Anytime the past week or two that someone has asked Andrew what his name is he answers with a giggly "Monkey".
He won' tell anyone his name is Andrew. He is now just "Monkey"
Frequently, the name and giggle are followed by him doing monkey arms and monkey noises. TOO CUTE!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Asking For His Own Books
Andrew asked me this week to go to the li-bear. I asked what he wanted from the library and he said "Chicka Boom Boom". Of course, I had to immediately take him. This is the first time he has asked for a book by name.
We got to the library and before I could even look it up he went to the desk and said "Chicka Boom Boom pees". The ladies laughed in amazement and asked if he wanted the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. He said "yeah, Chicka Boom Boom pees"
Of course, all of our libraries copies were checked out! But we have many libraries within our parish and our card works at all of them. So the librarian ordered it from another library and it was delivered to ours.
We got it yesterday morning and have already read it SO. MANY. TIMES.
He has it memorized and loves to say the CHICKA CHICKA BOOM BOOM part!
We got to the library and before I could even look it up he went to the desk and said "Chicka Boom Boom pees". The ladies laughed in amazement and asked if he wanted the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. He said "yeah, Chicka Boom Boom pees"
Of course, all of our libraries copies were checked out! But we have many libraries within our parish and our card works at all of them. So the librarian ordered it from another library and it was delivered to ours.
We got it yesterday morning and have already read it SO. MANY. TIMES.
He has it memorized and loves to say the CHICKA CHICKA BOOM BOOM part!
FAKER!!!!
After the emergency room yesterday, we went and had dinner and then Isaac and I went to get his medicine. I let him pick out some candy, since he had done so great. We got home (at almost 8 pm) and he took his medicine and sat down to eat his candy. Of course, his brothers start hounding him for some.
This morning Caleb comes in with his wrist wrapped with toilet paper, a homemade sling around his neck with his arm in it and telling me he broke his wrist. I said "ouch" and continued what I was doing. He says "Don't I get candy? I hurt myself." I said "nope"
A few minutes later he comes in, wrist still wrapped, arm still in sling, wet face (I saw him licking his fingers and wiping them down his face so it looked like he was crying) and "blood" in his hand (aka ketchup). He told me he REALLY hurt himself. I told him that since he kept hurting himself he should go to bed. He said it was no fair that I didn't buy it and go get him candy. Then he said he wished he had a broken something. I told him if he wanted to have his hand slammed in a big heavy door and then have a dr drill through his nail and drain the blood, I would buy him candy. You may remember the last time we took him to get a flu shot, it took two nurses and me to pull him out from under the tables and what ever else he could hide behind. Then I had to sit on him and someone else hold his arms down to get the shot in him!
I told him if we would act like an almost 11 year old when we went to get flu shots this year I would buy him some candy :)
This morning Caleb comes in with his wrist wrapped with toilet paper, a homemade sling around his neck with his arm in it and telling me he broke his wrist. I said "ouch" and continued what I was doing. He says "Don't I get candy? I hurt myself." I said "nope"
A few minutes later he comes in, wrist still wrapped, arm still in sling, wet face (I saw him licking his fingers and wiping them down his face so it looked like he was crying) and "blood" in his hand (aka ketchup). He told me he REALLY hurt himself. I told him that since he kept hurting himself he should go to bed. He said it was no fair that I didn't buy it and go get him candy. Then he said he wished he had a broken something. I told him if he wanted to have his hand slammed in a big heavy door and then have a dr drill through his nail and drain the blood, I would buy him candy. You may remember the last time we took him to get a flu shot, it took two nurses and me to pull him out from under the tables and what ever else he could hide behind. Then I had to sit on him and someone else hold his arms down to get the shot in him!
I told him if we would act like an almost 11 year old when we went to get flu shots this year I would buy him some candy :)
Trip to the ER
Thursday I had lunch with Paul and while we were there the nurse that works there commented on Andrew's climbing (he was standing in a chair) and asked how many trips we had made to the emergency room with injuries having four boys. I commented ZERO as I raced to find a piece of wood to knock on!!
Thursday I kept saying someone was going to end up in the emergency room!
Friday I was planning to stay home and do some housework. Well, Isaac was running behind and when his bus got here his lunch was not in his lunchbox. I told him I would bring it to him. I ended up having to run to each school (to turn in some money for shirts) and to the library. The library and first school went pretty quick. I got a block away from Isaac's school and my phone rang and I answered it. It was the secretary at his school telling me his finger had gotten slammed in a door and instantly turned purple.
I got there and he had ice put on it. This is an old school and these are huge, metal, heavy doors. The door was not only closed, but SLAMMED in the door. I looked at it and it was swollen and purple, but he could bend it. I asked if he wanted to stay at school and he said he did but it really hurt. Of course, the schools can no longer give kids medicine, even if the parent is standing there. So, I went back home to get some tylenol and go back to the school.
He took the tylenol and I told him if it still bothered him to call me. Three or four phone calls later, I went to get him. He talked to me one of the phone calls and I asked if he could hold out a couple more hours (I had a baby sleeping). He said he could and that he didn't want to leave early. About 20 minutes later the secretary called back and said his teacher had called the office to say that he was trying really hard but was crying (and trying to hide it...he really wanted to stay at school).
I called the doctor on the way to the school and made an appointment for him to have it checked. I didn't think it was broken and figured they probably could not do much, but was hoping for something stronger than tylenol.
We got stuck in traffic and ended up late. I called to let them know we were going to be a few minutes late (apparently I should not have done that) because of traffic. They said they could not see me if we were not on time and to take him to the emergency room. ARGHHH! At this point, Isaac cries everytime we hit a bump in the road. I took him to the emergency room. Three hours later (and an extra xray because they xrayed the wrong finger), his finger was not broken, but they drilled through his nail to drain the blood under it and relieve the pressure.
He was a champ at the er. He was very nervous when I told him he was going to have to go to the hospital and not the dr. As soon as I told him he tears up and says "my finger feels really good now." He started talking about the last time he went to the Children's and he had surgery. I kept reassuring him he would not need surgery this time.
At the hospital when they were drilling his finger (which is actually a big needle that they push through your fingernail) he shed a few tears and held my hand tightly but that was it. It hurt without touching it so I can imagine when they are pushing on it it was probably REALLY hurting. They did not numb it, give him tylenol or anything.
They asked if his finger was throbbing before they started and he said "no, but I can feel my heart beating through my finger." After they did it he says "My heart is REALLY beating in my finger now!"
His finger is now bandaged and had a splint on it. He is supposed to wear the splint until it doesn't hurt everytime he bumps it. At this point it hurts to get the splint on it(doesnt bother him after it is on). We are hoping by mid week at least, we can take it off.
Although it was a trip to the er, that really could have been handled at the drs office (did I mention I am ready to fire that clinic?), it still was nothing too major. For having four boys....we are still doing pretty good.
And, I still think Mady will end up the first one in the er for a major injury. Just because she is the only girl and boys SHOULD be the ones getting hurt!
Thursday I kept saying someone was going to end up in the emergency room!
Friday I was planning to stay home and do some housework. Well, Isaac was running behind and when his bus got here his lunch was not in his lunchbox. I told him I would bring it to him. I ended up having to run to each school (to turn in some money for shirts) and to the library. The library and first school went pretty quick. I got a block away from Isaac's school and my phone rang and I answered it. It was the secretary at his school telling me his finger had gotten slammed in a door and instantly turned purple.
I got there and he had ice put on it. This is an old school and these are huge, metal, heavy doors. The door was not only closed, but SLAMMED in the door. I looked at it and it was swollen and purple, but he could bend it. I asked if he wanted to stay at school and he said he did but it really hurt. Of course, the schools can no longer give kids medicine, even if the parent is standing there. So, I went back home to get some tylenol and go back to the school.
He took the tylenol and I told him if it still bothered him to call me. Three or four phone calls later, I went to get him. He talked to me one of the phone calls and I asked if he could hold out a couple more hours (I had a baby sleeping). He said he could and that he didn't want to leave early. About 20 minutes later the secretary called back and said his teacher had called the office to say that he was trying really hard but was crying (and trying to hide it...he really wanted to stay at school).
I called the doctor on the way to the school and made an appointment for him to have it checked. I didn't think it was broken and figured they probably could not do much, but was hoping for something stronger than tylenol.
We got stuck in traffic and ended up late. I called to let them know we were going to be a few minutes late (apparently I should not have done that) because of traffic. They said they could not see me if we were not on time and to take him to the emergency room. ARGHHH! At this point, Isaac cries everytime we hit a bump in the road. I took him to the emergency room. Three hours later (and an extra xray because they xrayed the wrong finger), his finger was not broken, but they drilled through his nail to drain the blood under it and relieve the pressure.
He was a champ at the er. He was very nervous when I told him he was going to have to go to the hospital and not the dr. As soon as I told him he tears up and says "my finger feels really good now." He started talking about the last time he went to the Children's and he had surgery. I kept reassuring him he would not need surgery this time.
At the hospital when they were drilling his finger (which is actually a big needle that they push through your fingernail) he shed a few tears and held my hand tightly but that was it. It hurt without touching it so I can imagine when they are pushing on it it was probably REALLY hurting. They did not numb it, give him tylenol or anything.
They asked if his finger was throbbing before they started and he said "no, but I can feel my heart beating through my finger." After they did it he says "My heart is REALLY beating in my finger now!"
His finger is now bandaged and had a splint on it. He is supposed to wear the splint until it doesn't hurt everytime he bumps it. At this point it hurts to get the splint on it(doesnt bother him after it is on). We are hoping by mid week at least, we can take it off.
Although it was a trip to the er, that really could have been handled at the drs office (did I mention I am ready to fire that clinic?), it still was nothing too major. For having four boys....we are still doing pretty good.
And, I still think Mady will end up the first one in the er for a major injury. Just because she is the only girl and boys SHOULD be the ones getting hurt!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Relaxing Day Outside with the Family
Last Saturday we spent the evening outside. We ate dinner outside, the kids played in the sandbox (practicing for the beach) and AJ played in the pool. It was my idea of a perfect evening at home with my family. We ended the evening with some "city smores" (that would be what I call smores over a grill instead of an open fire).
Monday, August 24, 2009
Conversations with Mannequins
Today I left the house without a stroller! Never a good move! I did, however, have AJ's monkey harness, so when I stopped at the mall to run into a store, I decided to use it with him and carry Mady.
As we were walking through a department store to get to the store we were going to, Andrew had to stop and talk to EVERYBODY!! He would say hi, tell them he had a monkey, etc. On the way back through the same department store leaving, he did the same, but there were not as many people to stop and talk to. He started talking to mannequins, but only the full mannequins (not the ones with no heads). He would wave to them as we walked by and say hi.
I guess he had gotten used to everyone talking back to him and was getting frustrated that noone was speaking back to him. We were almost at the door and he stopped and looked up at a mannequin. "Hi" he said waving.
A couple of seconds later he says sternly "I sai HI!" and he waves again.
Obviously, the mannequin did not respond. So he throws his crossed arms against his chest and does an annoyed grunt and walks off mumbling.
I did not take the diaper bag in with me (didn't want anything else to carry). I was SO wishing I had it so I could have taken his picture talking to the mannequins (I always have a camera in my diaperbag). I guess he does not care what you look like...he will talk to anyone!
As we were walking through a department store to get to the store we were going to, Andrew had to stop and talk to EVERYBODY!! He would say hi, tell them he had a monkey, etc. On the way back through the same department store leaving, he did the same, but there were not as many people to stop and talk to. He started talking to mannequins, but only the full mannequins (not the ones with no heads). He would wave to them as we walked by and say hi.
I guess he had gotten used to everyone talking back to him and was getting frustrated that noone was speaking back to him. We were almost at the door and he stopped and looked up at a mannequin. "Hi" he said waving.
A couple of seconds later he says sternly "I sai HI!" and he waves again.
Obviously, the mannequin did not respond. So he throws his crossed arms against his chest and does an annoyed grunt and walks off mumbling.
I did not take the diaper bag in with me (didn't want anything else to carry). I was SO wishing I had it so I could have taken his picture talking to the mannequins (I always have a camera in my diaperbag). I guess he does not care what you look like...he will talk to anyone!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
The boys have been asking for Wii Music since they got the Wii at Christmas. Paul and I thought it looked like a good game for them, so I finally got it for them Friday. While we were there I saw a Fireman game. I started to get it for Bryce, but then remembered he got a D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! in conduct one day last week (yes, that is SEVEN checks in ONE day)!
This morning I told him about the game and why I did not buy it for him. I told him if he could get an A for two weeks, every day, I would buy him the game. He did this the beginning of last year too. Got tons of checks every day. But as the year progressed and he learned what is expected, he got a lot better. I am trying to push along the knowing what is expected part.
About 15 minutes after we had this talk, Caleb asked why he was crying. He said it was because he didn't get the game. I told him that was a big reward for doing what he is supposed to do everyday anyway and to be glad I am offering it.
a D!!!!!!!!!!
This morning I told him about the game and why I did not buy it for him. I told him if he could get an A for two weeks, every day, I would buy him the game. He did this the beginning of last year too. Got tons of checks every day. But as the year progressed and he learned what is expected, he got a lot better. I am trying to push along the knowing what is expected part.
About 15 minutes after we had this talk, Caleb asked why he was crying. He said it was because he didn't get the game. I told him that was a big reward for doing what he is supposed to do everyday anyway and to be glad I am offering it.
a D!!!!!!!!!!
Arboretum
We went to the Arboretum last weekend. We had never been and did not know what to expect. While it was kind of small, it was nicer than we expected - and FREE! You may notice in the pictures Caleb trying to jump off a bridge and looking mad. Have I mentioned lately that he is 10 1/2? Need I say more? He did not want to go to the arboretum, although everyone else did. So he just tried to make it miserable for everyone. As much as I REALLY wanted to get pictures, I didn't figure it was worth the frustration, especially with Caleb being a grump! Andrew enjoyed posing for some though!
You might be wondering about that hat AJ is wearing. He is going through a hat phase, he always wants one on! He found this one, which he wore when he was probably 4-6 months old and wants to wear it all the time. He doesn't care that it is kinda snug! And he always wears it sideways like that. Everytime he sees a cowboy hat he wants one, I just haven't found one in his size yet.
You might be wondering about that hat AJ is wearing. He is going through a hat phase, he always wants one on! He found this one, which he wore when he was probably 4-6 months old and wants to wear it all the time. He doesn't care that it is kinda snug! And he always wears it sideways like that. Everytime he sees a cowboy hat he wants one, I just haven't found one in his size yet.
Sleeping
Mady did GREAT last night! At 9ish, I fed her squash with cereal mixed in it. She ate about half the container. Then I laid her down while I got her stuff ready for bed. I have been giving her 2 ounce bottles at night and then nursing her. Last night I gave her 3 ounces. Then I nursed her.
We are still battling the bottles. I don't even attempt until all the boys are in bed. Then I take her in her room, turn on her lullabies, swaddle her and sit in her rocking chair and talk. When she seems comfortable and happy, I make her mad by giving her the bottle. :) She screams and trys to get away from it, but eventually she gets so tired she gives in. Once she gives in and starts drinking it, she finishes it in no time.
Last night, after she ate the food and took the bottle she kept dozing off while she was nursing. She stopped nursing, opened her eyes wide and smiled. Then she gave the biggest, sweetest, I-am-finally-content sigh (while still smiling). She talked to me for a couple of minutes, then talked to Daddy for a couple of minutes. I laid her in her bed and she was out shortly after.
She went from 9:30ish to 7 am without eating. She woke up at 12:45 and I took her to our room. I then realized I was supposed to be making her cry it out :) So, I did not nurse her, I swaddled her again, gave her a pacifier and laid her in her bassinet. She went right back to sleep. She woke up twice (around 3:30 and 5:15). I put the pacifier in her mouth and she went right back to sleep.
She woke up in a great mood. She usually wakes up in a good mood, but after she eats breakfast she is ready to go back to bed. This morning she was until 10, then dozed in her carseat off and on until she ate again at noon. The entire morning she was very happy and talkative. No fussing. I think she, too, has been suffering from sleep deprivation.
I woke up throughout the night at the times she normally wakes up, but went right back to sleep after seeing she was contently sleeping. She flails around a lot when she sleeps and usually gets out of her swaddle. Last night she managed to stay in it all night and I think that helped her sleep better.
Tonight we will try to do everything the exact same as we did last night. HOPEFULLY, she is getting it all worked out and we will all get some more sleep!
We are still battling the bottles. I don't even attempt until all the boys are in bed. Then I take her in her room, turn on her lullabies, swaddle her and sit in her rocking chair and talk. When she seems comfortable and happy, I make her mad by giving her the bottle. :) She screams and trys to get away from it, but eventually she gets so tired she gives in. Once she gives in and starts drinking it, she finishes it in no time.
Last night, after she ate the food and took the bottle she kept dozing off while she was nursing. She stopped nursing, opened her eyes wide and smiled. Then she gave the biggest, sweetest, I-am-finally-content sigh (while still smiling). She talked to me for a couple of minutes, then talked to Daddy for a couple of minutes. I laid her in her bed and she was out shortly after.
She went from 9:30ish to 7 am without eating. She woke up at 12:45 and I took her to our room. I then realized I was supposed to be making her cry it out :) So, I did not nurse her, I swaddled her again, gave her a pacifier and laid her in her bassinet. She went right back to sleep. She woke up twice (around 3:30 and 5:15). I put the pacifier in her mouth and she went right back to sleep.
She woke up in a great mood. She usually wakes up in a good mood, but after she eats breakfast she is ready to go back to bed. This morning she was until 10, then dozed in her carseat off and on until she ate again at noon. The entire morning she was very happy and talkative. No fussing. I think she, too, has been suffering from sleep deprivation.
I woke up throughout the night at the times she normally wakes up, but went right back to sleep after seeing she was contently sleeping. She flails around a lot when she sleeps and usually gets out of her swaddle. Last night she managed to stay in it all night and I think that helped her sleep better.
Tonight we will try to do everything the exact same as we did last night. HOPEFULLY, she is getting it all worked out and we will all get some more sleep!
Friday, August 21, 2009
First Bib
Here ya go Mom...you said you wanted to see what I came up with. It is not great, but not too bad for the first time and not knowing what I was doing! I just added layers to this one.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Food
Last night Mady had squash mixed with cereal for the first time. She liked it, after a few bites and her calming down. She ate almost the whole jar.
About an hour and a half later I tried a bottle. This time it was straight formula. I had Daddy hold her like I was when she took it the night before, on my legs looking at me. She took the bottle with a little encouragement. She seemed confused for several minutes. She would stare at Daddy and then quickly look over at me and then stare at Daddy. I guess she was trying to figure out how she was eating and staring at Daddy's face. Maybe that will be encouragement for her to take the bottle easier!
As for how she slept....she took the bottle and then nursed at 8ish and went to sleep. I woke up at 2:55 am amazed that I had not heard her and debating whether to check on her and risk waking her up. About the time I decided NOT to risk it, she woke up. I nursed her and she was VERY gassy, so we were up for the next hour and a half, fussing. About the time we got back to sleep the alarm went off.
Still, it is a major improvement from what she has been doing. By three, I have usually been up several times. Hopefully once she starts eating meals three times a day and a couple of bottles to supplement, we can get this girl sleeping like she used too! The gas....not sure what to do about that! She is just not a good burper. Never has been!
This morning she is attempting to choke down cereal and formula. She is getting used to the formula in the bottle, there was not near the fight last night, or the gagging. But she just really seems to hate the formula/cereal mix.
About an hour and a half later I tried a bottle. This time it was straight formula. I had Daddy hold her like I was when she took it the night before, on my legs looking at me. She took the bottle with a little encouragement. She seemed confused for several minutes. She would stare at Daddy and then quickly look over at me and then stare at Daddy. I guess she was trying to figure out how she was eating and staring at Daddy's face. Maybe that will be encouragement for her to take the bottle easier!
As for how she slept....she took the bottle and then nursed at 8ish and went to sleep. I woke up at 2:55 am amazed that I had not heard her and debating whether to check on her and risk waking her up. About the time I decided NOT to risk it, she woke up. I nursed her and she was VERY gassy, so we were up for the next hour and a half, fussing. About the time we got back to sleep the alarm went off.
Still, it is a major improvement from what she has been doing. By three, I have usually been up several times. Hopefully once she starts eating meals three times a day and a couple of bottles to supplement, we can get this girl sleeping like she used too! The gas....not sure what to do about that! She is just not a good burper. Never has been!
This morning she is attempting to choke down cereal and formula. She is getting used to the formula in the bottle, there was not near the fight last night, or the gagging. But she just really seems to hate the formula/cereal mix.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
With the challange I have had trying to get Mady to use a bottle, I decided to get a couple of different kinds of bottles. While searching at Babies R Us, I found this:
I got it, but did not want to use it unless I had too, so I could take it back.
I don't know that I could use this in public without feeling embarrassed or laughing. That might be a little TOO like the breast!! But, hey, if it works.....
Luckily, we did get her to take a bottle tonight, and we did not have to pull out the rubber breasts!
I got it, but did not want to use it unless I had too, so I could take it back.
I don't know that I could use this in public without feeling embarrassed or laughing. That might be a little TOO like the breast!! But, hey, if it works.....
Luckily, we did get her to take a bottle tonight, and we did not have to pull out the rubber breasts!
Back to School
The BEST commercial! I love this commercial and a friend on Facebook found it on YouTube, so I had to put it on here. The kids HATE this commercial because before school started every time it came on I got up and danced and sang with it. They were not too amused (especially Caleb!).
Madeleine had her four month appointment this morning. She weighed in at 11 pounds 2ounces and was 24 3/4 long. That is in the 25th% for weight and 75th% for height. The dr also commented on how long her feet were. They are long and skinny, which makes finding shoes for her quite difficult. When she came home, the newborn sandals I had bought her did not fit. Her toes stuck out the end. But, her feet are so narrow that shoes won't stay on unless they have laces. Good thing it is not that important that she wears shoes right now!
I discussed the sleeping/eating situation with him also. At her three month appt, the dr was saying how she was too young to be spoiled and if she fussed it was okay to take care of her immediately. Somewhere between three months and four months we passed that fine line of being to young to spoil and being spoiled! I told him we had let her cry for over an hour before we gave in and she had thrown up, etc, etc. His response "If you are going to give in, give in after two seconds. Why wait an hour?"
So, I am supposed to let her cry and cry and cry (and cry and cry and cry) and if she throws up, that is okay...she is learning.
When it came to discussing the bottle, I did not even wait for his response. I just said "So, I assume that when I tell you she won't take a bottle, no matter what is in it, you are going to tell me that when she gets hungry enough, she will eat." He said I catch on quick.
I have five kids and I feel like she is my first. She is SOOOOO different than the boys. They did not have sleeping problems and certainly did not have a problem taking a bottle (just switching formulas). They were not so demanding - or stubborn. I think she is more stubborn than all the boys put together (and if you know my boys, you know what a BIG statement that is!).
This weekend we are training Mady :) She WILL sleep in HER bed. She WILL take formula from a bottle when asked to. She WILL sleep through the night.
I hope.
My plan is to let the boys camp out in the backyard this weekend (they are always asking to do that). Then put her in her room and let the fun begin. I think since I am the one who has been sleep deprived up to now, Daddy should camp out in the living room so he can deal with her! Wish us luck!!
Some more about what she is doing....she is rolling over from her back to her stomach and occasionally from her stomach to her back (but only when she is REALLY mad). She is scooting all over the place when she is on the floor. When she is sitting in a reclined position (in her high chair or bouncy seat) she trys to pull herself to sitting position.
I discussed the sleeping/eating situation with him also. At her three month appt, the dr was saying how she was too young to be spoiled and if she fussed it was okay to take care of her immediately. Somewhere between three months and four months we passed that fine line of being to young to spoil and being spoiled! I told him we had let her cry for over an hour before we gave in and she had thrown up, etc, etc. His response "If you are going to give in, give in after two seconds. Why wait an hour?"
So, I am supposed to let her cry and cry and cry (and cry and cry and cry) and if she throws up, that is okay...she is learning.
When it came to discussing the bottle, I did not even wait for his response. I just said "So, I assume that when I tell you she won't take a bottle, no matter what is in it, you are going to tell me that when she gets hungry enough, she will eat." He said I catch on quick.
I have five kids and I feel like she is my first. She is SOOOOO different than the boys. They did not have sleeping problems and certainly did not have a problem taking a bottle (just switching formulas). They were not so demanding - or stubborn. I think she is more stubborn than all the boys put together (and if you know my boys, you know what a BIG statement that is!).
This weekend we are training Mady :) She WILL sleep in HER bed. She WILL take formula from a bottle when asked to. She WILL sleep through the night.
I hope.
My plan is to let the boys camp out in the backyard this weekend (they are always asking to do that). Then put her in her room and let the fun begin. I think since I am the one who has been sleep deprived up to now, Daddy should camp out in the living room so he can deal with her! Wish us luck!!
Some more about what she is doing....she is rolling over from her back to her stomach and occasionally from her stomach to her back (but only when she is REALLY mad). She is scooting all over the place when she is on the floor. When she is sitting in a reclined position (in her high chair or bouncy seat) she trys to pull herself to sitting position.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
VICTORY!!
After about an hour long battle this evening, locked in her bedroom, I got Madeleine to take a bottle!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We have been trying for the last week to get her to take formula....she wouldn't even take a bottle. We tried to give her a bottle in July (of apple juice), she was not interested. While we struggled with Andrew when he had to change formula, we have NEVER had a child that refused a bottle completely.
I had breastfed her about 45 minutes before I attempted to give her a bottle. I had Daddy attempt first. She played with it and gagged on it, but never fussed. After a bit, she started fussing at it and Daddy stopped. I added some breastmilk to the formula (two ounces of formula one ounce breastmilk), put it in two different bottles (the two were mixed, but I thought maybe if she would not take one bottle, she might take another with a different nipple) and we locked ourselves in her room.
After a while she started crying and gagging. I would take the bottle out until she calmed down and then put it back in her mouth. She finally wore herself out and started falling asleep. I don't know if she realized she was sucking down two bottles or not, but she did. Out of three ounces, she took over two ounces.
Now, I hope she remembers that next time!
We have been trying for the last week to get her to take formula....she wouldn't even take a bottle. We tried to give her a bottle in July (of apple juice), she was not interested. While we struggled with Andrew when he had to change formula, we have NEVER had a child that refused a bottle completely.
I had breastfed her about 45 minutes before I attempted to give her a bottle. I had Daddy attempt first. She played with it and gagged on it, but never fussed. After a bit, she started fussing at it and Daddy stopped. I added some breastmilk to the formula (two ounces of formula one ounce breastmilk), put it in two different bottles (the two were mixed, but I thought maybe if she would not take one bottle, she might take another with a different nipple) and we locked ourselves in her room.
After a while she started crying and gagging. I would take the bottle out until she calmed down and then put it back in her mouth. She finally wore herself out and started falling asleep. I don't know if she realized she was sucking down two bottles or not, but she did. Out of three ounces, she took over two ounces.
Now, I hope she remembers that next time!
Four Months Old
Madeleine will be four months old tomorrow. She goes in tomorrow for a check-up and shots, I will post her stats then. While I have a chance, I am going to post what she is doing now.
She is wearing size 1 diapers. Her clothes range from 0-3 months to 3-6 months. She is slowly starting to outgrow the 0-3 month clothes, though.
Eating/sleeping has been challanging, especially the last few months. She went from sleeping all night or only waking up once, to waking up every hour to two hours. Usually she just wants to eat and go back to sleep, but she has still does not burp great and is getting gas frequently. We are trying to find something to help that (actually waiting on the dr's office to call about that now), because Mylicon is not doing much. She MAY have one four to five hour sleep session in the mornings (without waking up to eat), but typically she is still eating every two hours...almost on the dot.
She started cereal last month, with apple juice. The dr said that should help her sleep all night. She would eat it, but did not sleep any longer. I have been trying to give her some formula in cereal to see if she would go any longer between feedings. Formula is a definite no go! She hates it. We tried Similac first. She ate it, and about three hours later, she threw up everything she had eaten. None of the other kids would take Similac, so I went and got Good Start, which is what all the boys took. She would (and still does) scream when I put the bottle (I was trying to get her used to the formula)in her mouth and smile or laugh when I took it out. When I tried to give her formula and cereal she would scream when the bowl was in front of her or I put the spoon in her mouth, and smile when I took it away.
She sleeps in her crib during the day and until the first time she wakes up at night. At that point she goes in our room. I try to keep her in her bassinet unless she is eating, but she still wants to snuggle.
At four months old, she still has to be swaddled to go to sleep. Tightly swaddled!! When she is tired and screaming, if you swaddle her, put her pacifier in her mouth and hold her tightly she will usually instantly stop crying and go to sleep quickly. She is the first one out of all the kids that prefers sleeping on her back (all the boys were tummy sleepers...and yes, I know what they say about sleeping on your tummy).
She prefers Daddy when she is playful or talking, but wants Mommy when she is hungry or sleepy (which I guess makes sense since Daddy can't feed her).
She is very alert and loves to watch her brothers and laugh at them. She prefers to be held facing out so she can see everything. She still does not care for her carseat much (or any seat). She does enjoy lying on the floor and playing.
She likes being outside, just walking. When I can't seem to get her calmed down in the house, she usually instantly stops fussing when we walk outside.
This is all I can think of right now. If I think of more I want to remember, I will post it tomorrow with her drs appt stats.
She is wearing size 1 diapers. Her clothes range from 0-3 months to 3-6 months. She is slowly starting to outgrow the 0-3 month clothes, though.
Eating/sleeping has been challanging, especially the last few months. She went from sleeping all night or only waking up once, to waking up every hour to two hours. Usually she just wants to eat and go back to sleep, but she has still does not burp great and is getting gas frequently. We are trying to find something to help that (actually waiting on the dr's office to call about that now), because Mylicon is not doing much. She MAY have one four to five hour sleep session in the mornings (without waking up to eat), but typically she is still eating every two hours...almost on the dot.
She started cereal last month, with apple juice. The dr said that should help her sleep all night. She would eat it, but did not sleep any longer. I have been trying to give her some formula in cereal to see if she would go any longer between feedings. Formula is a definite no go! She hates it. We tried Similac first. She ate it, and about three hours later, she threw up everything she had eaten. None of the other kids would take Similac, so I went and got Good Start, which is what all the boys took. She would (and still does) scream when I put the bottle (I was trying to get her used to the formula)in her mouth and smile or laugh when I took it out. When I tried to give her formula and cereal she would scream when the bowl was in front of her or I put the spoon in her mouth, and smile when I took it away.
She sleeps in her crib during the day and until the first time she wakes up at night. At that point she goes in our room. I try to keep her in her bassinet unless she is eating, but she still wants to snuggle.
At four months old, she still has to be swaddled to go to sleep. Tightly swaddled!! When she is tired and screaming, if you swaddle her, put her pacifier in her mouth and hold her tightly she will usually instantly stop crying and go to sleep quickly. She is the first one out of all the kids that prefers sleeping on her back (all the boys were tummy sleepers...and yes, I know what they say about sleeping on your tummy).
She prefers Daddy when she is playful or talking, but wants Mommy when she is hungry or sleepy (which I guess makes sense since Daddy can't feed her).
She is very alert and loves to watch her brothers and laugh at them. She prefers to be held facing out so she can see everything. She still does not care for her carseat much (or any seat). She does enjoy lying on the floor and playing.
She likes being outside, just walking. When I can't seem to get her calmed down in the house, she usually instantly stops fussing when we walk outside.
This is all I can think of right now. If I think of more I want to remember, I will post it tomorrow with her drs appt stats.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Running Away.....To Madagascar
Caleb was sent to his room earlier when he got in trouble. After a bit, I told him he could come out if he could behave. He looked at me and either said "so" or "no". I am not sure which one, and really don't care because either way it was disrespectful. So, he was sent back to his room.
A bit later I was sitting on the couch and he comes in with a blanket obviously full of stuff, a tin and something else. He asks "When is the next flight to Madagascar?"
"I don't know, but are you running away to Madagascar because you got in trouble?"
He just turned and went back to his room.
Later I asked why he was planning to run away to Madagascar of all places.
"Because they have coconuts."
"Are you planning on living on coconuts alone?"
"Well, they aren't FRESH coconuts?"
Still made no sense to me, so I left it at that.
Do most 10 year olds plan to run away to someplace like Madagascar?
A bit later I was sitting on the couch and he comes in with a blanket obviously full of stuff, a tin and something else. He asks "When is the next flight to Madagascar?"
"I don't know, but are you running away to Madagascar because you got in trouble?"
He just turned and went back to his room.
Later I asked why he was planning to run away to Madagascar of all places.
"Because they have coconuts."
"Are you planning on living on coconuts alone?"
"Well, they aren't FRESH coconuts?"
Still made no sense to me, so I left it at that.
Do most 10 year olds plan to run away to someplace like Madagascar?
Friday, August 14, 2009
Lonely AJ
Andrew has been so funny this week with the kids going back to school. I guess he remembered from last year because he seemed to know exactly what was happening. Monday morning when we were outside waiting on the buses he kept going up to his brothers, saying their name and giving them HUGE bear hugs. It was so sweet.
Isaac is the first one to leave. He got on his bus and Andrew waved bye to him until the bus was out of sight. Then he continued his bear hugs. When Caleb's bus was coming down the road, Andrew starts screaming "I ZZZZZZZZZZZ" I guess he thought Isaac was already coming home. He waved to Caleb and then repeated the whole process when Bryce's bus was coming down the road.
When Caleb got home from school, Andrew was still sleeping. When he got up and saw Caleb he yelled "BUUUUUUUUUB" (that is what he calls Caleb) and gave him hug. Then he walked through the house saying "I Z?"
Wednesday I had to run to Isaac's school to pay his supply fee. When we were leaving the office I told Andrew we were going to the car. He crosses his arms, throws them against his chest and sat down. I told him to come on and he screams at the top of his lungs "NO, I ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!" and repeated it over and over. We were standing under a metal awning and it echoed bad. I was sure the entire school heard him!
He is getting used to it, but is still very excited when ALL of his brothers get home from school every day!
Isaac is the first one to leave. He got on his bus and Andrew waved bye to him until the bus was out of sight. Then he continued his bear hugs. When Caleb's bus was coming down the road, Andrew starts screaming "I ZZZZZZZZZZZ" I guess he thought Isaac was already coming home. He waved to Caleb and then repeated the whole process when Bryce's bus was coming down the road.
When Caleb got home from school, Andrew was still sleeping. When he got up and saw Caleb he yelled "BUUUUUUUUUB" (that is what he calls Caleb) and gave him hug. Then he walked through the house saying "I Z?"
Wednesday I had to run to Isaac's school to pay his supply fee. When we were leaving the office I told Andrew we were going to the car. He crosses his arms, throws them against his chest and sat down. I told him to come on and he screams at the top of his lungs "NO, I ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!" and repeated it over and over. We were standing under a metal awning and it echoed bad. I was sure the entire school heard him!
He is getting used to it, but is still very excited when ALL of his brothers get home from school every day!
Citizen
One of Isaac's vocabulary this week is citizen. We were studying them the other day at the table while Caleb was doing his homework. Isaac read citizen and Caleb says "I am a citizen." I told him we all were.
"Well, I am a SENIOR citizen."
The ten year old senior citizen!
"Well, I am a SENIOR citizen."
The ten year old senior citizen!
Donor
I was at the store with all the kids before school started. While we were checking out, I had my wallet open and Bryce was looking at my license (yes, the one where I am eight months pregnant!). He asked what the red heart meant. I told him it meant that I was a donor. He asked what a donor was. I explained that if something happened to me, I wanted my heart and other organs donated to someone else.
Caleb heard what I was saying and said "That's gross!" I explained that if it came to life or death, you needed a heart (or lung or kidney, etc), you would probably get over the grossness of it to live. He says "I will just get a plastic heart or kidney or lung!"
At this point, the cashier is giggling quietly.
"They don't have plastic hearts or lungs or kidneys. You either take the gift that someone left behind when they died or you die too."
"I think I would rather just die!" was Caleb's response with a disgusted face.
It made me sad to hear, but I know he is young and doesn't really understand. I can understand why he would think it was gross to have someone else's heart or whatever else, in you, but....
I hope he never has to learn first hand what a gift it is!
Caleb heard what I was saying and said "That's gross!" I explained that if it came to life or death, you needed a heart (or lung or kidney, etc), you would probably get over the grossness of it to live. He says "I will just get a plastic heart or kidney or lung!"
At this point, the cashier is giggling quietly.
"They don't have plastic hearts or lungs or kidneys. You either take the gift that someone left behind when they died or you die too."
"I think I would rather just die!" was Caleb's response with a disgusted face.
It made me sad to hear, but I know he is young and doesn't really understand. I can understand why he would think it was gross to have someone else's heart or whatever else, in you, but....
I hope he never has to learn first hand what a gift it is!
Mady's New Thing
Mady has been sucking on her bottom lip. It is pretty funny to watch her. She is not doing it so much that it looks like a habit, but she does it frequently and makes noises while she is doing it. She is also slobbering ALL. THE. TIME!
Frozen Turnovers, Anyone?
I am constantly telling Andrew to get out of the freezer. We have one of those refrigerators where the top doors are the refrigerator and the freezer is a drawer on the bottom. Andrew has recently learned how to open all of them and I am constantly telling him to get out of them. Apparently, when he is getting into the freezer he is sneaking bites of frozen apple turnovers. Yesterday I told him from another room to get out of the freezer. When I got into the freezer later, I saw the turnover he had been knawing on.
Yes, I feed him, all the time!
Yes, I feed him, all the time!
Peek A Boo
I went to get Mady out of the car this morning after going to the vet and this is what I found:
She has always preferred the dark...guess this is one way of getting it!
She has always preferred the dark...guess this is one way of getting it!
Pretty Girl
I am so happy that she likes the camera! It would be sad for us both if she screamed everytime I dressed her up and took pics! This is a dress that a friend at Paul's office got her.
PB & J
Andrew has gotten to where he really likes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (he didn't used to be too keen on them). He will eat the whole sandwich, but one slice of bread at a time.
STUCK
Andrew likes to sit in ALL of Mady's stuff. He climbed into her Jumparoo the other day and ended up with both legs in one hole and stuck.
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