I am trying a new format to make posting easier in my busy life. Let's see if It works (it is supposed to make my 365 easier!)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, January 27, 2012
First time posting from Iphone
I am trying a new format to make posting easier in my busy life. Let's see if It works (it is supposed to make my 365 easier!)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, January 26, 2012
What a Baby Needs
Conor,
I have been going through your closet as you have outgrown several of your clothing items and I need to take an inventory of what you need for Spring and Summer since those clothes are now avaiable in both stores and consignment shops (I have also been thinking ahead to what you will need next fall/winter since those items are on sale in many stores). We were very fortunate that so many of our friends and family bought you things in bigger sizes - we have a good start in each size range but you don't have enough of any one size to get by (other than 0-3).
Carter's clothing outlets (as well as Osh Gosh) have special promotion days so I am making a list of what you need and the days so that I can share the list with your family and also have a list running for myself in the event I find time to get to the outlets.
Carters & Osh Gosh - Tuesdays is double stamp days for parents and Wednesdays is double stamp days for grandparents (as of 12/2011)
You are currently wearing size 0-3 but by the summer you will be in 3-6 (or size months) as well as 6-9 months (You will be 6 months old in June and 9 months by August). Therefore we need a bunch of things in the different sizes to ensure we have clothes for you over the summer.
NEEDS:
Sleep & Play- Mom prefers snaps while Dad prefers zippers so a mix of both is needed; should be cotton or microfleece but not terry cloth as it is itchy. Click HERE to see a Sleep & Play.
Onesies - we need about 6 more white to ensure I don't have to do laundry every other day. Mom wants to find some white long sleeve onesies (they are hard to find) for layering purposes.
Onesies - Polo shirt looking onesies are on my list of MUST HAVES for Spring/Summer. Click HERE.
Jumpers/Rompers - I prefer to keep you in what I call "all-in-one" outfits since you are a bigger guy and it makes your frequent changes easier. Click HERE to see a Romper. They are also better for your tummy because there is no elastic to put additional pressure on your abdomen.
Pant & Shorts sets - to make dressing you easier I try to by things in "sets" becaues then there is always a bottom to match a top (right now we have lots of tops and almost no matching bottoms - I can't have you looking like punky brewster!). I love the overall shorts sets that Carters currently has online and in their outlet!
As far as next August - December - I am on the lookout for anything on sale in these size 9-12 and/or 12-18 that would work for fall and winter months. This is why Mom is looking for long sleeve onesies in all sizes - because I can always put one under a tee shirt or shirt for added warmth! (plus, we like layering)!
You don't need a winter jacket because you can't wear them in your carseat but you will need a snowsuit for next season - I have been looking for one from LLBean or Patagonia at second hand stores but haven't found one yet. I have been looking for size 12-18. You will also need hats/mittens for next year.
Phew - outfitting a growing child is TOUGH!
xoxo
Mom
I have been going through your closet as you have outgrown several of your clothing items and I need to take an inventory of what you need for Spring and Summer since those clothes are now avaiable in both stores and consignment shops (I have also been thinking ahead to what you will need next fall/winter since those items are on sale in many stores). We were very fortunate that so many of our friends and family bought you things in bigger sizes - we have a good start in each size range but you don't have enough of any one size to get by (other than 0-3).
Carter's clothing outlets (as well as Osh Gosh) have special promotion days so I am making a list of what you need and the days so that I can share the list with your family and also have a list running for myself in the event I find time to get to the outlets.
Carters & Osh Gosh - Tuesdays is double stamp days for parents and Wednesdays is double stamp days for grandparents (as of 12/2011)
You are currently wearing size 0-3 but by the summer you will be in 3-6 (or size months) as well as 6-9 months (You will be 6 months old in June and 9 months by August). Therefore we need a bunch of things in the different sizes to ensure we have clothes for you over the summer.
NEEDS:
Sleep & Play- Mom prefers snaps while Dad prefers zippers so a mix of both is needed; should be cotton or microfleece but not terry cloth as it is itchy. Click HERE to see a Sleep & Play.
Onesies - we need about 6 more white to ensure I don't have to do laundry every other day. Mom wants to find some white long sleeve onesies (they are hard to find) for layering purposes.
Onesies - Polo shirt looking onesies are on my list of MUST HAVES for Spring/Summer. Click HERE.
Jumpers/Rompers - I prefer to keep you in what I call "all-in-one" outfits since you are a bigger guy and it makes your frequent changes easier. Click HERE to see a Romper. They are also better for your tummy because there is no elastic to put additional pressure on your abdomen.
Pant & Shorts sets - to make dressing you easier I try to by things in "sets" becaues then there is always a bottom to match a top (right now we have lots of tops and almost no matching bottoms - I can't have you looking like punky brewster!). I love the overall shorts sets that Carters currently has online and in their outlet!
As far as next August - December - I am on the lookout for anything on sale in these size 9-12 and/or 12-18 that would work for fall and winter months. This is why Mom is looking for long sleeve onesies in all sizes - because I can always put one under a tee shirt or shirt for added warmth! (plus, we like layering)!
You don't need a winter jacket because you can't wear them in your carseat but you will need a snowsuit for next season - I have been looking for one from LLBean or Patagonia at second hand stores but haven't found one yet. I have been looking for size 12-18. You will also need hats/mittens for next year.
Phew - outfitting a growing child is TOUGH!
xoxo
Mom
Thank You Boyntons!
A few days ago there was a package in the mail addressed to me. I couldn't imagine what it could be as I wasn't waiting on any orders and I did not recognize the address. But, since it had my name on it - I opened it!
Waiting inside for me was a beautiful package and a card. The card was not in a handwriting that I recognized but the name at the bottom was clear enough that I knew just who had sent it! Chris, Kara, Claire and Mya - our good friends the Boyntons!
Of course I was super excited and curious - our friends are living in Korea and the return address was Florida! I carefully unwrapped the package which was like the Russian Nesting Dolls - one package inside the other, each growing smaller as I got closer to the treasure.
The gift is a necklace that is both beautiful and sentimental. While Conor, Josh, and I have received so many wonderful things from friends and family while planning for Conor's arrival and after his birth - the one thing that I did not receive was something just for me to remember the moment I became a mom for the first time. But, Kara (and Chris too) fixed that by sending this beautiful necklace. It has a starfish (which I love), a small pearl (perfect since I always wear pearl earrings) and then a hand stamped "C" on a small silver circle.
I just love this necklace and will treasure it for the rest of my life. I have worn it several times already and received many compliments on it. Included in the packaging was the website for the designer of the necklace (www.onelifejewelry.com). I have looked at some of her other products and many of them are beautiful and would make great gifts for bridesmaids, moms, grandmothers, friends, or anyone who could use a little something special!
Thank you so very much Kara and clan.......the necklace is beautiful and will be treasured!
xoxo
Erin
Waiting inside for me was a beautiful package and a card. The card was not in a handwriting that I recognized but the name at the bottom was clear enough that I knew just who had sent it! Chris, Kara, Claire and Mya - our good friends the Boyntons!
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| Such beautiful packaging! |
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| A beautiful box inside the gold speckled bag. |
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| And in the box - a small bag |
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| And inside the bag - aqua tissue paper |
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| And inside the tissue paper - a necklace! |
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| A perfect charm necklace. |
Thank you so very much Kara and clan.......the necklace is beautiful and will be treasured!
xoxo
Erin
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
A New Bedtime Routine
Dear Conor,
Whew - the last few weeks you have really been wearing your parents down! We have been allowing you to create your own schedule because you were still young and breastfed babies tend to eat more often than formula fed babies because (1) the mother's supply has to adapt to baby's growing need and (2) breast milk is more easily digested which means a baby doesn't stay full as long.
However, after that last two nights of you failing to fall asleep after being fed and having your diaper change I decided that since today we begin your 6th week of life it's time we start establishing a bedtime routine. Tonight I started your bedtime routine by changing your diaper and putting you in you jammies at 7:30pm. Then I fed you at 7:40pm. I changed your diaper again at 8pm and read you a very short story. Then I fed you a bit more and we rocked in the chair in my dark room. However, you don't love rocking and your arms were preventing you from falling asleep. So, I swaddled you and then bounced you from 8:45pm until I was able to put you in your bassinet at 9:05pm. It was a long process but it is my intention to keep this up each and every night this week and therefore it is my hope that we will no longer have such difficult evenings and your Dad and I will have some time to spend with Hunter and get work done before we head to bed.
It is currently 11:00pm and you are still sleeping! This is the longest you have slept at night (before I go to bed) in about two weeks. I hope you will sleep right through till your next feeding around 1am!
I also hooked up your camera in my room because you are still sleeping in there and I decided that part of your bedtime routine will involve you sleeping upstairs while the rest of us are downstairs. Because this was a BIG first for you - I took a picture of the screen showing you asleep all on your own!
We have the WiFi Baby monitor system and I have to say it is pretty cool. It allows us to view you on both our phones and via my ipad and does not have any limitations based on distance from the camera. As it runs off our wifi there is also no interference from other local monitors. If we didn't have Time Warner as our service provider I would also be able to check in on you while I was at Court or visiting friends but Time Warner has their service locked. I am going to talk to both Time Warner and the company who makes your camera and see if we can solve this problem so that I can use this feature (which is one of the main reasons we bought this system!)
Well, I am going to go and shower and get ready for bed myself.
xoxo
Mom
UPDATE: Conor - you slept from 9pm to 2am (that's 5 hours) alone in your bassinet. At 2am you needed to eat and after that I kept you in our bed with us because you had a lot of gas and you were having trouble falling back asleep on your back and/or your side. So, I layed you on my chest on your belly to help get some more of the gas out. You ate two more times throughout the early morning hours and then you went back into your bassinet around 6:30am so that I could get ready for work (you were spending the morning with Dad again)!
Whew - the last few weeks you have really been wearing your parents down! We have been allowing you to create your own schedule because you were still young and breastfed babies tend to eat more often than formula fed babies because (1) the mother's supply has to adapt to baby's growing need and (2) breast milk is more easily digested which means a baby doesn't stay full as long.
However, after that last two nights of you failing to fall asleep after being fed and having your diaper change I decided that since today we begin your 6th week of life it's time we start establishing a bedtime routine. Tonight I started your bedtime routine by changing your diaper and putting you in you jammies at 7:30pm. Then I fed you at 7:40pm. I changed your diaper again at 8pm and read you a very short story. Then I fed you a bit more and we rocked in the chair in my dark room. However, you don't love rocking and your arms were preventing you from falling asleep. So, I swaddled you and then bounced you from 8:45pm until I was able to put you in your bassinet at 9:05pm. It was a long process but it is my intention to keep this up each and every night this week and therefore it is my hope that we will no longer have such difficult evenings and your Dad and I will have some time to spend with Hunter and get work done before we head to bed.
It is currently 11:00pm and you are still sleeping! This is the longest you have slept at night (before I go to bed) in about two weeks. I hope you will sleep right through till your next feeding around 1am!
I also hooked up your camera in my room because you are still sleeping in there and I decided that part of your bedtime routine will involve you sleeping upstairs while the rest of us are downstairs. Because this was a BIG first for you - I took a picture of the screen showing you asleep all on your own!
Well, I am going to go and shower and get ready for bed myself.
xoxo
Mom
UPDATE: Conor - you slept from 9pm to 2am (that's 5 hours) alone in your bassinet. At 2am you needed to eat and after that I kept you in our bed with us because you had a lot of gas and you were having trouble falling back asleep on your back and/or your side. So, I layed you on my chest on your belly to help get some more of the gas out. You ate two more times throughout the early morning hours and then you went back into your bassinet around 6:30am so that I could get ready for work (you were spending the morning with Dad again)!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
A Social Weekend
Dear Conor,
You had a very busy weekend! Yesterday (1/21/2012) we started the day out with a nice bath and then you took a short relaxing nap in your crib while I showered, dressed, and stripped my bed. You had your glowing seahorse to keep you company (you got it from GG Irene at Christmas)
After I took you out of the crib it was time for me to fold some laundry. I often fold laundry in my room and so you hung out in our bed while I folded many loads of laundry. You were very content to relax in my bed leaning against the pillows watching me.
After our morning chores were done it was time to go and visit with Grandpa Tom. We stayed for about 2 hours. He loved on your and remarked at how much you had grown. You enjoyed spending time with him and you even cooed for him a few times.
After your visit with Grandpa Tom we went over to Grandma Jakan's house so that we could check on GG Irene who had just come home the day before. Everyone seemed in good spirits and we stayed for about an hour to have dinner with GG Irene before heading home for the night. You had a lot of trouble sleeping last night and I ended up having to bring you into your room with me so that Dad and Hunter could get their sleep. This was the first time that we had slept in your room. We have had to leave the room a few mornings and hang out downstairs but since it was very very early in the morning (around 4am) we needed some sleep - the kind you get in a bed and not on the couch!
You finally settled down around 7am and you slept until 9!!! When we all got up we bundled you up to take you out for a walk with Hunter. But, Hunter didn't want to walk because the sand and salt was getting stuck in his paws. You were so comfortable in your Moby that you fell asleep and so I transitioned you into your swing, warm fuzzy suit, hat, and all!
After your morning nap it was time to get going as you had a playdate with our Tuesday Group friends. The playdate was in Windham and it was a lot of fun! We got there around 11:30am and stayed until 2:45pm. You really enjoyed some of the toys that the kids had and so I am going to have to get you some more toys to play with (you have a lot of rattle type toys but you really liked some of the other types that were on the floor).
When we got home the game was in the second period and it was clear who you were rooting for!
Unfortunately (or fortunately) you didn't make it through the whole game and so you missed seeing your team clench the AFC title! But, because it was such a busy day you truly needed your sleep!
xoxo
Mom
You had a very busy weekend! Yesterday (1/21/2012) we started the day out with a nice bath and then you took a short relaxing nap in your crib while I showered, dressed, and stripped my bed. You had your glowing seahorse to keep you company (you got it from GG Irene at Christmas)
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| Hanging in the crib all nice and warm after a bath! (01/21/2012) |
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| Hanging out in Mom's bed while she does laundry (01/21/2012) |
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| Grandpa Tom telling you a story |
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| And rocking you to sleep. |
You finally settled down around 7am and you slept until 9!!! When we all got up we bundled you up to take you out for a walk with Hunter. But, Hunter didn't want to walk because the sand and salt was getting stuck in his paws. You were so comfortable in your Moby that you fell asleep and so I transitioned you into your swing, warm fuzzy suit, hat, and all!
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| Morning nap |
When we got home the game was in the second period and it was clear who you were rooting for!
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| Go Patriots!! Beat those Ravens!! (01/22/2012) |
xoxo
Mom
Working Mom & Baby
Dear Conor,
Today (1/20/2012) I had to go to work in the afternoon to handle a divorce matter for a client. But, before heading out I needed to get some things done in my office and I decided it was high time that you started earning your keep around here and so into my office you came!
I had to run to your Dad's office to get some photocopying done and when I got back you were hanging out with your Dad on the couch.
It was hard to leave you again but I knew that you were in good hands since you and Dad had done so well together on Wednesday. I wasn't gone that long though - just about 2 hours because things went very quickly. I spent more time driving back and forth to the Court than being in the Court (this happens quite a bit)!
Your Grandpa Tom is in town this weekend so it was off to bed early to make sure you are well rested when you visit - you hadn't seen him since Christmas!
xoxo
Mom
Today (1/20/2012) I had to go to work in the afternoon to handle a divorce matter for a client. But, before heading out I needed to get some things done in my office and I decided it was high time that you started earning your keep around here and so into my office you came!
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| Attorney Conor Jakan |
I had to run to your Dad's office to get some photocopying done and when I got back you were hanging out with your Dad on the couch.
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| Helping Dad finish some of his work. |
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| You and Dad talking about your plans for the day. |
Your Grandpa Tom is in town this weekend so it was off to bed early to make sure you are well rested when you visit - you hadn't seen him since Christmas!
xoxo
Mom
Second Surgery
Dear Conor,
Today we went for a ride with Dad for his work but we also had to go into Portland for your appointment with the ENT. I was very nervous for this appointment because I wasn't sure what to expect. The nurse that brought us into the room was very sweet and she explained what the doctor needed to do to examine you and at what points we should expect to hear you cry. Then she got you all set up in the big chair. You looked so tiny in the big chair because they kept you in your carseat the whole time.
After the nurse got you settled the doctor came in to check you out. You did not like him sticking the Q-tip or his fingers under your tongue and you cried just as the nurse said you would. He said that your tongue-tie was not severe but it was also not so minimal that he would suggest that nothing be done. You had a moderate case that we could choose to have it cut or we could wait it out and see if it stretched or if it ended up impacting your speech. If we needed to have it cut later it would likely need to be done in a hospital setting as the older a child gets the harder it is to cut it in the office because they squirm!
Your Dad and I decided that we didn't want to take that chance because it seemed more traumatic to potentially place you under anesthesia when you are a toddler to have something done that we could easily have done now and not have to live in constant wonder. So, we told the doctor we would like to have it done while you were still little. Little did we know that he was going to do it that day!
A little bit of numbing agent was applied to the underside of your tongue and then after a minute he snipped the little membrane and it was over - or so I thought. There was a bit of blood and the doctor wanted to be sure it clotted before you left the office so he applied a clotting agent to the cut marks (it turned silver and remains there for a while). He cleaned up your little face and then it was time to go.
We saw improvements in your tongue action pretty quickly. You were moving your tongue a lot more and sticking it out further than you ever had before. Also, when you had dinner you stayed latched on much better.
I am so proud of how strong you are - you didn't cry during your first surgery and you didn't cry during this one and you recovered nicely from both as well.
xoxo
Mom
Today we went for a ride with Dad for his work but we also had to go into Portland for your appointment with the ENT. I was very nervous for this appointment because I wasn't sure what to expect. The nurse that brought us into the room was very sweet and she explained what the doctor needed to do to examine you and at what points we should expect to hear you cry. Then she got you all set up in the big chair. You looked so tiny in the big chair because they kept you in your carseat the whole time.
Your Dad and I decided that we didn't want to take that chance because it seemed more traumatic to potentially place you under anesthesia when you are a toddler to have something done that we could easily have done now and not have to live in constant wonder. So, we told the doctor we would like to have it done while you were still little. Little did we know that he was going to do it that day!
A little bit of numbing agent was applied to the underside of your tongue and then after a minute he snipped the little membrane and it was over - or so I thought. There was a bit of blood and the doctor wanted to be sure it clotted before you left the office so he applied a clotting agent to the cut marks (it turned silver and remains there for a while). He cleaned up your little face and then it was time to go.
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| I promise - it looks worse than it actually was - you kept spitting little bits of retained blood out at a time. |
I am so proud of how strong you are - you didn't cry during your first surgery and you didn't cry during this one and you recovered nicely from both as well.
xoxo
Mom
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