Friday, May 23, 2008

VERY Important Car Seat Info

For your child's safety please read this and watch the videos.

We all know the laws about children and car seats…rear facing until 1 year and 20 lbs, and in some kind of car seat or boaster seat until the age of 8. However, that is only the minimum! There are reasons to keep your child facing backwards until they reach the weight limit of the seat and then stay in a 5-point harness until they reach the weight limit of that seat. There are some seats that go up to 80 lbs but you must read the label. You may see that the seat goes up to 100 lbs but that is not with the 5-point harness. The 2 seats that go up to 80 lbs are: the Radian80 ( http://www.skjp.com/products/skjp_radian_80.php ) and the Britax Regent ( http://www.britaxusa.com/products/product_detail.aspx?ID=9 ).

















Wednesday, May 21, 2008

6 month checkup

Sean had his 6 month well baby checkup today. He is doing wonderfully. Just recently he has begun somewhat crawling...I guess it's more creeping but he gets on his hands, knees and head and moves forward. He can't sit still anymore! lol His favorite thing now is pulling up on people or things...especially the bumbo seat. He is now 14 lbs 15 oz and 25 3/4 in long...yep still our little peanut but absolutely perfect. The doctor said that he can start on actual solid foods...little bits of meat (fish is best...healthier and softer), bits of green beans, puffs, teething biscuits, ect.. I've already been letting him chew on apple slices and gumming pieces of banana and he prefers to feed himself. He also got 4 shots and an oral vaccine so I'm off to try to make him feel better.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Why God Made Mothers

Why God Made Mothers

By the time the Lord made mothers, he was into his sixth day of working overtime.

An Angel appeared and said "Why are you spending so much time on this one"?
She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have 200 movable parts, all replaceable, run on black coffee and leftovers, have a lap that can hold three children at one time , have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart, and do these things only with two hands."

the angel was impressed" just two hands..impossible""

"And that's just on the standard model?" the Angel asked.

"This is too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish."

"But I can't!" The Lord protested, "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she's sick AND she can work 18 hours a day

The Angel moved closer and touched the woman, "But you have made her so soft, Lord."

"She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."

"Will she be able to think?", asked the Angel.

The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason, and negotiate."

The Angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak with this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one."

"That's not a leak." The Lord objected. "That's a tear!"

"What's the tear for?" the Angel asked.

The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride."

The Angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything; for mothers are truly amazing!"
but there is only one thing wrong with her
she forgets what she is worth...

~by Erma Bombeck~

Friday, May 9, 2008

A Baby’s Point of View

I'm thinking as I lay here between you, Mom and Dad That the experts say you're spoiling me and it makes me kind of sad. But I hope you keep on listening only to your heart 'Cause raising me's no science, rather it's an art. And I haven't read the books you see, so theories don't mean much If in the dark I can't hear Dad and feel my Mommy's touch. They say I need a schedule to tell me when to eat, That you should keep my person tidy, clean, and neat. But keep the bibs for later 'cause I think I must confess That sometimes when I'm eating peas I like to make a mess. And I haven't read the books you see, so theories don't mean much When I'm hungry and it's one o'clock but two o'clock is lunch. I know they say you're crazy 'cause I'm always in my pack Riding high in front of you or sometimes on your back. But I have met and seen the world with such a better view Than many babies ever have, all because of you. And I haven't read the books you see, so theories don't mean much If I'm in my fancy stroller, but I can't see a bunch. Now where you're really going wrong is that I'm in your bed 'Cause in our country that's not done; you're spoiling me, it's said. They say to put me down the hall and let me "cry it out" And that teaching me to be alone is what it's all about. But I haven't read the books you see, so theories don't mean much If, reaching out when I'm afraid, there's no one there to clutch. For it isn't all that long you know, until I'm on my own And from the fabric you provide, my life's quilt will be sewn. So will it matter when I'm thirty that I nursed for thirty months? That I slept securely in your bed or used my stroller once? 'Cause I haven't read the books you see, so theories don't mean much If in the dark I can't hear Dad and feel my Mommy's touch.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

6 months

My little peanut is 6 months old today. It doesn't seem like it's been half a year already! He has recently started pulling up on people that sit next to him. I can easily see him becoming mobile real soon. He's a wonderful baby...happy most of the time. He amazes me everyday and I can't imagine my life without him.

What makes this a big milestone is the fact that 6 months is a big milestone for him to be still breastfeeding. According to the CDC in 2004 (that's the newest data they have) about 73% of mothers started out breastfeeding. By 6 months, that number drops to about 41%. I absolutely love breastfeeding Sean. Not only is it the best thing for him, there's also benefits for me, emotionally and health wise. I could go on and on about the health benefits for Sean and I but I won't. Emotionally, it's a self esteem boost. I am so proud that I've stuck with it. He has not had formula since he came home from the hospital (he only had it there when I couldn't be there) and he's only had a handful of bottles. He hates bottles...only straight from the tap for him! I'm proud that my body has nourished him since birth...he has not needed anything else and will not need anything else for another 6 months (he will have solids but he doesn't need them yet)...it's amazing that the female body can do this! I love when he gazes into my eyes as he eats...and then gives me a huge smile while milk goes everywhere. lol And this is only the beginning...at least 1 1/2 years to go. I can't wait to see what that brings!

One of the first times he nursed:


Today: