Saturday, November 30, 2013

9 Month Faves

Again, way late on this one, so am trying my best to remember what goes with which month.

cups


Really, any cups will do. He prefers a Which Wich takeout cup, the fishy cup from the whale bathtub, a top from a baby bottle, and anything an adult might drink out of. He does NOT prefer anything a baby is supposed to drink out of.

Given that none of these is a real toy and can't really be purchased individually, allow me to suggest these (pics are links):

 
Green Sprouts stacking cups

  
Fisher-Price Stack & Roll Cups


Nose Frida 
(a/k/a the snot sucker)

Ok. This looks so gross. I will fully admit I gagged the first time I used it. Yes, it's exactly what it looks like. You put the tube end in baby's nostril and suck the boogers out using the red mouthpiece. WAIT KEEP READING here is why it's not as gross and terrible as you are thinking:

  • There is a filter between the nose-going part and the mouth-going part, so boogers can't get through. Also, you would have to have sucking power akin to things I'm not going to make jokes about here to even get CLOSE to the filter, so it's just not possible. It's not going to happen. I promise. 
You're not convinced yet. That's ok.
  • It is more effective than the blue bulb syringe from the hospital. I'm not quite sure why, but it just gets good stuff. It's also oddly satisfying to see it come out don't look at me like that like you've never been satisfied by popping a zit or something shut up
  • Most important--babies tolerate it much, much better than they do the bulb syringe. I think this is because it doesn't go nearly as far up the nostril--you can't accidentally insert it too far, either--so they get all the payoff without the discomfort. Seriously, Mr C will lie reasonably still and let me use this but screams and turns away when he even sees the blue bulb in my hand. Worth it right there when you're really wrangling the snot monster, I'll tell you that. 
  • Tube part can go in the dishwasher so can get really clean whereas I'm never really sure about that bulb. Comes with many replacement filters. 
If you're still not convinced, fine. I'll continue giving them as baby shower gifts and converting people one by one. 


Safety 1st 360 Humidifier

Also from the sick baby category...I've had several humidifiers over the years, but this one is a success so far. Honestly, I just got the cheapest one that seemed adequate, since I always seem to end up throwing humidifiers out after cold season. I don't know if I'm just not good enough at cleaning them, or they really do get gross beyond repair, but...anyway. I wanted something that did the job but I didn't want to pay for extras. This is a great nursery/bedroom option if you're in the market. It's easy to fill (huge bonus) and lasts more than all night. Doesn't seem gross yet. I (and Mr. C) especially like the two nozzles so you can direct mist over a wider area. He likes when I turn it to mist him while he's on the changing table.

                                                   Innobaby EZ Grip Massaging Teether


Another winner from our Citrus Lane box (though it was a few months back, I think). We have the green one. You can't see them, but there are little beads in the center of the flower that rattle around. It's really soft and flexible, so I like that he's not going to bonk himself in the head with it. He just likes to chew on it. Not much more to be said...it's a hit. 

Little Chirpers Sorting Eggs



Fun stuff. These have a lot going on, much of which he can't really get down with yet: matching colors, putting the shapes in the correct places (each egg has a shape on the bottom that corresponds to its spot in the container), matching the facial expressions, and so on. There are also a surprising number of parts that spread across the floor when this is dumped over, so I've taken to only removing one or two and leaving the rest in the box for us to shake. BUT...he really likes them. He almost always has either a chickie or an eggshell in his hand or play area. He also likes to bang them together, and they're hilarious when they chirp. They're good for gnawing on and he just digs 'em.




Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!


From our little family to yours. We are thankful. xo

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Photo Stream Whatever

Two posts in one day?!? This is my gift to you if you're stuck at work (or in an airport) counting down the hours until the holiday.

I can post a pic of JT if I want to.

Sickies.

Vest! Just like daddy's

Playing in the steam room

Baby won't let you put him down? Put him in the carrier. It's like the early days. 

Amoxicillin is a raging success. 
Provided it is effective when absorbed through the skin.
And mommy's hair.

I don't want dinner, but I will take ALL your utensils.

Watching some snow.

9 Months


Well, we're actually closer to 10 months at this point, but the baby has been sick for at least the past 2-3 weeks. Getting photos (and time to write a post) has been a challenge to say the least. I'll do my best to remember what goes with which month. 

I also think this photo shoot is more aptly titled "I'm 9 Months Old...(And I Hate You, Mom)"



Things in the sleep department are pretty unchanged. Naps are much, much better than they used to be (1hr 15 min is pretty standard). There's a pretty predictable 2.5-3 hour window between naps, and it's a good rhythm for the day. Nighttime is still variable. I don't know if it's developmental or teething or what. It's not terrible--probably 1-2 wakeups per night--but it's certainly not perfect. I'm wondering if you'll do better as you start to take in more solid food, as your intake is still really unpredictable at this point.









Starting at 9 months, the goal is to get 3 food meals per day. This is sometimes manageable and sometimes difficult, particularly if we're trying to get out the door quickly in the morning. Sometimes you like food; sometimes you do not. Sometimes you like certain foods; other times you do not. You pretty reliably eat Cheerios and puffs. Of course, your favorite puffs are the non-organic sugar bomb ones I bought one time accidentally that are basically Lucky Charms marshmallows. You no longer eat the Super Green Apple + Kale ones, preferring to hold out for the "sweet potato" mallows. But...so it goes. There's basically zero nutrition in them, but they'll keep you busy.



Likes:

  • wooden spoon + spatula
  • dogs
  • tickles
  • anything dangerous to life-threatening: stairs, sockets, chokeables, dogs' water bowls
  • cups + containers


Dislikes:

  • the hairdryer (terrifying)
  • having his nose wiped or suctioned. Can't say that I blame him, but this has become a common pastime around here
  • being buckled in to the car seat


Milestones:

  • started school!
  • crawls on hands and knees
  • claps hands


Stats:

  • weight: about 19 lbs
  • unable to get accurate length measurement (...)
  • diapers: size 4
  • clothing: 9 month

Friday, November 22, 2013

Bad News/Bad News

Bad news: two teeth comin' through. Two big goofy top ones. 

Bad news: Everything. 

Please stand by. 

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Good News/Bad News

Bad news: Post-partum hair is weird (and yes, in this department I can still consider myself post-partum).

Good news: My sideburns are now long enough to flatiron!

When will my hair be normal again? Oh wait, let me guess--just in time to have another baby*.

At least pregnant hair is great.

*not yet; calm down, everybody

Beach Trip!

Things that go.

Pickles!

Happy early Thanksgiving. 
Blue Steel.







Pictures with all parties looking at camera: 0

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Outtakes: Christmas Card

Fortunately, Mr. C had his 9-month photo shoot scheduled last week, so I was able to pawn the baby photos off on to a professional.

The dogs, however, are another matter altogether. Some highlights lowlights:







Friday, November 15, 2013

Baby Genius

Mr. C's first masterpiece. 



We are unable to bring it home, as it will be on display in the Art Gallery at school. Can we make some money off this or something?

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Photo Stream Friday

 #FoxFriday

Belated #FoxFriday 
(from Halloween)

More playtime with Cliff...
different house; different basket...

Going to school!
SOOOO BIG!!

First day. Biggest boy. 

all tuckered out

I'm strong to the finish 'cause I eats my spinach

heyyyy

On the way home from the second day of school.
He has never fallen asleep in the big kid carseat before.

So...first, I put the spatula outside the play den.
Then I get it. 
Then I do that again for like 30 minutes, ok?
But you stay right here because if I CAN'T get it, I'm going to yell at you. 
Got it?