Johnny Appleseed

I've been meaning to write this for over a month and half now. Back in June, Matt and I were talking about tattoo's that we wanted to get for Cael. I want to get a very simple tattoo of Cael's name in a nice script on my left wrist. I also wanted to get something to signify Johnny Appleseed's memory. So I thought of maybe getting an appleseed at the end of the "L" in Cael's name. I didn't know what Matt would think of that, and I actually thought that he'd put the idea down, saying "Why would you want to do that for". So I put off telling him my idea for a while. Well, apparently, I don't know my husband very well. I wanted to tell him my idea, so I prefaced the conversation, saying "Please don't tease me, or make fun of this idea." {Please don't interpret this the wrong way. Matt never makes fun of me really. He's just not a sentimental guy, and doesn't get attached to things very easily.}

So I told him my idea, and I was pleasantly surprised when he told me he thought it was a great idea. He said, "Why would I make fun of you for that?" He knows how much that pregnancy and miscarriage affected me, and he knows how I am, so he said it would be great. I was so happy. He said he was also thinking of doing something similar in his tattoo for Cael, which really shocked me. I know he was affected by the miscarriage, but he's hard to read in situations like that. I know he was trying to remain strong for me, but at the same time, he doesn't get attached to anything. So, although he was upset with the miscarriage, he knew I was more upset.

Our conversation after the tattoos took another shocking turn. Matt came out and admitted to me that, if our second pregnancy (Cael) ended in a miscarriage, he wouldn't want us to try again for a long time. I didn't understand why. At the same time, I don't know how I would have felt if it did end in miscarriage, but I didn't really think Matt thought too much about it. I guess I was wrong. I asked him why, and he explained. He told me that even though he was upset about losing the pregnancy, he saw how much the first miscarriage affected me, that if we had to go through it a second time, he would want to take a long break at trying so that I could heal. He cared so much about me, and saw how detrimental it was to me, that he didn't want us to go through it again. I was stunned, and as funny as it sounds, it made me love him even more than I did before. Matt doesn't often show his "emotional" side, so when he does, it allows me to look deeper into his soul, and fall in love with parts of him that I don't normally see. Corny, I know. But it's the truth.

51 Weeks Old!!

51 weeks!! Almost 1!!!

Yes, I'm still counting weeks. I had someone comment on a picture on Facebook that they were surprised I'm still counting. I plan to stop counting weeks when Cael turns one. I'll still take tons of pictures, but probably won't share every single one, especially on Facebook. I really wanted his first year well documented, and I think I did a pretty good job of that.

Cael started doing a bunch of new things this week. Some big things too. First off, he has MASTERED climbing on top of things. Like, he can now get onto the couch by climbing on top of his walker, and then crawling across and onto the couch. I can't believe it. It only took him a day to master. This boy is going to give me a heart attack. I can't turn my back for a second, or he's on top of his toy table or his walker. It's only a matter of time before he figures out how to get up onto the couch from the ground.

Another thing he's doing, is pointing a lot more. And it also sounds like he's trying to say "that". So he'll point at something with his index finger, and try to say "that". It also seems like he's starting to understand what I'm saying more. I'll say something to him, and he'll look at me while I'm talking, and then babble something back at me, like he's trying to tell me something. It's just amazing to see the process of how he's starting to understand.

Finally, he's starting to walk a great deal more. Now that he's starting to get more comfortable, he is choosing to walk more, instead of drop to the ground to crawl. He's walked across the living room several times by now, and if he's only a few feet from something he wants, he'll walk to it. It won't be too long before he's walking everywhere.

Walking!

From walker to couch

Uh-oh, I was caught!

Mommy tried to spike my hair

Peek-a-boo!!

Why, Hello There Old *Friend*

Yup. It's finally happened. Last night, exactly 2 weeks before Cael turns 1, I got my first postpartum period. I had some brown spotting Monday night, after having sex, but thought it was just from a small tear or something. Then last night, after having sex again, it was a lot more, and red. This happened last time with my granuloma, but that's long gone now. I thought, "could it be??". Well, it is. This morning when I woke up and went to the bathroom, the blood was dripping out. I had some minor cramping last night too, so I know is't "her". So far it isn't that bad, but I have heard that the 1st postpartum period can be bad, with heavy bleeding and cramping. I always had that anyway, so we shall see. Maybe, since it's been almost a year since Cael was born (and December 2010 was my last period!!), it won't be too bad. Since I also want to see if my cycles will become more normal, I started using Fertility Friend again. We're not going to be trying for another baby, but I've also thought about taking my BBT in the mornings again. Just for a few cycles, and just to see when ovulation occurs. Hopefully going through pregnancy and delivery will have some positive effect on my cycles and periods.

50 Weeks Old (And Camping!!)

50 weeks already!!

As I wrote previously, Cael and I spent the last week camping upstate NY with my family. It was a lot of fun, because we also went to the Delaware County Fair several days. I love fairs, and in addition to the DCF upstate, there are also 2 more fairs coming up that we're going to. I can't wait! The (fried) food is amazing, and I definitely ate too much. I probably gained a few pounds just over those few days :-/ .

So we got home on Friday evening around 5:30, and relaxed a little. Matt missed us so much - as did we him - so it was so nice to see him and get a hug from him. Then yesterday, we had a huge family party to go to. It was for most of the people on my mother-in-law's side. There were about 50 or so people there, some coming from Long Island and Canada! It was a great party, and a lot of people who previously hadn't met Cael, got to. Some of them last saw him when he was only about 6 weeks old at my brother-in-law's wedding last October. A lot has changed since then! It was a long day for Cael, and we didn't get home until about 9:30 pm. But then he slept until 6:15 am this morning, which was nice.

Cael accomplished a big milestone today. At least, I think it's a big milestone. He walked across the living room floor!! And the best part? Matt got to witness it for himself, all by himself. I was out food shopping, since we needed it because I was gone all week (Matt go food shopping? Yea, ok!). I was on my way out of the parking lot when he texted me that he walked across the living room. I did have a pang of jealousy that I didn't get to see it, but it only lasted for a second. I've been fortunate enough to be home with Cael for the last (almost) year, so I've been able to see all his firsts. So I quickly turned excited that Matt saw it. And he was so excited in the text message. And of course, he didn't do it again today, but I'm sure he'll show off his new skills soon.

And now, a photo dump from this past week.

Cael petting the sheep at the fair

At the fair. I couldn't resist taking this picture!

Waiting for the baby show to start

On stage at the baby show.

Cael won "shyest"

Playing in the mud

Cael's and Mommy's water shoes drying by the fire

Up early in the morning, and trying to escape from the camper bedroom

Cael's foot prints

He actually fell asleep outside, with ruckus going on all around 

First balloon from the fair

49 weeks old!!

Today, Cael and I went upstate to go camping with my family. The big fair is going on this week where my mom is camping, and since I couldn't go last year because of being on bed rest and so close to my due date, I really wanted to go this year. And I was even more excited to bring Cael to his first fair. Since the fair is going on all week, we'll probably be staying until either Thursday or Friday. So, there's 52 weeks in a year, right? But based on logistics, most times, there's a little over 52 weeks that make up the year. For Cael, he turns 1 when he is 52 weeks and 2 days old. That means, he is only 3 weeks and 2 days away from turning 1. Yes, I'm crazy. But we all knew that already :). 

I can't believe that in under a month, I'm going to have a 1 year old! When did that happen?? I feel like it was only last week that I delivered him. It's insane how fast time flies. Most baby books, websites, and people consider 1 year olds "toddlers". I, however, being the crazy person that I am, refuse to do so. I will be considering Cael an "infant" until he is either 2, or until I become comfortable with the idea. Besides, that's how baby clothes run, anyway. I just can't accept the idea that my Little Man is growing up. I feel like he'll be heading off to college next week.

Making a mess of a tupperware cabinet!

Speaking of turning 1, I really need to get the ball going on Cael's parties. I have all the supplies, but when it comes to food, I need to figure that all out. We'll be getting the cakes from stores, and I think we decided on getting long hero's as well. For the PA party, I have friends and family making baked ziti, macaroni salad, chicken and seafood salad, which helps a TON! We don't have a lot of money to fully cater the parties, so I'm extremely thankful for their help. With everyone helping, we will definitely have enough food. I just have to order the hero and cake when I get home. 

Cael goes for his 1 year well-visit on the 10th. I think he'll only be getting 2 shots, and possible a finger prick to check his iron levels. I was anxious to see what he weighed and couldn't wait, so I put him on a scale (in just a diaper) and weighed him last week. He weighed 20 pounds even! My little peanut. My guess is that he'll weigh 20 pounds 5 ounces by his appointment (in just a diaper). I really want to know how long he is, and what his head circumference is. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the last time his head circumference was checked was either 2 or 4 months. I was surprised they didn't check it at his 6 month and 9 month appointments, but I guess all doctors are different. Although, I thought measuring the head was standard procedure, to make sure everything in the head seems normal. Oh well. 

Snuggles for Mommy

Even though he can take several steps in a row on his own, he still prefers crawling. Which is fine by me. I guess he figures he can get to where he wants much faster by crawling. But I'm sure he will be walking in no time. He's getting braver, and more confident in himself, and is taking more steps on his own.

Another thing he is starting to do, is wanting to feed himself with the spoon. He'll reach for the spoon, scream "ahhh!", and then I'll hand him the spoon. He'll then guide it into his mouth, take the food off the spoon, and then hand it back to me for more. Wash, rinse and repeat. It really is so cute, and fascinating to see his understanding of spoon feeding begin.

My Little Man is growing up so fast..

He loves this rocking cow. Great find at a consignment store!

My favorite picture

What a silly man!! Two binks!?

Weaning

With Cael possibly starting to drink whole cow's milk (wcm) in about a month, I've been thinking about the weaning process of breastfeeding. Of course, as I've probably stated before, I would like to breastfeed for 18 months. And I'm fully aware that after a year old, breast milk isn't a sole source of nutrition anymore, so therefore, the baby won't be nursing every 2-3 hours. I've heard that around 18 months, they may nurse maybe 2-3 times during the day, and I'm fine with that (obviously). Up until maybe a few weeks ago (and I hadn't noticed until now, really), Cael was still nursing every 2-3 hours during the day. Slowly, he's been going longer between nursing sessions, probably because he's eating more solids during the day. Currently, he's nursing maybe every 4-5 hours during the day. Therefore, he has dropped a nursing session. This may be the start of the weaning process. And surprisingly, I'm ok with that. That is, as long as he's not fully weaned before 18 months. However, I also think that the decrease in nursing may bring on my first period. I know when nursing lessens, it can make your period come.

In other breast news, thanks to Cael, I have some sort of breast pain/issue/infection going on. He bit my left nipple about a week ago. Initially, besides the pain, nothing was really wrong. He didn't break the skin or anything, and after the shock of the bite wore off, the pain went away. However, a few days after "the bite", I started getting sore. It would only hurt when he latched on, and then it started hurting during the latch, and during the nursing session. And then 2 days ago, my nipple would throb even when I wasn't nursing. I noticed there was a tiny break in the skin that was oozing some pus and bleeding. I called the doctor yesterday, and they said to call today to get an immediate appointment, but I didn't. I think it's starting to feel a little better. I'm just nursing through the pain. I'll take a wait and see approach, and hope that it doesn't develop into an abscess.

48 Weeks Old

Not going to do a big post, since yesterday was his 11 month old post. But I still wanted to share a couple of pictures from today.  Oh yea, and we're officially screwed. Cael decided to climb on top of his table toy, in an attempt to get to the sugar glider cage. Oi veh!

48 weeks old!!

Uh-oh!

11 Months Old!

11 months old already!

He was not happy with me

This week has been full of firsts for Cael. It's been an exciting week, that's for sure. Here's a list.

• Cael went to his first carnival, and rode the carousel.
• He started waving.
• He started sharing.
• He drank from a straw.
• He starting giving high-fives.

So much in such a short period of time!

Earlier in the week is when he started sharing. It started by him trying to give me a Cheerio or Kix that was on his tray. Then he would try to give me his bink, and put it in my mouth. Now, he'll try to give you anything. It's so sweet to see. We're also saying "please" and "thank you" anytime we can, so that he understands it's the right thing to say. 

I'm not sure what started him with waving. It could have been me constantly waving at him earlier in the week, and taking him arm and waving it, repeating "Hi, hi; wave hello". Who knows, but it worked! And now he'll start waving if you wave to him, or say "wave hi". Yet another cute thing that I love watching him do.

First time on a carousel!

Speaking of waving, it's pretty much all Cael did on the carousel this week. He LOVED the carousel. The local carnival is in town for a week, and we went Wednesday and Thursday night. There really wasn't anything there for Cael to ride on, except the carousel. It looked like it was going around faster than I remember when I was younger, but I figured I would give it a shot with Cael. He would either love it, or hate it, but knowing my son, I figured he would love it. He's such a boy, and loves things that move around, or being swung around. Technically, it cost $3 for Cael to ride the carousel ($1/ticket, 3 tickets to ride). I can't believe how expensive carnivals are! Makes me feel bad when I was younger, and how bad we nagged to ride the rides. Anyway, fortunately, parents ride free. I bought 6 tickets not knowing this, so Cael got to ride it twice. He really enjoyed it! He even held onto the pole, like you're supposed to. We went again Thursday night with Matt and some other friends, and when I brought him on that time, he waved pretty much the entire ride. Matt even commented after we got off that he's never seen him wave so much. I wish we got a video. 

Waving!

Drinking through a straw!

A week and half ago, I bought one of those pureed baby food pouches, just to give it a try. I figured if Cael could figure out how to eat from it, then it could be an easy meal while we're out. Well, the first time I gave it to him, he quickly figured out how to hold the pouch, and suck the puree out. I  squeezed the food into his mouth a few times so that he knew something yummy was in it, and then after that, he got the hang of it. Since then, I've bought more pouches, and have given them to him while we're out. It's nice, because he can hold it himself, and feed himself, pretty much mess-free.

So I figured if he could suck the food out of the pouch, then he might be able to drink out of a straw. We bought 2 straw sippy cups a few months ago, but Cael didn't do well with them then. So I decided to give it another shot. Well, it turns out my assumption was correct. He quickly figured out how to suck the water through the straw, and drink from a straw cup. It was so exciting to see! We've been giving the "grown-up" cup a break. Even though he can drink from it and it's supposed to be "spill-proof", he still manages to get the liquid out of it. So as of now, he's drinking from just the sippy cup, and the straw cup.


Finally, Cael is giving "high-fives" a lot now, too. If you put your hand out, and say "Can I have a high-five?", most of the time, he'll slap your hand. Sometimes, you have to initiate the high-five, but once you do that, he'll keep giving them. It's really neat that he's starting to understand a lot of new things, and that he has developed the motor skills to follow through with what he wants to do.

Cael's birthday party invites are finally out in the mail - for both parties. I'm so excited, and I'm glad that big task is done. I've been trying to make a lot of the decorations and supplies for the party myself. And I'm trying to do it early, so that I'm less stressed, and more ready by the time comes. So far, I've made the "mustaches on a stick", and the banner for Cael's high chair. I made this out of card stock, and made it myself, because I couldn't find a high chair kit anywhere. They just don't exist, unless I buy one to print myself off Etsy. But if I'm going to have to print it myself, I might as well just make it myself. I stuck with the colors of the mustache theme, which is black and red. I was unable to match the blue to anything in stores. Hopefully the high chair banner will survive the first party, and I'm able to reuse it for the second party.


To make the container that holds the mustaches, I cut the top off a Happy Baby puffs container. I then used the mustache duck tape I bought, and covered the sharp-ish cut edges of the top, and then around the bottom as well for decorative purposes. I then used the stencil I made to make the mustaches, to draw a mustache on the white container with black Sharpie marker. 

Walking with Daddy

I've got quite a bit of party supplies in my house. I have bags hanging everywhere, and a giant box filled with supplies. I have the themed plates and napkins, red and black plates and napkins, red and black table cloths, utensils, a personalized banner, themed centerpiece, and 2 themed foil balloons - one for each party. With about a month left until his first party (ahhh, a MONTH!?), I'd say everything is coming together nicely.

In addition to going to a carnival for the first time last week, I also brought him to a butterfly house - for the 2nd time in his life. We went to a local garden that has a small butterfly house, with my Mom's group. It cost a total of $3 for Cael, the boy I babysit, and myself. Not bad. There were only Monarch butterflies, but they were still pretty. They had every stage available for viewing, which was neat. The tiny eggs, the caterpillars, the chrysalis' and the butterflies (obviously). Cael loved it, but he loved the children's garden even more. They had a gravel area with trucks, and small water fountains, which he loved the most. He loves all things dealing with water. I'm glad he had a really good time. Needless to say, he slept well that night, because later that day is when we went to the carnival.

In the butterfly house

Playing in the water fountain

Butterfly stamp for admission

Frog tattoo from the garden treasure box