Thursday, July 26, 2012
15 MONTHS!
Today, my sweet little angel is 15 months! We had his DR appt. with a new doctor, and I love the nurse practitioner. We didn't even meet the doctor. I liked his old ped. too, but the office closed down. Anyway, Connor is 32 inches long and 26 lbs :) They were very impressed with his development/verbal skills. I'm really not joking when I say he wakes up talking and doesn't stop until he falls asleep for naps and bedtime. I had a few questions about his skin, how much he poops, and a few other things. Connor poops 4-6 times A DAY! She wasn't concerned. She said that he is obviously gaining weight. We are getting a referral to a dermatologist for his confirmed keratosis pilaris AND eczema. He has 3 hemangiomas too that she measured but wasn't concerned about. Other than those little things, he is great! He did have to get 4 shots though because when he went for his one year appt, they failed to give him all of the shots. Really frustrating. He slept all afternoon and went to bed at 6:30. Poor baby, but he hasn't had a fever. Well, here is my sweet baby at 15 months!! We took a quick trip to Galveston, TX Sunday-Monday. It was a BLAST! Connor LOVES the beach!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Sleeping like a Baby.
I've had a few momma's ask me about Connor's sleep schedule, so I'm going to go through our daily routine, including nap schedules. It's really tough when you have a baby/toddler who doesn't sleep, and I've been there. Connor was a fussy newborn/infant, and I am grateful for the friend, Sarah Fahed:), who recommended that I read a book called "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child." I never wanted to listen to Connor "cry it out," and frankly, I'm not sure that he could self-soothe himself at all. When he was 8 months, I was at my wits end, so I bought that book, and it changed everything. Who knew sleep could change a baby's entire mood? I honestly did not know the importance of a schedule, and I wish that I had known sooner how well Connor thrives on one. This is what works for US. You may need to tweak things to fit your baby's habits and schedule. Connor sleeps at night from 7 am - 7 pm. (Sometimes, he even goes to bed before 7 pm.)
Connor wakes up in the morning at 7 a.m., almost on the dot. Some days it is a little earlier, and some days it is a little later, but we still form our days around him waking up at 7 a.m. When he wakes up, we eat breakfast, he gets milk, and he plays. He is now on a 1 nap/day schedule, so he doesn't go down for a nap until 11 or 11:30. So, we run any errands or do anything that we need to do that morning. Most mornings he just plays until nap time. I feed him lunch before I lay him down, so that he doesn't wake up hungry an hour after he falls asleep. He will usually sleep from 11 - 12:30 or 1:00. Some days, he goes down for a nap around 11:30 and will sleep until 1 or 1:30. I'm not super anal about the time, whether it is 11 or 11:30, but I don't like to wait much longer than that. If I wait too long, Connor gets over-tired and then that is a nightmare. After he wakes up from his nap, he gets a snack, then we usually do something fun. We'll go to the park, pool, or anything that will help him burn off some of that energy! He gets dinner between 4:30 and 5:30, and then he gets a bath. Lately, I've been doing a bath every other night because of his skin, but he at least gets a wipe down and is changed into his pajamas. By the time, we are done with everything, it is usually close to 6. Around 6:30 he will get some milk, and then at 7 I lay him down for bedtime. Some days, he goes down at 6:30. It honestly depends on how tired he is acting. Since he is down to 1 nap a day, he is usually awake 6 hours before bedtime, so he's pretty tired. I discovered he was ready for 1 nap a day when he started protesting his 2nd nap, and when he wouldn't go to sleep at night.
When he was on a 2 nap/day schedule, he would wake up at 7, nap from 9-10 and nap from 1-2. He woke up around 2 in the afternoon, and he was awake for 5 hours before bedtime. If Connor is acting really tired and fussy, I won't hesitate to put him to bed at 5:30. It sounds crazy, but sometimes babies just get tired. Some nights you go to bed earlier than normal, right? Same idea applies for your baby. Babies need a lot of sleep, and even if they aren't acting really tired, it's important to put them to bed anyway.
It took a few weeks to get Connor on a great schedule, but my persistence paid off. He is much happier, he sleeps well, and I also get that time from 7 until I go to bed to myself and with my husband. You have to get used to the idea of your world revolving around theirs. If Connor's nap time is at 11, I make sure I get to the grocery store early in the morning, so we are back before his nap. (Same applied when he napped at 9, I got to the grocery store before 8am on many different occasions).
When it comes to getting Connor to sleep, he will usually just roll over and go to sleep. Sometimes he protests, and he goes through phases from time to time where he really doesn't want to go to bed. I give him 5 minutes, go in his room and make sure he has his paci, lay him down, and walk out. I do it a few times before he just falls asleep. Before he turned 1, I rocked him. I never let him cry it out. I would let him cry for about 5 minutes, and then I would go get him and rock him until he fell asleep. I didn't let him "cry it out" and the week he turned 1, he wouldn't let me rock him anymore.
Connor wakes up in the morning at 7 a.m., almost on the dot. Some days it is a little earlier, and some days it is a little later, but we still form our days around him waking up at 7 a.m. When he wakes up, we eat breakfast, he gets milk, and he plays. He is now on a 1 nap/day schedule, so he doesn't go down for a nap until 11 or 11:30. So, we run any errands or do anything that we need to do that morning. Most mornings he just plays until nap time. I feed him lunch before I lay him down, so that he doesn't wake up hungry an hour after he falls asleep. He will usually sleep from 11 - 12:30 or 1:00. Some days, he goes down for a nap around 11:30 and will sleep until 1 or 1:30. I'm not super anal about the time, whether it is 11 or 11:30, but I don't like to wait much longer than that. If I wait too long, Connor gets over-tired and then that is a nightmare. After he wakes up from his nap, he gets a snack, then we usually do something fun. We'll go to the park, pool, or anything that will help him burn off some of that energy! He gets dinner between 4:30 and 5:30, and then he gets a bath. Lately, I've been doing a bath every other night because of his skin, but he at least gets a wipe down and is changed into his pajamas. By the time, we are done with everything, it is usually close to 6. Around 6:30 he will get some milk, and then at 7 I lay him down for bedtime. Some days, he goes down at 6:30. It honestly depends on how tired he is acting. Since he is down to 1 nap a day, he is usually awake 6 hours before bedtime, so he's pretty tired. I discovered he was ready for 1 nap a day when he started protesting his 2nd nap, and when he wouldn't go to sleep at night.
When he was on a 2 nap/day schedule, he would wake up at 7, nap from 9-10 and nap from 1-2. He woke up around 2 in the afternoon, and he was awake for 5 hours before bedtime. If Connor is acting really tired and fussy, I won't hesitate to put him to bed at 5:30. It sounds crazy, but sometimes babies just get tired. Some nights you go to bed earlier than normal, right? Same idea applies for your baby. Babies need a lot of sleep, and even if they aren't acting really tired, it's important to put them to bed anyway.
It took a few weeks to get Connor on a great schedule, but my persistence paid off. He is much happier, he sleeps well, and I also get that time from 7 until I go to bed to myself and with my husband. You have to get used to the idea of your world revolving around theirs. If Connor's nap time is at 11, I make sure I get to the grocery store early in the morning, so we are back before his nap. (Same applied when he napped at 9, I got to the grocery store before 8am on many different occasions).
When it comes to getting Connor to sleep, he will usually just roll over and go to sleep. Sometimes he protests, and he goes through phases from time to time where he really doesn't want to go to bed. I give him 5 minutes, go in his room and make sure he has his paci, lay him down, and walk out. I do it a few times before he just falls asleep. Before he turned 1, I rocked him. I never let him cry it out. I would let him cry for about 5 minutes, and then I would go get him and rock him until he fell asleep. I didn't let him "cry it out" and the week he turned 1, he wouldn't let me rock him anymore.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Traveling with a baby.
It's travel season for the Hill folk, ya'll. In a few short weeks, my little family will be flying to upstate NY to visit my husband's family for a week. This includes my 14 month old son. Since Connor was born, I have flown with him over FIVE times ALONE, and that is only one way. So including trips back, we have suffered through security at least TEN times. We are quite the little professional flyers. I traveled with him for the first time when he was 2 months old, and the last time we flew, he was almost 1 year old and walking. So, I've experienced all stages of baby through toddler on a plane. Not something I recommend people trying out for fun :) Let me take a moment, however, to praise my sweet boy for his great flying efforts. He really does a magnificent job for the most part... he has let out a few squeals that led to some deathly stares, but what can you do?! I thought, since I am obviously a professional at traveling with a baby, I would share a few tips that could save people from the stress, embarrassment, and emotional breakdowns that I wish someone could have saved me from!
-When you travel with an infant, be sure that your flight itinerary shows that you are, in fact, traveling with an infant. If you have already purchased a ticket and forgot to add your baby, simply call the airline and they will add your baby for you. Simple. It takes about 5 minutes, and it saves you stress at the airport. (I've actually never forgotten to add him before arriving to the airport, but I have had to call the airline to have him added as a lap infant).
- Car seats. I've had to check Connor's car seat twice, and the airline ticket counter provided the plastic bag to keep your car seat clean and checking the car seat is free. Now, both times I checked Connor's car seat, it got lost. IF and when your car seat gets lost, don't panic too much. It sucks, but the airline will provide you with a safe car seat for your child. They give you the car seat, take down your information, and they bring you the car seat to your home when it is found and you swap out the car seat that you borrowed. It's annoying, but you won't have to drive down the road with your baby in your lap (not that ANYONE would do that..)
- Wrap or stroller. I have done both. When Connor was 2 months old and still in his travel system, I pushed him in that right up to the gate. It was also great to do that because I didn't have to check the car seat since it was attached to the stroller :) The travel system also held all my bags. When Connor got older, I used the moby wrap, and it was great for the non-stop flights. If you have a non-stop flight or a longer layover, the wrap will be great. One time I had a very quick layover, and I literally had to run from gate A to E. For those flights, I recommend the umbrella stroller (when your child is big enough). The umbrella strollers are quick to fold and unfold and they're very lightweight. Just make sure, whatever method you use to carry around your child, that you are comfortable. If you are uncomfortable, you are going to be absolutely miserable.
- Formula, BM, food, etc. You can take however much formula, BM, food, etc. that you need for your baby through security. If your baby is on formula, I HIGHLY recommend that you buy the 6 pack of 8 oz ready to feed formula. It will make your life MUCH easier. I did carry empty dr. brown bottles because Connor had bad gas as a baby, but if your baby doesn't have those problems, you can screw a nipple right onto the ready to feed bottle. It's awesome. The first time I traveled, I took powder formula and water in his bottles. Disaster. The water spilled in my carry on, and I kept spilling the powder formula. If you breastfeed, you can take your breastmilk in the bottles through security. If it were me, I would just use a cover up and feed your baby on the plane (definitely during take off and landing)! For take off and landing, make sure you are either giving your baby a bottle or a pacifier. It helps keep their ears from popping.
- TSA. When you get to the front of the line, just let them know you have formula, water, or BM in bottles. They have to "check" it but it isn't a big deal. (They will not open sealed ready to eat formula). Also, everything you have to take off of yourself, you also have to take off of baby. Save yourself the trouble and don't put shoes on your baby before you go through security. TSA will take your stroller and help you through. Take your time and don't stress about the people behind you. Especially if you are traveling alone.
- Toys. I take a few toys, but Connor is never very interested in toys on the plane. But, do you know what he IS interested in? Everything else that nasty germ-y people touch. So, have PLENTY of anti-bacterial hand gel! If your baby does take a pacifier, use a shirt clip, so if your baby spits out their pacifier, it won't land on that nasty plane floor. I won't even tell you how I learned that one...
- Diapers. I use cloth diapers, and I have used cloth diapers when I have traveled on an airplane. Honestly, it is do-able, but I have only done it once. When you are rushed to change your baby ON the airplane, right before you board, or on the floor of the airport because some lady let her CAT pee on the changing table, you will switch to disposables while traveling. :) I've changed Connor on the toilet lid of an airplane when he was 1 year old and obviously too big to be on the lid of that toilet seat... but you do what you have to do. Don't stress about it because it is beyond your control. When you gotta go, you gotta go, right?!
- Don't forget a blanket. When Connor was really small, I even took his boppy to lay him on in my lap. It was great! :) I always, always take a blanket. Planes get cold, and it is more cozy for him.
Most of all, try not to stress. If your baby is cranky, that is just the way life goes. If you have any questions just leave a comment :) Happy travels!
-When you travel with an infant, be sure that your flight itinerary shows that you are, in fact, traveling with an infant. If you have already purchased a ticket and forgot to add your baby, simply call the airline and they will add your baby for you. Simple. It takes about 5 minutes, and it saves you stress at the airport. (I've actually never forgotten to add him before arriving to the airport, but I have had to call the airline to have him added as a lap infant).
- Car seats. I've had to check Connor's car seat twice, and the airline ticket counter provided the plastic bag to keep your car seat clean and checking the car seat is free. Now, both times I checked Connor's car seat, it got lost. IF and when your car seat gets lost, don't panic too much. It sucks, but the airline will provide you with a safe car seat for your child. They give you the car seat, take down your information, and they bring you the car seat to your home when it is found and you swap out the car seat that you borrowed. It's annoying, but you won't have to drive down the road with your baby in your lap (not that ANYONE would do that..)
- Wrap or stroller. I have done both. When Connor was 2 months old and still in his travel system, I pushed him in that right up to the gate. It was also great to do that because I didn't have to check the car seat since it was attached to the stroller :) The travel system also held all my bags. When Connor got older, I used the moby wrap, and it was great for the non-stop flights. If you have a non-stop flight or a longer layover, the wrap will be great. One time I had a very quick layover, and I literally had to run from gate A to E. For those flights, I recommend the umbrella stroller (when your child is big enough). The umbrella strollers are quick to fold and unfold and they're very lightweight. Just make sure, whatever method you use to carry around your child, that you are comfortable. If you are uncomfortable, you are going to be absolutely miserable.
- Formula, BM, food, etc. You can take however much formula, BM, food, etc. that you need for your baby through security. If your baby is on formula, I HIGHLY recommend that you buy the 6 pack of 8 oz ready to feed formula. It will make your life MUCH easier. I did carry empty dr. brown bottles because Connor had bad gas as a baby, but if your baby doesn't have those problems, you can screw a nipple right onto the ready to feed bottle. It's awesome. The first time I traveled, I took powder formula and water in his bottles. Disaster. The water spilled in my carry on, and I kept spilling the powder formula. If you breastfeed, you can take your breastmilk in the bottles through security. If it were me, I would just use a cover up and feed your baby on the plane (definitely during take off and landing)! For take off and landing, make sure you are either giving your baby a bottle or a pacifier. It helps keep their ears from popping.
- TSA. When you get to the front of the line, just let them know you have formula, water, or BM in bottles. They have to "check" it but it isn't a big deal. (They will not open sealed ready to eat formula). Also, everything you have to take off of yourself, you also have to take off of baby. Save yourself the trouble and don't put shoes on your baby before you go through security. TSA will take your stroller and help you through. Take your time and don't stress about the people behind you. Especially if you are traveling alone.
- Toys. I take a few toys, but Connor is never very interested in toys on the plane. But, do you know what he IS interested in? Everything else that nasty germ-y people touch. So, have PLENTY of anti-bacterial hand gel! If your baby does take a pacifier, use a shirt clip, so if your baby spits out their pacifier, it won't land on that nasty plane floor. I won't even tell you how I learned that one...
- Diapers. I use cloth diapers, and I have used cloth diapers when I have traveled on an airplane. Honestly, it is do-able, but I have only done it once. When you are rushed to change your baby ON the airplane, right before you board, or on the floor of the airport because some lady let her CAT pee on the changing table, you will switch to disposables while traveling. :) I've changed Connor on the toilet lid of an airplane when he was 1 year old and obviously too big to be on the lid of that toilet seat... but you do what you have to do. Don't stress about it because it is beyond your control. When you gotta go, you gotta go, right?!
- Don't forget a blanket. When Connor was really small, I even took his boppy to lay him on in my lap. It was great! :) I always, always take a blanket. Planes get cold, and it is more cozy for him.
Most of all, try not to stress. If your baby is cranky, that is just the way life goes. If you have any questions just leave a comment :) Happy travels!
Thoughts??
I have a few blog posts in mind, and before I go and type a freakin novel, I want to know what you think, and if ANYONE is actually even reading my blog. haha.
- I have had a few momma's ask me questions about flying/traveling with a baby. Lord knows, I've done it TOO many times, so I am considering a post giving tips to an easy (as easy as can be, anyway) trip with a baby?
- I've also been battling Connor's keratosis pilaris lately. It is driving me bonkers trying to find something that works. I've tried a few different things, and found a routine that seems to work best, but doesn't get rid of it completely.
- Sleeping. A lot of mommas have asked me about Connor's sleep schedule. He sleeps 12+ hours at night, and I may type out our entire day to give some people an idea of how our schedule/routine works.
Thoughts?
- I have had a few momma's ask me questions about flying/traveling with a baby. Lord knows, I've done it TOO many times, so I am considering a post giving tips to an easy (as easy as can be, anyway) trip with a baby?
- I've also been battling Connor's keratosis pilaris lately. It is driving me bonkers trying to find something that works. I've tried a few different things, and found a routine that seems to work best, but doesn't get rid of it completely.
- Sleeping. A lot of mommas have asked me about Connor's sleep schedule. He sleeps 12+ hours at night, and I may type out our entire day to give some people an idea of how our schedule/routine works.
Thoughts?
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