So it turns out that while Logan isn't a great napper, he's an awesome night sleeper. I had no idea it was possible for a little baby to actually sleep at night! James never got more than a few hours in a row before he wanted to be fed. Then we had issues with him still waking up to eat, even at 12 months old. James also teethed very early and for the longest time, which didn't help with sleep. He never even got the chance to sleep through the night because he was teething so badly from 4 months on.
But Logan is a sleeper. He's been going a long time before waking up, usually down by 8 pm and sleeping at least 6 to 8 hours. Its just crazy to me! And I know that as soon as you talk about how well your baby is sleeping, they usually stop, but we have had this pattern going on for 2 weeks now. Coming soon will be his 4 month growth spurt and "wakeful period" as all the books call it, and I know he will teethe at some point, but I am really relishing this time to actually sleep.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Oh, the gym
I've been going to the gym a lot recently. (Yea, I know I said I wasn't going to write about weight loss, but this is more about the gym itself.)
There are some really funny characters at the gym. I suppose I should include myself in there too, I'm by no means an athlete. I like to think I was in a previous life, but in this one, I am just trying to pass and not look too stupid.
Here are some of my favorites at the gym:
1. The guys who work out in jeans. How is this at all comfortable? I despise sweating in jeans, so why would you wear them somewhere that you're going to be sweating a lot? Usually guys are just lifting weights in said jeans, but there's even a sign regarding the dress code by the front desk. No jeans is clearly listed.
2. The guys who make up exercises. These guys usually have free weights. Now again, I am no athlete. But I did work out with a trainer before our wedding and she did a great job of teaching me about working out, correct stance/movement, and not hurting myself in the process. I see guys (the free weights are directly in front of the treadmills and elliptical machines) just tossing weights in random motions, not really working out a particular muscle group, very random. Maybe they're trying to sneak up on their muscles?
3. I could be lumped into this category, but who knows. One of my other favorite groups of people are the new people in brand new work out clothes. The guys in work out tights (no really, men's tights) matching shorts, tank, and head band, sparkling gloves. These are the guys that spend more time chatting and holding weights than actually lifting them. Now I have some new work out clothes, but I do try to make the most of my time and I certainly don't chat, so maybe I only half count.
4. This one is a doozie. The ill-dressed ladies. I saw a woman at the gym yesterday with rather large.... endowments. She was wearing a push up bra and a low cut tank top. Now, I am not as well... endowed. But if I'm moving on the treadmill or elliptical, most of my body is also moving. I am not sure how she was keeping the "girls" in check, but she didn't seem to mind that she was falling out of her shirt. Its the gym, who are you really trying to impress? Even if I go straight from work to the gym, I always pack a sports bra to change into.
Did this turn into a rant? Oops! I suppose that observations from me end up being rants, but there you have it, the gym as I see it!
There are some really funny characters at the gym. I suppose I should include myself in there too, I'm by no means an athlete. I like to think I was in a previous life, but in this one, I am just trying to pass and not look too stupid.
Here are some of my favorites at the gym:
1. The guys who work out in jeans. How is this at all comfortable? I despise sweating in jeans, so why would you wear them somewhere that you're going to be sweating a lot? Usually guys are just lifting weights in said jeans, but there's even a sign regarding the dress code by the front desk. No jeans is clearly listed.
2. The guys who make up exercises. These guys usually have free weights. Now again, I am no athlete. But I did work out with a trainer before our wedding and she did a great job of teaching me about working out, correct stance/movement, and not hurting myself in the process. I see guys (the free weights are directly in front of the treadmills and elliptical machines) just tossing weights in random motions, not really working out a particular muscle group, very random. Maybe they're trying to sneak up on their muscles?
3. I could be lumped into this category, but who knows. One of my other favorite groups of people are the new people in brand new work out clothes. The guys in work out tights (no really, men's tights) matching shorts, tank, and head band, sparkling gloves. These are the guys that spend more time chatting and holding weights than actually lifting them. Now I have some new work out clothes, but I do try to make the most of my time and I certainly don't chat, so maybe I only half count.
4. This one is a doozie. The ill-dressed ladies. I saw a woman at the gym yesterday with rather large.... endowments. She was wearing a push up bra and a low cut tank top. Now, I am not as well... endowed. But if I'm moving on the treadmill or elliptical, most of my body is also moving. I am not sure how she was keeping the "girls" in check, but she didn't seem to mind that she was falling out of her shirt. Its the gym, who are you really trying to impress? Even if I go straight from work to the gym, I always pack a sports bra to change into.
Did this turn into a rant? Oops! I suppose that observations from me end up being rants, but there you have it, the gym as I see it!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
The new routine
Things have been going well around our house! This week has been a bit hectic, trying to get myself and the boys out the door, but I've really made an effort to do as much as possible the night before. I pick out my clothes, James' clothes, change Logan into his outfit for the next day (Is that bad? I mean, he just hangs out in a sleeper all day, so why not get him into it the night before...), make lunches, and take a shower. I feel like I'm superwoman every time I get to work on time!
So far, Logan loves daycare. Rhonda has enjoyed having a little guy to cuddle and Logan loves to look at all the new sights. The kids are certainly keeping him entertained and James has only been a little jealous of the other kids paying attention to his baby brother. James has done well, he's regressing a bit, but nothing too terrible. He really likes to be the baby and who can blame him. But he's gotten no time outs all week and has been very helpful for Rhonda. Maybe one day he will want to be helpful for mom and dad and actually use the potty, but that's another story.
Logan's been sleeping really well, he gets so tired during the day and fights sleep, but by the time he gets home and eats (and eats again) he is ready for bed. Over the weekend we made it a priority to get him in bed by 8:30 pm and that time frame is slowly moving forward (which is the goal). James has always been in bed asleep by 7:30 pm and Logan is following suit nicely. He's been sleeping longer stretches too (probably due to the 8 ounces he's been eating between 5 pm and 7 pm) which is really wonderful.
I've been making a huge effort with going to the gym and am so happy with our routine these days. I can only hope it will continue and that my motivation will as well.
So far, Logan loves daycare. Rhonda has enjoyed having a little guy to cuddle and Logan loves to look at all the new sights. The kids are certainly keeping him entertained and James has only been a little jealous of the other kids paying attention to his baby brother. James has done well, he's regressing a bit, but nothing too terrible. He really likes to be the baby and who can blame him. But he's gotten no time outs all week and has been very helpful for Rhonda. Maybe one day he will want to be helpful for mom and dad and actually use the potty, but that's another story.
Logan's been sleeping really well, he gets so tired during the day and fights sleep, but by the time he gets home and eats (and eats again) he is ready for bed. Over the weekend we made it a priority to get him in bed by 8:30 pm and that time frame is slowly moving forward (which is the goal). James has always been in bed asleep by 7:30 pm and Logan is following suit nicely. He's been sleeping longer stretches too (probably due to the 8 ounces he's been eating between 5 pm and 7 pm) which is really wonderful.
I've been making a huge effort with going to the gym and am so happy with our routine these days. I can only hope it will continue and that my motivation will as well.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Three month milestones
Mastered Skills (most kids can do)
Recognizes your face and scent
Holds head steady
Visually tracks moving objects
Logan is definitely doing all of these things. He smiles when he sees mom, dad, big brother or the dog. His little head stays very steady and he likes to look around. He watches and tracks moving objects well, usually its his favorite friend, Mac the dog. Mac loves Logan right back, I don't think he realizes that the baby will one day be a running, screaming, overly affectionate toddler just like James.
Emerging Skills (most kids can do)
Squeals, gurgles, coos
Blows bubbles
Recognizes your voice
Does mini-pushup
Logan is doing some of these things, he isn't blowing bubbles yet and gets pretty mad with tummy time, so his pushups could use some work. But he makes lots of adorable noises and knows our voices well.
Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)
Rolls over, from tummy to back
Turns toward loud sounds
Can bring hands together, bats at toys
Logan hasn't rolled over yet, but he does move towards noise and bats at toys well. His favorite thing in the world is his playmat and he's always grabbing onto the rings and toys that hang from it. As soon as you turn on his light up star (that plays classical music) he is smiling and squealing at it. James never liked the mat that much, so at least Logan is getting some use out of it.
Recognizes your face and scent
Holds head steady
Visually tracks moving objects
Logan is definitely doing all of these things. He smiles when he sees mom, dad, big brother or the dog. His little head stays very steady and he likes to look around. He watches and tracks moving objects well, usually its his favorite friend, Mac the dog. Mac loves Logan right back, I don't think he realizes that the baby will one day be a running, screaming, overly affectionate toddler just like James.
Emerging Skills (most kids can do)
Squeals, gurgles, coos
Blows bubbles
Recognizes your voice
Does mini-pushup
Logan is doing some of these things, he isn't blowing bubbles yet and gets pretty mad with tummy time, so his pushups could use some work. But he makes lots of adorable noises and knows our voices well.
Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)
Rolls over, from tummy to back
Turns toward loud sounds
Can bring hands together, bats at toys
Logan hasn't rolled over yet, but he does move towards noise and bats at toys well. His favorite thing in the world is his playmat and he's always grabbing onto the rings and toys that hang from it. As soon as you turn on his light up star (that plays classical music) he is smiling and squealing at it. James never liked the mat that much, so at least Logan is getting some use out of it.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Baby smiles
Baby smiles are the best. Logan gives them frequently now, although we've only gotten one picture of the smile. Okay, I say we when in fact, Adam got a picture of the smile. I just went home to see him on my lunch break and even though he's been grumpy today, he finally gave in and smiled for his mom. I can't believe that he's almost 3 months old. Next week both boys will be in daycare full time, Rhonda keeps telling me how excited she is. I can't wait to see what James does...
Friday, March 8, 2013
Gas Drops
Yesterday I gave in and went to buy some gas drops and gripe water. Adam put the drops in Logan's 4:30 PM bottle, the bottle right before his usual 2 hour freak out. He didn't so much as fuss once during the 2 hours. Or all night, for that matter. He was tooting up a storm, so the gas drops seemed to help with the pain and extreme discomfort he was feeling.
I never really gave a lot of thought to gas drops. I've read several studies that rated their effectiveness equally with a placebo and my pediatrician echoed those thoughts. I do have several mommy friends who swear by them. I figured they couldn't really do any harm and desperation sent me over the edge. But they worked. And if they didn't work, they pretended to work, which is good enough for me.
Overall Logan had a good night. He still didn't sleep more than 3 hours at a time, but I can deal with that. We did make the effort to have him sleep in his room all night, which went well. He must have been really happy in there, because every time he woke up, he was cooing and giggling and just pleased as punch to be in his room. Adam has one more week at home, so we're going to be working very hard to get a routine going. And I am hopeful that the routine will make Logan sleep better!
I never really gave a lot of thought to gas drops. I've read several studies that rated their effectiveness equally with a placebo and my pediatrician echoed those thoughts. I do have several mommy friends who swear by them. I figured they couldn't really do any harm and desperation sent me over the edge. But they worked. And if they didn't work, they pretended to work, which is good enough for me.
Overall Logan had a good night. He still didn't sleep more than 3 hours at a time, but I can deal with that. We did make the effort to have him sleep in his room all night, which went well. He must have been really happy in there, because every time he woke up, he was cooing and giggling and just pleased as punch to be in his room. Adam has one more week at home, so we're going to be working very hard to get a routine going. And I am hopeful that the routine will make Logan sleep better!
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Busy, busy
I feel like we have been so busy lately. I've been working and going to the gym and trying to keep the house from looking like a bomb went off in it. Adam's been staying home and minding the Fussiest Baby alive, going to the gym, and entertaining James a lot. James has been learning how to get attention when we're busy with the baby and is not busy on the potty.
Strangely, I think when Adam goes back to work and Logan starts daycare my house will be a lot tidier. There will be no one home to get it messy and there will be less bottles to wash at the end of the day. We will see if that is how things end up.
The last week has been a little rough with James. He understands now that sometimes he isn't getting 100% of our attention. So he's started to do some little things to let us know that he knows what's up. On Sunday morning, Adam went to the gym. James was eating cereal and playing with the iPad, I was feeding the baby and watching the news. Pretty typical Sunday for us. Then James walks over to me, screaming with tears pouring out. He's yelling about his nose hurting. I put the baby down and try to get him to blow his nose, but he just screams more. Eventually the word "cereal" comes out of his mouth. So I run into the kitchen, grab the Nose Frida, and suck out his nose. A whole piece of cereal came out. The tears and screams stopped immediately. Then we had a nice long chat about not putting ANYTHING up our nose EVER.
Logan has still been having fussy issues and we are trying out a few things before going in to see the doctor about it. He just gets so upset and will scream for hours, usually starting around 5 PM. Some bouncing on the knee or bicycling his legs will get out a little gas, but that never seems to end his screaming for long. So I have some gas drops and gripe water to try with him. If they don't work, I'm going to talk to the doctor to see if he's having reflux and maybe needs to try some Zantac or Prevacid. I just feel so helpless when he's crying. He also is still not sleeping very well. James wasn't a perfect sleeper, but he would take naps during the day and sleep for at least a 4 hour stretch at night. Logan seems to be boycotting naps and usually only goes for 3 hours at night. Hopefully he will start sleeping more soon, for all of our sakes!
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