Saturday, December 27, 2008

Merry and Bright

Long time, no blog. This past week was MADNESS. The holidays are always a super busy time for us and when you add a nearly 4 month old into the mix it just turns into complete chaos. We learned a lot this past week. Some of the big lessons include the fact that Mason STILL hates the car (we drove a lot), doesn't do well with commotion/loud people/lots of people, and Mason does not adapt to a change in his routine well. I guess I will give the kid a break because he is only 4 months old but it definitely made for a tiring week.

I will try to post lots of pictures of Mason's first Christmas soon - and there are a lot since Paul got me a new camera, PAUL GOT ME A NEW CAMERA!! Now I just have to wait for him to re-install my Photoshop so I can make the photos look all purdy and worthy of your eyes.

I certainly hope everyone had a wonderful holiday, it is hard to believe that a year ago yesterday I peed on a stick and now I have a baby! A Christmas-ham-of-a-baby. Look for another blog hopefully soon!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Q & A

I cannot believe how close it is getting to Christmas already! Mason and I have been so busy getting every one's gifts ready. I did want to answer some of the questions I received from the last post before everything gets too crazy:

What do you do to try to calm him down in the car? Music? Rattles? Would love to hear more about that in a future post.

What haven't I tried? I have my iPod loaded with Rockabye Baby lullabies, I have sat in the backseat with him (obviously not while driving), hung Jacques the Peacock where he can see him, sang to him, adjusted the straps on his car seat...EVERYTHING. The only thing that ever seems to calm him down is to blast static from the radio. It is annoying to listen to, but I would rather listen to that than his blood curdling screams. Oh, and the kid HATES pacifiers so that won't even help!

I have come to the conclusion that he hates his car seat for two reasons: he cannot move his arms out to the side AND he knows that the car makes him go to sleep and that upsets him. We are keeping our fingers and toes crossed for the day that he actually ENJOYS getting in the car and going somewhere. For now, we are hermits.

Is that a bundle me? Do you like it?

Yes, it is a JJ Cole Bundle me. I absolutely love it because I didn't have to buy a big old snowsuit for him, and I don't have to put on layer after layer before we go anywhere. I usually just dress him appropriately for the weather that day and put a hat and mittens on him and go! I love that it zips all the way down the sides and the flap can be removed if it is a warmer day.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

But Mo-om!

I look STUPID!!

Ahhh yes. The joys of the car seat. He still hates it, but is doing a smidge better once he is in the car. I have a mirror hanging on the back seat so I can see him and he usually has a really pissed off look on his face the entire car ride. THAT is something I need to take a picture of. Hilarious.

He can do whatever the hell he wants in the car as long as he keeps up his nighttime sleeping routine. Dare I say it? Fine. He sleeps through the night!



Monday, December 8, 2008

Crusty the Clown Baby

Mason is currently recovering from cold number two. That's right, two colds in 3 months. Hopefully the kid is working on strengthening his little immune system. Of course colds always equal waking up every two hours SCREAMING your head off for at least one night (only one night thank Jeebus)...followed by a night of 10 hours and 45 minutes of blissful uninterrupted sleeping. For Mason. Because mommy was up to pee once after 3 hours and up again after another 5 hours to make sure the baby was still alive.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Um, thanks.

I am going to complain a little here. Surprise, surprise. Why do people constantly feel the need to comment on your parenting skills? Of course I knew this would happen since it was present during pregnancy as well (the comments, I mean). I cannot recall ever mentioning anything about perfect stranger's parenting skills to their face before in my entire life. Maybe it is something that people feel entitled to once they have raised/are raising children? I don't know.

For example, at the grocery store the other day a lady in the checkout line commented on "how proud she was of me that I put mittens on my baby". I know she was trying to be nice and all, but really? You're proud of me? You don't even know me. I could have lined those mittens with razor blades or doused them in whisky before I left my house. (I would NEVER do either, BTW, so move your hand away from the mouse and the 'comment' button and get a hold of yourself.)

Then, THEN, on the way out of the grocery store, an older gentleman tells me that I should have put the baby carrier in a cart and pushed him around instead of carrying him. I politely told him, "Eh, just picking up some gift cards, no need! Plus it builds my muscles this way! (har har)". He responded with, "It doesn't build muscles, it just makes you tired". Dude, let it go. As if waking up at 5am to feed my baby doesn't make me tired enough.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Dear Mason - 3 Months

Dear Mason,

Another month has gone by and it just keeps getting better and better. This past month started out to be a challenge, but recently you have turned into such an angel. Your dad and I constantly talk about what a good boy you are. You really are an easy baby and we are so lucky. You still love to eat and are counting down the days until you can have some "solid" foods.




Nap-time is beginning to be less and less of a challenge, but you still have your bad days where you just don't want to take a nap. Nighttime is awesome - you go to bed between 7:30pm and 8pm and don't wake up until somewhere between 4:30am and 6am. After a bottle, you go back to sleep until 7:30am or 8! Once you are up for the day, you usually lay in bed between us and smile and talk until you realize you are hungry!



Your favorite noises to make are "bahhh" and "booo". The other day, you chuckled! It was so funny and completely caught us off guard. You are so strong and love to do sit-ups with my help and when on your belly, you lift your head and body up off the ground. Your car seat is still your nemesis and you cry a lot in the car. We are hoping that you get used to it someday soon because leaving the house is pretty much a disaster right now.




You had your first Thanksgiving last week and got so much lovin' from my family. You were quite the flirt and smiled and talked to everyone. Next up is your first Christmas and you already love to look at the Christmas tree. Yes, you are a sweet baby BUT there is a different side to you. There are times (especially when you are tired) that you decide to abuse me. You pull my hair, scratch me, pinch my neck, punch me in the throat and scream in my ear. Your dad thinks this is funny of course, but it hurts! You are way too strong for your own good!


We love you so much and every day is a blessing with you in our lives. So far, this month is my favorite. I love seeing your adorable smile and hearing your little voice. Keep it up big man, but don't grow up too fast!