A week of firsts

It has been a big week for the littlest man around here. He said his first word, he started clapping, and he pulled himself up to the standing position!! I was able to catch "bye bye" on video:

(Isn't he just the happiest baby?!)

Tubes

This morning, Colton finally got tubes put in his ears. I wasn't too nervous about the surgery; many friends and the doctor were very reassuring of how quick and easy it would be. I was nervous about the no eating after midnight instructions. With a baby who wakes most nights and eats/pacifies himself back to sleep, I knew we'd be in for a rough one. Hampton spent the night with Jordan's parents, and Jordan and I went to bed early, preparing for what was to come. And what do you know--that little rascal slept the whole night and had to be woken up at 6 so we could leave! Such a relief!

What's going on here, mom?

He was happy as could be at the hospital-playing with us, chewing on Sophie, and hamming it up for the nurses. They took him back around 7:30 and the doctor was back in the room about 15 minutes later saying it went perfectly. He said Colton's ears were so bad-full of thick mucous that wasn't going anywhere. Poor baby!

I'll just sit here and look cute!

As the doctor was talking, a nurse brings in our inconsolable baby. It was so pitiful! He wouldn't open his eyes, and you could tell the gas did not make him feel right. I fed him off and on, but all he would do was whimper and then start screaming again. Jordan and I passed him back and forth trying to console him. Then I would feed him again. Then he vomited. Ugh! So Then the nurse brought him some juice to see if he could keep that down. He refused to take the bottle, and he finally fell asleep in Jordan's arms. Because he got sick, we had to wait for him to wake up and make sure he was feeling better before they would let us leave, so we sat there and waited.

Pitiful.

When he woke up, he was a little fussy, but I could tell that he was getting back to himself. He didn't look so disoriented. They checked him out, said all was well, and sent us home. And Colton slept the morning away, woke up, ate, played and went about his day like nothing happened! I'm sure he has been uncomfortable for far too long. I hope this is the fix he needs.

All better! Ready to go home!

7 months

I am seriously speechless that this baby is 7 months old. I start thinking about 1st birthday party ideas, then think, "Good grief woman, he's only 7 months!" But if the next 5 months go by as fast, it will be here before I know it. 

~Little man is THE happiest baby. He rarely cries or fusses.

~He's in 9 months clothes and size 4 diapers.

~Sleeping the entire night is still a work in progress, but at least it's usually a quick fix to get him back asleep. (Have I mentioned he doesn't use a paci. Therefore, I am the quick fix!)

~His schedule is still so out of whack. One day we'll have a routine. Maybe.

~He is not a fan of the bottle. This doesn't help the fact the I would like to wean.

~He is a fan of food. Basically any foods except peas. Green beans aren't a favorite, but he'll eat them!

~This boy loves to play. I have to surround him with toys on the floor so that he can check each one out when he gets bored with the last.

~He always has something in his mouth. Always. I have to keep an eye out for Hampton leaving small stuff laying around. It terrifies me that he will get a hold of something and choke!

~No teeth yet. We've said he's "teething" for months now, but have nothing to show for it!

~He is all over the place. Rolling, scooting, "army crawling," you name it. Not really into crawling on all 4s, though. 

~He has been sitting for a while, but just recently started getting himself into a sitting position.

~He loves dogs. His babysitter and my parents both have dogs, and he just loves going after them, watching them, and getting kissed all over!

~He had his 7th ear infection this past month. Tubes are going to be such a relief for him!

Oh, Mr. Bear, Colton is going to be as big as you soon!

Oh, we're still taking pictures?

Sweet brothers!

And so it begins

Colton is an excellent little army crawler. He just doesn't seem interested in getting on his knees, but he gets himself where he wants to be very quickly. Until this morning...

Hampton was laying on the floor getting his diaper changed and the baby was chilling out next to us. He was just rolling around, minding his own business. Then, he spotted a puzzle. He wanted that puzzle. Hampton noticed Colton starting in that direction and got up to go get his puzzle before Colton. And what do you know, Colton gets up on all 4s and takes two "crawls" that way to try and beat his brother there!! It was so funny. He has yet to get up and do it again. I guess I'll have to put something out that they both want and have a little competition to see who can get to it first! ;)

Cheesing it up for the camera!

Stella & Dot Auction

I have an auction going on tonight on my fan page! Come join if you love jewelry! https://www.facebook.com/rebekahstelladot

Sleep

I sit here feeding Colton, thankful for the first night he's slept over 10 hours in a while. Hampton, on the other hand, woke up screaming around 4:30. Both boys have been out of whack when it comes to sleep this week, and it has worn us out! Colton, who has always been an excellent sleeper, still usually wakes up once a night, if at all, and goes right back down. Last week, he was up multiple times then ready for the day at 5. Hampton, who we usually never hear a peep from until about 7, has been up crying between 3 and 4 for a few nights now. And if Colton gets up at 5, Hampton usually follows shortly. Our house is just too small to take the baby somewhere that he won't wake H up! I'm hoping that tubes will fix Colton's sleep issues. As far as Hampton, I don't know, maybe it's a growth spurt? Or nightmares? I just want some solid nights of sleep here again soon!

"Mom"petition

What is it about moms that makes us so insecure around other moms? When did raising children become a competitive sport? I can't say I'm not guilty. In my opinion, any mom who says she's never compared her child to another is a liar. Or in denial.

My conversation with a mom yesterday at the doctor's office:
Mom: how old is your son?
Me: He's about six and a half months.
Mom: Oh. I was thinking he was about 7 or 8.
Me: (smiles) yeah, he's a big boy!
Mom: Is he crawling?
Me: Not yet. He rolls all over the place, though. I have a 2 year old at home, so I'm not looking forward to the trouble they will get in when he starts! How about yours? {yes, I asked! She clearly wanted me to!}
Mom: oh yes, she has been crawling everywhere. She's always right at my heels!
Me: Aw, that's so sweet!
::the nurse calls Colton back. End of conversation::

Sigh.... ;)