Medicated

Little man has been a tad under the weather lately.  Just a very minor runny nose.  He doesn't seem to be bothered too much by it.  It's kind of funny to see his reaction.  I hate to admit this but I  have no idea what to do.  Do they make baby cold medicine?  I don't even have a pediatrician for him yet!  I have an appt to meet with one next week but oy, what have I been doing with myself?!?!  Outside of his surgery I have not given Kolton much in terms of medication.  This is only his 2nd cold and the kid has never even had a fever.  With teething he is often comforted just by me holding him so I don't give him medication just to give it to him.  I'm actually kind of fearful about giving it to him because there isn't a lot of dosing information for infants.  Have I mentioned how lucky I am to have such a good baby?

5 Minutes

We went back to Baltimore on Saturday to attend a 1st birthday party for the son of very dear friends of ours.  It was so, so, so, nice to get back and feel normal.  Kind of like we were back where we belonged instead of feeling somewhat displaced.  The party was a ton of fun as we spent most of it in the back patio area catching up with friends.  The back area is fenced in and backs to an alley where some people were playing corn hole.  There is a door leading from the patio to the alley.  When we first arrived we were very aware that Sophie was wondering back n forth between the fenced and non-fenced in areas.  But after a few hours we got lazy!  I'm sure you can see where I am going with this...  She was being so good. At one point I saw her in the arms of another guest and then she headed back out to the alley to chase bean bags.  5 minutes later I headed in to feed Kolton.  A minute or two before Mike had gone to the hotel to check us in.  Imagine my surprise to see him at the door holding Sophie!  She had wandered out of the alley and into the arms of strangers.  Thankfully those kind people called the phone number (Mike's Cell) on her tag.  Mike initially thought it was one of our friends playing a joke and hung up on the guy.  But then as he was turning the corner he saw her in the stranger's arms!!!  It's hard not to think about all of the things that could have gone differently.  She could have been stolen or hit by a car.  It was 5 minute lapse in judgement on my part and a very scary reminder that it only takes 5 minutes for something bad to happen if you're not being vigilant with your kids of both the two and four legged variety.

It cracks me up to see how small he is sitting in our back yard!

35 Weeks!

It's been pretty hot & humid here in Richmond.  The problem is all of Kolton's 9 month shorts are fitting a little snug.  I probably should bite the bullet and buy him some new ones.  Especially since they are on sale.  But I can't help feeling like colder weather is going to be here to stay shortly.  As a Wisconsonite I'm always fooled by the warmer temps throughout September and October on the East Coast.  It's supposed to be fall people!  But it doesn't come until November here.  ANYWAY, that's the reason why Kolton isn't wearing any bottoms.  It's also the reason he's had these cute little curls lately.  And the curls are probably the reason he got mistaken for a girl today!  I'll admit the onsie is a little cutesy for a boy as well but it is still blue.  But more than anything I can't believe the random strange lady who said "He looks like a girl!"  WTF....I can't believe the things that come out of people's mouths sometimes.

8 Months Old!!!!

Make it stop!  He's growing up too fast!!  Kolton is 8 months old today.  I look around his nursery and play area and marvel at the things he's outgrown already.  I used the swing for the first time in a while the other day and he looked extremely bored.  Now that he can sit up on his own the Bumbo, bouncy chair, and baby bathtub are things of the past.  I'll still use them now and then of course but these used to be daily staples.   AND how sad that the green jungle gym, once his absolute favorite, now just sits in the corner of the play area collecting dust.  I'm starting to become very aware that I will soon have a toddler and not a baby!

I love that I feel I'm getting to know him a little more each day.  It's easy to generalize babies into one big group.  We've been to only 2 Romp N Roll classes for 3-12 month olds and I can definitely differentiate some personalities.  More than anything Kolton is curious and observant.  I mentioned months ago in this post that he takes 3 times to get used to an activity.  You can just see the wheels turning in his mind when ever he has a new encounter.  But he doesn't respond the best if a new thing is introduced too fast.  He's definitely a thinker before you leaper.  Let's hope that continues!  But once he decides to do something there is no half way. I'm predicting that he's going to be very focused and determined through out his life.

But of course he is still just the sweetest thing ever.  He now has 6 teeth; four on the bottom and two on top.   He still sleeps through the night (love that!) but is down to only two naps a day.  Although he is careful in general he is still a tremendous flirt; quick to give up the smile to the ladies that ooh and aah over him when we're out and about. I can take him out shopping or take him out for lunch or dinner without too much hassle.  Target is his favorite destination! I'm not sure if he's more attached to me or I'm more attached to him.  Probably the latter.  I love him more and more every day.

Demanding

As a followup to yesterday's post I thought of another D-word that's been on my mind lately.  Kolton has certainly learned how to be DEMANDING.  I suppose it was inevitable but I think we've entered the scary zone where he knows to cry when he's not getting his way.  And how could I not give in to this face!

He's especially vocal during meal times.  If I try to sneak in too much oatmeal without the appropriate amount of fruit he lets me know it.

Not much is new here in Richmond.  I'm kind of anticipating the cooler weather we will be receiving at the end of the week.  However, I discovered that living in comfy dresses all summer has come at a price.  I don't think I can easily zip up any of my jeans.  And these were jeans I wore post baby!  Ouch!    I hope leggings are still in style=)

The D word

The things that are on my mind today both seems to start with the letter D.  And of course it only makes sense that both words in my blog title do as well.  I hope this isn't an indicator that I'm earning a D in life!

Kolton is really a fun little guy right now.  I won't keep going on and on about what a good baby he is because as I said in the previous post Murphy's Law sucks.  But he really is the best!  I know I'll remember these days for the rest of my life; the funny thing is he won't. I think that's a little sad yet I almost wish it could go on like this too.  Just knowing that he can't ever be DISAPPOINTED in life right now gives me a lot of comfort.  It breaks my heart to think about the things that might not go his way one day.  Maybe he won't make the team, won't get to play, or he'll get picked on at school.  We all have these moments and I DREAD the day when I'll have to be strong for him.  I could cry just thinking about it!  I saw an episode of How I Met Your Mother that looked back on all the lies Barney's mom told him to cover up DISAPPOINTING him.  I'm wondering if I'll do that one day too.  It just really bothers me to know that he'll get his feelings hurt one day and there is nothing I can do to stop it from happening.  Ugh!  Sorry for the DOWNER so on to funnier things.

Over the past several weeks I've been struggling a little bit with DIAPER changes.  With every poopy DIAPER change Kolton wants to reach DOWN and scratch his butt.  He's quick and I can never wipe fast enough.  Icky, icky, icky.  Then today it just DAWNED on me...give the kid something to play with! DUH!

33 Weeks!

Notice anything missing?  Yup, I couldn't get the sign in the picture without Kolton wanting to grab and crunch the paper.  I might have to rethink the setup.  And yes he is wearing a Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon long sleeve T-shirt. I love this skater look on him!   I know the album was recorded in the 70's but it reminds me so very much of college in the mid 90's.  Anyone else try to sinc up the album while watching The Wizard of Oz?  

Last week I was complaining to a few friends about how much Kolton slept.  Well isn't Murphy's Law a funny, vindictive little thing.  This week he has dropped his naps down to one.  It's still a good 2 hour nap but he's taking it in the middle of the day.  I'm not quite sure how to remedy this.  I'm thinking I'll try waking him up after one hour in the hopes that he'll want to go down again later in the afternoon.  The problem is he's becoming a bit of a disaster in the evening hysterically crying from being over tired as I try to get him to bed.  Maybe the other remedy is to just put him to bed earlier...but then I can't have him waking up at 5AM either.  What a conundrum!  

Tomorrow is our first class at Romp N Roll.  I'm excited to get out of the house and meet some other moms!

Zoo

I've been feeling incredibly guilty that Kolton is over 7 months old and never visited a zoo.  So on Labor Day we decided to visit the Metro Richmond Zoo.  It wasn't the biggest zoo I've ever been to and Kolton wasn't as interested as I thought.  But it was still the high light of my weekend. We've also been using the big boy stroller which he seems to enjoy.

Turtle Power!

No Tiger?

Tiger Time!

Mano e mano Mr. Tiger

Feeding the Giraffes: Yum, Yum Pellets

In The Muck

Remember when a few weeks ago I wrote about being in a lull?  Well things definitely shifted very quickly.  After being out of town for over a week I was back in Richmond for only one night before heading back out to Baltimore.  The fun part was seeing all of my girls at our fantasy football draft.  I am the commissioner of a ladies only fantasy league.  We have 14 teams and sometimes girls even pair up and share a team.  This is our 3rd year and I think we're starting to get the hang of it!  I'm not too thrilled about my team this year because I was too busy to prepare.  But with the third overall pick I was able to obtain my main man, the anchor of my team for the 3rd year in a row....Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers!  LOVE!

The bad part of my Baltimore visit was dealing with this...

Damage to the townhouse from Hurricane Irene!

The winter before last Baltimore experienced 3 massive snow storms.  Two took place only 2 days a part.  At that time we notice a small water stain in our master bedroom ceiling.  I guess we didn't think too much of it.  Just figuring with all of that snow of course some had melted and settled, where else could it go?  We never had a problem.  Well unfortunately the tenant who is now living in our town home woke up to water pouring out of the ceiling.  There is more damage than just this but this is one of the worst areas.  The really sucky part is there is no glaring reason where or why this is happening.  I met with our property manager and project manager who pointed out small cracks surrounding the door leading to the rooftop deck.  I can't believe that that much water could get in through those cracks but apparently the carpet pad underneath the carpet on the landing is soaked even though the carpet remains dry so that has to be the spot.  Now we are going to have to cut out a big chunk of the ceiling and probably replace some carpet.  What we don't know at this point is the true extent of the damage.  I guess we won't know until we cut the hole.  Ugh!  So frustrating!!!!

So I ended up staying in Baltimore longer than expected so I could deal with the town home.  On the way back to VA I hoped Kolton would sleep.  No such luck.  I had to pull over 3 times! At one point I decided to feed him hoping a full belly would knock him out.  Even though I had fed him just before we left.  As he was sucking down the bottle I felt relief sensing I had figured out the reason for his fussiness.  He promptly threw it all up soaking himself and his car seat!  I had pulled over at a rest stop but was hesitant to bring him into the rest room because I didn't want to leave Sophie in the car by herself.  I can't believe I managed to keep my cool.  But I got him changed in the backseat of the car, got the car seat wiped out as best I could, and got back on the road.  Que hysterical crying!  So bad I had to pull over again to make sure he was OK.  He just smiled at me=)  Sometimes my boy just wants attention.  Thankfully after a few more miles he cried himself to sleep.  My trip home took over 4 hours!  

I'm thankful to be home with Mike and out of the muck I thought I'd never get out of!

1st Time Sitting in the Grass