Stranger=It's Time to Scream

The time comes in all babies lives when they realize that there are other people in the world other than mommy and daddy, and that mommy and daddy are the only people that they want to hold them.  Caleb has learned this new fact, and is using his vocal cords to his advantage at this point in time.  Up until this point my baby has been so carefree, he did not mind to be passed around, and he was fine allowing anyone to hold him.  That is not the case anymore. Stranger anxiety/Separation anxiety has popped up its ugly head in my little babies mind.  Let me just tell you about yesterdays events.

Yesterday was Caleb's 1/2 birthday as you all know, and unfortunately that was also the day that this momma scheduled his 6 month check up.  Of course, I was worried going into the appointment because I knew he would cry from his shots, but I had no idea how bad this appointment would be.  All things started well, we checked in and he smiled and flirted with the receptionist.  He grabbed at my pen and cooed as I filled out his new paperwork, and he smiled as we walked back into the room after only a 3 minute wait! (can I get a Waa Hoo).  However, things were about to take a turn for the worst.

The nurse, the same nurse we have every time asked me to strip him down to his diaper, and Caleb laughed as I did so, and then she informed me she was going to take him to be weighed.  This is the only room we have ever been in without a scale in it, but she carried my baby down the hall to the scale.  All of a sudden I hear SCREAMING coming from my little man, and I rush out into the hall to see her carrying him back with tears running down his face.  I of course reach out and grab him and calm him down.  Then she has to lay him down on the doctor table to measure him and his head.  Screaming and pouting to mommy occur.  I then said "Oh baby boy, this is going to be a bad visit".  After the nurse walks out I scooped up little man, cuddled, kissed, and played with his toy with him.  I had just gotten him happy again when the doctor entered.

Last doctors visit Caleb loved playing with the doctor as he was being checked.  This time that was  not so.
The doctor flashed the light to see if Caleb was still tracking, that was fun for Caleb.  He used the stethascope to check his breathing and heart, and Caleb was able to play with the cord so that was fine with him.  However, when the doctor reached out to take him out of my arms all HE** broke loose, and the check-up then continued with Caleb sitting on my lap.  Every time the doctor would reach out to check Caleb he would scream.  As if that wasn't bad enough the doctor then discovered when checking his pee-wee that I had not been pulling the head back far enough when I cleaned it, and that it was trying to refuse itself together.  I felt like a horrible mom because I thought I had been pulling it back enough, but I do not have a pee wee, and I didn't quite understand that I was doing something wrong.  Hubby is now assigned the task of checking this little problem every night.  Anyway, back to the story.  The doctor then proceeded to pull back my babies pee wee's skin until it was once again red and bloody looking just like when he was first circumcised.  Yes you heard me he did this with my baby on my lap screaming and crying, and I wanted none other than to scream and cry with him.  I have now been instructed to use Vaseline once again until it heals and make sure I pull it all the way back from now on.  Please God allow me to understand what my sons pee-wee head is suppose to look like so I do not have to submit him to this torture once again.  The doctor then just needed to sit Caleb down to make sure he was sitting fine.  Caleb was in complete protest of this but he did sit for a minute.

After all this the doctor leaves, mean nurse reappears to give the dreaded shots. As if my baby had not had enough already. I mean the doctor basically ripped his pee-wee off less than 5 seconds ago.  Anyway, she gives Caleb the oral vaccine, and he is fine with that because my baby loves to eat.  I then lay my head beside him and cuddle up his arms to try to comfort him while she injects him with pain.  It didn't work. He screamed worse than ever before, grabbed at my face, and turned red from holding his breath.  I scooped him up asap, and tried to calm him down.  This took 5 minutes.  We then finished getting dressed and left the mean doctors office to come cuddle at home. 

Today, I was oblivious to the impending snow storm and realized I needed to run the grocery. It was raining and cold so I called my neighbor to see if she could watch Caleb for me. He has stayed there before, and has always been fine.  Not today, she said he screamed the entire time.

Hey at least he is happy with me. 

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1/2 a Year of Loving!

My precious baby, you are 6 months old today.  1/2 a year.  Wow! Time is flying.  I find myself watching your every precious baby move and tearing up because of how big you are getting.  I am loving every second with you my sweet baby, and each new development is so exciting, but I also find myself being sentimental, and wanting to hold you longer as a little bitty baby.  You are growing so much, and your personality is now shining.  I love everything about you, every cry, every smile, every kick, scream, roll, scoot etc.  You are my baby, you are my love and I will love you forever and always.

What you are up to at six months. 

• Sleeping: You are sleeping through the night once again with no problems.  You generally fall asleep around 9:30 and wake up at 8:30 or 9.  After a morning bottle you will stay up for around 30 minutes and go back to sleep for another 1-1 1/2 hours.  You will take a 2 hour nap between 12-2, and sometimes another 2 hour nap around 4ish.  You generally take 3-4 naps a day, and you will allow me to lay you down in your bed to self soothe yourself to sleep.  You always coo and kick until you drift off.  When you wake up you no longer cry you just coo and squeal, and then greet me with the biggest smile when I go to pick you up.

• Eating: Oh my little one, you still LOVE to eat.  You have tried all the stage 1 baby foods and are eating only stage 2 now.  The only food we have found that you do not like is the stage 1 meats. I don't blame you though because they smell like cat food.  You still have to have  a bottle first, and you take 5 bottles a day.  You generally take 5 ounces of formula before breakfast (fruit and cereal).  You then take 5 ounces before your dinner baby food (a veggie and sometimes veggie and fruit).  You take 7 ounces in all of your other bottles.  I was worried I was overfeeding you, but the doctor said you were just fine. You still take a night time cereal bottle. You love to eat your baby food, and often yell in between bites, or open your mouth with food still inside for another bite :). 

(you decided to beat the monkey up this month)
• Size:  You weigh 17 lbs 10 ounces ( a lot less than we thought).  You are 26" long, and your head cir. is 44 cm.  You are wearing 3-6 month, 6 month, and a few 6-9 month clothes.  You little feet are still tiny and a lot of your socks are still to big for you.  You head is getting to big for most of your winter hats.  The doctor said your head was measuring a little above average, but that was perfectly fine.   You are wearing size 3 diapers.  I call them your big boy diapers because they are not the soft swaddlers, and the characters on them are no longer babies.

• Exciting New Things:
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  You can roll from your back to your belly now.  You still have not quite figured out that you can roll to reach toys yet, but you are working on it.
• 
  
  You are talking a lot now.  No words yet, but a lot of squeals, coos, ahhs etc.
• 
  
  You really notice sis and Bella now, and you laugh at them when they play.  You also try to pet them and always pull Bella's hair.
• 
  
  You have really developed stranger anxiety at times.  You know who your momma and dada are, and sometimes you do not want anyone else.  This was clear at the doctor this morning. (You cried every time the doctor or nurse would touch you.  Teary eyed screaming crying. I almost cried too).
• 
  
  You always pucker your lip at me now when you are scared or upset.  It is cute but breaks my heart.
• 
  
  You sat up in your big boy bath seat for the first time last night. We decided you are not quite ready for that yet
• 
  
  
• 
  
  You are working on learning to drink from a sippy.  You have sucked water out of it a few times, but mostly you just chew.

• 
  
  
• 
  
  You love toys now.  You reach for them, grab at them, hit them etc. You can play for hours.
• 
  
  You still love your jumparoo, and you MAM binkys.
• 
  
  You still love to put everything in your mouth.
• 
  
  You play with your feet a lot. You always pull them up and down and squeal with excitement.

• 
  
  
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  You rub your face into my chest when you get bashful. So cute.
• 
  
  You still love to be rocked and read to.
• 
  
  You were dedicated at church this month.
• 
  
  You sit up in the cart or in a highchair when we go out to dinner or go shopping.  You love to play with your cart cover and smile at everyone.
• 
  
  You are still a mommas boy, but you smile so big when daddy comes home.  You do this one little face that you only do with him.  I call it your daddy face :).
• 
  
  Your personality is coming out. You are still so calm and carefree, but if you do not like something you will let us know.  You scream a lot now if I move a toy away from you, change your clothes, or transition you from your boppy to your highchair to eat.
• 
  
  You like to roll to your side when I am changing your diaper or dressing you. It is a little more complicated now.
• You can sit all by yourself now, sometimes you still topple.
• You can hold your own bottle now through entire feedings.

In honor of your 1/2 birthday I found this poem and it made me cry.

Long ago you came to me,

a miracle of firsts,

First smiles and teeth and baby steps,

a sunbeam on the burst.

But one day you will move away

and leave to me your past

And I will be left thinking of

a lifetime of your lasts…

The last time that I held a bottle

to your baby lips

The last time that I lifted you

and held you on my hip.

The last night when you woke up crying,

needing to be walked,

When last you crawled up with your blanket,

wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me,

still small enough to hold.

The last time that you said you’d marry

me when you grew old.

Precious, simple moments and

bright flashes from your past-

Would I have held on longer if

I’d known they were your last?

Our last adventure to the park,

your final midday nap,

The last time when you wore your favorite

faded baseball cap.

Your last few hours of kindergarten,

those last few days of first grade,

Your last at bat in Little League,

last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all

your yesterdays long passed.

So what about tomorrow-

will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog

in that old backyard pond.

The last time that you run barefoot

across our fresh-cut lawn.

Silly, scattered images

will represent your past.

I keep on taking pictures,

never quite sure of your lasts…

The last time that I comb your hair

or stop a pillow fight.

The last time that I pray with you

and tuck you in at night.

The last time when we cuddle

with a book, just me and you

The last time you jump in our bed

and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson,

last vacation to the lake.

Your last few weeks of middle school,

last soccer goal you make.

I look ahead and dream of days

that haven’t come to pass.

But as I do, I sometimes miss

today’s sweet, precious lasts…

The last time that I help you with

a math or spelling test.

The last time when I shout that yes,

your room is still a mess.

The last time that you need me for

a ride from here to there.

The last time that you spend the night

with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster,

stealing precious days that pass,

I want to hold on longer-

want to recognize your lasts…

The last time that you need my help

with details of a dance.

The last time that you ask me for

advice about romance.

The last time that you talk to me

about your hopes and dreams.

The last time that you wear a jersey

for your high school team.

I’ve watched you grow and barely noticed

seasons as they pass.

If I could freeze the hands of time,

I’d hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning,

you’ll be going far away.

College life will beckon

in a brilliant sort of way.

One last hug, one last good-bye,

one quick and hurried kiss.

One last time to understand

just how much you’ll be missed.

I’ll watch you leave and think how fast

our time together passed.

Let me hold on longer, God,

to every precious last.

Here is to every last, new adventure, and will be's in the future.  I love you my baby!!

Lovely Blogger Thursday

This is Erin

Mother of Kyah

This weeks Lovely Blogger

I just love reading Erin's blog, The Williamson Family.  She has such an amazing birth story and testimony of God's love and power.  She is creative, funny, and so talented.  She is also the designer of my soon to be new blog look!! I am so excited. 

1. When and why did you start blogging?
I originally started blogging in 2008 to keep family up-to-date on our lives. I knew that we were trying to conceive and I was hopeful that one day I would be able to blog about my pregnancy and our baby. I am happy to say that day has come and I am enjoying every minute of it. It's also fun to be able to look back and see what the last few years have brought our way. What's more amazing is to see how God worked in our lives and how He put everything in place for what He had planned for us. My blog has taken on many Topics, from Married Life, to Pregnancy, to Raising our son, and will now hold topics of either "Raising an Only Child", "Adoption" or possibly "Surrogacy" in the future.
2. What is your love story with you hubby? How did you meet, when did you get engaged?
Let's see.. I can give you the extra long version, the long version or the shorter-long version. Hmmm. I guess I'll go for the later since I would rather not bore anyone with my millions of details. My husband, Bryce and I met when I was 16 and he was 18... while working at PetSmart. I had always wanted to be a vet so my mother suggested that I apply for a job at the Pet Store to get some experience. Of course, being a Girly Teenager, I wanted to work at the Mall in a Clothes store. My mother and I had it out quite a few times and finally she demanded that I complete an application to PetSmart and see what happened. Without further ado, I gave in (had no choice really) and went to PetSmart. When I walked in, I spoke directly with the Store Director and asked for an application. I made the comment that I did NOT want to work there, but they kept pursing me with questions like; Are you in School? Can you work the late shift? When can you start? etc. In order to avoid anymore eye contact with the Manager I turned around to look behind me. There stood Bryce at one of the registers. I IMMEDIATELY turned back around and said "I can start tomorrow". The director laughed at me (as she knew why I had made such a quick decision) and said "Good. See ya Tuesday". Once I got in the doors I quickly realized that he was dating someone else that worked there. Talk about being bummed. After a few weeks and him splitting with his other girlfriend, I finally got enough courage to talk to him. And as shocking as this is... I was brave enough to tell him the reason that I accepted the job there. I told him that it was not because I wanted to work there, but because I saw him and HE was the only reason I worked there. He was shocked to say the least and sat there with a dazed look on his face. After a few minutes he asked me for my phone number and that we could "hang out" sometime. I remember thinking to myself that I didn't want to "hang out", I wanted to marry him. He called me on April 8th, 2001 and we have been inseparable since. After a few years of dating (being young and all), he Proposed to me at the Dallas Arboretum on November 21, 2003 (I was 19 years old). The following year on August 21, 2004 (I was 20 he was 23) we tied the knot on the same exact steps that he proposed to me on. It's pretty much been a Fairy-tale ever since.
3. What is your #1 must have, couldn't live without baby item?
Oh goodness, just one??? Well, besides the basics of all basics, I guess I would have to say that I couldn't live without the Bouncer. That thing has stood by my side and never let me down. In a perfect world I would never put him down and would snuggle with him at all times, but since we don't live in that world there were times that I had to sit him down. I would take it with me from room to room and place him in it while I went about dishes, shower, laundry, etc. That way he could see him and I could see him. Now it's used for him to watch his Baby Einstein in. That's about it. Poor thing is too big for it, but this Momma just doesn't want to accept it.
4. What is your favorite hobby?
Just call me the "Hobby Queen". Here are a few of the Hobbies that keep my interest: Scraping, DIY Crafts/Projects, Painting (objects-not pictures), Decorating, Carpentry [I LOVE to build things], Blogging, Photography [for myself, not professionally], designing things on the computer [which I am still improving on daily], exercising, running a Play Group and I'm sure there are more that I just can't think of right now.
5. What is your daily schedule with your baby?
Right now we wake up around 7am (give or take) and enjoy time together while he takes his morning bottle. After about an hour to an hour and half he will lay back down for his morning nap. This nap usually lasts for about an hour but has been known to go as long as three hours. During this time I do my devotional and then housework or work on the computer. When Kyah wakes, we eat again (depending on the time) and play for 2 hours, though these days it seems that we are going about 3 hours before I lay him down for another nap. He usually only sleeps for about 2 hours and then wakes around 4pm and stays awake until bedtime at 8pm. During the time we run errands, play, etc. Some of the activities that take occupy our playtime are: The Jumper-Roo, Floor Time, Tummy Time, Standing, Sitting, Rocking, Reading, Swing (when he will sit in it), alone time in his crib for quite playtime, and 2-3x a week we watch Baby Beethoven (Baby Einstein). Now that he is getting older and requires more time to occupy Mommy is having to get creative and will be switching things up a little bit here in the next few weeks.
6. What is your #1 piece of advice for a new momma?
Unfortunately I have more than just 1 that I would like to share. When I was pregnant I was given lots of advise as I am sure every pregnant woman is. Some of the best advice that I have found to be true (and apply to me) are the following:
- God gives you what you NEED. This pertains to the fact that I wanted a girl and not a boy. Turns out, my little angel couldn't be anymore perfect for our family and we are thankful everyday for God blessing us with a little boy. I couldn't imagine my life without him!
- You can't mess up. Babies know only what you do. They have no one to compare you too and are perfectly content with everything you do. They love you for being you and for loving them.
- "This too shall pass".
- That each baby is different and unique. They do not develop exactly the same nor at the same pace and this REALLY is OK.
- Moms know their baby best. Trust your instincts.
7. If you could give your baby one piece of advice to remember forever, what would it be?
If I could give just one piece of advice, it would be that he truly listen for the Lord in all that he does. To read His word and to trust in Him. That to us, is the most important thing out of everything. That he will come to know, love and follow Jesus.
8. List your Top 5 Daily blogs to read with URL addresses.
The Laughlin's: http://the-laughlins.blogspot.com/
Living with Lindsay: http://www.livingwithlindsay.com/
Her Womb, Our Hearts: http://gapbaby.blogspot.com/
The Campbell Family: http://www.campbellfamilypartyof3.com/
Life in the Fun Lane: http://www.inthefunlane.com/
9. Favorite store to buy baby clothes?
Ha, I have a boy. I hate to say it, but no matter where I shop they are limited on the selection. However, if I had to choose one store that I would buy boy clothes from, it would be Baby Gap. However, the more savvy side of me votes for the Consignment Store.
10. Favorite Bible Verse?
Really, I like the book of Romans. My favorite however is: Romans 12:3-8
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[a]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
I like how it points out that every living human in this world has at least ONE of the 7 God Given gifts.
Prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership or mercy. I encourage you to find the one that best suits you and fall in love with the idea that God gave you that gift(s) and that you can use it to Glorify him.

The Girl Next Door

My friend Taylor and I always joke about Caleb and Taylor's little Isabel getting married some day.  I mean it is fun to kid around about stuff like that right?? Isabel  is the one baby friend who Caleb sees on a weekly basis, and I have a feeling they may have more of a brother sister relationship in the future.  Caleb will protect her from all the boys out there, and she will let him know when he is dating a biotchie girl.  However, for the time being they are our sweet little babies who look so cute cuddled up together (Caleb 5 months, Isabel 10 weeks).