Yep, it's Monday.

Today was definitely a Monday, starting as all Mondays do - with an overwhelming desire to stay in bed. Noah experienced it too. In fact, I actually had to wake him up. Normally, he makes sure that I get up on time. Today, however, I was up, dressed, had fed the dog and cat, and had let the dog out and put the cat up all before he awakened. I actually had to make sure he got up. We headed to yoga and did a little grocery shopping afterward. With the extra trip to the store, Noah was tuckered out enough to take a nap when we returned.

Laundry and cleaning took up most of my afternoon. It is sad to say that today was not that busy or interesting. Tomorrow one of the moms is supposed to come over so I can help her make a diaper cake for a baby shower she's going to, but she e-mailed me and let me know she may not be able to come. We'll see. I just want to make sure that the house isn't in a horribly embarrassing condition if she is able to make it.

I did make cookies this evening. Noah was simply adorable during the process. He was very interested in what I was doing. Whenever I turned on the oven light to check on the cookies, he'd bend down and peer into the oven to see what I was looking at. I think he was fascinated with the light in there.

In other Noah news. He had another tooth break through today. The tooth that has been working its way in for over a month now finally decided to show up. It's a molar, so all of it has not broken through the gum, but it is a start. Add that to the four teeth that broke through last week and he's having a rough time. He's handling it like a champ and hasn't been terribly cranky the past couple of weeks. Yes, a little, but hey, can you blame him? I've been giving him some pain medication just before going to bed just to help take edge off so he can sleep and it seems to help. It's a big improvement from several days ago when he kept waking up every hour and a half to two hours because he was uncomfortable. I'm just wondering how soon the next three teeth will come in that are peeking out just below the surface.

Ok, so, yoga tomorrow, and hopefully diaper cake making. Until then, it's time for sleeping!

Busy, busy, busy...

Well, this weekend, I can definitely say was not boring. We certainly kept moving and shaking. Ok, well, moving anyway.

Saturday, as I mentioned in my post yesterday (was it only yesterday? It seems so long ago...) that Noah awakened very early. I finally got up and dawdled around some. We then got ready to attend the Saturday Smart Mommy meeting. It was a good meeting. Suzanne, the shop owner and Lactation Consultant was there leading the meeting which is a rare treat. I learned quite a bit through discussions we had and she even taught me a new way to wrap my Moby wrap for carrying Noah in a configuration that will put his weight on my waist rather than my shoulder and still be able to hold him on my hip! I am so excited about this hold because while I like the front carry on the Moby, Noah is a bit big and can get in the way while shopping or doing similar activities. I've added the pic, so you can get an idea. It was taken several months ago, but you can see how much of my front he takes up!

After the meeting we went to the first birthday party for Robert, one of the babies in my mommy group. They had a frog theme and super cute frog cupcakes! Robert really understood the concept of a smash cake and destroyed it as soon as it was put in front of him. He had no interest in eating the cake and decided before too much time went by that the really would rather not be covered in icing. It was too cute! The babies from the mommy group spent most of the time charming the adults that were at the party and playing will Robert's toys. They had a blast. Noah was playing and walking around non-stop which lead to a nap in the car and continued napping when we arrived back home. I was able to start a load of diapers (I had gotten too far behind) and ran some errands after Noah awakened to pick up dog food, some more pain meds for Noah (since he's teething like crazy lately) and Chick-fil-a for Taran and me to eat for dinner. It was a super long day! I even ended up staying up late working on getting Noah's diapers all washed and dried so he could have enough liners to last all night without wetting the bed.

Today, we were able to relax a little bit. Taran had to go into the office and work on a project they have him doing. He intended to stay all afternoon, but he got a good portion done and ended up with a headache so he decided to come home. Noah napped while Taran was as work and I was able to finish my monthly report for Purina. This evening, Taran and I went to meet up with some friends, Stephanie and Brian, that we haven't seen in months (I think I mentioned this in my last post). Brian was on call for work so we met closer to down town so he was nearby if they paged him.We got to meet their new baby, Eleanor (about 10 weeks old), who is cute as can be and seems to be a very content baby. I was finally able to give Stephanie the diaper cake I made for her back when I found out she was pregnant in April. It matched the colors she picked for Eleanor's room and she noticed it too, which meant I was successful in matching it! We got ice cream after dinner (great finish for the Chinese food dinner we had - Taran's been on a Chinese kick lately) and visited just a bit longer before parting ways. It was such a wonderful visit. I really hope we get to see them again soon.

So, now the weekend is at an end. More laundry is running now. I really need to do a better job keeping up with it, but I've put it off quite a bit this week. This next upcoming week is starting to book up with activity. I hope I can keep up with blog posts, then maybe I can give the false impression that I am so busy and active all the time! Of course, I've now kinda given away the truth...

Here's to busy weekends

As I have recently been coming down with mild but chronic case of  cabin fever, I feel this weekend will be the cure. We have many activities planned and it could have been busier if we had allowed it. I do have to pace myself though. Our lives typically move at the speed of molasses so having multiple things going on in a short time span is out of the norm and can lead to a cranky baby. Maybe this is a hint that we ought to get out more in general so it becomes more of the norm...

In any case, yesterday was relatively uneventful. I had my regular yoga class with the irregular instructor. No, really, she's great and I'm sure I'll be sore today, but she tends to be a bit eccentric and her class seems to only slightly resemble an actual yoga class. I figure that is good though, changing from the normal exercise routine can only help. Noah took a nap, although it was late in the afternoon, but the good news is with the help of a little Tylenol to ease his teething pain, he went to bed at a normal time and seemed to sleep normally. Unfortunately, that meant that he awakened early and ready to go this morning... I mean, fortunately, I think. I still could use the sleep...

Yesterday we also saw the arrival of our new hiking carrier pack. It is super spiffy and has all kinds of bells and whistles. Taran had wanted a big structured carrier pack like that for Noah, despite the extreme limit of outdoor activities we actually do. With any luck, actually having the pack may encourage us to go out and do something outdoorsy. A friend had recently invited me to go to a nearby park where she wanted to do some hiking for an hour or so, now, I may be able to since I have more appropriate accommodations for Noah! Taran and I both tried the pack on to see how it felt and I was amazed that I don't feel Noah's weight at all. It is not heavy and it seriously doesn't feel like I'm carrying a twenty-six pound kid on my back. I'll have to see if I feel the same after some more extended hiking/walking that takes me further and in worse terrain than a walk down  the sidewalk to the end of the street to get our mail. I added more information and a mini "review" on My Mommy Blog if you want to know more about the pack itself.

So today we had an early start, Noah was up before 7. I was hoping to sleep until after 8. He didn't get the memo. My husband says I forgot to e-mail it to him. Later we have my mommy meeting and then a birthday party. Tomorrow we have plans to hang out with some friends whom we haven't seen for more than 8 months or so. It is kinda sad since they live in the Houston area. But then, they both are doctors with a new baby and their lives can't exactly be boring. They are always busy with work, family, or the new baby. I still have their baby gift which I've had since I learned she was pregnant. I'll post pics after I give it to her. I try not to put up pics of my baby gifts until the person receives them so they are surprised. After that, I can then make a business page on Facebook for my baby boutique and post a link to my web page that I've been working on. At some point in the next couple of days I'll need to run to PetSmart since the dog is quickly running out of food.

I'll probably post later today and/or tomorrow with updates of how everything went. Maybe I'll be productive and take pics as well!

A good report

Today Noah had his recheck appointment at the ENT. It basically was the main activity of the day and it was over before it was supposed to begin. Good news all around, everything looks good and assuming things stay the same, we won't have to go back for another 6 months.

In other news, Noah officially has 4 more teeth. Yep, that's right. All at the same time. He did not read the manual when it comes to growing teeth. I noticed a few days ago that you could see a bit of white under his gums on the top and today I took a peek in his mouth to see how they were progressing and what do you know two upper molars (the 15 month molars) and two upper canines (or cuspids, or eye teeth) had broken through the gingiva. Now, they aren't all the way in and the molars still have some of their surface covered with gingiva, but they are well on their way through. On the bottom, the matching four are working their way out (you can see them right under the gumline), but they are taking their sweet little time, considering the location of the left side molar has been large and swollen for about 5-6 weeks now.

I did somehow find time to complete a small little project. My first diaper cake made with cloth diapers! I had a couple of the moms in my mommy group ask me about making them with cloth diapers and I wasn't too sure about it. I figured it would work, but due to the differences in sizes (cloth is bulkier) I wasn't sure how many I'd need. I used some of Noah's burp rags that are basically re-purposed prefold cloth diapers and rolled them like I would the disposables. I then used another burp rag of his to wrap around and then applied a duck and teethers for decoration. I did the whole decorative ribbon thing because even though I was just seeing how it would work, I figured I could take a pic and get the full effect. Also, that way, I can add it to my website. Though I obviously can't sell it, what with used materials, it gave me and idea of how it would work out. The biggest problem with doing this type of cake is that the bigger they get, the more cost prohibitive they can be. A disposable diaper costs about $.15 whereas a cloth diaper can cost $1-$2 depending on size. In a multiple tier cake, it would make sense to have each layer a different size of diaper (since a cloth diapering mom will reuse and therefore not need as many of each size). The overall cost could potentially skyrocket if the diapers aren't purchased for a really low discount rate. There is still detail to figure out, but a cloth diaper diaper cake has every potential to turn out just as cute and be just as usable as a regular one!

Aside from that, our day was long and eventful. Yoga this morning was not very challenging. Noah spent most of the day playing. He didn't nap. It was bad. At least he didn't get terribly cranky until this evening and by that time, no way was I going to put him down. I'd wait until bed time.

For the first time in four days, he went down at a normal time. His naps were in the afternoons this week, none in the morning, and for some reason, he wouldn't go down at his bed time. He'd act all tired and even fall asleep, but as soon as he was put down, he was up and wouldn't go down for another hour to hour and a half. It was so frustrating. I'm not sure if it's the teething that has him all off, that is the most likely scenario, but I'm glad he's gone to bed at a reasonable hour tonight. I have no expectations for tomorrow. My life can't be that easy.

It's morning again...

It is definitely morning again. I'm sitting here at my computer procrastinating and trying to ignore the child while at the same time making sure he isn't getting into anything he shouldn't be. It's been two days since his procedure and he's definitely back to normal. Same old tricks. Getting into things and looking adorable. And of course, like any other child, the screaming and tantrums when he doesn't get what he wants or he has a "toy" like my phone taken away from him.

Speaking of phones, one of the first thing he did today was find my phone tucked under my pillow (I keep it there when I sleep so it is close by in case it rings or the alarm goes off so I can address it before disturbing the hubby or sleeping baby - not that the baby sleeps much...). I was in a half awake state when Taran's phone goes off. I awaken and there my baby is pushing buttons on mine. I quickly take it, back out of the main menu and close the phone. Right then, Taran asked me if I sent him a blank message and that is when I realize that Noah had apparently gotten into the text function. Nice. We go back to resting our eyes because that is all you can do when you have a 12 month old crawling all over you, pulling your hair and stepping on your face. I then get a text from my sister, "Did you text me the time?" "No, Noah got a hold of my phone, I'm so sorry" It's about quarter to eight in the morning at this point, so hopefully it wasn't super early for her, but it probably was, especially on a Saturday. I then proceed to check my other sent texts to make sure that Noah hadn't sent anyone else a surprise. Luckily, he hadn't, it was just the one text that got sent to my hubby and sister. Ah, children...

So now, I'm checking my Facebook and procrastinating after picking up baby toys. I need to vacuum desperately. I also have a mommy meeting today. I guess I've got to get going. Until next time...

Post Op

Baby Noah had his tube surgery today, aka a bilateral myringotomy. He did phenomenally well. 


The day started out a bit rocky. We were mostly worried about him getting enough sleep since he likes to nurse a lot during the night. He kept waking up after we put him down last night too which seemed to make it worse. He wasn't allowed to have anything after midnight, so when he fell asleep nursing right around that time, he was cut off. 


He awakened around 3:15 wanting to nurse, but unfortunately he wasn't allowed. He flopped around a bit, kinda tired and groggy, but finally decided he was awake and wanted to nurse and he was not happy that he was being denied. Taran took him to the living room and let him play a little bit since he was up, and finally got him to go back to sleep laying on Taran's chest in a chair at about 4:45. 


I got up at about 5:15 and joined them in the living room. I was happy to see that Noah had been able to go back to sleep. Taran however, had not. I showered and got ready, fed the cat and dog, then took the baby to get him changed and ready while Taran also got ready. We headed out to the surgical center at about 5:45 am. 


We arrived at the surgical center around 6 am (right on time!) and signed in. We finished up some last minute paperwork then took a seat in the waiting room. Noah was in a surprisingly good mood. He was fascinated with everything around and wanted to explore. He caught the attention of everyone else in the waiting room too. He got so many comments about how cute he was. I have to say I agree! 


They called us back shortly thereafter and took us to the surgical prep area. One of the nurses weighed him, then took his blood pressure and checked his oxygen. I was surprised at how well he did. He sat still while she attached the cuff and pulse/ox probe. I expected he'd want to pull them off and play with them, but he left them alone for the most part and she was able to get her readings without much difficulty (although, she did have to move the blood pressure cuff off of his arm and onto his leg). The nurse then attached his hospital bands to his leg/ankle (which had to be replaced because two of them slipped right off over his foot) and gave me a matching one as well. We then sat and waited for the anesthesiologist to come talk to us. Waiting is not ideal for a 12 mo old, so Taran held him just outside the curtain to our "staging area" so he could watch the activity going on with other patients and at the nurses' station. 


Soon the anesthesiologist came to speak with us and described how the anesthesia would go. Another nurse came and gave him a sedative. The nurse for his procedure came in and introduced herself and let us know the doctor would be there shortly. We waited a bit more. Still no fun for a baby, especially one that felt he should have been given his breakfast by now. He was starting to get a bit more irritable, but Taran was able to keep him calm with watching the activity going on around us and playing peek-a-boo with the privacy curtain.


The doctor came in to speak with us briefly and go over the procedure with us and the nurse soon came with the anesthesiologist to gather him up. He was a bit groggy from the sedative so he didn't seem to mind leaving us, but then, he hasn't hit the separation anxiety phase yet. We were directed to the waiting room to sit it out.


We both grabbed some coffee and settled in at a nearby table to chat, watch the news, and wait for the procedure to finish. About 15 minutes later, we were called back into a small little meeting room and told the doctor would be in to see us. Before the doctor even came in, the aid returned because Noah was awake, but the doctor hadn't even been in yet! He arrived right about then and discussed the procedure with us. The left ear had quite a bit of exudate as well as extra skin on the ear drum, which is not unusual considering that was the ear that had been draining when infected, so aside from a bit extra to clean up, everything went normally. The doctor then went over discharge instructions and care instructions for Noah's ears. He then escorted us to the recovery area where he said Noah was screaming, but apparently he had settled down as soon as the nurse picked him up.


I was able to nurse him right away which kept him calm. I was surprised that he didn't gulp down from being so hungry, but he seemed more interested in the comfort of his mama, so that was okay by me. The nurse gave us some final discharge instructions and had Taran sign the discharge papers. And we were able to leave. 


They had told us that Noah would be groggy and sleepy most of the day, but he didn't get that memo. He played with his toy phone all the way home (which isn't really that long of a trip) and was wide awake when we returned. He was still calmed by the sedative, but he was wide awake and after another nursing session, Noah decided he was ready to play. Walking proved to be a bit difficult as his balance was a bit compromised by drugs, but crawling worked just fine! He played with toys and finally figured out walking again, though it was a bit unsteady.


Two hours after the procedure, he seemed to be back to his old tricks of getting into things and wanting to climb around. He has been a bit more sedate, but otherwise, it appears he's pulled through with flying colors. I am one happy mama. I was so worried because I know the risks of anesthesia and he'd never been exposed to it before, but I'm able to relax a bit now. We'll go back to see the doctor for a recheck in about a week. Until then, hopefully we are in for fewer ear infections and that can never be a bad thing!

And stuff...

So, I've continued to keep busy even though I feel like I don't do anything.

Last week ended as soon as it started. Thursday and Friday Noah seemed a bit off. He actually spiked a fever Friday afternoon and we took a nap. I got up about 3.5 hours later and he stayed asleep. He nursed a few times during the night but pretty much stayed down. Luckily by the next morning he was his old self again. I had been so afraid that he'd come down with another ear infection before his tube procedure, but he seemed to recover with no other problems.

Saturday, Taran and I took a trip to College Station. We had lunch with some of our college friends which was nice to get to see them. I attended a baby shower in the afternoon where I presented the seventh diaper cake I've made.

I think this one is super cute. It is the second 2-tier cake I've made and I think I'm getting better at the ribbons and decorations. This cake has actually been sitting in my office for about three months right along side the one I made just before it. I'm glad I can finally post pictures. I try not to put them up before I actually give the gift so that I don't spoil the surprise!



That evening, we had dinner with some other friends from the church we used to attend there, Connie and Owen. It was so nice to see them again. I miss having them around. I feel bad that there are several other people there that I was unable to visit. We really could only go for the day. With any luck, the next time we plan a trip we can see more friends or maybe different ones to share the love. =)

This week we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week! For me, that means not a whole lot more than any other week, but I did change my Facebook profile pic in honor of it. The moms and I in my Smart Mommy group had discussed doing something, but I don't think there is time. We may start a project to offer breastfeeding support kits to new moms at the hospital kinda like they get formula samples, but that project will likely be for more than just this week since we want to encourage and support breastfeeding at all times and not just one week a year.

The past couple of days have been pretty normal for me. Yoga in the morning, then Noah goes down for a nap. I have some sewing projects to work on. Repair projects, really, so it is hard to get motivated. Not to mention Noah's naps are only so long. I finished a print project for Bob, my Purina "boss" and got that sent off to him. I also put together a comparison of some new updates they have in one of the product lines to help differentiate between the new formulas and the original ones. I threw that one in as a pro-bono project since I took so long with the print out. I put a lot of effort into it. Luckily, Noah was half napping/half nursing while I worked on it, so I was able to do a really good job on it.

Last night and tonight I put shoes on Noah to see what would happen. His grandma, Taran's mom, gave him some really cute Texas A&M sneakers that have squeakers in them. Noah had a blast walking around and making the shoes squeak. He did get tripped up a lot because he never wears shoes (this was his first time walking in them). He probably won't wear them much, but I wanted to see what he would do. Eventually, I'm going to get him a pair like Robeez. These shoes do have a flexible sole, but not enough for me to be comfortable letting him wear them a lot. He went to and from the mailbox, not without distraction of course, and then we came home.

In two days, Noah will have his tube procedure. I'm trying not to get freaked out about it. I was around animals under anesthesia all the time, but it is different when it is your baby. Everyone that I talk to has one story or another about tubes in ears, but not a single person mentions it in a kid so young. It is a bit scary. I'm hoping I can be strong for my little one.

For now though, a little sleep is in order.