21 Week Baby Summary- baby 2

by Meghan // February 2, 2013 // Comments off

Baby 2 is 22 weeks tomorrow, and 5 months old! Wow, how the last 2 months have flown by! The first 3 …. well, those seemed to drag on forever, and that’s probably because he didn’t feel good. But now, they are going by so quickly.

Developmentally, during his 21st week of life, he started really grabbing and reaching for things. If a toy was on the blanket next to him, he rolled to his side, and reached for it. It was pretty cool the first time he did that. =) He can sit well in the corner of the chair, but isn’t really anywhere near ready to sit on his own.

Something I notice with #2, is they don’t get to do as much as early as #1 did. Well, for mine anyway. I think this is because I still have to be careful where I put Mister, can’t leave him etc., with Lady able to reach. She will try to lay him down so she can lay with him, roll him over, sit him up. She knows not to, but being the 2 year old she is, she thinks he “needs to, Mama!” haha

He is rolling over consistently now, from his back to his belly. Mister is a side sleeper! When he falls asleep, it is often on his side. Oh the joys of having a video baby monitor =)

I think I mentioned last time, Mister’s reflux has seemed to flare up. The dr. said although the dairy allergy aggravates it, babies with reflux will have flair ups between 4-6 months old, it just happens. She suggested medicine, which our insurance doesn’t cover and is …. $132 a month! Not happening. So, I got to thinking and remembered I had some powdered probiotics (this brand) left over from Lady having thrush. I started googling and read that many parents have calmed reflux flare ups with probiotics. We tried it, and it is working! Yay! $17 (I think they were) vs $132, I’ll take that any day!

Because of the reflux flare ups, I have taken him back to only formula mixed in oatmeal, no more solid foods; he was’t tolerating them well. Everything came back up. He is eating the oatmeal/formula mix like crazy, and that’s good enough for me, for now. =)

JTom came home last weekend, and everyone was so happy to see him. L was excited, of course, and Mister laughed and talked to him a lot. Baby2 definitely knew his daddy! I think we were both a little nervous he wouldn’t after 2 weeks. But, he did. The first thing Lady did when she saw her daddy was show him her fingernails. Then she hugged him and asked him to play.

We are anxiously awaiting the move; I have started packing. Warning to all grandparents: NO more stuffed animals or dolls. EVER! For either child. I do not care how cute they are, how fluffy they are, or how much they look like our own animals. No more! Please … =) I have thrown out I don’t know how many stuffed animals that L doesn’t play with. Oh, and no more battery operated toys, unless they are the trains that go to her Thomas set. Those are okay. Books, age appropriate puzzles, art stuff, educational toys, that stuff is fine. Just no more stuffed fuzzy things, please. =)

Anyhow … oh! Good news! We found a chicken! We thought the dog killed and drug off the missing chicken, but it turns out she was at the neighbor’s house … so Lady and I went down yesterday afternoon and got her. The only problem we had was Lady eating the banana we were going to use as bait… But we got the chick. She is happy, being back with her buddies again.

That’s it for now. I will try to keep updating through the move, but it may be hard for a while.

Meg

Week 20 baby Summary/Lady 28 months old

by Meghan // January 26, 2013 // Comments off

Here we are at the beginning of week 21, which means Mister has finished week 20. I’ve moved him back to a 3 hour schedule. I did this because his wake time lengths aren’t 2 hours yet, which puts him sleeping between 2.5-3 hours between wake times- that’s just too much day time sleep for him, when he turns around and sleeps 12+ hours at night. So, we are tweaking maybe a 3-3.5 hr schedule. The onyl downfall with this is he really isn’t hungry at 3 hours, so he doesn’t eat very well … It’s just something I am going to need to tweak; I will let you know how it goes next week!

Eating
Mister is eating pretty well. He likes solids, but he still needs the major calories provided by the formula, so I try to do formula first now, then solids, followed by offering more formula if he wants it. Solids just don’t provide as many calories and he needs all those calories to grow and help his brain development. Like I mentioned, he is eating every 3-3.5 hours and seems fine with that, but I know he can go 4 hours easily.

Sleeping
Lately, he has been napping pretty well. I think he may be getting past that terrible wonder week 19, so his sleep is back to being more routine, thank goodness!

Development
Mister is becoming more interested in his feet, but mostly only when he is naky. I guess then he can actually see and feel them, so it makes it more fun. He is shrieking and talking more, and really wants to sit up more. He can lift his entire chest up from laying flat, and gets so mad that he can’t sit up. Thinking back to Lady again, I had the glider in the living room when she was this age, and I sat her up in it a LOT. The seat is at an incline, so she didn’t have to risk falling out of it. I should probably let Mister do that some so he can build his back muscles more. He is also doing SO much better on his belly now, and can push up with ease; while on his belly he holds his head up so well, and looks around.

We went to the dr for his 4 month well child visit; he is just under 16lbs and I think 25.5″ long. He is perfectly healthy. The dr said he has great head control. She suggested I start trying to scrub off the plaques of cradle cap, and continue using head and shoulders. She prescribed some hydrocortizone cream to apply. I’ve never heard of this? But we are going to start using it today- she said it is like eczema and can really itch. So, we are going to see if that helps. The dr. also suggested since he isn’t nursing, that maybe we try the prevacid again to see if that helps. So here comes a long explanation for a short point, stay with me: Just before JTom left his job in Hot Springs, the company changed insurance. We have this insurance until the first of Feb.

With this new insurance, Mister’s prevacid is not covered; it is $132 a month. Honestly, with the way we budget we don’t have $132 for prevacid. We are already paying $36 a can for his non-dairy formula, and he goes through one can every 6 days! So for now, there will be no prevacid …. J’ snew insurance with his new company will start March 1, so if it covers the medicine, we may try it then, but for now he can just be on a nursing strike and I will pump.

Lady
She is just growing leaps and bounds every day. She knows her left from her right, and has for a while now I just keep forgetting to post it. She can identify many states, I may have mentioned that before. I am working on uploading the video to YouTube so I can share it with you on my blog. She is obsessed with being naky- she refuses to wear clothes at home most of the time, and I don’t make her. It’s easier for her to go potty by herself, and it means less laundry for me. =) I do try to get her to at least where a shirt, but it doesn’t stay on long.

She is getting better at gymnastics; she can do small jumps on the balance beam (with help keeping her balance) and some small sweeps. She LOVES the doing the bar, and her forward roll is perfect. She likes for me to take down the hall mirror and put out the yoga mat for her to play. She likes to watch herself … typical girl.

We read her devotional daily, usually before nap time. Our mornings are a little hectic with Daddy gone. But, he has been home this weekend and it has been wonderful! She loves having her daddy home and behaves much better; I think him being gone for so long is just emotional for her and the only way she really knows how to express that is by acting out. She has been talking back and not listening very well since he left. I figure this is also an age thing. So we are just working through it. After JTom was home for about a day, her behavior got better.

We are really starting to get to crunch time on the move. We have a few companies coming to do quotes for the move, then we will turn those in to JTom’s company so they can do the financial end of things. Then next week I will start really packing up things for us to take, that we don’t want the movers moving. The following week, we will close on the house (Feb 15th), JTom will come home that Saturday (Feb 16th), we will have the movers here the week of the 18th, and hopefully be in the house in Nebraska that week. Whew, it’s going to be fast, stressful, and a lot of work. Once it is done, we can really start settling in and getting comfortable with the new neighborhood and town. The sad part is, we can’t take the chickens. The bylaws for the neighborhood specifically say no poultry; there isn’t a law against it in the city so we were going to take them and jus put up a fence, hoping no one would really make a fuss. But, the problem there is we can’t put in a fence until the ground thaws in spring …. so for now we are going to get rid of the chicks. =*(
What’s even worse, is we lost 2 girls. I am very angry; the neighbor’s dog got under the fence and came in our yard while the chicks were free ranging, and he killed two of them. He got one red, and one barred girl. I think JTom is more furious than I am. So, we are down to 6 chickens.

Anyhow, back to the move …. all things are contingent on us closing on the house Feb 15th. Hopefully everything will go smoothly (we are praying!), all the papers are/will be together, and there aren’t any glitches or major bumps in the road. I refuse to get super super excited until everything is signed and done on the house, because if it gets moved to the end of Feb, we will be a part that much longer. =/

Anyhow, so this is our 20 week update. I will try to get some pictures posted soon.

18 Week Development & Lexie Development

by Meghan // January 13, 2013 // Comments off

Mister has completed his 18th week of life. We have to make his 4 month dr apt … I sorta haven’t done that yet. =/

He is on a nursing strike … not fun! He really isn’t eating well at all, from the spoon or bottle. I am attributing this to his teeth, since they are so close to breaking through, but this is also a normal thing for the 4 month growth spurt, and wonder week 19 development. The last few days have not been good sleeping days, and I am assuming this is because he isn’t eating well due to his teeth, and just overall probably doesn’t feel good. He is more snuggly and clingy right now, too.

He has started back rolling around a lot; he spins in complete circles in his crib and on the floor. Of course, he thinks this is great! On the floor, he will roll side to side, and has even made it from his back to his tummy once or twice.

His cradle cap is still pretty bad, but since his hair is getting thicker, you can’t tell too much, unless you’re close to him. He still hasn’t found his feet … just doesn’t care about them that much yet. haha Lady begs to play with him, tells us to hurry up and finish eating so he can play with her! He is, of course, still “my M” to her, and she does not like other kids coming near him. =) She is only a little protective. haha

Lady is doing all sorts of amazing things. She can name and point out: California, Nevada, TX, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma on the map; she knows where Idaho is, but she can’t ever remember the name of it. Her back-bend is incredible, and of course she still loves gymnastics. We have started doing some handstands and cartwheels at home; that’s fun! She speaks in clear, complete sentences unless she is being silly around a big group of people. She tends to act a little nervous around a lot of people; most people wouldn’t say that about her, but her behavior at home compared to being around a large group is different. She is shy around certain people, usually men. Second to gymnastics, she LOVES to sing. She has so many “favorite” songs, and asks me to sing with her all the time. She is constantly humming while playing independently.

Here are a few pics I don’t think I have posted before:

playing with her doll house

reading to her Moose (obviously she picked out her socks)

Our 8″ snow on Christmas

17/18 weeks old baby summary

by Meghan // January 7, 2013 // Comments off

Mister has finished his 17th week of life, but wasnt 4 months old until the 2nd. So, his weeks are a litttle off from his monthly age. He is really starting to come into his own; last weekend we had a play date and we were talking about how quiet and laid back he is. Then that evening, he just suddenly started squealing, yelling, and growling non stop! Now, if he is awake and in a familiar place w familiar people, he is talking!

Eating
This boy is devouring solids! He watches me while i get everything ready and then sits there with his mouth open like a little bird. Its funny; he loves sweet peas, green beans, apples, and pears. Oh, and he likes oatmeal mixed into any of those. Those two bottom teeth? Yea, theyre trying to cut through. Some days they bother him more than others, but mistly he is doing okay with them. His little cheeks stay red (due to the teething) and he drools a lot. I have also started signing with him, when i think about it. I do the sign for “milk” right now, but should probably start doing, “please,” “more,” and “eat” as well. L was signing “milk” at about 7 months i believe.

Development
He isn’t really rolling over much anymore. He doesn’t like to be on his tummy, and after a few minutes he cries and fusses, like Lexie did. I need to start making him push back over, because i know he can, since he used to do it. He does like rolling side to side on his back, though. Lady makes him laugh a lot a lot. He likes this rattle ball his aunt gave him for Christmas, and loves the wooden squish toy; it was L’s favorite too.

His hand movements have gotten smoother, he reaches for and grabs whatever he wants, and he has found his feet a few times, but isnt really interested in them. Im wondering if this is because he always has a toy to play with, thanks to his big sister, Lexie. Haha. She makes sure he has plenty of toys, at all times. He really enjoys sitting, and standing up these days. He is very strong, and is so proud of himself while standing.

Lady is a big help. When we get him ready for nap, she sits in the glider while i stand and hold M, and we sing “Jesus Loves Me,” then I put him down in the crib, and Lady e sneaks out past me. She loves to “help” put him to sleep. I cant remember if I mentioned it in his last update, but he is in his sleep sack now, no more swaddle.

Lady has been out of Mother’s Day Out for the last two weeks, but starts back Monday (the 7th). Last friday we started back at gymnastics after a holiday break. It was much needed, and she enjoyed it. Her backbends are amazing, and now she can do hand stands! She doesn’t really know shes doing them, it just sorta happens during her donkey kicks, but none the less, she is so strong!

Week 13 Baby Summary

by Meghan // December 7, 2012 // Comments off

Mister was officially 3 months old on December 2nd (also JTom’s birthday)! But because of how the weeks fell, he is 13 weeks old.

Sleeping
Max has been sleeping from about 7:15pm until 5:30-6:30am. Today (December 4th) I let him cry it out when he woke up at 5:20am. I went in and checked on him, calmed him down, then put him back in the crib and left the room. He cried and fussed on and off for about 30ish minutes. But he went back to sleep until 6:50am! So we have been CIO today. It’s not easy, but he is getting it. After his first nap he only cried (on and off) for 10 minutes before falling asleep. I am keeping one arm unswaddled, because he can use that hand to soothe himself if he needs to. (Oh yes, he is in love with his hands this week!) If it takes him longer to relax and fall asleep, I go in after 10 minutes, pick him up until he is calm, then place him back in the crib. I know today is pretty much going to mean very little sleep for him, but after a few days, he should be sleeping on his own. I think he is ready; I feel that way because when I try to get him down he struggles, wiggles, and fights me. He just can’t settle with me holding him as well anymore. So, I think it’s time he tries to settle himself. I will update at the end of the week on how it has gone.

*update*. It has been 3 days now and Mister is doing great with his day time sleep! We have rough patches through the day, but overall he is putting himself to sleep with very little crying or fussing. I watch him in the monitor, and he usually is just sucking in his hand, with his eye closed, while he rolls around some until he settles. He has been paci free for 3 days, and I think he is nursing better as a result.

Eating
He seems to be feeling better, reflux wise, so it looks like the dairy free is helping! One week of no dairy and he is like a different boy during the day. Looks like we have a dairy protein allergy. (I will make another post on that later).

Devleopment
Max is starting to try to raise his shoulders up, and he can do it pretty well. He rolls from his tummy to back easily and Lexie LOVES to watch him do it! He is already rocking/rolling onto is sides, and can almost make it to his tummy from his back! Im sure this will happen before the end of the month. I am still not sure if he is teething… I really want to say yes because of all the chewing and drooling (oh my!) but developmentally this is when babies’ saliva glands start producing more (it was part of evolution to help break down food/breastmilk as it changes with baby’s growth. Also to help build the stomach flora as baby grows bigger). And since that falls right in line with baby discovering his hands and enjoying chewing … I just don’t know! His gums have looked like he may be teething since the middle of October, and he started chewing in the middle of November … so we should have something happen by the end of this month if he is in fact teething. They do seem to be a bit more puffy and white there at the middle bottom, than the rest of his gums. So we will see.

Max is laughing, smiling, and starting to find his voice a lot! He is squealing some, especially when he is tired and ready for a nap, he starts really jabbering. He blows bubbles non stop and spit just flies every where! Lexie thinks this is a serious problem, “He’s dwooling, Mama. He’s dwooling!” She is so serious! It’s sweet.

Love Bug
Lexie has started napping again at home! We seem to have found her sweet spot during the day for tiredness, and now that those molars are in and she is no longer scared of going poopy in the potty, things are getting back to normal. But who knows how long that will last before we get more molars, or something else changes and throws her off for a while. Regardless, I will take any sleep she can get! =)

She’s enjoying gymnastics, and can do her bridge, straddle, pike and tuck. She really enjoyed the foam pit last week, and got brave enough to kick her leg up in the balance beam. It will be interesting to see what she does this week (tomorrow, Friday). We are doing Advent activities each day, and taking about Baby Jesus, Christmas, love, being kind, and God’s love for us. Sue Sue has given us some really great resources to use during the month of Advent. She has really enjoyed the Christmas stamps I got out.

She loves her daddy getting her up in the mornings, and doing her bed time routine at night. My favorite part about her being in a toddler bed now, is climbing in bed to snuggle with her when she wakes up! She makes me a spot, says “here, Mama, you need lovie.” and we snuggle. It’s wonderful! She walks around talking on her phone like a grown up (and Im never on the phone in front of her?), and loves to cook in her kitchen. Now she wants to play with Max all the time, which is basically just them laying on the floor together.

Week 10 Summary

by Meghan // November 27, 2012 // Comments off

Here he is 12 weeks old, and I am posting his 10 week summary! But just read it as if he were in fact 10 weeks old. =)

Mister has been sleeping until 6:00am most morning, when he isn’t comung unswaddled! He has started breaking out of his swaddle about 2:00am, and wakes himself up between 3-5am. His movements are not yet smooth enough to wean him from the swaddle, and he still has the startle reflex, which babies usually outgrow between 4-6 months. So for now we are keeping the swaddle.

We have pretty much been gone from the house for two weeks. We spent several days on a family road trip, came home for 2 days, then went to Memphis for a family Thanksgiving. It was a great time, although too short, as always. I have such a better time when JTom comes with me, I don’t get home sick as quickly; when it’s just me and the kids I am ready to go home within 2 days. But unfortunately, JTom can’t be gone from work that long at a time.

Mister is either on a nursing strike or the reflux is hurting him, not sure which. But he hasn’t been nursing that well. He is taking about 5oz in a bottle, after nursing. His reflux seems to have flared again, despite the prevacid. So we are going to go back to the dr after the holdiays. I called and she recommended thickening his bottles; problem is he doesn’t like them thickened. He just plays with it and doesn’t eat. So that’s definitely not good. He is finally awake for longer periods of time. He has rolled over a few times from his belly to back, but not much. Like his sister, he gets angry while on his belly and usually just fusses.

Lexie’s 2 year molars seems to be most of the way in. She loves school, gymnastics, and now she loves playing with her brother. The first few weeks were a breeze, then after about 4 weeks she realized he was staying and she started acting out. But now, it’s like she is over the acting out and jealousy
for the most part. She wakes up from nap wanting to play with Max, she wants to snuggle with us together in the chair. So, I think things are starting to smooth over, but I know there will still be rough days.

So, this is the 10 week update. It’s not as in depth, since I have forgotten a lot of what went on. But hopefully the 12 week I post in a few days will be more detailed.

=)

Baby Summary Weeks 8-9

by Meghan // November 14, 2012 // Comments off

I know, I’ve been slacking. I am running behind on Max’s updates. Things have been very … crazy around here. But crazy good!

For the last week, Mister has been waking at 4:00am in the morning! Sometimes as early as 3:30am! I knew this was a possibility, that he would go from sleeping so well, to waking early. I also read that sometimes before babies start sleeping through to wake up time, they may teeter-totter going from 3:00am, to 4:30am, back to 3:00am, etc. That’s exactly what Mister did for the last week. Then suddenly, at 10 weeks old he slept through to 6:00am! Woo Hoo!
Now, the last two days he woke at about 4:00am or so, fussed for a minute, then went back to sleep before I even got to his room. I think this also has to do with us starting some CIO. At first I let him cry during the day for anywhere from 10-20 minutes, depending on how he was crying. And so far, things are going really well; he is only waking for about 3-6 minutes now, fussing and falling back asleep. It’s amazing! I’m not doing hard-core CIO; I didn’t do it until 8 months with Lexie, but i didn’t really have to until then. With Max I need him going to sleep on his own sooner than she did, so that’s why I am trying it earlier.

Anyway, for his weeks 8-9 everything was pretty much the same as before. Week 9 he started eating more at each feeding. He will nurse and now takes about 4-5oz after nursing… So he is a hungry little Mister! His schedule is the same, based on a 3 hour routine… He is talking a LOT, super snuggly, laughs at mommy, daddy, and Lexie all the time. He is staying awake for a little longer now. His wake time is about an hour to an hour 20 minutes, depending on what we did during wake time. If he was super stimulated (ehum, by Big Sister) then he may go down earlier. His wake time includes: diaper change, eating, burping, playing, talking, diaper change, and swaddling/wind down for nap. That’s a lot to fit into an hour and 20 minutes, so there isn’t much “playing” quite yet. I am anxious for the day he is awake longer, but I know it will come. I’m just ready for him to get to interact with all of us more. =)

I’m making Mister’s summary shorter this time, because Sissy has MUCH bigger news going on these days than Bubby does!

playing with Mister

Love Bug is back in school, two days a week. We were getting read to put her in gymnastics when JTom remembered that we put aside a rather large chunk of his paycheck at the beginning of the year for mother’s day out. Our plan was to have her home w me after I stopped cleaning houses, which was at 7 months pregnant, until max came. After Max came we would do mother’s day out one-two days a week for Lexie’s sake and mine. Well …. we FORGOT! So, to use up the rest of the money (because it’s a cafeteria plan we will lose it if we dont use it) she is going 2xs a week through january. Then she will drop to once a week. However, we are still doing gymnastics- and she LOVES it! We went last Friday to try it out. She was already a beginner tumbler, she’s had so much practice in her crib and all … so she fit right in!

Speaking of cribs … we are in a big girl bed now! Scary I know- but so far so good. She loves it, the transition was an easy one. She is still in her sleep sack, not sure when we will discontinue it, but she can’t get out and roam as long as she wears it. =) Plus, she loves her “night night gown” … i think she feels secure in it.

A few weeks ago Payne came to visit us, and then the next weekend Granny and Mia came to visit.

Payne and Max

Just a singin’

curls

gymnastics

wasn’t so sure about the foam pit

Life is Good!

Granny and Max

Mia, Max, and Lexie

Granny and Lexie cooking “greens”

Bed head

Lookin like her Mama

Counting her “monies”

New clothes from Granny

Such a precious girl

Comparing schedules

by Meghan // October 26, 2012 // Comments off

Ive been going back and looking over my blogs from when L was Mister’s age. Turns out they are so much alike it’s unreal. On my Nov 12th post, when Lady was 2.5 months old, she was sleeping exactly as long as Mister is, about the same size, and eating about the same amount. The biggest difference is with her, I didn’t start meds for her reflux, and I didn’t have her napping quite as well as M does. I think that just has to do with A) him being no meds and B) me knowing what to look for as far as him being sleepy.

However, I’m worried his Zantac isn’t working anymore … The last two days have been horrible. He’s been in a lot of pain and only naps well in his swing. I’m not sure exactly what’s going on but I’m going to give it the weekend before I call the dr about upping dosage (for weight increase) or changing meds; he has started pulling off while nursing again, and after eating he will cry out and then gulp/choke/gasp for breath. So I know the reflux is hurting him; and I don’t think the rice is helping. I can’t make it any thicker and it go through the nipple, so I’d have to spoon feed it to him, and I think he’s just too young for all that. Anyway, after the weekend we will see. The Coliccalm doesn’t seem to be doing anything for the reflux, not sure about his gas?

My days now are a bit more structured, mainly because I understand what baby whisperer and baby wise are saying and also because I have a 2 year old smack dab in the middle of her terrible-ness. At that time, I had L on a great routine, but looking back she was definitely way over tired by the time I was putting her down for naps, and therefore wasn’t napping well. But she always had good night time sleep (thank goodness!). So that was an okay trade off!

But, at almost 8 weeks old, here is what Mister’s routine looks like:

5:00-6:00- Wakes, Zantac, small feed, goe back to sleep (either in crib or with Mama in chair)
7:00- wake for the day, regular feeding, nurse then 3-4oz bottle
8:05- Down for nap- rests on and off depending on gas/reflux until
10:00- Eat, nurse 3-4 oz
11:05- down for nap- rests on and off depending on gas/reflux until
1:00pm- Eat
2:05- down for nap (however he usually has not slept well at this mid morning nap, and therefore goes to sleep closer to 1:30pm, sleeping until about 3:30 in the swing if necessary)
4:00 Eat
5:30pm Cluster feed
7:00pm last feeding of day
7:35 asleep in crib

SO, that is typically what our routine looks like, but with him being so young and having the reflux and gas, it tends to be more flexible in the naps department. Eating, however is always the same. After his 10:00 feeding, we usually go for a walk and/or play outside. If it is a day we plan to go grocery shopping or run errands, we do this about 8:30, home by 10:00 for him to eat and L to have a snack. At 25 months, her routine looks like this:

6:40-7:00- wake, daddy gets her from crib, she demands milk
then snuggle time with Mommy and “my Max” while mommy nurses and daddy gets ready for work
7:30- breakfast (yogurt, toast, oatmeal, fruit, etc)
play time
11:30-12:00- lunch depending on am wake time
12:00-12:30- down for nap depending on am wake time (here is when she usually poopies in her pullup (this whole potty training thing has us all out of whack), I have to go change her, then put her back down for nap… but because this interrupts her getting ready for sleep, I’ve been going back in at the hour mark and rocking her to sleep.)
2:30- if she didn’t nap I get her out of bed at the 2 hour mark
3:00- if he napped, she is awake by 3:00
play outside, crafts, etc if napped… relax and keep it low key if she didn’t
5:45pm- dinner
6:30-7:00- bedtime depending on morning wake time

Right now, L needs a total of about 12 hours of sleep. Her naps are usually 1.5 hours, which leaves 11.5 hours of night sleep on days she naps. If she does’t nap, she has a very early bed time to prevent over tiredness the next day. It’s all a numbers game..

So, big plans for the next few weeks. This weekend we are going to a family reunion in LA. Then next weekend my dad comes to visit, the next weekend my mom comes, then a few weeks later we have Thanksgiving! ALREADY! That’s insane. I think we are going to Memphis for Thanksgiving… that should be a fun challenge. Our first overnight trip wrangling two! Fun Fun! Of course halloween is this coming week. Ew. I’m not a fan of halloween, and until my kids are old enough to stay up late enough, we aren’t celebrating. And yes, I will be one of the moms that takes the candy and exchanges it for something cool, a toy or new clothes, etc… like the tooth fairy only for crappy, overpriced junk food. =)

OK, well I am going to bed now. It;s 9:17pm, that’s about 20 minutes past my bed time!

6 Week Summary Baby 2

by Meghan // October 21, 2012 // Comments off

So, Misteris officially 7 weeks old today, and is over 11 pounds. Here is a re-cap of his 6th week of life.

Happy boy

We are still doing the Zantac, while waiting on the Colicalm to get here. I think it will be here Monday… fingers crossed! Anyway, he’s still on Zantac, and sleeping great at night! Sometimes 10-11 hours. He is on a 3 hour schedule, with cluster feeding in the late afternoon.

Eating
Max is nursing about 20 minutes at each feeding, then takes 2-4 ounces in a bottle. Sometimes it’s breastmilk, sometimes formula. I tried some rice to see if it helps keeping the reflux down, so far I don’t think it is really doing anything? I know it has thickened his poopy diapers and he isn’t pooping as often. So today I’m not doing any rice, and we will see how it goes. I was afraid it would mess up his system, and it looks like it may =/ Not sure though. But he seems to be doing fine without it, so I may just stop it all together. I will see how this afternoon goes.

Sleeping
Night time is great right now. His last feed is at 7, he is usually asleep by 8:00, and sleeps until sometime between 4:30am-6:00am most mornings. I am really hoping this doesn’t change and he goes back to MOTN (middle of the night) wakings, but we will just see. I swaddle him for every sleep-time, which he seems to enjoy. Once I swaddle him, and sing a little of Jesus Loves Me, he relaxes and gets ready for sleep.

Day time sleep is a bit different … Like many babies, Mister wakes about 20 minutes into his naps. This is either because A) he is over tired when I put him down, or B) he is going from light to deep sleep, and is waking up during the transition. Since i have tried an earlier put

Sleeping Mister

down time, and he still wakes, I have moved on to option B, he doesn’t know how to transition during sleep phases yet. So, I am letting him cry for a bit. However, he gets more worked up if I try to let him fuss, so I usually give him 3-5 minutes, then go intervene somehow. Sometimes this is sshing him back to sleep, patting, or moving him to the swing. Babywise says to try something else until he is a bit older and then try to let him fuss for a bit, again.

Hopefully by moving him to the swing, it will help him make a smoother transition over time, and he will evcentually sleep right through the light to deep sleep phase.

I am currently putting him down while drowsy, but not completely asleep. Sometimes he goes right to sleep, sometimes it takes a bit more to get him asleep. But overall he is doing good sleep-wise. =)

Lady
And we have 2 year molars! Yay! Yesterday I tried an earlier nap time and it worked! I put her down at 12, she was asleep by 12:15 and slept for an hour and a half. Today I did the same thing and she is in there playing … I guess it’s hit or miss, but no matter what I am sticking with
the earlier nap time. it seems to be the only time she falls asleep on her own. Between the potty training, the natural sleep regression at 2, and the teething, it’s really a lost cause. But I am deteremined to keep trying. Because at some point she will be potty trained completely, past the sleep regression, and done with the molars, and we will need a consistent routine. I also need my sanity which means 2 hours of L in her crib for nap, rest, whatever you want to call it. But man, yesterday after her nap she was the sweetest, happiest girl; she was her normal Ladyself!

Not the sleep deprived, demanding, whiny “terrible twos” toddler she becomes on days without a nap!

Mama’s country bumpkin’

Life in general is good. Last weekend we took the kids to the sate fair. L LOVED all the animals; they even had a live animal show with a Bamboo, dog, and parrot. She of course really enjoyed that. Mister did good on our little family outing (of course he was chilling in the double wide the whole time so he was a happy boy). Husband’s back may be going out on him again; he’s going to see the doctor hopefully this week if he can get in. I am getting lots of night sleep, and rest during the day most days.