Baby Talk

Aidan putting his Steeplechase winnings
in his Clemson Bank.

What is it about babies that cause people to talk funny and make up words or using silly phrases?  For instance, when Aidan is obviously tired, I ask him if he wants to take a nappy nap.  Why not just a nap?  I don't take nappy naps, nor does AJ, but Aidan does.  I seem to be guilty of using the word twice and typically adding a 'y'.  Nappy nap, dipey dipe, andYum yum (to be fair, I have said the same thing to my dogs for 7 years), plus several more.  I try to stop myself because there's no reason to make up words and phrases, but something about a baby brings it out.  I do realize that changing the pitch of my voice makes Aidan giggle, and of course, I will say and do something repeatedly to hear him laugh, but it's a conscious effort, not like the phrases I make up which seem to take me by surprise...

Since Aidan has begun to roll, he has always decided to roll left, even screaming when he gets stuck and does not roll right.  However, this week, he decided that he wanted to roll right.  He also decided that playing on his stomach isn't so bad, and I fear that learning to crawl is on the horizon.  We're not ready!  The house needs baby proofing and keeping up with a roller is already a tall task.  Aidan is also learning to soothe himself to sleep.  He cries less and falls asleep sooner...most nights.  He still wakes several times a night, but he doesn't need much to fall asleep.

I have introduced Aidan to apples and squash, which were bought fresh from a local farm that doesn't use pesticides, which is great for apples since they are the worst for pesticides.  Additionally, I reintroduced Aidan to sweet potatoes and he loved them.  I have also given him some whole pieces of fresh banana, avocado, and steamed sweet potato to gum on (or is it gummy gum?), and he enjoyed it.  So I plan to give him less purees and more "solid" type food.

Aidan has kept busy playing with lots of toys, swinging, playing in his pool, and going out to events such as the Aiken Steeplechase.  He was not interested in the horse racing, though he was greatly fascinated by the fence and the badge that we wear into the event.  I guess it's the small things that are entertaining. 

The jumparoo required a height adjustment, and Aidan finally had enough of the infant car seat altogether.  AJ had to change out his infant base for the big convertible seat.  Bringing Aidan home from daycare is easier since I do not have to lift the heavy seat with the 20+ pound baby, however, when he falls asleep, I typically wake him when removing him from the seat.  He never falls back asleep, so I don't have a break to unload the truck and put stuff away, unless I carry Aidan the entire time.  I do have great arms, thanks to Aidan. :)

In other news, I thought I had avoided the hair loss, but lately, I have noticed hair balls in my laundry, a lot of hair in the sink and shower, and my hair brush having to be cleaned more often.  Ugh, I liked my thick, glowy hair...why must it fall out?! I am still taking prenantals, and I thought this would prolong the loss, but I guess all good things must come to an end.

It’s hard to be a gym junkie when the weather is gorgeous, and my favorite season appears to be upon us.  Welcome Spring, I missed you, please stay as long as possible.  With the warm weather, it will be nice to take Aidan to the park, play in a pool, and go for walks in the stroller.

No big developments with Aidan – he’s rolling to the left, sitting up, and trying new foods.  He is not a big fan of his antibiotic, which is unflavored, mom will know better next time.  Some nights go well when he is in the crib, other nights it is a scream fest, and he ends up back in the bed with us.  One day at a time…

So it has been 6 months since I gave birth to the little guy, and while I feel normal for the most part, there are symptoms I still experience.  Warning TMI to follow, skip to the bold below if you want to skip the TMI.  Now that the warm weather is back, and the air conditioning is running, I experience night sweats, again.  My wallets says I can’t put the temperature down to 62 degrees Fahrenheit, so I suffer through the craziness, which isn’t every night.  The linea nigra is almost gone, but my abs are still weird looking, even after crunches, planks, and sit ups.  And the worst symptom that has not disappeared is the hemorrhoid; it is not bothersome, but the presence is irritating because I wonder if it will ever go away.  The fortunate side effect of breastfeeding (and pregnancy) is no Aunt Flo.  She has not returned, and I hope she stays away until after I wean from breastfeeding, which I hope is at least one year.

Life as a Mom

This past weekend, I met up with some awesome ladies who happen to have babies around the same age as Aidan.  Okay, we know each other because we all happen to have babies at the same age, but we met up for some girl time.  I wouldn’t call it a play date…it was more gabbing, enjoying a drink, and throwing back pizza while babies roll, scream, and enjoy someone else's toys.   I had a great time and look forward to doing it again, though I don’t want the other babies teaching Aidan how to crawl or showing off their teeth – I am NOT ready for him to do/have these things.

Time goes by quicker as a mom.  Gone are the days where I can come home and sit on the couch to watch tv or read a book.  No, I have to hurry home to unpack the daycare bag, start laundry, fill bottles with breastmilk, put the dirty bottles in the sink to be washed, and hopefully find or make something to eat.  If Aidan naps on the way home, I can accomplish a lot, otherwise, my arms hurt from holding him while trying to accomplish these tasks.  Then it’s time to feed Aidan – nursing and a solid, but not too close together…After eating, it’s time to play and practice the new skills he has developed.  Finally, it will be time for a bath, followed by nursing and a wonderful game of go to sleep! Hopefully, the game won’t last long because mom needs her sleep, all 6 hours if she’s lucky.

Dear Aidan,

I amazed everyday by what you learn.  One day, you refuse to roll over, and the next you won't stop rolling over.  I never know what you will do when we get home to play, and I look forward to these special moments.

At 6 months, we have found how much you love eating solids - oatmeal, avocado, sweet peas, and zucchini.  You make faces and turn away when I offer sweet potatoes.  I love feeding you solids; you get so excited that you squeal with delight and cry if I take too long.  Your hands are constantly grabbing at the spoon or moving around, making a fist and opening back up.  You open your mouth wide and smack your lips.  When you blew your first raspberry with a mouthful of food, I loved it, made me smile - too cute. I cannot wait until we can eat the same food, and you can be a Guinea pig for my new recipes.  But don't grow up too quickly, I love enjoying your infant stage and it seems the first six months have gone by faster than expected.  Baby boy, you melt my heart everyday.  You take a bad day at work and turn it into the best evening possible. Who knew baby laughter was so wonderful.

Together, we have successfully nursed and pumped for six months, which was my original goal, and baby boy, we have another six to go.  I love nursing you, the connection is beautiful and one I know I will miss when we wean, but that's months to come.  I fear teeth, but I know it's all part of growing up and becoming a big boy, I can only hope that it doesn't interfere with nursing.  I love your happy smiles and giggling when your nurse, even when you spill milk down the side of me.  I know these moments won't last forever, so I will cherish them, despite the messes you make.

I know bedsharing can become a bad habit, and while it's only been approximately three months, I know we have to seperate.  The doctor said so, though I don't want to.  I love to wake up and see you lying there beside me.  I love to kiss you good morning and good bye, even though you're sleeping peacefully.  I am glad you don't want to be up at 3 am like mom has to be.  On weekends, we nurse in bed, then play.  You giggle and jabber; you are a morning person already, and I love talking to you when you're so happy and playful.  However, our moments have to come to an end soon.  It's going to be hard, the doctor even said to let you cry some, so please forgive me.  Mom doesn't like to see you cry, but some things are for the best...at least that's what I am telling myself.  The doctor also said we need to cut out the 4 am feeding....it's all the doctor, baby boy. But we will do what's best for us, and if you need me or you need to nurse, you know I will give in.  Those salty drops running down your face win me over every time.

As we take these next few months one day at a time, please have patience with me as I will do the same.  I expect some teething woes, some self soothing sleeping fussiness, and some stern "no's" in your future.  But I also foresee you sitting up more by yourself, playing with new toys, enjoying new foods, practicing swimming, and possibly crawling.  I bet the dogs can't wait!  So bear with me as we get through some tough times because those tough days will be filled with plenty of love, kisses, and hugs.

I love you baby boy, you are my whole world.

Love,

Mom

The Evil Baby Apparatus

Aidan hates it…probably with a passion.  I bring it out, and he swats it away.  He cries, he squirms, and he turns red.  But I use it for his own good, and afterwards, he’s happy.  But the interim period is hell and my heart aches for the poor guy.  This won’t be the last time I do something for his own good that hurts him. The it is a snot sucker.  Sounds gross, of course, snot sucking sounds gross!  But let me introduce you to the fine contraption invented by the Swedish – NoseFrida!  No, you do not get snot in your mouth – there’s a sponge that allows the suction air to pass through, but would prevent snot from filtering through.  In addition, once you use this fine contraption, you will understand that it takes a lot of suction to move the snot up far enough to even threaten to penetrate the sponge.  Saline solution + NoseFrida = snotless kid, well besides the attitude. J Believe me, kiddo, I would rather be sleeping at midnight than sucking snot out of your nose.  This isn't fun for either one of us.

  

In other news, Aidan is beginning to sit up by himself more, though if he falls to his side, he is down! If he falls forward, he can catch himself.  Of course, the dogs want to lick and sniff him, and he turns his attention to them – then falls over.  He’ll learn, more each day.  It’s amazing to watch the world through his eyes.

And of course, this isn't always about Aidan...mom and dad are busy adjusting to his routine and his new capabilities.  I feel like we are finally settling into a routine.  I can cook dinner and go to the gym through out the week without feeling overwhelmed or rushed for time.  Occasionally, I pick Aidan up from day care, and we go to the grocery store.  I carry my buddy as I call him, around the grocery store on my arm and talk to him as I pick out groceries.  He loves to look around, and for small trips, it works out well.  Yesterday, he helped me pick out the avocado and zucchini he wanted to eat. 

I continue to experiment with recipes I find on Pinterest.  I think I have only come across 3 not so great recipes, but with a few modifications, I think they will be repeats on the menu.  If you follow me on Pinterest, it would appear I have an obsession with chicken - I do.  I love chicken, and if I can find good to great recipes for chicken, I will repeat them and pin the heck out of them.  

Chewy, gooey brownie in a cupcake with  milk chocolate frosting.