Pee!

 

He peepeed on the toilet tonight!

After running around the house naked while I ran his bath, he left three puddles.  I caught him in the middle of one and told him peepee goes in the potty, scooped him up, and sat him down.  He then did his usual of checking out the penis and tightening up the stomach muscles and squeezing out some pee.  But this time on the toilet!

This isn't the official start of training, or is it?  I've got the gear.  I've read the books.  I'm watching his cues.  I just am not ready quite yet.  I have been looking over the calendar but am yet to mark an official start date.  Almost.

First (professional) haircut

Don't mind the Mama's hair.

I took scissors to Freddie's mullet a few months ago.  It was just one snip and did a world of good. Today though he got to visit with Andrea for the real deal, smock and all.  Unless you're his mama you probably can't tell he's had a cut.  It's not exactly "high and tight" but the flips around his ears are gone and he's got a nice little shape in the back and along the front.  He certainly looks more boy than baby to me now.

He was interested in the scissors and what was going on.  He was patient, for the most part, although he kept trying to see what was going with the scissors behind him.  Not a tear, either.

He is pretty content in the salon.  All bottles of shampoo remained on the shelf and only a tad of color dripped on his head.  He made the rounds, watched the ladies getting color, and paid particular attention to the extensions being put in.  Pretty fascinating stuff. 

My boy likes salons...and he's got this thing for shoes lately. Interesting.

Baby in the King Cake

Only one family photo today. Wish I had taken more.

Happy Mardi Gras, y'all.

More after our nap.

First Steps

He did it! He left my hands and was able to string together 4 steps to get to his Daddy. Just like that; he was a lot steadier than I imagined he'd be, as if he's been walking for weeks.


He giggled and back he came to me, and then to Daddy, and then back again, grinning from ear to ear....as were we.

Freddie's First Christmas

You started your day digging in Gammie's cabinet.

Mama didn't take any pictures today, but I think that's a sign of a good day, filled with chasing you around.


We spent lots of time cuddling too. You are such a love.


You got lots of goodies: books, toys, a bike seat, and a helmet.


You were into the books.


The helmet? Not so much.


Your mama is a real skier now with fancy new skis and boots. We're off to the mountains and I cannot wait to get you into the snow.

Christmas: Part I

Since we'll be out of town for Christmas day and there are a few gifts under the tree for Bug we decided to start spending some time over the next week unwrapping.


He was *very* interested in tearing off the wrapping paper.


Sometimes it was large pieces at a time, but a good bit of it was his precise placement of his tiny little fingers on the edge of the paper and taking just a small piece at a time.


He knew exactly what to do when he saw his gift from Santa.


Music video release date pending, but you know it's coming!

Freddie's First Halloween

Love this family photo.
Forgot to take some of Freddie by himself.

Ford and Meredith had everyone over and we finally got to meet Baby Trey.

Freddie was decked in his chicken costume and we were thankful for the "fall" weather because it is quite the bundle. Charlie and I dug out some outfits of Mardi Gras past. I planned on just a black dress for the evening, but Charlie insisted that dress up. We are just that kind of family, he reminded. Thankfully the costume box had something easy that still buttoned up. Love the costume box.

Tomorrow I'll hit some sales in search of costumes for Mardi Gras and just good deals to add to the costume box. We are trying to plan some "family" themed costumes for the future, but I need to plan far in advance.

Freddie's First Hornets' Game

Opening night for the Hornets'. Where else would you expect us to be?

The boy must love basketball because he LOVED the Hornets' game. It didn't start until after his bedtime, and he was up far beyond his bedtime but was *happy* all night. We have aisle seats, and just like his mama, he liked watching everyone walk by, checking out their cocktails, dates, shoes. He's quite interested in it all.

Hornets' games are far better than Saints' games because of all the music. Freddie was wiggling and bouncing to the beat for hours. I have taken note and will get the music going at home more often.

We stayed until the 4th quarter, beat the crowd out of the arena, and the Hornets' won. It's going to be a good season for us.

First Beach Trip

Sand doesn't taste so good

• Pensacola, Florida
• Sandy toes
• Sandy hair
• Sandy mouth
• Sandy diapers
• Long walk
• Collecting seashells
• Peg Leg Pete's
• Love for whip cream off the top of key lime pie
• Sweet eyes at everyone around
• New favorite: yogurt!
• Snuggling in the king sized bed
• Watching the surf from the balcony
• Hobie sailing on the sound
• Toes in the waves
• Sun kissed cheeks
• Sea salt kisses
  

Tooth!

Make that TEETH!

We have been waiting for them to arrive as his bottom gums have had a sliver of white on top with the teeth sitting right beneath. This morning one sharp tooth had made its way through. And by this afternoon the other bottom tooth has also broken loose.

His tongue has been working overtime running along the top of his gums, over and over and over. No pictures yet but by Thursday's weekly update he's got to let me into his mouth with the camera.

Freddie's First Saints' Game

Well, more than it being Freddie's first game, it was our first game as parents. As much progress as we have made in parenting, we were "schooled" today for sure.


I'll keep it simple:

• One super cute family decked in Saints' gear
• No nap, all day
• Torrential downpour walking to the game (frizzy hair and wet feet but a dry baby under the umbrella)
• Gave him a salty giant pretzel in an effort to occupy him. Yummy salt!
  
• Bouts of tears as a reaction to The Daddy's extreme emotion
• Teether dropped on the sticky Dome floor, wipe off, and stuck back into the mouth
• Explosive diaper changed on the concourse
• Peeing all over during diaper change (this is the first time in a long time for this, but I would expect that he'd have to do it here!)

• Bottle of freshly pumped breastmilk spilled in diaper bag as lid wasn't on tightly
• Neither The Mama or The Daddy checked to make sure there was a nipple on the bottle
• Breast feeding session in the handicapped stall of the restroom since the bottle has no nipple on it
  
• Standing in the stall nursing for a LONG time as The Bug is very distracted by the announcer calling plays through the bathroom speakers.

• Might as well be nursing in a bar because everyone smokes in the bathrooms.
• Women outside the stall imply that the lady taking so long in the handicapped stall is smoking, to which The Mama shouts out, "Lady, I'm in here breastfeeding." Bathroom goes silent.
• Plans for a family photo scrapped. All pictures are taken with the phone, as I am too involved entertaining The Bug to dig out the camera.
  
• The noise level on touchdown runs scares The Bug, along with his not quite understanding his father's intense display of emotion. The Saints had an unusually high number of touchdown drives.
• Mesmerized by the Southern Band half time performance and got "jiggy" when "Halftime" played at each kickoff
  
• Lots of giggles and smiles at the fans behind us.

• Inhaled the boozie breath of Uncle Lee but really enjoyed his silly faces.
  
• We finally gave in and left at the end of the third quarter.
• A worn out family made their way back to the car, wondering if we just subjected our sleep deprived kid to child abuse.
  
• We'll do better next time. I promise, Bug. But just in case, I am calling up Stephanie, babysitter extraordinaire, to see if she is up to coming over on game day, for her mere $10/hour fee.
  

Bug Goes to the Aquarium

This afternoon headed to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. Jenny and Cassidy joined us for an hour of fish viewing.


We got a membership to the zoo and aquarium, and I figured the aquarium traffic would be lighter this weekend with school being back in session. Turns out I was wrong...still pretty crowded. I suppose I may have to take more weekday trips. I am especially looking forward to weekday mornings at the zoo when the weather cools.

I opted for the carrier rather than the stroller since it wasn't going to be a marathon visit. That worked out perfectly. Bug loved kicking his legs and being able to see everything. It was also easy to maneuver through the crowd with him strapped in.


I loved walking with Bug though the "tunnel" at the entrance where the fish are overhead for the first time. His head immediately went back so he could check out everything above us, and frantically kicked his legs. Wished I could have seen his face.

But my favorite part of the day was walking to and from the aquarium. Bug was in a great mood and flashed his smile to each and every person we passed. I love the way everyone softens when they lay eyes on him. They can't help but smile back at him.


Inside the aquarium it was a little too crowded for him to really engage anyone in particular, and there was so much to look at and listen too. The feet were going just about constantly and he "chatted" with me a bit as he looked at the exhibits and watched all of the children running around.

The Mama enjoyed being out and about with The Bug. It was also great to take some time to chat and visit with a friend. Thanks fr joining us, girls!

All grown up

Yesterday, in the Chicago airport.

Last night Bug slept in his crib. For the very first time. My boy's all grown up.

He's really too big for the cosleeper and he'd really be more comfortable in a bigger space. Maybe he'd get better sleep if he wasn't in our room. Maybe I'd get better sleep if he wasn't in our room. Maybe it'd be easier for Charlie to take some of the night shift if he wasn't in our room. Maybe it'd be easier for me to let Charlie take the night shift if he wasn't in our room. All makes sense, but in the end, no one slept well last night.

We agreed upon a plan beforehand so we weren't making judgements in the heat of the moment, with that moment being in a sleep deprived delirium in the dark:

1. Charlie puts him down after his last nursing.
2. We'd sleep with the monitor on (just in case I couldn't hear him 2 rooms away).
   
3. Charlie attempts to console him and is to return him to the crib once he is calmed.
4. Repeat for 30 minutes.
5. If no success call in the big guns: the boob.

Of the 3 times he woke, the plan worked like a charm once, with him being soothed with some Daddy cuddles. The other two times we didn't make it to step 4. We had to go from 3 to 5 because he was inconsolable.

I am really thinking he's waking because he is hungry and not just because he needs soothing. I know it's anyone's guess but he wakes up every 3-4 hours like clockwork no matter what time he goes down, nurses vigorously on both sides, and then goes right back to sleep. He also isn't nursing well during the day, finding too much else to do other than eat. He's highly distractible and would far prefer to giggle at me, gaze around the room, or examine my freckles than nurse during the daytime hours.

I was happy to see his little grin this morning when Charlie plopped him in our bed at 6:45. He was no worse for the wear. Funny thing is that the hours that he was sleeping I was tossing and turning and look over at the new view from my side of the bed with the cosleeper gone. The moonlight still shone in the window above the bed, but I missed examining his long curled lashes.

I want him to sleep in his crib, but I want him to sleep next to me too. How is that?

Freddie's First Cereal

Charlie videoed the entire event but I've edited to just include a few highlights.

Yum!

I think he liked it. Well, he didn't hate it. He did a lot better than I thought he would, eating the entire serving of one tablespoon rice cereal and two tablespoons warm breastmilk.

We gave it a whirl at Gammie and Pudge's house so he had quite the audience, so maybe he was just performing.

He had a full, full tummy and DID NOT sleep any longer. We're going to keep it up in the evenings for a while and starting thinking about what to add next. Can't wait to discover your likes a dislikes, Bug.

Rolling, rolling, rolling...

Fresh over, about to scream!

On Saturday Bug rolled from tummy to back. I didn't see it but Charlie vouched for him. And then he did it again on Monday for me. During tummy time we're working on push ups. He'll relax one arm and roll in that direction. I'm not quite sure if it is intentional, but it gets a good smile out of him.

What he's really working on is rolling from back to tummy. This is what keeps the two of us up all night. He's pulling out all the stops, manipulating both feet to push off of anything that's around, and now he's figured that grabbing on to the sheet or the edge of the play mat and pulling himself over helps.

Yesterday he did it and rolled, to the right, from back to tummy. But he was not too happy about it. He was stuck lying with his arm underneath him face down on the mat. Roll him over, and he did it again.

Today he's up to more of the same, making himself angry each time but going back to it when I roll him back over. He'll figure it out eventually. That's what he's got that big head for, right?

Bug in Flight

Freddie took his first airplane trip this weekend. We left on Friday morning on a 6 am flight and returned home Sunday evening. We went to Oklahoma City for the weekend to visit GG and Aunt Mary. He did great in flight with minimal fussing.

His parents did well too, managing to get everything through security without bickering, changing diapers in public restrooms, and some in flight nursing. Airports make Charlie's stress level run high and I tend to be on another planet with so many interesting people to watch, but this trip we focused and made out just fine. I am also getting better with nursing in public but with Bug enjoying his food so much, slurping and kicking his feet frantically, it can be difficult to be discreet.

While I usually have 2 bulging carry-ons, I stuck to the diaper bag. I knew there'd be no opportunity to use my computer, jot notes, or read a book. But I should get better about fitting my big camera in the diaper bag and then maybe I'd be better about taking pictures.

My only picture: Bug, Charlie, and GG

We also kept baby gear to a minimum, only taking the car seat, stroller, baby bjorn, and the travel crib. I must say that the Bjorn travel crib is a fantastic piece of baby travel gear, easy set up and breakdown. It literally takes 30 seconds to set it up and 30 seconds to pack it up. I highly recommend it for travelling parents. It is pricey, but worth it.

Even though we brought the crib and set it up, Bug slept between us in the bed. I wanted some family snuggles and we had room in the king sized bed.

One thing we've decided we need is a little stroller for travel. Next time we'll check the car seat and have a stroller that folds easily that Bug can be strapped right in to.

And I suppose schlepping Bug all over town with me paid off because he didn't seem out of sorts on the trip. He just went with it all.

The idea of travel with Bug was a little scary but now I can now plan trips with confidence.

I left him

Today Freddie stayed at the childcare center at the gym. Our gym membership includes childcare and I figured it would be a good first step in transitioning towards having babysitters and other caretakers.

Daddy and I had a racquetball court reserved for 4:00pm so I reserved a spot for Freddie beginning at 3:30pm. Wouldn't you know upon my arrival the girl kindly pointed out that both Freddie and I were covered in poop. Poop on his leg, his outfit, my shirt. First public blow out requiring a change for the both of us was not supposed to happen along with my first time leaving him, but I remained calm and changed him and luckily Daddy had a shirt for me to use in his gym bag. I had no idea I should be carrying a clean shirt for myself in the diaper bag as well. So much stuff. It's a wonder people take babies out of the house.

We managed to get in an hour on the court and a swig of a cold soda afterwards before the childcare center was calling because Freddie was "a little fussy." I could hear him over the phone. He wasn't being a "little" fussy but I knew what she meant....come get this kid, now! Poor guy was screaming his head off and didn't seem to care that I pointed out the other babies sitting in the bouncy seats sucking pacifiers and completely content to look around the room.

He was fine. Tired and probably hungry, but fine. Maybe it would be better to stick him in there in the morning when he's a little more predictable but we'll give it a few more shots in the evening before giving in and creating a new plan.

I was fine too, poop and all. I only checked my cell phone 3 times to make sure I had a signal and the ringer was on, and I didn't feel overly anxious when I saw the number pop up on the phone.

We're getting our money's worth out of this gym membership with Freddie's pool time, my exercise time, and my babysteps in leaving him in childcare and learning baby care on the go.

Bug's First Day at the Pool

In the locker room

I know you can't tell from the photo, but Bug LOVED the pool. He is so very tired in the picture after 1.5 hours in the water. He actually took an almost 2 hour nap after we left, something that is unheard of from him.

After searching for just the right swim diaper for Bug and a mommy suit for me we were finally able to get to the pool today. It was a stormy day, so we waited for the rain to slack off to make a dash for the car. The rain and the start of summer vacation meant the indoor pools were a little crowded and Bug got lots and lots of attention. The white haired ladies doing their aqua aerobics had lots of stories about their grandchildren to share with Bug and me.

He was so stimulated in a new place with so many voices and sounds. The tone inside was a new sound for him with the "echo"iness of the room with the pools. He was also getting that tongue out to test the salty water (the pools are saline rather than chlorinated).

He did more floating than the kicking and splashing he does in the tub. He wanted to be on his back, and was happy to turn his head from side to side to partially submerge his face. I think I'll have to peek in on the "water babies" swim class to get some ideas of what to do with him and to build up my courage to get his face underwater! Hoping there will be a swim class in August when he is old enough (6 months) to attend.

It is quite a bit of work getting us suited up and in the pool as well as dried off and back in the car, but I'm getting used to that "everything takes lots of time and stuff" routine. That I can manage. I still haven't thought out a clear plan for when the swim diaper leaks after a blowout.

Freddie's First Jazzfest!

Freddie's first Jazzfest has been a success so far. We made it each day this first weekend, and enjoyed every minute.


Of course there was lots of stuff to be hauled in, which isn't atypical for a day with Charlie, but with Freddie, we seemed to have even more to bring.


The jog stroller made a nice spot for him to nap and it was also perfect for strapping all of our gear to. Charlie says when Freddie's grown he'll get a stuffed baby, whose head unscrews and vodka pours out of, so he can still get by with using the stroller.


There were few tears and he napped quite a bit. He took complete advantage of being held all day long.


And loved every minute of it.


And so did we.



I am pretty positive he was the youngest Jazzfester this weekend.


He got lots of attention from everyone. People marveled at all of our stuff and at our enjoying the festival with an infant.


Charlie still managed to consume his fair share of Jazzfest treats, but I think his Southern Comfort spike snoballs were kept to a minimum.


Freddie had lots of visitors who kept him entertained.


He was so pooped from the excitement he slept for 6 hours Friday night and then 7 hours on Saturday night. We're waiting to see what tonight will bring.


I think he's a Jazzfest fan already.

That's our boy!

Crescent City Classic 2009, Freddie's First!

Is this our first family portrait???

The family walked in "The Classic" today, Freddie's first 10K. We finished in just about 2 hours. Not bad considering we had the stroller and were stuck in the back with the grandmas and heavy beer drinkers.


The weather was beautiful and the crowd festive. I love how excited everyone is for the race, some looking forward to the run and most wanting to share a beer and catch up with friends.

Lee and Angie joined us for the walk and came by later to boil some crawfish.


Freddie spent most of the course in the stroller and even got a bottle en route.

Perfect way for our little family to spend Holy Saturday in NOLA.