What's a mommy to do?

What's a mommy to do when your 3 1/2 month old grows out of his infant car seat, but is still too young to sit up. We prop him up places all the time, but he can't do it by himself yet. These days grocery shopping and going out for dinner is increasingly more difficult because we can't just rely on taking the infant seat in everywhere. Ty has been living in the baby bjorn when we frequent Target, and we have to keep the infant seat in my trunk for when we go to dinner. It's annoying but it doesn't seem like there's much else we can do at this point.

We made it through his very first cold over Thanksgiving. I noticed he sounded congested a few days prior to the holiday, and luckily I took him in the minute it started. His doctor told us to keep an eye on him and he stayed fever free the whole time. While we were there they took his weight and he's currently tipping the scales at 19 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!! Since he's so long he doesn't look super chubby (although he's got chin(s) for days). He looks more like a 6 month old rather than the age he really is. I'm excited to bring him in for his 4 month checkup to find out when we can start him on cereal. One more glorious change in his routine. Sigh.... :(

It felt like Christmas morning when we were at the doctor's, because they gave us an entire CASE of Nutramigen. That stuff is more valuable than gold in our family, and almost made going in for his cold worthwhile.

The Hardest Job

Stay at home moms have it pretty rough. Their lives revolve around their babies. They don't have any adult interaction/conversations. They don't get a single minute to themselves. I remember when I was still on maternity leave and John would come home, I would talk his ear off for an hour straight. He said it was more exhausting than taking care of Ty...lovingly of course. My sister stays at home with her two children and I know how rough some days are. She absolutely loves being able to do it, but sometimes it gets really hard. I've heard so many people describe the hardest job as being a stay at home mommy, and up until a few weeks ago I would have agreed with them.

The grass is always greener right? My opinion has changed these days, but not for the reasons you might think. I am one of the very few people that can go to work every single day and truly enjoy what they do. As cliche as it sounds, I feel like I was called to do two things in life- have a family and be a teacher. I'm excited every single day that I drive to work- corny, I know.

However, these days I've changed my mind. I believe the hardest job is the one where you have to leave your child everyday. The one where you miss all of the little smiles, coos, kicks, hugs...everything. The one where you find yourself getting so sad because you only have 4 hours to spend with your sweet baby after you pick him up from the nanny, and the time goes by too quickly. It's also the one where you don't get to change out of your work clothes until sometimes 8:00, and by then it's time to go to bed and do it all over again the next day. Every week we make new adjustments and sometimes it gets really hard. I'm so glad I have the kind of husband who helps. The real heroes are single working moms...I don't know how they do it!

I do understand a stay at home mom's sacrifice. I did it for 8 weeks and there were days when I never even had the chance to shower. I hope those moms cherish their time instead of getting angry that they couldn't finish all that they wanted to accomplish in one day. Time goes by too quickly as I am already finding out. :)

We've got a roller!

We've reached another milestone- rolling over! While I'm extremely excited that Ty is turning into such a big boy, once we roll from our tummy to our back...he can't seem to flip himself around again. Ordinarily this wouldn't be a problem except for the fact that Ty is a tummy sleeper. It's been OK at night so far, (knock on wood) but he rolls over a lot while taking his naps and we have to run in there and flip him back over on to his tummy. I'm hoping within the next month or so he'll figure out how to do this himself.

Daddy and Ty

In the past week we have decided to try and stretch Ty's feedings. Our goal is to offer him 8oz every 4 hours. He had been eating 6oz every 3, and because we were changing his schedule around we had it hard for a couple of days. I never realized how lucky we were that Ty slept from 9:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m. until he decided not to do it for a night. I think since he's such a big boy we have been really spoiled with his sleeping. Since he was 2 months old we've been able to give him his nighttime bottle at 8:30 and put him down until WE wake HIM up for his morning feeding at 6:00. We have to make sure he gets his feeding at that time because of our work schedules. I never dreamed he would eat all of the 8oz that we are currently offering him, but so far he has. Just yesterday was the first day that he seemed content with his new schedule, and that makes me feel better. :)

See any similarities between Ty and my dad? Ha!

Those terrible teeth...

It looks like poor Ty has started teething early. I first noticed something when he began drooling constantly and his hands never left his mouth. Upon further investigation (mommy calling the doctor and moving my clean finger around his gums) I noticed two white/translucent spots on the bottom. I was told that although the teething process has begun, it could take MONTHS (Lord give me strength) for those suckers to actually pop through. Poor little guy! I've made it my mission to find teething tablets to help him feel more comfortable. On another note...I'm afraid we will have to move up to size 4 diapers. He is now in the same size as his 1 year old cousin. RIDICULOUS!

Here are some adorable pictures of him dressed for the approaching Texas winter. :)

Ready for Ms. Vera!

**I might add that John called me this day to explain that Ty was embarrassed for being dressed as a bear. I would love to have heard their conversation.

Yo Gabba Gabba!

I'm pleased to say that the Lord has granted us an incredibly even tempered baby. Those who know John and I know that Ty clearly did not get that from me. He's just like his daddy...as laid back as possible. One might say that I'm a bit more high-strung. Anyway, please allow me a minute of your time to brag on my baby!

These days Ty is holding his head up, grabbing for his toys AND mommy and daddy. This is truly a neat thing. He will lay on his changing pad cover and when we are all finished changing him we say "Up?" and he reaches for us. I love it! His legs are always going a mile a minute. We call it his dancing. :) He also really seems to like music (maybe he got that from his mama). Just this past weekend at Mimi's house we were dancing around the kitchen listening to Christmas music. I know....I am now one of those moms. Go ahead, roll your eyes!

Here is Ty when he first started grabbing for his toys.

One of the greatest things these days is that Ty loves this TV show called Yo Gabba Gabba. If you are not familiar with it and you have little children you'll have to check it out. Ty was introduced to it from his cousin Ellie. When I saw it for the first time I thought it was totally strange, but the kids absolutely love it! It's a show about Dj Lance Rock and 4 little monsters. For as strange as it is, we can lay Ty on a blanket and he will watch the entire show kicking and laughing all the way through it.

Now before you judge me for allowing my child to watch television at such a young age, please live a day in my life: I wake up at 4:45 to get ready for work, feed Ty at 6 and get to work at 7:00. Pick Ty up from the Nanny- cross my fingers that he took his afternoon nap- give him his bottle, attempt to cook dinner, give him a bath and get him in his night clothes while we wait for John. Having 30 minutes of 'free time' to cook or clean something while he watches TV is a rare gift. I wish I could spend it laying on the couch, but there's just too much to be done. My time is not my own anymore but it's all worth it. :)

Ty-3 months

desperately seeking skinny...

Funny title huh? I saw that blog title the other day and thought it was fitting for my current struggle. Today marked a very exciting day- I FINALLY put away ALL of my maternity clothes. They are by far the most unstylish, ugly clothes imaginable. Especially when you get closer to the end...the bigger you get, the more unattractive the clothing (and you) become. ;)


I gained 40lbs with Ty. Yes, I said 40!!! Although, if you saw me leading up to his arrival I'm sure that doesn't come as a surprise. I try to make myself feel better by saying that since he was 10lbs I was allowed to gain a tad more than most people. Anyway, losing the weight afterwards has been VERY hard. Let me rephrase that- the weight has come off. When I get on the scale it says that I weigh the same as I did pre-baby, but my clothes don't fit and I certainly don't look like I used to. Some people just bounce back and unfortunately I am having to work at it.

See, I really used to have a waist!

Today started my first day back at Total Body Conditioning. It's a class at Lifetime Fitness which is almost impossible...especially when you are out of shape like me. Think plyometrics, weights, resistance training- HARD! I would have liked to get back to the gym sooner but unfortunately between the baby, new house, and returning to work it has almost been impossible. That is going to change though. I will get my former body back...I will!



On another note, our house has been alive with the sounds of Christmas music! It's my favorite time of the year! John is sweet tolerate my love of all things Christmas and hopefully Ty will love it just as much as his mama.

Happy Halloween!!

With Love,

Humpty Dumpty