Friday, August 26, 2011

Oliver's 18 Month Appointment

This has been sitting as a draft for a while now....oops...guess I'll finish.

Someone remind me never to schedule Oliver's doctor appointmet during a nap time!
Here he is just 2 exits away...I'm trying sooo hard to keep him awake.



He was all over the place waiting for the doctor.  During the exam he was AWFUL!  I so wish BDNP was there to help me.  It was terrible!



 
The exam as torture apparently.  He's NEVER behaved like that before.  He hated getting measured, he hated getting looked at, and he hated being held on the table for a shot (I don't think the shot bothered him so much as the fact that he had to sit still to have it).
Check out the single tear that hung around for a while, it was so heartbreakingly cute just chilling on his cute little face.


Thomas the Train sticker made things much better.  He has a new obsession with trains that we didn't even mention to the nurse so when she gave him this his reaction was too cute.


They didn't tell me what percentile he is in but I'm assuming he is still 75th-90th like the last few times.  I was told that at 33 3/4" he is the height of a 22 month old.  He weighed in at 29 lbs.  I was actually surprised that he hadn't hit/passed 30lbs, but I have noticed that while he is still my chunky boy he has definitely slimmed down and shot up.

The biggest concern I had going into the appointment was hearing whether or not my boy is on track with his verbal skills.  I really have had the opinion that he should be speaking a lot and doing so clearly by now.  I've been worrying about this for a while even though at 15months I was told by he pediatrician he is on target.  In my opinion there wasn't as much progress as there should have been.  But the pediatrician was again happy with where he is and not concerned.  If at 2 years he hasn't made more progress we'll consider some speach therapy I guess.  I was thinking he'd need to start that now so that's good news.  And in the week leading up the appointment and the week following I have definitely noticed his babbling has become more conversational and he is repeating more.  So yeah, this mommy is breathing a little easier.  Not that I was overly concerned, just a little bothered...the kid is not shy around other people, definitely has no hearing problems and is very good at following directions and learning routines.  In short- my boy is a quiet genius!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Saving Face

Before running out to Oliver's 18 month checkup I want to take a minute to save face...a little damage control if you will.  I think I painted a really bad picture of myself with last nights post.  BDNP couldn't believe I actually posted that (I usually have to OK a picture of myself and am hypercritical).  Well, I don't take it back.  Real is real.  But every once in a while there are days like today.  Feel free to compare (the bed's even made this time!).  This is an example of what I look like when there are places to be and people to see.  See, I can pull it together sometimes ;) 

...and check out the earrings! http://www.rockstarhairfeathers.com/

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

I'm Just THAT Fabulous

I make no pretenses- I am a bum.  If I have no plans to go out...I don't get dressed.  My hair has been TERRIBLE since about 4 months postpartum with Oliver when it started falling out around my hairline and grew back in like a friggin circus clown. 

I admit there's truth to the "look good, feel good" train of thought.  Sometimes I need to get dressed to force myself to think up some errand to run.  But today I looked like hell and still felt good. 

I thought my belly looked fabulous in my husbands BoSox tee (from the 2004 ALCS, the series during which we met).  And my frizzy hair was perfect for spending the day uncluttering the bedroom and doing some laundry... I even washed the morning and afternoon dishes at lunch time instead of waiting to pile dinner dishes in my ridiculously shallow sink and forcing myself to get to it before bed. 

I spent today barefoot and pregnant and loving every second of it.

It doesn't get any REAL-er than this! 
I decided to cheese it up and take some selfies like any good pregnant lady would do. 
32 weeks...Don't I look great!? (no answer necessary)

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Tuesday Tummy Time!

Today marks 32 weeks!

I can't believe how fast this has gone by!  It's so amazing that I've grown another person in my body.  A human-friggin-being! Crazy! And I'm not the only one busy gestating... my sister in law is due two weeks after I am with her first baby.  I'm getting a niece!  Sooooo excited to have a little girl in the family to love and spoil and accessorize.  We are headin up to New Hampshire this weekend for the baby shower.  Can't wait to celebrate baby Arabella Marie!

Here is what things are looking like on the inside:

 Courtesy of BabyCenter.com:
"By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth."


Monday, August 15, 2011

Twit Face

I created a Twitter account.  I guess my Facebook obsession wasn't enough.  Or Blogger.  Or Pinterest.  Not to mention my DVR.  Geesh! Good thing I wasn't born a hundred years ago.

So now I need to figure out what exactly the point of Twitter is.  How do I decide what is twitter worthy as opposed to what belongs on facebook? 

So in addition to Twitter, I added buttons to my blog linked to my Goodreads and Pinterest profiles (how do you like my primitive graphic design skills?).  I love these websites and it just hit me that I can link them up to and share even more of myself with those of you who follow and/or stop by from time to time to check out what we're up to.  So if anyone who finds their way to this blog also uses one of these sites feel free to friend/follow me there.  Another great way to share interests and meet people. 

Ok I just reminded myself of this commercial...so funny in a sad and pathetic kind of way.  Ooooh dear.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Pardon My Dust

I have such a hard time re-doing my blog design.  I can never figure it out.  And yet I get bored super fast with what I have, and I love what I see on other blogs.  So for the next little while I will be working on the look of my blog.  Be patient...I'm already bored for tonight.

In other news....I'm going on a date with my husband.  My mom wore her real estate hat all day driving around with clients and when she finished that she stayed in the car to drive up to CT so BDNP and I can go see a movie.  Can't remember the last time we did that actually.  Sad huh? 

And boy do I need it tonight.  My sweet angel Oliver first refused to nap, and then was mean to me today.  Seriously.  Mean.  And he knew it.  He's figured out biting, pinching and hitting.  My angel...bites.  No Bueno. Rough day for me, especially since Nate worked all day and I can't function on my own on the weekends.  I do it everyday of the week but there's something about flying solo on a Saturday that just breaks me.

But how can you NOT love this?
Oliver as a sleepy Warehouse Mouse (from Imagination Movers)
@ Sesame Place for The Count's Halloween Spooktacular



Friday, August 12, 2011

18 Months

My little boy is getting so big.  Soooo big!

Last night I brought him to Panera for dinner and this kid was a hit!  He was so well behaved and ate so much.  EVERYONE in the restaurant was completely head over heals with him.  I appreciate friendliness, really I do, and I know my son is just about the best thing on earth...but can I eat please?  Can I take a bite without having to cover my full mouth with my napkin, swallow half chewed sandwich, and answer questions directed at a child who can't speak. 

I will say this though, I love being able to say "he's one and a half" when asked his age.  So much easier than the months.  Not until you are a mother do you understand why women tell you how old their kids are by month.  In the first two years every month makes such a difference.  I can't just say he's 1... 16 months is so different from 12 months.  Well now I can say one and a half and be done with it.

Next Thursday is his 18 month checkup.  Can't wait to hear his stats.  He is still a very big boy, my chunky monkey.  But he's really slimmed down and sprouted up.  I love hearing what percentile he is.  And sooo smart!  This little boy is sooooo smart!  He follows instructions so well, and understands everything we say to him.  He certainly communicates and knows how to make himself understood.  He nods and shakes his head now (his enthusiasm is HILARIOUS!).  But the kid refuses to use words.  I feel like he should be much more verbal than he is.  A few months ago I was ready to get him enrolled in speech therapy.  But I was talked down by BDNP, a close friend, and other moms from Feb 2010 birth group on BabyCenter.com.  At his 15 month appointment the pediatrician assured me he is doing great and is right on track.  I guess we'll see what she thinks now. I've heard around 18 moths something clicks and there's a verbal explosion.  I'm very eagerly awaiting that.

Here's my big baby boy a year ago today.  Oh my heart just can't take it!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Tuesday Tummy Time!

It's the Final Countdown!
(I hope you all read that the way I heard it in my head- a la Europe 1986... not that I know ANY other part of that song)

Aaaaanyway... we are down to single digits in our week countdown! 9 weeks to go!

Courtesy of BabyCenter.com
"This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy."

This baby is so loved already!  I can't wait to see him.  Since the 3D ultrasound I feel like we've been introduced.  I feel like I know his personality already- easy going and cuddly.  And he's strong.  Did I mention cute?

It's time to break out the free and clear detergent.  I fished through Oliver's old clothes and I am super excited to dress Owen in them.  AND last OB visit went great.  Got an ultrasound... baby measures 50th percentile and placenta moved up so it's not too close to my cervix at all (aways a good thing).  Also...passed my GTT! Yippeeee!  (FYI- I celebrated that news with lunch from Wendys.)

Monday, August 8, 2011

Oh Boy, Oh Boy!

We were hoping to keep Oliver busy and contained at a company picnic by bringing some toys along.  It worked for a little bit and he was so cute digging and dumping dirt and rocks.

I loved how Oliver squatted down to play and then I looked over at Nate and he was in the exact same position- hiney hovering just above the ground.  Totally got a chuckle out of me.



He was really enjoying playing with dirt.  Such a boy! What's better than dirt? Oh, yeah...moss!

The kid was OBSESSED with moss! Gross! Moss totally skeeves me! I hate even sitting on it and here's Oliver grabbing and running his fingers through it.  As disgusted as I was, it was lots of fun to see him explore a new texture he hasn't encountered before.


Oh this kid!  Can I possibly love him any more than I do?  Yet, somehow I always manage to find a new little piece of him to adore.

Define Delicious

Nate spent all of Sunday chasing the one year old tornado we call Oliver.
He crashed hard...not that Barney isn't super stimulating.


Oliver didn't fall asleep, just happened to blink...but pretend he's snoozing too, how yummy is this picture?!  I seriously want to eat them both up.

Now Showing on Top Baby Blogs- Real Housewife of New Haven County

I'm so happy to add my blog to Top Baby Blogs!

I have heard that this directory has done wonders for other mom bloggers sharing little bits of their lives like I do.  I've come across some of my favorite blogs on here.

Even though I update and post for my own satisfaction, I have to admit it is a wonderful feeling to have a new follower and see my readership expanding.  I love getting comments from people I would otherwise have no interaction with, but have similar experiences, ineterests and thoughts.

 Life as a SAHM can get lonely from time to time and since starting this blog I have felt like I have a whole new outlet for myself and opportunity to interact with other moms.  I seriously talk about blogs I follow and the other moms and kids I read about like they are my friends from down the street.  I find myself telling Nate about something some mom or kid did like I was there.  He looks at me like "Who on earth are you talking about?"  When you can't get out everyday it's nice to have this window to the outside on your own computer.

So now that I have enough blogging experience under my belt I am happy to join Top Baby Blogs and hope to see my readership and bloggy-friendships grow!

So here's how it works for those who don't know.  My blog is now added to the directory on their site, and by clicking the banner (below, or on the top right of my page) you can vote for my blog up to once daily (you can vote for as many blogs as you want each day, but only one vote a day for each different blog).  I don't expect to come even close to the top on the blog ranking, but a vote here and there would sure be a nice little confidence boost... just saying :)

Help Our Rank & Visit Top Baby Blogs, Baby Blog Directory!

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Oliver's Saturday

Oliver had an awesome Saturday.

First, a great Music Together class...he was super into it and sang along a bunch.

Second, he took an awesome nap after a story time snuggle with Mommy and Daddy.

Third, he went to a birthday party for a buddy from music class.  Such a fun time!
He got to explore a fire engine, wasn't sure about taking a ride in it though (very loud and rough), and he LOOOOVED getting sprayed with the hose!



Thursday, August 4, 2011

The Return of A Thousand Words Thursday

I've got pictures worthy of reviving my Thursday posts... every Thursday was starting to look the same.

Our Day in Pictures
Blueberry (slim) Pickin' @ Lyman Orchards


Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Get Ready to be AMAZED!

   I MADE THIS! ok BDNP helped...but I did (am doing) the baking!

3D Ultrasound of the Little Stinker at 29weeks 6days



MUCH better than the 3D Ultrasound of Little Monkey at 34 weeks!


 What a difference right?!  We paid $200 for the 3D session with Oliver at A Stork's Studio in Orange...and look at the quality compared to the 3D scan we got free! My mom works in a hospital and hooked us up!  We wanted to go to them with Oliver too (they had just gotten the machine and where installing it around the same time we went to have it done) but the scheduling didn't work out to go down to NJ for it. 

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