To Sleep or Not To Sleep?

This is, and has been, the question as of late. Unfortunately since Nate's surgery things have been more difficult for everyone. Nate refuses to eat solids (due to the stuffing of medicine down we assume, which we all detest! Wish those pharm techs would have told me about flavoring AS I was getting prescriptions filled vs halfway done!), Nate is in pain, isn't sleeping well,etc. Naps are sortive ok but he's been up just about every hour during the night. We had to stop his pain med because of constipation, but nothing does an equal good job. So at night in particular, its been seeming pointless to sleep--by the time we do, we're up again...a vicious cycle.The most frustrating part is not knowing why he wakes up so frequently. Pain? Hunger? Spasms? Who knows. Tomorrow Nate gets the catheter removed so hopefully that will help things out as far as being uncomfortable/pain goes. We're bummed out that this has hit him pretty hard. Hopefully this will pass soon and he'll start to feel better and be back totally to himself.

On a happier note, he's getting closer to being more independent. He can make circles on his stomach now and lift his upper body up further.

Hopefully for the next blog we'll have some more cheerful news!

Surgery

Once Nate turned six months we scheduled him to have some minor outpt surgery done (he hadn't been able to be circumcised at birth so we had to wait until he was old enough to do so). Had that done yesterday. He's doing fine for the most part, maybe some discomfort every now and then. The biggest disappointment to him will be NO swimming and activity gyms for two weeks! So mom and dad are his only source of bounce fun! Its nerve wracking just trying to make sure he doesn't hurt himself, so basically its more worrisome for us than for him! He's still his peppy, energetic self though at least.

Had him out for a "Nate's Favorite Things" weekend prior to surgery with swimming and the zoo. Can notice that he definately can see animals better than before! The monkeys were his favorite in particular. He was really excited when we picked him up a stuffed rhino. His new cuddle mate.

Did try the sippy cup, definately will need to wait longer on that. Pretty much rejects it and throws it. Have gotten into fruit...shuddered a little with his first bite but I think he'll be ok. Applesauce is coming up.

Gotta run for now.

6 Month Visit

Nathan is 16 pds, 1 ounce and 27 inches long. Still growing as he should be. The dr mentioned that he could start on a sippy cup, but I think that will have to wait a little while yet. Don't want to overload him with new things! Still working on getting him to enjoy solids. Carrots are probably the new fave, he wants to feed himself! See how sweet potatoes go next, then jump into fruit.

He enjoys making silly faces and is still becoming more independent day by day. In bed now, for instance, he can find and put his pacifier in his mouth. He travels to all different sides of the crib too to play with his different toys. However, there's still that stomach that he doesn't enjoy being on very long! We really are starting to think that the boy will walk before he crawls! He enjoys being on his legs MUCH MUCH more!

Have a good week!

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Oopsy Daisy

Well we had our first 'owwie' today. Nate was sitting up playing and fell over to a side and hit his head. Mom's first owwie meltdown! Has a bruise and small bump over his left eye. Ugh, hate that.

Slowly but surely he is starting to sleep in his crib during the day. Fed him,tried to darken the room even more and basically let him cry some. But today he finally did both his naps in it so we're happier. If it just wasn't for that dang accident!

Had Nate in his new high chair over the weekend with peas and green beans. Peas went over well, green beans not so. Just have to keep working on it.

Bye for now.

Advice on Napping...

Ok,I'm turning to all you moms out there for some advice! Nate usually sleeps in the swing for his naps but I'm trying to transition him to sleep in his crib instead. He does fine in the crib at night, but during the day he pretty much prefers the swing. I've tried feeding him in the crib and even vaccum/play a CD of the vaccum going to try and get him to doze off to no avail (these help when he's in the swing). I play music, make the room as dark as I can...has anyone else been through this? I'd appreciate any advice that may have helped you! Doesn't matter how small, please leave a comment! Thanks!

Shhhh...He's Sleeping : )

Hopefully we aren't just having a lucky week, but a sign of good things to come!Nate is still getting up once or twice during the night (still pretty good compared to the way things were!) but he's also started to sleep in later in the morning (or plays some and puts off crying, one way or the other!) Pretty much this whole week he hasn't gotten up until 6:30-7am! And today in particular set a morning record: 7:45AM! Had to make sure the kid was still alive in bed! He's also taken a few longer naps, 1-2 hrs once a day. If Nate can keep it up he'll have some pretty happy parents! Sleep makes quite the difference.

Veggies are on the menu soon. I've also discontinued nursing just this week, the both of us were ready to move on I think. I wasn't producing enough and now I don't have to plan everything around when he eats. So we're all happy with the extra flexibility! Not as much rushing going on. And since Nate is teething, I didn't want to wait for that hurtful bite that I've heard many stories about. Six months is a good start.

More things to do, talk later!

Up & Away!

Nate can at least pull himself up to sit if he's holding onto something, like in his swing. Otherwise its a frustrating work in progress for him! He's getting closer though. Still not crawling/scooting around yet, not sure if he'll do either?! Not a fan of being on his stomach much yet at all. Sometimes at night he'll accidently I think roll himself over which he doesn't like! Although he does tend to sleep on his sides some now. He's getting bigger: 9 month clothes now.

Having a fun weekend celebrating daddy's birthday. Ta-ta for now!

Jumpin' Jack Flash!

Mr 5 and a 1/2 month yr old likes to use his legs even more now! You can't tell by this picture but he's in an activity gym sort of thing that has springs so he can jump up and down. He wasn't so sure about it at first but likes to do it now! Even when he's out of it and we're holding him he jumps up and down (feeling those arm muscles work!) Another new favorite activity is pulling on hair and giving kisses (sortive kisses : ) ). He's about 15 1/2 pds now. I think he's ready to master baby oatmeal soon,rice is starting to get boring I think.

Sadly thats about all thats new. Watching him jump though is hilarious.Have a good weekend!

Teething

Five month birthday boy is starting to teethe (I think!) I'm sure all the moms out there can agree that its hard figuring things out at first when different sources say different things?! Frustrating! Everything is always "I think..", at least the first time around! But thats what we're going along with. Hopefully Nate will find some comfort in teething rings,washcloths,gel,etc. Still eating rice yet, working on upping that more before oatmeal starts.

Its starting to get easier to take him out for longer periods of time, especially at least if he's in the stroller. He likes visiting the ducks and people watching at the mall. Now that his vision is improving more, he also watches Baby Einstein more closely and plays with objects on his activity centers. Lily hasn't tired of him yet either! She walks around his activity centers like a shark waiting to strike to give him kisses : )

We had a good time in Sedona. He did pretty well for the most part during the drive
(2-2 1/2 hrs long ea way). Any longer though and we would have needed to stop, he isn't quite a big fan of the car seat yet despite company in the back seat with him. He badly wanted to stretch himself out!

Until next time!

Happy 4th!

Going into the holiday week and shy of being five months old, Nate has gotten used to the rice cereal and is eating it more frequently. Sleeping at night is improving week by week: bed usually between 7 and 8 now, then wakes up once or so and is up between 5:30 and 6:30. Two naps usually now during the day. He still enjoys his walks outside and seeing new things (gets upset when they can't be in his mouth though!)

Wanted to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July, someone is hungry so I've got to run.

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Oops

Lily (our dog) is feeling upset because I forgot to mention that Nathan loves it when she licks him on his hands and feet (he has a big smile). Lily was also the first to make him laugh--Nate likes to watch her run around outside and play. He's able to focus on things a lot better and follow objects as they move around. No more hiding that bottle, he knows its there!