We wish you a Merry Christmas!

HMB had a great Christmas. My husband's dad and his girlfriend came down a week before Christmas and gave him his presents, one of which is an Elmo's World riding car thing that makes lots of noise! His Grandma came down for Christmas. HMB got a little basketball hoop and a piggy bank from Grandma. We got HMB an old school Fisher Price phone and he loves it. He picks up the receiver and puts it up to his ear (he tries at least). I say, "Hello, who is it? Is it Grandma?" And he laughs! On Christmas evening, we went to my friend's parents for dinner and HMB got even more gifts! A Steelers place setting, including a plate, cup, bowl and spoon and fork. And some adorable Merrill shoes! Oh, and how can I forget the Sleep Sheep from Jeanelle!! I think she wants HMB to get in his own bed almost as much as we do!

11 months old!

My, how time flies! I cannot believe that about 11 months ago, my mom was here and we were trying everything to get HMB to come out! First was the hot sauce - my mom bought a bottle and I ate it on everything! Then the castor oil, which I had a breakdown after I took because I thought I might hurt HMB, but that didn't work either! I was already walking an hour a day so I didn't think walking would coax him out. HMB had his own plan! I was induced at about noon on the 21st, but didn't make much progress. My water was broken at about 5pm, epidural at about 7pm, no pushing until TEN hours later!! And after 2 and a half hours of cursing, ice chips, and pain, a little boy was born! 7am on the 22nd.
Because I was in labor for so long and had a fever, HMB was wisked to the NICU and given an IV flush of antibiotics to make sure he didn't have an infection. He didn't and 2 days later, we were on our way home. Sadly, because HMB took so long to get here, my mom had to leave the day after we came home. She cooked up a storm that day though, leaving us with mac n cheese, soup, and other tasty treats. Thanks, mom!! Then, the real fun began!
HMB - you are so cute! You have a giant head and I love it! You smile and dance whenever you hear music! You day mama and make lots of noises. You might even walk soon! Happy 11 month birthday HMB! I love you!!!

What to blog about?

I guess I could write about the Winter Wonderland that has kept us hostage in our house for...ok, I guess it's just 1 day but I get antsy!! I attempted a walk to the store yesterday, there weren't many cars out and it was eerily quiet. There was a crabby HMB back home so I didn't make it the store. Instead I went to the 7-11 100 yards from our building and got some goodies. This is the biggest storm we have had in December since the 60's, I think. We have probably 15 inches outside, which is huge for DC! I hope this isn't a preview of what's to come this Winter. I am not a fan of the snow, or cold weather for that matter.

Something else to ponder is HMB's continued cough. It has been almost a week! Tomorrow, I think I will call the doctor. Don't they always say, if symptoms persist for 7 days...It seems to be just as bad as it was when it started, maybe he doesn't cough as often but it's a raspy cough. Poor little guy!

Sick Boy

The night before last, HMB was up many times during the night, coughing and hacking. I felt so bad for the little guy! He woke up with a full blown cold - runny nose and cough. I know there isn't much I can do except keep his little nose dry and hope he doesn't get too crabby! I have also been trying to keep him away from other little babes, I haven't gone to the gym in two days and I was supposed to watch my friend's daughter but had to cancel. I thought about bringing him to the gym this afternoon anyway but I think it's kind of selfish to bring your sick child to the daycare just so you can work out! Looks like I will be running outside in 30 degree weather when my husband gets home...and here's to hoping we don't spread this cold around the family several times!!!!

4am Trips to 7-11...

Thursday started like any other day. HMB and I went to the gym, he played, I sweated. We ran some errands and had a good day. That night, the Steelers were playing so we ordered some calzones from one our favorite places, YUM! I went to sleep at about 10:30pm...then woke up at 12:44am with horrible stomach pains and an unhappy baby. HMB was up and awake and stayed awake for at least an hour, then the real fun started. I threw up violently and proceeded to about once an hour for the rest of the night. There was nothing left in me, when would this stop?? Through it all, HMB was not sleeping, but screaming like I have never heard before! Do I call my mom, do I call the doctor, do I go to the ER - for me, for HMB? All of these questions going through my head, we both fell into a fitful sleep. Thankfully, at about 4am, my husband walked over to our strategically placed 7-11 next door for ginger ale and gatorade (neither of which I would be able to hold down for a few hours). As I sat on the bathroom floor, puke in my hair, not caring if my hands hit the toilet water, I thought: It must have been the calzone! Although my husband wasn't sick, we had different toppings - him meat, me veggies. E. coli maybe??
At about 6am we woke up, puked one more time and then, calm. My abs were sore, my throat was on fire, but I didn't feel like I was going to vomit. HMB, having not really slept at all either, napped from about 7am-10am, I napped with him for an hour. My husband went off the work, with a furrowed brow and his own bags under his eyes. I canceled the daycare reservation at the gym and didn't even have second thoughts (and you know I must have felt bad if I did that). HMB and I went to the store and got some Cup O Noodles, the best sickness food. And we relaxed as best as we could all day. My stomach would not be the same until Tuesday morning (as I write this). Saldy, my husband caught the bug (not food related as we thought) on Saturday and is still not feeling right. Of the 5 parties we had over the weekend, we managed to make it to 2 of them!! We wouldn't have been any fun anyway!!

Why I Love My Doctor

I've been having some stomach issues for the past few months. I have been to the doctor before and have tried a couple different things. Since my symptoms persist, I headed back with HMB in tow to get checked out again.

First, let me tell the story of my first meeting with Dr. P: It was December and I needed a physical, I had just run a marathon and felt good and strong. I got weighed and the first thing Dr. P did was circle my weight. "We need to take care of this", he said. "What?" I gasped. I just ran a freaking marathon, I thought to myself. I told this to Dr. P and he reported that humans were indeed meant to run and good for me! We went on to talk about other things and I found that, despite the weight thing, I loved this doctor! He listened to me and asked questions. He was crazy, but he was mine!

This leads me to my current visit. The first thing Dr. P did was ask about HMB: how old, how much does he weigh, does he sleep through the night? HA HA HA! NOPE! We proceed to talk about different things I could possibly have and, of course, Dr. P asks if I am pregnant. I don't think so and I couldn't imagine going through a first trimester with an HMB that doesn't sleep! Dr. P tells me some doctorly things to help my symptoms. As I am walking out he says, "You don't have anything bad, but if you do, we will cure it!!" Sweet, thanks Doc!

Christmas is coming...

It's true, it's December 6th and I haven't bought a single gift! Luckily, my family doesn't really exchange gifts (four younger brothers, 3 still in school and the whole family 2-3,000 miles away). But my husband's family does exchange gifts, which I actuall find quite nice, since it means I get to do some shopping and gift-giving without having to buy for a hundred relatives (which I have). So, I will brave the stores over the next couple of weeks searching for the perfect gifts for grandparents, for my husband, and maybe a couple for HMB.
In addition to Christmas coming, my husband and I have been talking about the holiday traditions we want to keep and have with our own family. One will be getting an advent calendar each year, as well as stuffing little things in stockings that the kids can open before the parents wake up. Now if we can only get a bigger place so we can actually decorate the right way and maybe even have a real tree one day!!

ABBA...really?

Awhile ago, I was watching Mamma Mia! on HBO with HMB in the room playing. When the first song came on, he turned to the tv and stared in awe. Hmm, my baby liked Mamma Mia!, musicals, or possibly ABBA songs? I didn't think much of this until the movie came on again, and the same reaction from HMB only this time, he seemed even more interested. A couple weeks later, I came across my old ABBA cd (I got in from Columbia House, remember that scam?). I popped it in the cd player in the car and started playing some songs. Oh my goodness, HMB started shaking his head to the music, he was so happy. Now, any time HMB is in the car and a little crabby, I just put on a little Dancing Queen and he stops fussing and bobs his head around. It's the funniest thing! A couple days ago, we took HMB to a condo association board meeting, he started to get tired and fuss so my husband decided to take him home. I got a text message a few minutes later saying "He loves him some ABBA". And indeed, he does!

Good sleep, good food, good time

This Thanksgiving, we headed up to my husband's hometown in Central PA. I took my husband to work that day since he works about 30 minutes into the 4 hour drive. So when I picked him up in the afternoon, we were a half an hour closer to our destination. I had gone to the gym earlier in the morning and when we got home, HMB passed out for a great nap. Great that he napped, but we were really hoping he would nap as we drove. Fortunately, HMB was in a great mood so I sat in back with him and he played happily for about 2 hours. Then he passed out and slept until we were about 15 minutes away, YES!!
At my husband's dad's house, there are two extra bedrooms with two wonderful beds. So for the 3 nights we were there, HMB and I slept in one bed and my husband in the other and it was blissful! We all got some good sleep!! And we happily ate the two Thanksgiving dinners that come with having divorced parents. We had Thanksgiving dinner as our wedding meal so we were more than happy to eat more turkey and stuffing.
We left PA a little while before HMB was set to take hi second nap and he did not disappoint. After an hour or so of playing, he passed out for an hour and a half. I spent the remaining hour and a half trying to keep him happy with anything I could find - my wallet, my hair, my iPod. But we made it home and a couple hours later, HMB fell asleep (in our bed because we forgot that after Thanksgiving we were going to try and get him in his crib, ha, ha, ha.....).

One nap?

For the past few months, HMB has been taking two naps per day. We have a pretty good schedule. He usually naps in the morning around 10 or 11 and I can jog while he naps, the breeze in his hair, no worries in the world. Then we come home, some days I work, some days we run errands. About 4pm, he usually naps again. Ususallyat home (in our bed of course NOT in his crib). For the past two days, HMB has woken up ANGRY about 30 minutes into our run. This means I spend the second half of my run trying to tell HMB that it's so much faster if I run home instead of pick him up and walk while carrying him and pushing the jogging stroller. Then, at about 2-2:3pm, he goes down for his long nap. I wonder if he is transitioning to the one, long nap? I would not be a huge fan but as I mentioned in an earlier post, since I joined the gym with a daycare, this won't be too bad.
In other news, I am making my first pie! I'm not so sure how it will turn out?! For one, I tried to make a whole wheat pie crust. I followed the directions, I swear, but it turned out kind of funky and didn't go up the side of the pie pan all the way? It's also a somewhat healthy pie, made with less sugar and fat free condensed milk. We'll see......

Road Trip

Yesterday, HMB and I headed down to Richmond to attend a baby shower for a good friend of mine from college. I was a little nervous because HMB can be a little difficult to travel with, he is not a huge fan of the car seat although he has gotten better. We had a football game so right after I headed home with HMB in tow to change and get ready for the party. On the ride home, I tried everything I could to keep HMB awake - rolled the wondow down, turned the music up and sang at the top of m lungs. Of course he passed out despite my best efforts. And he slept and slept...the entire time I got ready (including taking a shower and drying my hair). He slept as I put him back in the car, until about 10 minutes away from my friend's house. And when he did wake up, he happily played as I navigated through Richmond. HMB, why did I doubt you?
While at the shower, HMB got tons of attention from the ladies and he basked in it, of course, smiling and flirting. One of greatest things that HMB does right now is dance. I sing Beyonce to him and he skakes his head and wiggles his booty. He smiles and laughs! It's freaking hysterical! He danced up a storm for the ladies at the shower.
We stayed the night and hung out until I thought HMB would take his first (and possibly only nap of the day since he woke up at 8:45am). And before I even got on the highway, he passed out! And slept until we were about 30 minutes from home. Thank you again, HMB, you are the best and I love you tons!!!

Will he be ok??

Since HMB was about 4 months old, he would happily doze off as soon as I started to jog with him in the jogging stroller. But lately, it has not been so easy. I had been contemplating joining the gym that has a daycare for awhile, and with HMB not liking it as much and the cold weather coming, I decided to give it a try. Apparently, all the moms like to work out in the morning and it's impossible to get a reservation (2 days before). I like the mornings but I don't necessarily care and since I work just 2 days a week, I am fine with the afternoon. HMB and I rolled into the gym a little early, I was pretty nervous, I'm not gonna lie! The girl working seemed competent enough and very used to crazy moms who don't leave their babies very often. HMB settled in with some toys and I snuck out. I won't say I didn't think about HMB a million times but 4 miles and some stretching later (damn, time flies!), I went back to the room and peeked in. HMB was loving it! He had attention, a million new toys, and big kids in room with him! I asked how he did and she said "He's very active!" Yeah, no wonder I am passed out by 10pm every night!!
I am SO happy HMB did well! This means I can go back and have a little bit of alone time during the day HALLELUJAH!!

Only child...but a happy one!

That's right, if HMB continues to sleep in our bed, he will be an only child. And last night was a rough one. Why does he wake up every hour, screaming and unable to get back to sleep unless I get up and rock him? He is a few days shy of ten months. He can eat as his leisure all night if he wants, and we cuddle and everything! Anyone else, under those amazing sleeping conditions, would sleep just fine!
On other, happier news, HMB is the most social baby I have ever seen! We met up with a college friend for lunch today and everyone who passed our table got a huge smile and a wave (and by wave I mean HMB sticks his arm out in more of a "Power to the People" thing). My college friend could not get over how happy and smiley he was, and it's true. He will smile at everyone. I was pretty sure I was going to have to leave HMB at the grocery store this morning because all the women were fawning over him. No wonder he wants to be an only child!!

My, how time flies

I am a horrible blogger, it's true! HMB is now almost 7 months old!! What is STILL our biggest challenge, you ask? SLEEPING! HMB has been great with naps. It's the nighttime that we still have issues with. Why do you still wake up so much, HMB? Why can you not get to sleep by yourself? HMB usually goes down around 9:30pm (sometimes earlier depending upon that last nap). Inevitably, he will wake up between 12 and 1am. I usually feed him at this point, which isn't too bad because he still breastfeeds. Then it's anyone's guess - will he go back in his crib? Will he toss and turn in our bed? Will he be awake for an hour? This goes on until about 5am when he decides to sleep (usually in our bed) until about 7 or 8am.

OK, enough about the bad stuff!! HMB smiles at anyone and everyone and people in the store can't help but smile back and say "What a happy baby!". He LOVES people and loves to be "in the mix". He is a happy baby!

Almost six months old...

Yes, Jake was born on January 22nd and I am just getting to this blog. Let's just say I have been a little busy these past months! Let me first reflect upon the title of this blog. OK, I LOVE my son soooo much, he is the greatest and I am so happy to have him in my life. But he is a high maintenance baby. From the very beginning, he liked to be held. That's fine, he's my first baby, I love holding him! So I held him while he was awake, while he ate...and while he slept. Now, my almost six month old cannot sleep on his own. I've spoiled him, I know this, but how do I get out of it now?? We try to let him cry it out but the kid can CRY...for a long time...and then NOT even fall asleep! I know there are plenty of parents out there who deal with this. The problem is, I don't know many! Thus, the creation of my blog (finally)! As a shout out to all the parents out there who do not have babies who sleep well and who need to hold their babies all the time or else they whine and fuss! Next post on all the things Jake does that are wonderful :)