Background

Monday, August 29, 2011

All Good Things...

They say that all good things must come to an end. I have had the complete joy and pleasure of having the job of being Jack's mom since he was born. No, it was not the way that we had planned things, but I would not have traded it for the world. Some of this time was pretty rough, 3 1/2 months were spent in the NICU, then home health visits, countless trips to the doctor in Peoria, in home therapy appointments, sleepless nights, anxiety, worry, ect. However, I try to focus on the smiles, time we have had in the sunshine, mornings in our jammies playing with toys, naps on the couch, and many firsts and milestones. I truely am devestated that I really do have to go back to work. I have nievely been playing the lotto here and ther hoping, praying for a miracle that I would be able to stay home with you and just be your mom, but that is not the case. And for the days that you miss me, I am sorry, but I am working because I love you!

This is the second full week of school and you are doing amazing well at daycare. You do not cry, you nap wonderfully and eat all of your breakfast, snack and bottles. You are a pleasure to be around and are getting along very well with the other little baby and I can tell you are learning so much from her. Your sitter cares about you so very much and keeps you very busy and active throughout the day. She gives you fresh air, sunshine, new experiences and a whole lot of lovin! I feel 100% comfortable with you there, but can not get over that fact that I want to be the one taking you for morning walks and blowing bubbles in the front yard. I desperately want to be with you during the day and it is killing me that I can't be. I have had a pretty rough adjustment period filled with lots of tears. I thought the tears were over, but today Jack whined/cried a little when I left and I cried the whole way to school.

So, I am just trudging along and am going to make the best of this situation that has been put in front of me. I am so very thankful that I have a job. I work for a wonderul school district filled with the most amazing and supportitive co-workers. I guess I just need to get into a groove, into a routine. I am finding evenings dificult and everything seems to be so rushed.

I would also like to not think of this as the end, but as a new chapter. After all, I am no where close to being done at the job of being a mom. Things are just different now. I can't wait for the upcoming three day weekend and am especially looking forward to our more extended holidays. This is a big adjustment for the both of us, and it's just going to take some time to figure everything out.

Well off to bed for that early morning, after I pack breakfast and lunch!

13 Months and Then Some

Yep, here we are, 13 whole months old, plus a few weeks. I have been one bad mommy blogger theses days! I was concentrating on soaking up the end of summer and every second that I could with you, and now our days have become very hectic with work for me and day care for you! Here's a little bit about you at 13 months...
Sucking on a little sweet corn!

You are looking like such a little boy!

 Splash pad fun!

 A little summer watermelon! Yum!

 Catching your first parade...the Sweet Corn Festival! You did so good and were not even 
scared by the sirens, or clowns!

 One of Mommy's crazy ideas put into action. You tried to eat the chalk.

Your very special way of bear crawling!
  • You were 20 lbs on August 11th at your 1 year check up!
  • You only use your tube for nine hours, and only at night!
  • You are walking behind a push toy and are spending more time letting go of things when you are standing.
  • You are still taking two naps, about 1 1/2 hours each. I love that!
  • You are a really good eater, eating two meals a day and a snack. You love cheese, spaghetti, peas, and are not a picky eater at all! I have some leftover homemade baby food that I will not let go to waste, but other than that, you are eating a lot of what we do! I have also given into some pre-made toddler meals to add some fat and calories to you diet. 
  • You love popsicles! You also love ice cream and will yell in between licks! It's a special treat to go get a cone and we always share.
  • We have spent the summer swimming and I recently took you to a splash pad and you loved it. 
  • You are splashing all of the water out of the water table and still love baths like crazy!
  • You are discovering that you can use your toys like they were meant to be used and will take all of your toys and books out at once. 
  • You are very into opening and closing doors, cupboards and drawers. You also like to take everything out of the drawers and cupboards. 
  • You are really starting to say things that I can understand. You say "MaMaMaMa..." and "DaDaDaDaDa..." over, and over, and over again.
  • You say something that sounds like "No No", "Uh Oh", "Doggie", and "Hi".
  • You mimic us when we cough or burp, very cute!
  • You wave to everyone at the store, weather we are going bye-bye or not! You really know how to make those old ladies smile! 
  • You are so good when we go out to eat and wonderful in your stroller, however, you are not digging car rides right now.
  • You squeal and get so excited when you see your neighbor buddy!
  • Your other neighbor buddy has been your first "real" non-relative babysitter, but it's only been for very short periods of time.
  • You bear crawl everywhere and you go fast! Your knees hardly every touch the ground, it's pretty hysterical!
  • Your favorite songs are "Wheels on the Bus" and "Skidamirink". You laugh and smile and are starting to clap along to songs we sing together.
  • You are content to read books together, especially before bed. 
  • You take your bottle and want to go right into your crib, no more rocking you to sleep or cuddeling. It is so sad to me and has resulted in some mommy tears, but I'm hoping it's just a phase.
  • You are wearing mostly 12 month clothes, but you have suck a skinny waist! I think you are going to be a long, skinny string bean boy!
  • You still only have your two bottom teeth. Your upper ones are going to pop through ANY day, I can feel them, they are right there!
  • You spent your first night in a hotel and Auntie Lib babysat you and hooked you up. She is the only other one that had ever hooked you up since you came home from the hospital!
  • I am not ready to let you go and start work and day care, but since I know this is what we have to do, I am ready to get on with it and start out new routine.
I truly love you more and more each and every day. You are such and easy baby boy to love. Your smile still brightenes the lives of those around you, and strangers as well. You giggle is amazing and I love it when you show affection to your daddy and I. You are giggly, bubbly, smiley, fun, and so full of life and energy.I am so proud to be your mommy, it is the best job I have EVER had! XOXO Mommy XOXO