7 months!

Connor is now 7 and a half months. He is so interactive and intrigued with everything. He loves to see new things and put them into his mouth! Even Chloe, he has tried two or three times to get a piece of her in his mouth, but she is too fast and gets away. He is starting to pull himself up and is almost crawling! He is rocking back and forth and scooting, he just needs to put all the motions together and off he will be. He can now take finger food and feed it to himself. He loves all foods still!

We left Connor with grandpa art for a night while we went and stayed the night at winstar. We got massages, saw Blake Shelton(again), and caught up on some sleep. The night went well and grandpa art said he'd do it again!

We went on another airplane ride, this time almost a four hour one to Boston. He got so bored and wanted to roll and romp around, needless to say I think our flying days are over for a while. It was a great time in Boston though. My parents and brother and sister-in-law were all there. We ate a lot, did some touristy things, saw some family, met up with old friends, and I got to get some closure at my grandma's grave. She died 8 days before Connor was born so I had to miss the funeral. My parents graciously took care of Connor while Sean, my brother, my sister-in-law and I all went out and about. We went to downtown and hung out there. We also went candle pin bowling and miniature golfing. It was a nice time, but we were glad to get home and get on or back into his routine.

Unfortunately his routine got out of whack again, poor guy got an ear infection and hand foot mouth disease. The ear infection was fixed pretty fast due to the ear drops and antibiotics, but the hfmd is a virus and it just has to run its course. He did get some lidocaine mouthwash to help him eat, since he was refusing everything. After 4 days he is just now starting to get back to his oldself. I also got the virus, but just the fever and the sores in my throat. Poor Connor had blisters all over his hands, feet, mouth and throat. It completely wiped us out and of course Sean was at conference so we were left to fend for ourselves. Seeing his sick was the worst thing ever, I just felt so helpless and all I could do was cuddle him. I did cuddle him nonstop and now he is having a hard time being away from me! I hope he breaks himself of that soon or we will be in for some tough times.

My usborne business is going pretty good. I had an opportunity to go to a pediatric therapy staff meeting. I met some people and sold some books. I have handed out some catalogs and met some people who say they are interested in hosting a party. So we will see if anything comes of those. My mom comes in Sunday when Sean leaves for Chicago, so I am excited. We always have a great time!

Over half a year old!

It makes me sad to say that Connor is closer to being a year old then he is to being a newborn. I love how fun and interactive he is now, but I do miss the days he was less mobile. He rolls all over the place and I can't take my eyes off of him for a second. I used to be able to put him on his play mat and do a few things and he would be in the same spot, but now not so much! He rolls half way across the room. We are going to start baby proofing very soon.

Connor loves solid food. He likes all vegetables, with sweet potatoes being his favorite and peas being his least. He also likes yogurt, which is what he has for breakfast. He is not a fan of any of the cereals, so our pediatrician recommended yogurt. We will be introducing fruit this week and I am sure that will be a big hit. He has now started to sip a little water out of a sippy cup, but enjoys throwing it on the floor more than he likes drinking out of it! He eats a few puffs every now and then and mum mums, though he doesn't swallow much of it. He just likes to hold it and chew on it, then drools most of it out.

He can sit up for a decent amount of time, but wobbles over still. He loves knocking over blocks when you build towers with them. He thinks bubbles are pretty cool, especially when they pop as he tries to touch them. He likes his Elmo and likes watching Elmo videos on YouTube. If this keeps up, Elmo may be his birthday theme.

This Wednesday we are starting Little Gym. I am hoping it will be fun for both of us and we can meet some more local fiends. I also joined Keller earlychildhood PTA and will go to the first meeting on the 18th. They have lots of events that sound so fun, including mom's night out.

I had my Usborne books and more party yesterday. Not a great turn out. I was pretty bummed when only 5 people showed up. I invited 45, I had 11 respond yes, 8 respond no, and 2 maybes. They are great books and I was excited to share them. I didn't sign up for this to make money, I just fell in love with all they have to offer and wanted to see some friends and share it. Maybe when Connor gets a little older and I have more time I can make try to do it again. I plan on keeping the site up and will network and try and book some parties through other people I meet, but I think my days of having my own parties are over.

Saturday we will be going to our first movie post Connor. We are using a girl from TCU to babysit that our good friends recommended. I met her and instantly liked her. She seems amazing and has been babysitting for quit some time. Hopefully she will like Connor and we can use her on a regular basis!

Six Months, ALREADY?!

August 25, 2012 at 5:40 p.m. Connor was officially six months! I am still in shock by how fast everyday goes by with him. Even though it is pretty much the same routine day in and day out, it does not get boring and just flies by. He weight 17 pounds and 14 ounces and is in the 50th percentile for weight, he is 27 inches long and is in the 70th percentile for height. My little baby, is not so little anymore. He is looking more and more like a little boy instead of a baby. It makes me a little sad, but I just love the stage he is in now. He is so vocal and smiley all the time. He likes to knock over blocks, jump in the jumperoo, listen to songs, read stories, take baths, eat solid foods and his bottle, and just be around people. He loves to look around and take everything in. He can sit up now on his own for seconds at a time. He also knows the word jump, he will do it when you saya it! He is officially on formula now, I weaned him and it actually went easier and faster then I thought it would. I made it to my goal and I am proud of myself. I never loved nursing and am not sad at all about giving it up.

 The pediatrician told me I now have to let Connor cry it out. He was sleeping the majority of the night with one feeding in the middle, but the doctor said he no longer needs it and six months is the time to let him soothe himself. The first night I let him cry for about 30 minutes and went in and consoled him, but did not give him a bottle. He woke up a few more times, but went back down. Last night he woke up at 4:30 and went right back down himself, until 6:10. I then gave him a bottle and he went back to sleep until 7:45. We will see how tonight goes, it has been hard not going to him the minute he cries, but I trust and love our pediatrician so I will do what he says.

Ladies and Gentleman - We Have Teeth!

Yes, you read the title correctly, our little Connor Blake is getting his first tooth at 5 months of age! He has been handling it really well, just a few fussy spells here and there, but nothing to terrible. He is getting into anything and everything he can grab. He loves using his hands to hold things and try to shove them into his mouth. My hair is one of his favorites, I have just decided to wear it pulled back until he gets out of this phase. If we are eating and one of us is holding him, he grabs for the plate, the silverare, and the food itself. Mealtime has become kind of a pain, especially at restaurants since he refuses to be in his carseat if he is awake. He wants to be out checking out all the action. Sean and I have to take turns between eating and holding him, but we don't mind too much.

My mom was in town Sunday through Wednesday, while Sean was in California. We had a great time together. Connor adores her and she was such a big help to me. She took care of him during his one night time feeding and I got to catch up on some sleep. She and my dad are coming back August 18th, so Sean and I can attend a concert and stay the night in Dallas. This will be our first full night away since Connor was born. He will be 6 months on the 25th, so I finally feel comfortable leaving him that long. I am also in the process of weaning him and just feeding him bottles. So far he has been doing pretty well.

In other news, I am now an Usborne Books and More Consultant. I am really excited, and a little bit nervous. I have always wanted to try selling products, I just never knew what type. I knew make-up was not my thing, I could not get super excited about any of the jewelry lines, and I lovce Scentsy - but I know too many people who sell it. Well, Aunt Beth, Uncle Jeff, and Cousin Katie gave Connor "That's Not My Puppy" and "That's Not My Dinosaur" books, which he and I both love. I googled the books to see what other ones were out and I realized I could actually sell them! Usborne Books has books, games, activities, manipulatives, and more for babies all the way up to middle school. There are some really fabulous products I wish I had known about as a teacher. I plan to have my first party the second week in September. My website is up and running and I am hoping I will have a few people want to book a party as well. You can earn lots of free books, which would be great to add to your little one's library or save for gifts for the fast approaching holiday season. Here is my site, please check it out and if you have any questions let me know!

http://t3288.myubam.com/

First ear infection!

Last week our little guy was just not acting right. His sleeping was non existent, both at night and during the day. I called the doctor and we found out he had an ear infection. He was given ear drops and antibiotics, and they worked like magic! He also had to be prescribed Prevacid for his acid reflux, since the Zantac was starting to not work. It took about a week and his sleep is finally getting back on track.

He is now over 16 pounds, which amazes me. He has tripled his weight in 5 months. I am hoping this slows down or we will have one massive 1 year old. He is still getting rice cereal and we have found a formula that he tolerates. I am still breastfeeding the majority of the time, but it is good to know he will take formula.

He is really such a happy boy. He is always smiling and laughing, which makes the days so much fun. We are starting to get a nap routine going, and that is making him much happier. It is also helping with his sleeping at night, we had 8 full hours last night. He ate and went back down for another 3 hours. I am hoping this keeps up!

Sean is leaving for California this weekend and will be gone until Wednesday....what does that mean for Connor and I? Grandma is coming! I am so excited to have my mom come here and be with us for the entire time Sean will be gone. We are going to have so much fun, and I am sure Connor will be spoiled!

Solid food, lots of talking, and not much sleep!

Lots has been going on this past week. We started Connor on rice cereal. He still isn't really sure of what to do with it, but each night we are getting more and more in our mouth. It is so funny to see him not understanding what to do with food. It is something we all take for granted each day, but at one time we were all in the same boat.

I am amazed everyday by how much Connor takes in and retains. I feel like he is really going to be a smart little boy. He loves to pick up his toys, pass them back and forth between his hands and try to land them into his mouth. He loves to listen to me sing songs to him and read stories to him. He has now started to try and hold the book and stare intently at the pictures. He is constantly cooing and babbling. I wish I ends what he was trying to say to me, but I am sure one day he will be talking and I will wish that I could not understand him ;)

He is still rolling onto his stomach at night and waking himself up trying to roll back. Even though he can do it, he likes to wake me up and have me do it for him. He is such a sweetie! ;) His sleep habits are so unpredictable, one night he will sleep from 8:30-4 with one feeding and go back down until 7:30, but the next he will go down at 8:30 and wake up at 1,3,5 and 7. I can not do the cry it out method just yet, maybe once he is 6 months, but I just feel he is too young right now. I am sure people will disagree with me, but it was also the advice of my pediatrician. His naps are also so spread out. Even though I try and try to get him on a schedule, he just is on his own right now. Some days he takes 2-3 solid hour and a half naps, some days he just takes little cat naps. I am really exhausted! I am going on 20 weeks with not one solid full nights sleep. I am definitely ready for one, and hopefully soon. At least I don't have a full time job along with taking care of Connor, Chloe, Sean, and the house. I admire those of you who do it all, plus work all day!

Connor tried formula for the first time this past weekend, I don't think it agreed with him, so I am going to try another kind. It was nice to be able to go out and not have to worry about breastfeeding or breast milk. I will continue to breast feed and give formula when we are out and about, if I can find one that doesn't upset his tummy too much.

19 weeks!

Connor is now 19 weeks, unbelievable! He can roll for his back to his front, but poor boy has not yet mastered the other direction. He gets very upset when he is on his tummy for extended periods of time, so now he wakes up angry in the middle of the night. I am patiently awaiting the day he can roll himself back over. We decided to wait on the rice cereal and plan on trying it tomorrow, we will see how it goes. We are also planning to introduce formula to him so he gets use to it, since I plan to stop breast feeding at 6 months.

Last weekend - Sean, Connor and I went to Albuquerque to visit family. Connor got to meet his cousin Katie, who is 1 year and 9 days older than him, his Uncle Jeff and Aunt Beth, and his only great grandparent - Grandpa Brewer. It was a fun time. Connor slept on the plane the whole way from DFW to Albuquerque, but cried the whole way returning home. It was a rough hour, but Sean and I got through it.

Connor got loved on by all of the family, Sean got to eat his Dion's sub (twice) and lots of green and red chile, and I got mastitis! Ha ha, somehow I think I got the short end of the stick! I didn't feel right most of the weekend and on Sunday night I got very nauseous at dinner and at about 2 a.m. woke up with severe pain. Finally on Tuesday morning the doctor told me I had mastitis and prescribed me antibiotics. I felt much better by Wednesday morning, thank goodness!

We got to take Connor to the Albuquerque aquarium and he loved it! It was so awesome seeing his eyes follow all the fish. I definitely plan on getting a zoo membership and museum membership as he gets older, he and I will have loads of fun.

Sean has become Connor's favorite play mate. He just laughs and coos at Sean everytime he is around. It is so neat to see their bond. I just love them both so much, I am one lucky girl.

I post these updates from my iPad so I don't post picture, but I have plenty on Facebook. One day I plan on sitting at the actual computer and adding pictures to give my blog some life!