Who loves Daddy?

I know many people who read this blog probably already saw this video on facebook- but I LOVE it and think it is adorable, so am putting it here. Brooks loves his daddy- just LOVES him. Here is a video of how Eric gets greeted every day when he comes home from work. I didn't have a lot of warning (just heard E's keys jingling at the door) so there is not much before. But- you can see B is playing quietly (with his favorite- the remote despite all the cool toy). Then, he hears the door, and then he sees his daddy...

Also- as you are watching... listen to him. The first sound he makes sounds just like 'Hey' right?? I really think this is his first word... You may think I am nuts, but every time Eric comes home or gets him out of bed, Eric says Hey. B then responds with ey, and they go back and forth - Hey, ey, Hey, ey, Hey, ey for a few minutes. I have even started doing it with him now too. Now before either of us even says Hey, he goes 'ey'. Watch and tell me if I am nuts :)



Not too much going on here. I am losing track of the days and feeling cabin fever. With the weather as cold as it has been and Eric working Saturdays, one day just blends into the next and they all seem the same. Fortunately I have some moms groups to break it up and B and I went to mommy/baby time at the movie theater and saw Sherlock Holmes. That was fun- I forgot how good theater popcorn is- YUM!

In other news- We have been hibernating from the deep freeze that Philadelphia is in. I have been on a mission to get him some bigger sized fleece pj's but they are gone. I went to Target, Kohls, JC Penney, Macys, H&M, Gap, Old Navy, Carters, and some other different stores and only found one pair- and they are 2 piece with no feet.
Here is B in the last pair of 6-12 fleece PJ's to be found within 30 mins of Philadelphia.


As a baby shower gift, I received an enormous Panda. When I got it, I couldn't help thinking wtf do I need a 3 foot panda for. Well, B Loves it and it makes the perfect backdrop for him to sit in front of, because as you can see in the video- when he gets excited, he falls backwards from sitting. So Mr. Panda has become a protective barrier and is now at home in the living room.



His new thing is to fling himself from sitting forward onto his tummy. It looks scary from a distance, but he is getting quite good and has yet to hurt himself


I think he looks like a thug here in his 'I Make Trouble' shirt.


And lastly- a boy with his dog!

If you have 5 minutes to kill...

I have 5 videos!

This is why Mommy needs tylenol and wine... it has become an all day thing to scream. Adorable though!



Even during meals, we scream....




2 new skills! In the beginning of the clip, if you watch his lips he has been doing this 'fish-lip- motion a lot. And the 2nd part you can see he has begun to reach for me and gets mad if I don't get him



Lots of Laughs- 2 parter. EVERYTHING is funny these days... as you can see by part 1, tickling, part 2- playing



And lastly- this is what poor Ming has to deal with everytime she walks by

Beautiful Baby

I want to enter B into a beautiful baby 2010 contest... no pro pics are allowed and the age range is 6mo-3yr. The picture needs to be within the last month and I have to submit by Friday. I know it is a long shot, but hey- is he cute. I think the key to these kinds of contests is the right picture that stands out or grabs someone...

What picture do you think? I may play with my camera a bit over the next day or so, but who knows.

1) don't know if I can use this one- rules say picture must be taken within the last month, well this was 12/18 or so... so close, what do you think?


2) 12/24


3)12/25


4) 1/10



5) 1/17




6) 1/19- 2 options, not sure which I like better, a or b
a

b


7) 1/20

Happy 7 monthday Brooks!

Happy 7 Month Birthday Brooks-baby.

Funny that I typed Brooks-baby. That is what Eric calls him most often. I seem to have taken to calling him B-boy or pickles. Brooks is a very difficult name to get a nickname from. We occasionally catch ourselves saying Brooksy, but HATE that and don't want to get in the habit of calling him that unless we are singing or something, so we are trying out different things. The ones I have mentioned seem to be sticking the most. Any suggestions for a good nickname?

So Pickles- at 7 months you are the most amazing, fun, curious little boy. You show your emotion more and more- we know when you are angry if we take something away, you crack up at things (especially the dog), and you make us feel so loved by greeting us with smiles every time you see us.

At 7 months old- Brooks
* rolls from back to belly now
* is much more expressive of emotion- smiles a lot more, belly laughing, anger if we take something away from him
* wants everything we have- the laptop, cell phone, house phone, etc ALL are more desirable than his toys
* imitates sounds and strings them together (he says a lot of mamamama, bababa type stuff, but not Mama as a word)
* LOVES the dog. Grabs her, squeals for her, laughs at her, lunges for her, watches her.
* responds to his name sometimes (he has to be in the mood)
*can somehow scooch his body forward if he wants something badly enough- but he has to really be focused and intent on getting it
* is ticklish on his feet, armpits, and the back of his neck
* Eats rice cereal, oatmeal, mum mums, apple sauce, squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, and sort of peas (not a fan)
* Is sleeping much better- getting up to eat only once around 4-5, and occasionally waking up one other time in the night.
* Naps like a champ.
* Is involved in multiple playgroups
* Squeals and shrieks like an adorable loon
* sits very well on his own
* lunges from sitting into tummy position (instead of collapsing like a clam, he gets himself on the ground)
* is just beginning to push up with his arms to lift his body off the floor (so his weight is on his hands, not just his elbows)
* gives us kisses
* Loves the book Goodnight Moon and anticipates different parts, squealing, smiling, and reaching for the book
* Loves to say "hey" to his Daddy when he comes home from work (Eric say hey, B says eh- back and forth continuously)
* Has fallen in LOVE with seeing himself in the mirror
* Reaches for us with both hands when he wants to be picked up

Stats: 7 Month stats will be coming shortly- we go to the Dr. early this week for his 2nd round of the flu shots so he will get weighed and measured then.

Pictures:
7 month photo shoot :) This month the photo shoot was an entirely different experience. Fortunately the 17th was a Sunday so Eric was around to help out for the chair pictures. If not, it would have been too dangerous to do, this kid is very fidgity.

Here are some fun shots we got along the way

This is B's new picture face


A series of shots that show why it was necessary for Eric to help me this month (yes mom- he is wearing his rain jacket)




This is his natural hair- I don't spike it, that's just how it goes


and- distracted by the monkey and the dog all at once


Monkey shots are much more difficult because of his love of toes and his ability to roll :)





And of course- our official monthly pics
With the monkey. (it is very tough to get a pic of him stretched out)




With the chair (this is the new pic on the side of the blog!)

Sweet Potatoes!

We have moved on from rice cereal and oatmeal- to sweet potatoes!

A story of sweet potatoes in pictures

TREPIDATION: you really expect me to eat this orange stuff?



CONSIDERATION: wait a minute


APPRECIATION: these are pretty yummy!


AFFIRMATION: sweet potatoes are bib-licking good!


In other news- B and I are keeping busy in this cold weather going to lots of mommy groups. It is a lot of fun to dress him in real outfits- on the days we stay home he stays pretty low key in pjs or sweats and a onesie.

Low Key days at home:

Babylegs- basically leg warmers, they have adorable ones for little girls, boys ones are all right. These are great b/c you don't have to do much for diaper changes!



Chilling in my PJ's in my duck tub. The duck tub has yet to be used as a tub. Instead it has become a land ship for him to sit in; if he tips over while sitting- the edges catch him, it is great.




Apparently- the tub is exhausting as well


NICE DAYS OUT :) Wearing his big boy outfits.

nothing makes this kid laugh more than Ming :)


I love his spiky hair.



Sitting in his cool chair from Nana & Grandpa


Seriously, how cute is this baby and outfit!




The only problem with putting Brooks in chairs, is he wants to reach forward for things like the camera

Sleep Training

Sleep Training: two words that mean such different things to everyone who attempts to do 'sleep training'. There are so many methods out there, it is hard to choose one. I think most parents who decide to sleep train end up taking bits and pieces of multiple methods and doing what they think is best for their little one.

Brooks has been waking 3-6 times a night for about a month. I switched his sheets to flannel sheets, and that helped a lot- since doing so, it has consistently been about 3 times a night. I have nursed him each time, but he was never really eating. After he stayed at my parents we learned he was eating about 2 oz each time. That is 6 oz total a night- so one full feeding spread over 3 times. With this knowledge and the slow loss of my sanity, we decided to sleep train. I have no problem getting up once to feed him- if the kid is hungry, we will take care of him, it is the snack instead of meal thing that was going on that was an issue.

Pre- sleep training a typical night was going to sleep around 6:45-7 and then feeding around 11, 1:30, 4:30. Also- he did not go down if he was awake, he would need to be rocked from feeding or fall asleep at the breast. Bedtime has not really changed.


So- here is how it has gone

Thurs: Night 1
woke at 10:30. Did cry it out, 1st interval 20 mins. Did not end up going in until 12 b/c of quiet/cry cycles.
After I went in he was in worse shape. Did one more check at 12:20. At 12:40 I fed him (I figured instead of going cold turkey from 3 to 1 feedings, eliminating the 1st one would help) He slept until 4:30ish. Fed him, slept until 8 (cried out once or twice around 6:30 but didn't wake)

Fri: Night 2
Woke at 11. Did cry it out, he cried, a lot (not as much on and off as the night before where he would be quiet for 5 or 10 mins at a time- tonight was lucky if he was quiet 30 seconds). B fell asleep immed after 2nd soothing session at 12:30. I had picked him up, shushed him, gave him paci & lovey. He slept until 5am. Fed him at 5, put him down drowsy, slept until 7:30. Heard him cry out around 2:30 but he didn't wake fully. YAY!!! 1 feeding :)

Sat: Night 3
He woke at 10:30. Cried for 3 mins, quiet for 5, then on and off again. Finally went in at 11:30. Picked up, shushed, paci, and quiet. Cried out at 11:36- but otherwise out. Woke crying at 3:30. Gave him 5 minutes, went in- nursed him. Put him down eyes open. He babbled and called out for about 10 mins, then asleep. Woke at 7:10 for the day crying :(

Sun: Night 4
Woke at 2! Was great- didn't cry, was just randomly crying out or babbling. Then the dog came upstairs at 2:18 and he must have heard creaking because immed the waterworks started. Every time I was ready to go soothe he would get quiet. Then would whimper, quiet, whimper. (but he was never quiet for minutes, just about 30 s- 1 min) I didn't go in for 40 mins. I felt horrible b/c it had been so long, but he seemed so close and I felt like going in would work him up all over again. When I went in, picked up soothed him, laid him down- he started crying, gave paci, and he went to sleep. I heard a few coos 5 mins after the fact, and 5 mins after that, but he didnt get up (does that mean paci fell out). Waited another 10 mins, went to bed, about 2 mins after that he started crying, but I could tell he was asleep and moaning. It was on and off again for about 5 minutes. He fell back asleep, and about 20 mins later woke and cried. I fed him b/c it was almost 4 at this point, and I didn't think that negated the whole crying jig. I just assumed he woke again b/c he was hungry. After feeding, I put him down drowsy with no paci, he fell asleep. Woke for the day around 7:15

** After all this I decided to try it for a nap- put him down drowsy with his paci. He spit the paci out, cooed, babbled, whimpered, babbled for about 10 mins, then must have fallen asleep b/c all has been quiet for about 20 minutes. I really want to get a video monitor :)

So- that is how it is going.

Questions if you feel like answering
1) Do you think we are making progress? I feel like it is, and yet it is still a 1.5-2hr adventure each night.
2) Do you think I am training him to rely on the paci to fall asleep (I think he is spitting it out since he cries out at times after being given it, and that really it calms him down after a long crying jig. It just makes me wonder b.c the ferber method calls for no paci. It also calls for no picking up- but hey, I know he will soothe much better if I hold him. If this doesn't work then we can do some more extremes later)

Oatmeal... not a fan

B's first overnight

So we did it, we went away for a night and left B with my parents. For Christmas, I gave Eric tickets to the NHL's Winter Classic hockey game. Each year they turn a baseball field into an outdoor rink, and 2 NHL teams play hockey. This year was special because my Philadelphia born and raised husband, is actually a diehard Red Sox & Boston Bruins fan, and the Bruins were playing in Fenway Park. And of course who were they playing, the Philadelphia Flyers.


I was really nervous about leaving B. I don't know why, it is not like I think my parents couldn't handle him- of course they could- but I just was freaking out. No one knows my baby like me you know? To prepare- I had 3 pages of typed instructions with details on breastmilk and it's rules, daily schedule, nap routines, sleep routines, tips & tricks, and the works. Really I could have got away with a lot less- but let's forgive a first time mom leaving her baby for the first time- of course I was obsessive and trying to tell them everything.

We spent New Year's Eve with my parents- It was nice. We went into the hot tub with a glass (ok bottle) of wine. My Dad made a shellfish platter that he served with champagne at 11:30, and we watched the ball drop and Dick Clark miscount. We hit the sack immediately because our train to Boston left at 6:20 am and the station is 20 minutes away, plus it was snowing.

So anyway- We got up, I nursed B, and we left. I called at 6:40 (just to make sure my dad made it home ok from dropping us off cough cough). I think after that I called 5 more times that day (not great, not bad).

Brooks did fantastic at my parents- and I actually am happy we did it just to get a log of how much he was eating since he was taking bottles. They had no problems with him- he didn't freak out not nursing at night. He didn't sleep through, but he was not difficult. I think he had a ton of fun, and I think my parents and brother had a great time with him. I know that coming home to a happy, smiling baby helped ease my fears of leaving him. Prior to this I had only been away from him max of 6 hrs, and not since August.

The part that SUCKED about going away was pumping. I actually pumped in the bathroom of Fenway Park and a few times on the amtrak train. GROSS I know, but hey, what was I to do- I couldn't go 6 hrs, was worried about what a day away from the boy would do to my supply, so I was pretty religious. I also wanted to sleep- so didn't pump in the middle of the night until 5:30 am. I was impressed, in 28 hrs I pumped 44 oz! WOWZA.

The hockey game was really cool- talk about a once in a lifetime experience. We had a blast. The game was good- Eric is a Bruins fan and they won in overtime after tying it up in the last 2 minutes, so for him it could not have been more perfect. It wasn't even that cold out. We went out for drinks afterwards with an old high school friend of Eric's who lives in the Boston area and went to the game (not with us). I got a little tipsy-drunk for the first time in ages. It was fun (b/c I wasn't plastered, just happy!). We saw Dennis Leary in the hotel lobby before the game, and ran into Kiefer Sutherland at the elevators after drinks (I almost asked him to take a picture of Eric and I, I didn't even realize who he was at first LOL). We then went out to dinner just the two of us, and then called it a night. We went to bed at about 10pm, which is a little sad, but it was a long day and I LOVED IT.

Going home the next day was easy- and Brooks' reaction to seeing us made my heart melt. It almost made being away from him worth it. He was so happy. He was screeching louder than normal and smiling and cuddling, and wow... it just was special.

Besides our night away- other news is we began feeding Brooks food! He is just having cereal and oatmeal now, but I picked up a bunch of jars of baby food and we are going to start feeding him once a day. Once he is used to it, in a month probably, we will up it to 2 meals a day (cereal & fruit or veggie each meal).

Soooo pictures
First time having Rice Cereal:






New Years Eve- party like a rockstar!!!



Here is a closeup- if you look carefully you can see the whites of his two front teeth coming up the front of his gums. Also- can you please tell my husband he is nuts and our kids eyes are blue? He thinks they are hazel- but my eyes are the exact same way. Blue with a weird yellowish ring around the pupil.



And- The Winter Classic- us in Boston.