Silly Eater

Tommy has been pretty silly at night, which I have greatly enjoyed since I am adjusting to seeing him for only a few hours a day now instead of every moment.  Tonight while I was feeding him he kept sticking out his tongue and when I would laugh, he would do it more!  Now that he has a tooth breaking through (both bottom I think) he is back to playing with his tongue even more which is funny but makes it very hard to feed him!!

Baby's First Football Game

Last night, Tommy and I both donned our green to cheer on the Spartans for baby's first football game!  He was having his own fun with his football and really enjoyed the cheers!  I think that playing the fight song so much during my pregnancy made an impact because he was really excited to cheer along every time it came on.  We even did a few touchdown dances until he finally fell asleep for the night. 

I've always said, it never mattered if I had a boy or girl...I was going to have a Spartan baby!  I think I got my wish! :)

We're ready!! Go Green!!

Touchdown!

Watching the game.

Playing at Grandma and Grandpa's House

My parents have been watching Tommy for me in the evenings while I had kindergarten meetings with incoming families until about 6:30 Wednesday and Thursday.  He has had a lot of fun playing with Grandma and Grandpa!  He's starting to get his little butt in the air so crawling seems even closer now!!!

Sleepy baby!

Sweet potatoes, yum!

Mom's here!

Is Tommy on Facebook??

Giving Grandpa a tutorial.

His hair was really curly and blowing in the fan.

He's getting there!! 

Visit With a New Friend

My friend, Michelle, and her daughter and granddaughter came up to visit us last Saturday.  Her granddaughter, Sophie, is only about 6 months older than Tommy.  I used to work with Michelle in Coldwater and she was actually one of the first people I talked to when I found out I was pregnant because her daughter was going through a similar situation.  She has been so wonderful throughout my pregnancy and these first 6 months and she finally got to meet Tommy!

Sophie and Tommy got along really well!  They were having fun and giving lots of kisses! I have to watch out for this boy, he's getting a little too friendly with these ladies!!!!  :)

Worn out after a busy weekend!!

A Very Busy Few Weeks

These past few weeks have been so busy!!  I have been slacking on updating my blog but for good reason: I've been EXHAUSTED!! I've been working in my classroom trying to get it all ready for Tuesday (it's mostly there) and then throw in meetings and then meet and greet conferences with my incoming kindergartners and I've been one busy lady!

While I've been working in my room, Tommy has been able to spend lots of quality time with some of his favorite people.  His dad, one of his aunts and his grandparents came up to stay with him for two full days so I could get in my room and my parents watched him for a few more hours so I could have some baby free work time. 

It was nice to have him stay with family for two days while I worked to help ease into working full time again and having to be separated from him.  This week he went to daycare Monday-Thursday (Friday he stayed with Grandpa because he wasn't feeling well), and I was a mess.  I got better after the first day but it's been a hard adjustment.  When I went back to work this spring it was more of just a survival to get through the year and I was still deep in the postpartum that I just went through the motions.  Now that I've had such a wonderful summer with him, it's hard to get back into school mode.  Especially since the school year is just beginning and I have a long time until June comes around again.  His daycare is great though.  They emailed me the first day to say he was having a great day and he has even made a friend.  :)  His daycare is at a church so you can't much safer than hanging out with Jesus I guess.   Tommy has had a really hard time napping though, which makes him only more cranky when I have time with him at night.  I'm hoping that he'll adjust to nap time soon.  He's so used to having just me and the cat around and sleeping in a quiet place that now having to sleep in a smaller room with 7 other babies is quite an adjustment. 

I do enjoy his excitement when I pick him up in the afternoon though.  I get some very big, sloppy kisses!  This weekend I am running into school for a couple hours only and then hurrying home to snuggle this boy.  I'm sure he's going to be happy to go back to daycare with his friends after being smothered in kisses by mom!!!

I try to savor all the snuggles I can, even if that means waiting to put him in his crib a bit longer.

Carrots Seem To Be a Winner!

Last night I decided to give Tommy carrots for dinner.  He hasn't been crazy about the green veggies although he seemed to like the garden veggie medley more than the peas and green beans.  I followed the suggested rules and went through the green choices first but it's been difficult to find something that he likes.  He's not really a fan of fruit either although pears seem okay to some degree.

Well carrots seem to be a hit!  As you can tell by the pictures, he was really enjoying dinner time.....I swear he actually ate some besides just getting them all over his face!!  Needless to say, he got a bath after this meal!

Not sure at the first bite.

Carrots or fingers??  Both are pretty tasty!

Messy but not too bad yet.

It's always a mess once he wipes his face with his hands!

I think he'd be happy to have carrots again!

Our "New" Glider

My parents brought over my mom's old glider today.  Tommy loves to be outside and he often swings with Grandma when we are over at their house.  Since Tommy wasn't feeling well last night, they rocked him for a long time and it seemed to calm him.  They figured that we should have one at our house too (have I mentioned how much this boy is loved....spoiled!) 

My mom's glider is probably almost 20 years old and hasn't been used in many years so I would like to sand it and restain it but one of my projects for next year.  Tommy and I used it tonight after dinner and before he went to bed.  We rocked for probably close to 45 minutes or so.  He loved watching the cars go by.  He even held my hand....so sweet!

I think we will enjoy adding this to our night time routine, especially in a few weeks when I come home from a long, crazy day with 5 yr olds.  It's nice to have that quiet time with him. 

Trying it out this morning.

Looking pretty relaxed!

Having a chat with Mom.

My snugly buddy! :)

Watching cars go by.  He loves when the motorcycles go past!

Holding Mom's hand while we rock. 

Sick Baby

Tommy hasn't been feeling that great for a few days.  A few friends of mine said that their kids had a summer virus that gave them a fever and such and I think Tommy might have caught something.  We've been around a lot of people lately so it's possible he could have picked up something during one of our social outings.

Last night my parents watched Tommy for a few hours so I could work in my room and then run a few errands and when I got to their house Tommy just didn't look like he felt good at all.  He was warm and pale but he didn't have a fever.  He did give a few smiles but not his usual excitable ones.  Usually when he first sees me he gets really excited but this time he was just zoned out.  I've been giving him some baby Tylenol and that seems to help plus he's been sleeping a lot more.

I feel so badly when he doesn't feel well because there is nothing I can do to help him besides doing the best I can to make him comfortable.  My dad teases me all the time calling me neurotic but I had Tommy sleep with me last night so that I could keep an eye on him.  Needless to say, I didn't sleep much at all.  You hear so many stories of babies dying suddenly that it freaks me out sometimes.  He's such a wonderful baby I just feel too lucky sometimes.  I know he's healthy though so I don't need to worry, I just can't help it sometimes.....I'm one of those moms!

Today he seems better.  He ate solid foods and rice twice today as well as a few bottles and nursed more today.  He just seems to be still worn out and not in much of a mood to play.  He's going to spend sometime with Grandma and Grandpa tomorrow so I can go into school but we're going to take it easy for the next few days.  He seems to be on the mend though. It's a pretty good excuse just to stay home and snuggle at least. 

Please Help Other NICU Babies

My parents, Tommy and I were going to participate in a remembrance walk for two baby girls who would have turned 10 this year but did not survive (one was stillborn and another died hours after birth).  The proceeds all go to help Munson's NICU.  While Tommy's situation was fatal (I could not imagine!), it was a very trying, stressful, emotional time and I am so incredibly thankful for the wonderful care that we received during his 13 day stay.   I spent most of the day there with him and received comfort, compassion, companionship and hugs from the nurses that kept watch over my precious baby.  Those first few days were the most challenging and difficult times of my life but I was never without support.  They understood the emotional roller coaster that the NICU parents were experiencing (sadness, hope, joy, anxiety, etc) and responded to our needs just as much as they attended to our babies. 

The nurses are not the only "heroes" of the NICU.  I received a lot of support and resources from the social worker, doctors and nurse practitioners and I appreciate every effort they made because I know I was a mess. 

If at all possible, please consider helping out other families who are going through this difficult period by donating to the NICU through this wonderful remembrance event.  I hope that it happens again next year so that Tommy and I are able to walk proudly with them.  :)

Website Link: Lauren and Theresa's Run to Support Munson's NICU 

With their help, Tommy went from this skinny baby at 1 day old......

.....to this chunky boy at 6 months.  :)

Bananas for Breakfast

I've been giving Tommy veggies for dinner but today I thought I would mix it up and give him some fruit and cereal for breakfast.  I decided to go with bananas since they are usually a baby favorite and I ate at least one banana everyday during my pregnancy (I figured he would be used to it!). 

Well.....I don't think he'll be eager to have them again.  He did not like them at all at first, especially when by themselves but grew to tolerate them more when I mixed them with cereal.  I'm going to try again tomorrow since he's supposed to have the same food for a few days to rule out allergies.  He grew to put up with peas and beans so maybe he'll do the same with this too. 

First Bite

Second one isn't much better!

It's hard to see but his face is covered with cereal.

He got a bath after this meal.

Always a happy baby!  :)