5 months old...

I can't believe my little guy will be 5 months old tomorrow. He is growing so strong, so quickly. We have been very busy the past month or so...he has continued to have issues with

his stomach bleeding and we know have a GI consult at the beginning of August. He seems to be maintaining his place on the growth curve, so I am not overly concerned at this point. I am being very adventurous by trying goat cheeses, and I am even considering buffalo mozzarella. The biggest problem is how expensive these "alternatives" to cow's milk protein are.

The past two weeks Warren has had a spell of getting up every 1-3hours during the night (and considering that we had 2.5 blissful months of sleeping through the night). However, last night he slept through the night again, and I am hopeful for tonight. I think he is either having some teething pain, or his little brain couldn't let him sleep it was developing so fast. He has started really trying to crawl the past week or two and tonight he managed to move just a little bit on the hardwood floor. Our floors make it very tricky for him because they are so slick, so he needs a foot or something to push off of, but he can move.

We have had lots of adventures in the past month. We have gone to the lake, the nature center, and today we went the farmer's market.

At the lake-I always have more fun than he does!

The logistics of both of us being in very deep lake water, and remaining safe, is a little tricky. Again, I think I had more fun with this than he did. I am looking forward to trying his float out in the pool at the beach in a few weeks!

Burke (see Kim I am trying to use his nickname) and Warren had a blast at the Farmer's Market today. It is so nice for Warren to already have a little buddy.

Contemplating crawling or whatever means necessary to get the ball...

4 months and more

It has been awhile since I have posted anything, but we have been very busy. On Saturday, one of my best friends got married--and I am still amazed by how beautiful the wedding was. I am just so glad that I got to be a part of their special day!

The wedding was held outside in Bethel, NC. The day started off a little bit rainy, but by the time of the wedding the weather was beautiful-and hot! I was just grateful that the bride and bridesmaids got to be inside the cabin with fans; the groom and groomsmen were not so lucky. They had to stand around outside in their tuxs with only cold bottled water to get them through...but we all made it! There were so many good ideas, that if I ever get into wedding planning, I will steal alot of ideas from this one. My favorite part was the candy table--it even had rock candy!

The next day we went to Jim's houseboat on Fontana Lake. Aunt Amy went with us, and we had a great time--although I have severe post-tramatic stress from my forays into tubing. I don't want to re-embarass myself too much, but let's just say that I climbed into the tube 3 times and had to be assisted back into the boat from the water 3 times. By the 3rd crash, I was getting pretty good at landing without anything aching as well as getting into the boat without looking like a beached whale! I think I will stick to boating sports on the Wii, and when I am actually at the lake I will just swim or ride in the boat!

On Monday, my little guy turned 4 months old. I can't believe how fast he is growing and changing. He is rolling over, babbling alot (I am sure he got my gregarious nature), and he wants to be constantly on the move...I don't think this bodes well for me for the next few years!

For those of you who have been concerned and asking, Warren is doing much better. I am milk product free for over a week now, and his poop is the right color, no more blood, and he is less fussy. So while it is a struggle for me, it is rewarding to know that it is working. Here's to it being a temporary thing!

The American Dream?

So, I have been told that it is the American Dream to be a homeowner, pet owner, and parent. Today-it felt more like a reality competition!

First (and this maybe slightly gross to some of you non-medically inclined people), Warren had some blood in his stool. That combined with increased fussiness and throwing up lately made me decide to call the nurse. They wanted to see him. I took him in, and indeed he was hemacult positive! So, the NP and doctor seemed to think that it was either a viral infection (gastroenteritis) or possibly a lactose intolerance. So--for now I have to give up dairy products. I could not do this for anyone besides my child, because I dearly love cheese.
Now you can't tell from this picture of Warren that he doesn't feel good, but let me just say this is outfit number 1 of the day--it was cute while it lasted.

Next, I had to rush to Lucy and Ethel's scheduled annual checkup. Let me just put in a blurp for the Canton Animal Hospital. They are wonderful. They let me be wishy-washy about whether I would be able to get to the appointment based on how quickly Warren was seen. And then when I showed up with Warren in my arms, Ethel terrified on the leash, and poor Lucy left in the car, they were nothing but helpful. I highly recommend them. Everyone there is nice, pleasant, and helpful.

So, back to my story. Ethel has always been anxious in the car. By anxious I mean things may come out of either end. So, yes we showed up at the vet with poop in her tail, and her shaking all over. Then we get in there and she was whining more than normal. But I have to say this for her, she would lay down anytime I told her to sit. However, she did growl when the vet tried to pet her in the waiting room. Therefore, I told the assistants that we should probably put a muzzle on her before they drew blood for the heartworm test. She has never bitten anyone or been at all aggressive, but she was more anxious than normal and the baby was starting to cry (over whom she is very protective). I volunteered to put the muzzle on her because she doesn't like stuff over her face. It was miserable for me--I hated making her feel even more trapped. Luckily, John showed up just as they were finishing up. Then when the vet came in we decided to muzzle her again--John did it this time. The cat's visit when a lot more smoothly.

Add to all of this that I am scheduled to work 7p-7a tonight, and it made for a very exhausting day. Thankfully on the way to the vet work had called and offered me call. Financially I really shouldn't have taken it because we still behind from me being out on maternity leave for 12 weeks, but it was nice to be able to do all of Warren's nightly routine. Maybe they will call me in and I will get paid time and a half!

Lastly, I just got back from the Dollar Store, and it appears that everything contains milk! This may not be a good week for WeightWatchers because I believe my diet will consist of pes, corn, potatoes, and water!

Day in the Sun

Warren and I spent the afternoon at Amie's pool. It was a lot of fun, even though the morning started out looking like it could rain! Warren can't understand why his Mama is always making him do things. He seemed to enjoy putting his feet in the water, but I wasn't willing to put more of him in because the water was a little cold.

Burkley and Kim were there as well. Warren and Burkley just wanted to blow bubbles at each other, and occasionally Warren would reach out towards Burkley. All in all their friendship is starting out great!

Warren fell asleep in my arms while I was holding him in the pool--I guess I really am pretty boring! So, he took a nice nap in the car seat.

Thanks Amie for such a wonderful day!

Our newest feat-rolling over!

Warren has developed a new skill--rolling over to his stomach, and then back to his back again, and finally back to his tummy. Once he gets to his stomach and is unable to continue log-rolling due to some kind of blockade (a pillow for instance), he gets very upset! He does like to lay on his tummy for a little while kicking his legs, he will be crawling before we know it. He has always been the kind of kid that wants to be going places. He doesn't tolerate a lot of time on his back anymore now that he has learned the secret to rolling over :(

3 month photo shoot

We took Warren to get some 3 month pictures today--and yes I spent more than I intended, but we had a great time!



This is a cute little outfit that my sister made for him...I think this is the best smile we got out of him the whole time.


I love this family shot--all of us actually look happy to be there!

Lazy Sunday

What a Sunday-Warren slept til 7am, he did wake up for a short coo-ing session around 4am, but he was content and we didn't even have to get him out of his crib! I got to sleep until 11:30 (since I have to work tonight), and we have just spent the rest of the day relaxing and listening to Frank Sinatra--and yes, I made my sweet baby dance on the porch with me. I am definitely the leader in the embarassing mama category as far as Warren is concerned. Now it is off to work for me!

Oh-I also like to start things way before Warren is ready--hence the jumper: He can't even really support himself in it yet, he keeps falling forward and looking around like what is happening to me!

So, we just resort to slobbering on it!



What a tiring day! So, he just fell asleep in his favorite place, the porch swing!

Lindsey's bridal shower

Today I got to have the great pleasure of co-hosting Lindsey's shower. I can't believe that in less than 1 month she will be an old married lady--if only I could get her on the baby wagon for my next go-around! I guess for now I will let her get by with being "Aunt Lindsey". Burkley came over and "played" with Warren...as much as a 2 and 3 month old can play together!

Warren couldn't get enough of Hope--I guess he is already distracted by girls!

Lindsey got a lot of great gifts; among other things--a down comforter, skillet, bowls and plates, a crockpot, and two toasters!

I think we probably overloaded the swing for this photo op, but it was fun!

Pregnancy into motherhood

Now that I am back at work and in the world of pregnancy and labor at least 36 hours a week, I am missing being pregnant even more. Don't get me wrong, I am not ready to do it all over again just yet...but it does make me sad to think that I only get to be pregnant 2 or 3 more times before I will be totally ready to pull out my hair with all the children that will be running around. I used to wonder how women who were surrogates could do it; wouldn't they get attached to the baby and hate to see it leave them? I still think this would be a difficult part of it, but it wouldn't take much to convince me to do it for someone close. I loved the way I felt about my body while I was pregnant--it actually gave my body a purpose. And while I didn't think labor was "fun"...I do look forward to doing it again. I do acknowledge that for a first time mom (especially one who is a L&D nurse), I was incredibly blessed with how smoothly my pregnancy and labor went.

So, no I do not want to have a show like "18 and Counting", but I wouldn't mind to be permanently about 7 months pregnant! That's not strange is it? Of course, John has a different perspective on how "enjoyable" my pregnancy was, but it involves words like crazy and exhausting. I choose not to use those words to describe my pregnancy, because I didn't feel that way about it at all!

First mother's day/last day of maternity leave

Just put my sweet baby down for the night--from now on it will just be 4 nights a week that I can cuddle him to sleep! But, I think that he would want a good mom that helps support him so off to work I go! I have been reading that John and I should be positive around him about going back to work so that he doesn't learn that work is a "bad" place! I just hope I remember how to help women have their babies--

For my first mother's day, John and Warren had flowers sent to me, and took me out to dinner at Tripps. I was also told that I could get the Vera Bradley wallet to match my diaper bag, but John didn't want to go shopping for it; I can definitely take that compromise!

A few pictures from our dinner today.

First trip to the beach

Our very first visit to the ocean---he had mixed feelings about it...It wasn't so bad if I was holding him, and the wet sand felt good to squish between his toes. However, when it came to the cool water hitting his legs and bottom, he was not a fan!

Trip to the coast...

Have bouncey chair--will travel!

Well I am apparently the kind of horrible mother who takes her 11 week old on a cross-Carolina trip solo! Warren did great until we got outside Raleigh and then he had the first of 3 fussy spells....but overall he was pretty good. I did find it complicated to try to "run" into the gas station and use the bathroom with him in tow, but we managed. Best part of the day--found strawberry puffs at a gas station in Kernersville. Worst part of the day--finding out my sister had a tonsil abscess and worrying about her; thankfully, she is better with some antibiotics!

On the road down we had a run in with a not-so-smart (trying not to use words like idiot in front of Warren) RV driver. Let me just say his RV plates were from Florida and his SUV plates were from Maryland...and I am surprised either state let him have a driver's license!

Of course we had to stop 2 times to nurse...I accidentally wound up at a McDonald's that is apparently a local after school hangout. We surprised and embarassed a truck full of high school boys--but, hey, they need to know first of all, breastfeeding is normal and ok, and secondly, you should never park beside a car that has isolated itself in the parking lot.

I received a sweet Mother's Day gift from Warren (with some help from his Grandma) today. It is a onesie that says "I Love Mommy" on it; I love it!

I don't know if I have mentioned this before, but Warren has developed some kind of tooth-like material on his bottom gum. It is about the size of a pinpoint, isn't bothering him, and isn't where the first teeth are supposed to come in. It also is on the side of the gum, not on the ridge of it. It is so strange, but I guess he wants to be different. I mentioned it to the dentist yesterday when I was there for a cleaning...he said it is probably some form of a natal tooth and that I shouldn't worry. Easy for him to say! Worrying is what I do best.