This Holiday Season

This Holiday season, I admit, doesn't feel like it used to. I just can't get into it this year! I feel bad because I want my little one to have this awesome Christmas but there I am... stuck. I can't go out and buy gifts because I am on bed rest still and that takes some of the joy out of the holiday for me. I love buying gifts for people. I love wrapping those gifts and seeing the faces of my loved ones after they see their gift. I'm not going to have that this year. I know everyone in my family understands but I still wish I could do something for them. I'm glad I got a few little trinkets here and there earlier in the fall for my son- If not there would be almost NOTHING! Ack!

We did get a tree so it does look like Christmas in the house. I'm glad we did something for Baby J. Growing up, we always had a tree on Christmas. ALWAYS! I wanted my little guy to have a tree too... so the love of my life went out and picked a tree with Baby J while I was stuck at home. It was good for them to get out and hang together even though it was for a short time. We had lots of fun decorating the tree and every now and then I catch Baby J trying to take an ornament from the tree and move it to another spot. It's hilarious because he knows he is not supposed to touch the tree. If it was up to him there would be no ornaments because he would throw them everywhere! I guess that's  what happens when you have a boy in the house!

That is a new thing... throwing balls. He loves to throw footballs, foam soccer balls, etc. He can throw overhand and has a really good arm! I'm shocked at how well he throws. I think he will play football or baseball when he is old enough. I'm sure he will be good at sports... he has enough energy for it! I just hope that the next one comes out and can keep up with his older brother... if not I don't know what I will do!


So I am at 35 weeks this week.... one week more than the Dr gave me! I'm happy Little One is staying in there for so long, but I know he can't wait to come out! I feel him try to move but I can feel that he can't. He has no room to move and he is always stuck in the one position. A C-section is what I must get. I think it's better anyway so there are no complications with a VBAC. I have been getting those Braxton Hicks contractions and boy are they no fun! They feel like bad menstrual cramps and always come when I am sleeping or relaxing. I didn't get them with my first pregnancy because he came so early but this time God was sure to bless me with them. Ouch!

I hate that I can't see my feet. I hate that I can't sleep at night. I hate that when I sneeze I pull something and am in pain for a while. I hate the back aches and the leg cramps. I hate the "mask of pregnancy". I am swollen and can't eat without feeling like I will throw everything up. I love how the baby kicks but not when there is a foot constantly in my ribcage.  People like being pregnant?? I like the fact that I have and can feel my baby inside of me- I just don't like the things that go along with it! There are some women that have fantastic pregnancies but mine have not been cake. They have been hard but have been well worth it!

I have a gut feeling that this kid will be coming into the world rather soon. I'm not sure when, but will definitely post when he does. Until next time!!

Much love,
-J

Of Research and Randomness

This was a post that I wrote before Thanksgiving... please forgive me for not posting it sooner... I forgot that I had it saved as a draft!

I have made it to 31 weeks! YES!! This is a great thing because I really thought that I could only keep a child in there for 30 weeks. Very big accomplishment! Anyway, I am still on bed rest and yes..... it still stinks. I was able to go to the Dr this past week and it felt nice to get out and drive. I really haven't done that for 2 weeks - can you believe it!?! The worst thing about it is that I can feel myself getting weaker and I can see the difference in my legs- I used to have more muscle tone and now its mostly flab (boo!).

Baby J has gotten more teeth in which is why he has been exceptionally cranky these days. It's nothing a little Tylenol can't fix! He has also been a maniac with his running around. He has really become careless and falls all the time! I know he wants to run, but there is a speed he must do in order not to fall and he just surpasses that speed all the time. With this need for speed I feel he must wear protective eye wear and have a helmet on at all times! Lol.

I have been doing a lot of research on kids, vaccines and 'problems' in kids- if you want to call it that. When I went to the Dr last week I had dropped Baby J off at my moms since she was home for the day. I asked her if he has been "talking" for her and she said he didn't say much all day. I have been noticing it too. He used to say so many words along with his baby babble but now it seems like he has only a handful of favorite words and he speaks more baby babble than before. I asked her if she thought he had a learning disability and she said that he might need to have speech therapy (she recognizes the babbling because my brother did the same thing and speech therapy helped him a lot).  My heart sank because she is a nurse, she has been through it and she does know the warning signs. It would be something I have to bring up at his next pediatrician appointment.

So anyway, the research. When I was browsing the web at all the sites for all of the warning signs I realized he has very few of them. He is still my loving little boy who loves to give hugs and calls when he needs me for something. I did however, find out that when kids start to walk they push learning language to the side and keep walking a top priority. Maybe this is what happened to Baby J??? I can't say for sure but it sure sounds a heck of a lot better than thinking he may have a learning disability. When I was thinking back to when he started walking, I am now pretty sure that this is what is happening. I will still bring it up to the pediatrician but I do have peace of mind about it now. I was a little frantic and bummed for a few days.

At least I was able to do some research of my own and see what the possibilities are. I feel better knowing that I have a little more knowledge on different subjects concerning my baby. As for Little One (the one in my belly), I have a feeling he will be coming out before his due date. I am hoping he stays in there till the end of December or even the beginning of January. Personally, I don't think I am prepared enough for him to come out. There are so many things I still need and this whole being on bed rest and trying to prepare for a new baby is kind of putting a damper on the Holidays for me. By no means am I saying Bah-Humbug to the Holidays, but I do miss going out Christmas shopping and trying to find the perfect gift for people... especially my baby boy. Online shopping is not the same as going out and standing in line at the stores for hours lol.

Well I have to be going because it is that time... NAPTIME! :-)

Ever since I have been home, I have been pretty good at keeping Baby J on a nap schedule. It helps because he knows when it is time to nap. So until next time!

Much love,
-J

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

What are your plans for Turkey Day?? (We are going to my mothers this year- should be fun!)

A little of this... a little of that....

So it has been a month that I have been on bed rest and I must admit it is incredibly boring yet has been so good. I spend more time watching my one year old do things... walk, talk, eat, play, dance, etc. I've taken more notice to how he picks things up and puts them back down, how he investigates new things. If I wasn't forced to be on bed rest, these are the things that I would have just missed- not on purpose, but because I would be doing other things as well as trying to watch him. Having all of my attention focused on him makes these things easier to pick up.

I have been going to the doctor every 2 weeks for checks and ultrasounds. My last ultrasound was last week and I found out that my baby weighs almost 4 pounds. Its great!! I'm sure he weighs a little more this week now that I am at 33 weeks. I'm just happy I am farther along than I got with Baby J!


We still can't decide on a name.... have any suggestions? We want an American/English name that is not popular at the moment. I was thinking along the lines of classic or a little unusual. I feel like I have searched every name website there is and I still can't find a name that both of us agree on. How frustrating! UGH!!

This weekend we got our Christmas tree! We put on the lights and all of the ornaments that were unbreakable- we need them unbreakable because my little one loves to take them and throw them while he says 'ball!'. It's funny and cute but I really don't want him taking things from the tree and messing things up... especially if we go to someone's house!

I haven't given an update on our garden that has been moved completely inside. Well... our herbs like basil, mint, oregano and parsley are kicking butt!!! Our arugula has gone south (it didn't survive during the crazy weather this fall) and we are still growing peppers and tomatoes! It's crazy but we have those in a home made hydroponics system and they are doing very well. Baby J has been waiting to pick the peppers and tomatoes so when a pepper became ripe over the weekend we let him pick it. He was so happy he wanted to grab the others! We did not let him of course because we wanted them to ripen a bit more. So after a little fit and some crocodile tears he forgot about picking the peppers and decided to eat the one he had just picked. Thank goodness it wasn't a hot pepper! We tried to take it away but he refused until he was done taking his bites out of it... then off to the fridge it went!

Going back to Christmas decorating.... I tweeted this earlier but I want to ask it here too.... Do you have one tree or two at home? Some people have two trees- one for the kids and the other is for the 'grown ups'. Other people have one tree and put a combination of all the ornaments (kid and adult) on the tree. Which do you have if you celebrate Christmas? In our house we have just one tree and we have a mish mosh of all the ornaments (we had non breakable ones that we have used since we first got together) on the tree. I guess in a way you could say that our tree is 'baby proof''.

Well, it has been a long day and I must get to bed. Have a lovely evening!!!

Much Love,

-J

Bed Rest- Day 7

Today is my 7th day of bed rest. Boo. It has been extremely difficult for me and I know it has been difficult for Baby J. He loves being outside and I feel bad that I can not be the one to take him out and play. The most I have been able to play with him is cars because I can lay on my side and move the cars around with him. I showed him how he can play cars with his brother so he sits next to me and pushes his little cars over my belly. It is so cute when he gets excited about his brother. Just the way he says it is so cute. "Brother, brother, brother!" That is what he will say. He does very well saying different words, he can't quite get them to form sentences yet. That will come in time.

I have been trying desperately to think of a name for this baby. I had all these girl names picked out because EVERYONE I knew or met was so sure I was having a girl because of my "look". Since they were all wrong (even mom and my grandmother), I have been looking for a name non stop. I listen to all the suggestions but I am really looking for something unique... something not many people will be calling out on the playground. That was my criteria for Baby J. Had to be something not many people had because I don't want ten kids running to me when I call out his name on the play ground. We were looking at Spanish names for Baby J and this time I want a more American name. The name that I am loving is Emerson but the Hubs isn't feeling it. We were thinking about another name but its one that my sister would want and I can't take her name from her. So we are left at square one with no name and a baby that will be here by December (which is coming soon). Hopefully he is healthy when he comes out and he won't have to stay in the NICU too long.

How did you decide on your child's name (if you have one) or how do you think you will pick a name when the time comes?

-J

Bed Rest- Ugh!

Okay, so October came and went and I really don't know what happened to the time! I think from being pregnant and going to all my appointments and having a one year old who just started walking, all my time flew out the window! I feel like I say that every time I post, but its true... just how I feel.

November started off rough so far, and its sad that it has because it is only the beginning! Last week I went for my usual check up with my Dr... everything was fine he said. Well he was wrong! The following day I had an ultrasound and CL (cervical length) check and while my CL was being checked I noticed something was wrong. The tech kept taking measurements over and over... of the same thing. I knew something had changed. I was going every 2 weeks for a while and my CL did not change at all so they stopped checking for a while. Over a month passed and this was my first CL for a while and it changed so much. I went from 3 to 1.5 which means its no good. I was rushed up to Maternity and Delivery and hooked up to monitors to see if i was having contractions. Thank God I wasn't! I was there for several hours then was discharged to go home. I left a little sore because of an injection I was given in case I give birth early. So I had to go back the following day to be hooked on monitors, given a second injection, and to have a test run on me. Its scary when you have one pre term child and you have all these people monitoring you and it wasn't good enough. I got the results back from the test which were negative. That means that I have a 99% chance I will not give birth in the next two weeks. It also means bed rest till the Dr says I can have this baby. This is so not fun! I thought for sure that I would be able to keep this kid in there till he's fully ripe! I guess even with monitoring there is nothing you can do when your baby is ready to come out.

Do you know anyone that has had a pre-term baby?

-J

Walking in October!

Okay! So September came and went and its now October!!! Sooooo......

HAPPY OCTOBER!!!!

I love the fall... the leaves on the trees change color, where is the crisp cool air that makes you want to bundle up in a sweater, fall decorations, fall foods (like pumpkin and apple pie!) and Halloween! I used to love dressing up and going out to get candy and it makes me so happy that I can now do that with my son and share the experience! Last year we went out but it was rainy and he was in his stroller- still very young to really enjoy it. Now Baby J is walking (yes... I said it... WALKING!) and I think he will have a lot of fun.

So the walking..... he started to walk about a week or two ago and hes been going and going ever since! I changed him, took him off the table and put him down on the floor, he cried because he didn't want to sit so I stepped away from him and he followed after me... the rest is history! He started just taking a few steps at a time and then grabbing on to something or just sitting on his backside. Now he is to the point where he can walk from one room to the other! It's very exciting but nerve-racking all at once. He has taken a few spills and has fallen on his face.... he just scares himself and that's what makes him cry. Other than the spills, I think he's doing great!

Well I guess nap time is over for him right now so I must be going. Sorry to make this post so short!

I hope you keep enjoying this fall weather- I know we will! So until next time...........!

Much love,
-J

Teething!

Having a teething baby is a pain... thank goodness for tylenol because he is under my feet ALL THE TIME and I need him to stop being cranky! I have been chasing him, cleaning up after him (he has made it to the point where he sees mommy clean it up so he thinks its ok to mess it up right after...like a game... mommy doesn't like this game though) and waking up at all ungodly hours of the night to comfort him. For me waking up at night is the worst. I hear him cry and I try to get out of bed as fast as I can - this would be fine if I wasn't pregnant and didn't pull something every time I get woken up. It's painful! Unfortunately there is nothing that I can do about this unless I give birth now (which is not happening), wait for his teeth to come in (I hope they do soon), or load him up with Tylenol (which I hate to do because I don't want him to become too dependent on it- a little is fine here and there). So with those options I have I seriously feel I can't do much about a teething baby's sleeping habits right now.
Does anyone else have trouble like this?

-J

Farm Day!

This morning we woke up early, ate breakfast and got ready for the day. I think I was more excited than everyone to go on our adventure today. We went to the farm! Baby J likes to go there. Last time we were there we saw goats, sheep, pigs, pony's, a donkey, turkeys, chickens and chicks but we only stayed for a short period of time.

This morning we went around and saw all the animals again. Baby J was nervous around the pony and did not want to pet it, probably because it was so big! He touched the goats and loved looking at the chicks in their little house. I am sure he would have stayed there with his head in the little window looking at them all day if he could have! He was so cute feeding all the animals too. Him and his Daddy did most of the feeding. I was very happy to see that not only Baby J was having a good time but that Daddy did too! Just watching the both of them feeding the animals and looking around made me feel like our family was really real. We never really get to do much as a 'family'. I will bring the baby to do things or the hubs will bring the baby to do things but its rare that we do things for a specific amount of time together. I don't mean that we never spend time together.... we do... but this time it was OUTSIDE the house- all of us having fun- that's what made it special.

Last fall we took Baby J to the pumpkin patch but he was only about four months old and could not really enjoy or appreciate being out with us. This time he was able to point out where he wanted to go and what he wanted to see. Seeing his face as he was feeding the goats and looking at the pigs and chickens was priceless. He was so nervous and excited all at the same time but had a huge smile on his little face! I am sure we will have an animal or two in the house when he gets older, but it has to be after him and his brother are big enough to help with them.

The farm we went to today was full of families and many of the women were expecting which made me feel better. I love going to that farm and I feel like if I could.... I would move. I would start my own farm somewhere. I know it's a lot of work but think how peaceful it would be. It would be me and my family growing together, taking care of the land, growing our own fruits and veggies and taking care of whatever animals we decided to have. That's the life..... but right now it is a dream.

Maybe one day......

Would you ever live on a farm and grow your own food? Let me know what you think!

Much love,
-J

A little of this... and that!

Let me give you an update on our little garden. We have had quite a few (very) hot peppers that have grown... too hot for me to eat! We have also had quite a few banana peppers which are sweet as well as a few regular bell peppers. Also, we have had cherry tomatoes and finally our roma tomatoes are coming out! It took a while for those suckers to grow but we have a lot of them now! I was able to use the little green onions i had planted earlier in the spring in one of my chicken dishes... delish! Fresh produce is always the best way to go, especially if you grow it yourself- it's that much more rewarding! Other than that we just keep the same stuff growing like the basil (kicking butt!) and the arugula is finally coming back after not doing so well in the hot weather. It helps to have a green thumb! :P

Anyway, life has been getting crazier and crazier since the last time I had posted anything. I keep getting bigger and bigger and Baby J keeps getting closer and closer to walking (yikes!). I still have all my appointments to go to and I have been so blessed to have my mom helping me while she has been on disability from work. She is supposed to go back within the next week or so and it makes me sad that I won't have someone like her watching the baby while I go to my appointments. I am sure I will find a way to have someone watch him. I must think positive!

So on top of everything being crazy, I have been so tired! Baby J has been teething and this time its bad...... He has gotten a pretty bad diaper rash and I know that some people say diaper rashes have nothing to do with teething but since he rarely ever gets diaper rash I think that it is from that. My mom was telling me that with all four of us kids (yes... I am number two of four!), we always got bad diaper rashes whenever we got a new tooth in, but once the tooth came up the rash would go away.

With this teething, he has also been getting up a few times a night... not because he is hungry but because he is uncomfortable. Tylenol only helps for a few hours which is good but I wish it could get rid of the pain till the teething is completely over. I can only wish! Also with the teething I find that he is clinging to either me or his Daddy a whole lot more than usual. I'm okay with it because I know it will get better but its Daddy who has a hard time with it. Baby J also just wants to hang out with him every chance he gets because Daddy goes to work during the day and all he does is stay with me during the day. I think he gets tired of seeing me sometimes.... but that's okay... he needs his Daddy time or even his alone time.

He has become more independent as he gets older. He knows what he wants and tries to get his way sometimes and I feel so bad trying to discipline him but I know he needs it. When he gets tired of playing with his toys in the living room he crawls into the bedroom and plays in his play area there. He just ups and goes! I am glad that he can do that but it does make me nervous when I am doing dishes and I go to look for him and can't find him. I am just glad he knows where he can go and what he can play with even though it makes me a little sad that he doesn't NEED me all the time!

How have you dealt with your kids having diaper rash, and how have you coped with your kids becoming more independent? Comment and let me know! I better be off to relax a little bit.... Until next time!

Much love,
- J

Hoping for a healthy one!

Hello!!

Okay... so the last time I blogged I had said that I was pregnant again. Well..... I still am pregnant, but now I am very noticeably pregnant! I'm not even 20 weeks and am almost the size I was when I gave birth to Baby J- CRAZY!!! Since Baby J came two months early, my Dr recommended that I go to have my cervical length checked every 2 weeks as a precaution. The Dr that I am seeing does not want the baby to come out early again and since there was no warning sign that I was going to deliver prematurely with my first, he wants to make sure that all angles are covered so it does not happen again. It makes me feel better knowing that I am being carefully monitored and that the doctors and staff are concerned about my baby and my well being.

Every two weeks when I go to the hospital for my check, they do it by ultrasound. I really don't mind going there because that's the time I get to see my little baby. I always ask for pictures and not once has the technician denied me a picture of my little baby. I usually get around three pics every time I go and it's funny because I have almost filled a whole album with the ultrasound pics- the baby isn't born yet! It's good because I can really see how the baby is developing. I am going for the anatomy ultrasound in about a week even though I already know what the baby is. At my last two checks the technicians asked me if I was going to find out the sex and if I would like to know what I am having. Of course I said yes and they told me I was going to have another boy. I'm excited..... there were a lot of people that had told me I was going to have a girl by the way I was carrying and just how my face looked so that made me hopeful of having one of each. I'm excited that Baby J is going to have a little brother that he can play with and be buddies with. My friend also said that they can wear each other out! I hope that will happen so it's easier for me to get them to clam down and sleep... that is if I have two really active kids. This next one might be a total bookworm and be really really laid back. Who knows... all I am hoping for is a healthy baby.... I think that is all anyone can really ask for.

Well I better get going, it's getting late and since I can't rest much during the day and can't get a full nights sleep I better try to fall asleep before I get woken up.

To all a goodnight!
-J

What relaxation!?!

All I can say is I have been soooooooooo tired! Recently I found out I was pregnant again (which makes me VERY tired) and with Baby J moving fast, I have had no time to relax. He has been getting more teeth in which has made him extremely cranky at times. Hopefully it will end soon! He is the funniest little guy I know. He has created his own dance moves (which are so funny to watch), makes silly faces all the time, loves to share, and has been talking up a storm! I say he is developing quite well for being two months early.

Baby J is too young to realize that there is a little baby in my belly.... I can't wait for the day that he realizes it- I'm sure his face will be priceless! As my belly gets bigger, it becomes increasingly difficult to hold him. All he seems to want to do is give hugs and climb all over-which is great, but it hurts when he wants to climb on me.

As for me, I am trying my hardest to relax a little and go to all my appointments to see how the new little one is. So far the baby is doing well and I have nothing to worry about. I will post more soon when I have a little more time!

Much Love,
-J

My son is a fish...

This weekend went by so fast that I really don't remember how it started! We were at the beach on Saturday with some friends and family. Baby J had a friend to play with even though Baby B is only four months old...they were still smiling and talking to each other! At the house we were in we set up a baby pool so the kids could relax in the heat... I know Baby J really liked it! The thing that shocked me the most was that when we brought Baby J to the beach, he loved it! We stuck his feet and legs in the ocean and this kid could not get enough! He wanted to keep walking farther out into the water but I held him back.

We took a nice walk on the beach where we found some shells and sea glass as well as some sea creatures! My brother was there on Saturday morning so when we took a walk on the beach with him he had found a small black fiddler crab. He held it up to Baby J and as it scurried around his hand trying to escape, Baby J was trying to touch it with his pointer finger. It amazes me how he is not scared of things like that. I know it was a small crab, but still... it can pinch! Thank goodness it didn't because he would have been pretty upset. We also found some little clams that bury themselves in the sand when the water washes over them. Baby J had some in his hand and tried to eat them. He got quite upset when I took them away from him. He's not allowed to eat shellfish yet!! lol.

I have noticed that the older my little one gets, the more cranky he gets about things. For example, when he has something and finishes it or throws it away, he gets so upset there is no consoling him and he throws a tantrum. Is it possible for a one year old to have temper tantrums like he is in his terrible twos? Just figured I would ask. He also does this if we are sitting on the couch and I put him in his crib, pack and play, or walker when I have to do something. He just wants things his way and when he doesn't get it he gets mad.... oh well, the most I can and have been doing is trying to correct him when he is in the wrong but it doesn't really work out the way I was hoping it would.

Till next time!

Much love,
-J

fresh produce and dilemmas

So with this heat I have not been cooking that much :-(. I like to cook, don't get me wrong, but I find it more enjoyable when the whole house is not as hot or hotter than it is outside. Who wants to hang out over a stove or oven in the heat? Certainly not me! So my point in saying this is that I am sad I have not been able to make the soups my little guy loves to eat. I make mostly veggie soups, but that's good... it is the only way I can get some veggies in his diet without him making a face at me.

I had a very enjoyable weekend. My car was fixed (sorta) and I was able to drive it around if the air conditioning was not on (yuck). It was too hot during the day to drive it around but early morning and evening are not too bad. Anyway, my Hunny went out on Saturday and got us a new car with working air conditioning! I am so excited and happy and I was very surprised. We needed a car so bad because the two we have are breaking. On Sunday we went for a long drive up north. We looked at the scenery and stopped at a farm stand and bought some rosemary vinegar and a home made apple pie. I can't wait to eat it! We didn't get any tomatoes that day because a few days before I had gone to another farm stand and got some tomatoes, sugar plums, cucumbers and string beans. My aunt gave me some squash so I had some in the fridge.

I have been trying to get more fruits and veggies in all of our diets because they are healthy and they taste so good when they are fresh! I can't wait till our tomatoes become ripe so we can pick and eat them (they look so good!). I am still waiting for some hot and sweet peppers- the plants are big and we have lots of flowers, but no peppers yet. Hopefully soon! Our cucumber plant was full of bugs and didn't survive the transplant so I am pretty bummed about that.

I hope that Baby J will help me pick the tomatoes and peppers when the time comes. He has been very active and always wants to be where me or the hubs is. He stood up the other day and let go! He stood for a good 3 seconds before he fell on his bottom but that's ok..... he is learning! I can't wait till he can walk so he doesn't have to depend on someone to get him where he wants to go. He wants to be independent but its so hard now when he is confined to either a pack and play or a walker which he can't get into certain areas of the house.

A dilemma I am having is trying to find a part time job and working without putting the little guy in day care or with a sitter, you know, someone we don't know. Family is fine but almost everyone we know works and can only watch him at certain times. I would rather work in the mornings.... always have preferred a morning crowd than an evening crowd but it would be impossible if we can't find someone. I would love one of those work from home jobs but whenever I look at them they seem like such scams. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what kind of job would have flexible hours? I have not really worked in a year and I feel so out of the loop. Suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Till next time with much love,
-J

It's been way too long

So June was a pretty crazy month around here, sorry for not blogging much! Party prep for Baby J's Birthday/Baptism party drove me nuts! I left my bf to order the food and I got decorations, sent out invites, did party favors, had to get him his outfits for the day and also there were the Baptism class and rehearsal we had to go to. BJ's Wholesale club was our best friend for about a week.... we kept going to different ones because some only sold certain items that were found in the other stores. It was just crazy.

Well...... that day came and went and I am so happy that it is over! Life is back to normal (somewhat), and I am dying of heat! I have been without a car for a little over a week now so I can't go anywhere or do anything unless someone picks me and the baby up. My sister had to do that last week because my mom had an emergency surgery (she's okay!) so she and I decided we would hang out and help her out the day after she got home. I think she really appreciated it and I know she LOVED seeing the baby! She always is happy to see him..... he always seems to brighten her day! This past weekend was rough because the bf and I had different places to go but it made more sense for me to take the car that works...... SO I DID!

I took the baby and went to my Aunt's house. She had a BBQ and we were able to go swimming in the pool. Baby J loves the pool! He has his tube that he floats around in and its so cute to watch him kick his feet and walk all along the stairs. He is not afraid of the water- he will stay in till he turns blue but I won't let him do that.

The day of the 4th of July was pretty relaxing. We hung out at home in the AC and read books. Monday however, we went and saw a parade and went to my Aunt's again... as a family and enjoyed the last day of the long weekend there. I am so happy that I have family that loves having company.

So these past few days have been brutal and I can't wait till this heat wave ends! I like summer, but it has just been getting way too hot. I hate to say it but I can't wait for the fall to get here. During the winter I can't wait till it gets warm and then I get the heat and I can't wait for it to cool off a little! Fall is one of my favorite seasons. I like the warm days with the cool breeze... those are my favorite.

Well, I still have to get through the rest of the summer so there is no point in thinking about fall right now!

What things are you doing to beat the heat?

Picky eaters and Thrifty purchases

I feel like every week there is someone in this house that gets sick or hurt and this week was my turn :-(. I have been sick since Sunday and I have no idea how much longer I will be sick for. I take my medication but it seems to help only a little bit then gets worse again. Oh well, thank goodness Baby J is healthy.

I have been making soup still because it is one of the only things my little picky eater will eat! I am trying not to give him so many bottles and I think I am doing a pretty good job. He has one (maybe) in the morning, one for his afternoon nap and one for bedtime. I am trying to give him more cheese, milk and yogurt as well as fruits and veggies. It's funny trying to feed a baby at this age because with Baby J, he will eat only what I eat unless its a bottle. I guess he figures if its good for mommy it must be good for him! lol!

I had to buy some new clothes for him because all his other stuff is too small! When I actually went through what he could actually fit in I noticed he didn't have much at all. PJ's and short sleeved shirts are a must for summer and he didn't have many so I went to Target and got a few things on sale. I love a good sale! I am always trying to get a bargain. A few weeks ago I went to a garage sale and got him some items that were barely worn and were like new. I got him a GAP raincoat and some vests for the fall. I felt I did great with my purchases. Garage sales are great ways to get items that would probably go in the trash and clutter the landfills. It is also a lot lighter on the wallet too..... The only thing is that you have to inspect it before purchasing, like making sure a zipper works.

I know a few people who would never get kids clothes at a garage sale, but I don't see a problem with it. As long as you clean everything and make sure the snaps, zippers, etc work, then I think it is the same thing as getting a hand-me-down from a friend or relative. Are you a person who is against garage sale purchases and hand-me-downs or are you happy not to spend an arm and a leg for kids clothes?

Keeps flyin by

I have been slipping way too much when it comes to blogging and I am really, truly, sorry!!!!!!

There are so many things going on here that it has been so hard to sit down and have a minute (or ten) to actually think. I had to bring the baby to the hospital again the other day because he fell and bumped his head really hard! Ouch! He screamed for a good few minutes and had a really lovely purple and red mark on his forehead (sarcasm!)! I hated it! The bruise was gross and big and swollen and I really wish it never happened! I am glad that he is okay and that he had no broken or fractured anythings in/on his body. Whew! I really should get a helmet for him and should start calling him crash! lol Seriously, this boy of mine loves to move and groove! It's not a bad thing until he falls and hurts himself.

I have also been scurrying around trying to get party stuff done while helping out my grandmother who has a broken arm. I am sure glad I don't have a full time job because if I did I would not sleep! I have also been SUPER tired and don't know why. Maybe the weather? It has been hot, but I feel like I have just been way more tired than I usually am. Oh well, maybe one day I will just have to sleep in-yeah right! Who am I kidding! I won't be able to do that till Baby J is old and out of the house! lol!

Well, I better get going because my few free minutes are up! Does anyone know where I can get a helmet for a 12 month old?

Much love!
-J

Greenfest

Greenfest was a success! We went, we saw (and walked through the whole thing), and we conquered!

The festival was not huge, but a good size. We brought the Baby Bjorn but didn't use it! My sister held the baby the whole time (literally, the whole time). I really felt like I did not have a baby (terrible feeling) because she would run off in one direction with him while I was speaking to the vendors. I really lost them for a while but then was able to find them with the help of the volunteers standing around. One woman saw me looking up and down the aisle and asked if I was looking for my sister who was holding my baby. I thought, 'how does she know' and gladly accepted the directions towards my family. Very nice people there.

There were people that sell eco friendly products that I really liked and brought back their catalogs. I bought a laundry whitener that I only have used once but really need to use it again to see if it really works. I also want to order some organic cotton wipe cloths and the wipe solution to clean the baby with. I think it might be better than having to keep buying wipes because I can always throw the cotton ones in the wash and re use them. Just something I was thinking about since seeing this product. It reminds me of when Baby J was in the NICU because they used water on a soft disposable wipe, but it is almost the same thing (minus the disposing part).

Being at the fest really made me want to be more eco friendly. It's not that I want to be really... I feel like I NEED to be... for my son. I want to do things a more natural way: eat, bathe, clean, etc. With so many things happening in the world today, I feel like I owe it to the earth not to ruin it and to help make it a better place for my baby boy to grow up in. I can hear it now... the family is probably thinking how crazy I am... but that's okay. I can be crazy as long as I am taking care of my son and thinking about his future and where and how he will be growing up.

Much love,
-J

Garden update and weekend plans

I realized after the last post that I haven't given you an update on our indoor garden! I'm sorry!!!

Actually, a few things have died (like our original lettuce that we got from the garden store and our cilantro) but so much has grown! We started so much from seeds and I find it amazing to see how fast these plants are growing! Cucumbers were the last seeds we planted and they are quite large. Our peppers and tomatoes are large too but we are still waiting for fruit. Our Arugula, basil, dill, oregano and parsley are doing great and we use them regularly which is great. I am just so happy that I don't have to buy them at the store! Hopefully we will be able to enjoy all the things we have planted soon.... I can't wait!

Baby J loves to eat the leaves of the herbs. He especially loves the basil, I wonder if it is because I ate so many dishes with basil as an ingredient in it.... hmmmmmmm.... it is something to think about!

So the baby has been feeling more like himself, which I AM SO HAPPY ABOUT! I hate seeing him sick and really not being able to make him feel better. I knew he was feeling better because for the past few days he has not been eating much, but today he was eating everything in sight! That made me happy too... that and my trip to Wholefoods! I haven't gone out with the baby all week and today since he was better I decided we would take a little trip. We were only there for a little bit, but it was worth it to get out for a few.

Tomorrow we are going to the Highlands Greenfest in West Milford. I am excited to go, we will be seeing my sister and her husband :-D and hopefully be coming home with lots of information about information about organic gardening, green building, and a whole bunch of goodies! I also hear that there will be some local farmers selling their produce and I am so very excited about that!!!!

Well, today has been a long day and I am so very exhausted. Waking up at 6:20 AM is not easy!
Hope you have a good evening and weekend if I don't get the chance to write!

Much love,
-J

How old is too old?

I have been thinking about how old is too old and how young is too young to do something.

We have started to potty train Baby J and when I tell people about it they say 'wow, that's really young.... but good for you...'. Other things like still using a bottle still gets mixed reactions. Some people say the baby should not be using bottles at all, and there are other people that I know who are still giving their kids bottles at 3 or 4 years old. I guess as a parent you have to find what works out for you and your baby and really can't pay too much attention to what everyone else says. As a mom, you know your baby and how your baby progresses with different things. For a while Baby J could only sip from a sippy cup when I held it up to his mouth (he couldn't pick it up when it had water in it), and then one day he was able to pick it all the way up to his mouth and sip. He is getting quite good at it.

Since Baby J has gotten an ear infection, I feel like our house has been turned upside down. I lost my spot in the bed (the baby has been VERY needy and wouldn't sleep unless he was next to one of us) and this lack of sleep is taking a toll on my life. I find that the bf and I are both a bit more irritable. I know things will get better once the baby feels better and we both get more sleep. I mean, who isn't cranky when they don't sleep? Last night I was told not to give the baby so much tylenol (don't worry, it's the generic brand) even though I had only given it to him once all day. The antibiotic he is on doesn't take the pain away.... it only takes the infection away. I can't help but give Baby J some tylenol when he puts his finger to his ear and starts to cry. It breaks my heart when the first dose wears off and he cries because he does not feel well and starts to feel the pain. I just want to do anything to keep him from feeling pain.

I really just give him the tylenol twice a day... once in the morning and once at night with the antibiotic. I really don't think I am doing a bad thing.

I guess this is what happens when you are in a relationship and have a child. Things change and there is not much you can do to make the changes not happen.

On a happier note, I made a whole pot of soup the other night....... Leek and potato....yum! I made it when I noticed Baby J was not eating as much as he usually does (who really eats like they always do when they are sick? Not me...) so I made the soup. I put in fresh leeks, cut up some potatoes (not as many as I wanted because we only had a few), fresh parsnips and carrots and used some of our dill that we are growing and mixed it with organic low sodium chicken stock. YUM is all I have to say!

The baby has been eating it for lunch and dinner for the past few days and I must admit that he has never liked anything so much in his life. He sits and waits for another spoonful or will hit the top of his high chair tray until he gets more. It is so funny to watch him do this. I am just really happy that I made something that is healthy and fresh that he enjoys eating :-D.

Are there any other mothers that make home made soups for their little ones? If so, what kinds?

Ta-ta for now!

Much love,
-J

So many things...

There are so many things that have been happening here! It's amazing what can happen to a person within a short period of time.

Monday morning I woke up at 5:45 AM to the baby screaming his head off. He had good reason- when I picked him up he was so hot to the touch and shaking. I put a bottle in his mouth and a thermometer under his arm (that's the only way he won't try to grab it and throw it to the side) and watched the numbers go from 97 to 102 degrees in seconds. I woke up the bf and told him we had to take the baby to the hospital. Thank goodness we gave him some tylenol before we left the house and put a cold rag on his head- he was burning up!

It seemed to take forever at the hospital. The waiting in the waiting room, waiting in the ER for a nurse to come in, and waiting some more for the doctor to come in to see him. Poor little guy, he had no idea what was going on, he just knew he wasn't feeling well. After a while the Dr came in and checked him out. The verdict: EAR INFECTION! Not just in one ear but in both :-(.

He was fighting the nurses and the Dr (can you blame him?) and when he moves around a lot he starts to cough. This is the same cough he has had since about April that our pediatrician says is allergies. The ER Dr said she wanted to do an X Ray of his lungs just to make sure there was no fluid in there so we agreed. That meant we had to wait even longer. We really didn't think we were going to be there so long and he hadn't eaten since early so the baby was starving. We did not bring the diaper bag, but I did put his puffs in my purse (which he gladly ate). Thank goodness I had them!

Ok, so I will get back to the X Ray.... all clear (thank goodness again!)! The Dr didn't find any fluid in his lungs but had us wait some more to see if his antibiotic gave him any kind of reaction. We finally were able to leave and go to sleep. Ahhhhh sleep, what a lack of it I've had! When we got home we did not sleep. Baby J cried a little bit, ate a little bit and really just wanted to be comforted in mine or Daddy's arms. I can't blame him for that, he did not feel well!

Well..... so far he has been getting better and I couldn't be happier! He still has a few more days on the antibiotic and I hope it gets easier for him to take his Rx.

Right now, I have to get going to make dinner before the baby wakes up!

Much love,
-J

First Birthday plans

I know in my last post I said the BF was sick and I was nervous that he was going to get Baby J and I sick, well I should have not said ANYTHING!!! Of course the both of us got sick! I have fully recovered but Baby J still has a bit of a cough and a runny nose. I think it might be allergies as well. I had called the pediatrician and told me I could use a very small amount of Benadryl for the baby at night and if it helped than he has allergies. So I gave it a whirl and it helped him so much! He was able to sleep through the night without coughing and his nose was unclogged until it wore off.

Anyway, there are so many things that are going on. Recalls (which three of my products are recalled and I had used two), party planning, teething, work and so many other things. The recalls are what worry me. Everyone in my family has been calling me and telling me about the recalls. Tylenol and the Benadryl that was talked about before is indeed recalled. I had gotten the bottle before the recall came out and I had used it. Baby J is fine.

I have been trying to figure out what to do for Baby J's first Birthday. It is so hard to come up with an idea and try to plan it on a day where I can have it along with his Baptism. We decided that we would do both events together- it will hopefully save us some money and be less stressful to me. Also, they are so close to each other that it would be pointless to have them at different times. We have to decide on a menu, favors, games and place where we will have it. So much to do in such a short amount of time!

I want to know what other parents have done for their child's First Birthday. Any suggestions for what I should do?

I am sorry for making this so short and choppy- I have so many things running through my mind right now that I am having a hard time thinking straight. Have a great evening and will keep you updated on the party progress!

Much Love,
-J

My Earth Week So Far.....

Last weekend started the "week of CRAZY" in our house! I thought that recovering on Sunday from two big days would have helped.....but it didn't! Baby J's teeth are still coming in so he has been getting cranky recently, my allergies are acting up and the bf has been sick :( . Seriously, he has been sick ALL week and I am nervous he's going to get the baby and I sick. So far, so good. I just sneeze whenever I'm outside because of all the pollen in the air. Baby J sneezes too but his sound much cuter than mine :) .

Baby J is going to take off any day now. He stands in his pack and play and will move his hands to the left or right and take steps in the same direction. He's really getting the hang of it! I am so amazed with how much he has learned in the past ten months. I guess it's one of those things you need to experience first-hand in order to appreciate what goes into taking care of a child and how that child reacts and learns from what you teach them. It really is amazing.

Mom's Birthday went well. She was with her four kids, their significant others and her grand-baby (Baby J). She was happy and we treated her to dinner- we even got her a mini cake! Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and it was nice to get everyone together.

Yesterday was Earth Day! Baby J and I went to my Nana's house and stayed with her for the afternoon. We went for a nice walk in her yard which always seems to tire Baby J out because he always falls asleep afterward! It's fine with me!

I got my shoes too! I'm not sure if I mentioned that I ordered a pair of TOMS Shoes, but I did and I got them. They are so comfy and I love them! I can't wait to get another pair! I was also thinking about getting a pair for Baby J's birthday even though he won't be able to wear them till he's a little bigger (like 2 or 3). They just have a really great pair on the site with writing that looks like graffiti- they are awesome looking!

So what did you do on Earth day? Anything special? I would like some ideas for next year when little Mister is walking and can understand it more!

Much love,
-J

Too Crazy for Words

Ok, so I slacked! I'm sorry! I haven't written anything in a while, but the weekend was CRAZY and we needed Sunday to recover!

Thursday night my brother and his buddy came over to hang out (it was nice seeing them) and then Friday we had gone to a friends house. Friday we had a great time! Got to see some friends I haven't seen in a while and we talked and played Wii (The bowling is so much fun)! We were able to bring Baby J along with us- he hung out for a while and then fell asleep in the guest bedroom. We are very fortunate to have friends that let us bring our baby to hang out!

So anyway, we had a Communion on Saturday. It was my first communion ceremony I have ever been to. It was interesting. I did not grow up Catholic so I had no idea what went on and it was the first time I attended something like a Mass in a Catholic church. So after the church we went to the party. It was fun, but I was soooooo tired! Staying out two nights in a row is not fun with a baby in tow! I was just happy he did so well with everyone.

Sunday we recovered! We were in out pajamas all day and took a nice (and much needed) nap! So after the crazy weekend we had, it was very hard to wake up Monday morning!

It's Earth week!!!!! I am so excited! It's also my mom's Birthday! Very big week for us! Baby J and I have to go out to get my mom a gift for her birthday and I am not sure where I should go or what I should get her. She has way too many clothes, so I think they are out of the question. I was thinking about going to Whole Foods and getting something there for her......just not sure what.....

Whatever I do, I know I should not stay out too long. Baby J has been getting antsy wayyyyyyy too fast! He's getting more teeth in (I can see it popping through on the top), and it makes him very irritable. That, and he has been wanting to walk everywhere! He is such an active boy! I need to start taking vitamins or drink energy drinks to keep up with him!

Does anyone know of something that can give me some energy? Let me know!

Much love,
-J

Lazy lazy day

Today was not overly thrilling. Baby J and I stayed home for most of it because he was very cranky all day. I am not sure why, but, he wakes up in a great mood some days, and then other days he is a total crab. I know he is getting more teeth in- I can feel the bumps- but I feel that it does not matter what I do to try to make him happy. Other than him being a crab ALL DAY, we went shopping at our local Whole Foods and got some certified organic poppy seeds (as in the flower) so we can grow them, as well as a few groceries.

I must admit that I have not really used the stroller for Baby J at all recently. It feels great! I have been using the Baby Bjorn that was given to us for my baby shower. Other than a sore back, I feel like I am stronger for hauling around a fifteen pound baby strapped to my chest! LOL. It sounds funny.... but it's true!

Hopefully tomorrow will be more exciting and I really REALLY hope Baby J is in a better mood. There is nothing worse than a cranky baby!

Sorry this post wasn't too long, but I promise tomorrow will be longer.

Have a great night!

Much love,
-J

Oh Tuesday........

OKAY!!!!! So I have been on a roll with blogging and it feels GREAT! It's nice to make time for myself to think after the baby goes to sleep. I think about my day, what I am going to do tomorrow and of course wonder how the baby will be tomorrow. He has been out of the house these past two days. Monday- work and today I worked for a few hours and then got together with my sister and my Nana for lunch. I heart them! Lunch was great as usual (vegan style because of the sis) and the company was great. Baby J really seemed to enjoy himself too until he got tired. He has not fully recovered from his cold and to top it all off he has more teeth coming in! Yes..... teeth.... MORE teeth which means he will be drooling and chewing more :/. It also means he will be MUCH crankier than he usually is. Sheesh! How am I going to deal with it?!?!?! I'll figure it out.... I did before and hope it will be easier this time!

After lunch I went shopping with my sister...... I still can't decide if it was a good idea. The thing is, when we get together, we spend money- not huge amounts, but more than we plan. I bought myself some running attire (oh yes, you heard me correctly) because I need to get in shape. It will also get me to go outside with the baby more (which is great for him!). I like being outside, but when you put jogging or any other kind of physical activity (besides swimming), then I don't like it. So........ for the good of the team I must suck it up, force myself to move and tone in the process. Sounds like a lot......

Oh, and by the way my running shorts are environmentally friendly! : P

Today I also got a large rectangular planter and organic potting soil from Target. I plan on either transplanting my herbs into one planter or plant my lettuce and spinach in it. I plan on getting a taller pot to plant my growing tomatoes. I feel like I have ten green fingers than just a green thumb (lol)! My seeds have sprouted and I am ready to plant them. I also have two mango seeds that have started to root (they will go next to the other mango that sprouted a few months ago) and three avocado trees that I hope to plant in a large pot too. I know that the trees I start from the fruit seeds will not give me any fruit, but the leaves are so beautiful and they give me fresh air to breathe!

I have to make sure the plants are out of reach when Baby J starts to walk. He loves to grab the leaves and chew on them. It's okay to do with the herbs but not any of the other plants!

Well I think it is time for me to run off and sleep while I can. Hopefully a full night of sleep is ahead of me and I wake up refreshed! Goodnight to everyone who reads this!

Much love,
-J

My favorite things (and more).....

Getting back onto the subject of Earth month, I wanted to share that by taking small steps they can make an impact. When the baby was first born, the hospital told us to use water from bottles and not the tap... so we did. Every week or so we would go to the store and buy one or two cases of water- you know, the ones with 24 bottles. We had so much recycling in the house that I had to empty the can every two days. To get to the point, we bought a Brita filter and we have cut down on the amount of water bottles that we needed dramatically! It made me feel so much better knowing that I was doing something to stop creating so much waste.

I have also been using the cloth (washable ones) and the G-Diapers which have liners that you can compost or flush down the toilet. I like using the G-Diapers, but at night I feel they don't hold enough so I use the disposable ones for that :/.

Most of Baby J's toys are hand-me-downs. The pack and plays, the crib, the crib mattress, and tons of other toys that he plays with on a regular basis have been used before. Many of his clothes are from other people in the family whose kids have outgrown them. I feel so grateful to have so many family members and friends that think of me and Baby J - we really are blessed.

Many of the toys that I had on the registry (especially the teethers) are all eco-friendly. Organic cotton toys from Under the Nile have been great (he LOVES his carrot, green bean and mushroom!) and his other teethers are BPA free. I have been trying so hard to make decisions that don't make a big bad impact on our environment.

The thing I have noticed is that there are not many stores in the area that sell eco-friendly baby items. I have to order them online or go to the basic baby stores that have way too much stuff in them and never anything you really need or are looking for. The closest store that I found is actually in Sussex County, NJ and is called Mother Moon Baby. There is a website with a few items, but the store is much better to go to(much more stuff than what is posted on the website). This store carries the most unique items and most if not all is eco-friendly. That's why I love this place, and it is affordable which makes it so much more appealing.

Making this decision was easy. I wanted the most healthy and best way to bring up my family. By starting when the baby is young, I hope that what he learns with us, he keeps with him forever and uses it in a great way. I don't want him to be one of those kids that doesn't care about the world around him. I want him to be aware of himself and where he is and to know that his actions affect the world and the people around him.

Well, it's something to think about. What kind of impact do you have on the environment and what can you do to make it better?

Much love,
-J

Locally Grown

I know I'm a little late saying this, but it is Earth month!!! Ever since I got pregnant, I have been trying to do more eco-conscious things. Trying to buy organic products (ie: laundry soap, makeup, cleaners, clothes,etc.), and try to recycle as much as possible if I can't reuse it. I have also started an indoor garden with the BF and hopefully soon we can move it outside as the weather gets warmer. So far we have a variety of herbs like rosemary, basil, oregano, cilantro and parsley to name a few. We are also have a few kinds of lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, arugula, beets and onions. As soon as they get a little bigger we will be transplanting them so they can mature and hopefully give us lots of food :P.

Ok, so you are probably thinking that this blog is supposed to be about babies and baby things. Well..... it is! The reason I am blogging on this is that as Baby J has been growing, I have been showing him all of the plants at the different stages of growth. I let him touch, smell and occasionally taste depending on what it is. I have decided that I want him to be aware of what is going on in the environment and learn about the things that come from it, starting with the food that we eat.

I rarely give him food from the jar even though we have so many of them. He doesn't seem to like the taste of anything that is in them so he's been eating "grown up" food. He loves mashed potatoes, beans, cheese and yogurt to name a few. He prefers to drink water from a cup with the help of an adult too and that cuts down on the use of bottles. He is getting very big and very strong and I couldn't be happier!

I know there are so many people that say that eating organic and locally is way better than what you can buy in a supermarket. How much more local can you get than your own back yard?

Much love,
-J

Cold in the warm weather

Since it has been pretty warm here I started taking Baby J out for walks. Unfortunately, the day after Easter he came down with a cold and a cough. The cough started out dry so i thought it was just allergies, but that evening a fever had started :( . So..... this means for the past few days I have gotten about five hours sleep in total and i have a runny nose and sore throat. I can't believe babies can give their parents what sickness they may have! I am pretty sure it's because I have been so worn down and not eating right for these past few days. I just hope that I can stop it from becoming a full cold because I really don't want to give it back to him.

This is the first time he has gotten sick and I really don't like it. I mean, he has thrown up before, but it is the first time he has gotten sick and needs an Rx from the Dr. I feel so bad for him. He coughs his little cough and cries because he is uncomfortable. It makes me sad, but I am so relieved that he is starting to act like himself again.

Every single day brings new and exciting challenges to the mommy-front and I am not only ready to face them, but am also terrified. I am a new mommy, I don't know what to expect. Every baby is different and my baby just so happens to need me to be on roller skated to keep up with him. He is closer and closer to walking each day. He has figured out how to move his walker backwards with his feet (hopefully forwards will come soon) and can hold on to his crib rail or the side of the couch and bath tub for short periods of time before his legs get tired. He is my big boy!

Since he has gotten so big, my bf and I have gotten his clothes together and have sent two bags of baby clothes to South America. We have two more bags of clothes to send if we cannot find anyone who needs baby boy clothes. If anyone reads this blog, let me know and I can let you know what I have here.

Well, it's getting late so I am going to hit the sack. Have a great evening!

Much love,
-J

Times of Change

Did you ever just want to start over? I would love to get rid of everything here (except my family, I could never be without them!) and move to someplace far far away and raise my baby in a warm happy place. I know it sounds a little out there, but come on, let a girl dream!

On a serious note, I am just so sick of everything here that I really feel it is time for a change. Everything is so much money and it just so happens I don't have much to spend, so being thrifty is what I have to be! I am looking into reusing old shirts and making them into toys for Baby J. They wouldn't be too elaborate because my sewing skills are not up to par, but hey.... I can try and when he is older it can be something sentimental he can hand down to his kids saying "My mommy made this for me...". So maybe he won't say or do that but you never know.

Baby J is getting so big and I really don't know where all the time has gone! He is almost a year old and I have to start thinking about planning his Birthday party and possibly a Baptism. I was not raised Catholic but Baby J's father is so it's a big thing to him and his family. I think it's great to have something like that to celebrate.

I am sure there are so many new parents out there that are just as amazed as I am with their baby's bevelopment, and I really just can't get over it. I feel like Baby J is one of the coolest, most smartest kids out there. He can stand when he holds onto something, and has been trying to walk for a while now. He hasn't mastered crawling, but he seems so much more interested in walking that I think it's okay. He can sit and stare at his hands- turning them over and over to see how they move, and loves to look at his feet move when he walks. His eyes seem to follow everything! He already figured out what happens to sunshine when it hits a mirror, and will follow the reflection move across the ceiling (he's so smart!). Every day there are so many things that he does, that if I don't try to write them down, I may forget them. I know, it's terrible, but everything is amazing in a baby's development and I think it's almost impossible to remember EVERY little thing that happens. I know they are all equally important, but since everything happens so fast and frequently now, it is very easy to forget at least one thing at a given time.

Well I must be off now, but I hope I can get back and write more soon.

Peace and much love,
-J

moving and grooving

Sitting up is a big thing in the house right now. Baby J would love to sit up all the time if he could, but because he is still little, he gets tired. He has also been rolling over a lot and moving from one corner of the mat (or wherever he is) to the other with ease. It is very exciting watching these things happen as a new parent. So many people miss these moments when their babies are in day care and I feel very fortunate to be such a big part of my baby's life and development.

I went to a baby shower this weekend and there I realized that I have to let my baby go. He wants to move around so much and I realized that when he's ready to move by himself, I have to let him go. He was watching the other babies that were there and they were only a few months to a year older than he is. He was so happy to see people his size moving so fast! Even though these kids would run/walk and fall then get back up again, their mothers didn't seem phased. That made me think about me. I flinched every time they came to a table or stairs but these kids had learned the right ways to get where they need to go safely. So the reason I am saying this is that kids will learn how to do things by trial and error. You have to let them explore and figure out how to do things on their own(within reason). This is going to be hard for me to do.

Well, I have to go before the little ones wake up. Have a great day!

Much love,
-J

And they're off!

So when you are a stay at home mom/ babysitter, it is so hard to get lost in the fact that there are two babies to take care of and housework to be done. These are things I have to think about every day while Baby J's Daddy is working hard. It doesn't seem like much, but it really is when there are two lives you have to care for.

And they're off!!!!!!! These babies have been rolling and scooting like its their job! Thank goodness I had gotten this huge foam mat for the baby to play on because I can split it into two smaller mats and each child can roll freely on it without rolling into each other. I try to keep them apart because the other baby is ALWAYS drooling (he goes through four bibs a day!)!. When the drool dies down, then maybe I will think of putting them close so they can play. I worry about the germs as I know every parent would and should. One day I had them on the mats and they turned to face each other and were trying to go after each other! They had these huge smiles on their faces and drool coming out of their mouths, besides being so messy, it was cute. These are the times I am going to remember, the ones that are the firsts, the ones where they realize its more than just them and they recognize that other person looking at them.

Wow, sorry for getting so sentimental right there..... I felt myself welling up with tears as I was writing because I think of how far these little guys have come, especially Baby J.

I wonder if other parents get teary-eyed when they think about the obstacles (if any) they have gone through with their little ones.

Peace and Love,
-J

Ok, so I know what you're saying..."What is she doing that she doesn't have time to blog?" Well, let me tell you that having a baby is not a piece of cake and that it takes up most of your time; but I'm sure all you mothers know that already. So let me start off saying that Baby J is doing great, gaining weight, eyes and heart are fine and he is getting so big!
Back in September I had started a part time job where I was able to bring baby J with me. It was great but to travel so much and put miles on my car was not so great. When it started getting cold it became even worse because my car started acting funny and refused to start. I was not a happy mommy. So as I was out and about trying to make some money I lost track of doing some things, like this blog. I really had all intentions of keeping up with it and posting every week. I am sorry I haven't been able to keep it up as much as I wanted.
So now I have started a different job, one that lets me stay home with my baby and another baby from the area. Yep, that's right! I am babysitting! I know it's not the greatest stay-at-home-mom job, but it's something and i get to take care of Baby J instead of putting him in a daycare. The only thing that really bugs me about it is that this baby is ALWAYS CRYING. He is three months old and is very very big. Twelve month old clothing is too small for him and I am shocked that my back is still in working order. Baby J is a peanut compared to him. So about the crying... the only time that I don't hear him cry is if he is sleeping, eating or if I am walking around with him. It is very hard for me because I am a small framed person so holding this kid is very difficult for me. Not only is it hard because of that, but my little Baby J gets jealous and I sometimes make him wait to eat so I can try to calm the other baby down. I feel bad, but if I can get a few more minutes of not crying, its worth it. It is like having twins- not easy at all.
I love the fact that I get to stay home, but I hate that I have lost all my freedom. I can't go anywhere during the day and now that it is winter going out at night is not an option for me with the baby. I get the weekends now...for a little bit anyway. Hopefully spring gets here fast!

Much love,
-J