Mama What?

Has this happened to you?

Moments after strapping on your youngster's shoes, they tear the velcro open and kick them off only to run around the house screaming...

Well here's the thing ---> this happens to us frequently. Since Hunter has learned how to take off his shoes, even though he typically loves wearing them because he equates them with going to school, this has become a daily ritual. Mommy or Papa puts the shoes on, Hunter takes the shoes off. Repeat. Incessantly. 

So on one busy morning last week, I was too preoccupied to notice the difference in Hunter's behavior during his shoe-off routine. Travis put the shoes on and told me they wouldn't fit properly with his socks. Assuming Travis wasn't as skilled as I was at putting on his shoes (why this is my first inclination, I don't know but as a Mom I tend to think I have all the tricks and Papa doesn't) I suggested he allow Hunter to wear the shoes without socks b/c we were just going to 2 Dr appointments and coming home. 

While we were out, Hunter had a total breakdown. First, he wanted his shoes off and we scolded him b/c we were out and didn't want him barefoot in the medical facility. Then he started whining so Trav picked him up. Then when he asked for me, I couldn't hold him b/c of my C-Section (it was just 5 days afterwards) but I thought Hunter was under the impression that I couldn't hold him b/c I was holding Kingston so I chalked Hunter's crying fit up to jealousy. 

Hunter cried and begged and cried some more. Then we got home and I calmed him down. Then he went to school. Then we picked him up from school only to learn his teacher held him most of the day b/c he wasn't doing well there either. When we undressed him for his bath we noticed a HUGE blister on the back of his foot. 

UGH!!!!!

What horrible parents we are!! We didn't even THINK about that being an issue. He is growing out of his shoes! :( So after soothing him and checking it -- it turned out to just be a swollen spot on his foot, but a painful one nonetheless that he was trying to tell us about. 

I was in disbelief for about 3o minutes, with Hunter in my arms as I sat cautiously on the sofa. Disbelief that my Mommy Intuition failed me. Is it because I spent such little time with him in recent days since I've been nursing 24/7? Is the intuition something you lose if you don't practice it daily?

Disbelief that I actually assumed Hunter was jealous b/c Kingston was with mommy -- when in fact, Hunter's world doesn't revolve around me. He was just hurting and wanted his Mommy to fix it.

I've got to tell you the whole incident breaks my heart. And while it wasn't the most major thing that could've happened it definitely was an eye-opener for me and I thought I'd share it so you other parents out there might read the signs better for your own brood.

Needless to say, Hunter has been to a shoe-fitting since and we have learned he is a 5XW (extra wide, go figure!) so most baby shoes (even though he has about 10 pair) don't work. And here I am, corkscrewing his foot in the shoe like so many other moms before me told me to do.

This incident made me feel like SUCH an unaware, absent parent. I know that's not the case but...

If the shoe fits...

Mommy brain has replaced pregnesia in the worst way. 

First and foremost, our second son, Kingston Miles, was born on Wednesday, June 3rd. 

For all the deets:

9:18am

7 lbs 3.5 oz

19.5 in

C-sec

39 weeks "old"

We were out of the hospital by Friday with no complications on the baby's/mommy's side and everyone is healthy and happy to be home. 

Kingston is a doll. He's long and lean, fair and blonde. Where did he come from, you ask? Probably my mom's Norweigan side. Who knows?

He's super sweet and loves to eat and sleep - like all newborns. It's a nice change from the rambunctious, raucous 16-month old we have running around wreaking havoc in the house. 

I remember when Hunter was this age and I wondered what I was doing or what I could do to help the little guy sleep through the night. I read EVERY book out there. I changed his feeding schedule. I changed my diet since I was breast-feeding. I changed everything I could -- except my perspective. 

Now, having a second it's amazing how something like a sleepless night you just brush off and chalk it up to having a newborn. Now I know it's just a temporary phase and if I deal with it one night at a time it's a non-issue. Funny how important it was to me before to "figure things out"...I feel like a seasoned mom now. Taking things as they come and accepting them for what they are.

Travis has been really enjoying this time with Kingston. He didn't get a lot of "face-time" with Hunter at this age since he was working so much. 

Now he has a better understanding of how devoted and committed my days were to Hunter when he was a newborn. Especially when you are nursing...your whole world revolves around their schedule 24/7.

Uh-oh, someone's hungry. Case in point.

More to come later. :) 

I've had some major preoccupations to say the least so I am not feeling as guilty as I should about keeping my blog current.

It's a relief not having to *since this isn't a communal blog* and I've let it slip.

SO tonight I promise to write when K's asleep or nursing...I have so much to say.

Stay tuned...

I am THRILLED with the decision, though it's still too early to say that I s'pose.

I know he will get sick more frequently...he'll even pick up some new bad habits.

But the benefits outweigh the set-backs in this case -- at least in my opinion.

Hunter is being socialized with other children 6 hours per day. 

He gets 1 hour of outdoor play so even on hot days when his preggy Mommy can't stand to be outside, he is playing in the shade with other little tots.

He has an hour of craft-time every day in which he artistically expresses himself with paints and crayons and clay --- things we hadn't tried to use yet here at home.

He's learning his alphabet and other fun nursery rhymes. 

He sits at a table and eats his snack without being buckled into a highchair.

He's learning how to be more independent and coming home FILTHY dirty. :) 

On a mommy side-note, I get 6 straight un-interrupted hours of ME time daily. Woooohooooo! 

Granted I usually use that time for chores and organization and cooking but I can rest when I want to as well. I've laid out by the pool reading my Kindle. I've called long-distance friends and caught up. I've even *gasp* napped!!

I'm so happy we decided to go with the day care option. And to think, I was feeling guilty when other Moms told me it's best to keep your kids at home with you until Kindergarten! Not this Momma! :) 

However I've noticed a shift in Hunter's weight as well.

If you knew Hunter before we moved from West New York, then you knew he was the "Heavyweight" of the baby boys in the 'hood.

He was always in the 100th percentile for weight and was "solid" instead of being roly-poly.

Definitely line-backer material...

Since we've arrived in Orlando, he has gained 3 lbs!! We've only been here for 5 weeks or so.

I am not impressed...he's absolutely over-eating (thanks to being around the Grandparents 24/7 I'm sure) and now has broken the 28lb mark.

My word!!

When we left WNY I was able to pick him up easily, being just at 25lbs.

Now it's a struggle to get him out of his highchair or off the changing table without feeling like my back will go out.

It's crazy b/c he is so active now...running, dancing, walking, jumping off of things...I thought for sure he'd lose some of his baby weight. 

In his pics, you can't tell how chubby he's getting. And it's not that I mind it at all -- you know I love me some chubby babies! :)

Hopefully the fact that he's the largest kid in his daycare class starting next week doesn't create any issues. He towers over the other little boys and I don't want him to be a bully -- or be bullied -- as a result.

Updates to follow...

That's how I used to sing Happy Birthday when I was just a year older than Hunter. :)

And seriously, this 30th Birthday of mine last weekend was ALL about the cake. Or at least the desserts in general.

I had Apple Cobbler at my Surprise Party Friday night, Grand Marnier Souffle on our date night Birthday dinner on Saturday night, and two cakes for the Family Celebration on Sunday! 

I am STUFFED and showing it - big time.

I have 5 weeks to go before Hunter becomes a big brother and I can't imagine growing any larger than I am. I have BLOWN up. My entire body...my face is way chubby, and I'm feeling very "tree-trunky" in the legs and arms. My booty has grown exponentially and of course my tummy trumps them all. The only thing(s) that haven't grown are my "girls" (ahem!) -- of course.

I am looking forward to being able to see my knees again -- or at least my toes. And don't even get me started on anything higher up...

My friends all sent me Birthday wishes with the cutesy phrases like "Dirty 30", "Flirty, 30, and Fabulous", "Purdy 30", etc...and all I'm feeling is "Sturdy 30" because it would take a semi truck to move me these days. 

Ok so maybe I'm being hard on myself...it's just that I hardly pictured myself at 150lbs when I turned 30. Granted, I realize it's for a good cause. I am 30, married, with *almost* 2 sons...what more could I want? It seems to be I am in a perfect place at the perfect age...and I usually feel that way...until I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the window and wonder who the old heavy-set woman is looking at me. Gasp! That's me? I need some sleep! And eye cream! And cheek-liposuction!

I know I'm just being complain-y. I really shouldn't. But it's my party and I'll cry if I want to.