You've Got to Have Friends

We have lots of good friends here in Georgia.  (Actually, we have lots of great friends all over the country, but a good group of buddies also reside here in the ATL.)  We went into the weekend without any planned activities, but ended up seeing lots of people!  Yea for impromptu gathering (that includes good food.)

Brian and Carl came by on Saturday, and we managed to get some burgers on the grill in time for lunch. Cousin Katelyn joined us, too!  JB enjoyed so much attention all afternoon. He's really into funny faces/sounds right now, and this group was happy to oblige.

Enda was also thrilled one of her best labradoodle friends, Hudson, came to play.  There would be 10 minutes of frantic chasing and running, followed by Hudson collapsing at the water bowl and Enda returning to her perch to obsess over the bees in the hostas.

Our neighbors sent out a text later to let us know they were making margaritas and tacos for supper.  And these guys don't mess around - margaritas from scratch, tacos from scratch, and homemade tortillas (from Pappasitos, but - holy guacamole - were they good.) JB had fun trying out all their baby's toys, and playing with his friends Everett and Clementine.

Yea for Tacos!

Guy talk

On Sunday we headed to church. When we asked "did JB cry", the sweet nursery worker, Ms. Joyce, replied "well…not the whole time…"  That's success, right??  Afterwards we went to Costco just in time for samples.  In the afternoon, we decided to crash our friends' Sunday by heading over their way.  We had a great time, just catching up and letting the kiddos play.

It's amazing how other people's toys are so fascinating for JB.  He has baskets full of toys at home, but what does he want to play with at our house?  Anything else he can find (and if it's dangerous, a definite bonus.)

Little Reagan was so sweet with JB, even when he tried to grab her hair, nose, or whatever he could get his little hands on.

Just another shot of the cute kiddos to add to the collection.  I love to see how these friends are growing up together, just like their  daddies.  :)

Friends definitely make the weekends sweeter and more fun.  So thankful for them!

JB's Texas Weekend

After a really great weekend, we are back home from Texas.  We survived the flights (although not without a little bit of stress and drama because someone is not content sitting in a seat for more than 2 minutes.)  We survived JB's first fever and illness (he's following his Mama's tradition of getting sick when away from home). And, both JB and I enjoyed days of hugs, kisses, cuddles, and being taken care of.

My boys don't usually write on my blog, but today I want JB to give an update. I asked him about the highlights from his recent Texas trip, and here is what he said:

1. Playing with my Gran Gran:  My Gran Gran has really scruffy whiskers, and I love to tug and pull on them.  He also makes a lot of funny sounds.  Even when I was intent to be a grumpy pants, Gran Gran could trick me and make me laugh.   I was sad to not see my Dad on Father's Day, but glad I got to see my Grand.  

Give me those whiskers!

2. Cuddling with Grammy: Something happened, y'all, for the first time ever.  I got sick.  I had a fever, Mama took my temperature waaaaaaay too many times, I got Tylenol (which is tasty), and I threw up my solids all day.   Fortunately, my Grammy was there to save the day (because Mama was pretty freaked out, especially by the temperature-taking part.)  Grammy held me as much as I wanted - which was a lot - and by the next day I was all better!

Cuddles with Grammy

3. Watching Mama Eat Good Food:  WAIT, this was not a highlight of my trip!  Quit writing that, Mama, this is not your post! This was one of my least favorite parts - watching all the big people eat Poppa Rollo's pizza and brisket and beef tenderloin and ribs and potato salad, right in front of me.   (The only good part of this was getting to see the big people, like my Uncle Kelly, Uncle Marty, and Auntie Shawntel.  I did enjoy that part.)  

4. Trying New Things: Now, some of the adults, like Grammy and Gran Gran, are nice and let me try what they are eating and drinking (despite Mama's objections).  I was reacquainted with iced tea.  I might take a sippy cup if it was filled with peach ice tea.  I was only so-so on the Pho noodles (they were too hard to get off my fingers and into my mouth.)  

"what, it won't hurt him!!"

Um, I'm not eating that.

5. KITTIES!  Grammy and Gran Gran have two kitties, and one is friendly like my kitties at home.  Charlie let me pet her and pull her ears and "love" on her all weekend long.  (And, I believe in "tough love", y'all, so you know she was a patient kitty…)

The kitty says "MEOW"

6. Swinging with Mama:   I wish we had a swing at our house.  Someone needs to buy me a swing <cough, cough, DAD>, because I looooooove to sway back and forth and let the wind blow my hair.  I particularly enjoy when someone is there to try and grab my feet (but I'm quick and don't let them!)    

So, there you have JB's highlights from the weekend.  And mine, too.  I loved spending the time with my family, even if we never left the house and hung out (well, and ate - we did a lot of that) all day long!

Happy (First) Father's Day!

Wishing this special guy nothing but the best on his first Father's Day.

Not surprisingly, James has been a wonderful dad from the very moment that JB was born.  He's always been someone who takes cares of others, and the role of a father - the ultimate in responsibility and unconditional love - is one that James was made for.  It's been such a sweet blessing to watch him with our son, and (while I want time to slow down, please!) I can't wait to see the relationship that grows between these two.  

XOXO

XOXO. 

First Flight in the Books!

Well, something for the baby book - JB's first flight!

I don't know if that's actually a milestone to record in the baby book, but when you're the child of consultants and your mother's entire family is 800 miles away, flying is sort of a big deal.  This will be the first of many, I am sure.  Good news - he actually did great!

I booked this trip back home months ago, thinking James's travel might align where he could meet us.  Unfortunately, that did not work out - meaning JB and I were on our own to take on the big, scary, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson airport.  Lord have mercy...

Truthfully, I feel we did pretty good.  I managed to get my massive bag checked while JB hung out in his infant seat/snap-n-go.  As we wheeled over to the TSA pre-check line I thought "I've got this".  When everyone in line started eyeing me cautiously and asking "do you need help?", I confidently repeated to them "I've got this".  Proving how much I had it together, I quickly unsnapped JB from the carrier to put him into the k'tan...then totally blanked on how to wrap the k'tan!! PANIC SET IN!!! I mean, I have only wrapped this thing 9,000 times since his birth.  Why couldn't I remember how to do it?! After several minutes of cussing and sweating and jimmying JB into that thing, we finally got up to the front of the line and (thank God) he managed to stay secure (even though I am 90% sure I didn't have it tied right).  I got everything on the belt one handed, fake laughed at the TSA agent who told me I had to put JB in the belt (haha, so not funny, can't you see that I am freaking out?!), and managed to walk through without setting anything off. I was then chosen "at random" for the additional explosives screening, so all my baby crap held up the belt while they swiped my hands and confirmed that I had not built a bomb recently.  

After getting through security, I suddenly recalled how to wrap the k'tan, re-secured JB, and then headed to my gate.  JB talked to everyone in the crowded train, pulled lots of people's hair, and reached out and grabbed one lady's boob (no joke, it was pretty embarrassing.)  It was dinner time once we got to the gate, so I calmly pulled out some pouches while JB launched into full blown "FEED ME RIGHT NOW" mode.  He ate TWO full pouches, including a carrot/broccoli combo that smelled really terrible (and proved to be an unwise choice later on in this story).  

Obviously not full

After chowing down a sandwich, I found the family bathroom to do a quick diaper change and get JB into some PJs.  JB met a new friend named, coincidentally, JB...

Who are you, new friend?!

Boarding was uneventful, and JB had fun exploring the seat and looking out the window.  I got upgraded to First, proving Delta does still love me after my lackluster loyalty last year, and was happy to find it empty, minus another baby behind us.  (My plan was to nurse on take off, but since JB despises the nursing cover l was now opting to ditch it.) While JB was playing I noticed that terrible carrot/broccoli smell again...only to realize he had spit it up ALL over himself (and the seat).  Sooooo gross. Yuck.  

Sophs

Right before take off, the pilot came out and said we had to rearrange because our weight was off (doesn't that make you feel good?).  They bumped all the military men and women up to First, which I TOTALLY supported even though it now meant I had some (very nice) 18 year old guy in fatigues sitting beside me.  I fretfully pulled out my nursing cover and prepared for the worst.  JB was going from smiley to verge of a meltdown as we approached both take off time and bed time, and once he started wailing I clumsily tried to get him under the cover.  He was having NONE OF IT, and thrashed about until I finally gave up. I pulled out my emergency back up bottle, and he took it peacefully and fell fast asleep.  Success.  :)

Yea!

Double Yea!

Every time they would make an announcement, JB would wake up and cry for a few seconds. Other than that, he did so great! (And by great I mean he was conked out in my arms.)

Until he wasn't.

As were approaching Killeen, I looked down and saw this.

This, my friends, can only be described as the face of delirium. It took me a while to figure out if he was actually conscious or not. This little guy obviously interpreted the 1.5 hours as a nap, and was up and ready to go.  All was well until we started circling...but thank goodness I was ready with the nursing cover and snack.

We landed to a series of "Tornado Warning - Take Cover" alerts on our phones, and they would not extend the jetway to us out of concern for the gate agents.  I let my Mother know, half expecting her to break through security to operate the gate herself.  I let JB play on the floor, as he was completely bored of the seat.

Don't judge….

Fortunately, the storm blew over and we got off the plane. I was bit by Mosquitos in the jetway (welcome to the Great State), and it was also 9,000 degrees at 845pm.  But we didn't care!! 

We made it!

So I can't complain too much about the first flight with the little guy - and even a bad flight is worth it when it means waking up in Texas.  :)

Happy Birthday to our Gia!

We want to wish our Gia (and Mom and Mother-in-Law) a very, VERY happy birthday today.

She is a very special person in our lives, and JB is lucky to have a grandmother so close.  It means he gets to spend a good amount of time with her, and that is such a blessing.  Not to mention that we so appreciate the help and support, too!  

I love my Gia!

And, honest to goodness, Ms. Leron is Enda's most favorite human in the whole wide world.  ADORES HER.

I love my human grandmother!

I don't know what it is about her, but Enda cannot be contained when she walks through the door.   They say that dogs are a good read of people.  :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GIA!

To Sleep, Perchance to Dream...

Fortunately JB's 8 month update did not jinx us, and we're now going on Week 3 of sleeping 10 - 11 hours a night.  Now that he's doing so well, I question why we didn't do anything about it before!

Yeah, why didn't we, Mama?

Oh, right, I remember - BECAUSE JB WAS HAVING NONE OF IT!  

Our 4 month appointment was the first time our doctor suggested we try some "sleep training" (aka "baby torture") to stop the middle-of-the-night feed.  She said that, medically speaking, he did not require a feeding and merely wanted a feeding.  That night, we laid in bed and listened to JB cry for hours (literally, from 3 - 5AM) until he finally went back to sleep.  We were prepared for two, maybe three nights of this, based on all the literature we read and advice we got.  One week later, he was still hollering every night around 3AM.  And that's when I said "the hell with it", and went back to feeding him.  I justified it with the following: he didn't do well with the bottle, so I figured he needed this other nursing session for the extra calories; all the lactivist websites I read seemed to support multiple night feeds until the kid was at least 5 years old (joking), so I didn't feel I was doing anything that crazy; it wasn't that difficult on me, as he would eat in 10 minutes and go right back to sleep until 7AM; and, lastly, I sort of liked it.  JB is not really a snuggler, but at 3AM he would gladly let me hold him and nuzzle him forever.  Maybe we both were not ready to give it up.

Fast forward to the 6 month appointment, and the doctor said it was surely no longer necessary (but it was up to me as his Mama to make that call).  I told James to brace for it, because we were sleep training again.  Then that little stinker slept through the night.  I thought, "Brilliant! He's trained himself!", until three nights later I heard the familiar cry at 3AM. This time we made it 45 minutes before James declared that he sounded "really, really hungry" and threatened to unthaw some milk and feed him himself.  Since the three of us were obviously not on the same page, I decided I'd keep up the night nursing for a few more months.  From that point on, JB would wake up about 50% of the time, and I would be snuggled up with him in the rocker within 3 minutes of him crying.

In May I had to travel a few times, and Homefries was content to let Daddy sleep while I was gone (no middle-of-the-night wake up calls).  While this warmed my heart, it also made me think that perhaps - just maybe - this little guy was manipulating his Mama into a midnight snack.

Guilty as Charged!

So after two weeks of work travel (and multiple Colleagues recommending that I "GET MORE SLEEP!") I decided we would sleep train again.

And, this time, we were ALL ready.  JB cried the first night (maybe 30 minutes), woke up whining a bit on nights two and three, and then has slept through the night ever since.  Woo-Hoo!

High-Five, Mama!

One more funny story, only somewhat related because it has to do with his crib:  JB loves to untie things, including the strings on his breathable bumpers.  I don't see any real risk or harm (they are short ribbons), but it did mean he could pull down the bumpers (which he took the opportunity to do whenever he could).

Proud to be a RASCAL

Finally I realized - duh - I could turn them around to put the bow on the outside.  This has worked, but frustrates the heck out of JB, who is still intent on getting to them.   :)  Sneaky Mama...

Hey, how am I supposed to get it now?

Another Festival in our 'Hood

Well, it seems that maybe the Inman Park Festival was a fluke, and that our little guy does, in fact, enjoy a good festival.  This weekend we had the (rather small, but enjoyable) Peachtree Hills Art Fest in our 'hood, and JB had a great time.

Temps were nice - maybe 80 degrees, but the clouds made it feel cooler.  Even though it was overcast, we took no chances with the sunscreen.  James slathered this stuff on thick, and this is the picture after I had rubbed it in even more. (If it wasn't blocking rays, it was at least reflecting them).

Baby Mime

Traveling there only required us to walk down the street - a big plus - and I decided to wear JB so we could keep hands free for the other child (Enda).  (This was also helpful to double fist my beer and my King of Pops popsicle.) (KIDDING - only about the double fisting part. I did enjoy both, but separately.)  The festival is not just dog friendly, it's dog encouraged. Enda did her normal, coy "I'm shy" routine so that people would squat down, gingerly reach out their hand, give her a treat, work for her affection - until she'd finally slobber them with wet kisses. This happened nearly every booth, nearly every vendor.  No one can resist the red head.  Or the baby, for that matter, especially one that is talking, cooing, smiling, and flirting with everyone.  So darn cute.

Ready to stroll

After we made a loop and got a feel for the art, it was time for JB to eat.  Seeing as we were only .25 miles from home, we walked back, fed the little guy, then returned to the festival.  SO CONVENIENT!  This time our neighbors were walking down, too, so we plopped JB in their double stroller and took off.  (Side note: if you ever want to get silly questions from strangers, place an 8 month old and a 3 month old in a double stroller.  People cautiously ask you "um…are they both yours?" and then try to quickly do math in their heads.  Super funny.)

Both babies fell asleep, which meant we had plenty of time to stroll through the booths, haggle with vendors, enjoy another beer - all the best parts of festival life.

Two napping babies - magical

So, I don't know if it was the more moderate temps and clouds, the fact this was a smaller festival, or the fact he got to enjoy everything from his (stinkin' hot, getting really heavy) k'tan carrier - but JB had a great time!  And so did the parents - Peachtree Hill Art Fest for the win.  :)

UPDATE - looking on the 11Alive.com website, I see our family made it into the festival photos!  (Everyone but Enda, poor gal was left out).