Words of Wisdom and Hilarity...

Excellent sleep advice...

"You shouldn’t sleep train at all, before a year, before 6 months, or before 4 months, but if you wait too late, your baby will never be able to sleep without you. College-aged children never need to be nursed, rocked, helped to sleep, so don’t worry about any bad habits. Nursing, rocking, singing, swaddling, etc to sleep are all bad habits and should be stopped immediately.
Naps should only be taken in the bed, never in a swing, car seat, stroller, or when worn. Letting them sleep in the car seat or swing will damage their skulls. If your baby has trouble falling asleep in the bed, put them in a swing, car seat, stroller, or wear them. Use the crib only for sleep and keep it free of distractions. If the baby is having trouble adjusting to the crib, have them play in it first. If the baby wakes up at night and wants to play, put fun toys in the crib to distract them.
Put the baby in a nursery, bed in your room, in your bed. Co-sleeping is the best way to get sleep, except that it can kill your baby, so never, ever do it. If your baby doesn't die, you will need to bed-share until college.
Keep the room warm, but not too warm. Swaddle the baby tightly, but not too tightly. Put them on their backs to sleep, but don't let them be on their backs too long or they will be developmentally delayed. Give them a pacifier to reduce SIDS. Be careful about pacifiers because they can cause nursing problems and stop your baby from sleeping soundly. If your baby sleeps too soundly, they’ll die of SIDS.
Don’t let your baby sleep too long, except when they’ve been napping too much, then you should wake them. Never wake a sleeping baby. Any baby problem can be solved by putting them to bed earlier, even if they are waking up too early. If your baby wakes up too early, put them to bed later or cut out a nap. Don’t let them nap after 5 p.m. Sleep begets sleep, so try to get your child to sleep as much as possible. Put the baby to bed awake but drowsy. Don't wake the baby if it fell asleep while nursing.
You should start a routine and keep track of everything. Don’t watch the clock. Put them on a schedule. Scheduling will make your life impossible because they will constantly be thrown off of it and you will become a prisoner in your home.
Using the "Cry It Out" method (CIO) will make them think they’ve been abandoned and will be eaten by a lion shortly. It also causes brain damage. Not getting enough sleep will cause behavior and mental problems, so be sure to put them to sleep by any means necessary, especially CIO, which is the most effective form. CIO is cruel beyond belief and the only thing that truly works because parents are a distraction.
Formula and solid foods will help the baby sleep longer. Solid foods shouldn’t be given at night because they might wake the baby. Don't stop the baby from nursing when asleep. Be wary of night feeds. If you respond too quickly with food or comfort, your baby is manipulating you. Babies can’t manipulate. Babies older than six months can manipulate.
Sleep when the baby sleeps. Clean when the baby cleans. Don’t worry. Stress causes your baby stress and a stressed baby won't sleep."

10 & 11 months

I'm combining these...because I'm behind, and because they're pretty much the same. In fact, everything is pretty much the same.

At his last appointment, Carson weighed 22 pounds or so. He's a toad. :)

The tubes in his ears went well...although he was a bit traumatized for awhile after and cried everytime we would leave the room. Poor babe. He's been much healthier though ever since!

No mare paci in this house...we took it away during the day and he fussed for a week or so and seemed like he missed it. We gave it to him a little while longer if he woke up in the night, but we've been completely off it for a couple weeks now!

Next, we're working on getting rid of the bottle. We've finally found a sippy Carson likes, so we've tried whole milk, water, and formula in it successfully. We're replacing several bottles with meals, and are down to 2 or 3 bottles max, and I think the night time one will be the only one we have here soon.

Carson has 3 teeth! Still none on the top. The last one on the bottom popped through suddenly, we didn't even know he was working on it!

He is still wearing 12 month clothes and size 3 diapers.

He's still not completely crawling, but he army crawls all over the place and can definitely get where he wants to go...which is usually not where Mommy wants him to go. I think he's frustrated not being able to walk or crawl yet...I'm hoping that is the reason for the whining and it will end soon when he gets more mobile.

I can't believe his 1st birthday is a couple short weeks away...seems like just yesterday he was a newborn. It's a great thing because he gets more and more fun as he ages, but he's very quickly becoming not a baby anymore, and it breaks this mama's heart.

I love you Carson David!


Pictures for your enjoyment...

11 months

 10 months

9 Months Old!

I’m writing this 9 month post when Carson will be 10 months in a week, but times flies when you’re having fun!

Carson was 29.5 inches long and 21lbs. 4.6 oz at his checkup last week. One of those is in the 70^th some percentile, and one in the 80^th some, but I can’t remember which one.

We unfortunately got to experience our first ER visit and overnight hospital stay on February 4 and 5. Carson was fine when we put him to bed, but Brent heard him coughing in the monitor, and he thought it sounded like he was breathing hard, so he went in and checked on him and thought he was struggling to breathe. He woke me up and we headed to Iowa Falls to the Emergency room. Carson was in great spirits for the most part. His oxygen level was 92 when we got there, and they don’t really like babies to be under 95, so they right away gave him a nebulizer treatment, and that seemed to help.
The Dr. wanted him to have an IV with some steroids and an antibiotic and fluids, but after 4 attempts to start an IV, including both hands and feet and the anesthesiologist, they had no luck, so 2 shots is what he got instead. Watching them struggle and hold him down for an hour and a half with no luck was the worst part of it.
After being in the hospital from 2:00 a.m. Monday until 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, we came home with some nebulizer  treatments and steroids and he is much better now.
He gets tubes in his ears on February 25, so I am really hoping this helps him stay healthy.

Much of the same for this month’s post…

--Size 3 diapers
--12 month clothes
--size 2 shoes ( we have 3’s but they are too big, he has tiny feet!)
--still 2 teeth
--not crawling, but swimming. Dr. isn’t concerned yet, he will crawl when he is ready
--finally starting to show an interest in pulling himself up
--Gives high fives, does so big, and is getting close to saying uh oh and waving
--Hates when mom hands him to someone else, and wants me all the time
--still not sleeping great…usually goes to bed fine, but once he wakes up he doesn’t want to be alone and sleeps better in his bouncer or swing
--still not much into chunkier baby food or things with much texture
--getting GREAT with the sippy cup, he can get some out by himself now
--Eats 4 or so 6 oz. bottles a day, sometimes some breakfast, but usually not interested, 2 baby foods for lunch, and one or two for supper, with occasional snacks of puffs or mum mums.
--I put a tiny splash of juice in with his water this morning and he loved it
--no longer using the infant bath tub, he LOVES splashing and taking big boy baths
--still getting frustrated that he can’t crawl, but just can’t figure it out yet, although he’s great at rolling and scooting!
--got his first hair trim on Sunday, February 17 at home in his high chair, just a trim over the ears.

I’m still loving this little boy more than words, and so thankful to be his mommy. I’m loving watching him grow and change every day, but at the same time, a little sad that he’s becoming less of a baby and more of a little boy right before my eyes. 

8 Months Old!

Carson David, I can’t believe you are 8 months old already. 8 and a ½ now that I am finally getting to write this.

Not a lot has changed in the past month. You’re still wearing the same size diapers, and wearing mostly 12 month clothes, although some 9 month stuff still fits fine.
You’re eating 2, maybe 3 “meals” a day in addition to usually 5 bottles. The bottles are all formula now since my pump broke. But, that’s not a story for this post. J
You’ve recently started picking up finger food and putting it in your mouth, you love Mum Mums and puffs. We’ve tried chunkier baby food and cottage cheese with no success.
You had another ear infection. And because of all the antibitotics, you now have C. Diff. I had to push the Dr.’s to test you for it, but I’m glad I did. You were a little poop machine!!  You are going to see an ENT next month, and I’m sure we will be discussing tubes for your ears.

You’re still not interested in crawling, but you are getting great at rolling both directions, back and forth, and you’re really sticking your little bum in the air and scooting around. You sit up like a champ.

Lately you’ve really been having some separation anxiety, especially with Mama. If you can see me and hear me, you think I should be holding you. You’ve started reaching your arms up for me when you want me to pick you up, and it absolutely melts my heart.

You have NOT been sleeping well. I don’t know if it’s the C. diff or the separation anxiety or both, but Daddy and I have both spent a lot of nights holding you on the couch lately because that is the only way you will sleep. We’ve discovered that you do pretty in the bouncy seat right next to the bed, too. You fall asleep fine in your crib, but once you wake up, you just don’t want to be alone.

You still have the two toofers, no other ones have come through yet.
You absolutely still love to jump all the time!

You are spoiled rotten. But, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Sometime I need to post about your first Christmases, but honestly, there’s not a lot to say. You opened some gifts, but mostly just wanted to eat the paper. Daddy and I were both just getting over the flu, so it was hard to enjoy it all as much as we wanted to. 

7 Months Old!!!

Carson David, you are 7 months old already. Time is just flying by with you. You are more and more fun everyday.

We didn’t have a well baby this month, but you weigh roughly 18.5 lbs. and are about 27.5 inches long. You’re nice and solid still. J

You are learning and growing and changing. You love to laugh and smile, and babble and jabber all the time. Everything is ah da da ba ba goo, and it’s so adorable.

You are still loving your baby good. However, I think we have discovered an intolerance to oatmeal. Hopefully it just stays an intolerance, since there hasn’t been any hives, just vomiting. L We are hoping for no wheat allergies.

You are starting to show interest in what Mom and Dad are eating. You are also starting to get the hang of the sippy cup. I give you a little bit of water in it with your baby food.

You have started to put the bottle/cup in your mouth by yourself, but you aren’t able to figure out you need to tip it to get the good stuff to come out.

 

At 7 months old, you can/are:

 

-wearing size 3 diapers

-wearing mostly 9 month clothes, although a few 6-9 month still fit, and a few 12 month still fit, and you are starting to grow out of 9 month pants.

-eating 6 ounces per bottle, sometimes a little more. Also eating 1.5 to 2 containers of stage 2 baby food a day.

-sleeps through the night most of the time, but sometimes wakes up once or twice and wants his paci

--can sit up unsupported for a few minutes at a time, but we are always close by. He’s working right now on pulling himself up, when he’s laying down, but so far hasn’t been successful.

-when on his tummy, he acts like he’s swimming. So far, no tucking under of his legs or trying to crawl.

-He still loves to be held and snuggled, and would be content to do that most of the day.

-LOVES his jumperoo and would stay in it all the time if we let him.

-HAS 2 TEETH!!!  They erupted a couple weeks ago and now are almost fully through. The two bottom ones in the front. He drools and wants to chew on things ALL THE TIME so I’m sure we’re not far away from more.

-Rolls from back to tummy multiple times daily, but still doesn’t want to go back the other way. Instead he just gets mad until you roll him back over.

 

Carson, I love you so much! Thanks for making each day a little bit brighter

Half a year...

Dear Carson,

 

I can’t believe you are 6 months old today. You have brought so much light and love into my life these past 6 months…I am so blessed to have you.

I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. The first time I saw you I wasn’t able to hold you because of having a c-section, but you looked at me like you knew who I was. The first time I got to hold you, you snuggled right in…it was a perfect fit. We were meant for each other, and it felt like you had been waiting to meet me as long as I had been waiting to meet you.

We have learned a lot about each other over the months, and you have grown and changed so much. You looked just like your Daddy when you were born, but now you look just like me. You laugh and smile at me, you love to play peek-a-boo, and you are so squirmy and wiggly. Luckily, you do still love to snuggle, because cuddle time with you is my favorite thing.

I love dressing you up in cute outfits, the more boyish the better. Clothes shopping for you is even more fun than shopping for myself!

I’m amazed how you learn and grow each and every day. You have changed my life in so many ways, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

You, little boy, have my whole heart. I would do anything for you, and I love you more than anything in the whole world.

At six months old, Carson can/is:

-wearing some 6 month clothes, but mostly 9 month, he needs the length

-wearing size 3 diaper

-eating 6 oz. bottles 5 or 6 times a day, and one serving of baby food at night. He has tried and loved squash, carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, peaches, pears, apples, and bananas. He hates rice cereal. We are going to try some oatmeal and see how that works out.

-sleeps through the night most of the time when he doesn’t have an ear infection. 

-laughs, giggles, coos, and goos, and is starting to make more consonant sounds.

-can almost sit up unsupported, but not quite.

-rolls from back to tummy frequently.

-loves to play peek-a-boo, he puts the blanket over his head and then pulls it off

-loves to be startled, he thinks it’s hilarious

-loves to splash in the bathtub

-he was at the dr. October 15 for his second double ear infection, and weighed 18 lbs. 4 oz. We will get his 6 month stats when he goes in a week or two

-he can sit in his Bumbo and hold his head up for a while now

-like the exersaucer now that his little legs almost reach the bottom

-puts anything and everything in to his mouth. And drools like a faucet, although no teeth have popped through yet.

5 Months Old!

Carson turned 5 months old on September 28. And for once, he wasn’t sick to celebrate his monthly birthday, hallelujah!

Carson rolled over from back to tummy for the first time this month. He’s only done it once, but he spends a lot of time laying on his side getting very close to doing it. I think he’s just being lazy. J

We started solids this month, and we started with rice cereal, but he wasn’t too interested in that. So we tried a little bit of baby food, and he loves it. He is really enjoying it, and he gets it most nights. So far we have tried peas, bananas, peaches, pears, and sweet potatoes. He didn’t seem to be a big fan of the peaches, but loves the rest. About a half hour or so after eating them he is WILD for a little while, the carbs and sugar must get to him.

Carson also seems to be enjoying bath time more…he’s discovered how fun it is to splash. Sometimes he splashes with his arms and legs, and sometimes just his arms. It’s super cute.

No shots or doctor’s appointments this month. I got on the scale with him October 8, and he weighs roughly 18 pounds. He’s so solid!

He has stopped sleeping through the night most of the time, which is unfortunate. With being sick and getting shots, and then us being gone and out a lot lately, his routine is messed  up, and like his Mama, he LOVES his routine. Aunt Meghan and Uncle Jason got married on October 6, so now that those festivities are over, things should get back to normal and hopefully he will start sleeping through the night again.

I just spent yesterday cleaning out his drawers and putting away stuff that no longer fits him. I have a huge tote of clothes that are too small. It breaks this mama’s heart a little bit that her little boy is growing up sooooo fast.

Here are some Carson statistics…

- Wears mostly 6 months clothes. There are some 9 month clothes that fit him great right now, and a few 3-6 month things that still fit. It really depends on the brand!

-wears size 3 diapers. 2’s still fit, but the 3’s are a bit roomier for his squishy thighs. J

-eats 6 oz bottles, 5 or 6 times a day, with one small feeding of baby food at night.

-kicks and spins himself around when laying on his back on the floor

-laughs, smiles, coos, babbles, and gurgles at us

-recognizes faces

-makes eye contact

-lets you know when he likes or dislikes something

-holds his head up really well, and for longer periods of time

-loves his taggie blanket and burp rags to cuddle

-loves to snuggle and be held

-is becoming more mobile

-grabs things on his own, and usually puts them in his mouth

-pulls his paci out and then tries to get it back in, he does this all the time now. He usually tries to stick it in backwards or sideways

-is working on some teeth, though none have surfaced yet. He's a drool monster, and loves to chew on everything. Frozen teething rings seem to provide some relief for him.

-sometimes tries to hold his own bottle

-loves it when we imitate his goos and gaas, and tries to do it back to us. He's been doing more "yelling" too.

-supports himself on his elbows when doing tummy time...he still isn't a huge fan of tummy time, but will tolerate it, especially if Daddy or I lay down with him or we give him tummy time on our bed.

-bears weight on his legs, even though he doesn’t seem to enjoy it too much right now

-has started to whine when he wants to be held or picked up or have some attention. It's cute and annoying at the same time.