New Skills

I love the look on Bubbie's face when he discovers a new skill. It that "look what I did, cool" look.

The other day he was in the bathroom with me and discovered that the cabinets below the sink opened. The first time he did it he gave me that look. He then preceded to open and close the cabinets a zillion time, banging them shut each time.

Guess that mean I have to start seriously baby proofing my parents house. I went to Target and purchase a cabinet lock.

The next day, Bubbie was again in the bathroom with me (no one ever told me I would never again get to go the bathroom in peace when I was pregnant) and pulled up on the cabinet. He tried his new skill of opening the cabinet to no avail.

He gave me this look like "what the heck happen here". I just said to him, "look what mommy did, cool!"

Breaking the Rules

Background: We are temporarily residing with my parents, in the process of moving. It has been great for the most part. It is difficult to find your way as a new parent when you have two veteran (4 children) always around.

My Dad has a thing about babies on the floor (we use to be in playpens), babies crawling around the house (since there is so much he can get into) and mostly babies crawling on the tile floor. That last one I still don't get.

So for the most part Bubbie is stuck hanging out in his "play yard" (it is basically a modern version of the death traps playpen). He is not so keen on the confinement. He has this new found mobility that he want to uses and explore.

I really do feel for him, but when my parents are around we follow the veterans advise. They are always around, poor Bubbie.

Well, yesterday we got a few hours when both GM and GP were out of the house. Woo Hoo, party time.

I took Bubbie with me in the kitchen (on the tile floor) and let him crawl around, pull out pots and pans and bang them with the wooden spoons. This gave me an opportunity to wash his bottles (by hand, no dishwasher).

Next thing I know he goes for the dogs water bowl. I was hot on him. Then I thought maybe he would enjoy playing with water (it was a hot day). So I took a plastic bowl and FILLED it with water. I am not sure why I filled it but I did.

He loved it. Hew had water every where and he was soaked head to toe. I laughed the whole time and told him PopPop would have a conniption if he saw us.

In the end I cleaned all the water up, gave Bubbie a bath in the sink and put him back in the "play yard" before the rents made it home.

When they got back, my dad asked "Did you mop the kitchen floor?"

"Yes" I said, winking at Bubbie.

"Thanks" said GM

"No Problem" (nudge, nudge, wink, wink)

Under the boardwalk, down by the sea.

We went to the shore this past weekend to visit my in-laws. Since it was a big travel weekend we decided to make it an all around adventure for the family. We took Bubbie for is first boat ride. We had to get there an hour prior to the departure, and we opted for the 7:00 am boat.



Here he is at 6:20 am, ready to go!

G and Bubbie waiting for the boat.

This is what happens to a 10 month old on a calm 90 min. Ferry Ride. The rocking of the boat literally put him to sleep.



On the boardwalk, I totally had to buy that hat for him.





First time I put him on the sand he made a beeline for the ocean.


That's my water baby!










Second day he was not to sure about the sand.




But he was all about the water!









Waiting to go home.



We even took the Ferry home, I didn't get anymore pictures because it was the same thing. He was lulled to sleep by the boat.


Overall awesome weekend. Would definitely take the boat again and I can't wait to take him to the beach when he can really play in the water (it was extremely cold this weekend).


I hope everyone else had a good weekend.

Memorial Day Thank You

So its Memorial Day weekend. All my co-workers spent the day discussing their weekend plans, beach, BBQ, party, travel, etc. Not one person mentioned that they were going to go to a cemetery and honor a fallen Hero. I don't even think they even know what we are suppose to be observing on Memorial Day.

I want to send out a Thank You to all the families of fallen Heroes this weekend. Their family member lost there lives so we could continue to enjoy the freedoms we have and hold dear.

I have two family member currently serving in the US military and I am very proud. I always worry about them as they have both been deployed and one is leaving again soon.

I asked my brother once while he was on deployment if he felt he was making a difference by serving in the military. He told me he does it so his nieces and nephews may one day only have to read about terrorism in a history book.

Fight the good fight. Remember our fallen Heroes this weekend. Say a prayer for all the other Heroes protecting our freedoms.

Sucker for Toys

Why is it that I can not just go to the store for one item? I have been looking for a mesh crib bumper for about 3 weeks. I went to all the local stores with no luck. I knew the Babies-R-Us had them, but it is somewhat out of the way.

Today I actually got done work early and traffic was not so bad. Since the traffic was light I was able to take the highway near the only Babies-R-Us anywhere remotely near me.

I was only going to spend 2 minutes to get the bumper and $24.99. Well, 40 min's and $84.99 later I was armed with the bumper, a unbreakable mirror, a little tike's boom box, 4 board books (Goodnight Moon, Runaway Bunny, Gossie and Ollie), playschool busy beads, a shape sorter and a little people dump truck.

Bubbie loved all of them, definitely worth the trip. At least I actually got what I had went for this time.

My Heart

Bubbie took a late afternoon nap today so he was up much later than usual when I got home tonight. I decided that instead of doing laundry or ironing clothes for work tomorrow I would play with my Bubs.

I climbed into his play yard and we had a great time. I realized that he has learned so much recently. He knows that a ball bounces, he hits the drum with the stick, and he was pushing a truck.

I was in complete amazement. I don't think he knew all these things even 2 weeks ago. Just watching him play and learn reminded me of a quote I read:

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."

~Elizabeth Stone

I just sat there and watched my heart playing with his toys.

Cool Mom Picks Rock

Thanks to Cool Mom Picks I am finally a winner of something! Hurray!

I love their site! If you haven't been there check it out.
Cool Mom Picks

Also Thanks to Posh Peacock for the wonderful stationary.

Do I Smell???

A little background - Bubbie and I are sharing a room at present, staying with my parents, husband got new job and we are in a major transition.

I try every morning to get out of bed without waking him up. I do this for a number of reasons; 1. So I can go to the bathroom without holding a half asleep, crying, 25 lb, 10 month old (oh, how easy it would be if I were a guy, they can manage one handed) 2. So I can make a pot of coffee (I really don't see straight until the second cup) 3. So I can prepare his bottle without him in my arms and spilling the formula powder all over the counter as he bucks and kicks in protest of my slow bottle making skills 4. Last but not least ... I have this grand delusion that I will one day be able to get ready for work with him remaining asleep.

So every morning I slowing lower one leg at a time off the bed (a very old, squeaky bed), I stand up and freeze in position. After a moment passes ( which feels like forever since my bladder is ready to bust) I take the 3 step it takes to get to the door. Freeze....I slowly open the door (another squeaky object in my parent older home). Freeze....I listen, I hear him gently breathing across the room in blessed slumber. I make a break for it.

Two steps out the door (I swear two step I count every morning) whaa! Whaa! WHAA! He is up. What is it? Can he smell me leaving the room? I just don't know...I have perfected the quiet stealth movements and he still know the moment I leave. If I got up and didn't leave the room I don't think he would notice I was up. It's just when I set foot out of the room, he must has some form of MOMMY RADAR.

So we go through the routine together. He will be mortified one day when I tell him how I had to take him to the "potty" with me in the morning.

I thought it was just me but I read another mommy blog the other day and she mentioned having a baby on her lap while in the "potty".

I think that make me Officially a MOM.

What make you a mother?

What make me a mother?

1. The first person I think of when I wake up in the morning is Bubbie.

2. I watch the news everyday to see the weather so I will know how to dress him for the day.

3. I have sat up all night feeding him 5 cc of Pedialyte every 10 min's when he was sick.

4. I will be late for work just so I can rock him back to sleep before I leave.

5. I will call at least 2 time during the day just to see how he is.

6. I don't stop, pass go or collect $200 dollars after work, I go right home to my Bubs.

7. I am the one person who can definitely comfort him and I am usually the one he wants.

8. I like to sing him to sleep and recite "Love You Forever".

9. I check on him in the middle of the night even though he is not fussing.

10. He knew I was his mother from the moment we met. I can't imagine my life without him.

Life Change

The day I found out I was pregnant changed my life forever. I was married for 20 days and enjoying my new role as wife. In a instant I had a new role.

I actually took 3 pregnancy test. I bought a 2 pack at the drug store and with the first test there was a + sign the second I peed on the stick. I waited until the next day (4:30 am) to take the next (again + in seconds). I actually went to the 24 hr, grocery store to by the Clear Blue Easy digital test. This time the test actually said "PREGNANT".

I took 3 test because I really just couldn't believe it. I had always wanted children and here it was. I just wanted to be sure.

My pregnancy went fine, no major issues. My 12 week ultrasound had me in tears. There was my baby. They even turn on the Doppler so I could hear his heart beat.

During my 40 weeks I started to have some pretty strong "Brackston hicks". I was always afraid that they would be really bad and when I got to the hospital they would just send me home. So I literally waited until they last more than a minute, came every 5 mins for over an hour. Of course that occurred at 2:00 am.

Thing were going ooookkkk..... I had 3 (yes I said 3) epidurals that did not work. I didn't take Lamaze (that was because I was under the impression that I would have to be told to push with the epidural) so I didn't know how to breath. Everything was on it's way except for his head. I think he was turned the wrong way. Needless to say I ended up with a C-section.

I was laying there on the OR table like I was strapped to a crucifix and numb from nipples down. Within minutes the baby was out. While the doctors gave my husband an intimate view of my uterus and ovaries the nurses took care of Bubs and got him ready.

When they brought him over to me I wanted to reach up and grab him (unfortunately I was tied down and numb). He was wide eyed and looking around. When I said "Hi, Bubs" to him I swear he recognized my voice and knew who I was.

That was my very first and best Mother's Day!

Ouch!

I know for certain I have a future stuntman/daredevil on my hands.

He has no fear, he thinks he can walk and he has a mind of his own.

I was bragging at how good he was cruising while he cruised around the chairs in the dinning room. In a literal split second he was down. I promptly sweep him up to see how he was. He was "trying" to cry. You know when they have their mouth fully open and they are not breathing. It seem like forever but its only s few second.

He finally took a breath and I tried to comfort him. He didn't appear to have any bumps or red areas. Just then my husband states (and very calmly at that) that he is bleeding.

Bleeding!? Bleeding!? Where.

I started turning him over, upside down and all around. I didn't see any blood. "Look in his mouth" G states (again without alarm).

He busted his gum! Good thing he didn't have any teeth to crack. My Father jumps into action and all of the sudden he has ice in his mouth.

After all is said and done, he is fine. My Dad says "look at the bright side...he wont have to cut the gum for that tooth", my mother say "take a picture", G calmly states "get use to it".

My ABC's

I was tagged for this meme by Simply Nutmeg. Thanks Nutmeg, this is the first time I have ever been tagged!

A- Attached or Single? Totally attached, totally love at first sight!

B- Best Friend: First and for most my younger sister CD. Jane, since 8th grade - 23 years ago.

C- Cake or Pie: Pie, my dad make the best Cheese Pie a family tradition.

D- Drink of Choice: A nice LARGE glass of good red wine (Alla Salute!)

E- Essential Item: Mary Kay Waterproof Mascara.

F- Favorite Color: Anything that doesn't clash with the dark circle under my eyes

G- Gummi Bears or Worms? Gummi Worm - I think they count as protein on my low carb diet

H- Hometown: Grew up in Delaware. (Dela - Where?)

I- Indulgence: Dark Chocolate, good skin care products and getting my hair cut in a real Salon (I
only go every 4-5 months so G doesn't really mind the cost).

J- January or February: January- we have a tradition of going to the Shore and down on the beach on New Years day. I feel like I can't really start the year without walking barefoot in the sand when it is FREEZING out.

K- Kids: One, and trying for another.

L- Life is incomplete without: G, Bubbie's and all my family who have really helped us out in the past few months.

M- Marriage Date: Nov. 4th, 2005. Realized pregnant, Nov. 24th, 2005. Honeymoon Baby!!

N- Number of Siblings: 3 (2 brothers, 1 sister) all my friends and support system.

O- Oranges or Apples? Gala Apples, crisp and cold!

P- Phobias/Fears: Moving away from family and I still get up in the middle of the night to see if Bubbie's is breathing.

Q- Favorite Quote: "Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face."~Victor Hugo

R- Reasons to smile: Watching Bubbie's quietly playing and realizing everything is a learning experience for him, having a great job I love to go to, a extremely fortunate I have two families that would do anything for my new little family.

S- Season: Fall - there is just something about the mild chill when you only need a sweatshirt, the color of the trees, the smell of hot apple cider with cinnamon and of course Halloween

T- Tag Three: I tag Adventure's of an Awesome Mom, Crazy Thoughts, and Here in Idaho.

U- Unknown Fact About Me: I almost didn't graduate high school. Most of my teachers thought I didn't have the potential to do much so they didn't push me. I showed them all.

V – Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals? Oppressor of animals- how could I do my low carb without some good old RED meat!

W- Worst Habit: I always drive to fast, I am always in a hurry to get nowhere.

X – X-rays or Ultrasounds? Ultrasound- I never had one till I was pregnant. I had to do a 12 week US for testing and I literally cried through out the whole thing. They were tears of joy. It was the very first time I say my baby and I could see his heart beating.

Y- Your Favorite Foods: Macaroni and cheese ( the homemade kind).

Z- Zodiac: Taurus- I am 100% BULL - just ask my husband.

Finally!

Since Bubs was 4 months old he has been drooling like a facet. Everyone would always say "he must be teething, look at all that drool". Still no teeth.

Doctor said start solids, he doesn't need teeth, "but look how he is drooling, he must be teething". Still no teeth.

Cranky middle of the night fussing, drool, drool, drool. Still no teeth.

We almost gave up on him having teeth all together. I was worried he'd never get them and have to be fitted for "baby dentures".

Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle! Today I found a tooth. (Exactly 9 month 1 week) It's not that far up, but it is definitely a tooth and it is definitely in his mouth. I almost cried, because he was biting me when I realized he had a tooth that breached the surface.

Now that he has a nubbin of a tooth do I still have to cut up his the food? Just kidding!

New Kicks!

Yesterday I took Bubbie's for his first pair of "official" shoes. My mother like to buy the first real pair for all her grand kid. There is this Bootery (that's really what its called) that she takes us to. There they measure their feet and make sure that the shoes really fits. They even send you a reminder card in 3 months to come back to be remeasured and fitted.

I walk in and the guys says: that baby's got big feet. HEY! (What is it they say about big feet?)

So Bub's does really well getting measure, he of course had to "taste" the measuring device (everything new he encounters goes in the mouth). The guy tells me he is a...drumroll...size 5 EEE. He was right. That baby's got big feet.

So he gets the shoes on and he was off. He climbed right off the chair and cruised all around the store while he cousin got shoes. He seemed to really like them. They sure didn't slow him down one bit. I think they actually gave him even more confidence.

Oh, am I in for it!