3 Months Old

It's so amazing that Jim has come so far so fast... How is it that a week just FLIES by now? Up until last week the days just dragged and now they go by in a flash!

This past week he learned to grab items he's interested in. Then he graduated to sticking them in his mouth. Frankly, I think it never occurred to him that he could taste the world... So, I started sticking stuff in his mouth and he was off to the races! This boy went from no interest in toys to gotta have it in less than 3 days!

Oh, and this morning I found him turning the upper half of his body to his left, very far to his left. It scares me that he might soon roll over. It only scares me because he still cannot lift his head. He tried to suffocate on his Bop.py pillow last week, so I'm not excited about this new development.

He got his face down in the stuffing and got too tired (starved of O2) and started drifting off. Scared me silly! So, I've talked with hubby and made sure he understands - Jim is not to have any tummy time without supervision until he can hold his head up VERY well.

I think he's going through another growth spurt too. Yesterday he drank about double his normal intake. Today he is sleeping - all day so far - and it's Noon.

I need to find someone to get hand-me-downs from. My baby is almost out of his 6 mo onesies. Yikes!

Oh, and not to jinx myself, but he has started sleeping 7 1/2 to 8 hrs per night on a regular basis!!!! Woooo Hooo! Now, if I could just get myself to bed when he goes to bed we'd be golden.

Well, can't think of anything else to tell at the moment. Think I'll go see what I can get into here at the house, since baby is asleep!

Flat and Twisted

My baby has a nasty flat spot, and he keeps his head mostly in the same direction (he can turn, just doesn't want to). We are taking him for physical therapy week after next to help him turn his head more easily. In the meantime I need to do more tummy time with him...

I need ideas - really, really... My boy HATES tummy time. He isn't learning to pick up his head, and he just falls asleep after getting really frustrated with the whole idea.

I've tried toys - works for a few seconds and then... yawn zzzzzzzzzz.

I've tried singing - whaaaaaaaaaaa (might be me though)

I've tried being his little drill sargent - whaaaaaaaaaaaa

I've tried using a Boppy pillow to prop his chest up - he almost suffocated because he couldn't lift his head out of the stuffing. VERY scary for Mommy!!!

Help me! I need more tummy time ideas!!!!! Even if you think I say I've tried it, it is OK to reiterate what worked for you. The more detail the better!!! Oh, and if you have flat spot or Torti.collis stories to share please do.

2 Month Shots Part 2 & "Jungle Jim"

For all you si-fi fans out there, here's a little chuckle http://baetzler.de/humor/meat_beings.html.

Now to our irregularly scheduled program...

Jim had his 2nd set of 2 month shots. He's done really well with them so far - no seeming reaction to be seen. Of course, we haven't made it completely through the night YET. Right now he is passed out in his crib, so I'm hoping for the best.

btw - this boy has outgrown ALL of his 3 month clothes, even the "big" ones. He is now consistently wearing 6 mo onsies!! I cannot believe how big he is. Lately I've met a couple of people out and about with babies his age and I'm seeing that my boy is a giant, but a very CUTE giant!

Oh, and my husband told me tonight that he wants to start planning for child number 2. What? Really? Yes, really.

He isn't ready to actually jump into the fire, and is aware that neither am I. He is just wanting us to figure out if we actually want another one and when we might want to get started. Do know, he has an ulterior motive - he's making plans to go to LeMans in 2010 and wants to be sure we aren't planning for baby to arrive just before go-time. LOL My hubby is not a true blue racing nut, but he is certainly excited about going. His concern for timing a 2nd baby warmed my widdle heart. Not! :) I soooo saw through the ruse. :)

OK, you want more photos of Jim? Hmmm... How about a video instead?!?!?!

Here our star is, lounging on his playmat, chewing on foam blocks, and having a grand old time.

2 Month Checkup - With Shots, Oh my.

We had our 2 month checkup today! The consensus is that I have a BIG boy...

He weighed 15 lbs (off the percentile chart), was 23 1/2 inches long (75 percentile), and has a 16 1/2 inch head (95 percentile). So, he is a well proportioned, but still.

I was just a little frustrated with the nurse practitioner who reviewed his impressive stats and started describing methods of delaying his meals. I told her that I am doing all in my power to delay and/or reduce his milk consumption. I hold him to a pretty strict 3 hr minimum time limit between feedings. He is welcome to go longer than that, but it really doesn't happen other than at night.

I explained to her that I WOULD feed him on demand, but I swear this boy would eat 5 oz every 45 mins if I would let him. Really. Really, really. I've seen him do it. I use distraction tactics like the playmat, dancing, walking, singing. If that doesn't work he gets milky water if he HAS to have something before 3 hrs.

I also hold him to 5 or 6 oz max, again I use water to supplement if he is still hungry. I know it might sound like I'm not doing right by him, but he is getting the maximum number of recommended oz of formula with what he already eats. It would be unhealthy for me to give him much more, so I have to try to curb him just a little bit.

By the end of our discussion the NP agreed that it appeared I was doing the right things for him and to keep it up. :) She actually commented that I was very lucky to have this particular problem because it is worse for those who deal with a kid that will not eat. I told her I was pretty familiar with that issue too, as my friends (some of you guys) have been down that road.

We also did his 1st shots today... They wanted to give him 6 vaccines in total (3 shots and 1 oral vaccine). I told the NP that was just too many vaccines in my opinion. I asked to spread them out, so we did the 1 combo DTaP and the oral vaccine. I take him back next Tues to get the other two shots.

The NP kept trying to tell me "it is really very safe" in order to get me to do all of the shots today. To which I told her, quite firmly, that I figure it this way - I do no harm by spreading out the vaccines, but if I combine them and it turns out it isn't actually safe I may cause irreparable harm. I would much rather do no harm and have a 2nd office visit.

Share Some Love...

If you haven't already, be sure to go over and give Topcat some love. She really, really got a crap sandwich this week. Anyone who's interested, I'm looking into how to send her some tangible support - not sure what the form will be just yet, but if you are interested in joining in please comment here or email me.

Please be sure to heep some love on Stacie as well. She and her little boy Shawn just aren't able to catch a break. He has had 5 brain surgeries in the last month, and they are in the ER tonight once again. This is just the latest in a series of unfortunate events. One person should NOT have to bear the amount of heartache and stress her family has for the past several months.

10 Weeks - It's Been 10 Weeks!!!

Wow, OK the time has flown. Yes, in the last month there were some days that went as slow as molasses on an iceberg, but those were, thankfully, the exception not the rule. For those of you that aren't into kid discussions, this one is ALLLLLLL about kid stuff - fair warning.

Let's see, what is little Jim doing since his 2 months list...

He's become very fond of his bouncy seat, and has been for a while. However, now I can actually leave the room for a couple of minutes without having to take him with me. With this skill I can do things like take stuff out of the oven or move loads of laundry, etc. YAY!

Started liking his swing. Well, a little swing goes a long way with him, but it is better than before. Today he spent a good 20 mins in it, watching the rain fall in the backyard.

Usually only cries when he needs something (knock on wood), unless it is after 8PM, then all bets are off .

He's started going to bed at 10:30 or so and SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!!! (knock on wood very firmly, indeed) Folks, this one is like mana from heaven. He wakes up kinda early in my opinion (6:30 AM, who knew there even was such number on the clock other than parents), but I'll take it, anyday.

hmmm... what else... That last one is so big I can't concentrate...

Recognizes his bottle - that's kinda cool, except when it isn't his bottle. Sometimes it's a frosted glass I'm using, or get this, a banana!! But hey, he is learning to chill out when he sees that he's about to get fed. That is worth a lot - way less screaming. :)

Looking at food like he wants some... Yeah, my baby is a foodie, just like his parents. We are in for a fight soon I'm betting. He's gonna want real food and I'm going to have to try to keep to the recommended 6 mo window. It's not gonna be nice.

Likes time on his playmat, but he's not so much on the tummy time - he seems to think I am torturing him. After tummy time, I can get a good 15 to 20 mins out of him on his back on the playmat. I get down there with him and we sing and play. It is so sweet. I love it.

Oh, and Stacie, you gave me a great play activity with your video of "getting Jason's belly". I have started doing this with him and he LOVES it! He doesn't laugh out loud yet, as your little guy does, but he's getting there! I get some firm giggles at this point.

He initiates the "stick your tounge out" game. I just LOVE this... He wants to play with me, and it makes my heart melt every time. I can't help but giggle.

He's totally got head control - we spend lots of time sitting up now because he doesn't want to lay back like a baby anymore. He wants to SEE THE WORLD!

One weird thing... He doesn't like seeing himself in the mirror. He actually seems to really dislike it. I don't know if it is confusing for him or just terribly boring. I'm going to keep trying it though. I can't imagine what life would be like if you hated mirrors.

Oh, and he HATES to burp, even though he feels better just afterwards. I think it is simply the delay of food consumption, but I could be wrong.

Well, for all those that made it this far, thanks for listening to me drole on like an idiot. I'm just so glad that things are starting to get interesting... Of course, it is just in time for me to find another job, but it is better than nothing. I cannot imagine going back to work sooner now - all the really good stuff just starts at 8 wks!!!

Oh, and Gemini Girl - I wish I had some photos to share!! I haven't taken any for a week or so... I'll have to get to that this weekend.

Dancing With My Baby...

Last night Jim slow danced his best girl around the room. It was so beautiful and wonderful, and he didn't want to stop, but he fell asleep nonetheless.

How can life get much better than that? Snuggling with your true love, dancing as the sun sinks low, knowing for sure that for just that moment everything is good with the world, and drifting into sleep.

GD Diet - How To Survive

A few times I have wished I had blogged more about what I ate while on the Gestational Diabetes diet. So, instead of just answering Anns directly via email, I thought I'd post my suggestions here. Who knows, maybe people will benefit from the knowledge and will not find themselves stuck at home at midnight crying over what to eat like I did...

If you remember, I looked and looked for ideas online, and didn't really find anything, so I posted a few times about it, and I got some great suggestions (thank you guys!!!) That got me through a few more days of eating and then I went to a GREAT nutritionist here in Atlanta - Rachel Brandeis, MS, RD.

Rachel is a nationally recognized registered dietician. She is extremely good at meal planning for her clients - she takes into account your own food preferences and custom creates meal ideas on the fly. She is amazing and well worth her hourly rate!!! I don't know if she does her work via phone or not, but if you are in the Southeast and need nutritional counseling I would certainly recommend her.

Below is a list of things my nutritionist recommended mixed with the things I came up with on my own. Remember, this list is suitable for my taste buds and time to cook (aka none), so it isn't an exhaustive list, but should give you a start on ideas.

Note I used the following brand-specific products:
- Nature's Own 100% Whole Wheat bread for all my sandwiches
- Eggo whole wheat waffels (there are 3 flavors to choose from, all good)
- Skippy "Natural" peanut butter because it is lowest in sugar, you could get it from a whole foods store and get even less sugar
- Zesta whole wheat crackers
- CarbSmart ice cream bars
- Thomas whole wheat english muffins or mini-bagels
- Weight Watcher's Yogurt - I liked the flavor and consistency better than some of the others and it seemed to be the lowest in carbs.
- Nilla Wafers - they are the best tasting in my opinion and trust me taste counts for a LOT on this GD diet.


Breakfast:

- whole wheat english muffin w/ cheese or peanut butter and small amt fresh or frozen fruit on side.

- whole wheat english muffin w/ canadian bacon and eggs

- Yogurt w/ chopped nuts (or could use low fat plain or vanilla yogurt)

- 2 Eggo whole wheat waffles w/ peanut butter and flaked coconut (better than it sounds)

- whole wheat english muffin w/ marinara sauce and mozzerella w/ turkey pepperoni

- Fresh fruit w/ bag of toasted almonds

- Weight Watcher's whole wheat tortilla w/ cheese and luncheon meat - microwave meat well! Side of fresh fruit

- Quaker low sugar instant oatmeal w/ serving of nuts mixed in.

- Grilled cheese sandwich (mix it up w/ the kinds of cheese you use)

- Whole wheat bread, Bacon, egg - sandwhich (use pre-cooked bacon to speed up)

Lunch / Dinner:

For dinners I would only cook 2 or 3 times per week. I would make 1 meal and

either serve leftovers next night or freeze them and serve next week.

- Homemade Chili (will be glad to share the recipe)- 1 bowl w/ Zesta whole wheat crackers

- Homemade pizza (will be glad to share the recipe, everyone loves it) - keep it to 2 small slices

- Stirfry (buy frozen pre-mixed veggies) w/ soy sauce, peanut, or thai sauce - throw in some pre-cooked chicken or beaf to add protien.

- Most casseroles are fine, just watch the portion size!!! Double or add veggies to get vegetables in for the day.

- Any pasta dish will work (spagehtti, alfredo, etc), just keep the serving size to 1 cup. Add steamed/micro'ed vegies to ALL pasta sauces - frozen broccoli is the BEST for doing this quickly.

- South Beach Diet meal kits are PERFECT for the GD diet and include jello for dessert!

Dinner Out:

Most of your ethnic foods are still OK to eat (except maybe Italian). You will need to skip appetizers and dessert though, which is hard.

- Indian - Chicken Tikka Masala (go light on the sauce) or Tandoori Chicken are great, just skip the naan and cut down to 1/4 to 1/3 cup rice. (skipping the naan is hard to do, but worth it to have great food!!!) Add a veggie side dish that isn't made using a cream sauce (aloo gobi is a goo choice).

- Chinese - Beef w/ veggies or chicken w/ veggies dishes are great, just get white rice, not fried, and cut the amt rice to 1/3 cup.

- Thai - most of their dishes are served seperate from the rice and are high in veggies. Keep the rice to 1/4 to 1/3 cup. Massman curry, garlic chicken or Lettuce wraps are great for this diet. Skip the coconut soup, or make it your meal.

- American - I LOVED going out for a steak as a treat - I'd simply choose a smaller, better cut of meat and non-starch veggies with a SMALL baked potato.

- Meal on the go - Zone Perfect bars, protien bars


Snacks:

- 1 serving Nilla wafers w/ peanut butter and cream cheese

- 1 serving Nilla wafers w/ Weight Watcher's yogurt

- 1 serving Nilla wafers w/ fresh fruit and peanut butter

- 1/2 whole wheat bagel w/ mozzarella, marinara, turkey pepperoni

- triscuts w/ melted cheese and luncheon meat or salsa (just put the toppings on the triscut and mirco until melted, extremely quick)

- 1 small Weight Watcher's tortilla with cheese and luncheon meat

- hummus / feta cheese / raw veggies

- 1 small Weight Watcher's tortilla, hummus, spinach, feta cheese

- Soup (make sure it has enough protein) and crackers

- Soup and grilled cheese

- 1/2 PB&J - heavy on the peanut butter and try to use sugar free jelly if you can stand it (I can't, so I went light on the jelly)

- 2 graham crackers with peanut butter and cream cheese (try the flavored cream cheese mmmmmm)

- grilled cheese sandwich on whole wheat

- 1/2 tuna salad sandwich on whole wheat or crackers (only 1/2 because I make it with sweet pickles which are high in sugar)

- egg salad sandwich on whole wheat

- Sugarfree Jello w/ Light CoolWhip - this is almost a totally free snack, you could have it almost anytime you want. Add a frozen or fresh fruit and a serving of nuts or coconut to count it as a snack.


Convenience Store snack:

- sleeve of nuts w/ fruit or 4oz 100% juice drink

- Lance peanut butter and crackers

- 1/2 serving of Dark chocolate w/ serving of nuts

Mother's Day Manifesto

This weekend marks my first Mother's Day where I will, me, myself most likely actually finally be a Mom. This of course assuming nothing horribly bad happens between now and then to change my Mom status.

I'm inspired by Julie's Mother's Manifesto to think about the kind of Mom I plan to be for Jim. Some of the things I am so totally going to steal from her list, only because they truly apply to me as well, but try not to hold it against me. :)

I will use cliches to explain my reasons for doing things. It is my right as a parent. However, I will try very hard not to say " because I said so".

If you embarrass me in public I will embarrass you right back - and I'm going to be creative about it!

Mostly I'll know when you're lying.

I will always take your side but it might not always look that way.

You will think I'm a dork but your friends will think I'm cool. Trust me on this.

I will hold you while you sleep for as long as you will let me.

I will not display any photo of you that showcases your full frontal nudity, no matter how gloriously proud I am of your elephantine genitalia.

Most of the time I'll be laughing with you. Oh, sure, sometimes I'll be laughing at you, but I will not make it obvious.

I will tell your Nana every silly or crazy little thing you do for as long as she is willing to sit and listen to it. She deserves to get some enjoyment from seeing me slowly tortured into grey hair.

I will mess with you. A lot. I consider it the best way to raise you to deal with the fuck-with-your-mind kind of world we live in. I will blow in your face to watch that bewildered squinty look that babies get when they feel that single surprising puff. When you cry, I will gently and rhythmically tap my hand over your mouth, so that you make that "ah-uh-ah-uh-ah-uhbahbahbahbahbah" indian chief noise, perhaps surprising you out of your wailing but at the very least entertaining myself enough to endure it.

No, we will not get rid of the cat if he bites you. Do you think it was a good idea to pull his tail? I wonder if you'll do it again.

I will surely annoy you by singing made-up words to songs. I do it on purpose. If you can't beat me — and on this, my dear, you cannot — I surely hope you'll join me.

I will get on to you about your grades, but I will explain why.

Knowing your extended family well will be mandatory. We will spend all our holidays with them. You will thank me later.

Even though I hope it is a skill you never need to survive by, I will teach you to grow your own food.

I will make sure you know how to fire, clean and store a gun properly. If you want to learn to hunt I will let you. I believe gun safety can save your life, because guns aren't a forbidden fruit.

I will send you to live on our farm during the summer when you are a pre-teen. There is no greater teacher than nature.

If you are interested in cars we will restore one together.

I will explain girls to you early on - they really shouldn't be such a mystery. :)

I will try to make sure you have the confidence to wear pink and know that it looks amazing on you.

Slow dancing is a lost art I will teach you. It will make you a chick-magnet on the dance floor.

If you want to know what beer tastes like before you are 21 I won't keep you from trying it. However, I won't abide you getting drunk out with your friends. If you drink and drive even once I will take your car and sell it. Period.

I will always want to hold you and get a snuggle.

I will try to remember not to say no unless it matters.

I will get in the floor and wrestle with you for as long as I am physically able.

I will send you outside to play.

I will restrict the amount of TV you watch. There is a reason they call it the "boob tube".

I may not accomplish all of these things, but I will do my best for you. All of the above statements are my plans to teach you about the world around you while challenging you and make you confident and strong. Never forget the most important thing of all... I love you, my son, my boy, my wonder and joy. You made me a Mom. Thank you.

A Major Milestone Acheived - Parents Relieved

Bo and I just returned from a 5 day jaunt to D.C. to see Jim's Grandpa.

For those of you "old timers" to my world I've talked about Bo's family situation before, but here's a quick refresher: Bo is the oldest of 3 boys. Jim is the first and only grandchild on Bo's side of the family, also Grandpa's namesake. Grandpa is 82 years old and not in great health. Grandma, sadly has already passed from this life.

The last month of oxygen treatments for Jim has been nerve-wracking, but in addition we've been holding our collective breath that Grandpa would live to see Jim. So, my apologies for not posting Jim's sleep study results quickly, but as SOON as we got Jim's sleep study results on Friday we piled in the car for a 2-day 10 hour car trip (that's one way folks)!

Jim had never met Grandpa before, as neither Jim nor Grandpa could travel. Yes, we had sent pictures, and boy is that Grandpa ever proud, but he so wanted to hold him. It was a sweet and joyful meeting. Both Jim and Grandpa had a good time - staring at each other, opening and playing with a sliver rattle, taking naps, and generally hanging out. Jim was an ANGEL too!!!! In 3 days of visiting he cried 1 time - and it was to get his poo diaper changed!

Just for the record, I have been declared "a good Mom", and it feels good. :) Frankly, I was afraid Grandpa's old fashioned thoughts on how Mom should behave would be an issue. I seem to have passed muster though, and I'm very glad. I wouldn't want Grandpa to worry about his little man.

Folks, this is one milestone I am terribly glad we achieved, for everyone's sake.