Saturday, December 31, 2011

2011 Recap

January

We were waiting on our little man to enter the world. One of my last preggo pics...


February

William could not wait any longer and came 10 days early...

March

We were still getting the hang of being parents.  Ceal and Maria flew down to meet William.


April

Not much going on...I was in the process of going back to Publix but it took forever. 

May

First professional pictures taken.  This is just us hanging out...


June

My 26th birthday.




July

Taking care of William without light...

August

Meme and Aunt Anna hang out with William, William's cousin, Mia, is born. 

September

Job interview at Compass, trip to Maine, Abuelo flies back behind and stays about 3 weeks, tackled sleep issues

October

I start working full and William starts daycare...

November

Tough month with ear infections, Thanksgiving at Meme's.

December

Christmas!!!


Sunday, December 25, 2011

William's First Christmas

William knew exactly what to do with his presents.  He would open one, play with it, and move on to the next.  He is at the curious stage and into everything.  He crawled over the gifts to get the tree, fireplace, bookshelf, etc.  I decided to take a few gifts (he got way too many) and will let him have one every few months.  A lot of the toys are for older babies so he will enjoy them more next year anyway. 

I have to admit I am glad the holidays are coming to a close.  I miss my brother more this time of year than any other time.  The memories of Christmas when we were kids are still so clear.  We were SPOILED rotten and we each had our own side of the tree.  We played all day and then would pack up and go to Meme's.  We would play in the car, argue, and play some more.  As much as William fills my heart a piece is still missing because I know longer can hear Christopher's voice, laugh, or get a high five.  He was not perfect but there is no reason to think about those things I choose to think of the happy Chirstopher. 

Now for some pictures of our MAN on his first Christmas...

All the gifts make the tree look tiny :)




Looking a mess...but reading Ruder's card...so funny.

Loves this house and it is very educational. 

Yep he crawled through the door...

Thursday, December 22, 2011

13 on Thursday

  1. Made eggs, grits, and toast for breakfast this morning.  I took William to daycare then went to Wal Mart for a few things and I came home and cooked.  It was amazing.
  2. As much as I loved my breakfast I would prefer to be already working and not have a 11-8 shift.
  3. William has a long vacation ahead of him.  Rudy is off next week and daycare allows one vacation a year so William is taking his as well. 
  4. Excited to see William on Christmas morning.
  5. William is all over the place.  I do not want to think about him walking...
  6. Coming home to a brand new coffee table and end tables made for a happy Jennifer.
  7. I plan to start jogging in January.  I loved training for a 5k a couple of years ago.  I also need to get in shape for Disney World.  Honestly I can not remember when this body has been in a bikini.
  8. All I want for Christmas is a housekeeper twice a month.
  9. There are not many good books out right now.  Suggestions from anyone would helpful.
  10. I want to do a Christmas card for my memory because we totally did not send any this year.
  11. I think William has started to actually enjoy daycare.  Although he does not sleep well there; he loves playing with other babies.
  12. Will my baby ever be ok with the carseat?
  13. Still praying for a teaching position...

Monday, December 12, 2011

Pictures


Love this expression...like he just got caught...

No more baby tub for me!

Daddy is braver than Mommy and feeds me "big boy" food when she is at work :)


Completely in love with this guy...

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Still trying to get all better...

I made an appointment for William on Thursday (my late shift day) because his cough was getting worse not better.  Honestly I made the appointment just for peace of mind because I knew he could not be sick, AGAIN!  On Wednesday night I was very thankful that I had made that appointment because William starting running a low fever.  Really?  He did not sleep great that night and was in my bed around 5:30 in the morning.  He wanted desperately to sleep but kept picking his head up and crying.  Ear infection immediately entered my mind but it can not be possible because he ended his 2nd round of antibiotics Tuesday.  We get to the doctor (same one that diagnosed William with the 2nd e.i.) and he listens to his lungs and checks ears.  He has a double ear infection and needs a chest x-ray.  What????  Dr. Morgan says next time its a shot a day for 3 days and an appointment with the ENT.  Poor guy.  William has to get down to the diaper for the x-ray and be held straight as a board.  He does pretty well during the x-ray but seeing him on the table actually made me thankful that he is not any sicker than what he is.  This is tough on me but I know there are sicker babies and parents going through more than me.  I call the nurse when I get to work and William also has bronchitis but the augmentin (sp. ?) should clear that up as well.  He stayed home with Rudy Thursday and my parents Friday.  The cough is still BAD but I think his ears are feeling better.  He slept better last night and I pray he gets completely well.  I know babies get sick but William has not had a break since end of October.  If anyone has any suggestions on keeping babies well that go to daycare please let me know!!! 

Just FYI:  William has been battling a cold, ear infections, and cough since the end of October.  He is still pretty happy and loves crawling.  It is not like he is has been miserable for 6 weeks but the ears clear and then a few days later he is sick again.  I think this happens because he can not kick the runny nose.  I just wanted to make a note (more for myself) that William is still a smiley baby (for the most part). 

Monday, December 5, 2011

10 Months

Geez what a month!!

  • Crawling EVERYWHERE
  • Still only the 2 teeth on the bottom.
  • First Thanksgiving at Meme's
  • Ear infection (2x)
  • Antibiotics (2x)
  • Feeds himself puffs but will open mouth for you
  • Experimenting with table food: green beans, eggs, etc.  (I feel like next month we will be doing a lot more table food and less purees)
  • Getting your two teeth brushed (infant orajel toothbrush kit)
  • Never sits still (clothing and diapering is tough)
  • Met Santa (and hated him)
  • Waving
  • Clapping (literally the first time was today)
  • Hitting head a few times (just so squirmy)
  • Getting told "no"
  • Not enjoying bath as much, but had a bath in the kitchen sink at Grammie's and loved it
  • Busted lip (crawling at Grammie's, went onto hardwood, sat up, then proceeded to fall on face, funny how he rarely falls when on carpet or rugs)

  • Size 3 diaper...moving to 4's at night
  • Mostly 12 mo. clothes...PJ's 12-18 mo. (a little big)
  • 4 oz. before daycare, 4 oz., 6, 8 at daycare, 6 at bedtime
  • 1 fruit, 2 veges, and rice (at daycare)
  • Bibs all of the time
  • Bed by 6:30 awake at 6 (we wake for daycare)
  • Naps at daycare are random but at home may sleep for around 1.5 hrs.





    Thursday, December 1, 2011

    13 on Thursday

    1.  I work 11-8 every Thursday and I am blessed because when I was hired I was told 2 nights. 
    2.  3 hrs. mandatory overtime required on your late night.  Yes I will be working a 12 hr shift (probably 12/15) collecting money!  Eeks.  Again blessed because it is only 3 hrs. not every week.
    3.  Talked to Mom on the way home the past 2 nights.  Usually I just talk to Daddy and she is in the background adding words every now and then.  He is out of town so I call both of them.
    4.  William is getting better.  He is on antibiotics (again) and we started giving him vitamins in his morning bottle. 
    5.  I love the age William is right now (minus the up and coming attitude).
    6.  It is hard getting home close to 6 and trying to get everything done (laundry, cleaning, William stuff).  I need at least one more hour in the day.
    7.  I hope I get a teaching job in August.  I do not want to forget what I learned in school :(
    8.  Vacation was approved at work and we are flying to Orlando in July.
    9.  Disney World.  yes.  and of course HP WORLD!
    10.  Opened up online banking and saw my paycheck.  Feels good.
    11.  Hoping to get our Christmas tree this weekend.  Again no time, no time.
    12.  I LOVE my hubs.  He is not perfect but pretty close.  I walked in Tuesday night to a clean baby and dinner on the table (or TV tray in our case).
    13.  Christmas is this month.  Can not believe it.  William will be wearing Christmas stuff at least once a week, maybe more :) 

    Sunday, November 27, 2011

    EARS...

    I started work on October 24 and by Friday the bud had his first cold.  Then came a Sunday trip to the doctor to be diagnosed with his first ear infection.  He was on Amoxil for 10 days and during that time he developed his first cough.  We waited it out and went to his 9 month checkup November 18.  His doctor said his ears looked great and to give benadryl for the cough.  We continue to wait it out and by that Sunday he had his first fever, 101.3.  On and off for the whole week he was battling a fever.  Rudy and I assumed it was shots, teeth, and/or cold.  On Black Friday I had to work and Rudy kept William.  Rudy texted me and informed me William had been sleeping basically all day.  I freaked out because William FIGHTS naps and told him to check his temp.  Sure enough another fever.  I asked Rudy to call our doctor and of course they only work half a day on Black Friday.  Seriously?  I guess that is not the point.  I begin to think it could be an ear infection but we go on with our day on Saturday (I do not want to be the crazy Mama that goes to the dr. with everything).  All of that goes out the window after getting home from my parents Saturday night with William running a fever.  We give him tylenol and a bottle.  Then it goes from the window to the neighbor's house when he vomits.  This "crazy" mama calls the doctor as soon as they opened this morning.  By 9:30 we were getting him weighed (lost 1/2 lb. in a week) and by 10 we were diagnosed with his 2nd ear infection.  I really hope this new, stronger antibiotic helps our little guy because this is getting ridiculous. 

    PS:  The guilt I have about working drowning me at the moment.  It is taking a lot of praying to get me through this and not to quit my job.  That would not help William in the long run. 

    Another Fun PS:  William is full on crawling now.  It is the cutest thing I have ever seen; love it. 

    Friday, November 18, 2011

    9 Month Checkup

    *Took camera but silly me did not charge it so no pictures. :(

    Length: 31" (95%)
    Weight: 20 1/2 lbs. (50%)
    Head: 18 3/4 (90%)

    Dr. B. said William looked great.  His ears are clear but his cough is still terrible.  Luckily, Dr. B suggested Benadryl (1/2 tsp every 6 hrs) for the cough.  Thank God!  William has slimmed up ALOT even though he is not crawling.  It does not matter if he crawls or not this guy gets where he needs to go.  He can also go from tummy to sitting (new in the last couple of weeks).  His appetite is great but sleeping at daycare is not happening.  I asked Dr. B. about this and he actually said 9 month olds need ONE nap a day for about 2 hrs.  WHAT??  William is taking around 3 naps a day (time varies) and he is still cranky.  Hopefully napping will improve at daycare.  He got the routine shots in addition to the 2nd part of the flu shot.  He screamed then fell asleep on the way home.  All in all William is on track and hopefully he will be back to himself once he finally gets over this cold. 

    Monday, November 14, 2011

    Waterfall

    We decided to start taking "professional" pictures of William ourselves.  It is just too expensive every 3 months to get them done.  Not to mention we always have left over pictures and with all of the money we have spent we could have bought a NICE camera.  We took some in my parent's yard a couple of weeks ago; turned out way better than I expected.  Yesterday we went downtown and took several at the "waterfall."  William also got to swing outside for the first time and tested out the slide with his Daddy. 



    ALWAYS drooling!


     

    Friday, November 11, 2011

    Sick and sicker

    Our bud (Rudy and I call William "bud" or "buddy" 99% of the time) started daycare 3 weeks ago and got his first cold about 2.5 weeks ago.  Go figure!!  He then got an ear infection about a week later and now has a terrible cough.  Let me first say that I feel incredibly guilty about this.  I start work, William starts daycare, and William gets sick for the first time in his life.  Hmmm....wonder why he got sick?  For 8 months whenever he would act out of character the tiniest bit and I would think: sick.  Now that he is sick I know that I had not the slightest clue.  The day William let us know he had an ear infection was last Saturday night at bedtime.  He cried and cried and cried.  Then I remembered from researching random baby info that resistance to lying flat is a symptom of an ear infection.  I scooped up my baby and tried to console him.   Nothing worked, Rudy tried, nothing worked.  We were so sad for William; we could tell he was in pain.  He slept on and off that night on top of me, in the middle of us, and finally in his crib.  Poor thing sleeps on his tummy so every time he fell asleep he tried to roll over on me and would cry out.  Luckily our pediatrician's clinic works in three locations and one is open on the weekends.  William got some antibiotics and we are pretty sure his ear is all better (knock on wood). 

    The hacking cough is new and after calling the nurse I learned it will be hanging out with William for up to 3 weeks.  Feeling guilty again.  She said as long as the cough is wet and he does not sound like a seal it is just part of the cold process.  He has not had a fever during this time (thank the Lord) but definitely has been over tired and a bit cranky.  William is still fighting naps at daycare which does not help the healing process.  Night sleep is solid which makes me feel better for him.  I keep telling myself this is how it has to be.  I have to work for William to have a better life.  I have to work for us to make ends meet.  William would get sick eventually; all humans do.  My parents would always tell me and Christopher, "If I could be sick for you I would."  I thought that is what parents say to make their babies feel better.  The second my baby boy picked his head up off my chest and cried out in pain I prayed to take it from him.  Let me deal with this pain not this baby that has no understanding to why this is happening to him.  Today I am thankful that William has gone 9 months and has only suffered a cold and an ear infection.  We are lucky for this.   
     

    Saturday, November 5, 2011

    9 Months

    • First time at daycare.
    • First cold.
    • First Halloween.
    • First tooth (and second) coming in on bottom. 



    • Sitting- stable, I really do not worry about him falling over.  William slowly goes onto his stomach.  However, plopping him down on driveway, patio, etc. is not happening yet.
    • Standing and attempting to pull up.  
    • Wants to crawl so bad but is content rolling to the destination.
    • Wears 12 month clothes and some 9 month. Size 3 diapers.
    • Holds bottle.
    • Eating 3 solid meals (Stage 2) a day. (Breakfast and lunch at daycare; dinner at home).  Daycare adds whole grain rice to his meals but after it runs out no more rice at daycare.  I can not be sure they measure properly and I plan to give it to him with dinner.  Honestly, I am probably going to phase it out.  We always mix it with his foods and we all know William is not hurting for cals.
    • Since daycare started I give a "snack" in the morning- 4 oz. bottle and then he has 4 oz. with breakfast at daycare.  I just can not send my baby to school on an empty tummy.  Lunch is 6 oz. with a vegetable.  8 oz. at 3, vege at 5, and 6 oz. at bedtime.   
    • William loves puffs but does not self feed.  Yes, Rudy places a puff on his tongue, waits, and gives another.  I think Rudy enjoys watching William "chew."
    • We let William try things we are eating and he never rejects anything.  Until he can self feed we will stick with baby food for the most part.  I can not wait to give him a bowl of spaghetti :)

    Thursday, November 3, 2011

    (Thankful) 13 on Thursday

    1.  Our Awesome God.
    2.  The hubs who works hard all day and takes care of our bud until I get home from work.
    3.  My Dad who I must admit is one of my best friends.  My Mom who keeps me on my toes.
    4.  The full time JOB I landed.
    5. William Christopher Yeatman-What did I ever do without the joy you bring me every single day?
    6.  Meme
    7.  The blessings I receive in our many times of need.
    8.  Our home. 
    9.  3 meals a day.
    10. Two cars in great condition.
    11.  My brother.
    12.  Friends.
    13. All the love I feel from my family.

    Wednesday, November 2, 2011

    Wednesday, October 26, 2011

    Working and Daycare

    Let me say that leaving by baby at daycare is near impossibe.  I had to hold back tears as I literally ran out of the building.  Today was my first time dropping William off by myself and it was hard.  I wanted to quit my job and take that boy home.  He is adjusting slowly but surely.  The only issue I am having is that they are not following my schedule.  I am not concerned with the feedings so much as the napping.  He is not napping soon enough after waking and is very overtired.  Poor baby is cranky all evening.  Needless to say I had a little chat with the director.  Let's hope this gets better so I will not quit my job before it truly starts. 

    I think I could enjoy my job if I was not stressed about the daycare situation.  I am learning a lot about Collections and getting less nervous about calling customers.  I will be training 2 more weeks after this week and will then be with a "Coach."  Now for some pictures from the last week or so...

    My parents got "us" a rug but pretty sure it was for William.

    Standing up with some help from Daddy.

    Trying to get a decent pic while pushing Lexus (parent's boxer) out of the way.

    First day of daycare.

    Lost a sock but I love his booty in the air.

    Thursday, October 20, 2011

    13 on Thursday

    1. William slept late today.  However, I heard him moving and when I went to get him he had fallen back asleep.  I did NOT sleep late.
    2. I do not think sleeping late did us any favors.  He has been off schedule all day.
    3. I took him to the mall to get his foot measured and he is a 4.  I will let the sales lady slide with her comment about his chunky foot because she complimented on his Auburn colors.
    4. Rudy talked me into coming to have lunch with him.
    5. There was not enough time for me stop and get lunch after feeding William.
    6. William was very friendly to Rudy's co-workers but definitely surprised us with a nasty spit up full of mixed veges.
    7. I have most of the daycare stuff ready to go.
    8. Rudy is taking off work tomorrow.  We will take William to daycare together and then have a "date" day which will probably include some tears on my part.
    9. I am so annoyed with all the stores being bombarded with girl's clothes for the holidays and basically nothing for boys.
    10. I am exhausted today.
    11. William is getting his first teeth.  I finally got to see it today in the car.
    12. Not sure about this job thing.
    13. I miss Erin a lot and pray that she gets to move here someday soon!!!

    Wednesday, October 19, 2011

    Tuesday, October 18, 2011

    The Plan

    Eeeeks!!!  Daycare and full time working Mommy will be happening in less than a week.  God help us!!!  I am trying to soak up every last minute with my man this week.  I wish he would nap with me but since I "sleep trained" him anywhere other than the crib is play time.  Rocking William is also very difficult; he rarely sits still.  One time last week he let me hold him like a baby and I was rubbing his cheeks and I guess it tickled because he started cracking up.  I was trying to calm him before a nap but after that I started laughing and continued tickling him.  I love these moments. 

    We decided to let William have a "trial" day at daycare this Friday.  I am mainly doing this so I will be able to meet his teachers, give them his supplies, and not be concerned about being on time to work.  Rudy will be taking and picking him up the majority of the time so this is my only time to meet everyone.  I plan on taking my time and I hope the teachers will be kind enough to listen to me ramble about his schedule.  I have no clue if they will follow it but I plan on giving them one.  I am prepared for anything.  William may come home and nap and be up later than usual.  All of us will have to adjust to this change and I hope know we I will survive.  Please keep us in your thoughts next week.  :)

    Friday, October 14, 2011

    5 Minute Friday

    Catch

      I want to catch every smile, cry, laugh, and babble William makes.  I want to place these things in an envelope, put in my purse and carry them to work with me.  When I start working full time I will not catch every milestone; I will miss so much.  William will more than likely crawl for the first time and my eyes will not catch his sweet innocent body going for that toy across the room.  Once I start work I will be out of the loop and I hope some of William will be caught on camera.  It breaks my heart to leave him and I may not be able to handle it.  What if he catches a cold? 

    Monday, October 10, 2011

    Random Thoughts

    I just do not have much to report.  We have been hanging out around the house and just enjoying each other's company.  Bill leaves on Sunday bright and early and will be back in Boston around lunch.  William will MISS him riding in the backseat with him everywhere we go.  I went to my parents on Saturday to let Lexus out and he pitched fits there and back.  William definitely feels he should not be the only one stuck in the backseat. 

    Speaking of William, he will be experiencing a BIG change very soon.  He starts daycare October 24 and I have very mixed feelings.  Some days I am completely fine with it and then sometimes I want to call and resign before starting.  He will be close to 9 months old and that makes me feel tons better.  William is a big boy but sort of lazy.  He can hold bottle, sit, etc. but prefers to be fed and roll around.  I just hope they respect his laziness and just because he is older does not assume he will feed himself a bottle.  I actually tried giving him a bottle of juice in the car and he just played with it.  I think daycare WILL teach him independence (he will not have a choice with other babies that have needs as well) and I feel this will be great for William.

    I am very depressed about missing his 9 month checkup but I do not have many options.  The first 3 weeks I work until 5; I could re schedule it after I get my new schedule but that probably would not work either.  Our doctor prefers well visits to be schedule a couple of months ahead so I guess I am missing this one.  I will not miss the 1 year; I will take time off. :)  A little about my new job.  I applied for a job at Compass Bank literally a couple of days before our trip to Maine.  I got a call for an interview and they wanted to see me before my trip.  I then got a call for a 2nd interview while in Maine for the day after I arrived back in Birmingham.  I was offered the job the next day!!!  I will be working in Collections and it is not a "happy, happy, joy, joy" job.  My job is to call on customers in default on car loans, mortgages, etc.  I do not have much of a script so it is all me asking for money.  I KNOW I will complain about the job, possibly cry, but I know this is not forever it is just for now. 

    On a happier note Halloween is around the corner and William will be a blue monster.  We got the costume at Old Navy while in Maine.  He will have been in daycare one week at that time and I have no clue what his schedule will be.  Right now he is in bed by 7 mainly because he gets super cranky and basically asks for his crib around 6:30.  I would not mind if he decided to stay up until 8 so I will get to spend some time with him after work.  All that randomness was said to explain why we will not be doing a lot of trick or treating.  We plan on taking a few pictures and maybe visit a neighbor for some candy.  Not to mention this a heavy costume and in the South it is likely to be warmish that evening. 

    I guess that is it for now...I will leave y'all with this...


    Wednesday, October 5, 2011

    8 Months

    *Taking his picture this month was a bit like photographing a wild animal.


    "Wow, has this always been part of the chair or am I just now noticing it after 8 months?"

    "And Abuelo thought this would entertain me while I looked at the camera.  Ha, I'll show them."

    "Really Mom, you are snapping pics of me with my pants tag sticking out."  "You are a real piece of work and putting the rattle in the side of the chair, trading you in."  


    "You wanna see a little leg, do you?"

    Eats and Size
    • 4 bottles-2-6 oz. and 2-8 oz./ Stage 2 fruit for bfast w/ oatmeal/ Stage 2 vege for lunch (sometimes a meat) and 4 tbsp. rice at night with last bottle. 
    • Anywhere from 9-12 month clothes. Size 3 Diaper
    • Went to the Dr. for flu shot and you weigh 20.2 lbs.
    Firsts
    • Airplanes
    • Visiting lots of new places
    • Stay in hotel and a bath in the sink
    • Meeting cousins
    • Riding on train in Boston
    • TMI but first diarrhea experience (two in a row and I called the nurse)
    • Flu shot
    • Walker-only goes backwards
    • I cut your thumb while trimming your nails :(  We were in Maine and everyone freaked out.  I did not get too upset mainly because you just whimpered and moved on.
    • Sitting- We put you in the pack n play with your toys and you do great.  However, you are still too wobbly to be on hard floor.
    • Set in restaurant highchair
    • Eating fruits out of mesh feeder
    • Pushing upper body all the way up for a second or so then falls face first  :(   (He does not hurt himself; goes down slowly but always plants face on ground and rubs around)
    Other Info
    • Talks a lot-makes lots of sounds
    • Splashes in bath
    • No teeth yet
    • Sleeps on stomach now
    • Mommy got a full time job and you will start daycare Oct. 24
    • No more carrier; Daddy says you are too squirmy and seems uncomfortable
    • Abuelo accidentally poured coffee on you (it was cold and he was trying to throw the liquid out the window somehow it came back in ???)
    • Diaper leaks more than it should at night...looked at overnight diapers but can not find size 3

    Tuesday, October 4, 2011

    Catching Up

    First time in a restaurant highchair. 

    Played until the very end until we all lost our patience with the server.

    We got to see Aunt Anna and our cousin, Lauren.


    Took the Pack N Play on the porch for some sun bathing.

    Eating out of the mesh feeder.  He loves it but it is very hard to get clean.

    Finally sitting.  We are always close because he topples over easily.

    Love this part on the pack n play.  It is for storage when you use it with a newborn but it also works great for Daddy's upper body. :)