Christian turned 6 months old the day after Thanksgiving. He's been really into playing on his tummy and sitting up better with some support. He has shown some signs up moving his legs up into the "crawling" position...it's only a matter of time! Christian's 6 month appointment isn't for another week and half but last week he had a double ear infection and he weight 22 lbs and 10 oz. We moved him out of his infant carrier the beginning of November. That has proved to be challenging at times - as he can't sit completely on his own! My first experience grocery shopping was less than desirable with him out of the carrier with two kids "free"! I don't think I've done it since!
Christian had his first taste of beans. Let's just say he did not like them on his first feeding, but he kept on eating them. Finally, as he was gagging, I said enough! :) But tonight, at his 2nd feeding of them he tolerated them much better! He also had his first taste of bananas at breakfast. He did okay with them, not great - tomorrow we'll try again!
I'm giving a shot at making our own baby food. It's been easy so far - a little time consuming, but not bad. and WAY cheaper. I had no background knowledge at all - so through pinterest, goodle, facebook and asking around I'm figuring it out. I wish we had a deep freeze however. I like to make meals and freeze them, but with my garden harvest, meals, regular freezer food and baby food in the freezer we're getting tight in there.
Most people describe Christian as a happy baby. The past 3 days have not been that. He's been fussy, unpredictable and needy. Is he over his ear infection, is he teething....we can't keep him happy. Hoping he's back to his normal self soon!
So, you remember the whole 180 days thing that a child in Iowa has to be in the adoptive families home before the child is legally theirs? Well, that ended on Monday, the 19th...the day I celebrated by getting a root canal. ICK. We've had our 6 month post placement visit with our social worker, submitted our post placement information and are awaiting a court date and all necessary paperwork to get passed between our attorney's office and the adoption agency. Once again, it's a waiting game, it's out of our control. We are hoping & praying that we can finalize in December. There is adoption tax credit money that we would like to secure this year. If we don't finalize in 2012, then who knows what the government will decide about the tax credit in 2013. We'd also just like to be done with this aspect of adoption.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
5 months old
October 23, Christian is 5 months old. I think he has now gone a month where we won't put him in a larger clothing or diaper size! He's hit his plateau. I don't think he's grown too much, but he has changed. Christian had his first taste of cereal and seems to like it! He cut two teeth the day after he turned 4 months. He hasn't shown signs of any more teeth yet.
Christian loves his bath! He is a huge leg stomper when laying in his crib, on the changing table or in the bath. He creates large splashes and just laughs!
Christian loves his bath! He is a huge leg stomper when laying in his crib, on the changing table or in the bath. He creates large splashes and just laughs!
Monday, September 24, 2012
4 months old
Sunday, September 23, Christian is 4 months old.
At his 4 month appointment Christian had an ear infection. We had no clue! He had a low grade temp at the dr. office and sure enough. So immunizations didn't happen that day. He weighed in at 21 lbs and 5 oz. and was 27.5 inches long. 100th percentile across the board. He's a big boy, that's what everyone says. Pretty much everyone says that he's going to be a football player...how come that's what everyone says and not "he's going to be an account or preacher or plumber or teacher...whatever his talents are we hope that we can develop his gifts and encourage him and support him in all he does.
Whatever the case may be, he's wearing 12 month clothes (some 9 months, maybe an occasional 6 month if it's "big"), wearing size 3 diapers. He eats a lot and sleeps well at night, but not good naps.
Christian likes to go for stroller rides, watching Jacob, reading books and smiling.
At his 4 month appointment Christian had an ear infection. We had no clue! He had a low grade temp at the dr. office and sure enough. So immunizations didn't happen that day. He weighed in at 21 lbs and 5 oz. and was 27.5 inches long. 100th percentile across the board. He's a big boy, that's what everyone says. Pretty much everyone says that he's going to be a football player...how come that's what everyone says and not "he's going to be an account or preacher or plumber or teacher...whatever his talents are we hope that we can develop his gifts and encourage him and support him in all he does.
Whatever the case may be, he's wearing 12 month clothes (some 9 months, maybe an occasional 6 month if it's "big"), wearing size 3 diapers. He eats a lot and sleeps well at night, but not good naps.
Christian likes to go for stroller rides, watching Jacob, reading books and smiling.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
crisp, fall air at the apple orchard
We have not fallen off the face of the earth, even though at times it has totally felt like it the past 3 months being away from the blog!
I had been doing a pretty good job of keeping up with secret posts that I would publish after finalization, but that hasn't happened either. Hope I can catch that up.
Last Saturday the family ventured to an orchard near Sioux Falls for some apple picking fun. Last year we missed out on the picking as the trees has been picked out. We didn't want to miss out this year, so we headed up earlier. It was a fabulous fall day, crisp air in the morning that turned warm in the afternoon. We picked 2 bags - the Haralred variety and the Cortland (my favorite apart from the Honey Crisp which wasn't ready yet). We've enjoyed lots of apples during snacks and meal times this week as well as an apple pie.
It was a great day other than the fact that "Stompy" is lost in the orchard. "Stompy" is a dinosaur that Jacob wanted to take along. I agreed reluctantly, knowing his "drop things and have no clue where they are" history...well..."Stompy" is there. He's quite sad about it, so DO NOT bring it up to Jacob. He was super sad about it at breakfast this morning - over a week later. SIGH. Poor Stompy.
I want to draw your attention to a picture that was taken back in October 2009...Jacob was 14 months old. He wearing the same overalls that Christian is wearing in the photo above...at 3 months! Yes yes, my baby is wearing 9-12 month clothes at 3 months old! sniff, sniff.
Hopefully it will not be another 3 months before the next post. But, no promises!
I had been doing a pretty good job of keeping up with secret posts that I would publish after finalization, but that hasn't happened either. Hope I can catch that up.
Last Saturday the family ventured to an orchard near Sioux Falls for some apple picking fun. Last year we missed out on the picking as the trees has been picked out. We didn't want to miss out this year, so we headed up earlier. It was a fabulous fall day, crisp air in the morning that turned warm in the afternoon. We picked 2 bags - the Haralred variety and the Cortland (my favorite apart from the Honey Crisp which wasn't ready yet). We've enjoyed lots of apples during snacks and meal times this week as well as an apple pie.
It was a great day other than the fact that "Stompy" is lost in the orchard. "Stompy" is a dinosaur that Jacob wanted to take along. I agreed reluctantly, knowing his "drop things and have no clue where they are" history...well..."Stompy" is there. He's quite sad about it, so DO NOT bring it up to Jacob. He was super sad about it at breakfast this morning - over a week later. SIGH. Poor Stompy.
Stompy enjoying his ride out to the orchard...
Stompy's territory. If you can find this location back at the Orchard, it's got to be where he's at!!! The 2nd to last row of Haralred's at the edge of that part of the orchard, near a tree that had a very low branch...see picture below - low enough for Jacob to pick at his height!
So, so precious!
I want to draw your attention to a picture that was taken back in October 2009...Jacob was 14 months old. He wearing the same overalls that Christian is wearing in the photo above...at 3 months! Yes yes, my baby is wearing 9-12 month clothes at 3 months old! sniff, sniff.
Hopefully it will not be another 3 months before the next post. But, no promises!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
12 weeks = back to work
Well, today marks the unofficial end to my no strings attached summer. I mean...wait...I have been more tied down than ever before this summer. What I mean is, today was my last day to sleep in (props to my baby who also likes to sleep in and Jacob who is not a super early riser also). I think I made my goal of showering/getting dressed before noon every day.
Christian turns 12 weeks old tomorrow. After 12 weeks I am 'ready' to go back to work...if only my going back to work was as simple as stepping in the door and getting back to work. After 12 full weeks of being home every single day taking care of 2 boys, laundry, cleaning, cooking, shopping, making phone calls for repairs, living some days without our A/C, a microwave... now I'm going to take care of 14 kids and do all of that stuff (YIKES!). I have been working in my classroom for about 3-4 weeks already and I'm not finished. My room takes the longest to set-up and put away and when you add on two little 'helpers' you can only imagine. No, really, you couldn't. It's nearly impossible to get things accomplished with both of them with me at school, but for some reason, I keep taking them back. Evidently I don't learn my lesson too quickly or I have this high level of stress and even if I get a measly two things accomplished, I guess it's something. But what else am I suppose to do with the two little dudes?
I love summer and hotness and this has been a great summer to be a summer lover. However, I feel like I totally missed the boat on all of it. It makes me sad. I love my boys, but it's hard. Not that anyone said it was going to be easy, but it's been way harder than I ever thought it would be. I had a stack of books I wanted to read, ice cream to eat in the sun, and things for myself to do. Instead, it's been a summer of everyone else. Between Nate's work schedule that is different every week and includes some nights and now weekends, any chance for me to schedule appointments or activities for myself are non existent. I tried to take Jacob to the pool when we could or for as long as CJ would tolerate it. I do not know how full time stay at home moms do it (they don't have the stress of trying to get their work done while at home, I guess that would help!) Which brings me to good reason that 2 kids is plenty for this momma. Yes, this is a season and you're suppose to sit back and enjoy it 'cause someone once told me they grow up all too fast and you'll miss these days. That's probably true. However, I won't miss the days of screaming, crying, poop oozing from diapers.
Christian turns 12 weeks old tomorrow. After 12 weeks I am 'ready' to go back to work...if only my going back to work was as simple as stepping in the door and getting back to work. After 12 full weeks of being home every single day taking care of 2 boys, laundry, cleaning, cooking, shopping, making phone calls for repairs, living some days without our A/C, a microwave... now I'm going to take care of 14 kids and do all of that stuff (YIKES!). I have been working in my classroom for about 3-4 weeks already and I'm not finished. My room takes the longest to set-up and put away and when you add on two little 'helpers' you can only imagine. No, really, you couldn't. It's nearly impossible to get things accomplished with both of them with me at school, but for some reason, I keep taking them back. Evidently I don't learn my lesson too quickly or I have this high level of stress and even if I get a measly two things accomplished, I guess it's something. But what else am I suppose to do with the two little dudes?
I love summer and hotness and this has been a great summer to be a summer lover. However, I feel like I totally missed the boat on all of it. It makes me sad. I love my boys, but it's hard. Not that anyone said it was going to be easy, but it's been way harder than I ever thought it would be. I had a stack of books I wanted to read, ice cream to eat in the sun, and things for myself to do. Instead, it's been a summer of everyone else. Between Nate's work schedule that is different every week and includes some nights and now weekends, any chance for me to schedule appointments or activities for myself are non existent. I tried to take Jacob to the pool when we could or for as long as CJ would tolerate it. I do not know how full time stay at home moms do it (they don't have the stress of trying to get their work done while at home, I guess that would help!) Which brings me to good reason that 2 kids is plenty for this momma. Yes, this is a season and you're suppose to sit back and enjoy it 'cause someone once told me they grow up all too fast and you'll miss these days. That's probably true. However, I won't miss the days of screaming, crying, poop oozing from diapers.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
9 weeks old
July 19-25
Well, the straw that broke the camels back finally happened, well, it happened earlier, but finally did something about it. On the 20th, things were still not going well down the feeding path. I finally called into the clinic to talk to a nurse to discuss our feeding dilemma, who could talk to the doctor to see if what I was thinking was over the top, normal, not normal and what steps should be taken next.
So here were our issues we were facing...screaming - cannot comfort the little guy after feedings, gas, runny/dark green-black poop, short naps, not much of a spitter (so that wasn't an issue)...prolonged time period that this had been going on. This made it hard to leave the house, for anything...I got groceries at 10:15 at night this week - probably half asleep, but anything was better than taking the boys when one is whining for things on the shelf and the other is whining for his tummy hurts. So, in just over 8 weeks we are on our 3rd formula and ironically, 3rd size of diapers! I think on the 19th, Christian used his last size 1 diaper and we are now solely in 2's (he had been using 2's at night because he'd been peeing through...and even some times he's pee through a size 2 huggie, but hasn't peed through a size 2 pampers yet!)
Since the switch in formula that occurred Friday evening, life has seemed better. The screaming fits are gone, his naps are longer, his poop seems more normal...I'm thankful! No, really, this child is a different child now. It's true.
Having this issue resolved (hopefully for good) sure made cheering Nate on in his half marathon easier! The boys and I raced ahead of him several times around his route! It was fun to see him at different points, I could tell at mile 11 he was tired. Those hills around there are crazy! Nothing like what we have here as most of his training was on quite flat terrain. He ran it in 2:00:40! Quite an accomplishment for sure. We were able to enjoy the scenery around the Okoboji area Friday evening and Saturday afternoon as a family. We were all pretty tired when we got home Saturday night. Then Sunday morning I woke up with a fever. I was down for the count for 2 days and still pretty slow going on Tuesday. Now it's turned into this weird sinus drainage/cough/headache.
On Monday, Christian turned 2 months old! I can't say he really did anything monumental on that day...well, mainly because I didn't see him hardly at all. I have noticed him staring at his fists a lot lately. He enjoys his swing, play mat, stroller rides, getting his feet and legs wet at the pool (when it's not scorching out!) I refuse to take him when it's above 95ish. So we've spent a lot of time indoors this summer. We try to hit up the pool in the evening, it's not as busy, still hot and then we have a 1:1 ratio with children/parents. He smiles a lot and coos. He does not like my coughs though! He doesn't really hold a rattle on his own, we've tried to force it on his hand, but it doesn't last long. He is currently laying on his play mat where toys hang down and he's reaching out for them and making them move.
He had his two month appointment where he weighed in at 16 lbs and 9 oz! He is 24 inches long. He is in the 100th percentile for weight and 87th for height, his head circumference is also in the 100th! Yes, he's a big boy! He wears mostly 6 month clothes and some 9 month. He will probably outgrow his car seat by 6 months old!
Happy 9 weeks old dear sweet one!
Well, the straw that broke the camels back finally happened, well, it happened earlier, but finally did something about it. On the 20th, things were still not going well down the feeding path. I finally called into the clinic to talk to a nurse to discuss our feeding dilemma, who could talk to the doctor to see if what I was thinking was over the top, normal, not normal and what steps should be taken next.
So here were our issues we were facing...screaming - cannot comfort the little guy after feedings, gas, runny/dark green-black poop, short naps, not much of a spitter (so that wasn't an issue)...prolonged time period that this had been going on. This made it hard to leave the house, for anything...I got groceries at 10:15 at night this week - probably half asleep, but anything was better than taking the boys when one is whining for things on the shelf and the other is whining for his tummy hurts. So, in just over 8 weeks we are on our 3rd formula and ironically, 3rd size of diapers! I think on the 19th, Christian used his last size 1 diaper and we are now solely in 2's (he had been using 2's at night because he'd been peeing through...and even some times he's pee through a size 2 huggie, but hasn't peed through a size 2 pampers yet!)
Since the switch in formula that occurred Friday evening, life has seemed better. The screaming fits are gone, his naps are longer, his poop seems more normal...I'm thankful! No, really, this child is a different child now. It's true.
Having this issue resolved (hopefully for good) sure made cheering Nate on in his half marathon easier! The boys and I raced ahead of him several times around his route! It was fun to see him at different points, I could tell at mile 11 he was tired. Those hills around there are crazy! Nothing like what we have here as most of his training was on quite flat terrain. He ran it in 2:00:40! Quite an accomplishment for sure. We were able to enjoy the scenery around the Okoboji area Friday evening and Saturday afternoon as a family. We were all pretty tired when we got home Saturday night. Then Sunday morning I woke up with a fever. I was down for the count for 2 days and still pretty slow going on Tuesday. Now it's turned into this weird sinus drainage/cough/headache. 
On Monday, Christian turned 2 months old! I can't say he really did anything monumental on that day...well, mainly because I didn't see him hardly at all. I have noticed him staring at his fists a lot lately. He enjoys his swing, play mat, stroller rides, getting his feet and legs wet at the pool (when it's not scorching out!) I refuse to take him when it's above 95ish. So we've spent a lot of time indoors this summer. We try to hit up the pool in the evening, it's not as busy, still hot and then we have a 1:1 ratio with children/parents. He smiles a lot and coos. He does not like my coughs though! He doesn't really hold a rattle on his own, we've tried to force it on his hand, but it doesn't last long. He is currently laying on his play mat where toys hang down and he's reaching out for them and making them move.
He had his two month appointment where he weighed in at 16 lbs and 9 oz! He is 24 inches long. He is in the 100th percentile for weight and 87th for height, his head circumference is also in the 100th! Yes, he's a big boy! He wears mostly 6 month clothes and some 9 month. He will probably outgrow his car seat by 6 months old!
Happy 9 weeks old dear sweet one!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
8 weeks
July 12-18
This is the morning that Christian woke up today, July 12th, after he slept all night long!!!! HOORAY!!! What an amazing feat! We are proud of you big fella! The entire eating 8 oz per feeding has certainly helped this out I believe.
This week we battled Jacob being sick Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday. We did not do much. We stayed home and washed hands a lot.
Happy 8 weeks old little CJ!
This is the morning that Christian woke up today, July 12th, after he slept all night long!!!! HOORAY!!! What an amazing feat! We are proud of you big fella! The entire eating 8 oz per feeding has certainly helped this out I believe.
You LOVE the swing! I'm glad you like it, because you won't nap in your crib. I think in your 8 weeks of life, you have taken one nap in your crib that has last more than an hour...it was a 3 hour one! So, we typically try the crib first, and if it doesn't go, we do the swing. It bothers me, but not that much, because he sleeps his entire night in the crib. I also think it helps his tummy because he's a bit more snug in the swing and bent - helps that gas get pushed out?
This is a 6-12 month onesie! Yikes boy! We got this as a gift and it's funny. Just don't let it go to your head.
Enjoying some Sunday afternoon lounge around time! We typically flock to the baby. Look at these shades of blue in these eyes!
This week we battled Jacob being sick Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday. We did not do much. We stayed home and washed hands a lot.
Happy 8 weeks old little CJ!
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