I'm a winner!

I follow a few blogs on a pretty much daily basis. (Scrapbooking goddesses of the world.) A few days ago, I entered to win a contest and.... I just discovered that.... I WON SOMETHING!!!

YAY!

Maybe, I will try a Powerball ticket next!

http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/03/peachycheap-sponsor-giveaway-winner.html#tpe-action-resize-353 

A closer look at my entry:

http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/03/sponsor-giveaway-100-of-scrap-goods-from-peachycheapcom.html

Brighten someone's day

Today, we decided to brighten someone's day; Sydney and mommy went outside to enjoy the sunshine and warm(er) temperatures. Sydney was holding mommy's hand and we were walking down the sidewalk for all of the passing cars to get a glimpse of one of the CUTEST KIDS ON THE PLANET!

Sydney was dressed in camo bib overalls, a khaki/army green shirt and his camo bucket hat.

He was SO DARNED CUTE!!!

The hat, unfortunately, is a little too small now. (Sized: 3-6 months) However, it is the only one we own with a chinstrap to enable him to leave it on his head and I was trying to keep him from getting too much sun.

Sydney also made his Uncle Mike's day by showing off his new(est) skills. Sydney even snuck over and tipped Uncle Mike's beer (while he was talking on his cell phone).

The past few days, Sydney has been busy throwing his arms up into the air - waiting for us to announce "SO BIG!". I think he is proud of himself for being such a big boy! (And that's why we call him Little Big Guy.)

Walking with a new-found confidence

Frankenstein called; he wants his trademark walk back.

In just a day's time, Sydney has started to perfect his walking skills and is starting to walk with his arms down - like a normal person. He's still SO STINKING CUTE though!!!

We started taking some pictures with a disposable camera - since we were failing miserably with the digital camera's 3-second delay. I'll be anxious to see them once we've used up the camera and gotten them developed.

He walked all the way from the kitchen door to the recliner (near the front door) tonight and was pretty darned proud of himself. He even throws in a few new moves - he knows how to pivot in a circle! What a funny little guy! He brings us SO MUCH JOY!

Scraped face and a broken heart

Poor little Sydney... thinks he is MUCH BIGGER (and more skilled) than he actually is. This afternoon, while we were sitting on the sunporch, he was cockily holding onto a stepstool with only one hand and without letting go, toppled forward, scraping his forehead on the brick of the house.

Thankfully, Daddy reminds me often that BOYS GET BUMPS! (He still looks cute with a scrape on his head.)

As for the bedtime ritual as of late, THAT is growing old... Sydney now gets himself so worked up that he gags, near a vomiting state (if I leave him alone in his room). Of course, THAT breaks my heart to hear him get THAT upset; he is TOTALLY a Momma's Boy! 

For some reason, he NEEDS to have my hand on his body and if he wakes without me there, he cries all over again. I thought I had tricked him tonight... by placing a stuffed animal on his back, but he had figured it out when he woke less than two minutes later to find no resistance as he crawled across his crib and pulled himself to a stand.

One of these days, I NEED to look into a crib guard so that the angry little beaver doesn't do damage to the replacement crib with those 5 teeth.

Mike woke last night (unbelievably, he FINALLY heard the baby cry after only 9 months) and rescued Sydney from his crib while I was in the shower. Mike took a turn trying to get Sydney to sleep. (He sleeps great when he's held, but doesn't like to be put down again.... little stinker!) Sadly, a few minutes later, Sydney was awakened by the sound of thunder rolling through the Mississippi River Valley as we had a great thunderstorm. (Mike wished that he didn't have to get up so early this morning or else he would have sat out on the sunporch to listen/watch it because he LOVES Iowa thunderstorms.) Sydney slept peacefully between us until the storm had passed and we put him back into his crib. (His body would JUMP with each pass of thunder, but he would go right back to sleep.) Eventually, he will get used to the sound of it and it will be no big deal. Soon, we'll be dealing with the rumble of the neighbor's motorcycles, as well, so he'll get used to it sooner rather than later, I'm sure.

When Sydney and I went to visit Daddy at work today, one of the colleagues asked WHEN we're going to have another one [baby].   HA, I laugh; I think we need to get this one to fall asleep on his own before we even CONSIDER the thought of a playmate for Sydney. Plus, I'm still hoping for a kitchen remodel for this year; maybe another baby in the next year?

He only wants his mommy, but she wants a break

Sydney has been having an issue as of late where HE WANTS HIS MOMMY! 

Recent email updates indicate that separation anxiety sets in... in the reasonably near future... which seems to be demonstrated at night since Sydney is NOT wanting to go to bed alone. When he's held, he's perfectly fine, but when you put him into his crib, he instantly tries to stand so that he can grab you before you can sneak out. OR if you stand by his bed, rubbing his back, he instantly knows when you remove your hand and try to walk away. OR when he's been asleep for 10 minutes and wakes to discover that you're no longer there, upsetting him EVEN MORE!

Tonight, I watched some of the brainless America's Next Top Model since there was NOTHING else on tv. Then, at 8pm, I enjoyed (one of my favorite's) American Idol while Sydney slept soundly in my arms for the duration of the tv watching. On each attempt of putting him into his bed, he fussed. 

Given the fact that we have a new crib... one WITHOUT teethmarks... I prefer to keep it that way (if possible) and am willing to work with him. (I need to find some kind of a protective guard so that his new crib remains beaver-proof.) Plus, knowing that he's been sick lately, doesn't help because Sydney gets my sympathy vote. (I can see a bump on his gums, indicating #6 is on it's way; which, most likely, is not helping our cause.)

This past week, Mike has tried a few times to console him, but more often than not, Sydney just wants his mommy. (It IS nice to feel "needed" by SOMEONE in this world.)

Since I had expressed that I don't have a place to come home to relax (since I am ALWAYS HOME), we decided that from time-to-time, I need a little personal space without the baby or household chores. Mike allowed me a little personal time today to make a card for his boss' new baby. I have often referred to card-making as THERAPEUTIC and can count on one hand the amount of cards I have (sadly) made this past year. However, I had to turn on the iTunes on my computer to drown out the crying from downstairs. (To be honest, that breaks my heart a little.)

Mike asks "I wonder who needs who more... Syd or Mommy?" (Truth is: we're each other's best friends and playmates right now; which I understand WILL NOT last forever.)

No matter what, I am fortunate to be so blessed and to have so much love in my heart for the men in my life: my husband and my son.

Photographing Frankenstein

Watching a child learn to walk can be described as a scene from Frankenstein. Sydney marches proudly across the room with carefully calculated steps and his arms out straight in front of him while smiling from ear-to-ear. (There is also an increase in scratches, bumps and bruises to go along with it.)

I've told Mike a few times that I wanted to make sure to catch a picture of him walking like that because sooner or later, he will master the art of walking and will no longer feel the need to steady himself with his arms in zombie-mode. Unfortunately, with the 3-second delay of digital cameras, I have been struggling to document such actions.

Needless to say, with or without photos, he sure is one cute little boy and we love him dearly!

In a state of mending and repair

We are back from vacation. Our luggage has been delivered and the laundry (inside) has been done.

We (Sydney and I) managed to pick up colds, but are on the mend. Sydney hasn't had Motrin or Tylenol for a few days now and his fever is gone. It seems that he is left with a bad cough; mommy has some sinus congestion to go along with her cough. I have been HOPING that Sydney does NOT get congestion in his nose because I don't want it to be difficult for him to nurse. Day by day, we are both getting better.

Mike made it through a weekend of working a ba-zillion hours and is looking forward to the weekend off. (We're hoping to dig the patio furniture out of storage one of these days; a sure sign that spring is around the corner.)

Sydney and I made it home from our weekend visit to WI where we had a great time.

Now, our focus in the reasonably near future will need to be on the house. There is (more) laundry to do, dishes to be done and a good general housecleaning is needed. Our suitcases need to be unpacked fully and put away. I still have boxes to unpack from our move (a year ago) and things to organize. I am looking forward to a little spring cleaning and making a baby card for Mike's boss and his wife's new addition.

Tonight, I hope for a good night of sleep. As I blog, Sydney fights the urge to sleep - moaning softly from his crib; think he is in need of another backrub.

High fever, higher praise for Motrin

Sick mommy. Sick baby.

Sydney had a high fever (at least 102.9 before he wiggled the ear thermometer out of his ear before the time was up) for most of the day and baby tylenol didn't touch it.

But once daddy came home with some pedialyte, some popsicles and some motrin, life improved. The motrin worked wonders on the fever, bringing back some playfulness, smiles and giggles from the formerly lethargic baby.

Daddy also brought home some Vicks VapoRub for mommy; unfortunately, the label indicates not to use it if pregnant or breastfeeding without approval from a healthcare provider. (The lactation consultants unfortunately did NOT return my call today to let me know if it was safe for me to use on myself. BUMMER.) Mommy learned (yesterday at Sydney's 9-month appointment... where he was healthy) that any medicine used to dry out her congestion will most likely also dry up milk supply so, mommy needs to tough this one out so that we can make our goal of breastfeeding for a year. Another Bummer.

Now, if only mommy could get some MUCH NEEDED uninterrupted sleep, it would do HER body some good.

(If we're is up for travels, we were going to grandma & grandpa's house this weekend while Daddy works a ba-zillion hours. There, mommy hopes for some rest and relaxation, as well as a walk outside since temperatures are forecasted near 40, which is pretty good for this time of year. Perhaps some fresh air will kill off the BUG that has infected mommy and baby?) I can't wait to sleep without the cats waking me in the night!!! (The baby I can handle.)

9 month checkup, hard to believe

It is hard to believe that 40 weeks ago (tomorrow), Sydney was born. Even more amazing is that 40 weeks prior to that, he was conceived and we followed along (in awe) at the complete miracle of his life.

At Sydney's 9-month appointment today, his hemoglobin was perfect. His head measured in the 80th percentile. Height was 90th percentile and weight was 50th percentile. Here's where he's at these days:

STATS 39 weeks 6 days old at 9 month checkup

Name: 

Sydney Michael

Age:

39 weeks 6 days

Height:

29"   (90th percentile)

Weight:

20 pounds 6 ounces  

(50th percentile)

Eyes:

Bright Blue

Hair:

Mostly light blonde in color; sometimes has a red or light brown cast to it.

Likes:

Warm milk... fresh from the cow. Silly songs. Rhymes. Chewing. Climbing stairs. Playing in the bathtub. Chasing the cats. Flirting with "the baby" in the mirror. Dropping toys on the floor to see what sounds they make when they fall. Playing peek-a-boo. Playing Patty-Cake. Playing SO BIG. Drinking from a real cup. Flipping and flailing while we attempt to re-diaper him.

Dislikes:

Trying to be put to bed before he is ready. Being woken up before he is ready. The first diaper change of the day - when he would rather be eating. Putting on mittens.

Skills:

Smiling. Dancing. Crawling. WALKING! Climbing stairs. Peek-a-Boo. SO BIG. Pat-A-Cake. (Daddy is now trying to teach him how to blow kisses since he is SUCH a BIG FLIRT!)

Foods:

We've been given a green light for just about anything. We're still integrating from puréed foods to solids; still gags on some solids. (Doctor says he can NOT have: shellfish, peanuts, honey, eggs or strawberries.)

Trying to keep us healthy

What started as a tightness in my chest yesterday has progressed to a tickle and a dry cough today. As the day wore on, that cough became a little more productive. I had not felt up to par all day long and had taken ibuprofen throughout the day for a headache.

It seems nearly impossible to keep Sydney healthy when I am not feeling well. Countless times per day, he puts his hands into my mouth or on my face. Countless times per day, I kiss his neck repeatedly or blow raspberries onto his belly or feet. (Habit, I guess.) 

I am always SO CAREFUL to wash my hands regularly and make a point of wiping down shopping carts and using hand sanitizer where available. I really do NOT want to get sick. I still feel as if I hold the record for most amount of hand-washings per day - given the amount of diaper changing(s), etc.

Tonight, as I was feeding him, I realized that I had been blowing on his food to make sure that it wasn't too hot for him. (Nothing like purposely blowing my germs directly onto his food.) Sorry, little man... I hope that we can both remain healthy.

Tomorrow, Sydney goes in for his 9-month check-up. I'm anxious to see his current stats and am also a little nervous that he will outgrow his infant carseat in the very near future.

Sydney is in bed, which is where I am headed, too. Good night and sweet dreams.