The Valentine Mom

He's getting so big!  I have so much to write about I hardly know where to begin!  Let's begin with Valentine's Day:

My Little Lovebug continues being the happiest, most wonderful child - I couldn't have wished for anything more.  My heart breaks every moment I'm not with him and when I am with him - I don't want to let him go!!!  

Every day continues to be an adventure for us Lovebugs...let me backtrack...

Benny is almost 7 months old and within a week it will be his first place ride and vacation to Florida and Disney World!  I'm super stressed, mainly because I'm a control freak and am totally not in control of any of these arrangements.  I packed his things in my bag and realize that he takes up over half my suitcase!  What's a girl to do?

My Little Lovebug has been tring to crawl real bad, and Grandmommy considers is "wagging his tail" whenever he tries.  He simply kicks and kicks and kicks...but can't get anywhere!  Soon, I'm sure - I'm not in any rush!!!

Since I haven't blogged since October, here's a run down of the big moments that have happened since then:

OCTOBER

31 - Halloween - My Little Lovebug became My Little Lobster! We took him trick-or-treating with our friends...he slept most of the time!  But it was beautiful out and was a lot of fun!  Lots of candy for Big Daddy Lovebug and myself!!!

NOVEMBER

Baptism - God Bless our little angel!  Our Little Lovebug was baptized on this day

Thanksgiving - 

DECEMBER

Christmas

First Time in Snow - Blizzard

First Solid Foods

JANUARY

New Years

The Dreamland Mom

Co - Sleeping is soooo much easier than dealing with the reality of actually finding and sticking to a bedtime routine that works.  That's right.  Our Little Lovebug was 12 weeks yesterday...and STILL not sleeping through the night.  Not really even semi-sleeping.  He sleeps for a few hours, wakes up screaming for food and usually falls back asleep in our bed.  


So here is roughly our new nightly routine:


8:00 Bath/Dress in pajamas
8:20 Feed while rocking on rocking chair with dim lighting
After feeding - changing
8:45 - Read Story/Say prayers
9:00 Put into crib, rub belly, play soft soothing music
9:01 - Sleeping child?  We shall see!


Hopefully all of that plus many prayers will make for some peace around bedtime.  


Three month olds are supposed to get 10 hours of sleep a night.  Putting him to bed for 9:00 will eventually cause him to sleep until 7:00 in the morning.  In theory, of course!  Anything is worth a try!

The Working Mom

Yesterday was a big day for us Lovebugs!

I returned to work on Monday, which wasn't so bad.  I knew my Little Lovebug was in good hands with his Grandmommy and my class this year is much better behaved than last year's class.  Yesterday was our first class trip, to Green Meadows Pumpkin Farm.  My first grade class and I were joined by Benny, Big Daddy Lovebug and Grandmommy.  We milked a cow, went on a hayride, saw many adorable farm animals and picked Benny's first pumpkin.  

When we got back we took Benny to the doctor, where he got 2 shots and an oral vaccination.  My Little Lovebug was so brave!  He whimpered a little bit...but that was it!  I also got a shot - the flu shot!  Benny now weights 11 pounds!!!  Nice and solid!

Big Daddy Lovebug has been very sick, unfortunately - wheezing, coughing and unable to breathe.  At least he got a semi-full night of sleep last night because Little Lovebug just about slept through the whole night!!!  A half an hour more would be even more fantastic honey!!!!

The Apple Farmer Mom

A few days ago we took our Little Lovebug apple picking.  We went to Lewin Farms on Long Island and the weather was perfect as was the apples we put into our barrel.  I highly recommend this apple orchard, especially to those with children, for the apple trees are nice and low and also because you pay per pound.  Some apple farms charge by the half or full bushel.  We found a nice little pizzeria for lunch and that's where Benny decided he would have the mother of all screaming fits.  Not enjoyable, rather exhausting, but eventually ended...thank goodness!!!

On another note, it's been two nights since the big move from cradle to crib and it's going... it's going... I think it makes him nervous waking up and finding no one there... hopefully, time will change this...

The "Mom of a Two Month Old" Mom

My boy is a big 2 months old today!!  While he continues being absolutely adorable - it's only enhanced by his smiles and coos.  I on the other hand have had a miserable cold for the last few days, making it difficult to talk and play with my Little Lovebug.  What makes it worse is that I am entering my final week of maternity leave and I want to spend it having fun with my Little Lovebug, not in bed drinking tea... 


Other happenings recently:
* Similac had a huge recall two days ago on many batches of their dry formula due to beetle larva found inside. Fortunately - the one we have been using during the middle of the night was not!  However, we did just purchase a large canister, which we did not open - but yes - it was recalled!  I'm just so glad we didn't give him any from that batch!  
* Big Daddy Lovebug's car was hit while sitting in the parking lot of his job.  Not sure if there's any internal damage, but a body shop man offered to fix it for $100, which the woman who hit him paid.  She also gave us $200 to not tell her insurance company, which won't really do us any good if there IS any internal damage.  Unfortunately we won't be able to buy a new car for another year and a half (when my car is paid off...)
* We booked a place for my Little Lovebug's baptism.  It will be the first week on November and the planning has commenced!
* Last night is our Little Lovebug's last night in the cradle in our room :(  I will miss having him so close to us, but since I return to work in about a week and since he's been sleeping almost the whole night, I'd love to try to get him into the crib from 11-6.  That would be ideal for me going to work.  It'd be better at 10 PM, but I think that may be a little bit of a stretch for right now!!!  We'll have to make tonight count!!!
*Tomorrow, I start a post pregnancy diet...I am still on vacation mode and now that my doctor has given me the "ok" I can start exercising again...


In honor of my boy's second month on this planet:

 

Firsts Accomplished

First real smile - yea!!!

First coo and goo
First visit to Amusement Park (Advertureland)
First birthday party
First trip to Library
First Mets Game
First Immunization shot
First baby class
First time meeting cousins
First trip to NJ
First time in church
First bank account opened
First walk with dog
First labor day

First (and only) time being two months old!!! 

Favorite Momma Lovebug Moment

"My favorite moments are when he's lying on the bed, looking right at me making silly faces and noises, and he laughs and coos like he knows exactly who I am!!"

Favorite Big Daddy Lovebug Moment

"When him and I connect with each other - I talk to him and he smiles back!"

Little Lovebug Discoveries

Discovery of feet

Begin to vocalize

Response to loud, different noises

What to Look For During his Third Month
Reach and grab an object
Roll over one way
Laugh out loud
Bring both hands together
Hold head steady when upright
Turn when he hears his parents voice

Good Bye Cradle - We'll miss you!!!

Our Pio Pio Dinner in honor of our boy!

The "Go Away" Mom

"He's crying - he must be hungry..." - When you say this you are implying that I'm a neglectful parent who is starving her child.  There are countless reasons why babies cry and if I fed mine every time he did - he'd be as big as a hippopotamus.  I, like most parents who actually care about their children monitor how often my baby eats based upon what my pediatrician has told me.  End of story - good night!

"You should enjoy him - time goes by so quickly..." - duh...and I'd like to savor every moment without people reminding me every time I'm out that he is now one moment older than the last moment.  Thanks for your advice!

"How's he sleeping at night?" - I admit I have previously fallen into this category when my friends have given birth.  This seems to be the #1 question I am asked, like you can tell oh so much from my 2 month old's sleeping habits.  Perhaps you want to feel good about the fact that you had 5 more hours than me last night, so unless your volunteering to do night feedings, please don't ask!  He sleeps like a 2 month old!  It's fantastic if your week old sleeps through the night - mine doesn't - so stop asking!!!

"How was your C-Section?" - Let's see - it was as if someone slipped me a roofie, cut open my stomach, ripped my child from it, sewed me back up...then expected me to walk around and go back to my normal routine the next day...yes...it was just like that... let's just say it was so traumatizing I wouldn't mind that part of my memory erased.  Up until they showed me my little boy of course!

*Authors Note - in no way is this blog meant to be petty!  Just saying!

The Light Packing Mom

This is my checklist for the bare minimum items to pack in my Diaper Bag.  Either way, I feel like I'm always missing something anyway.  Also - everyone also says "Oh my - it's so heavy - you have too many things!  That is a negative...

Diapers

Wipes

Diaper Rash Cream

Changing Pad

Several Changes of Clothes

Bottles in Cooler

2 Blankets

3-4 Toys/Books

The Bippy!!! (Pacifier)



My gorgeous Coach diaper bag - a git from Big Daddy Lovebug on Valentine's Day!