Thursday, October 20, 2011

Milo's first blog post


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Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Reality check

Lest you all think the life of the 40-Something First Timer is all sunshine and roses, I have to tell you that the past week has been pretty hard on my little family. Milo and I have had colds. Milo got a horrible, bleeding diaper rash. To top it off, he got his vaccinations and has had a fever. So, lots of tears, dirty diapers and lack of sleep.


Milo has been pretty clingy lately anyway but since he's been sick, I can barely put him down to go to the bathroom or write a short blog post. He naps, but only while I (or Daddy) hold him. I love him so much but I really need him to start feeling better soon.

It's really hard to type one handed. Plus, it breaks my heart to see him in pain.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

6 months old

Dear Milo,

Six months ago I only had an inkling of how amazing you'd be and how much fun you'd be. We've had our ups and downs but mostly ups. Which have made the downs totally worth it. This past month has been busy. You got another cold, and we're struggling with a bout of either really awful diaper rash or a yeast infection on your bottom. Good thing we see your doctor tomorrow.

This month you have decided you are quite independent -- when you want to be. You have started sitting by yourself. You are rolling all over the place. You even try to feed yourself.


On the other hand, you've also become quite clingy and don't want to let me out of your sight for very long. I'm flattered, but Mommy needs to shower once in a while and feed herself, Daddy and the dog sometimes. Still, your tight hugs and gummy smile make my day.


You recently discovered your feet and like to play with them. And you are trying out all kinds of new sounds. Earlier today you sounded like a baby Wookie.


You've figured out what the camera is for and have turned into quite a little ham. Which makes for some really cute pictures.


It's all very exciting, but sometimes I miss my little floppy baby. Sometimes I miss you being little at all. When Daddy weighed you last week you were up to 20 pounds. My doctor said her kids weren't 20 pounds at 1 year old! You need to slow down a little on the growing. We're having a hard time keeping you in clothes that fit.

We're gearing up for your first Halloween, followed quickly by your first Thanksgiving and your first Christmas. It's going to be exciting, but not just because of the impending holidays,  also because of all the changes we'll see in you. I expect a tooth to pop up anytime now. And I just know you'll be crawling or walking before I know it.

Daddy and I are such proud parents. We love taking you places because everyone tells us how cute you are. It's hard to just say, "Thank you," instead of what we really want to say: "I know, right?"

There are days where I feel at a loss to tell you how much you mean to me. It's beyond words. I love you so much and I love how much you love me.


I'm looking forward to the second half of your first year. I know it's going to be just as much fun as the first half.

Love,

Mommy

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Boogie down

Of all the icky baby body fluids, snot and boogers are by far -- in my opinion -- the worst. Yes, they are worse than poo, pee and spit up. I'm not sure what it is about snot, but it gives me the willies like nothing else. I hate using that snot sucker bulb to clear Milo's nose, but I know it's a necessary evil.

When Milo had his first cold a while back, my good friend Lisa over at Grandma's Briefs gave us some samples of Boogie Wipes (along with a coupon). We didn't end up using many during that first cold, but Milo has the sniffles again, and -- because we don't live in the world of The Brady Bunch, where doctors make house calls to little kids with the sniffles -- I whipped out the snot sucker and the Boogie Wipes.

Milo is too young to get how to blow his nose, thus the snot sucker. But with sneezes, he ends up with boogies on and around his nose, and Boogies Wipes -- Gentle Saline Wipes for Stuffy Noses -- are great for wiping dried up snot and boogies. They are also great for catching snot the sucker pulls out (yuck!).

I had been using regular tissues to wipe his nose, but as someone who has suffered colds and allergies, I know that even the softest, most lotioned-up tissues out there can still leave you with a sore raw nose. The thought of Milo's cute little button nose all red and raw made me cringe.

Gotta keep that cute little nose clean and comfy.

I don't have that worry with the Boogie Wipes. They have saline (just like the spray pediatricians recommend) to soothe. Milo still doesn't like his nose sucked out or wiped, but the Boogie Wipes definitely help ease the process.

If you are interested in getting some Boogie Wipes for yourself, head over to Grandma's Back Room at Grandma's Briefs by Saturday, Oct. 15 and leave a message for a chance to win.

I plan to invest in the 90-count economy size and may even check out the adult version (Saline Soothers) before the true cold season sets in.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

"I can feed myself, Mommy"

Hmmm, what do we have here? Applesauce. Can I eat it with my hand?

Ah. This is much easier.

Delicious!


Saturday, October 1, 2011

Mommy makes applesauce

Now that Milo is eating some solids -- including applesauce -- I decided to try my hand at making some of his food.

I started out with some medium-sized Gala apples,


peeled, cored and sliced.


I put them in a large pot with just enough water to cover them.


I boiled them until tender, then scooped them into the food processor.


I pureed the apples with some of the cooking water until I got the consistency I wanted. From there, the sauce went into a freezer tray,


And got taste tested.


It passed with flying colors.