James Benjamin - Eight Months Old

James Benjamin is EIGHT MONTHS OLD!

JB is still tons of fun, and, fortunately, many other people are now getting to witness it.  At the beginning of the month, we were called out of church before we even finished the Call to Worship because JB was having such a fit in the nursery.  By the end of this month, he's (more) easily going to new people and enjoying attention from others.  He even "plays" in the church nursery with minimal tears. I think that's great progress!

This guy is so close to crawling, but just can't figure out how to move the left arm forward.  He gets on hands and knees, rocks back and forth, lifts up to a plank, moves the right hand forward, and then….drops.  Synching up the left and right arm is hard, y'all!  But he's not totally immobile - he can roll and scoot and pull himself to just about anywhere he wants to go. 

Biggest update this month - TEETH!  Two of them (on the bottom) that popped up out of no where the 2nd and 4th weeks of his eight month.  Although he's been drooling forever, the teeth sort of took us by surprise.  He didn't show other signs of teething nor discomfort, and really didn't seem impacted by these pearly whites at all.  He doesn't like to show them off, but sometimes, when I get him really giggling, I catch a glimpse.  They're pretty cute.

He is still feeling good, and has had zero reactions to any type of food, including yogurt (yea!)  We just decided to drop the Prevacid one day, and don't see a difference at all (again, yea!)  Honest to goodness, things are pretty darn great right now with little James Benjamin.  

So here we go - his eight month stats!

JB's Measurements:
No wellness visit this month, but here are my best attempts using our neighbor's home scale.

• Weight: 16.8 lbs

At 8 Months Old, JB...

…Eats 4 liquid meals a day, and 2 - 3 solid meals a day. He's still on a 4-hour nursing/bottle schedule, and loooooooves his purees.  New favorite foods this month:  yogurt, a blueberry/mango combo, and chicken.  Still loves sweet potatoes and butternut squash the best (which is why his little nose has an orangish tint).

…Sleeps - por fin!  We finally got the courage to cut off the 3AM buffet line, and, while JB protested a few nights, he's been sleeping 10 - 11 hour stretches for a week now. (Please, please, please do not let this post jinx us.)   JB still takes three naps a day: two longer (1 - 1.5 hour) naps and then one shorter cat nap.  He continues to act completely betrayed (screams, cries, beats his hands against the mattress - very dramatic) when you lay him down each night and for every single nap.

...Wears 6 month and 6-9 month clothes, but is growing so quickly that I need to pull out all the cute 9 month outfits before they're too small!  He is still in size 3 Pampers, and we've discovered nighttime diapers (no more wet PJs in the morning.)

…Loves untying things (the strings on his breathable bumpers, people's shoes, etc); funny sounds and noises (particularly the response to "what does the horsey say?" which is "Naaaaaaay"); posing for the camera; the iPhone and iPhone earbuds; Dad's croakies off his sunglasses

…Does not like carrots; long car rides; the fact he can't crawl.

...Has mixed emotions about finger foods.  (This is something we're working on for Month 9!)

Month 8 Milestones:

• First teeth (two on the bottom)
• Pushed up on hands/knees and to a plank
• Visited his 4th state (Florida)

Represents 50% of the shots from the Month 8 photo shoot! 

Month Eight -  look out world!  I think our lives are about to change as this little guy gets to moving.  He's so close!

iPhone Photos

Previous Updates on JB:

• Birth Story
• One Month
• Two Months
• Three Months
• Four Months
• Five Months
• Six Months
• 7 Months

Family Time in Florida

Just as I had anticipated  - we had a wonderful time with our family in Florida!  We hadn't seen this side of the fam (James' aunt and uncle, cousin and her family) since they stopped by last summer on their way to North Carolina.  We hadn't traveled their way since Labor Day 2012.  Plus, they had not yet met their newest baby cousin, JB.

Someone loves attention

All the reason that we headed down south this Memorial Day weekend.  And we had another good reason to celebrate, too:  James' cousin, Andrew, graduated from High School!

The graduate!  

James is super close to these great kiddos (his cousin's children).  As you may recall, the oldest, Katelyn, lived with us last summer while she completed her college internship.  We're stoked that she is coming back to Atlanta in a few weeks for another summer internship in the ATL.

Evan, Andrew, Katelyn, and their Uncle James

The graduation ceremony on Thursday evening was lovely (or so I was told, since JB and I hung out at the hotel to avoid any potential meltdowns).

There was a nice dinner on Friday night down on the bay, but that night we tempted fate and took the little guy.  (I even cried a little during the slide show as I snuggled JB and thought 'in 18 short years, he will be graduating, waaaaaah'.)

James' cousin, Kim, Aunt Candy, and Mr. Serious

JB did great throughout the dinner, easily got into PJs, and enjoyed our stroll around the grounds.  I was hoping that he would peacefully drift off to sleep, but Homefries was not falling for that one.

Saturday was spent catching up with lots of friends and family, plus eating fantastic food around the pool.  Minus the drive down on Wednesday and the looooooooong drive back on Sunday, everything about the weekend was just plain FUN.  (And, the drives weren't that bad, I guess.)

Can I brag on my little guy for a bit.  All weekend he was super smiley, social, flexible, and happy.  He let anyone and everyone hold him, reached out for hugs, and managed to stay up late with little consequence.  By the tenth time someone said to me "wow, he's just the most easy going baby", I had to stop and say "wait, is this even our baby? "  :)

Since we don't see this crew that often, I had to document!  I'll leave you with a few (of a hundred) pictures I captured of all the fun.  I realize 75% of them include our munchkin, but he's a lot more willing to pose for pictures than the big kids or adults.

Future Gator

I love these next set of pictures.  Kim and JB had a blast splashing in the water, dipping their toes, and throwing the ball for Maddie, the Golden.  If these pictures had sound, you'd hear nothing but happy baby giggles.

Enda's radar went off - another dog was getting attention

Florida, where barefoot is okay

Love, love, love this family - can't wait to see them again soon!

Hittin' the Road

Yesterday we completed our second road trip as a family of 3 (4 counting Enda, which we do, because we're those people). The first trip took place in December when we made the 14 hour trek - both ways - to Texas.  At that time, we had a little 3 month old who practically begged us to let him sleep in his car seat (which we tried to avoid, like the inflexible, by the book, novice first time parents that we are).  That December trip went fairly smoothly because JB slept the entire time.  Incidentally, Enda also sleeps the entire time we're in the car.  Our wild child vizsla is actually a pleasant car companion, whodathunkit?

Fast forward to yesterday when our nearly 8 month old decided that - AAAAACK - he hates his car seat!  Since all our normal activities involve places within a 2 mile radius, JB usually can hold out for the 5 minutes we're in the car.  But the 5+ hours to Tampa?  Not so much.

We tried to time things around completing our work day, JB's sleep and Atlanta's horrendous traffic, which we still could not avoid.

Lovely...

After JB woke up from his late afternoon nap 45 minutes into the drive, we played a great game called "let-me-throw-the-toy-Mama-gives-me-to-a-place-she-can't-reach-it".  After we went through all the toys in the diaper bag, James and I resorted to giving him contraband to play with (under our supervision, of course). This included my iPhone earbuds (his favorite), James' sunglass croakies (salty from all the sweat, YUM!), and Enda's collar remote (turned off.)  JB was thrilled to be allowed access to the things he's normally shooed away from, so this helped get us to our dinner spot in Macon, GA. 

down home cookin'

JB enjoyed some BBQ (just kidding, he got mango/banana while we ate our weight in meat and fried okra), and even got his first taste of sweet tea (ON ACCIDENT, someone suddenly decided he could suck from a straw and got a good swig when I wasn't paying attention.) 

"I refuse to hide my disappointment that this is only water"

After a pleasant meal outside, we got into PJs and nursed in the back of the rented minivan while I prayed none of the Bubbas in the big ole dualies beside us could see in the back window.  At this point, JB was right at his bedtime and getting drowsy, so everything seemed perfect.

Oh, silly Mama. 

JB hollered (screamed like a wild banshee) for a solid ONE HOUR.  Enda was a nervous wreck, but her wet nose on his feet did nothing to help the situation. Several times we thought he was about to drift off...only to realize he was catching his breath before the next crescendo!  Lord have mercy, it was tough.

"For the love, make it stop!!!"

Finally the little guy went to sleep, and the rest of the drive was quite peaceful (minus a slight incident when I asked James to stop at the DQ, erroneously advertised as ".3 miles off the interstate" .) We finally got to the hotel around 1AM, at which point JB decided he was done with sleeping and it was time to practice his crawling and bouncing.

"I am ready to par-tay!"

Oh well - just gotta look back at it and laugh!  Looking forward to a wonderful weekend in Florida with our family, and trying not to think about the drive back on Sunday.  Something tells me our little stinker will protest every mile back to Atlanta.  :)

"Oh, you better believe it..."

Our Good Little Eater

Part of my weekend activities included updating the baby book.  Between the baby book, my journal, and the blog, there are quite a few records of all the important events in JB's life.  What can I say - I'm in HR and like good documentation.  :)

It's amazing to me how his 6 month update referenced the fact that our child was very opposed to solids.  JB wouldn't just calmly spit them out the first few weeks we offered them.  He would forcefully reject them and cry out like "why are you doing this to me!?"  Now, just 6 weeks later, he still whines at meal times - because we're not moving the spoon into his mouth fast enough!  And Heaven forbid someone try to eat in front of him.  He'll start making this whining sound that resembles a hungry puppy, and it's off-the-charts adorable.  He is loving his solids, and, as of this week, is up to three solid meals a day, in addition to his milk. (I was going to wait until 8 months for his third meal at lunchtime, but two just wasn't cutting it anymore for this hungry little hippo.) 

Chicken, Apple, & Sweet Potato cooked with Cinnamon - a favorite

This kid - just changing and growing every day.  I almost can't handle it!!  At least he's enjoying food now, and I'm working hard to make sure he develops more of his Mama's palate.  (If I have two boys in the house who refuse to eat anything "weird", it will just break my heart.)  

(Sidenote - we love this little portable chair that connects to the table, but - as you can see - it gets dirty.  JB likes to take a bite and then lean over to look for Enda.  It's super sweet.  And super icky.  Fortunately it cleans well!) 

No Snakes Allowed

Remember when I talked about all the animal friends who take up residence in our back yard?  Well, one of them is back.  And wants to be BFF and hang out with us all the time on the patio.

Oh, hell no...

Of course James won't let me kill it (which I would, with my bare hands. Wrapped around a heavy shovel.)  It's a rat snake, or a "good snake", and supposedly eats the chipmunks and frogs and such.  Honestly, I like the chipmunks, and what's so wrong with frogs?  Unless this snake is going to single handedly consume the 2 million mosquitos in our yard, then I'm not willing to let him hang out with us anymore.

Well just make yourself at home

He needs a new home (beside our grill area).  And if that new home can't be Reptile Heaven, then someone (i.e. James) better have plans to relocate this guy to a neighborhood far, far away.  If I have to walk outside, see the snake, startle myself, nearly wet my pants (hey, I just had a baby, it happens), scream out loud, scare the baby, scare the dog, etc etc ONE MORE TIME, I'm going to lose my mind...

My First Mother's Day

Today was very a special day to me.  My first Mother's Day!  Because of this little blessing, I get to call myself (today and everyday) a Mama.

James and James Benjamin made sure we had a wonderful day together as a family.  They woke me up with a card and little robin's egg blue box (with a beautiful necklace inside).  James made breakfast and JB took a great morning nap.  My furry child and I had a great morning run. We made it through church without getting a buzz from the nursery workers!  And then my two fellas and I walked down to Treehouse for a little patio brunch.

(The only negative thing I will say about the day is that we experienced about 300% humidity in Atlanta.  This explains why JB is going to look back on these first Mother's day pictures in his baby book and say "what's up with Mama's frizzy hair?")

When we walked back from lunch, I was greeted with sweet cards and flowers from my Mother-in-Law, Aunt-in-Law, and (fingers crossed) future Sister-in-Law.  Those sweet ladies made my day.  In the afternoon, James took over so I could walk up and get a pedicure.  Later in the day, I saw my favorite types of group texts from our neighbor pals: "Margaritas at our house, y'all come on down!"  It was nice to hang out with other mothers (and a mother-to-be) and celebrate.  James and I ended the day with calls to our own mothers - two wonderful women who have influenced our lives and set an example for me.

Just a lovely day.  A special day. I don't take for granted for a second how lucky I am.  There were many prayers for this little guy, and I am so blessed to be his Mama.

Traveling with my Electric Baby

After seven months, I am still nursing the little guy. I haven't talked much about it because, well, James would be embarrassed.  Also, it's not a super exciting or entertaining topic.  Until you have to travel.

Can I tell you what a big old pain it is to be a traveling, nursing mother? And how many awkward, precarious positions it puts you in? 

First, the airport.  On the way to NYC this week, the TSA folks felt like my pump posed a serious threat. So it was carefully inspected in front of a hundred male business travelers, who were either uncomfortable or annoyed that I was holding up the TSA precheck line.  

On the way back today, I had over 80 ounces of milk in my little soft-sided cooler.  Not wanting to check my bag (nor should I be forced to check breastmilk - I HAVE RIGHTS!), I took it through the security line.  Last trip they didn't even glance. Today - oh goodness. The woman - yes, a woman, where is our solidarity, ladies?! - yelled over the belt "you know you can't have this much liquid!!"  I explained what it was, requiring me to loudly say "breastmilk" way too many times before she understood.  She then said "well, you know I will have to inspect it" (with a tone that was encouraging me to ditch it). Obviously not a BFing mother - who would dump that much milk!! I don't pump for my health, TSA lady!! 

Anywho, it did not pass the initial inspection, so required various other tests and talk about how it was a challenge when people bring "bodily fluids" on the plane (gross, do we have to call it that?!)   But I got it through. And then had to pump again in the airport bathroom because no Mother's room at LGA. I just prayed no one called security about the weird sound coming from the stall...

Speaking of a Mother's room, very few places have one. I think we want to believe most all places support nursing mothers (they don't). So many of my girlfriends nurse in utility closets - it's a damn shame. Fortunately for me, I work from home most of the time and have no one to hide from (minus the cats, who are used to the noise.)  And, when I travel to our offices, my company is fairly accommodating.  This week, for example, I got my own exam room!

Should I pump or nap?

Once or twice a day, I was locked in here, enjoying a great deal of privacy. 

Plus, things to entertain me. Like seeing how close I am to my pre-baby weight:

LIAR!

Better understanding prostate exams (something we take very seriously in my family):

Super informative

And stocking up on samples offered to me by the nice receptionist every time I would stop by:

Emergency Stash

Ah, the things we do for our kiddos. :)  Although I love this part of motherhood (and will be in serious mourning when it comes to an end), I won't miss lugging around and tending to my electric "baby" one little bit!

American Idiot

We don't get to say this often enough (in my opinion), but James and I went to the theater on Saturday night.  I love, love, love a good show! And with the Fabulous Fox just a few miles away, it's a shame we don't take advantage more often.

A night out, sans bambino

Our friends, Chris and John, have owned season tickets for years.  They invited us on Saturday night to see American Idiot, and broadway production entirely of Greenday songs.  Now, James and I aren't into punk or grunge or "angry for no reason" or however you would classify that genre, but we can appreciate that Greenday produced some good tunes over the years.  (This was actually our second time to see the show - we saw it on a New York trip about 4 years ago, and walked away saying "better than expected".)

As you can see, our seats were just terrible.  About 15 rows back, smack in the middle.  Seriously...

Terrible, just terrible...

Once again, I enjoyed it immensely.  Crazy optics, bright lights, live rock band, loud music.  Maybe not my normal scene, but it's really hard for me not to get into something happening right in front of me. Some of the older, more conservative patrons did not share this same enthusiasm, and we saw lots of exits throughout.  

If you're sitting here thinking, "Greenday?! I don't even know two of their songs!", look them up and you'd be surprised.  While you're at it, look up the broadway show version of "21 Guns".  Honest to goodness, I was most excited to go back to this show to hear that 4 minute song.  Will give you goose pimples...

Now, they do not play "Time of your Life" in the show, arguably their most famous song. I imagine this led to lots of protest and tomato throwing during its first run, so now they come out after the final bow to play it. All cast members grab a guitar, and the crowd goes nuts.  

Time of your Life

Because we're still cool, we went to dinner AFTER the show and got home after midnight.  (Fortunately JB was in good hands with his Gia!) A great date night, as part of a good weekend; (cue I hope you had the time of your life melody.) :)

And, Then it Happened.

It only took 7 months and 2 days, but JB officially did it.

He pooped in the tub.  

From what I've heard, we're pretty lucky that it has taken this long.  And it was an experience, let me tell you.  The most shocked of anyone was poor little James Benjamin.

What HAPPENED, Mama?

Solids have taken a toll on JB's tummy, which has impacted his ability to "go", if you catch my drift.  Homefries does not enjoy prunes or prune juice, but could live off cereals and bananas (the likely culprits).  We're working on balancing his diet with some good, fibrous fruits and veggies, but he's still not enjoying this transition to more formidable poops.

I guess the warm water in the bath relaxed his little body enough last night to bring on the inevitable.  It all went down so quickly that I barely had time to react (or stifle my mixed expressions of horror and humor).  We also happened to be Face-Timing with Grammy and Gran Gran, so, well, that was special (something they can brag about to all their friends!)

Poor little JB got quite upset about the whole thing.  Obviously he knew something was wrong with the situation.  No worries, my sweet little pumpkin pie - that's what Clorex is for!

All Clean!