Happy Birthday, Blog!!

It has been exactly one year since I started my blogging adventure.  I can't believe how time has flown, how much I have learned, and how much my baby has grown and evolved.  It's amazing to look back on those blogs and see how tiny Rickybear was and see all the skills he has mastered since then.  I look forward to each upcoming holiday so I can compare how we celebrated last year and how much he has changed since then.

Thank you to all of the friends and family who have read the blog since the beginning.  It means a lot to have your support and read your comments.  With the new baby on the way, there is no end in sight to the posts.  I hope yall continue to read and share in this journey for the upcoming year.

Here is a link to the very post post that was written a year ago:

Hello, day!

I have a bunch of posts loaded with pics to be posted throughout the week.  We visited Boo at the Zoo, the Corn Maze, and Rickybear trick-or-treated for the first time.  I have all those pictures on a REAL camera (as opposed to my phone), so I will actually have to plug it up and upload them.  I hope to get some free time (HA!) very soon to do that.  I hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween!

Pregnancy Update- Week 33

So, it’s been awhile, but nothing too much has changed.  Thinking back, I think I feel better that I did at this point in my last pregnancy.  I remember the hip pain waking me up and causing me to cry in the middle of the night last time, but only some mild discomfort this time.  I am starting to swell a little bit, but my blood pressure is low and my weight is still lower than my starting weight.  Aside from the gestational diabetes and the cold I have now had for two weeks, I couldn’t have asked for a smoother pregnancy.

I still have my moments where I just want the baby OUT.  I have the fear that the heart will stop beating and I won’t know.  I haven’t really had to do kick counts because although the baby doesn’t move a lot during the day, it’s very active in the evening and at night. 

The countdown is on.  Tomorrow will be six weeks until the expected delivery date.  I have so much to do!  I haven’t packed a hospital bag.  I have to finish working on the guest room (take out the computer desk and finish putting together the toddler bed), put together to changing station, move Rickybear’s clothes to the dresser in the guest room, take the newborn clothes out of the attic and wash them, fill out my FMLA paperwork, sterilize my new breast pump and make sure all the parts are there and are working, buy some newborn diapers and formula, do a huge shopping trip and spend a few days making freezer meals for when the baby comes, and maybe hire someone to help me do one big house cleaning before the baby arrives.

I go to the doctor again on Tuesday for my 34 week checkup.  At that time we will schedule an ultrasound for around 36 weeks to see how big the baby is and get a game plan together.  I am not opposed to another induction, but I would like to avoid a C-section if at all possible.  I am also getting nervous about the actual delivery.  I am sad that Rickybear will be spending the night with his grandparents while we stay at the hospital- he has never spent the night away from me.  He will be just fine, but I need the assurance that I can care for him if he wakes up sick or scared and that I can watch him breath or sleep if I get anxious.

The baby is the size of a pineapple this week.  It should be about 4.25 pounds, but since the baby was measuring big last time we did a sonogram, I am sure it’s a little heavier than that.

43 days to go!

Curing Diaper Rash

The following post is pasted from LifeasMOM.  I find it very helpful.

Feel free to visit this great blog!

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Curing Diaper Rash

October 26, 2011

The following is written by LifeasMOM contributor, Lauren:

If you have a little one, it is almost inevitable that he will battle diaper rash at some point. Whether it is diaper rash as a side effect from medicine or from a reaction to certain diapers, it can be a tough problem to cure.
While there are many good diaper creams on the market, there are also some simple things you can do to make diaper rash less painful for your little one.

Ways to Combat Simple Diaper Rash

Skip the Disposable Wipes

While diaper wipes are ultra convenient, they are filled with chemicals. When using them on broken skin, the wipes can irritate the skin further and cause a reaction that looks like a burn – and feels like one too! Disposable Wipes seem to only make diaper rash worse because they don’t give the skin a chance to heal.

Use Warm Water and Gentle Soap

Instead of using disposable wipes on bums with diaper rash, simply use plain warm water on a clean washcloth. If you need to use soap, only use a small amount of gentle “baby” soap. The fewer soaps, detergents and chemicals on your baby’s skin during this time, the better.

Use a Barrier Cream

Choose a good barrier cream that has an ample amount of zinc oxide. Be faithful in using it every time a diaper is changed.

Change Your Baby Often

Babies should have their diapers changed often – every couple of hours at least. Even though most modern disposable diapers are made to hold 6-8 hours of urine doesn’t mean that they should. The more frequently a baby is changed, the quicker simple diaper rash will heal.

photo source

But what about the kind of diaper rash that doesn’t respond to diaper creams? Or using plain warm water at changing time?

Here are two great tricks we use to treat the more difficult type of diaper rash when it shows up at our house. You know the kind: the rash that comes when a baby is taking antibiotics or has loose stools during a stomach bug. It can be heartbreaking to change diapers when it hurts your little one so terribly!

Use Baking Soda

Baking soda is my go-to resource when battling a really bad case of diaper rash. Its healing properties haven’t failed me yet! Here’s my method:

Each time I change a diaper, I wash the baby’s bottom with a mixture of warm water and baking soda. I dissolve 2-3 heaping tablespoons of baking soda in about 3-4 cups of water and then dip my washcloth in the solution prior to washing the baby’s skin. Then I use another dry washcloth and lightly pat the skin dry before fastening the diaper. Don’t rub the skin dry, as you want the baking soda solution to stay on the skin to decrease acidity.

If I know that I’m going to need the baking soda solution all day, I make a batch in the morning and place it in an old wipes container and out of reach of my other littles. If you choose to make one
container for the day, make sure you use a clean, dry washcloth each time you use your solution to avoid contaminating it.

Also, at bath time I bathe the baby in a baking soda bath. I use about 1 full cup of baking soda in a bath tub of water. Pour the baking soda into the tub and dissolve while filling the tub with warm water. Again, make sure to pat the skin dry as to not rub off the baking soda.

Liberally use Lanolin

Mothers tend to think of lanolin in relation to the early days of breastfeeding. But it has so many other healing and soothing properties! It is an excellent skin barrier and can safely be used on broken skin where other creams cannot.

To use lanolin, squirt a small dime-size amount on the ends of your fingers and “work it” between your fingers a few moments. The heat of your skin will make it more pliable and easy to work with. After it becomes more elastic, simply dab it onto your baby’s skin. Put it on anywhere the baby’s skin needs protection. This is an especially good product to use at night time when your baby won’t be changed as
often.

When to See the Doctor

Some cases of diaper rash just can’t be treated at home. Occasionally they can progress into yeast or a secondary infection. If you have concerns about your baby’s diaper rash not healing or not responding to your treatment at home, go ahead and give your pediatrician a call.

Wordless Wednesday

Someone has mastered the art of head tilting...

A birthday party

After his haircut on Saturday, Ricky attended a birthday party for his friend, Natalie, who turned 4.  Her mommy was the Maid of Honor at my wedding and her daughter was the first infant that I ever held.  Talk about scary!  Some of the girls from work went to visit her while she labored at the hospital and then I came back after work to see the baby and was forced to hold her.  I just knew I would break her!  But, 4 years later she is still alive and well.  =)

Ricky really loved the ball pit once he figured out how to get into it.  Black mesh can be deceptive, you know.  He was trying to throw the balls back into the pit, but I guess he didn't realize that the mesh would stop them from going in, because they kept bouncing back at him and he just kept trying again.

They also had a jumpy thingy, which I had wanted to Ricky's next birthday party.  Once the other kiddos were out of it, I let him go at it.  He loved it.  I will def get one for his birthday party.  He would even throw himself down on purpose and just lay there and giggle.

He did really good being around so many people that he didn't know.  I was worried, but he showed no anxiety whatsoever, even though he is used to only spending time with us and his grandparents.

We also picked up Natalie's old toddler bed while we were there.  Talk about depressing- a haircut and a toddler bed on the same day!  Where is my little baby?!?!

I am overwhelmed every day by how awesome it is to be a mom.  Yes, it can be exhausting and less than perfect, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  Look at this face... how could I??

Wordless Wednesday

Rickybear's first official haircut!

  I am so glad we could schedule it so daddy could be there.  It worked in our favor that Bear was still sleepy from the car ride over, so he didn't get too fiesty until the end.  He looks like such a big boy now. 

I have a lot more pics taken later on in the day from a birthday party and also from the zoo on Sunday, so you will get a better picture of the finished product in the upcoming days.

Swinging your cares away

These are some pics from a trip Rickybear took to the park with his Nana last week.  You can tell they are from last week... because over the weekend he had his first real haircut!!

Sorry for the lack of updates, but this mommy has been super sick and laying in bed for the past two days.  I go to the OB today so hopefully she can check me out and tell me if I am almost over this or if I need some medicine.  I can't miss any more work!

Duck, duck, goose!

After work yesterday my mom offered to walk around a nearby hospital lake with me and Rickybear.  I agreed, but backed out when I was halfway there.  My feet hurt!  We stopped anyway so Ricky could play with the ducks and the geese... and so my mom could be chased by a big loud goose who tried to eat her.

How many times can I say he's a ham?

He giggled and giggled when they squawked at him.  When he started running towards the water, though, we had to pack it up and head back.

And what could be more fun than wearing mommy's sunglasses?

Wordless Wednesday

My parents were cleaning out the attic and discovered my childhood rocking chair that they had assumed had long been thrown away....

I didn't mention it last week, but hubby was out of town all last week on business.  He was supposed to be home on Thursday, but due to airline computer malfunctions, he was stuck in Atlanta overnight and finally made it home Friday, nearly 24 hours after he should have arrived.  But the bottom line is, I had solo baby duty all last week.  AND WE SURVIVED.  Daddy received nightly phone calls, which mainly consisted of daddy on speakerphone while Rickybear took off running with the phone.  We also got one Skype session in.

This weekend was spent relaxing as a family (and watching football).  I am glad it was hubby that was out of town and not me, because I would have been crying every day about being away from them for so long.  The one thing that has carried over from last week is the introduction of an earlier bed time.  While daddy was away, I had the baby in bed by nearly 8pm every night, as opposed to 9:30p.  I can't believe he went down without a fuss!  Over the weekend, he still went down early.  Last night, same deal.  Since daddy won't be working super late anymore, the baby has time to wind down before bed (since no matter how much I protest, the two of them go wild and crazy playing together when he gets home).  So I get some grown up time in the evening now and I even get to go to bed at a decent hour!

Now if I could just figure out a way to get the baby to bed without a toothbrush in his hand...

Ham it up!

This is his typical high chair pose- I love it!  He is such a ham nowadays and he loves to pose for pictures.

On another note... he slept 12 hours last night!  He fell asleep on the ride home from picking him up yesterday evening.  When I got home a little after 6p, he was trembling when I unstrapped him from his carseat, so I laid him down to finish his nap.  I never let him nap past 7p, but he was out cold when I went to get him up.  At 8p, he yelled at me, flopped over, and stuck his butt up in the air.  At 9p, I gave up.  I made a bottle and changed him while he was still half asleep, kissed his forehead, and laid him back down.  I missed playing with him, but he obviously needed his rest.  He woke up bright eyed and bushy-tailed a little after 6:15a.  He told me "hi" as soon as he got up, "light" when I turned on the lamp, and "ball" as he lunged for the big yoga ball when I was try to change his tush!  He brightens my day.

I really hope I get to see some more of him tonight!!

Pregnancy Update- Week 30

This week the baby is the size of a cabbage.

I had a checkup on Tuesday.  My BP was normal, weight was still good, and the baby’s heart rate was in the 130s.  My blood sugar charts looked good- I was only over 120 once during the entire week, so my OB was very pleased with that.  I go back in two weeks for another checkup.  It’s hard to save leave time at work when the latest appointment they have available is 2:45p.  I can’t even go back to work afterwards because lately it has taken over an hour for me to even be seen.  But my OB is awesome and I would never consider changing doctors over something like this.

I used to feel the majority of the kicks and rolls by my right hip, but they are now primarily up near my left rib cage.  Perhaps the baby has turned the appropriate direction??  Let’s hope so!  I feel the baby a lot between 7p and 10p.  And of course, it’s moving like crazy as I type this.  =)

I am still taking at least 3 walks a week with the baby.  I am drinking lots of water.  I take my vitamins religiously.  I think I eat a little too much fast food still, but my portions and choices are much better than they were before.  I think I am getting a healthy enough balance of food.

Oh!  I definitely waddle/limp now.  I have a constant dull pain in my right lower back when I am standing or walking.  I don’t know if it’s because of the position of the baby or just from my growing belly.  It’s manageable, but uncomfortable for sure.

10 weeks to go!!

Wordless Wednesday

Boogie loves his wagon rides... and pushing the panic button on mommy's keys.

Beautiful bear

This is a picture of daddy and his bear that was taken yesterday morning.  It was one of the rare occasions that mommy and daddy were both able to drop his off with his Maw Maw.  I just bought the little hat (and it came with mittens) over the weekend at Target.  It came in handy just in time for the cool weather.  I ended up going to Target 3x last week... lol!  But there was a sale on Enfagrow and 12pk soft drinks!!  I might want to buy another hat like this since he looks so cute in it and he actually didn't try to rip it off his head.

I had heard that babies have a word explosion at around 18 month, but this kid amazes me every day with new words.  Sometimes he is just parroting what we say, but sometimes he can bust up and say "red ball" and go pick it up.  It's astounding to me how much babies learn every single day.

I don't know if he is at the age where he will start to to pick a lovey that he will carry around until he's like 3 and it's so disgusting that you just wish you could toss it... but he definitely picks out his favorite toy or toys every morning that have to come with him for the day.  Today it was a musical giraffe and his blue blanket.  Once I come in to get him in the morning, he squeals and scrambles to get up all cute and groggy, trying to hold onto his toys and get into my arms at the same time.  Once we got to Maw Maws, I unpacked his formula and put his bag down just as we always do.  We have a morning routine and he likes to stick with it.  He didn't want to walk me to the front door to say goodbye today... he was just standing there in his Pooh sweatshirt and the hat from the picture above... giraffe in one hand and blanket in the other... and we just stood there looking at him because he looked like such a little man.  I wish I could be a skipper and stay at Maw Maw's all day and play.

I have my first two week appointment today at the OB's office.  I look SO BIG, but I still feel pretty good.  I still have 10 weeks to go.  I will let you know in this week's pregnancy update how the appointment goes.

Rocking with Nana

You can't see it, but he was in an LSU onesie and had on his football BabyLegs on.  He always has to be dressed and ready for the game.  Love that kid!

Loving the start of fall

Since daddy won't be home much next week due to work, we decdied to make it a family morning and go to breakfast and play at the park.  McDonald's is a great place to bring a kid, lol.  Rickybear has like a 15 minute window of attention when we are out at a restaurant, so it's great to go somewhere quick that we can all enjoy.  He loves pancakes!!

After that we headed to the park.  He hadn't been since we bought him the slide for the house.  He was a pro!  I think he remembered coming the last time because he seemed a lot more at ease and seemed to know just what to do.  It was nice and cool, but not too chilly.  Fall is my favorite season and I plan to get him outside as much as possible to enjoy the weather.  Maybe I can even convince daddy to take us on another wagon ride this evening. 

Here are some pics from our morning at the park:

Not at all scared of the slide this time

As long as daddy is there to catch him

And mommy is there to get him started

He ran all over the place!

And climbed everywhere

Giggles hysterically on the swing

Even daddy joined in on the fun