H1N1 and Allen

http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/parents/index.html

Allen has H1N1 along with an ear infection and respiratory infection. He has a constant temp that goes down but not away with tylenol, his little nose is snotty, his eyes are watery and icky, he has a raspy cough and I feel so helpless...

I am worried...

I don't usually worry about the flu~ it is just the flu, right? But this one? This one is a doosey... Allen is just a baby~ a little guy and he has the respiratory infection that the CDC worries about with this strain...

My poor baby...

Odd sort of anniversary

Today is my son's father's birthday... he is not around for our son and our son will never celebrate one of his father's birthdays with him... but in this first year of my son's life, I thought that this was a day to document for him in his journal...

As I said, an odd aniversary~ so birthday greetings to baby's daddy~ since if he hadn't been born then my delightful little guy wouldn't have been born...

Happy 9th Month Birthday Baby Boy!

Saturday October 3, 2009 was my baby boys 9th month birthday~ time is flying by!

He is right on track for all developmental stuff~ he is crawling everywhere, pulls himself up to stand, will take a few unsteady steps when he is hanging on to the sofa, will take a few steps holding on to Mommy's hands...

He has discovered the joys of toys that do stuff~ cars that make popping noises when you roll them are a current favorite. He is still in the everything to the mouth stage and tastes everything he gets his little hands on.

I am joyful that we are still breastfeeding~ my little guy is also eating a variety of solids. He loves yogurt, peaches, apricots, pears, apples, honey dew, watermellon, cantaloup, grapes, chicken, green beans, peas, carrots, and COOKIES!

Cookies aren't just traditional cookies, when sister first offered him a ritz cracker, she called it a cookie and so it stuck~ cookies are cookies and crackers. He is our little cookie monster. Loves the chocolate chip cookies and ritz crackers best.

He turned his nose up at Mac and Cheese~ took a taste and was done. Tried it 3 times and no go. So now we wait until he is older to try it again. But he likes cheese by itself, especially cheddar cheese.

So that is about it for Allen's 9 month update... he is growing up big and strong just like we want him too!

He Stands

My little guy is starting to pull himself up to the standing position on things. The sofa, Mom...

Getting to be toddler instead of a baby~ 8 months 3 weeks old already

Someone Sent

Today, the fragility of life came rushing home to me...

Allen was in the big bath with his sister, she was watching him play while I got the get out of bath stuff together. All of a sudden I hear a splash....

I turn around and my baby boy is totally submerged, his eyes wide, and in just that split second it took to make the two steps to the edge of the tub went from thrashing to still. I pulled him up out of the tub and he is not breathing. Although I am sure it was only seconds, it seemed a life time as I tried to remember what to do, my mind blank with fear as his little face went from crimson red to shades of purple. I yelled for my 22 year old. He came on the run...

Be it from first aid training or instinct I don't know, but he wrapped his arms around the baby and squeezed firmly but gently and Allen let out a sputter and then the sweetest wailing cry I think I have ever heard. He handed the baby back to me and stood there holding my baby, trembling and so grateful to God and my older son that a tragedy had been adverted.

Pacifier

It's GONE!!!! Allen has stopped using it completely! Yay! He did it all by himself... Started off that I bought a new Pacifier that he wasn't particularly fond of and so every time he wanted it, I gave him the one he didn't like. He would take it for a moment and then spit it out soothing himself... and now...

No Pacifier! I am a happy Mommy!

Strawberry King

YUMMY STRAWBERRIES!

My little cookie monster loves loves loves strawberries! Thought I would share a picture of him eating a few this afternoon. He is eating so much these days. He loves green beans and baked potatoes, will devour strawberries and bananas, and a dish of yogurt doesn't have a chance when he is near it.

Eight months old and he is still nursing, YAY!

Things with my little guy are going good~ he is happy and healthy and growing like a weed!

He Walks!

He Loves his Tigger

Just a few days before Allen was born, his big sister Katie was in Florida, spending Christmas and New Years in the Magic Kingdom @ Disney World. She brought home with her, Tigger, for her new baby brother. A baby brother born while she was in the air flying home.

Allen is becoming interested in toys and playing with things now at 8 months old. Here he is playing with his very special Tigger, his very first stuffed animal.

Allen Plays Ball

Allen Babbles

Baby Prayers

Interesting discussion today~

Is rote prayer something we should teach our children? You know the traditional "Now I lay me down to sleep" or even the Lord's Prayer.

This came about as I folded Allen's little arms and whispered for him "Now I fold my hands and say Thank you God for my lunch today." My companion is convinced that Matthew 6 forbids rote prayer. Yet it is in Matthew 6 that we are given the traditional Lord's Prayer.

The difference of interpretation over what Jesus was saying is rather interesting.

Although my heart believes that we have been called to pray through the spirit, I also believe that in the very young in age or Christian walk, the rote prayer has a place.

I may be wrong and may have to answer for it at some point~ however for now I will continue to teach my little guy rote prayers. Confident that my little guy is learning at this very young age how to communicate with God.

I equate the rote prayers I am teaching my son with his learning to talk. When I talk to him, there are words that I repeat over and over and over to him. For instance, we see a

dog. I tell him "Look Allen, it is a dog. Allen, do you see the dog?" Usually at this point he is squealing or babbling. So I reinforce his early use of language and say "Yes, it is a dog." He and I may continue a conversation about the dog, talking about the dogs ears or nose or if it is big or small. In every sentence that I use with him talking about the dog, I make sure I say dog.

His little mind is making the neurological connections for the visual with spoken word. Soon he will be saying dog and know what a dog is.

In this same way, saying an easy rote prayer at meal time like "Now I fold my hands and say, Thank You God for my lunch today."

Allen is learning to say a blessing before he eats each meal. We are also using that particular prayer because it tells him to be reverent, by folding his hands. In time, Allen will learn to ask

his own unique blessing on his meals. Be it a simple "Thank You" or if he goes into a longer prayer to thank the hands that grew it, the hands that prepared it into a meal, bless it to our bodies and so on.

It all starts with the humble beginnings of the rote prayer.

He is growing up too fast...

There he is~ sitting up on his own and playing with his new toy. He is totally facinated by the toy. What is especially cool about it is that as soon as he gets the urge to start pulling himself up to walk~ this toy will help him get around. GO ALLEN!!!!!

Baby Games

Yesterday Allen's developmental teacher was here~ once again he is developing at just a little above average! YAY!

As we discussed where he is at, what he is doing, starting to do and isn't doing yet she had some ideas for games to play~

Peek-a-boo with a twist

Blanket

Toys Baby Likes

Might introduce household items such as a bowl, spoon, cup, etc.

The game starts of with traditional peek-a-boo using a blanket between baby and peek-a-boo partner. By now this is a familiar game for baby. Then the twist...

take one of baby's favorite toys or introduce new items to baby. Hide the item under the blanket. Ask Baby where the item is~ if it is a new item keep saying the word for the item. For example if you are introducing the sippy cup~ show baby the sippy, tell baby what it is, then put the sippy down and cover it with the blanket. Ask baby where the sippy is. Then peek-a-boo there is the sippy as you pull off the blanket. You want to repeat the word of the time several times during the game.

This does dual learning~ baby is learning things don't just disappear and begins to reason where things go when out of sight AND because you are repeating the word of the object over and over there is language development and word to object recognition beginning. This is a fun game for baby.

Then balancing games to help baby sit better (Allen is sitting but is still very top heavy and loses his balance easily)

One was to sit baby on your knee, grasp both hands and then gently and slowly bounce and move your leg around so baby is having to work at balancing a bit. As baby gets a little better at this, start releasing one hand at a time so that baby is able to use one arm to balance along with the grasp on your hand. Singing little songs to baby while he is playing the balancing game and moving your leg to the rhythm can also help him learn a bit about rhythm and predictability.

There was also the suggestion of sitting baby up on the floor, sit in front of him with a book. Read the book while he is sitting but also being ready to catch him if he tips over. The book may hekp keep his attention and not have him so courious about everything else he can see and losing balance to examine whatever it is that has caught his attention.

Of course continuing to praise and make much ado about everything is key.

Allen is an amazing little guy and I am so blessed to be his Mommy!

Your 7-month-old's development

Recognition skills

Your baby now actively engages in hiding games. Place one of his favorite toys on the floor and cover it with a napkin. Pull the napkin off and say, "There it is!" Cover it again and repeat.

For more fun, hide an object under something and wait for him to discover it. It's one of the easiest ways to keep your baby occupied!

Your baby can remember that the jack-in-the-box pops up at the end of the song — yet he'll still laugh every time. He's also able to recognize different tones and inflections and may burst into tears if you speak harshly.

Stimulating toys and games

Because he likes predictability, your baby enjoys playing the same game or reading the same book over and over. In addition to patty-cake, try adding classics such as "If You're Happy and You Know It" and "This Little Piggy" to your repertoire.

Sippy time

Your baby may have already started feeding himself finger foods, although this can begin as late as 10 months. Once he reaches this stage, you can introduce a sippy cup.

Try giving him a cup with a spout and two handles. If your baby's getting frustrated that he can't get more liquid out of the sippy cup, remove the valve in the top of the cup. If your baby's having trouble figuring out how to suck through the spout, take the lid off the sippy cup and let him first drink straight from the cup (show him how to tip it back so the drink flows into his mouth).

Switching your baby to a cup sooner rather than later might make it easier for him to give up the bottle. If you're breastfeeding, you can even bypass the bottle altogether and go straight to a cup.

Remember, your baby is an individual

All babies are unique and meet milestones at their own pace. Developmental guidelines simply show what your baby has the potential to accomplish — if not right now, then soon. If your baby was premature, keep in mind that kids born early usually need a bit more time to meet their milestones. If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, ask your healthcare provider.

Allen Update

Allen is moving around now, he has been crawling and in the last few days has really started to move with more determination. So I spent the last 2 days getting the house ready for a small mobile child.

It was FUNNY~ I had done all this child proofing. Moved furniture so that the little guy had more space to boogie around the room. Crawled around on my hands and knees so that I could see anything that might be dangerous for him. Tied up wires so he couldn't pull down any electronics, covered outlets so he couldn't get hurt that way, put up the baby gate so he can't get in the kitchen, put away chemicals in cupboards he can't open, bought a toilet latch...

Here I sat thinking what a good job I had done baby proofing the house but still keeping it looking good

I was sitting at the computer~ Allen had been playing down by where the sofa's are in this picture. I was peeking over my shoulder watching him work hard at getting closer to me. He was scooting along headed towards me. He finally reached me~

He was laying here next to me on the floor playing like in this picture

(see him on the floor between the tv and desk)

when all of a sudden my computer started acting funny. I look down at the tower, I have it under the desk... Allen has his little hands on it~ he had shut off my computer! Too funny...

So I either have to move the tower up on the desk or figure out a way to protect the power switch from exploring hands :)

He really is a funny little guy and growing up so very fast!

My Amazing 7 month old!

Allen is officially 7 months old on Monday~ I just want to grab hold of a corner of time and hold onto it so tight it stops for a while. He is growing up so amazingly fast.

He is sitting, crawling, laughing, babbeling, growing and just being an amazing little guy. I am so blessed by him! Amazing little guy let me tell you!

He has taken to liking to eat some things. Recently he tried fresh apricots and loved them. He was just a happy little guy to be able to eat them. So I have been giving a few bites every time I can get some. But the fresh apricots off the trees isn't going to last long. He also has a liking of french fries LOL totally not a "food" but he can grasp them and chew on them and is serious about no one taking them from him and will squack if he drops one he is gnawing on.

He is getting to be a big boy. His little legs are chubby and he has the most adorable little chipmunk cheeks. He is in 6-9 month old clothes now. I had started to wonder if he would ever get out of the 3-6 month size. Of course my other kids (with the exception of Elizabeth) all were on the small side.

More growth and changes are on the way~ he has learned how to scoot his walker around the room now when he is in it. He has decided that dogs are his friends. Our neighbor has a large dog that loves babies and Allen will giggle and reach for her every time he sees her. They have become friends.

So that is our update for now... I'll post more in a few days!

Six Months Old

Friday Allen turned officially 6 months old! What an amazing 6 months it has been. He is such a delightful little guy.

Last night he went and watched his first Fireworks~ my little man was such a big boy. He was not afraid at all of the loud noises and totally facinated by the pretty lights. Close to the end of the fireworks he even fell asleep.

I cannot even begin to tell you how joyful it is to wath him do all these firsts in his young life and see how excited he gets when he does something new or has actually managed to repeat one of his newly learned skills.

Yesterday I had him laying on the floor while I washed dishes. He was watching me, talking at me while I was busy. Blowing raspberries and giggling. Then he started crawling. He was laughing and moving towards me until...

He got himself STUCK! He had crawled under the chair and couldn't get out. At first he just sort of whined, I looked at him and told him to get out of there, he tried to move again with no luck and then he SCREAMED and started crying. He was very frustrated that he was stuck and that Mommy wasn't immediately rescuing him.

I went and gathered him up and he started giggling, his little arms waving, happy to be free from the evil chair.

Allen's eyes are still blue, well a grey'ish blue... genetics are such a funny thing. Of course they still could change...

Simply Amazing

Allen is going to be 6 months old in just 10 days! Where has the time gone?

After 6 kids I just experienced a first... I tried to breast feed all of my kids. It seemed with each of them something occured that had me having to go to formula before they were 5 months old (and as early as 5 weeks old).

When Allen was born, I was hoping to breastfeed for 6 weeks at least but also commited to it as long as I could. 10 days away from 6months old, getting teeth, and YAY YAY YAY we are still breast feeding! I am so excited! Allen is growing and developing right on target and I am a happy Mommy!

Your 5-month-old: Week 4

Your baby now sees and hears the world almost as well as you do. Her communication skills are expanding rapidly, too, as evidenced by her squeals, bubbling sounds, and operatic octave changes. Her sounds can demonstrate her attitude or response to objects — such as happiness, eagerness, or even satisfaction with a problem well solved.

At this age, about half of babies babble, repeating one syllable — such as ba, ma, ga, or other consonant-vowel combinations — over and over. A few will even add another syllable or two, making their sounds more complex.

You can encourage your baby by babbling right back at her and by making a game of it ("The sheep says, 'baaa,'" or "The goat says, 'maaa'"). Or, when you hear a syllable you can't identify, just respond enthusiastically with something like, "Yes, that is a car! See how shiny the red paint is?" Your baby will appreciate your keeping the conversation going.

Growing Up Baby

Along with having learned to crawl, reaching for things on purpose, and all the other things Allen has been learning to do this last month~



Today we had another "first". I was sitting here eating a Ritz Cracker and Allen kept reaching for it. Although I was a little concerned that it could choke him, I figured he was on my lap and I could run quick interference if needed, I handed him his own cracker. He gnawed away on the thing, cooing and chattering at it.



Then he dropped it. He squealed, very frustrated. I picked it up and handed it back to him. Again he gnawed away on it. When it was finally gone, he was once more squealing, seeming to want another.

I didn't give him another since this was his first cracker and I don't want him to get sick. But it was so cute to see him love this first. Not only was this a FIRST for eating a cracker it was also a FIRST for feeding himself! YAY!

Exciting Developments! Allen today did something he hadn't done before~

He was laying on the floor, a toy just out of his reach along with his pacifier. I was busy helping Elizabeth get her lunch and not paying much attention to the boy. When I looked over at him, he had crawled to his pacifier, got his pacifier, rolled over on his back, and had got his pacifier into his mouth!

Then tonight, we were sitting on the sofa. I had Allen laying next to me with a light blankie over him. He reached up to the edge of the blanket and pulled it up over his face. I laughed at him and said Peek-a-boo as I pulled the blanket down. He grabbed the blanket again and pulled it up over his face again. This time he was giggling as soon as he got the blanket up to his face. He knew and expected the peek-a-boo game :)

I am a little sad that he is learning so fast, because I know the baby days are going to slip away ever faster as he learns all this stuff. Then it is also very exciting to see him interacting with his environment...

My amazing baby! He is growing up fast. Six months old in just 2 weeks...

crawling

I do not think I have ever seen a baby crawl on their back before. Yet today I watched Allen do it. He was laying on the floor, his little zebra that he loves just out of reach behind his head, and there he went scooting ON HIS BACK to reach the toy. His little legs went into action and could see that he was moving with purpose. I was laughing right out loud at the little guy. It looked so funny to see but he got where he wanted to get.

Just when you think you know it all... along comes something new.

I am having so much fun with Allen as he is rapidly learning so many new things. Crawling, rolling, reaching, touching... he takes in so much aound him and is trying something new it seems almost everyday. Thinking about the next few years with him is SO exciting! It won't be long and he will be an honest to goodness toddler...

Right now, I am going to go snuggle with him and enjoy exactly where he is at this moment and savor him still being a babe in arms...

June 14th Update

Allen crawled! He moved across the floor about 3 feet yesterday! I am so EXCITED! I went about the house on my hands and knees to see what he can get into. I have A LOT of stuff to get protected both FOR him and FROM him in the next few days. I know it won't be long and my little guy is going to be into everything :)

He has also been cranky (for him) the last couple of days. This is because he has two little teeth getting ready to pop out. So many milestones coming at us! He is growing up fast!

Update from June 3rd

Allen his doctors appointment on June 3rd. It went really well. The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for his swollen lymphnodes. His weight his doing good and he is growing. He had a little drop in his growth curve at his last appointment so this was wonderful news that he was back on target.

On top of that his developmental milestones are all right on track or ahead of age expected. He is such a happy little guy and it is wonderful to see , despite all the chaos this year, he is doing so well.

Highlights
A barrel of laughs
Exploring objects
Appreciation for a full range of colors
Remember, your baby is an individual

A barrel of laughs
Even though crying is still your baby's strongest form of communication, he's also developing his sense of humor during his fifth month. He may start to laugh at pleasant surprises such as your face appearing from underneath a blanket or a toy popping out of a box, provided it isn't too loud or startling.Encourage your baby's laughs, giggles, and smiles with funny faces and lots of general silliness. Babies enjoy hearing a variety of sounds and you don't need special toys or instruments to provide them. Simply click your tongue, whistle, or make animal noises — your baby will love it!

Exploring objects
Encourage your baby to experiment and play with a variety of objects. Something as simple as a clean cloth diaper might occupy him for several minutes. Watch him suck on it, hold it, and discover what happens when he scrunches it up.Give him a light rattle and see him delight in the sound it makes when he shakes it. An activity center or crib gym is a good choice for this stage, as your baby begins to explore the cause and effect of moving a lever and hearing a bell ring, for instance.

Appreciation for a full range of colors
Babies see color from birth, but they have difficulty distinguishing similar tones, such as red and orange. (Babies can tell the difference between very different colors such as red, green, and yellow.) As a result, younger babies often prefer black and white or high-contrast patterns.At your baby's age, color differences become clearer, and your baby has started to distinguish between similar shades. Present him with a variety of colors in books, toys, and clothing.

Remember, your baby is an individual
All babies are unique and meet milestones at their own pace. Developmental guidelines simply show what your baby has the potential to accomplish — if not right now, then soon. If your baby was premature, keep in mind that kids born early usually need a bit more time to meet their milestones. If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, ask your healthcare provider.

Since Allen's Daddy has been around almost every day I haven't kept up on this. Now that he is back to work and will be gone for periods of time I am going to start posting regularly again.

Way cool and FUN!

http://www.babiestoday.com/articles/guiding-babys-development/brain-builders-2800/

This site has some great ideas for fun things to do with baby to stimulate his learning process. I had fun reading about the different things to do. Hope you do too!

12 Weeks Old!

What's the real reason why Baby is so calm with Mom and so fussy with Dad? She smells like food—and comfort. Read what dads can do to gain favor in week 12.

Baby's Brain in Week 12He may never make a peep about it, but by now, Dad might feel that Baby prefers Mom—and that may bum him out. When he holds Baby, she may squirm and look around for Mom. And when passed to Mom, Baby may quiet almost instantly.

The big secret? The only real preference that Baby has for Mommy is that she, if nursing, is Baby's sole source for food, which she knows she needs to survive. Even when not nursing, a breastfeeding mom's scent provides comfort as her child associates it with breast milk. Ultimately, Baby may seem more relaxed with Mom over Dad because she knows, instinctively, that Mom equals food.

Yet other than nursing, dads are fully capable of all caregiving tasks: feeding from a bottle, burping, rocking, comforting, playing, and changing diapers. We now know that the messier the task he undertakes, the better Dad's chances are of having Baby cozy up to him.

What the Research ShowsResearchers wanted to know the difference between the dads whose children readily turned to them and those who didn't. They conducted a study that involved counting the diapers that the dads changed. For the daddies who took the time and got beyond the ick factor, changing diapers seemed to secure the child's attachment to Dad as well as to Mom: The more diapers dads changed, the more babies turned to their fathers for comfort when distressed—even when mom was in the vicinity.

Week 12 Brain BoosterReally, there's nothing magical about diapering when it comes to solidifying the father-infant bond—the research doesn't suggest that men necessarily have a better technique or strategy that babies like better. What diapering does provide, however, is an interactive time for the child and diaperer to get well-acquainted. It's an intimate social time that familiarizes Baby with the person in charge of the task, thereby building her trust in that person.
And chances are, if Dad's changing lots of diapers, he's likely doing other things to care for his child as well, which leads to a stronger attachment. In about six months or so, Baby will identify a "primary attachment figure" (or figures)—someone she'll demand when she's distressed or needs care. For some children this person is definitely Mom; for others, it's either Mom or Dad.
So every solid effort Dad makes right now to care for Baby helps her feel safe with him. As she gets older, she will approach him for all sorts of needs, further developing their relationship. And not only that, but children are also more likely to reach their potential when they know Dad really cares.

Read More @ http://www.babyzone.com/baby/nurturing/baby_week_by_week/article/week-12-baby

Why does the Baby Cry?

Seven reasons babies cry and how to soothe them

Babies cry. There's no way to avoid it — it's one way they communicate.

Since your baby can't flat out tell you, you may worry, "How will I know what she wants?"

It can be difficult at first, but a large part of parenting is trial and error and you'll soon learn to anticipate her needs, read her cues, and wipe away her tears. Here are the most common reasons babies cry. If your little one is wailing, work your way down the list and chances are you'll find something that helps.

How can I tell why my baby is crying?

She's hungry
Once you learn to recognize the signs that your baby wants to eat — she'll fuss, make noises, and root around for your breast if you pick her up — you'll get pretty good at feeding her before she starts to really cry. Until then, checking to see if she's hungry is a good first step when your baby cries. Food might not stop her crying right away, but let her keep eating if she wants to. She'll stop once her stomach is full.

She needs a fresh diaper
Some babies let you know right away when they need to be changed. Others don't mind when their diapers are soiled — it's warm and comfortable to them. (Parents are often surprised when they pick up their infant and find she's been sitting in a dirty diaper and never made a sound.) Either way, this one is easy to check and simple to remedy.

She's too cold or hot
Newborns like to be bundled up and kept warm. (As a rule, they need to be wearing one more layer than you need to be comfortable.) So when your baby feels cold, like when you remove her clothes to change her, she'll express her discomfort by crying. You'll learn how to quickly change a diaper and wrap your baby back up. Be careful that you don't overdress her, since she's less likely to complain about being too warm than about being too cold and won't cry about it as vigorously.

She wants to be held
Babies need a lot of cuddling. They like to see their parents' faces, hear their voices, and listen to their heartbeats, and can even detect their unique smell (especially Mom's milk). After being fed, burped, and changed, many babies simply want to be held. You may wonder if you'll "spoil" your child by holding her so much, but during the first few months of life that isn't possible. Infants vary a lot in how much they want to be held. Some demand a lot of attention, while others can spend long periods of time sitting calmly by themselves. If your baby likes the attention, pick her up, wear her in a front carrier or sling, or place her next to you.

She can't take it anymore
While newborns often thrive on attention, they can easily become overstimulated and have a meltdown. You may find that your baby cries longer than usual after spending a holiday with many adoring family members or has periods at the end of each day when she seems to cry for no reason. Newborns have difficulty processing all the stimulation they receive — the lights, the noise, being passed from hand to hand — and can become overwhelmed by too much activity. Crying is their way of saying, "I've had enough." This usually happens when your baby is tired. Take her somewhere calm and quiet and let her vent for a while, and then see if you can get her to sleep.

She doesn't feel good
If you've just fed your baby and checked that she's comfortable (she can be troubled by something as subtle as a hair wrapped around her toe or a clothing tag that's poking her), but she's still crying, consider checking her temperature to make sure she isn't ill. The cry of a sick baby tends to be distinct from the hunger or frustration cry, and you'll soon learn when your baby's cries "just don't sound right" and she needs to be taken to the doctor.

None of the above
Sometimes you might not be able to figure out what's wrong. Many newborns develop periods of fussiness when they're not easily soothed. These fussy periods can range from a few minutes of crying to full-blown colic. Colic is defined as inconsolable crying for at least three hours a day and at least three days a week. Even if your baby isn't crying this much, these episodes may be difficult for you. When all else fails, try the tips below.

Wrap her up and hold her closeNewborns like to feel as warm and secure as they did in the womb, so try swaddling your baby in a blanket, wearing her, or holding her against your shoulder. But be aware that some babies find swaddling or cuddling too constrictive and respond better to other forms of comfort such as rhythmic movement or sucking a pacifier.

Let her hear the rhythm
Babies are used to the sound of your heartbeat; that's another reason they love to be held close. You can also try playing soft music, singing a lullaby, or even putting her close to the rhythm of an electric fan or the white noise of a vacuum cleaner.

Put her in motion
Sometimes just the motion of carrying your baby will be enough to calm her. Other times, it may help to rock her gently in a rocking chair or swing, set her in her bouncy seat, or place her in her car seat on top of the dryer while it's on (the dryer's vibrations can cause her seat to move enough to fall off, so make sure you stay by her side while you do this!). You could also push her around outside in her stroller or take her for a ride in the car.

Massage her
Most babies love to be touched, so a massage might be just the thing to soothe your baby. Don't worry about not knowing the perfect movements — as long as they're gentle and slow, they should bring comfort. Also, try rubbing your baby's back or belly. This will help if she's having gas pains — which may be the problem with some colicky babies.

Let her suck on something
Even when she's not hungry, sucking can steady an infant's heart rate, relax her stomach, and calm her flailing limbs. Give her a pacifier or a finger to clamp onto and let her go to town.

Take care of yourself
No baby ever cried herself to death, but a crying baby can be very stressful for new parents. You're chronically sleep-deprived and may already be unsure about how to care for this baby. Mom's emotions are all over the place due to the hormonal changes she's going through. Dad may not be sure what role he should play in caring for the newborn or whether he'll ever get Mom's attention again. Add a crying baby to this scenario and many parents can become overwhelmed with feelings of incompetence.

If you know your baby's needs have been met and you've tried to calm her but she's still crying, it's time to take care of yourself so you don't get too exasperated:

• Put your baby down in a safe place and let her cry for a while.
• Call a friend or relative and ask for advice.
• Give yourself a break and let someone else take over.
• Put on quiet music to distract yourself.
• Take deep breaths.
• Remind yourself that nothing is wrong with your baby and crying won't hurt her — she may just need the release.
• Repeat to yourself, "She will outgrow this phase."
• Whatever you do, don't take your frustration out on your baby by shaking her.

Fortunately, babies (and their parents) are resilient and somehow manage to get through even the most difficult crying episodes.

From BabyCenter http://www.babycenter.com/0_seven-reasons-babies-cry-and-how-to-soothe-them_9790.bc?showAll=true

Bath Time!

BATH TIME!

Big Sister helps with bath time

Today Big Sister got to help with the baby's bath. She sure was proud of being big enough to help.

Immunization Update

Allen had his appointment today~

He is still gaining an average of an ounce a day. Gettng to be a big boy~ his weight is right around the 50th percintile and his height just a bit above average. Everything looks good for him growth and development wise. 10 pounds 11 ounces and 23 1/2 inches long :)

So after all that it was shot time. He actually did really good with them. He cried for just a few seconds after each shot. This afternoon he seems to have a lot of tenderness in his legs and he is a bit fussy. I just gave him another dose of tylenol and I am hoping that it helps his fussiness and he can relax and get some rest...

He doesn't have to go back to the doctor for 2 months unless he gets sick. YAY! After all the doctor visits during the pregnancy and after he was born this is going to be nice.

Preparing for Baby's First Immunization

Tomorrow is Allen's first immunizations~ I had wanted to do a delayed immunization schedule, but have decided to do the traditional schedule. Although there is still a part of me that would rather go with a delayed schedule, I want to make sure my son is protected, especially as we are out and about in the community often, not just at home.

Anyway, I took a look at some things to help with this first set of shots for my little guy. Found this bit of advice...

Step1
Call your baby's pediatrician and ask if you can give your baby infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen before the vaccinations to ease the pain of the injections.

Step2
Create your list of questions to ask your baby's pediatrician and go over them before the vaccinations are given. That way, once the shots are over, you can dress your baby and take her home immediately.

Step3
Bring a favorite toy or rattle to the appointment. Distract the baby with it while the vaccinations are administered.

Step4
Ask your pediatrician if you can breastfeed or bottlefeed your baby immediately before or during the first vaccinations to comfort the baby during the shots.

Step5
Hold your baby in your arms during the vaccinations and gently stroke her head and face while her doctor administers the shots.

Step6
Expect that your baby will likely cry quite a bit following the first vaccinations and those that are in her future. Remember that the pain is short-lived, but that the positive effects of the shots will protect her for a lifetime.

For a list of the baby's immunization schedule go to http://www.cispimmunize.org/IZSchedule_Childhood.pdf

I will update tomorrow after his appointment~

Allen is hitting those developmental milestones~ rolling over, smiling on purpose, and holding up his head. I am excited about all this happening. Last night he was laying on his tummy on the sofa. He was cooing and chatting to me, holding his little head up and looking around and I looked at him and said "Mommy loves you Allen" and he got the biggest grin on his little face and his eyes lit up and it was one of those hold in your heart moments.

I find myself a little sad that his Daddy is missing some of these moments. Life really is not fair for parents or children when the parents are no longer together. A parent misses moments like these, the child misses the other parent being there and being excited about baby learning all these things. It makes me sad to know that one parents decisions can rob another parent and the child of so much together...

Well hopefully sharing baby's development stuff here will help to connect Daddy and Baby. Because one thing I know, Daddy loves Baby and Baby loves Daddy.

Allen heard this on tv this morning and was giggling and dancing to it~

Two Month Old

YOUR COOING TWO-MONTH-OLDYour 2-month-old is now starting to pay more attention to her world. Most of all, baby loves the sound of your voice and follows it around the room with real concentration. Your different tones of voice fascinate her; she'll respond to your high-pitched, singsong tone just as readily as to your calm, soothing voice. Better yet, baby's already talking back with a variety of sweetly-pitched coos. But when baby isn't calm and cooing, she might be fussy. Ah, the mixed blessings of a 2-month-old!

Milestones this month*

Your baby can follow an object as it's passed over her face, looking in an arc about six inches from her face.
She steadily holds up her head.
Baby rolls over in one direction.
She can raise her chest using her arms for support while lying on her stomach.
Baby smiles when you smile at her.
She responds to loud sounds by becoming completely silent, crying, or acting startled.
Baby coos.
She focuses on very small objects, like raisins.
Baby may laugh out loud. She may even squeal.

*All babies have their own internal developmental timetable. If your 2-month-old hasn't yet reached these milestones, rest assured that she will in time. If you have concerns about your baby's development, discuss them with her doctor. Four ways you can help sharpen your baby's senses

Your baby may coo even more when you stimulate her senses by doing the following:

Add color Hang a brightly colored mobile over baby's bed.
Play music Introduce more upbeat, bouncy music during playtime. If baby grows anxious, end the music and soothe her in a calm voice.
Pay attention Watch your baby to see what attracts her and what frightens her. Try different tones of voice and songs.
Cuddle Don't worry about "teaching" her a thing or measuring her every millimeter of growth. All she really needs now is your loving attention.

Four reasons why your baby may be fussy

Colic Affecting 10 to 20 percent of babies, colic causes babies to have periods of intense crying -- which can occur several times per week and last for several hours. You'll know it when you hear it: Colic elicits sharp cries and screams that aren't relieved by a dry diaper or another bottle. Colic often shows up more frequently during the late afternoon and evening.

Constipation Your baby's bowel movements should be soft; if they're hard and dry and resemble little pebbles and are infrequent, your baby may be constipated. Ask your doctor if small feedings of water can help soften the stools.

Intestinal gas One good way to avoid intestinal gas in formula-fed babies is to fill the bottle with one fluid ounce of formula more than you'll feed your baby. That way, she won't end up sucking on an empty bottle and allowing air to enter her intestines. Also, keep the bottle tilted at a 45-degree angle to reduce air.

Formula intolerance Your fussy baby may be having difficulty tolerating her formula. Babies are born with immature digestive systems that continue to develop and mature during the first 4 to 6 months of life. If she exhibits any unusual behavior after feeding (such as crying or fussiness), speak with your doctor. If you do decide to switch formulas, do so gradually.

Allen Is AMAZING!

My baby boy did the most AMAZING thing today!!!! He rolled over for the first time! He was laying on the sofa next to me and his little arms and legs were kicking and all of a sudden instead of being on his back, he was on his tummy. He was quite indignant to find himself on his tummy and let me know all about.

So now I have to be extra diligant about where he is laying. No more leaving him on the sofa when I have to go potty or get a drink. But is all worth it, to know that he is growing and developing and becoming his very own unique person. We are on the journey of him having so many FIRSTS! I am excited about all the things he is going to learning to do!

Little one is sick

I feel so helpless right now. My little guy has a bug. He is stuffy and miserable. I know that he either has a sore throat or an ear infection because he will be laying in my arms calm and sleeping and wake up with a wail that just cuts through my heart.

I am giving him tylenol. He doesn't have a fever and he is eating so I know it isn't something horrifying~ it is just uncomfortable for the poor little fellow.

I know what he is feeling because I seem to have the same thing. Uggg... miserable rainy day outside and miserable sick day inside...

7-Week-Old Baby

Smiles and sounds abound as your baby soaks up stimuli and lets you know he loves the world around him.

When it comes to learning, no one does it faster than a baby. You can help by providing plenty of sensory-stimulating opportunities, but don't go overboard. An infant's circuits get overloaded pretty easily, so if your baby starts fussing or squirming he's letting you know he's had enough. Your little smarty-pants is also putting together consonants and vowels (ah-goo!) and rolling over (well, at least in one direction). He's likely smiling up a storm and maybe even laughing (the world's most delicious sound) or squealing in delight over Mommy's antics. Talk may be cheap but for a baby, conversation is invaluable, so chat him up. Tell him what you're doing ("I'm wiping your bottom!"); ask questions ("Whose toes are these?"); imitate the sounds he makes; and read aloud (his books or even yours!). For some parents, it's become clear by now that they have a challenging baby. What defines challenging? It could be an infant that's extremely active, unpredictable, high-intensity, or just seemingly unhappy. Take heart (most symptoms lessen considerably as babies grow) and there are many baby behavior strategies you can try to help your child (and yourself and your spouse in the process). Speaking of your spouse, chances are he's more than ready to resume lovemaking with you, so start slowly and don't be afraid to try strategies that'll help your body (and your mind) get back in the swing.

This time last year... You weren't even pregnant yet! Can you believe it? Time flies too fast! Be sure you start chronicling these infant memories now by creating your free baby journal today!

Your 7-Week-Old Baby:
Super Senses
At seven weeks, your baby is delighting in new sights, sounds and touches. Here's what else your newborn is up to.Do you learn something new every day? Your 7-week-old baby does — and then some! Around the seven-week mark, she's awake and alert more often during the day, so pencil her in for more playtime. Best ways to stimulate those senses? Provide plenty of opportunities for her to experience her surroundings through sound, sight, and touch. Small doses are best (if she's fussing or squirming, she's had enough), and simple toys are all you need. For example, now that she can track moving objects with her eyes, try slowly shifting a ball, rattle, or cloth from one side to the other as she faces you. Watch as she plays along by moving her eyes back and forth (tennis, anyone?).

Her baby blues (or browns) are becoming more discriminating these days, too. While she could once make out only bright colors and basic, two-toned patterns, she's now beginning to discern — and delight in! — more complex designs and a whole rainbow of colors. Now's the time to break out some vibrantly hued board books or give her a narrated tour of your fascinating backyard. Not only does she love the sound of your words (after all, she's been hearing them since well before she was born!), she's starting to be able to put your face to your voice, and those of other familiar folks like Daddy or Grandma. While it may not seem like it, she's listening carefully and may soon try to respond with some sounds of her own. Encourage her by chatting and cooing along in a conversational pattern. (No, you won't sound silly — you'll sound like a mom!)

Allen had his weewee whacked today~ poor little guy. He cried and cried... it was sad. But it is done now and I have to keep an eye on it for bleeding or infection. Otherwise all is well and Allen is resting peacefully now.

He is 34 days old today and weighed 8 pounds 11 ounces so he has gained 2 pounds 3 ounces since he was born. He also was 22 1/2 inches long~ so he has grown 3 1/2 inches in length since he was born. The little guy is doing well with the breast milk.

I was worried with all the stress I have been through that it might negatively impact him but so far so good and I am feeling pretty confident now that this will be successful~

So next week our little man goes back to get the circumcision checked and we are good to go for 2 weeks after that, when he will have to have his first shots...

I'll update after next weeks appointment...

Allen's grandma passed away on his one month birthday... life for us will be so much different now. Where my other kids had Grandma all their lives, she lived with us for the last 13 years, Allen will have no memories of her except what we tell him about her. He isn't going to know Grandma's snuggles and love and the special times together that the other kids had with their Grandma.

Tomorrow Allen goes and gets his circumcision... poor little guy. Then I think next week he gets his first shots. I'll be updating as each of these things happen.

Right now I am off to snuggle with my little guy...

Calming a fussy baby

Wails and waaahhs are important ways for babies to communicate. Interpreting these cries takes some trial and error. Here are some of the most common things your baby is trying to say:

"Feed me." Being hungry makes a baby unhappy. Some will continue to fuss even after they've begun feeding, so don't give up too soon if a bottle or your breast doesn't seem to be working immediately. If it's time for a feeding and your baby is making a rhythmic cry along with other hunger signs like tongue thrusting, he may need to get enough in his stomach to feel fuller before he calms down.

"Change me." Some babies don't mind being in a wet or soiled diaper. Others will object right away — and let you know.

"I don't feel well." A shrill cry can be a sign of illness. It may also be your baby's way of letting you know that something is poking him, such as a scratchy clothing tag. Check to see that your baby isn't too hot or too cold. A good rule of thumb is to dress a baby in one more layer than you're wearing yourself, and remove a layer if he feels warm or seems to complain.

"Get me out of here." If a room is too noisy, the lights too bright, or too many people are handling your baby, he may react to the overstimulation by looking away and fretting.

"I'm tired." Watch for yawns, whines, and eye rubs that signal fatigue before your baby launches into an all-out cry. Try rocking or nursing him to sleep.

"Hold me." If you've checked all the possible causes and your baby is still fussing, he may simply crave the calming effect of being cuddled and rocked. Some babies will relax in a mechanical cradle or vibrating bouncy seat. Some like to be wrapped in a tight swaddle, and others just prefer being held. You can't spoil a baby at this age by holding him "too much."

Life with Baby

Allen is 4 weeks old and almost perfect... he is so delightful. I spend at least half of my day just holding him in my arms, watching him, and marveling at just how wonderful he really is. He has one little dimple on his cheek when he smiles, just so darling. He will look at me and my heart just melts with love for this little guy.

The bond between he and I is just awesome~ I know moments before he actually awakes that he is getting ready to wake up which is a bit odd. I don't remember doing that so much with the older kids. Only when they were waking up hungry.

Anyway, not much to update this week~ just some observations about how wonderful my son really is!

So a little about the last few weeks of the pregnancy and the first 3 weeks of Allen's life...

Allen's Dad and I seemed to fall into a routine that let him be around the whole last part of the pregnancy, the birth and the last three weeks since Allen was born. It was nice to have him here sort of helping out and just being there. He has potential to be a great dad.

Allen kept trying to come early and we had several trips to the hospital to have labor stopped. Our little boy held in there and came right on his original due date (or two weeks early by the adjusted due date). His birth was fairly uneventful~ again his dad was right there and offered up a lot of emotional support during the labor and actual delivery. I am glad we were able to do the delivery together.

Allen came home at about 31 hours old. He was just about perfect... he nursed wonderfully well, he was poo'ing and pee'ing and he was doing all the stuff a newborn is expected to do. Then...

Wednesday after he was born we took him to the doctors. His billirubin was elevated and he was hospitalized. Billirubin lights overnight had him all better. But my little guy who was sleeping for 4-5 hours at night had to be woke up every two hours to eat to flush out the billirubin.

Then we go to the next follow up visit and my little guy has not gained as much weight as expected. So I had to really push the 2 hour feedings and watch what I was doing so that Allen got proper nurishment.

Things in my life are pretty stressful and so I am having to pay extra close attention to my eating habits to make sure my baby gets all he needs. This is my #1 priority right now... making sure Allen is healthy and well cared for.

I will try to keep this updated a little better now that we are settling into a routine here at home with Allen and the others. Also Baby's Daddy has gone back to his home now so he may want to have more updates through the blog...

And so here we are.... Allen John Dale Bernal joined our family on January 3rd 2009. I failed to blog about the last few weeks of the pregnancy~ we had a few memorable moments. I will try to post about them in the next few days...

Until then here is Allen's info:

Allen John Dale Bernal born at Banner Lassen Hospital in Susanville, California at 6:09am on January 3, 2009. He weighed 6 pounds 8 ounces and was 19 inches long.