Happy Half-Birthday!

Today my Sammy is six months old.


Everything goes in his mouth.  EVERYTHING.  If I really want to make him happy, I left him tangle his fingers in my hair and pull my nose into his mouth.  But I rarely make it all the way because OW!




He's a serious kid.  Strangers can easily coax a smile out when we pass in stores.  But most of the time he is quietly looking about, absorbing everything. 


He still has that tuft of dark hair in the back.  I'm surprised he still has as much hair as he does.  Maybe it won't all rub off like his brother's did.




He's so curious about food.  He likes everything I've given so far except one - sweet potatoes.  But bananas, apples, oatmeal, rice cereal, celery, carrots, those were all happily eaten.  I got the go ahead today from his doc to give him mashed up anything (except honey). 


Oh my gosh, his goober grin kills me.


That old man jowl!


Obviously he's sitting like a champ.  Well, he falls often enough that a pillow or person needs to be close by.  But he loves sitting and playing.  Tummy time still sucks.  Maybe he will skip crawling and just scoot around from sitting position. 


His growth measurements are still absurd.  He wears size 9 - 18 month depending on the brand.  He weighed 19 pounds 8 ounces on their scale (20.2 pounds on mine last week).  He is 29 inches long.  According to their charts that makes him 85% weight and way off the chart for height. 


For fun I exported my growth charts on my iphone. 

All that does is confirm that yes, yes I have big boys, and Sam has a slight edge so far.  Hoo boy, no wonder my back is broke.

But that's more boy for me to love!

Adjustment was the solution

I've had a history of back problems.  No one has ever recommended chiropractic care.  Usually my problems resolve in a week or less.  This injury was the worst.  I felt like I was in labor.  I had to deep breathe to get up out of bed, shuffle to Sam's room, and groan into the rocking chair.  I used heating pads continuously, a TENS unit, Motrin and Tylenol, then Aleve and Tylenol as needed. 

After two weeks I was still in crazy pain.  For the last five days I didn't see any improvement.  I lived with 4/10 pain constantly, going up to 8/10 with effort (lifting car seat, sitting down while holding Sam, bending to pick up toys, sitting on hard chairs, basically what I do all day every day).  A mom at playgroup saw my TENS unit and mentioned her husband was a chiropractor.  Huh.  I didn't even think to try that.  After some online research I found a guy in Denver with great reviews and transparent prices.  (I felt weird going to see a guy in my bishopric for health concerns, but maybe I will switch now that I know what it's like). 

I couldn't wait for an appointment that would work with a babysitter/Ben, so I schlepped the kids along Monday afternoon.  The doctor interviewed me about the pain, assessed my posture and flexibility, and then suggested a basic treatment plan.  He thinks it could be disc related, but doesn't recommend imaging until this happens again.  I did a 10 minute heat and electrical therapy set, then massage with a giant jack hammer tool.  I kid you not, it was enormous.  But it worked because I could feel my muscles loosen up.  Then he did the classic adjustments, cracking up my spine, twisty on both sides, then again lying on my back.  I was a little sore but no big change. 

But the next morning I noticed I was MUCH better.  I even skipped my pain meds because I was sick of taking them.  All day I paid attention to my pain.  It was about a 2/10 all day, bumping up to a 4 with aggravation. 

Today?  Even better.  There are times I don't even notice my back.  I can pick up Sam in his car seat with almost the normal amount of strain.  My muscles are a little sore, like after a bad sleep position or a long workout.  But hardly any actual "pain" today.  I'm thrilled! 

I have another appointment on Friday and I'm very much looking forward to it.  I was so wary of chiropractors in the past.  I'm totally converted.  There are scammy ones out there.  I read some ways to be sure you are seeing a decent practitioner.  But I think it's another tool you can use, like massage, to take care of your body.  Maybe one of my readers is saying, "Duh.  I've been seeing a guy for years."  In that case, shame on you for not telling me to go sooner!  I wish I had gotten treatment immediately.  When this inevitably happens again, I know I'll be seeking help right away. 

Hopeless

We need Grandpa Rick out here to teach Jack some sports skills.  Ben and I are obviously failing in this regard.






To be fair, he hits the ball with a bat >50% of the time.  So hope is not all lost. 

Also we quizzed him on up/downstage, stage left/right, echappe, passe, coupe, and saute, and he remembered all of his ballet.  He excels at what we give him, and that ain't sports.

Sunday selfie

Come on! Again!

The boys are STILL sick. Remember how last time I mentioned it, Jack was recovering from a cold in January?  But then he got a runny nose and the lingering cough worsened?  So I declared it a second cold at the end of February.

That was a couple weeks ago.  His cough died down enough to where I took the humidifier out of his room (I was tired of maintaining it).  He protested and claimed to still be sick.  I pooh poohed him and thrust him out the door to our play date at the park this morning.  When he fell asleep on the 10 minute drive home, snacks uneaten in his lap, I finally believed him.  He barely woke up enough to walk to the couch.  His temp was elevated at 99.4.  So that makes THREE overlapping colds?  For real?? (In Gob voice) Come on!!

Sam, meanwhile, has a worsening cough and stuffy nose.  Unfortunately I have had to wake him up from a few naps this week to get to outings relatively on time.  Poor guy seems tired all the time now.  Last night he had a terrible coughing fit at midnight and wouldn't settle until I nursed him.  Then coughing and soothing again at 3, feeding at 5:30, then blessedly slept until 8.

Is it bad that I'm thrilled both of the sick boys are asleep right now - granting me time to eat a hot lunch and catch up on some work?  Do moms ever NOT feel guilty?

Toes are yummy.

Sometimes I get déjà vu. Can you tell them apart?

Jack 2010

 Sam 2014

Jack's imagination

First, Jack has been on a serious superhero kick.  Heavy emphasis on Spiderman.

He already liked the Avengers in toys and TV.  Then he got really into the Lego Marvel video game.  Then it became everything Spiderman.  Soap, undies, shirts, toys, he can't get enough.

But what I love most is that he has started to make up his own superheroes.  Here's his current team:

Ringer Leader

Star Swiper

Pants Whipper (pictured)

Ninja Bubs

Dragon Ball (a bad guy)

He has described costumes, attack style, and upgrades for each.






Second, Jack had his last drama class today.  Family and friends got to attend to see what they have been up to.  It was cute, exactly what I expected for their age.  He had so much fun in this class.

Blowing up their acting-space balloons:



After they caught and swallowed their big-acting-voices, they each got to introduce themselves on the mic (you talk into it, but you cannot kiss it, Jack informed me).



Reviewing the story they will be acting out:


Getting into costumes:



Enjoying the show:




Bows:

Back spasm

Friday after my birthday I woke up to my usual routine.  I fed Sam and then exercised in my room.  As I bent to pick up his pacifier my lower back had a spasm.  This has happened before.  I can remember four other times since I originally injured my lower back in a dance performance in high school.  Last time it spasmed was October, but it only lasted about a day.  This time I'm quite incapacitated. 

Lucky for me, Ben works at home on Fridays.  I had my phone with me and texted him to come upstairs because I couldn't pick up Sam.  He half worked, half took care of the kids for the day.  The weekend had lots of fun plans that I had to cancel.  Monday he went back to work and I was well enough to carry Sam for short distances.  Heat pads, NSAIDs, and a tens unit have been my friends this week. 

Jack has another cold (runny nose, hacking cough) and Sam is teething ferociously.  We three make a sad scene this week. 

Today we are feeling a bit better.  Jack is in good spirits.  Sam seems content.  My back is improved.  Mornings are the worst for pain and I was able to send Ben to work at a normal time today, rather than keep him around to do all the lifting. 

I'm glad I'm done with dance rehearsals.  Saturday is the big double dress rehearsal day.  If I continue on this course I should be able to go as planned.  I don't have to dance or demonstrate, but I need to be able to handle Sam for a full day in an uncomfortable high school auditorium.  Then on Sunday we are hosting an Oscars party.  I have a long to do list for that, so I had better get started slowly soon.

Samagram: teething

Today is my birthday!

Happy birthday to me!




Last weekend my parents and brother and sister in law came to visit, and we partially celebrated then.  It was fun and I was mucho spoiled with presents this year, especially from my husband.  Ben also took today off work - which I think is the best way to celebrate a birthday.  That way I had a low stress day with my family.  Everything I asked for was greeted with a "yes," from bacon and eggs for breakfast, to rearranging my living room.

Now please enjoy this video of Sam splashing in his bath.  It has nothing to do with my birthday, except that he got a bath tonight.

Sam can sit

Well, look who just decided he wanted to be able to sit now.


Just like that.  

Happy Valentines day!

Sam is Five Months Old!

Sam is getting into the fun stage of babyhood.  He is happier more of the time and so curious about the world.  Last month he started solid foods, cut a tooth, and slept 11 hours straight for one night.

His sleep is generally good, but not consistent.  I put him down anytime between 7 and 9 pm dependent on previous nap times, dependent on the day's activities for me and Jack.  He gets up usually once per night, between 4 and 6 am.  Sometimes he wakes up two times, starting as early as 2 am.  I can usually get him to settle back in bed until 7 am.  He doesn't always go back to sleep, but he coos and plays by himself if he wrestles out of his swaddle.

He discovered his toes last month.  He loves to hold them when his legs are bare.

He is learning to sit up.  He can do it, but not for more than a couple seconds.

He is a super cuddlebug.  I love it!  He would love to be held all day.  After burping him he rests his head on my shoulder and coos and chews his fingers. 

He loves fabric toys, his pacifiers, and his rattle.  But best of all is watching his brother.

Knit pants

I finished these adorable pants for Sam.





 I wish I had a pair!

Bonus update

Sam cut his first tooth!  He was going to town on my thumb, drool oozing everywhere, gumming it thoroughly.  After awhile it occurred to me that he had a little, sharp nubbin he was working on.  Poor guy!  That explains why he woke up screaming twice today.  I gave him some tylenol when he was too tuckered out to chew on my finger or the squishy teether I dug out of storage.  He bit me twice during his bedtime feeding.  I'm not thrilled about that.  Even so, yay Sam!  Growing up so fast.

To save you the trouble of searching my archives, I'll make the comparison.  Jack was born in May and got his first tooth in the first week of January.  Sam was born in September and got his first tooth in the first week of February.  I'm constantly amazed at how similar and how different these two can be!

Little updates

Just a quick note to say what's going on in our lives.

• Jack is registered for preschool in the fall.  He will go 4 days a week in the morning for 2.5 hours.  Oh, what am I going to do with that time?  It will be lovely.  If they had openings I would have started him now.  He is SO ready for school.  I had to drag him out of there both days we went for registration.
• Jack is also sick again.  A mild cold with cough and runny nose.  Poor kid.  I think we made it three weeks without illness?  Four perhaps?  Not bad.  
• I'm listening to far too much Pitbull for a white girl in the white snow wearing a white cardigan.  Time to get back to zumba.  I need to find a new evening class or wait until Sam is old enough for the gym daycare (6 months).  
• Rehearsals for Spamalot are going great.  The boys are super excited for their Lancelot dance.  I even heard them wondering if they could give the track to the winter formal dance DJ.  I have just one more number to create and teach.  It's the biggie: The Knights of the Round Table.  A long dance sequence and perhaps the best known song from the original movie.

A Fresh Start

January meant the start of a serious health turnabout.  For various reasons (postpartum recovery, never-ending family sickness, and holidays) I put off losing the baby weight until the new year.  I have a lot of work to do.  Not only did I start the pregnancy 10 pounds heavier than my first one, I was 25 pounds heavier at Sam's birth than I was at Jack's.  So, yeah.  Need to lose the weight.

I'm doing it!  I lost 15 pounds last month.  I have 12 pounds to go to meet my goal.  (My goal is reasonable, and hopefully I can reach it and then lose more.)  I expect it will take a lot longer to lose that last 12.  There was a lot of holiday bloat and pregnancy fluff that comes off fast.

My method is simple:
Eat whole foods.  No processed.  Exercise every day.

Ok, I have more rules than that.  But in general, I wanted to make an easy plan that I can follow long term.  I've counted calories and carbs.  It works for a while.  Then I burn out and fall off the wagon.  I also feel restricted and crave junk, often searching for fancy products that meet my limitations in weird ways (Atkins products, for example).

My eating rules:
I can eat as many whole fruits and vegetables I want.
No processed foods.
No refined flour or sugar.
No soda, even diet.
If I eat starches they need to be whole grains (whole wheat, oats, quinoa, etc)
Stevia and xylitol are allowed.
I can eat two chocolate servings a day.
Weekends are rule relaxed. 

In practice what this means is I make most meals from scratch and I can eat as much as I want so long as I follow the rules.  Potatoes in a slow cooker roast are fine.  Cocoa, banana, greek yogurt smoothies with stevia are good.  Steel cut oats for breakfast with cinnamon and maple syrup, or eggs and fruit:

We can eat out, but the restaurant needs to be fairly wholesome.  ModMarket Fresh, Panera Bread, Subway, Boston Market, Jimmy Johns, Chipotle.  These are places where you can look up all the ingredients and judge whether they use too many processed foods, too much salt, and other junk.  It's nice to have this option on the weekend, so I don't feel like I'm starving myself indefinitely.

I also let myself have a diet soda, preferably caffeine free, on the weekend.  I have a serious diet coke addiction.  It's something I really enjoy and I was probably drinking 2-4 cans/fountain refills daily.  I went cold turkey for three weeks and now have a couple on Saturdays.  Much better.

I also don't eat the chocolate I'm allowed.  But sometimes I do, and I eat more than I should.  Tonight I made pumpkin oat cookies (low sugar, dark chocolate chunks, no fat) and I ate more than I should have.  But I try not to let it ruin the day.  There's no calorie count, so I don't feel like I failed my record and I need to make it up the next day.  Flexible and low tracking effort - that was my goal and it seems to be working.  The weekend cheat days sort of reinvigorate me to start afresh each Monday, sticking to the plan better. 

I exercise every day but Sunday.  At least 5 minutes, and I aim for 10-30.  I do this right after Sam wakes up and I feed him.  This is how I get it done:



He's gotten better at using his saucer.  At first he didn't like to hold himself up in it and he felt alone.  Now he turns himself and plays with all the toys for the whole time I work-out.  I do sit-ups, squats, lunges, planks, etc in my bedroom.  Or I run on the elliptical that Amanda loaned me.  Or if I have musical rehearsal, that counts for my daily exercise.  I always spend a good amount of time stretching too.  I also have very active boys.  I rarely spend time sitting at home except during nap.  I'm constantly going up and down the stairs, picking up after them, cleaning, cooking, and squatting and lifting Sam.  All of that, plus breastfeeding, is burning off more calories too.

I hope in a couple months I can report that I'm closer to my goal and still living the healthy, active life!

Update: forgot to mention one of my motivators.  For every 5 pounds I lose, verified by three consecutive days of weighing, I get to buy new clothes!  My wardrobe is horribly out of date, too young for me, slubby, and almost nothing fits.  So this is a great reward for myself.

Gentle breezes

Ben discovers that Sam is a delicate flower, who reacts to puffs of air with gasps in glee.

Matching Brothers

Look at my adorable boys in matching sweaters!

Lest you be deceived, this is what it took to get that photo:








There are more outtakes in my flickr stream if you want to see how complicated taking their picture can be.