Dang bugs

The bug bite on Boo's ear looks really bad. He tries to scratch it a lot. We are still doing the meds and hope it gets better soon. The antibiotics are making his tummy upset. He had a huge blow-out last night. We haven't had such a mess in a long time! Yuck!

Nathan and Boo slept together half the night, then Boo came to me for a drink. He was very happy to see me. It was sweet.

Good times

We had a lot of fun with Pawpaw. I think Boo is just what Pawpaw needed to wake up and enjoy life. I wish Pawpaw would have already been enjoying life, but I am glad that he is now. They really have a special relationship and I hope Pawpaw is around for a long time! We bought the flowers for Mawmaw's grave. Then I picked up some cute canvas bags for Mya and Boo and some iron ons and paint pens. I thought that would be something fun for us to do. I like crafts, but with a baby... It has to be quick. Pawpaw wanted to pay for them, which was really nice. Then we went to Walmart and picked up a few things. Then out to eat where Boo sat in the high chair and ate his baby food. It was a nice time together. Then back home for a nap and cleaning house.

We had the nursery at church today and that was fun. We visited with the family. Then we brought a baby gift to a friend who is very young and having twin girls sometime soon. She looked great and the family has everything ready for the babies. Then Nathan's parents came over with his nephews. So a busy day, but a good one. Now time for dinner and relaxing and playing and bathtime and .....

No deal

We ended up going to Houston yesterday to see what Carmax would give us for the Charger. Not surprisingly, it was not enough. So we didn't sell it. Nathan had a guy that wanted to buy it, and we told him that we weren't selling... I don't know what the deal is. I just go with the flow. I would rather not sell it.

Me n Boo are going shopping with Pawpaw today. This should be interesting. I hope Pawpaw is patient with us. Babies get cranky and you have to change your plans sometimes. Speaking of cranky, gotta go.

Naptime

I can't hardly believe it! Boo is taking a real nap! In his bed! He is a bad sleeper daytime and nighttime. Maybe he's just tired from being up all night. He has another nasty bump on his head that looks infected, probably a bug bite. We have prescription antibiotic cream and oral antibiotics that we didn't give him last time we can try.

Nathan wants to drag us to Houston to trade in the Charger... GRrr... I can't fight him on this. I don't really care what car I drive as long as it is safe and we can all fit in it. Hopefully we leave soon and Boo does ok in the car.

Diapers

I think I might be crazy, but... I've decided to give cloth diapers a try. My mom is really going to think I'm crazy! It is just really bothering me when I think of the moutain of trash my child's diapers create! So I've ordered enough to give it a good try, but not so much to be terrible if we don't like it. First we will just use them at home and see how it goes. We will probably use disposables at night until we get the hang of it during the day. Nathan has actually been on board with the idea. He likes the idea of saving money I think. Now seems to be a good time to get started. Boo is just getting into size medium for diaper covers, and the poops are a little more solid, but still nasty. I have some ideas in mind to make it work. I bought 3 diaper covers, 16 prefolds, a few inserts, and the liners all from cottonbabies.com. I spent $85. I won't be asking babysitters to use disposables right now. So I'll still be buying disposables. We'll just see how it goes, how much it saves, and if we want to stick with it. I appreciate any advice on cloth diapering!

Cosleeping

Cosleeping is one of those things I said we wouldn't do, but it's pretty much what we are doing. We always put Boo in the playpen in our room. He used to sleep all night. Now he wakes up all night 10 times. I put him to sleep, then put him back in his bed, then he wakes up 2 seconds later and starts screaming and standing up. Then I put him in bed with me. Some nights we end up with Boo, Nathan, and me in the bed. For me to get to sleep at least till 4am, Nathan sleeps in our room with Boo, and I sleep in another room. If I am in the room, Boo wants me and wants to nurse. When he's in bed with Nathan, he still gets up, but the pacifier settles him down. So it's not the best situation, but it's what is working for us right now. When I was doing all the nighttime baby care, I was getting ZERO sleep. I was about to have a complete breakdown of body and soul. Nathan would try to help, but until we did separate rooms, it didn't work. I really hope that other babies out there do better. But this is our story, and I'm ok with how things are going. We get judged by our family and friends. People always tell me what to do, and that's ok. I've learned to deal with it. We will do what works for us. We will keep working on getting Boo to sleep on his own.

Cranky pants

Boo has been cranky pants the past couple of evenings much more than normal. And very needy at nighttime. I wonder if more teeth are in the near future. Last night was my night so I was up most of the night. Nathan slept with us so he got woke up a few times too. I think I like being separated on work nights so at least one person can get some sleep. I tried putting Boo in his bed a few times, but he cried every time after 30 mins. So we'll see how well I fuction today at work.

My Little Monster!

If this is not the cutest monster you've ever seen...

We tried on Boo's Halloween costume tonight. It was so cute. Note the three eyes, horns, and the extra two arms. And the tummy is padded. It is so super cute! It's a tad big which should be perfect by Halloween. It's from BRU. They had some absolutely precious costumes for babies of all sizes. They were only $24.99! I love! They had monkey, lion, dinosaur, and others. I just had to have the three-eyed four-armed silly horned blue monster for my little monster! Hope we don't scare anybody too much!

Work

Another Monday at work. Always the hardest day. Boo did better last night, only waking twice, eating, and going back to sleep. So I feel pretty good today even though I got up with him. At 5:30 am he was up and cranky, but I can handle that. I actually had a co-worker come in here and get on my nerves and tell me what to do with my kid... spanking him already, and letting him scream himself to sleep. I think not.

I need to be more careful on the internet at work. A couple of times I have accidentally pulled up stuff that is questionable. I love Etsy, but sometimes people sell stuff with... naughty pictures. Not something I really ever want to see, but especially not at work. So no more Etsy at work. And I already ruled out Wikipedia... If you are NOT at work and you check out the main article on pregnancy, you will see some lovely pictures. I don't ever just surf the internet at work, but now I will just stick to banking or news for a few minutes if I'm slow or eating lunch. I do like to keep up with what is going on in the world. I'm not supposed to blog, but I usually keep that pretty quick.

Off to lunch. Going out today for a change.

Quiet moment

Right now is one of those few quiet moments in our house. We went to church, then to Pawpaw's for lunch. Now we are home, and Boo is sleeping in his car seat. He fell asleep in the car. Usually he wakes up as soon as you bring him inside. So we'll see how long this lasts.

I was thinking about going to the store today, but it's tax-free weekend. In TX we have higher sales tax but no state income tax. Before school starts, they do a tax-free weekend. The stores are usually packed. Nathan just got ice out of the icemaker while Boo was sleeping... Grr... He is always so loud!! Grrrr again. Gotta go.

Congrats and the concert

First of all, congrats to a dear blogger friend on the birth of her son!! Can't wait to see his pics!

The concert was a long night. Due to unforeseen events, we left pretty late. But we walked onto the lawn right as Incubus was playing the first song. They were really good and played lots of our favorite songs. It didn't rain on us! It was a little muddy in spots, but it all worked out and it was fun. I just feel like concerts like that are too much trouble... two hours of driving, lots of walking, then everything in reverse for about 1.5 hours of music. Plus money and leaving Boo behind. So I don't think we will go to any concerts for a while. Maybe something closer to home next time. Boo was so happy to see us at 2am when he woke up, he couldn't go back to sleep. I was happy to see him too of course.

Pics

The concert

So tonight is the concert. I'm sure most parents have already had some kind of outing by the time their baby is 7 months old, but I have not. So I'm feeling a little sad. But I do want to have a good time. And Boo will be fine with his Mimi (my mom). I'm printing directions how to get there even though I do know how to get there. I'm trying to decide which way we should go. We really don't think driving through Houston. Traffic can be a pain. So maybe we'll avoid Houston. Boo is getting more mobile, which means more bumps on the head, which makes me sad. All part of learning how to walk I suppose. So he has a little bruise on his head.

Girls Lunch Date

I'm excited that my friends are meeting me for lunch today! I feel special! I really need more girly time. My life mostly revolves around two boys, and that is ok, but it's good to have time with my friends. They were there for me before I met Nathan and had a baby. They will be there for me no matter what happens. I need to remember that. I will be a better mother and better wife if I have good friends to support me. So thanks girls!

I really need to take pics of Boo. I haven't even gotten out the camera in the last few weeks. With the car and getting no sleep... Excuses I know. So I PLAN on taking some pics tomorrow and trying to post this weekend. Boo looks mostly the same and is about the same size as the last pics. But there is more hair on his head, and any doubters that the kid is a red head.. like his momma, should be convinced now.

Funny boy

I think my favorite silly thing Boo does is when he is laying down and flails both arms, kicks both legs, and laughs. It's so cute. He is finally getting some hair on his head! I really need to take some pics. Maybe tonight I will do it. I think he's the cutest baby ever... We sold the little car last night. So we have 3 vehicles now counting the old car. Step 1 of simplifying things. Nathan's truck is paid off! He was frustrated last night because the bank drafted a whole car note when he only needed to pay $150 to pay it off. He called the bank and they promised they would not do that, but they did... So hopefully he gets his money back soon. It's stealing!! And then if they do it again!!!!!!! Dumb!!!!

Rainy Day

We are getting some good rain today. I have a really nice view from my office at work of the bayou. I'm in a second story office. I'm just thinking about Boo and missing him. It has gotten very slightly easier to go to work every day. I would still rather be with him, but I know he is happy and well cared for with Paulina and Mya. Mya was very happy to see me this morning. Yesterday she was in a crappy mood because she wants a bicycle (NOW). But today she ran down the driveway arms out for me. It was nice. The plan for Friday night is for mom to spend the night with Boo and Mya at our house while we go to the Incubus concert. We will probably leave around 6:00 pm and be home around 12:00 am. I'm nervous about being away from Boo but we do need some couple time, and we won't be gone that long. And I'm nervous about not nursing or pumping for that long, but I'll bring the pump with batteries just in case I need to do it before we come home. Not sure how that will work, but we will figure it out. It's about a 2 hour drive to where the concert is in the Houston area. Mom has to work Saturday, so we will try to take over the kids at midnight when we get home so she doesn't miss too much sleep.

Nasty story: WARNING!_!_!_! if you are eating lunch... you might want to skip!!
Boo ALMOST ate a nasty gross dead cockroach the other day. I think I would have had a heart attack right there... He scoots around and plays on the rug in the living room. Next to the rug there is a coffee table. He likes to see what is under there and grab it, usually dust bunnies or dirt at the worst. I try to scope things out before he plays on the rug. I forgot. I was on the floor with him for a few minutes before I saw the roach. Thankfully I got it first... But he would not have hesitated to put it in his mouth. YUCK!!!

Momma's boy

This child is a momma's boy all the way. I know it's normal development, but it's too cute and sad at the same time. If I leave the room while he is playing or if I hand him off to anybody, he cries. Yesterday at Nathan's grandma's house, I handed Boo to Nathan's aunt. Boo made the saddest face ever and started to howl. After the hour long car ride, he wanted momma. After a few minutes, we tried again and he would let them hold him. But really, he just wanted momma. At bedtime, momma. Middle of the night, momma. He even fussed when Nathan fed him baby food. He did sleep with Nathan last night so I could get some rest. Nathan says he didn't cry much. I crawled in bed with them at 5:30 am. Life is so much better and brighter when I get some sleep! We just had to find a routine that worked for us. We should have found it a little sooner. Tonight I'll take Boo so Nathan can sleep.

Friends

We hung out with our friends last night. It was really fun and much needed. Boo crawled around and played with the one year old boy who was also there. We stayed up past his bedtime, but once in a while is ok. I really miss hanging out with our friends. I hope to be able to do more. Today we are going to hang out with Nathan's family. It's a nice hot sunny day.

I made our hotel reservations for Austin for Labor Day weekend. We just need a getaway and spend time with just the three of us. I know we can't do a whole lot, but we can swim in the pool, go for a walk in the park, shop a little bit, and just be together. The drive is about 3.5 hours. I'm a little worried about that. That's a long time for a little one. But we will try. That's about as far as I want to go.

Thanks

Just wanted to say thanks to everybody for reading and for supporting me. It really helps to know that I am not alone in my journey as a new mother. Our children are so precious and deserve the best we can give.

Mya spent the night last night. She's a trip! She was very good. Except... I guess she can't help it, but she peed through the diaper in the bed we were sleeping in... all three of us. At 4:30 am... And Boo woke up a lot like normal. But we are having fun today. He thinks she is hilarious. It's built in entertainment. He is starting to really drive her crazy and it's funny. He pulls her hair, climbs on her, screams at her.... Of course it's in love. He is climbing! We took the bumpers off the cribs because he can climb on them and stand up in the bed!! OMG my baby is growing up.

Less Stress

When I look at my life in the details, I do have a lot of stress... I get little sleep. Sometimes I don't get help. I have to work. I try to get to work at a decent time. Hard to get in enough time with my son. Hard to clean house. Hard to deal with other people not doing things exactly how I do. Hard to find time to just relax and not get too busy. These things can really weigh me down sometimes if I let them.

But from time to time I remind myself how blessed I am. I have a wonderful healthy child. I have a good job that is flexible with me. I have family and friends that love me.

Those are the important things. The things I need to work on are:
1. Asking for help when I need it and not getting to the point where I am about to have a break down.
2. Getting to work earlier. Part is getting more middle of the night help so I can wake up earlier and part is coordinating better with Paulina to meet up and get to work.
3. Getting home earlier after work. It's hard because I like to visit with my family. But I need to have a little more time in the evening to have a decent meal and a few minutes to relax at night.

I think I am doing better on #1. #2 and #3 need a little work. But they are really nothing that I should stress myself over.

My life is tough right now mostly because of little sleep. This will get better in time. I love being mommy to the cutest baby in the world. I wouldn't trade it in for an easy life!

More help

Mom came over after work today and helped me with Boo. It was nice to get a few things done while he napped. His naps are so unpredictable I usually can't get much done. And she stayed for me to put dinner in the oven and take a bath! So wonderful. I really appreciated it. It might seem like a small thing to her, but it was big to me. I sometimes feel overwhelmed and tired, and my helpers really pull me through.

Daddy's back

Last night Nathan really showed up and helped. He did feeding and bathtime without being asked and without complaining. When he helps out, he really enjoys it. So I hope he gets back into parenting a little more. He still needs to work on the car, but not every night and all weekend. We are talking about going on a trip together. I'm thinking Austin. We just need to get away from everything and just be the 3 of us. I hope Boo will be ok in the car, and I know trips with babies aren't the greatest. But I think it will be good for us.

The car

Nathan and his buddies and his parents are out there trying to crank up the car right now. I have a lot of mixed feelings and anger over the car. I am trying to be nice and remember that it means a lot to them. I just think of $$ and time lost. But when it's running and he is not working on it, he can spend more time with us. And I am very grateful to his friends that are helping because otherwise it would be just more time for Nathan. So I am ordering pizza for everybody (and me). See? I am nice!

Fun night

Last night we had some friends come over. We had a really nice time. It was meant to be a birthday party for John. We ended up doing it at our house because John and Nathan have been working on Nathan's car 24/7. It turned out fun. Nathan's aunt was an angel and came over yesterday afternoon and helped me with Boo and helped clean the house a little. It was so nice of her. I hope I can do something nice for her. If not for her, I know I would have been stressed out yesterday. Boo is into everything with no thought of what is ok and what is not ok to eat... I'm seriously considering the kiddy gates to make him a nice big area on the floor to play but not mess with everything...

Sleep!

I actually got some sleep last night, and I am feeling much better today. I slept in the spare room. Nathan had to make me. So he kept Boo and stayed up with him. Boo was up and down from 1 am till 3:30 am, so I hear. I didn't sleep great, but it was better. I guess all these months of not sleeping, and now I can't sleep well even with no interruptions. At 4:30, I couldn't sleep at all, so I crawled in bed with Boo and Nathan and laid there for a while. At 5 I fed Boo and we all slept till 7. So Nathan was late to work. Oh well.

Tomorrow night we are having a dinner at our house with some of Nathan's buddies, so that will be fun. I need to make the house look a little cleaner. No other plans as of yet. Hopefully just hang out at the house and relax and take care of Boo.

New day same story

Another rough night. Nathan tried to help, but if I'm there Boo wants me. Tonight they will just have to have boy night. I am going to attempt to sleep in the spare room. I have had generous offers for help from family, but I really think we need to deal with this on our own for now at least. I think Nathan needs this experience. And I need sleep and I need to let go a little bit. I'm feeling disoriented today like I'm on drugs. Sleep deprivation is getting to me. I think Nathan is going to have to come home and take care of Boo right after work. No running errands and messing around. This momma needs a break.

Zombie

I'm a zombie today. I am just trying to make it through. Boo was up most of the night. Nathan is going to have to help more and maybe take Boo in another room so I can get a little sleep.

Fun news: Boo can sit up on his own. It takes a lot of work, and he only does it every now and then, but it's super cute. He did it yesterday on the rug in the living room, and he got so excited. He was laughing and waving his arms around, and I was clapping. Moments like that just wash out all the bad ones.

Hardest part

The hardest part about having a child is definitely making a marriage work. We have some things we need to work on for sure. It's hard finding time to do everything and try to even out the load. Being a mother is the hardest and most rewarding job in the world.

The hardest part of breastfeeding is that it means I have to do all of the night feedings. I am so used to getting up, I can't let Nathan do a bottle in the night. Plus I wouldn't be able to sleep. No matter how much equality there is between man and woman, this cannot be changed. There was once a time when Boo slept through most of the night and only woke once or twice. For those days, I did the night feedings and still got plenty of sleep. I didn't wake Nathan because there was no need to. He couldn't help. Now is a different story. Boo was up all night last night, every hour. He was crying and restless. I did get Nathan up at 4 am to help because I was just so tired. Nathan tried to comfort Boo and help put him back to sleep. But (this is funny part) Boo is not used to seeing daddy in the middle of the night, so Boo was so happy to see daddy, all he could do was smile and laugh. So I had to take over. Boo slept on and off a little more after that and once he was up he was happy and fine. I guess he is just not wired to sleep much.

Fun at home

We are spending the afternoon at home today. Me n Boo went to visit Nathan's parents and some out of town family yesterday. (I'm such a good daughter in law...) We went to church today and then visited mom and dad. They stayed home since mom's foot is still healing. Right now Boo is scooting across the office floor looking for something more fun to play with than his toys... Like, door hinge or dirt or bugs or...