The new year saw a big change for Bubba, E and I. E returned to work a little early and I was lucky enough to get some parental leave so Bubba was now in my hands for most of the next three weeks! Daddy Daycare was on!
I'll admit I was nervous. We had no idea how he would handle E not being around all day everyday and how he would respond to me. Turns out that he barely noticed the transition. Provided E didn't leave while he was watching everything went well. We had fun filled days, trips out, walks when the weather cooperated and above all I got to know my little guy even better.
Having him to yourself for 9 hours a day ensures you get to know each other like you never did before and I also got have an idea of what E had been through for the past 11 months! And yes, I openly admit that looking after JJ now is much easier than when he was so little and couldn't communicate with us. Now he just wants down from your arms so he can practice walking and kicking things. The only down side of that is backache! If he wants to sit he just collapses his legs and sits (at which point you breath a huge sigh of relief because you've just got the chance to stretch for a while). If he wants up he turns around and grabs your legs. If he wants something he reaches for it. If he doesn't he bats it away. He's also much easier to get down for nap (because he's worn himself out).
The first day I had Bubba to myself he obviosuly treated it as a chance to catch up on some sleep as he slept all afternoon following a hearty lunch. I got to thinking what was all the fuss about? Of course that didn't happen again and I was soon exhausted from the days and would look forward to E getting home from work so I could have a break and of course stretch my back! I also realised that you have to be very organised. Going anywhere required planning and prepping of food/snacks ahead of time. Showers became a luxury and I started to eat like a scavenger. Whatever Bubba didn't eat I did. Then I felt like I didn't need lunch. That probably explains why three weeks later I was doing my belt up a notch tighter than before Christmas.
Work is definitely way easier than caring for a child! I take my hat off to E for what she did for JJ's first eleven months and to any Moms out there that do it without the help and support of a loving family.
My main task (other than to just hang out and have fun with my son) was to start getting Bubba ready for day care. We began going for short visits two weeks before he was due to begin full time. We got to know the teachers and his classmates, explored to rooms and played with the different toys. He got used to their outdoor deck and being bundled up to go outside. Eventually I tried leaving him there for a short while and to my amazement everything went fine. No tears, no freak outs. Just some babbling and wandering around. He was obviously taken with a couple of the teachers and started to interact with hiss classmates more. I was also glad to see he didn't steal anyone's socks or pull any hair! I actually felt good about it all and made sure I passed on my positive experiences and feelings to E. Of course, as that first day drew near our positivity dwindled and we second guessed what we were doing. Should we both be working? What about part time?
The first two weeks had flown by and Bubba was in great form. Very happy, sleeping well, great fun to play with, giving the best bugs and getting more adventurous. Then, as we drew closer to my return to work and JJ starting day care he gradually became more and more cranky. Was he a super-genius who had figured out that soon he would be looked after during the day by a few ladies he had only just meet and that he have to share attention with 5 other infants? Was he missing his Mama? Or was he not doing so well now that we had reintroduced gluten into his diet? Turns out that the increasing restlessness at night and general moodiness were not caused by any of this. He was teething again and this time not one or two but four teeth at once. Way to go little guy! They came through the day before his first day at day care. Nice timing.
Overall I loved my time as a stay-at-home Dad. I probably over micro-managed every day and didn't relax relax as often as I should (I just LOVE getting things DONE!) but I got comfortable soon enough and learned so much about my little boy. He is amazing. He will do the funniest things out of the blue. He will walk in circles for ages going from one interesting thing to the next and he can really kick! Maybe he is MLS bound rather than the NFL? He likes the small windows either side of our front door. He loves chasing the cats. He like shutting cupboards and the fridge. He loves cars. He like knocking down whatever I build with his blocks. But most of all he loves his Mommy and Daddy.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Bubba's first Christmas
Our little guy had a great first Christmas. To be honest he didn't really notice any difference from normal except there was a great big tree with sparkly things on that he wasn't allowed to touch (unless Grandpa was around). He was surrounded by family and had great fun playing and continuing to gain balance while trying to walk. He also picked up how to use his new walking toys very quickly. The Dino and Car see daily service in the basement although he does still like to belly bump them across the floor on occasion (along with the exercise ball).
Miraculously he slept through us opening all our gifts and (like anyone would want) he woke up from his nap right when pancakes were ready. He then proceeded to eat more pancakes than I did. Guess he likes syrup as much as his Auntie... Unfortunately he ate his dinner before we did due to a slight miscalculation on the turkey doneness. Next year we're cooking something else! We didn't get to eat our dinner until after he was bathed and put to bed, about an hour after everyone else ate theirs!
From breakfast and skyping with Granny and Granddad in the UK to playing euchre before bed seemed like 5 minutes but sometimes felt like 5 days. Christmas day with a baby and family to host is BUSY! E and I were exhausted. Fortunately Bubba was in a great period of sleeping through the night so we got caught up a bit by Boxing Day. That was all blown out the window (for me at least) when I went to a hockey game in Ottawa on the 27th, got to bed by 1am, up at 6am for a drive to Toronto and then a bad nights sleep in a hotel. Quick tip, always check that your hotel windows are fully closed so any passing police cars/ambulances with their sirens on don't a) scare the crap out of you and b) wake up your baby several times a night! Needless to say we were knackered on the drive back to K-town.
Luckily, Bubba exceeded our expectations and was amazingly happy on the drive there and back. Seeing so many relatives again made the trip so worth it too. We also found out that the most interesting thing in the world for Bubba are those yellow signs they put out when the floor is wet/slippery. He will go and investigate those ahead of anything else, even food sometimes! He also loves the breakfast at Marche. He demolished a good chunk of Grandma and Mommy's meals even after he'd had breakfast back at the hotel.
By the time New Years Eve rolled round were were still tired so we had a nice low key dinner with JJ's Auntie and Uncle and then E and I were tucked up in bed by 9:30pm! I know my favourite way to see in New Year right now is fast asleep :)
Miraculously he slept through us opening all our gifts and (like anyone would want) he woke up from his nap right when pancakes were ready. He then proceeded to eat more pancakes than I did. Guess he likes syrup as much as his Auntie... Unfortunately he ate his dinner before we did due to a slight miscalculation on the turkey doneness. Next year we're cooking something else! We didn't get to eat our dinner until after he was bathed and put to bed, about an hour after everyone else ate theirs!
From breakfast and skyping with Granny and Granddad in the UK to playing euchre before bed seemed like 5 minutes but sometimes felt like 5 days. Christmas day with a baby and family to host is BUSY! E and I were exhausted. Fortunately Bubba was in a great period of sleeping through the night so we got caught up a bit by Boxing Day. That was all blown out the window (for me at least) when I went to a hockey game in Ottawa on the 27th, got to bed by 1am, up at 6am for a drive to Toronto and then a bad nights sleep in a hotel. Quick tip, always check that your hotel windows are fully closed so any passing police cars/ambulances with their sirens on don't a) scare the crap out of you and b) wake up your baby several times a night! Needless to say we were knackered on the drive back to K-town.
Luckily, Bubba exceeded our expectations and was amazingly happy on the drive there and back. Seeing so many relatives again made the trip so worth it too. We also found out that the most interesting thing in the world for Bubba are those yellow signs they put out when the floor is wet/slippery. He will go and investigate those ahead of anything else, even food sometimes! He also loves the breakfast at Marche. He demolished a good chunk of Grandma and Mommy's meals even after he'd had breakfast back at the hotel.
By the time New Years Eve rolled round were were still tired so we had a nice low key dinner with JJ's Auntie and Uncle and then E and I were tucked up in bed by 9:30pm! I know my favourite way to see in New Year right now is fast asleep :)
Thursday, December 15, 2011
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
10 days to Bubba's first Christmas - WHAT! Where did this year go? I can't believe our tree is up, house is decorated, presents are (almost) all bought and family arrives on Monday. Crazy! Just crazy!
JJ is now over the 10 month mark (and the 23lb mark) and just wants to walk everywhere. Unfortunately he can't walk. Yep, that leads to a bit of frustration but with some help from Mommy and Daddy he'll motor about in whichever direction he wants to go in (usually towards the big purple ornaments on the tree). He can now stand up without much help but hasn't figured out getting there from the floor yet. He is so cute, he kind of leads with his arms and belly, sort of like a baby zombie, and takes ridiculously huge strides until he reaches his goal. Then he usually turns around to see where else he can go. E has an aching back from doing this all day. Once I'm done work I know I will too!
JJ has also started to really communicate when he doesn't want something, when he's full or when he's bored. Very handy. Now I want to know why he thinks the top of my head is so funny and why the food from my bowl/plate tastes better than his (because he will almost always eat more if we give it to him from a source other than his high chair tray).
Another development has been JJ weening himself. It seems so strange that E's breastfeeding days are done (until Baby #2 of course) but I must admit the freedom that comes with that will be nice. Last weekend we got to spend quality time together Christmas shopping and having lunch downtown while Grandma had JJ. It was really good to have that time for the two of us and I know we plan on doing more things like that now JJ is getting older. Our first night away (and associated sleep in) may be not that far away! Thankfully for whoever babysits, Bubba is sleeping quite well these days too!
Bubba's first Christmas will be really fun, lots of family, friends and his first chance to unwrap gifts (and play with the box and/or paper rather than the gift no doubt). I know he won't really get it this year but he definitely likes all our Christmas decorations and I'm sure he'll have a blast being surrounded by family. I'm also really excited too. I think I'm enjoying updating our little "days to Christmas" countdown the most of anyone in the house.
I'm nervously looking forward to the New Year. I've taken the last three weeks of E's parental leave so we can ease ourselves into E being back to work and JJ going to day care. So far I've only had Bubba on my own for a couple of hours at most. Having him all day will be awesome (and challenging!). I'm pretty sure I will be completely exhausted when E arrives home from her first day of work and wonder how on Earth she has looked after Jack for the last 10 months... Getting to spend the best part of a month at home with our little guy will be priceless and I'm excited to be able to do it, Thank you Queen's! I'm hoping for decent weather so we can get out and about and I think E is going to introduce me to all the playgroups she takes JJ to (I apologise in advance for my poor signing).
We're also hoping to slowly ease Bubba into his new day care. I can't imagine just showing up on day 1 and leaving him there. I also can't imagine both of us having to get ready, get JJ ready, load the car and get downtown via day care in time for work. Don't even ask me about how we'll get dinner on the table when we've both been at work all day.... I know everyone manages it but I can't figure it out right now!
The best gift this Christmas though (cheesy I know) will be the return of Uncle C and soon Auntie A and Lulu too! I know Bubba will really enjoy the company of two new baby sitters (plus a canine friend) and his parents are really looking forward to them being here too!
JJ is now over the 10 month mark (and the 23lb mark) and just wants to walk everywhere. Unfortunately he can't walk. Yep, that leads to a bit of frustration but with some help from Mommy and Daddy he'll motor about in whichever direction he wants to go in (usually towards the big purple ornaments on the tree). He can now stand up without much help but hasn't figured out getting there from the floor yet. He is so cute, he kind of leads with his arms and belly, sort of like a baby zombie, and takes ridiculously huge strides until he reaches his goal. Then he usually turns around to see where else he can go. E has an aching back from doing this all day. Once I'm done work I know I will too!
JJ has also started to really communicate when he doesn't want something, when he's full or when he's bored. Very handy. Now I want to know why he thinks the top of my head is so funny and why the food from my bowl/plate tastes better than his (because he will almost always eat more if we give it to him from a source other than his high chair tray).
Another development has been JJ weening himself. It seems so strange that E's breastfeeding days are done (until Baby #2 of course) but I must admit the freedom that comes with that will be nice. Last weekend we got to spend quality time together Christmas shopping and having lunch downtown while Grandma had JJ. It was really good to have that time for the two of us and I know we plan on doing more things like that now JJ is getting older. Our first night away (and associated sleep in) may be not that far away! Thankfully for whoever babysits, Bubba is sleeping quite well these days too!
Bubba's first Christmas will be really fun, lots of family, friends and his first chance to unwrap gifts (and play with the box and/or paper rather than the gift no doubt). I know he won't really get it this year but he definitely likes all our Christmas decorations and I'm sure he'll have a blast being surrounded by family. I'm also really excited too. I think I'm enjoying updating our little "days to Christmas" countdown the most of anyone in the house.
I'm nervously looking forward to the New Year. I've taken the last three weeks of E's parental leave so we can ease ourselves into E being back to work and JJ going to day care. So far I've only had Bubba on my own for a couple of hours at most. Having him all day will be awesome (and challenging!). I'm pretty sure I will be completely exhausted when E arrives home from her first day of work and wonder how on Earth she has looked after Jack for the last 10 months... Getting to spend the best part of a month at home with our little guy will be priceless and I'm excited to be able to do it, Thank you Queen's! I'm hoping for decent weather so we can get out and about and I think E is going to introduce me to all the playgroups she takes JJ to (I apologise in advance for my poor signing).
We're also hoping to slowly ease Bubba into his new day care. I can't imagine just showing up on day 1 and leaving him there. I also can't imagine both of us having to get ready, get JJ ready, load the car and get downtown via day care in time for work. Don't even ask me about how we'll get dinner on the table when we've both been at work all day.... I know everyone manages it but I can't figure it out right now!
The best gift this Christmas though (cheesy I know) will be the return of Uncle C and soon Auntie A and Lulu too! I know Bubba will really enjoy the company of two new baby sitters (plus a canine friend) and his parents are really looking forward to them being here too!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
3/4 of the way there!
Our little guy is celebrating his 3/4 Birthday today. Can't believe he is 9 months old already.
The last month has been quite busy for JJ. He has finally got a couple of teeth (bottom front) and that didn't go too badly. He was a bit fussier than usual and up more a few nights but overall not as bad as I expected. Of course he hasn't gone through molars coming in yet... Teeth seem to be another sign that he is growing up right before our eyes. When I catch a glimpse of them when he smiles it makes you realise he is well on his way to being a little boy and no longer a baby.
Bubba also got to experience his first Hallowe'en (which I still hold out as not being a Holiday, we don't get the day off to go scare people). We had fun dressing him up as a Pumpkin and handing out candy in our new neighbourhood, lots of little kids came round trick or treating and I made sure to get some pumpkins (one for each of us with our initial carved into it). We also went to a fun party at a friends house where there were 5 adorable babies all in costume (and a couple of the parents, way to go!). I think we had a Pumpkin, a Dragon, two Chickens and a Cheeseburger (with matching condiments).
We've also got to experience the fun of time changes with a baby. Funnily enough JJ didn't seem to get that he could sleep for an extra hour last weekend. We're slowly adjusting him back to his usual bedtime and breakfast time but the early wake ups are a killer. E and I are both done by 8pm at the moment! (that might have something to do with our evening glass of wine too...) I don't think we woke our Toronto hosts too early on Sunday morning but if we did, sorry! Speaking of which, Bubba had his best long trip in the car last weekend (and so did we thanks to the extra space in our new car). His naps nicely coincided with Service Centres and we didn't have any crying at all. Plus, the trip to Toronto seemed like a breeze after our trip to London back in September.
JJ is also starting to get a bit more mobile. He is still reluctant to crawl but he can kind of shuffle about and turn around on the floor/his tummy. His new trick is trying to pull himself up and once he's up he does a good job of standing with support. E thinks he'll just skip crawling and go straight to walking and I have to agree. We also think we'll get his first word before his first step. He is full of little noises and sounds (not all of them related to pooping or seeing the cats). He's definitely getting some vowel sounds and he recognises some phrases that we commonly use. He's also really getting into a few of his books, some in particular bring out his excited side (particularly Happy Baby 123, Baby Tiger's Jungle Adventure and My Peekaboo Book).
Bubba continues to eat really well and he's now started on cow's milk, cheese and yogurt which he really seems to enjoy. New food favourites are baked cheesy pasta with maple glazed chicken (who came blame him for that), blueberries, chicken meatballs and Anna Olsen's Canadian Minestrone Soup. He also loved a friend's home made guacamole and gluten free pancakes... I'm so happy that JJ eats so well and meal time with him is so much fun. Hopefully he'll grow up to be a fantastic cook just like his Mama!
Our latest development is getting Jack into Day Care. He starts in January and thanks to some good benefits at work I'm taking the first three weeks of 2012 as Parental Leave so I can be home with him before he transitions to 5 days a week at Day Care. It is going to be a huge adjustment for E and I (and more so for E as she will be dealing with going back to work too) and weird that someone else will be looking after Bubba so much of the time. I'm really excited for my time at home with him but not so much for the few week weeks after that... At least we'll have his first Birthday and his Aunt-equivalent's arrival from Belgium to look forward to. We've also got Christmas and his Uncle's move back home to keep us busy and I'm sure time will continue to fly by so before I know it I'll be blogging about his proper Birthday!
The last month has been quite busy for JJ. He has finally got a couple of teeth (bottom front) and that didn't go too badly. He was a bit fussier than usual and up more a few nights but overall not as bad as I expected. Of course he hasn't gone through molars coming in yet... Teeth seem to be another sign that he is growing up right before our eyes. When I catch a glimpse of them when he smiles it makes you realise he is well on his way to being a little boy and no longer a baby.
Bubba also got to experience his first Hallowe'en (which I still hold out as not being a Holiday, we don't get the day off to go scare people). We had fun dressing him up as a Pumpkin and handing out candy in our new neighbourhood, lots of little kids came round trick or treating and I made sure to get some pumpkins (one for each of us with our initial carved into it). We also went to a fun party at a friends house where there were 5 adorable babies all in costume (and a couple of the parents, way to go!). I think we had a Pumpkin, a Dragon, two Chickens and a Cheeseburger (with matching condiments).
We've also got to experience the fun of time changes with a baby. Funnily enough JJ didn't seem to get that he could sleep for an extra hour last weekend. We're slowly adjusting him back to his usual bedtime and breakfast time but the early wake ups are a killer. E and I are both done by 8pm at the moment! (that might have something to do with our evening glass of wine too...) I don't think we woke our Toronto hosts too early on Sunday morning but if we did, sorry! Speaking of which, Bubba had his best long trip in the car last weekend (and so did we thanks to the extra space in our new car). His naps nicely coincided with Service Centres and we didn't have any crying at all. Plus, the trip to Toronto seemed like a breeze after our trip to London back in September.
JJ is also starting to get a bit more mobile. He is still reluctant to crawl but he can kind of shuffle about and turn around on the floor/his tummy. His new trick is trying to pull himself up and once he's up he does a good job of standing with support. E thinks he'll just skip crawling and go straight to walking and I have to agree. We also think we'll get his first word before his first step. He is full of little noises and sounds (not all of them related to pooping or seeing the cats). He's definitely getting some vowel sounds and he recognises some phrases that we commonly use. He's also really getting into a few of his books, some in particular bring out his excited side (particularly Happy Baby 123, Baby Tiger's Jungle Adventure and My Peekaboo Book).
Bubba continues to eat really well and he's now started on cow's milk, cheese and yogurt which he really seems to enjoy. New food favourites are baked cheesy pasta with maple glazed chicken (who came blame him for that), blueberries, chicken meatballs and Anna Olsen's Canadian Minestrone Soup. He also loved a friend's home made guacamole and gluten free pancakes... I'm so happy that JJ eats so well and meal time with him is so much fun. Hopefully he'll grow up to be a fantastic cook just like his Mama!
Our latest development is getting Jack into Day Care. He starts in January and thanks to some good benefits at work I'm taking the first three weeks of 2012 as Parental Leave so I can be home with him before he transitions to 5 days a week at Day Care. It is going to be a huge adjustment for E and I (and more so for E as she will be dealing with going back to work too) and weird that someone else will be looking after Bubba so much of the time. I'm really excited for my time at home with him but not so much for the few week weeks after that... At least we'll have his first Birthday and his Aunt-equivalent's arrival from Belgium to look forward to. We've also got Christmas and his Uncle's move back home to keep us busy and I'm sure time will continue to fly by so before I know it I'll be blogging about his proper Birthday!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
The Joy of Cooking
In the blink of an eye Bubba is now over 8 months old and getting much more sophisticated. E and I have started to encounter JJ playing favourites, wanting to go to one of us over the other (usually to his Mama with arms outstretched which is very cute but hurts a little when its you he doesn't want to be with). He is also making strange or bashful with more people now, something we'd read that we should expect but it is funny to see him be that way with people he knows quite well. For some reason Grandpa brings it out of him...
At the same time it is amazing to watch him react to those close to him. He lights up when he sees me get home from work or first thing in the morning, has a special smile for his Mama (and the aforementioned reaching out) and his reaction to Skyping with his Grandma when she was in Europe was really strong. He was fixed on the laptop screen and so happy to hear her voice. In fact, Skype with anyone these days is fun to watch as he really gets that they are on screen and he can hear them. That's when he isn't trying to chew on the webcam of course!
Bubba is continuing to grow fast, he is still 99th percentile for height (75 cm or so) and around 80th percentile for weight (almost 22 lbs), he is definitely getting longer and leaner as he grows. It is nice to know that he doesn't have to go back to the Doctors until 12 months of age now thanks to a slightly early 9 month checkup with our family doctor.
Part of the reason he is growing so well must be his diet. Just like he parents he loves food! It is so rewarding to make his food and see him really enjoy it. The best is when he can eat the same thing we are. Not only does it cut down on food prep but we can all sit down and enjoy the same meal together (of course Mommy and Daddy add plenty of salt and pepper to their meals). So far JJ has loved home made Minestrone Soup, Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie, Spaghetti Bolognaise and Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Pasta! We're also making him fun baby food like a fantastic smelling pork, apple, potato, parsnip and sage concoction, mashed up root veggies and his all-time favourite apple sauce! He'll eat anything that has apple sauce added to it.
JJ might be reluctant to crawl or explore on his own but he sure can eat!
One challenge we have faced recently was JJ being sick for the first time. He picked up a cold/cough, duly passed it on to us and the three of us have spend the best part of two weeks getting over it. It is way harder to get well when you are focusing on helping a little one feel good. You also forget that you are sick and put all your energy into taking care of your under the weather baby. Only got one humidifier, that'll be in the nursery then (until you buy another one), Mama not sure what is safe to take during breast feeding so suffer through congestion instead (while I guiltily took drugs to clear me out so at least one of us was in reasonable shape!), going to bed at 8pm so that you get enough sleep to feel ready for tomorrow. Not complaining , its just very different from taking a couple of days to yourself and feeling right as rain by the weekend.
Coming up we have other challenges/developments:
1) Still no teeth although he is showing every sign of teething soon
2) When to introduce dairy (current recommendations are rather vague)
3) What to do about gluten in his diet (as Mama has celiac disease)
4) Day care places! (we should hear soon and hope we get a spot in one of our favourites)
5) Bubba becoming more mobile so he will no longer be somewhere close to where we put him down! (and the child proofing that goes hand-in-hand with that).
I'm also pretty sure that with the above going on, no doubt simultaneously, it will be JJ's first Christmas before we know it!
At the same time it is amazing to watch him react to those close to him. He lights up when he sees me get home from work or first thing in the morning, has a special smile for his Mama (and the aforementioned reaching out) and his reaction to Skyping with his Grandma when she was in Europe was really strong. He was fixed on the laptop screen and so happy to hear her voice. In fact, Skype with anyone these days is fun to watch as he really gets that they are on screen and he can hear them. That's when he isn't trying to chew on the webcam of course!
Bubba is continuing to grow fast, he is still 99th percentile for height (75 cm or so) and around 80th percentile for weight (almost 22 lbs), he is definitely getting longer and leaner as he grows. It is nice to know that he doesn't have to go back to the Doctors until 12 months of age now thanks to a slightly early 9 month checkup with our family doctor.
Part of the reason he is growing so well must be his diet. Just like he parents he loves food! It is so rewarding to make his food and see him really enjoy it. The best is when he can eat the same thing we are. Not only does it cut down on food prep but we can all sit down and enjoy the same meal together (of course Mommy and Daddy add plenty of salt and pepper to their meals). So far JJ has loved home made Minestrone Soup, Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie, Spaghetti Bolognaise and Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Pasta! We're also making him fun baby food like a fantastic smelling pork, apple, potato, parsnip and sage concoction, mashed up root veggies and his all-time favourite apple sauce! He'll eat anything that has apple sauce added to it.
JJ might be reluctant to crawl or explore on his own but he sure can eat!
One challenge we have faced recently was JJ being sick for the first time. He picked up a cold/cough, duly passed it on to us and the three of us have spend the best part of two weeks getting over it. It is way harder to get well when you are focusing on helping a little one feel good. You also forget that you are sick and put all your energy into taking care of your under the weather baby. Only got one humidifier, that'll be in the nursery then (until you buy another one), Mama not sure what is safe to take during breast feeding so suffer through congestion instead (while I guiltily took drugs to clear me out so at least one of us was in reasonable shape!), going to bed at 8pm so that you get enough sleep to feel ready for tomorrow. Not complaining , its just very different from taking a couple of days to yourself and feeling right as rain by the weekend.
Coming up we have other challenges/developments:
1) Still no teeth although he is showing every sign of teething soon
2) When to introduce dairy (current recommendations are rather vague)
3) What to do about gluten in his diet (as Mama has celiac disease)
4) Day care places! (we should hear soon and hope we get a spot in one of our favourites)
5) Bubba becoming more mobile so he will no longer be somewhere close to where we put him down! (and the child proofing that goes hand-in-hand with that).
I'm also pretty sure that with the above going on, no doubt simultaneously, it will be JJ's first Christmas before we know it!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The journey to becoming "Embarrassing Dad"
Wow, in the blink of an eye JJ is almost 7 months old! Seems like yesterday that we were wishing him a happy half Birthday.
His latest trip to the Doctors went well, he was a little hero getting his jabs, only cried very briefly and once again had no adverse reactions to the multitude of immune responses he must have been developing! He also continues to be (almost) off the charts growth wise. Bubba is in the 99th percentile for height, 84th for weight and his head is catching up to the rest him as its gone from ~ 50th to 81st percentile in the last 2 months! Maybe he's getting a big head from all the compliments? His legs have also grown like crazy as he still fits in the same onesies as he did at 3 months but he grew almost 6 cm in 2 months. Bubba seems to be a very fitting nickname for such a sturdy little guy!
JJ's sleep has also improved, we've gone quite some time now with him waking up only once or twice a night (and a few nights of him sleeping through). Oddly, E and I don't feel anymore rested despite less interrupted sleep. I think all 3 of us are getting what we can before Bubba starts teething...
With the last couple of days turning cooler we've got JJ back to long sleeve onesies, pants and even the odd sweater. He looks like such a little boy in cargoes and a hoodie, it makes me so proud of him and I love carrying him around in the front pack wherever we go. Even better, JJ loves being in the front pack, taking everything in, smiling at everyone and generally making random noises. His favourites are trees and brunettes! He is such a little flirt already. He even has a nice raising his eyebrow and little smile move already. At this rate I won't have to teach him anything about being charming!
I noticed something new about myself as a Dad this weekend. Normally I'm not one for dancing or singing in public. The random motions of a former metal-head combined with my awful voice do not make for a nice experience for anyone close enough to witness it (and I am fully aware of how bad it looks/sounds so tend not to give many people the chance to see it - except at our Wedding when E and I were air guitar/drumming for most of the evening).
However, now that JJ is around I find my willingness to move and even sign out loud (rather than just mouthing the words) has increased. I caught myself actually signing Happy Birthday this weekend (I was at a 1st Birthday Party so that wasn't weird) and we're always singing in the car now (usually Old MacDonald, The Wheels on the Bus or the Zac Brown Band). JJ loves dancing with E to Lady Gaga and I found he's quite happy to bop around with me in my limited way when the White Stripes are on the iPod. I can now see that I am starting my journey down the road to becoming "Embarrassing Dad".
By the time he is old enough to actually feel embarrassed I should be well versed in wearing the wrong clothes, singing aloud to songs I don't know the words to (E will tell you I do that already), getting all the characters in the new TV show/movie/book series/video game wrong and saying things that were only cool like 10 or 20 years ago.
Hopefully he won't mind too much and will still let me:
1) play with his sandbox (we got an awesome one courtesy of Grandma that has a big digger arm and stuff, actually I'll have to fight Grandpa for that one),
2) build a wooden train set (I'll make the coolest biggest track layout ever),
3) play catch in the backyard (I'll have to learn to use a glove as us Brits catch a ball like real men, with our bare hands and when it comes to football, E can show him how to throw a nice spiral)
4) and teach him how to hit a golf ball...
You know, all the essentials.
His latest trip to the Doctors went well, he was a little hero getting his jabs, only cried very briefly and once again had no adverse reactions to the multitude of immune responses he must have been developing! He also continues to be (almost) off the charts growth wise. Bubba is in the 99th percentile for height, 84th for weight and his head is catching up to the rest him as its gone from ~ 50th to 81st percentile in the last 2 months! Maybe he's getting a big head from all the compliments? His legs have also grown like crazy as he still fits in the same onesies as he did at 3 months but he grew almost 6 cm in 2 months. Bubba seems to be a very fitting nickname for such a sturdy little guy!
JJ's sleep has also improved, we've gone quite some time now with him waking up only once or twice a night (and a few nights of him sleeping through). Oddly, E and I don't feel anymore rested despite less interrupted sleep. I think all 3 of us are getting what we can before Bubba starts teething...
With the last couple of days turning cooler we've got JJ back to long sleeve onesies, pants and even the odd sweater. He looks like such a little boy in cargoes and a hoodie, it makes me so proud of him and I love carrying him around in the front pack wherever we go. Even better, JJ loves being in the front pack, taking everything in, smiling at everyone and generally making random noises. His favourites are trees and brunettes! He is such a little flirt already. He even has a nice raising his eyebrow and little smile move already. At this rate I won't have to teach him anything about being charming!
I noticed something new about myself as a Dad this weekend. Normally I'm not one for dancing or singing in public. The random motions of a former metal-head combined with my awful voice do not make for a nice experience for anyone close enough to witness it (and I am fully aware of how bad it looks/sounds so tend not to give many people the chance to see it - except at our Wedding when E and I were air guitar/drumming for most of the evening).
However, now that JJ is around I find my willingness to move and even sign out loud (rather than just mouthing the words) has increased. I caught myself actually signing Happy Birthday this weekend (I was at a 1st Birthday Party so that wasn't weird) and we're always singing in the car now (usually Old MacDonald, The Wheels on the Bus or the Zac Brown Band). JJ loves dancing with E to Lady Gaga and I found he's quite happy to bop around with me in my limited way when the White Stripes are on the iPod. I can now see that I am starting my journey down the road to becoming "Embarrassing Dad".
By the time he is old enough to actually feel embarrassed I should be well versed in wearing the wrong clothes, singing aloud to songs I don't know the words to (E will tell you I do that already), getting all the characters in the new TV show/movie/book series/video game wrong and saying things that were only cool like 10 or 20 years ago.
Hopefully he won't mind too much and will still let me:
1) play with his sandbox (we got an awesome one courtesy of Grandma that has a big digger arm and stuff, actually I'll have to fight Grandpa for that one),
2) build a wooden train set (I'll make the coolest biggest track layout ever),
3) play catch in the backyard (I'll have to learn to use a glove as us Brits catch a ball like real men, with our bare hands and when it comes to football, E can show him how to throw a nice spiral)
4) and teach him how to hit a golf ball...
You know, all the essentials.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Happy 1/2 Birthday
JJ entered our world 6 months ago today. I can't believe how fast the time has gone and how much he has changed. That night and day are still very clear in my memory. The first few weeks that followed are a jumbled mess of over-tired recollections.
Right now I'm feeling like I could get the hang of this Fatherhood thing. I've come so far and I know JJ and I have an ever-growing bond. The smile I get when he sees me in the morning or when I get home is priceless. Making (and hearing) Bubba laugh is the single best thing in the World. I just have to raise my eyebrows and say "Boing Boing!" to get a big wide smile. E thinks JJ is so easily amused by me because I look funny (all face and no hair), maybe she is right. To think I didn't feel connected to our little boy at one stage...
Bubba decided to mark his half birthday slightly early by sleeping through the night for the first time on Monday. E and I were shocked, it was very odd to have not had to get out of bed. He had been gradually sleeping for longer stretches since we introduced solids but he managed 11 hours. 11 hours! The night before he did 8 hours and that was the most sleep E had had in one go since before he was born. Of course, last night he woke up twice and didn't really want to go back to sleep at 4:30 am. Maybe he's at the tail end of another growth spurt (the last time we got a few days in a row of solid sleeping was after his 3 month spurt) or maybe he is gradually getting better at sleep. He does go back to sleep on his own fairly well now. Normally he fusses until he rolls onto his side then nods off. It is actually very cute to see him go through the process.
We're also amused by the variety of positions he wakes up in. He's quite good at doing a 180 degree turn during the night but there really isn't much room to spare when he gets to 90 degrees! Occasionally he wakes up at a right angle to how we put him down and I'm sure it is because he has bumped his head on the crib...
As a little gift I got JJ the classic doorway Jolly Jumper. He has almost outgrown the one on a frame that we were given by a friend. It served him very well but we've only got a single link of chain left. JJ has figured out how to get good air now and use both legs at the same time, rather than riverdancing in it. We've also had to move his exersaucer up a notch. I'm sure we will find out that he is continuing his rapid growth next week when we visit the Doctors. It must all be in his legs though as the onesies that we bought at 3 months still fit!
E and I have made an amazing little guy. He is so happy, expressive, amusing and cute! He's developed and learned so much in his first 6 months. Feeding him is a real treat (especially when he doesn't grab the spoon all the time), and seeing him sit and play with his toys is fantastic. He'll even reach out to grab a dropped toy and be able to correct wobbles! I also love that he is fascinated by his feet and getting them into his mouth, something that I found out I can still do too!
JJ's first 6 months have flown by and were easily the most wonderful, challenging and exhausting months of my life. I have a feeling that the next 6 will be just as good if not better! (but slightly less exhausting I hope...mind you, he will start to crawl/walk so who knows)
Right now I'm feeling like I could get the hang of this Fatherhood thing. I've come so far and I know JJ and I have an ever-growing bond. The smile I get when he sees me in the morning or when I get home is priceless. Making (and hearing) Bubba laugh is the single best thing in the World. I just have to raise my eyebrows and say "Boing Boing!" to get a big wide smile. E thinks JJ is so easily amused by me because I look funny (all face and no hair), maybe she is right. To think I didn't feel connected to our little boy at one stage...
Bubba decided to mark his half birthday slightly early by sleeping through the night for the first time on Monday. E and I were shocked, it was very odd to have not had to get out of bed. He had been gradually sleeping for longer stretches since we introduced solids but he managed 11 hours. 11 hours! The night before he did 8 hours and that was the most sleep E had had in one go since before he was born. Of course, last night he woke up twice and didn't really want to go back to sleep at 4:30 am. Maybe he's at the tail end of another growth spurt (the last time we got a few days in a row of solid sleeping was after his 3 month spurt) or maybe he is gradually getting better at sleep. He does go back to sleep on his own fairly well now. Normally he fusses until he rolls onto his side then nods off. It is actually very cute to see him go through the process.
We're also amused by the variety of positions he wakes up in. He's quite good at doing a 180 degree turn during the night but there really isn't much room to spare when he gets to 90 degrees! Occasionally he wakes up at a right angle to how we put him down and I'm sure it is because he has bumped his head on the crib...
As a little gift I got JJ the classic doorway Jolly Jumper. He has almost outgrown the one on a frame that we were given by a friend. It served him very well but we've only got a single link of chain left. JJ has figured out how to get good air now and use both legs at the same time, rather than riverdancing in it. We've also had to move his exersaucer up a notch. I'm sure we will find out that he is continuing his rapid growth next week when we visit the Doctors. It must all be in his legs though as the onesies that we bought at 3 months still fit!
E and I have made an amazing little guy. He is so happy, expressive, amusing and cute! He's developed and learned so much in his first 6 months. Feeding him is a real treat (especially when he doesn't grab the spoon all the time), and seeing him sit and play with his toys is fantastic. He'll even reach out to grab a dropped toy and be able to correct wobbles! I also love that he is fascinated by his feet and getting them into his mouth, something that I found out I can still do too!
JJ's first 6 months have flown by and were easily the most wonderful, challenging and exhausting months of my life. I have a feeling that the next 6 will be just as good if not better! (but slightly less exhausting I hope...mind you, he will start to crawl/walk so who knows)
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