Big Boy!

Virtual Babysitting

Last night, we decided to Skype with my parents. I put Grant in his jumperoo and set the laptop up in front of him. And, while I walked away to make dinner, Grandma and Grandpa entertained my child! It was terrific! Grant got a kick out of Mom and Dad, and they got to enjoy watching him jump around. Now, is it legal to leave your child at home alone with a virtual babysitter?! Hmm, probably not...

6 Months Old

Today is a big day...Grant is six months old! My little guy is growing up very quickly. It is already hard to remember what those days were like when all he did was eat and sleep all day. And, I can't even fathom how I survived months of sleep deprivation!


What Grant is doing at six months:
1. Attempting to sit, but not quite there yet
2. Finally straightening out his legs so he can stand up (with lots of help)
3. Loving his jumperoo
4. Sleeping GREAT at night...not a peep!
5. On a diet. He had decided that it is more fun to goof off and could care less about taking a bottle. The guy just hardly ever acts hungry!
6. Eating "real" food. Rice cereal isn't one of his favorites, but he has enjoyed butternut squash, zucchini, bananas, and avocado.
7. Talking to himself. Wow, he has quite a variety of noises!
8. Still cute as can be!

Mommy Gets Away

I felt it was time to get away for a bit. So, to celebrate our five year anniversary and in an attempt to get some much needed full nights of sleep, Jeff and I went to Vegas for a long weekend. I drove to Indianapolis where Grant was going to spend the weekend with my family. I figured it was going to be pretty easy to leave knowing that I would only be gone three nights and that he would get plenty of love and attention at my parents house. Well, let me tell you, it wasn't easy! I was caught completely off guard when just an hour into my plane ride I started to feel sick and began crying. I had only been away a few hours and I was already missing my baby and feeling guilty about leaving him!

The tears slowly subsided and I got myself together. I arrived in Vegas without a clue what to do with myself. Jeff wasn't due to arrive until later and all I had on my agenda was hanging by the pool. It had been four months since I had had that much alone time and I was getting bored and lonely!

The hours passed and I survived the first day without my baby. I made sure I got into bed at a decent hour and I looked forward to sleeping in the next morning. Unfortunately, my breasts had a different plan. They woke me bright and early and sent a pretty clear message that I needed to pump!

After lots of time by the pool, some great food, and a little gambling, Sunday came around and I counted down the hours until I got to see Mr. Grant again. When I arrived home, I was anxious to see what kind of a reaction I would get from Grant. Of course, I hoped he would start grinning from ear to ear when he saw his momma. Instead, he took one look at me and turned away to look at my mom! I think he was ticked at me!

All in all, I am glad Jeff and I got away. But, like I told him the night before we left, I had fun, but I don't plan on making a habit of vacationing without Grant. He is just so great, I hate to do anything without him. So, its a good thing we have already decided to take him on our next vacation. We now get to begin the countdown to Cabo in Feburary!

Photos

Dad, stop taking pictures of me...






Grant's first Fourth of July

Routine

My type-A personality is so much more comfortable now that Grant and I have developed a routine! I surprised myself by not instantly getting Grant on a a strict Baby Wise schedule. Instead, I allowed him to wake up when he wanted each morning and then we began a three hour feeding schedule from there. This allowed me to get a little extra sleep in the morning, which was fantastic, but didn't give me any idea what my days had in store for me.

So, after getting over the fact that I would have to start getting up each morning at the same hour, and keeping in mind that children thrive on routine (and so do I), I decided to put Baby Wise into practice. Again, I am still probably not as strict as I thought I might be, but life is running smoothly. Grant and I are enjoying our days at the gym and the pool. He is a terrific napper and sleeps great at night. I couldn't ask for a better baby! Now, I can only hope that whenever we choose to have baby #2, we will be so lucky!

Poop

I think my child's first word will be "poop." He does plenty of it and it is always a topic of conversation between Jeff and I and other family members. How many times did he poop? What color was it? Etc.

First of all, who knew that one diaper change could turn into three or four diapers? We begin with the original diaper that clearly needs to be changed. It gets replaced with a new diaper. The Desitin gets applied, but in the process, Grant decides to pee. If we are lucky, we get a hand over the stream and save the outfit. But, diaper #2 now needs to be replaced. Moving on to diaper #3. Inevitably, Grant decides that it is time to poop again. Thus, the diaper is changed yet again. This happens at least once a day. A very expensive habit.

Poop also entertained the entire family on Mother's Day. Aunt Jessie decided that she was finally ready to try and change a diaper. Calmly she followed directions. Just as she lifted the legs to apply the Desitin and thinking she was home free, Grant rocket pooped hitting Jessie's leg two feet away.

The latest and most disgusting incident was yesterday morning. I was sitting on the couch in my new shorts. Grant was on my lap and I was feeding him a bottle. Suddenly my lap was filled with something warm and wet. In shock I waited a moment before checking to find out that indeed, I had been pooped on. Somehow, the diaper had failed to do its job, my shorts and the couch were covered in yellow, horrible smelling poop. Sick! Good thing he is cute!