Rainbow, shopping, and babylegs

Yesterday morning, Colin and I set off to the mega-outlet mall, which is about an hour and a half away from us. First, we had to get gas and saw a FULL rainbow! It was fabulous.

We met up with Jess and Nolan (who is now approaching 7 months) at the halfway mark. The ride there went smoothly. It was morning nap time, so I didn't hear a peep from the little dude for quite some time. Our shopping trip was disappointing. I found 1 thing--a sweater from the Gap. Jess found a couple things. I learned that shopping with babies isn't all that fun. Colin was sick of sitting in his car seat (which is part of his stroller), which I totally understand, so I ended up carrying him often. The ride home was horrid. He was cranky and, again, sick of sitting in his car seat. Next time I take him to this outlet mall, he will be able to walk, and perhaps read a book or play a DS in the backseat. I loved spending the day with Jess and Mr. Nolan, and I really did want to make the most of the outlet mall, and maybe if I had found more, I'd be more enthused about it. But that car ride home was the end of the possibility of enthusiasm.

So...to make up for it, I left Colin home with Kevin today and went shopping by myself. I found a BUNCH of great deals, and now I feel a little more ready for school to start. My wardrobe is suffering big time right now. Last year all I bought was maternity clothes, and I got rid of some stuff that was past its prime. After today, it's slowly back into being *somewhat* presentable. Can I just say that while perusing racks at H&M, I secretly wished that Clinton and Stacey would pounce on me and help me out a little? It's true...I really did think that. Nonetheless, I think I picked out some supercool duds.

Speaking of supercool duds, I mean DUDE...I'm in love with babylegs, but don't want to pay $12+ a pair, so I made my own today, with the help of my mom's old sewing machine. You just cut off the feet on a pair of women's knee-high socks, hem up the raw edge, and voila! Babylegs :) I've also got a pair of argyles and ribbed grey to finish up. $7 for 3 pair...what a steal!

Rice Cereal: First Taste

Here's our eating champion's first rice cereal "meal." He had no problems figuring out the spoon.

First bite. Hmm...not sure...
Yeah...I do think I like that stuff. Let's try it again. I'll open my mouth really wide.Yes, yes! That is tasty! More more more! Now! Faster!So good.

Craziness surrounds me.

So much, in fact, that they have to be numbered, or chaos will ensue.

#1. My parents were up this weekend. My mom helped me get some stuff done in my classroom. Now I don't feel so far behind. My dad helped Kev do two jobs, which are so awesome they deserve numbers all their own.

#2. He helped Kev put in ceiling lights in our bedroom and office, which is a big deal, because we hated having our whole house lit by lamps. Kev wasn't looking forward to crawling up in the cramped attic with all of its insulation, but now he's glad it's over forever.

#3. He also helped Kev rip down the gutters (which, by the way, the previous homeowner drilled holes in above the plants so they could get watered. What's the point of having gutters then?) because we're getting new gutters AND new shingles tomorrow! Yee-haw!

#4. Colin had his first tastes of rice cereal. He figured out the spoon right away, and kept opening his mouth searching for more. I'm going to gradually make more of it, and gradually make it thicker, too. I'm hoping this is the last piece of the get-him-to-sleep-longer puzzle. Pictures to come...

#5. Tomorrow marks the first day of inservices, which means it's Colin's first day of daycare. If I can accurately predict my emotions, I'll be sad for about an hour and feel guilty the rest of the day. On Tuesday, I imagine I'll be over it (assuming all goes well tomorrow), because I know daycare will be really good for Colin's social and emotional development. I've already told myself I'm not going to call the daycare, because that'll make it worse. If his "teachers" need something, they can call me.

And all this adds up to me hitting the hay early tonight. Like now.

4 months old

Not impressed with Mom's funny noises and faces:We tried again later in the day. That's better! Oddly enough, he's not wearing pants in this one...maybe that's why he's smiling?
Can you believe it?!? I certainly can't!
I'm cutting down the developmental checklist I've done in the past, because face it...it's ridiculously long. I'll just list the new things he can do since last month.

• Lift head 45 and 90 degrees
• Laugh out loud (Kevin can really get him going...it's so cute)
• Reach for an object
• Roll over one way: He just accomplished this within the past few days...and can go either left or right from his tummy. He's starting to twist his body when he's lying on his back, too, so perhaps back-to-tummy rolling isn't too far off.
• Razz (still just occasionally)

Stats from his appointment yesterday:

Weight: 16 lbs, 3 oz = 80th percentile...thus the reason he's starting to grow out of his 6 month clothes already, because they go up to either 16 or 16 1/2 lbs. How depressing that he can't wear those cute things for much longer. :(
Height: 25 1/2 inches = 75th percentile
Head circumference: 16 1/2 inches = 50th percentile

The winner of the game is: Tri047! Nice job, girly! You were only off by 1 ounce and 3/4 of an inch. Quite impressive! It probably helps that CJ is almost the same age as Colin!

We talked with Dr. R about starting rice cereal, which we can do anytime he and we are ready. If he were sleeping better at night, I'd hold off a few more weeks (obviously the kid is not starving). Since he's such a snacker and his belly doesn't seem to get full enough to sleep for very long, my plan is to start this weekend.

A game

...and a challenge. I LOVE reading your comments! And if it weren't for that feedjit tracker, I'd think nobody reads my blog. Some of you are telling me that you'd like to leave comments, but you can't for whatever reason. Oh yes you can! Click on the comment link (I know you read this! Feel free to leave a comment by clicking here) below, and it'll bring you to a new screen. Then, type in the text box what you want to say. Below the box, where it says "Choose an identity," click on anonymous. That way you don't have to sign up for a google (blogspot is run through google) account. Remember to include your name in the text box though so I know who you are!

Now let's give it a try. Colin's 4 month check-up is tomorrow (oh joy...more shots). Guess his "height" and weight. Closest guess gets bragging rights! Get your guesses in by tomorrow (Wed.) night, and I'll post the "answers" on Thursday.

These are his stats from his 2 month appointment.
Weight: 12 lbs, 12 oz = 75th percentile

Height: 23 inches = 50th percentile.

I'll give you a hint...I took him in for his eczema when he was 3 months old, and he weighed 14 lbs, 4 oz with his (cloth) diaper and clothes on. We didn't measure his height, though.

Guess by leaving a comment :) And go.

What a difference a year makes!

I thought I was so on top of the game and that I wasn't going to miss this anniversary, but I did! On August 13, 2008, (not the 16th as I had thought all along...) we found out we were expecting. Our little family that looked like this...

5 weeks pregnant at Justin and Jen's wedding, with Colin the zygote:
Now looks like this...
Colin approaching 4 months old at Kevin's cousin, Jamie, and Katie's wedding yesterday:

who, by the way, can now "officially" do this!:

I forgot one thing...

...on my labor/post-partum list. It's very important.
#11. Huge granny panties. The bigger, the better. If "bikini" is on the package, it's too skimpy. If they cover your belly button, you're golden. Something like these...That's L-Dawg, B, and me at Country Fest 2006, I believe. And that is the biggest pair of skivvies our group found, thanks to K-mom!

Because Colin is cuter than pizza...

Colin and I were in Rochester last week to visit my parents and to get measured for my bridesmaid dress for my friend Laura's wedding. When we got into town, we had some time to spare before we had to pick my mom up from work, so we stopped by a park.

Toes in the (playground) sand for the first time
Watching kids play on the playground
Watchin' the clouds roll by
He took this one himself
Chillin' in the grass
Self-portrait
Laughing
Perusing the ads with Grandpa J. He picked out a messenger bag for daycare ;)We went downtown to Thursdays on 1st and visited "Auntie Stephie" during her lunch break. Colin is a wiggle worm, and I told Stephie to just hold tight and smile...there's no getting Colin to look at the camera when there are so many people to watch!
And this is at home...enjoying bathtime with Daddy!

A to Z Pizza Farm

On Tuesday, two co-worker friends and I went to A to Z Pizza Farm in Stockholm, WI. It's on a farm in the middle of nowhere (no exaggeration), along dirt roads and close to the Mighty Mississippi. It was a unique experience. Here it is, in pictures:

You need to get there early. They open at 4:30. We got there at 5:10ish. First, you stand in line:Order your pizza from this menu. All of the ingredients are organic and grown on the farm. If you click on the picture, you should be able to see it bigger. We got the "sweet and hot peppers" pizza:
Wait on the lawn. You have to bring your own chairs, table/blanket/cooler, beverages, forks, plates, napkins, etc. In other words, the only thing that is provided is the pizza. Chat and people-watch while......your pizza is made in this shack,and then put in one of two brick ovens.
Go back periodically and check to see if your number is close to being flipped. See the 2 white rectangles above that guy's head? It says 50. We were 135.1 hour and 30 minutes later, you get your pizza. I'll tell ya...it's worth the wait. There's so much to talk about and see, you don't mind at all. You're just anxious to sink your teeth into the tasty goodness is all!Don't forget to take all of your garbage out with you! Yes, even that smelly pizza box. You can bring that back the next time you come to re-use it for your next pizza if you wish.

If you live anywhere even remotely close to Stockholm, you should most definitely go before they close for the season. Bring some friends, a bottle of wine, and enjoy!

Labor/Post-Partum Top Ten List

1. Fitness/exercise ball: We learned in our childbirth prep class that sitting on one will open your cervix. I was a lucky duck and didn't need to use it during labor, but the night (literally, hours...) before Colin was born, I was at a friend's house sitting on hers. I'm wondering if it didn't help speed the process along.2. Tub: Having a water birth was awesome. The warm water helped lessen the intensity of the contractions. Even if you don't want your baby to be born in the water, consider laboring in the tub for a little bit.

3. Popsicles: While I was in the tub, I was offered something to cool off with. My choices were: water, ice chips, or a popsicle. Of course I chose a popsicle, and Midwife said it was a good choice because of the extra calories. I enjoyed that cherry popsicle.
4. Relax: Let your body do the talkin'. I read *part* of a book called Birthing from Within. I found a lot of it to be not my style ("birth art?" no thanks), but it did talk about the importance of letting your body go through its own natural process. Remember...it will be over soon.
5. Supportive husband: Kev didn't do much in terms of talking, counting (actually, nobody counted...), massaging, etc. I seemed to have not needed those things. He was there to support me in the tub (otherwise, I would've floated to the top, even with the 26 extra pounds on me), and he held the ice-cold washcloth on my forehead. It was exactly what I needed. And, of course, after Colin was born, and even to this day, he's a lovely gopher. He doesn't complain one bit.
6. A parents-only visit day: The day Colin was born, we only allowed our parents to visit us in the hospital. It gave us time to get some rest (not sleep...too much adrenaline!), enjoy alone time with our baby, and let everything sink in. Plus, with all the post partum stuff happening, I just felt nasty and didn't want anybody around. Trust me, you won't want people around when you're learning how to breastfeed. The next day, we allowed friends to the hospital. By then, we were ready for some company.
7. Witch hazel: The Tucks pads. These rock. As soon as you're sick of using the humongous ice pack, use the witch hazel. You won't regret it.
8. Baths: I was advised to take 3 baths/day while in the hospital. I took 2/day. As much of a pain it is to do, it really does make you feel better. Then at home, I also tried to take at least 1/day (in addition to a shower), if not 2.

9. Cranberry spritzers: Mix cranberry juice with 8 oz. (the size of the tiny cans) of your favorite lemon-lime soda, and you've got a delightful treat. I'd never had one until Colin was born, and it fast became a favorite. I still make them :)
10. Nursing pads: Just in case your milk comes in while you're at the hospital. They do have some there, but you may need them eventually anyway. What I've been using are:

Playtex disposables:
And these, which are super cute and washable:
Baby O'Really on Etsy (her shop is currently closed)
BabiesMomma on Etsy

Cribs. Who needs 'em? Lactation cookies. Need 'em.

I was in Rochester Wednesday-Thursday visiting my parents. Colin fell asleep on the way home, which is just why I had decided to leave so late (perhaps a little too late...sleepy mom!). When I got home, he was still sleeping peacefully in his car seat, so we decided to leave him in there and put him on the floor in our room, figuring he'd wake up in an hour or two and we'd put him in his crib. Nope. He slept until 5:30. He woke up every once in awhile and moved around a little bit or started making his huffy noises, and we got up to see if he was waking up, but he always went right back to sleep. So...our night wasn't without interruption, but at least we weren't up for long periods of time. When he woke up at 5:30, he got changed, fed, and wanted to play. Then he went back to sleep an hour later (as usual) at 6:30, and has been sleeping ever since, and it's 8:30 right now. It's a rainy day. Perhaps the barometric pressure has something to do with his sleepiness, because it definitely affects the kids at school!

Lactation cookies. My milk supply was drying up so fast it was scary. In the past month or so, I had always been able to pump about 4 oz. from each side. Then it went down to 1 or 2 oz. and I got scared. So I made lactation cookies (basically chocolate chip oatmeal cookies with some flaxseed meal and some nutritional yeast flakes) on Tuesday night. I had 2 that night, 2 for breakfast on Wed., and 2 for lunch. At about 5:00 Wed., I voluntarily let down (Colin was not eating at the time). It took less than 24 hours for that to happen, and ever since, I've been able to pump 4 oz. (or more!) on each side again. I'm not kidding you, people. I didn't eat any of the cookies yesterday or today yet, hoping I can get "regulated" again, but there are a few in the cookie jar, and a lot more in the freezer on stand-by. Here's the recipe, if you're interested. I got it off a cooking blog, she got it off of a cooking website. They really do taste alright...a little dense, but totally, totally edible. And I did use 1/2 c. of butter and 1/2 c. butter flavored Crisco like "Hippy" suggested. And I used a small bag of chocolate chips, plus a little bit of white chocolate chips too. Oh..and they don't make non-lactating people lactate, so don't worry if your husband (wouldn't it be funny if he lactated?!?), daughter, mother, the dog, whomever finds them.

Pregnancy Top Ten Must-Haves/Dos

This is the first installment in a series of "Top Ten" lists. These are things I found most useful/used/helpful during my pregnancy:

1. Belly Band: Keeps the pants up when you're in that "between" stage of not fitting in normal clothes, but also not big enough to buy maternity quite yet. You can walk around with your pants unzipped and nobody knows.

2. Healthy craving: For me, it was oranges. I pretty much had an orange every night from 2nd trimester on. I indulged guilt-free. Glorious. Although, you are not in control of your cravings!3. Comfy pants: Throughout pregnancy, I wore a pair of exercise pants, and later bought a pair of lounge pants from Old Navy. After an entire week of stuffing yourself into work-appropriate pants, these are a real treat on the weekends. They were able to stretch as my belly got bigger, and go back to their "real" size/shape as I got back to mine.
4. Underwear: Get your faves, but in a size bigger. During the 3rd trimester, I'd wake up in the middle of the night because the seams of my underwear were digging into my hips. It seriously hurt. So...a trip to WalMart for my favorite Hanes, and I didn't have any more problems.

5. Pantiliners: From the "snail trail" to all the post-partum "stuff," the bigger the box, the wiser the investment. Trust me, you'll use them all.

6. Jafra Royal Almond Body Oil: I used to sell Jafra (and by "used to," I mean technically I still do, but the only customer I have is my mom), and had heard that rubbing this on your growing belly keeps the stretch marks away. So I did it...and no stretch marks! Coincidence? Maybe. We'll never know. I'm just glad I gave it a whirl. It helped with the skin itching as well. If you want some, let me know and I'll hook you up, or point you in the direction of someone else who can.
7. Jolly Ranchers: Being a teacher, there was no sitting at my desk feeling like poo. No siree, I had to buck up and pretend like there wasn't a little boy growing inside of me who, despite our love for each other, was making me feel like I had to vomit. Jolly Ranchers were a great quick fix until I could eat a real snack/meal.
8. Snacks: Keep them in your desk, your purse, your car... Frequent snacking kept the nausea away as well. I chose granola bars and crackers.

9. Ginger Ale: Again...the nausea. I became a fan of the Ale.
10. A husband who doesn't go the store when you say, "fetch me some brownies, boy!": Trust me, you'll thank him. If you really want brownies/cupcakes/doughnuts/etc. badly enough, you'll get in the car and get them yourself. If you don't want to do it yourself, then you don't want them bad enough.

Hungry, hungry hippo

Colin used to be a "small, frequent meals" type of guy. Now he's a "large, frequent meals" type of guy.

I'm not so sure I can keep up with this, but I will try my darndest! We have already broken into the freezer stash the past few evenings because he has gotten all he can from nursing and is still hungry.

I don't mind that he wants to eat more in the evenings, because a) it *might* mean he will sleep longer at night, and b) when we start rice cereal--possibly in a few weeks--his evening meal would be a GREAT time to introduce it if he's so hungry at that time!

He's growing so fast. It'll be interesting to see what he weighs at his appointment in 2 weeks. He's at least 14 lbs. Probably 15ish by now. Which means we need new diapers. Which means--shopping! And this is the age when apparently the "sized" cloth diapers are starting to be a good investment because they can wear them for awhile. So I'm waiting for my fave etsy shop to stock up on diapers (hopefully soon!). I bought only 12 prefolds in the next size, with a few new covers, including this one from mommy's touch. It's called "moo!!" (Do you see why I love to cloth diaper?)
I'm thinking we should invest in some fitted cloth diapers because he's such a wiggle worm, and it's getting harder and harder to put prefolds on him. Fitteds need covers, thus the super cute print above ;) Plus...I admittedly stink at putting on prefolds, and Colin's explosive poos bust out of my diaper jobs. Kev is WAY better at diapering than I. He knows it, I know it, and that's why he's the one who changes diapers if he's home to do it! Whatta guy :)