel. The dogs are doing GREAT. As a matter of fact we are all getting used to sleeping in the same room again. 4 of us in the bed and little Nathaniel in his pack n play. For awhile I had Nathaniel sleeping in a little bassinet on the bed. It was easier for me with the c section stuff and he liked the vibration and the hammocky feeling so he slept better. Also, I couldn't chance the dogs jumping or sleeping on my belly after the surgery so it was just easier if the dogs slept somewhere else. To keep the dogs from whining too much Kevin slept with them in another room. Sleeping with us has been their routine for years and years so I expected them to whine since they are creatures of habit. Kevin was getting more sleep this way anyway for work since I was getting up several times for Nate.

Well, Nate is now sleeping only in his pack n play and I feel almost healed so our sleep routine is back to normal. Granted I shoosh the dogs a bit more than I used to when Nate is sleeping. They really could care less when I get up to take care of him. I'm not sure they even really wake up anymore. I can even feed Nate right next to them and they don't even move they just sleep.

This isn't to say Mocha doesn't like to super sniff Nate on occasion (especially when he poops) and I have to constantly dog proof the room. Mocha finds every abandoned binky or burp rag or sock. Kona mostly just likes to lick Nate's feet and be near us. Overall, our little family is blending nicely.

There is one thing Kona has learned that I think is quite smart. Weimaraners are known for their escape skills. Usually if you enclose a weimaraner it will find a way out or at least try very very hard to get out. Well, in a past post I mentioned we have a baby gate in the doorway of the master bedroom. This comes in handy when Nate is napping or I just want to keep the dogs out during the day for some reason. I tend not to latch the gate since you have to press down etc to get out and it is just easier to swing the door especially if I'm holding Nate. The door swings out from the room so usually when the dogs try to get in they end up latching the door so no worries, right? Well, my Houdini Kona has figured out how to open the door if it isn't latched. She nudges it slightly with her nose and gets it to open a little (remember the door opens out so this is pretty smart for her) then she nudges it some more and gets her head in there. She then bumps it open with her head and slithers in. The first time she did this I wasn't even paying attention, but all of a sudden I was like 'WHAT, how are you in here' then I watched the next time. She is sneaky. She only comes in if I'm in there. It is so funny. She just wants to be by us.

See how Mocha (yep Mocha is there he is a lil hard to see) and Kona just sleep. 
Nate is playing on his jungle mat and they could care less.

**I thought I would start something called 'Nate Note's' - this will be little memories or notes (Natisms) that I don't want to forget. **

Nate Note: We can tell he is really sleeping if he assumes a certain position. He lays with his head facing left, his arms stretched out on both sides of his head and his legs bent at the knees, but flat against the bed. If you touch your hands to your head and touch the bottoms of your feet together that is pretty much the position. He pretty much sleeps like this all night no matter when you check on him. BUT, only if he is in a deep sleep, which is still very rare during the day.

Going Bald

Am I going bald? (knock on wood). Seriously, I'm losing hair like I am growing a winter coat like Kona and Mocha. I was expecting to lose hair since everyone talks about it and it is written about everywhere, but boy it is a little scary. If this keeps up I'll have to have a comb over in the front to cover the holes. I know in my mind that I'm just losing the hair that didn't fall out due to a change in hormones during pregnancy. Logic and fact states that this hair is supposedly the hair that would have fallen out had I not been pregnant. I guess my head just kept it longer and now that I'm not pregnant it falls out. But, as I look at what falls out I am pretty sure the math doesn't add up on that theory. I'm not joking about the comb over ;)

On a side note I am wondering to myself 'why do pregnant women need extra hair'?  Why is hair retention one of the things triggered by pregnancy?'  I know vitamins etc. contribute, but it is a little strange. It isn't like you need to keep your head warmer or something for the babies health.. anyway .. 

I guess I better get used to all good things must come to an end. The nice pregnancy side effects anyway. It isn't just the hair, my glowing skin isn't as glowing either. I did enjoy a nicer complexion with Baby Nate growing inside of me. I'm assuming I won't be able to smell as good here soon too. I like having a super sniffer (Kevin not so much - he is probably ready for me not to be able to smell from across the room what kind of beer and appetizer he had after work). I'll probably have to stop wearing sweatpants here soon too because now I am just starting to look lazy, the c section excuse is wearing thin - haha

I'm not sure if Baby Nate is going to like to hang out with a bald and pimply mom who can't smell and wears the same sweat outfit every other day (j/k it is probably every third day) ...hhhmmm ;)

Nate is all ready to go Christmas shopping.  He is all decked out in the Reindeer outfit my mom gave him. 
Look at the reindeer feet

2 Month Appt - :( SHOTS

Nathaniel seems to be healthy so that is always nice to hear at these appointments. Here are his stats since he started having appts.
 

9/30 - He was born and was 21 inches tall and 8 lbs 7 oz
10/11 - He was 11 days old and was 21 inches tall and 8 lbs 9 oz
10/24 - He was 3 and 3/7 wks old and was 21 3/4 inches tall and 9 lbs 9 oz
12/1 - He is 2 months old and 24 inches tall and 11 lbs 10 oz

The one thing that is still a little off is his sleep. Dr. Townsend would like us to try and make sure he gets a bit more sleep during the day and also make sure he sleeps after the evening (6 or 7 pm) feeding (even if we have to let him cry a little longer than normal). He does seem to sleep after the next feeding, which is usually around 9 or 10pm ish, but all the feedings earlier than this it is a bit of a struggle to get him to sleep. I still think he just takes after me and doesn't require much sleep; although I wish he'd cry less if that was the case ;)

He did get his shots - ALL FOUR of them :( Yes, I was teary eyed. His face turned so red it looked like Christmas. His thighs look like little baby pin cushions. The silver lining of seeing him in so much pain is now I know what that cry looks like if something is wrong with him. Having 3 shots and one oral seems like a lot of medical stuff to have put in his tiny little body all at once. I didn't do a ton of research on the shots because I knew if I read all of the pro and cons for vaccines I'd confuse myself. I am definitely pro vaccines for the most part, but I'm not always sure if we are overdoing it. Reading all of the side effects etc. is daunting and scary. I know that Kevin and I both had vaccines and didn't have adverse reactions so I am hoping he isn't allergic to anything as well. Granted vaccines have gotten quite a bit more pure since our day (which is a great thing). I'm not even sure if we got the same vaccines. As always I lean towards the side of medical science and think the positive technological advances substantially outweigh the negatives. However, I do keep a skeptical eye and sometimes follow the theory of, 'leave nature alone and let it do it's thing'. Regardless, it was hard to watch my cute little guy be so red! I guess this is one of the first times my heart was aching for my child - that parental **hurt** you feel when you are connected to something you love so much.

Anyway, here is a quick video to make you smile and a pic of Kona standing watch over Nate. I am pretty sure Kona is already claiming Nate as her own little guy to protect in the family.

Regular Day and Socks

Thanksgiving is over so Kevin is back at work. Plus, my mom left.  I was getting used to her being around during the day when Kevin was working.   So today felt like a boring Monday. The dogs are complaining too, not only has it rained all day so they are bored, but my mom showers them with love and they are feeling *lonely*.  Also, who am I suppose to take with me on super quick trips to stores? Who is going to rock, walk and talk to Nate when I do a few things around the house? Needless to say I am missing the company of my mom; I wish she lived closer. It had been awhile since she had been around a baby, but I think all of the baby skills came back quickly. I'm sure she misses seeing that baby face everyday :(
 

One thing I thought was really funny is that Kevin's mom always thought Nate looked cold and so did my mom... I have decided that maybe this was a grandma thing haha!! My mom would say ..'maybe he needs a blanket on his legs' once I put a blanket on she would say, 'see he looks a lot more comfy'.

This brings me to a somewhat clunky transition to the topic of socks. Yes, it is a transition since socks keep you warm, right? Anyway, while Nathaniel still runs hot (like his mom) his feet do get cold at night.  Because of this we try and put socks on more (unless of course he fell asleep without them because we don't chance waking him up). Side Note: This kid still doesn't get enough sleep during the day (~ 16 hrs is what he is suppose to get and he usually gets several hours less)  Ok back to socks. Nathaniel kicks a lot. It doesn't matter if they are excited happy kicks or grumpy kicks of fury. He always looks like he is marching or headed somewhere. This constant kicking movement really tests whether or not a pair of socks is on for good or just for looks. We do find a sock here or there and luckily Mocha hasn't eaten one of them.... lucky lucky.  Not all socks are created equal and a lot don't pass the kick test for sure.  So far the best ones I have bought have been the Target brand ones.  These ones are pretty basic, but they stay on longer. 

Now I do have a beef with the variety of socks offered. There is only like 3 colors offered in boy socks. Even at target there is a whole end aisle of socks and they are 85% girl colors. I can get grey, white or red.. (and I'm pretty sure the white and red were for girls too) I don't even think there was a blue. But, every other sock or sock pack is blue socks. Some green would be nice or tan perhaps. Maybe it is the girl in me, but he looks cute if his socks sort of match his adorable onesies ;) Side Note: It is hard to cover those super cute baby feet - baby feet are the best, they are so so small.

Nathaniel's 2 month appt is Thurs - the dreaded ** shots ** :(

Grandma Johnson and Nathaniel

Nathaniel stares at Kevin endlessly when he holds him in this position
Nate loves it (and so does Kevin)

He looks so small in his swing