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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Norah Kate- 2 1/2 Years Old

Two and half going on 12.  My little girl is a D-I-V-A.

She is really quite hilarious.  I swear, the stuff she says is so funny.

Norah Kate is talking SO good.  She can say and knows words that I feel like are advanced.  Her articulation is really good too, except when she gets excited and things kinda run together.  She can also be very convincing with her statements. For example:

My Mama: Norah Kate, you need to settle down for a nap.
NK: Ummm... my mama and daddy said... I don't have to take a nap. (haha!! yeah right!  that girl knows she is supposed to take naps!)

Jori:  NK, what do you want to drink?
NK:  Coke. I like Coke.
(Again, she knows that she isn't allow to drink Coke.  She is a mess!)

 

What is she up to?

More or less, what is she not up to?
She can run, jump, climb up stuff, open the freezer and refrigerator, go get stuff. 
She will do small little chores like picking up her toys, taking something to her room, putting stuff in the trash or sink.
She can dress herself.  With this has come some new found independence of wanting to pick out her own clothes.  She is going through a stage of wanting to wear regular clothes to bed (picking my battles on this one).
We moved a full size bed in her room and I am in the process of re-doing the theme/colors.  We lay down with her at night though to get her to fall asleep, but overall our sleeping arrangements are MUCH improved!
She can sing "Jesus Love Me, Jesus Loves The Little Children, Father Abraham, The Itsy Bitsy Spider, Twinkle Twinkle, and her ABCs."
She is recognizing colors- she still gets some confused though.
She has started naming her baby dolls.  We have Mollie, Sadie, Mr Giant and PrettyGirl?
We take a baby doll with us EVERYWHERE we go.  I have my baby (Grant) and she has hers.
Her memory is sharp.  She can remember if/where she left something at GrannaMimi's house/my car/Stephenies etc.
Instead of "I forgot" it's "I almost got"
I gave her another hair cut myself about 3 weeks ago... it was kinda scary.
We are utilizing time outs and spankings a lot less... she is really well behaved.  Every once in a while she will throw a fit or be really whiney, but usually its late in the evenings.
She wakes up with her go britches on... we are supposed to get ready and go somewhere within the first hour of her being awake.
She likes driving her "Barbie Jeek" (Barbie jeep)
She has learned to use my iPhone. uh-oh.
She is in size 2T or 3T clothes depending on brand/style.

WE ARE OFFICIALLY POTTY TRAINED!!!!!!!!!!!!! I started two weeks ago (when the Almanac said it was a good time) and just broke down and took her out of the pull-ups, set my timer, and put her in panties.  I have ONLY been trying for a YEAR (off and on).  I would always try for a couple days, but I think I always gave up too soon and I really think there is something with that Almanac doings.
The first day was a mess... she would sit on the potty and not go, then pee in her panties 30 seconds later.  The second day was a little better... the third day about the same.  Then honestly, by the 5th day she was coming to me and telling me that she needed to go pee-pee.  She can pretty well do everything on her own, except wash her hands.  I was afraid poo-poo was going to be the worst part, because she always kinda had a phobia of pooping in the potty and would scream if we tried to put her on the potty to poo poo.  I really think though that after the second time pooping in her panties she didn't like seeing her panties/clothes messed up.  So she would come and get me after that and go on her own! Yay!!!  So if I could offer any advice (not that I am an expert seeing as it only took me a year to figure it out!  haha!) but I think panties did the trick for us... she could feel when she was wet much more so than in pull ups and she didn't like being dirty.  I also had to pray for patience every day and not scold her when she had an accident (which was something I shamefully admit I had done in previous attempts).  She is so PROUD of her panties now and she gets a trampoline for her prize!!

 

Norah Kate,

You are so smart and so sweet.  You warm my heart so much when you give me a big kiss and tell me "I loves you!"  You really have a kind, tender heart and don't like to see people upset.  I hope you remain kind, and that I can teach you how to be a genuinely, sweet girl.  You are so well-behaved and people tell me that all the time.  You are my whole heart Baby Girl, and mama and is SO proud of you.  You already take such good care of your little brother.  I am always amazed at how much you know and pick up on. 

Love you a bushel and a peck!





Movie Date

Today was one of those days that I wish I could bottle up the memories and feelings and tuck them away somewhere very special.  Life has been so hectic for us all lately between me being in school and clinicals and Matt farming tobacco, it's been a mad house around here.

I have been wanting to do something really fun and special with Norah Kate because she just makes me so proud.  She is so smart and so sweet to her brother so she deserves some special, fun time :)

I thought she was at the age where she might would be able to sit through a movie, so I decided earlier in the week to take her to the movies today.

We went and saw How to Train Your Dragon 2.  It was a super cute movie and she seemed to really enjoy it.  My mama and sister came with us and NK sat so still through most of it!!  She played musical chairs a little, but was overall very good for a 2 1/2 year old!!

Grant slept through most of the movie and then woke up and nursed and napped a little longer.  He woke up though the last 30 minutes and was watching it super mesmerized!  It was cute!



It couldn't have gone ANY better!

Afterwards we went and ate frozen yogurt at LaBerry. 

Tonight was also the last night of vacation bible school at my church and NK had been asking all day to go, well bless her heart, she was so worn out she fell asleep on the way.  I didn't have the heart to take her home so we took her on in.  She slept through most of the program but at least she woke up at the end and was able to sing some of the songs.  (She has hit this stage where she will pitch a ROYAL FIT if we are supposed to go somewhere but she goes to sleep and I take her home.  When we get home she is usually ill as everything....)

It was overall just a really special day that I hope I remember for a long time.  I sure do love spending days with my babies!!

Grant 3 Months Old



So, this a couple weeks late, but my sweet baby boy has turned 3 months old!!

It continues to amaze me how much babies change from birth in just a matter of months.  They get so much more social, stronger, and just overall BIGGER.

We took Grant to meet a new playmate that was born this week and I was reminded how quickly they grow.  Grant was that small just a few weeks ago!! Crazy!  Now he looks huge.

 

 



What are we up to?

 

Wearing size 2 diapers and 3 month size clothes (and filling them out!!)

Rolling on to his side (not completely over yet, and I am ok with that!)

Nursing every 3 hours.

Two to three naps a day, depending on how quiet it is.  Sometimes they end up being short cat naps.

Sleeping from 8pm to somewhere between 2 or 4am then nursing and going right back to sleep.

Smiling, laughing, cooing

Screaming in our carseat

Sleeping in our swing at night

Loving his sister, all she has to do is talk to him and he grins.

Sucking your thumb/fingers.  You change it up.

 

What Mama loves most about me?

 

Your sweaty little frog feet

You big 'ole smile and dimples

That sweet little giggle

Your roly poly legs!

 

How have my looks changed?

 

Your eyes are a greenish/grayish brown.  I have no idea what color they are gonna end up.  Brown like Mama's or green like sisters?

You are still tan as can be.  Gonna have olive skin like Mama.

You are thickening up big time!  I can't wait to see how much you weigh!  You were 12lbs 4oz at your 2 month check up (a month ago!)  I am guessing about 15lbs now.

You have lost a whole lot of hair, but what's there is still dark.

 

This boy nurses like a champ and my milk supply is holding up great since starting school/work/clinicals.  I nurse him every three hours and he takes 4 ounce bottles every 3 hours at the baby sitter.  She said she could set her clock by him.

 

He started sleeping in his swing "on accident."  I had him sleeping in a cradle thing by our bed, but he would only sleep for 3 hours at a time.  Well, when I started clinicals life was pretty chaotic.  So I put him in his swing one night while I was packing up for the next day and he fell asleep (around 8pm).  I hated to move him, so I just let him sleep.  He slept until 2am then when right back to sleep after nursing! Heck yeah for a 6 hour stretch!  Needless to say, that is where he goes to bed now.  I will break bad habits later, but Mama is just too tired to fight it right now.  He gets a bath around 7-7:30 pm them I nurse him and we usually falls asleep around 8-8:30 in his swing.  He sometimes will sleep until 4am!  Everyone once in a while though we have weird nights where he and NK wake up off and on all night (fortunately they are few and far between).  He has slept completely through the night (I think it was like 10pm-8am) only once.

 

 

As a reminder to myself for the next baby, Grant formed his on little schedule on his own around 10 weeks old.  He started getting sleepy at 8 and started sleeping in his swing for good stretches around this time.

 

He laughed (like a big belly laugh) out loud for the first time right around third month birthday.

 

He is getting a lot stronger on tummy time and can hold his head up really good, but doesn't like this for very long.

 

 

Grant,

Mama and Daddy love you so very much sweet boy.  You are just as amazing as your sister.  You two are my whole heart, and I thank God so much for my two little blessing.  I feel bad sometimes because life is so chaotic right now, that you and your sister are on this crazy rollercoaster ride.  But just know that I am going back to school now to try and make things better for you both.  Only a few more months, Buddy, and it will be better.  You are such a "go with the flow" baby and are so laid back and content (except in your carseat) and I tell people all the time that I don't know how I got so lucky with you and your sister. Now, stop growing so fast and stay my baby boy forever!

 

Love you a bushel and a peck!

Mama





Grant- 2 Months Old

Grant is 2 months old!!  This baby boy is too sweet and too cute!



It amazes me how he grows and changes every day.  He is becoming very alert, especially in the mornings and late afternoons... he will just smile, coo and kick his feet.  He moves his little mouth around like he is trying so hard to talk.

Grant's first tractor ride!



When he was about 3 weeks old until he was 7 weeks old we had a little rough time in the evenings where he was fussy and just not content no matter where or what I was doing with him.  I thought it was a touch of colic, because it was most nights of the week and would last for about 3 hours.  I tried multiple things: babywearing (carrying him in his little carrier on my), lavender essential oil, mylicon drops, Gripe Water, baby massage, and the 5 S's (swish, suck, stomach/side, shush, and swaddle).


The lavender oil, baby massage and 5 S's seemed to be the most calming for him.  I think ours maybe contributed to a little "fourth trimester."  I was reading where babies can often act "colicky" because it is very disorienting for them to be out of the womb where it is dark, swaying, warm, and special noises.

He quickly adjusted though, but man that was a trying couple of weeks because NK was cutting a few teeth during this time and was extra clingy.  There were honestly some evenings when I would just be in tears by the time Matt got home to help me with them (which he was planting/transplanting tobacco during this time so if was often 9-10 at night!!)





NK thought Grant needed decorating with some 'tickers!



We made it through that time and NK is adjusting better and most importantly I am adjusting better.  Poor little Grant- he probably thought his Mama had lost it there for a little while.

Grant still isn't sleeping through the night.  Last Saturday he gave me the longest stretch which was from 11-5:35!  That was impressive.  He will at least fall asleep at 8:30-9 then wake up to eat again around 10:30-11 and then sleep until 3:30.  BUT he then wakes up again at 5:30-6.  I would love to either get a longer stretch at the beginning or skip that 5:30 feeding.  Hopefully soon :) 
He is still sleeping in his monkey cradle beside our bed.  I usually put him in his crib to sleep at 8:30 or so and he takes a short nap, but he don't sleep long in there so I am letting him sleep in the cradle (ensures longer sleep for us all... I just don't have the energy right now to fight it).  He also may or may not end up in the bed with me during some part of the night (I honestly try not to!)  I go back to work next Tuesday so I am hoping for better nights soon!

He nurses about every 3 hours during the day and is still only nursing on one side at a time.  He takes a bottle several times a week and does great with it.  (Him and NK just started going to the babysitter last week to adjust before I go to work, so he is taking bottles a little more).

He started smiling a lot about 2 weeks ago and it is SO sweet.  His whole face lights up.

Grant has also learned to pitch a fit...he started when he was colicky.  I mean he would scream so hard and loud he would turn almost purple and gag and cough.  He also gets sweated down... poor baby.  I hate when he does it, but sometimes I can't get to him right away (i.e. when bathing NK) so he just cries it out a little.

He loves his swing and laying on the floor looking a ceiling fan.  I put him on his tummy some, but he don't like it for long.

He also likes to be held up on my chest and carried against my chest in his carrier.  I have a Baby K'tan carrier and he goes to sleep in it every time.  Babywearing is definitely the way to go with baby #2!

For the most part Grant is a mellow baby... other than when he was colicky, he is pretty content any way/where I have him.

He still isn't crazy about a paci but he will take one. He also sleeps less/lighter than I remember NK doing.

He is filling out 3 month size clothes and I am about to switch to size 2 diapers when we finish this pack of size 1's.  He is growing, growing, growing!

Also, just a note to my future self... don't stress about a schedule.  I started trying to get Grant on one when he was about a month old and it was a disaster (it did nothing but stress us all out).  He is slowly forming his own schedule, and it is working out great!

7:30- wake up, nurse, play on floor
8:30- get in swing for nap
10:00-nurse then nap again
12-1- nurse and play for about 30 minutes, then nap
3-nurse, he is getting to where is stays awake some days from now until bedtime other than cat naps and sometimes he sleeps hard... depending on his mood.
6-nurse then play in bouncy seat while Mama cooks and me and NK eat supper
7-bathtime then settle down for bed
8-nurse and rock for bed
8:30-lay down in crib for bedtime.

Grant,
You are growing up so fast sweet boy... again reminding me how precious this time is.  I love you so, so much and pray daily that I am a good enough Mama for you and Norah Kate.  I pray for God to guide me to teach you and  your sister the right things and to most importantly show you the love I have for you both.  Hang in there with us, Buddy, Mama is still learning how to be a Mama.  You two are my whole world and my whole heart!  I love you so much already.

Love,
Mama 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Grant- 1 Month Check Up

I took Grant for his one month check up May 9 (he was technically 6 weeks old... stupid insurance). 



 

 



Everything checked out perfectly :)

He weighed 11lbs 4oz.  Big boy had gained more than 4 pounds since he was born!!  That is amazing!  (Average weight gain is usually 8oz a week.)

He was 21.5" long!

Dr. Griffin even complimented on how strong his neck/shoulders were because he pushed himself up on the table and was holding his head SO steady.

So proud and blessed that he is growing so healthy!!

We go back in June for his 2 month check up and poor baby gets shots. :(