Crib

I really can't remember when I took these pictures but am thinking it was after the holidays while I was cleaning up Alex's room.

Spring was in the air!

This past weekend, Spring was in the air. Our weather was fabulous so I decided to take Alex outside Saturday afternoon...especially since an Arctic blast will be hitting us tomorrow with sleet/snow and wind chill -1 to -9. I know I saw this in every post, but I have to say it again...He is becoming such a Big Boy! He was very observant and so busy looking around. When I placed him in the blanket, he inched his way over to the edge so he could crunch the dried grass between his fingers. He couldn't get enough of the crunch!

Yum!

Alex loves his new highchair but it makes me sad! He has become such a big boy! Right now Alex really enjoys eating sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, avacado and his dad's oatmeal. Not sure if I mentioned this already or not, but last week he had his six month appointment and he weighs 16.2 lbs and is 24.5 inches tall.

Last night was the second night in a row for sleep training. So far, so good. I'm not sure if it is going so well becuase I am so tired from Market, the use of earplugs or Alex crying for less than 10-15 minutes. Probably a combination of all of them! I hope the rest of the week goes well and that Alex continues to fall back asleep on his own. I have really enjoyed sleeping for more than 3 consecutive hours!

CIO

So, we haven't tried to let Alex CIO since last week becuase he ended up getting my stomach bug. He was so pitiful, I couldn't let him lay in his bed and cry. However, he is feeling much better now and had a great weekend spending all day Saturday and Sunday with Bill. (I had market so Dad and baby spent the two days together.) Alex surprised me again last night...he was able to calm himself to sleep each time he woke up. He never had a crying fit so he never got out of control. He is becoming such a big boy! I enjoyed not having to get up and feed him a couple of times last night but I did not enjoy waking up with a rock hard chest that was ready to burst! Oh, the joys of motherhood!

Needed Update

Yes, I know it has been a while since I've updated the blog. We have been pretty busy lately.

Here's a quick recap: Alex is now a busy boy. He is constantly rolling over from his back to his stomach and from his stomach to his back. He LOVES spending time in his doorway jumper. He laughs and laughs and laughs...which is contagious. We go in rounds. He is such a happy little guy and getting so big! We bought a high chair and he loves it! He is also eating solids and loves green beans, carrots and sweet potatoes. Pictures will be posted soon...I promise!

He had his six month check up yesterday and he is growing right on track! Our doctor informed me that now is the time to CIO (for those not familiar with the mommy lingo...it means Cry It Out). Alex is now mature enough to be able to sleep through the night without eating. SO, I was debating on giving it a try last night. Market starts today so this is going to be an extremely long week since I'm working this weekend and next weekend without a day off. IF we get him to CIO at the beginning then it should be smooth sailing next week when I'm especially worn out and tired. OR, I could just wait until these two markets are over with. WELL, I gave it a shot last night. I say "I" because Bill can sleep through anything! I was prepared for a really long night when I crawled in to bed around 9:30pm. Thank goodness we never had to use the earplugs we planned to pass out on the plane if Alex started screaming. I plugged my ears and feel asleep and woke up to a very sleepy cry at 10:46. I stayed in bed still half asleep myself and tried not to pay much attention to it. The crying all of a sudden stopped. I looked at the clock and it had only been seven minutes! I had to peek in the hall to make sure Bill didn't go in the nursery to help calm Alex down. NOPE! Bill was snoring in the living room. Yea! I went back to sleep and Bill came to bed close to midnight. He said that he checked on Alex and thankfully he was still breathing. Guess I'm not the only one a little paranoid about Alex sleeping through the night! Alex cried a little more between 2:30 am and 3:00 am but it didn't last longer than seven minutes. When I woke this morning he was sound asleep! I hope we have a repeat again tonight because I think it was a pretty successful night!

In other news, I am wearing a pair of pants that I bought in 2003 that were a little tight when I bought them! Yes, and I have to brag that they are a little big! Not sure if it has to do with breastfeeding, having the stomach bug for a day and a half or both. Needless to say, I have a spring in my step having slept for almost 8 HOURS without having to feed baby and wearing some pants that I have never been able to wear! IT IS GOING TO BE A GOOD DAY! Now only if my stomach would get rid of this horrible gurgle and rumble! (Not completely healed just yet)

December Videos

Here are two videos taken last month.
I was packing Alex's bag for our trip to Indianapolis and every time I placed him on his stomach he rolled over.


Alex is a pretty happy baby and loves "kisses" on his stomach.

New Year's

We spent New Year's down at the deer lease. Bill had invited my parents which I was very thankful for. Keeping up with a 10 yr old and a 5 month old and cooking dinner every night is tough stuff...especially since we were away from home! It was nice to have my parents help with holding Alex and helping put him to bed. (There's really no good place to lay down a 5 month old a the lease.) Nothing outrageous happened. We celebrated New Year's Eve East Coast time...threw a few black cats and smoke bombs into the camp fire and played with sparklers.

Bathing Alex in the trailer sink

Mom, Alex and Missy Anne

Looks like I will be getting Alex a swing for the porch...he LOVED it!