WILD Aunt Rachel

WILD Aunt Rachel and Uncle Michael came into town on Thursday and finally got to meet Welsey in person! It was a great visit and I wish we could all get together more frequently. Family is something I've come to treasure a little more since Wesley came along. Of course, I think he is the best thing EVER, and I want to share him with everyone. His Aunt and Uncle worked very hard to entertain their newest nephew and both were so tender and loving with him. We can't wait to see them again in a couple months!

Don't Worry

"Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."
-Bob Marley

Just saying hi

Sleeping like a baby

We started some "sleep training" with the little guy last week after our pediatrician recommended it. The first few nights were tough, but not that bad and I'm happy to report that we've had much success. Wes has gone from eating every 2-3 hours to now only 1-2 times per night. We actually have a schedule now! At 8 o'clock we give him a bath and then upstairs to the nursery for the last feeding while Dad reads a book. Instead of sneaking the baby into the crib, we kiss him good night and tell him we love him. He goes into the crib awake, tuck his bear "Bo" into his arm and he watches his aquarium as he drifts off to sleep. Lullabies from Sarah McLachlan, Kenny Loggins and The Little Series play all night. Unfortunately, naptime doesn't go as smoothly even with replicating all the elements as best as we can. At this point, we're happy with our nights, so we're done with sleep training.

Without a doubt, it has been the hardest thing we've had to do as parents. Our philosophy is sometimes you have to do things (and not do things) so your child has the opportunity to learn and grow. If we always carry him, how will he learn to roll over and crawl? Sleep training is a controversal subject and everyone is entitled to their opinion. In our house, everyone (including Wesley) is sleeping better these past few days. The best part is when he wakes up with a smile and plays in his crib in the morning. The couple "difficult" nights at first were worth the effort when we see him refreshed after getting the sleep he needs.

Now, if only I could get myself to stop waking up every few hours!

Anatomy of rolling over

Enjoying the view

Working out

at the gym...

Happy Valentine's Day

Life has many treasures.

The most beautiful of all is love.

Surfin' USA

Wesley isn't a "tummy time" kinda guy, so in an effort to make it a little more tolerable, we got him a tummy time surf board. It has a little pillow to help prop him up and a "window" with fish floating in water. We've only had it a few days and his arm strength is already improving! These are some of the first smiles doing tummy time - YEA!

Invasion

As I got up one of the numerous times I do in the middle of the night, a little flash of red caught my eye from the bathtub. Immediately I went into panic mode, what freakishly ugly creature invaded our home and is enjoying my bathtub? I blinked a few times, gave a second glance and when my brain finally woke up I realized it was one of Wesley's bath toys... a cute little crab appropriate for a Marylander. It made me smile and think how the "look" of our home is changing. Personally, I think change is good.

Another Milestone...

I forgot to mention that Wesley rolled over (tummy to back) for the first time today! I don't have any pictures or video to share. Greg and I were talking and I was just able to enjoy the moment. We tried to get him to do it again, but he wasn't very cooperative and he had his shots today, so we let him be. Poor little guy.

And that reminds me...
Right after Wesley got his shots and I looked into his teary eyes and scooped him into my arms, I thought to myself, that is one of the good things about him growing up. He'll never have to repeat his 4 month shots again. As for the 6 month shots... I'm not looking forward to them either!

Drink The Brown Milk

Today Wesley had his 4 month appointment with the pediatrician's office today. At the big weigh in he was 14 pounds 5 ounces and 24.5 inches long! Whoo hoo! Our little guy is really getting big! Unfortunately, he also got 4 shots today and wasn't exactly in a photo taking mood.

One issue we have been exploring lately is the supplementation of Vitamin D in babies that are exclusively breastfed. Usually we get our Vitamin D from the sun. If babies don't get enough Vit D, they can develop rickets. However, it is February and well, we aren't exactly hanging out in the sunshine these days, so we tried giving Wesley some a multivitamin for babies orally. First time we (I) put the vitamin dropper in his mouth and gave him the full dose straight up. Ummm, yeah... he spit most of it back out and had this horiible look on his face like "That ain't milk!" The next time, we added the full dose to a bottle of breastmilk. The vitamins turned the milk a suspicious brown color and Wesley did not enjoy drinking that bottle. At one point Greg said "Now Wesley, drink the brown milk," a statement that still makes me giggle. We ended up abandoning that bottle after he drank about 2/3rds of it. Our latest attempt is a couple drops in a bottle a couple times a week. Maybe we'll just go outside instead.

Still 4 months old!

He finally woke up and was smiley and patient for his shutterbug mommy. Enjoy!

Four months old and already hitting the milestones! Wesley rolled over right as he turned four months old. He is getting a little more dexterous with his hands and we think he might even be a lefty, just like Daddy! Wesley is starting to reach out and grab things, including his first ball. And remember, “It is not how BIG you are… it is how BIG you play.”

4 Months Old Today!

And sleeping like a baby!

I borrowed a couple photography books last night. I know, I know... I take a lot of pictures and I know some of you think I always do a great job, but I'd like to learn more and improve. Wesley is growing up so fast and I want to document his babyhood because I know it won't last long. I used to complain about shutter speed and delayed shutter responce, but I have that cleared up. Lighting is my latest challenge that I'd like to tackle. I took this shot this morning and I think I'm already improving. I'll try to get some smile-y shots when the little one wakes up.

Are you going to play football?

We're still debating Wesley's answer.

(Video taken on Superbowl Sunday)

a boy and his ball...

... are not easily parted.

unless you're in a jumperoo

Diapers!

Here is a stock tip for you. Buy stock in Pampers, Fisher Price, Graco and Energizer.

King of the Jungle

We have two cats, Hunter and Murphy. This is Murphy (he has white paws and belly). This is about as much interaction as you get between cat and baby. Hunter would not play along for the picture. Maybe because memories of this haunt him... (photo taken mid-December)

Parenting 101

Well, we are putting Wesley to bed correctly. Tips images shamelessly stolen from another blogger (http://www.twopopsicles.blogspot.com/) which were stolen from a book I received at my baby shower...

TV and Autism article

http://www.autismconnect.org/news.asp?section=00010001&itemtype=news&id=5923
A few people asked me for the link. Food for thought.

Oh Goody!

That is what Greg said when I walked in the door today. Well, first I said "We've got meat." Now it sounds strange in any household to enter through the door and proclaim what you've purchased. But, in our house, lately, it means "We've got A LOT of meat!"

There is a website I've been frequenting lately, Slick Deals, where people talk about how to get the best deals on items, electronics, food, baby stuff. Sometimes there is a price mistake and people exploit it. Ususally there is a coupon "deal" going on. Now some of these people are downright crazy. I REFUSE to buy things I don't want or need. But I'll give you an example of what some people in America are doing.

At CVS they have a program called "Extra Care Bucks", where if you buy a qualifying item (they change weekly/monthly) you get a coupon that prints out with your reciept and you "get" some money "back" to spend on a future purchase.

The fanatical ones will go to CVS, buy a diabetes glucose monitor WITH a coupon, and get the Extra Care Bucks. Since they used the coupon, they "make" money on the deal. They'll do this multiple times and end up with 8 glocose monitors and extra funds to use towards other schemes and then the cycle continues and grows. Personally, I think that is a bit much.

I'll stick to items actually used in my house.

Today I came home with:
10 packages of hot dogs and
20 packages of sausage

Total spent = $25.00
AND I have a $10 coupon for my next purchase at Safeway
(This particular "deal" is at Safeway)

Thankfully we have a second freezer! Anyone want a hot dog?

Are you ready for some football?

Wesley's First Superbowl

Mom, stop taking pictures of me. I'm trying to watch the game.

Love, Wesley

Seriously though, we don't let Wesley watch TV. I just read an article on TV and autism rates and now I don't want him near the thing. I've historically been a person that has the TV on in the background, but now I'm trying to leave it off. If I can find the article again, I'll post the link.

The center of attention

Let sleeping babies lie...

Greg and I have been so blessed with a beautiful baby who generally, only cries when he is hungry. Sure, he'll fuss in the car seat and he HATES tummy time, but for the most part he is a GREAT baby! As I type this entry, the little guy is sleeping just as you see him here. I took the pic right before I started typing. (Note: I had to use my old camera because it was at my desk and the "new" one is downstairs.) The boppy is on my lap, I'm sitting at my computer and I'm letting the sleeping baby lie.

Sleep has been our latest challenge. I never knew it sleep would be such an issue! I mean, he is a baby, when he is tired, he'll close his eyes and *poof* off to dreamland. When he first got here we had to work to keep him awake to eat (See below post "Packing on the pounds").

But now... he resists.

I was doing some reading on infant sleep and the author was talking about how parents need to make the environment such that the baby will "give" himself to sleep. At our house, sleep is a work in progress. Every night, when the glazed over look appears, we trot upstairs, do a quick diaper change, dim the lights, and I nurse him to sleep while Greg reads outloud. Dad's deep voice often lulls mom into a state of peace and relaxation. Wesley usually "gives in" and then the real challenge ensues.

Transferring him from my arms into the crib.

Some nights it goes well, sometimes we have to replay the whole scene, sometimes the cat nap was just enough to make him alert and we go back downstairs to play. Thankfully, he doesn't play durring the middle of the night. Just wakes up for feedings (still - every 3 hours!)

I have so much more to say about the whole topic. Dealing with long term sleep deprivation (I now know why it is used as an effective method of torture!) The real sucky part are the times I feed him in the middle of the night and then I can't get back to sleep.

I know Wesley is capable of falling asleep on his own, he does it in the carseat, in the sling when I'm carrying him around town and even in his swing. I can get him to sleep by nursing him and I swear Greg is going to wear ruts in the carpet with the amount of walking he'll do with the baby in his arms. It must be something about the movement. But how to help him fall asleep in the crib?

As I ponder possible solutions the little one stirrs. Enough for today.