Grant: 8 AND 9 Months

So, I guess I win a bad mama award for officially skipping a month of blogging for poor Grant.  Hopefully he won't hold it against me in the years to come...  I swear, if we have any more kids I will have to blog every 3 months.  Haha!  Its getting harder and harder to keep up!

 



Anyway....

In Grant's 8 month, this is what all changed:

A bilateral ear infection--- we were on amoxicillin, that didn't work so then we went on Augmentin and starting going to the chiropractor.  He goes to the chiropractor twice weekly still.  I also put melaleuca oil around his ear to help with the pain.

He starting crawling really good and fast and one week after he turned 8 months old he started to pull up.  Then he quickly learned to climb.

Waking up every 3 hours. EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT.  Seriously?? He might be our last one! Haha!

Eating REAL food.  So, Grant never liked baby food because this boy wanted real mans food.  Now we do a more babyled weaning approach and he just gets table food... what ever we eat, he eats.  And he LOVES it.  He also does not like to be fed with a spoon.  Lord, help my floors.... but he feeds himself, and Hoss, and our floors.  He basically has to get a bath after his meals.



Still nursing every3-4 hours during the day.  When he goes to the babysitter he gets 8 ounces.  On the days that he is with  me he seems content nursing, but when I have to pump while I am out and about or he is at the babysitter, I always and a few ounces short. I hope I don't have to supplement, but I am ok with the fact that I have strictly breastfed for 9 months.

At our doctors appointment he weighed right at 16 pounds.

He has this thing now of sticking his tongue out! Silly boy!

 

One day he will kill me for this....
 

Now, at 9 months we have:

ANOTHER bilateral ear infection!!!!  He also had some wheezing when I took him a few days ago, so we were doing breathing treatments.  We all had the funk here, so it was rough for about a week.

Two more top teeth for a total of four.

Crawling, pulling up and CLIMBING on EVERYTHNG.  How is it he can't walk but he sure can climb up on furniture?

The day arts and crafts turned into chewing on a marker and eating glitter....

 

 



Smiling. He has the sweetest, flirtiest smile!  And he has started talking too.

He will growl or grunt at NK when she takes toys away.

He is a vacuum cleaner.  Seriously.  Everything goes IN HIS MOUTH.  Money, marshmallows, dog food, lint, crumbs, glitter, Christmas ornaments.... I mean, those are just a few things I got out of his mouth THIS MORNING... all before 8:30 am.  After I decorated for Christmas he literally pooped out Christmas!!  He had red, green, and gold glitter in his diaper for days!! Ha!

He doesn't really have the hang of a sippy cup, but honestly, I haven't even pushed it.  That is on my to-do list though.

Grant is in size 9 month clothes.  He is smaller than NK was, but when we went back to the doctor he weighed 17lbs 2oz... so he had gained 1lb a month!

He loves his sister, Hoss and bath time.

He now only wakes up 1-2 times during the night.  I started making him cry it out (bad mama I know) about a week ago.  I was exhausted... and I knew he didn't nutritionally need to nurse at night.  So now when he wakes up around midnight I give him his paci and walk out.  He cries for like 2 more minutes then goes to sleep.  Then wakes up around 4-5 and I nurse him in my bed and we sleep in a little longer.  We are usually all up around 7-7:30.  Last night he only woke up briefly at 9:30 (I gave him his paci) ad then slept until 5, then went back to sleep while I nursed him.  Much better than the 10:00, 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, 7:30 schedule we were on there for a while.

Grant is also much more adventurous than NK was.  NK never left my side.  I am constantly chasing after Grant.  He ventures down hallways and in empty rooms by himself all the time.  The other day at my mama's we were just watching to see what he would do: he went down the hallway, towards the stairs and then when we redirected him, a few minutes later he was trying to go out the screen door.  It is scary for me, because he already knows no fear.... typical little boy.

The last two months we have been to or had:
Thanksgiving
Breakfast with Santa in Moultrie (Grant and NK LOVED Santa this year!)
Christmas Parade
Callaway Gardens
Birthday Parties
to the doctor... three times.
So much fun celebrating this wonderful SEASON! Decorating, shopping, baking and looking at lights.

Norah Kate continues to be the BEST big sister.  It is tough having them close together on somedays, but she is so helpful.  They have also gotten to they play and entertain each other.  Grant entertains her as much as she does him.  She is also so sweet and thoughtful!  She is always asking if so and so feels better.  She is growing up so fast and I couldn't be more proud of the little lady she is becoming.

Grant and Norah Kate,
We made it through Mama being in school!!! Yay!!  You guys are troopers and I am so blessed to be your Mama.  2014 was a wonderful year, and I know that you two will fill 2015 with so much joy!  I say all the time that I don't know how I got lucky enough to be your mama....  You two are my whole heart and my whole world!!

I love you both a bushel and a peck!
Mama

 

 

 

 

 

My whole world and my whole heart.  I am the most blessed mama.

Conversations with my 2 Year Old: Is That All?

After a stomach virus hit our house and I got severely dehydrated, my milk supply dwindled big time. I was power-pumping tonight and barely got two ounces. 

NK: Is that all?

Me: Yep, that's all I can get out right now.

NK: You didn't make very much.

Me: I know, baby, mamas milk is drying up.

NK: You need to make some more...

Me: haha! Yes, I know I need to make more.

Bless her heart, she wants to make sure baby brother is getting enough milk!!

Conversations With My 2 Year Old: Cracking, Little Tiny & Vegetable

NK:  I'm cracking.
This translates into "My underwear are up my crack."  So now, when we are picking out panties for her to wear she lets me know which ones "crack."  No, Mama, those crack.  I can't wear 'em.

NK:  Just a little tiny bit (showing just a "tiny" bit with her fingers.)
This is in regards to anything she wants--- water for her kitchen, candy, cookies, diapers for her baby dolls, etc.

NK:  Mama, I want my prizes from the vegetable.
Me: Ummm.... the vegetable?
NK:  Yeah, you know, at GrannaMimi's school.
Me:  Ohhhhh..... the festival!!!  (Bahaha!)



Grant- 7 Months

Grant is 7 months old and he is on the go!!  He is scooting, rolling, pushing and army crawling to where ever he wants to go.  He is getting up on all 4s and rocking too.  Last week he was rocking and lunging forward.  He is also trying to push himself up in a sitting position.  He is sitting up pretty good too.  He loses his balance some, but is getting better and better each day.



We went to the doctor a few weeks ago and he weighed 16 pounds.  He is a chunk, but not quite as big as NK was at the same age.

He just now got to where he eats baby food... and he still isn't crazy about it.  He eats about 2 tablespoons or so twice a day.  It's a start.  He LOVES the Gerber puffs and wheels though!!  So, we may skip baby food all together and start eating real food soon.  He first started showing true interest over ice cream at a Fall Festival we went to and then pancakes at IHOP.



He is sleeping through the night mostly.  Some nights he wakes up once or twice to snack, but thankfully he goes right back to sleep.  He also is sleeping in his crib all the time now.  I put him down (awake) at around 8:30-9:30 (I know that is a big window, I try....haha!) and he fusses for a minute or so before falling asleep.  He usually wakes up between 7:30-8:30.  Pretty darn good if I must say so.  I have noticed in the last week that when he nurses or snacks in the middle of the night he rustles and squirms in the bed trying to get comfy, and I end up putting him back in his crib and he goes right back to sleep.  It's like he realizes that's his "space" now.

He LOVES his jumper.  He goes to town in that thing now.  He also loves anything he can put in his mouth- spoons, paci, Sophie, rattles, teething toys.

He still just has his bottom two teeth, but I feel that more will be coming soon.

We seem to stay sick lately.  He has bronchiolitis (respiratory virus) about a month ago, then we finalllllly got over that and took him for his wellness exam and he had DOUBLE ear infection, then the next week him and NK got an enterovirus and ran high fever and broke out in a rash.  Now we have another runny nose and congestions (yuck!!).  The bad thing is, it hits ALL of us- Matt, me, Grant, and NK....  I know it's just the joys of having two young children that pass things around and having to go to daycare.  Hopefully though we are getting it all out of our system!



Grant is seriously the happiest, most content baby ever.  He is so sweet. He laughs and smiles all the time.  Even when NK is being rough with him, he thinks it is hilarious.  He has gotten to where he squeals when he wants your attention, and he has a little bit of a temper when he is trying to crawl to you and can't get it in the right gear.  He bangs his hands in excitement at the high chair.  He also "growls."  This is probably one of my most favorite things.  It's like he attacks you and growls.  He puts his mouth on my shoulder like he is "eating" me.  I think it is so sweet.

Norah Kate has been having a little tough time too.... but she hasn't felt well either.  She "regressed" a little when Grant was sick and wanted his paci and to wear his diaper (what the heck?!)  She has also been whiney more so than usual, but again, I think this is all related to her not feeling well.  She is really so, so smart and amazes me all the time with how much she knows.  She can now dress herself, help with small chores such as putting her clothes in her room, helping me sweep, cleaning up her toys, and throwing her trash in the trash can.  She has also mastered the art of convincing and persuading.  She is wonderful with manners such as please, thank you and your welcome.  She also knows her blessing before meals and bed time prayers.  She sings songs, even ones she has made up.  Her newest thing is going to get breakfast from the store with her daddy in the mornings before daycare. She also has differentiated them by the "brown store in Omega" and "the other one."  She is so bossy to Grant, Hoss, and her babies.  She reads them books and is such a little mama to them.



Grant and Norah Kate,
You two are the sweetest, best behaved babies ever.  I tell people all the time that I don't know how I got so lucky to have two beautiful, happy babies.  You both are so sweet.  You are truly my heart and my world.  I love you both so very much and am so proud of you.  I enjoy watching you both grow and learn and develop your little personalities.

I love you a bushel and a peck!
Mama

Grant: 6 Months Old

Here I am again blogging another monthly update about my sweet baby boy!  I swear time just keeps speeding up!

Grant is growing up way too fast!

 



What are we up to?

Rolling, scooting and army crawling everywhere.

FINALLY sleeping through the night (for about 2 weeks now, praise the LORD, hallelujah!)

Nursing about every 3-4 hours

 

Still screaming in your carseat....uggggghhhhhhh

This video was on a 2 1/2 hour road trip.  He fell asleep 15 minutes from home!!!

 

 

 

You have TWO bottom teeth!!

 

We just got over a respiratory virus, so we spent two days with breathing treatments (Mama's first experience with a nebulizer!)  We all had this nasty cold, but poor Grant just couldn't shake it!

 

 

He still DOES NOT LIKE baby food!  I have tried store bought, home made, mashed, pureed and cut in little pieces.  Nothing gives.

 

What does he like?

Grant LOVES his jumper.  He can finally touch the floor!!

Sophie the Giraffe- I swear, the best teething toy ever created!

Snuggles.

Norah Kate.

Stroller rides.

Bath time.

 

 

I was "wearing" him in the Baby K'tan carrier yesterday and he loved it!  I used it when he was tiny, but haven't used it in a while.  It was so nice to free up both hands!

 

 

Grant is smaller than Norah Kate was at this age... weighing in at 15lbs 12 ounces.  But he is still chunky!  Wearing 6-9 month clothes and size 3 diapers.

 

His eyes are a greenish-grayish-brown.  I have no clue what color they will be (maybe brown!!! or a green color like NKs)

 

Still getting Mommy's Milk, no plans of weaning anytime soon.

 

He can sit up briefly, but falls forward still.

 

Not crawling yet, but he will be soon!  Believe me though, this mama is NOT rushing it at all!

 

Ummm yes.  He now flips upside down in the Nap Nanny while Mama is getting a shower!



 

 

Norah Kate:

She is sweet as ever.  Growing WAY to fast.  She now talks like a little grown-y girl.  She is so smart.  We have now reached the point where we have to be very careful about what is said around her, what is playing on TV, what she sees and over hears...

She is potty trained and doesn't have accidents anymore!

We started dance... but then we quit :(  She cried every time, she wasn't quite ready!

She is wearing size 3T clothes.

She weighed 30lbs and was 36 inches at our last doctors visit!

She is sleeping in her big girl bed, but we have to lay down with her at night to get her asleep.  I don't mind a bit though.  I know there will be a time where she don't need us to lay down with her or snuggle with her, so I am enjoying it now!

She is SO bossy.

We are going through a door shutting phase...She told me the other day she was going to shut her bedroom door so the monsters couldn't come in?! (Oh the imagination!).

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF HER BABY DOLLS HAS TO HAVE A DIAPER ON!

So now I am buying diapers for Grant and NK's baby dolls???

She wants Daddy at bedtime and Mama in the morning.

 

 

She has been dressing herself... let me just say her style is amazing!! Patterned red and green shirt, light purple jeggings, and sparkly red boots. ;)



That moment when I am so proud because she ate ALL of her veggies!!



 

 

 

Just to see that she "shared" them with Hoss....
 



Grant and Norah Kate,

Mama loves you both so much.  I hope you always know how much joy your bring into all of our lives.  You both have such sweet personalities and truly warm my soul.  Only a few more weeks of Mama being in school and then we will have a little more normalcy in our lives :)  You both have been such troopers through this time and are AWESOME kids.  My inspiration and drive for finishing.

My prayer for you both lately has been that God will guide me to make good choices for you and raise ya'll up in a way pleasing to Him.  I also have been praying that He will protect you both in this cruel and scary world.  I try not to think negative thoughts, but there are so many twisted things in our world now and it terrifies me for you both!

You two are my whole, whole heart!

 

I love you a bushel and a peck!

Mama

 

 

 

I love these little people; and it is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us. ~Charles Dickens, The Old Curiosity Shop



Counting my Blessings

So many of you know how bad I have wanted to be a stay at home mama from the time Norah Kate was born.  Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for the opportunity to work and to have chosen career path where jobs are plentiful.  However, my heart has always been at home with my babies.

I understand that not everyone has that "wish" to be a stay at home mom or wife, and that is ok (it does not make one a better mama than another) :)  BUT I do feel like God put it so strongly on my heart because that is where I am SUPPOSED to be.

Many of you also know that I started back school last March and will be DONE with my Master's in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner in ELEVEN (11!!!!!!!!) short weeks.  How exciting?  It has been a LONG, challenging road to say the least.  I am very proud to have finished school while working (up until recently) and having two small children!

Some people are going to think I am crazy when they read what I am about to say.... but while I have been interviewing for jobs in my new career, I can't help but feel the stress of that internal struggle.  I am excited about advancing my career, but my wish and true desire is still to be home with my children.  I want so badly to be there for everything with them.  Yes, the money as a NP will be wonderful but the hours still long and demanding (and away from my sweet children).  

BUT God has heard my prayers and knows my heart.  A few months ago, I was introduced to something amazing and life changing.  The opportunities have been endless, and God has truly blessed me.  My wish of being able to stay at home is getting more reachable every day.  At first, it started as something to help make ends meet while I was not working to be in school/clinicals full time.  Now, though, I can see myself STAYING HOME (and hopefully in the near and foreseeable future) because of this!  This is so exciting for me, because honestly, staying at home has never even been an OPTION for me (not realistically or financially!!).

I am praying for God's guidance in my future and peace about my intended path.  I am so grateful for his continued blessings on my family during this time!



Grant- 5 Months Old

 

 

 

What are we up to?

 



This little boy is ON THE MOVE!  He is really starting to take notice of things now and is trying his best to get ahold of stuff.  He isn't crawling but can roll and belly crawl and scoot until he gets where he wants.  He has really mastered grabbing stuff (i.e. his paci) and putting it in and out of his mouth.

EVERYTHING goes in his mouth!

He loves teething toys, Mama's hand, Sophie the Giraffe and his paci.

He is really getting the hang of baby food.  So far he has tried and likes sweet potatoes, apples, pears, butternut and acorn squash, carrots and bananas.  I am doing homemade baby food for him too (so easy and CHEAP!).  He still only gets it once a day, at suppertime, but we will probably start introducing it three times a day soon.

Night time. is. horrible.  Seriously.  This little boy is ruined.  I have been trying for the last 10 days or so to put him in his crib.  The first night I let him cry.  (bad mama I know).  It took him FORTY FIVE minutes.  It was terrible.  I finally went in there and rubbed his tummy and he went right to sleep.  He slept until like 3 or so then I fed him and he went back to bed.  The next night he didn't cry at all.  It was amazing!  I couldn't believe it.  So I thought we had it beat. Um. No.  The next time he cried again forever, then went back to sleep, but then woke up every HOUR on the HOUR and finally I caved about 2 am and brought him in my bed where he miraculously slept like a dream....
I enjoy having him in my bed, it is sweet, but I know we would all sleep a little better if he was in his own space.  I am at a loss with this situation.  Oh well.  I am just going to keep trying him in his bed, at least at the beginning of every night and pray that he gets used to it. (Note to self:  with future children--- DO NOT EVER LET THEM START SLEEPING IN YOUR BED!! haha!)  Which I can't say that I blame him... I like to snuggle and I wouldn't want to sleep by myself either :)

He still nurses or takes Mommy's milk in a bottle every 3-4 hours during the day (5 ounces).

He has really become vocal.  When he is crying and I pick him up its like he grunts and growls as if to "complain" or "fuss" about what the problem is.

He has the sweetest smile.  When I am holding him and talking to someone he looks at me like I am the most important person in the world.  It is so sweet and makes me feel special (corny I know).

Size 2 diapers and 6 month clothes :)  My little CHUNKY boy!

Norah Kate loves him so much.  Grant is HER baby.  She has gotten to where she wants to change his diaper.  I have walked in several times to Grants diaper off and her "helping".  She has also gone through a phase of wanting ALL of her baby dolls to have diapers on them too... then we have to change her babies.  I have tried to explain that we can not throw away the baby dolls diapers... we just have to "pretend" they are dirty.  She doesn't get it.

The other day Grant starting screaming (I had walked out of the room for just a second) and I run in the room.  There was a thermometer sitting beside him.  Norah Kate said, "I get he paci, he wants me to hold him...."

 Me: "Norah Kate, what is this thermometer doing here?"
NK: "Oh, I stuck it up he nose."
Poor Grant... the joys of being the second child...



If I tell her once daily to get out of his face I tell her 100 times.
She also thinks it is her responsibility to spank Grant.... we have discussed this as well.
Again.  Poor Grant.  He is going to have to be tough.

For the most part though, she is really sweet to him.  If he spits up, she is running to get a wipe before I even ask.  She dotes and loves all on him.  She can't stand to hear him get upset.

Grant and Norah Kate,
Again, another month has went by.  Despite the chaos, this truly has been such a wonderful time.  You each are growing and learning everyday.  I am learning too!  You both teach me so much.  You have taught me patience, faith, and a love like no other!  This is such a sweet, sweet time.  Grant, your little smile and sweet face can light up a room.  And Norah Kate, your little sassy personality is so funny.  You are so sweet and loving.  You both are my greatest blessings!

I love you a bushel and a peck!
Mama





Grant- 4 Months Old

So A LOT has happened since BabyBoy's three month birthday!

 

Starting with a trip to the ER!

 

 

It was Saturday, July 5- we had a great Fourth of July and celebrated; he never showed any signs of being sick at all!  He was his usual happy-go-lucky self.  That Saturday morning was pretty weird because went back to sleep that morning around 6 after  nursing and slept until 9:30.  I just thought maybe he was tired because we were out late watching fireworks the night before.  I was holding him while working on some homework and he felt hot, but he is also a hot natured little boy.  We went to my moms around 11 that morning and when I got him out of the carseat he was HOT.  He had also fell right back asleep when we got in the car.  I took his temp and watched the numbers climb.  Yikes!  A temp of 102.  (Let me be honest and say I freaked.)  Even with my nursing background and all, and now almost a Master's degree in nursing, when it comes to my own babes I loss all sense.  I called his pediatrician and she said to give him Tylenol and call her if it didn't go down.  Well, the Tylenol didn't touch it.  I called her back and she said because of his young age and all he probably needed to go to the ER and get worked up. 



So a temp of 103, 4 sticks for an IV, chest x ray, blood work and a urine sample later we were sent home with "it's probably viral."  Which it was, Thank God.  In the back of my mind I figured it was, but didn't want to risk it being something major, so I was glad I took him.  He broke out in a rash two days later after fever.  Roseola.

Grant and his rash :(



Now, if nothing else, this taught me a major lesson if I ever treat children.  The ER doctor treated me like I was the World's Most Stupid Mother.  It shouldn't matter... it shouldn't matter if he was my first child, my fifth child, if I am a nurse or not.  He is MY child and I was concerned. Bottom line.  It's not like I had anywhere else to take him on a Saturday afternoon?!  I was scared to death of exposing him to something in the ER, so it truly was a last resort.  Believe me, Mr. ER Doctor, I would rather spend my money and time ELSEWHERE!

 

 

 





Okay, back to BabyBoy... He recovered from the virus (Praise the Lord), but during his sickness he got ummm... how do I say this.... spoiled.  He now thinks he is supposed to sleep in our bed and nurse on me all night long.  Needless to say, this is about to change. Somehow. Some way.  He had GOT to start sleeping longer stretches at night.  I have tried everything.  I have tried letting him sleep in the swing, rocking him to sleep, letting him go to sleep on his own.  Everything... but plain ole' crying it out.  Which is what it might take, I just don't have the nerve yet.

He has also started to realize when I am in the room.  When I pick him from day care he just smiles and kicks and is so happy to see me.  He will also watch me and whine when I walk of the room.  Sometimes I will catch him just staring at me or Matt and as soon as we look at him he just grins from ear to ear.

What else are we up to?

Obviously not sleeping through the night....yet.

Taking two naps during the day (sometimes a short cat nap in the late evening)

Nursing or taking a bottle (of Mommy's Milk) every 3-4 hours.

Bedtime roughly around 8:30-9pm

Size 3-6 months or 6 months clothes

Size 2 Diapers

Smiling, cooing, laughing, talking

Not screaming as bad in his car seat (THANK YOU JESUS!)

Rolling from back-to-front and front-to-back (he did this for the first time about a week before he turned 4 months)

 

Weight: 14 lbs 12 oz

Height: 24 1/2 inches

 

What does Grant like?

Mommy's milk

His paci and fingers

Sophie the Giraffe, teething toys, and Lovie blankets

His coordination is getting better where he can grab stuff and put it in his mouth

Watching the TV (it's not like I let him sit and watch TV but he just stares in awe at it)

He loves being kissed and loved on.  He will just belly laugh.  It is precious. Especially when NK is the one talking to him... which she does... ALL THE TIME.

A pallet.  I think he would rather be on a pallet on the floor than in his swing.

 

 

 

So, I know they say every kid is different, and I now believe it.  Norah Kate and him are really different. One big thing is Norah Kate was hungry for real food at like 3 months, but I held her off until 4 months.  I actually wasn't going to offer it to Grant quite yet, but decided to because I hoped it would help him sleep longer at night.  Well, it might would if he actually liked it.  He hates it.  He won't even open his mouth hardly.  Poor fella gags just when the spoon hits his mouth :(  So far, we have tried rice cereal, sweet potatoes, and bananas.  He doesn't like any of it.  I know it will grow on him eventually.

 

So I know he looks happy, but only because I was done forcing the spoon in his mouth! haha!



 

Grant,

I can't believe how fast this last month has gone by!  That trip to the ER really scared me sweet boy, and really made me put things in perspective.  You and NK are my world, and I would be lost without you!  While things are a little tough and sleep deprived right now, I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING!  Your little smile and sweet personality brightens my day! 

 

I love you a bushel and a peck!!

Mama