Traveling Across Country with Baby

Though this is belated, I figure I should give you a head's up about the traveling on a plane with a baby thing...except I can't. Honestly, I don't think I can give you any help or tips.

I'm not bragging or trying to be a horrible human being when I say Kiddo is perfect. I mean, really. He made everyone around him happy. Other than the expected meltdown when he was completely zonked or teething - he was a total trooper.

He laughed when the plane took off. He laughed when landing. The flight attendant said she'd never seen a better baby in flight. He was smiling and happy the entire time. He smiled when he met his great aunts and uncles. He smiled when he met his cousins. He smiled when he met complete strangers. In fact, he flirted shamelessly with older women EVERYWHERE WE WENT (He even had separation anxiety when his new girlfriends of five seconds left him forever - complete with pathetic whimpering.).

He did teethe.

There were several nights he barely slept because his teeth were coming through...and VIOLA! He now has a total of 6 teeth (4 came in up top ALL AT ONCE...ick.). That part was rough.

The meltdowns in the carseat when he was exhausted and just wanted to snuggle with his mommy were rough. Those happened...at least once a day which considering how much driving we did daily, was a minor miracle.

He even did well with the complete strange babysitter during my cousin's wedding and reception. Kiddo was a perfect baby.

And that wasn't lost on people. I mean, he got noticed. His sweetness was noticed. And I had to tell everyone over and over: All babies are not like this. They aren't all this sweet and charming and perfect. Don't be fooled into thinking you'll have one like this - you might, but don't count on it.

Christian's family has a history of inspiring other people into having children because his family has such sweet babies, and then, well, these people get screwed. I guess there was a rash of babies wherever his parents lived after each of their four children was born. Ha.

So yes, Kiddo was a doll and lovely with everyone however I wouldn't want to travel with a baby again. Why? Because it's still rough on even the most cooperative of babies. Their routines are all jacked up. They get constipated. They get exposed to a thousand bagillion germs on the plane. They have to suffer being confined in a car seat way more than they'd ever care to. They have no idea when they're supposed to sleep. They have no idea when they're supposed to eat. Everything is all goofy and the result is crankiness on the part of either the parent, the baby, or everyone involved.

So yeah. Kiddo is perfect...or it was a minor miracle we came out unscathed.

The Joys of an 8.5 Month Old

It's been a while since I gave a specifically Kiddo milestone update and a LOT has been happening. While some of it is a little nervous making, most of it spreads smiles and laughter throughout our house. So here's an overview of everything going on with Kiddo:

1. 2 bottom teeth are through and the rest are all in various stages of poking through the gums - even his MOLARS!
2. Kiddo says: mommy, mom, okay, yea, hi, hello, dada, kitty, cat, dog, I get and I want my mommy plus tries to say a whole lot more (working on grandma and granddad currently).
3. Has stopped crying as much and instead uses words (calls for me instead of crying unless the world is ending).
4. Shakes his head when someone says no or oops or when he means no/answers a question.
5. Tries to nod, but looks more like he's going berserk with head shaking instead. Should have this down, what? Next week I guess. :-)
6. Pulls himself up...everywhere.
   
7. Plays hiding and chasing games.
8. Follows basic instructions (i.e. come here or no or stop or pet nicely).
9. Tries to read his books (babbles aloud while looking at them).
10. Sings himself to sleep sometimes.
11. Has begun cruising - so far he moves between 2 objects or 3 feet (whichever comes first), but he's working hard at extending that.
    
12. Wants to stand without support (but can't)
13. Walks with assistance from adults
14. Tries to fit toys together (things that look like they go together, as well as ones that don't!)
15. Tries to brush his own teeth (not too bad at it either!)
16. Tries to crawl in the tub (much to everyone's chagrin).
17. Feeds himself (with a spoon it's questionable...with just food it's only slightly less so).
18. Wants to explore everything - especially unusual textures and cord/strap like objects. 
19. Likes to snuggle up to Daddy while sleeping (about a third to half the time).
20. Absolutely hates shirts over his head now.
21. Has specific favorite stories he wants read over, and over, and over again.
22. Attempts to have conversations and fluctuates voice as though asking questions or making statements.
23. Gives Mommy/Daddy/grandparents kisses.
24. Blows raspberries on Mommy/Daddy to make her/him laugh.
25. Gives Mommy/Daddy/grandparents hugs.

In short, he's just getting even more adorable. It's kind of ridiculous. He still loves watching people. He's still good buddies with Java the Cat. He's still cranky when he doesn't get a good nap and his hair always has a party while he sleeps. Oh, and most importantly, he still smiles when he sees me upon waking or from across the room.

Still, he's growing so fast. I don't want to miss anything! I feel like if I blink he'll be 25 and getting married....

It's important to remember to be in this time, enjoying the present. Even when Kiddo's sobbing or wailing or frustrated because he doesn't know how to do something yet, I know this only happens once. Every moment is a treasure. Every moment is a joy.

SAHMs Need Adult Time

This week has been rough. I had the poop spectacular, horrible teething, clinginess, soaked sheets (another lovely thing!), and a whole lot of sleep deprivation. I think I also have a bit of a cold...or allergies? Whatever. It involves post-nasal drip and it's annoying as hell. Did I mention it's also HOT? Yeah. Loving that Cali heat right now.

I am convinced single parents are tetched ... or plum crazy.

Needless to say I'm in some serious need of adult time. Adult time is any time when kids are absent or you are doing adult things. Adult things range from getting your freak on (obviously) to watching a movie that has explosions, fighting, gore, swearing, or sexual situations. Even working out could be adult time if the kids aren't around vying for attention. Adult time also includes taking a leisurely shower or bath without any pressure to finish quickly.

I've gotten...a little adult time. I think I can count one shower and one movie (sort of - both were a little rushed). But today I'm sitting in Ellen's Pancake House waiting for a friend and guess what? No Kiddo. He's with his grandparents. My friend is running a little late. It's actually wonderful because I have time to write this without having to worry about Kiddo needing something. I even texted some friends I haven't talked to in ages.

I do however feel pressure from the waitstaff and other patrons....one waitress or another has come over to ask after me like five time. I want to tell them, "Don't you know I'm a stay at home mom and I had a crap week this week?! Give a girl a break!"

They probably don't care. It's fine. I'm good. I'm getting adult time.

Six Month Sleep Problems

I've been told a lot recently that I should have kiddo sleep alone and cry it out.

There is nothing I hate more than when someone tells me what will work best for kiddo's sleep. I say this because from the time he was a newborn he slept better with us. Not only did he sleep better, but so did we.

Now things are changing, but not how you might think.

He's clingier than ever. He used to let other people, however short a list, put him to bed. Now he wails unless he's snuggled and nursing. Sleeping alone? Forget it. Cry it out? Don't be ridiculous. He's been crying quite enough.

In the middle of the night he's begun crying and thrashing in his sleep - at least 3 times every night if not more. He's also going to sleep later and waking up earlier. He's so tired these days he's got bags under his eyes. It's awful.
I'm forcing him to take at least 3 naps during the day which helps his overall mood, but he's still spacey and fussier than I'd like. And of course with the sleep I've been getting, I'm crankier too.

So what's causing all this sleep disruption?

There are several reasons I've discovered as possibly ruining our nights:

1. Allergies - possible. Baby noses get stuffed and it gets uncomfortable causing them to fuss in the middle of the night. I have allergies which means kiddo could too, so it isn't off the table. Still he's not really showing signs of allergies.
2. Illness - while I understand how this could be (see the allergy reasoning above), I don't think this is the cause...unless junk in the air counts as illness? Right now there's a lot of crap in the air around here - pollen, fertilizer, cut grass, and just dirt. There's only been a little rain and the junk in the air is getting to everyone.
3. Night terrors - caused by over-tiredness. Possible. Night terrors are nightmares that babies and young children don't wake from. They thrash around and cry horribly until the terror is over. Soothing a child in a night terror is supposed to make them last longer, except when I soothe kiddo the episodes end sooner so I don't think this is the cause.
4. Developmental leap - possible. Kiddo is *really* close to crawling. I mean, really. He loves tummy time and gets super frustrated when he doesn't get to move around. I guess you could say he's commando crab crawling at the moment (going backwards on his belly) but he's got the urge to do the typical crawl. Apparently when the leap is achieved, the night crying disappears.
5. And then there is teething. Kiddo does have two teeth coming through the bottom gums right now, so it could be discomfort from this as well. It's hard to know. Christian doesn't think it's worth giving him Ibuprofen for anything at this point so soothing will have to do...
6. It could also be a combination of things, which is just as likely as some of the individual reasons.

Whatever the case, I'm being religious about kiddo's napping. It seems to help, but he still has these bags under his eyes. I guess I'll just have to wait until whatever this is passes for those to disappear. In the mean time, we'll nap and soothe and sleep how we sleep best.

An Alien's First Cold and More Teething

My little alien got his first cold on Sunday. It got worse before it got better. He had a little fever and his share of goopy eyes and a runny nose.

But of course, it isn't anything serious because for the most part, he's been just as smiley as normal. He's had the same amount of energy he normal has, and he's been just as alert as he is on any other day. These, as any experienced parent (or ped) will tell you, are good signs.

Kiddo has something special that an actual alien wouldn't - a human mother's milk and the antibodies it contains. That definitely gives him a head start on the immune system front, which is great. But it doesn't protect him 100%.

Because he is sick, it makes sleeping a real joy. The gurgling coming from his mouth is spectacular (as he is also seriously teething), but that doesn't compare to the strange noises coming from his nostrils. He actually made a horrible choking sound one night for which I can only blame the combination of spit and snot.

Yes. Lovely.

Needless to say, he's been fussing in his sleep even more than when he is just teething and he'd been nursing even more than when he is just teething (which is already more than normal!). And then there's also the random wailing in the middle of the day because he's so uncomfortable.

The poor kid!

I keep the pain meds and med dropper close to give him a dose as needed, because well, kiddo sure does need it!

He already seems to be coming round the bend on the sickness front, which is good because we're having his dedication Sunday (something that many protestant Christian families should be familiar with) and I'd like it if he was well. But the teething has spiked in intensity.

Kiddo's gums are even more swollen and it seems several more nubs are trying to push through on both the upper and lower gums. He's actually taken to chewing on some of the teethers that before he shunned. I wouldn't be surprised if he cuts another few teeth in the next week. Meanwhile, I'll keep the pain meds handy along with every teether in our arsenal and hopefully something helps the little guy.

What are some of your experiences with sick babies? Teething? What worked for you and what didn't? Leave a comment below!

Wonderful Teething

Well, kiddo has been exceptionally fussy the last few days. This seems to happen once a week, but really, it's another wonder week (or so I hear). So he could be about to have another mental leap, or he could just grow another two inches in a night. One is documented and the other seems just as likely.

That may be what's going on, but there is also the whole gum thing. Yes. That.

Kiddo has started gumming everything in sight. He wants to chew on everything. He's batting at his face constantly and he fusses until he gets something to chew. Oh, and the drool is rivaling a livestock guard dog's.

Yes it would appear kiddo is teething.

I've read that teething can happen up to four weeks before the teeth actually sprout. He is about three months in, and teeth can pop up around four months. I'm not looking forward to that.

Kiddo seems to be very interested in adult food. He looks longingly at us eating our food as though he'd ready for the big stuff. I'd rather he keep breastfeeding exclusively until he's 12 months old. Then he can start on solids. That's what I want, assuming he doesn't decide to bite my nipples off with his new mouthful of teeth, which is the other thing I'm concerned about. But it doesn't really matter.

In the end, I'm just going to have to deal with whatever happens - solid food and teeth - sooner or later. I can hope for later though. Hope. Later. Crossies.