Ickie Sickie

My poor boy is sick...

A few nights ago his fever got up to 102.7 degrees. He has been congested, coughing, and sneezing.

Unfortunately there isn't much I can do to help relieve his discomfort, but I have been doing anything possible!

The humidifier has been going nonstop, regular doses of Tylenol, Baby Vicks Rub to help soothe the congestion, baths, sitting in a steamy bathroom, massage, lots of naps, and extra nursing.

I hope my poor boy feels better soon, it just breaks my heart knowing he isn't feeling well. Especially when he has a coughing fit, yucky!

And to top things off, Matt isn't feeling well either and just today I am beginning to feel a little under the weather. Plus I go to work tomorrow and I was really concerned that I needed to be home with my sick baby! Luckily, Matt made arrangements to watch Scott while I go to work. I think it is better to have mommy or daddy at home rather than a babysitter while Scott is sick.

Hopefully this doesn't last too much longer!

Pumpkin Patch Fun

HAPPY OCTOBER!
This is really the best time of the year! Personally I love the cool, brisk weather, and anticipation of the upcoming holidays! This year should be extra fun because it will be Scott's first Halloween!

To get ourselves ready for our Fall celebrations we took Scott to the pumpkin patch at Irvine Park. We helped him pick out a pumpkin, walked through the hay maze, took a few pictures, and even had a side trip to the Orange County zoo to look at the animals. It was a quick trip, but lots of fun for our little family. Here are a few pictures of Scott picking out his pumpkin!

So many pumpkins!


Scott took his time to find just the right pumpkin



Maybe these ones are too big...



Say "cheese!"


Family portraits


What a fun adventure we had!

Spaghetti time

Just a few pictures of Scott's first taste of spaghetti and meatballs. He really loved it!

9-Month Update

Today is Scott's 9-month birthday! I know it sounds cliche, but I can't believe how fast he is growing up! And yet, somehow I am having a hard time remembering how small my newborn baby used to be. Actually, he has never been very small, Matt and I joke that he was born as a 3-month old because he was so big and strong!

Either way, here we are nine months later. Scott went in to see his pediatrician this morning and got a good report. His measurements are:
Height: 29" - 80th Percentile
Weight: 20lbs 6oz - 50th Percentile
Head Circumference: 45.5cm - 60th Percentile
No shots were given today, which is always a bonus! The doctor was happy to see how Scott's development is right on track. She commented on how strong he was, and his eye contact was very good, she also seemed impressed at his verbal skills.

Scott continues to be a very happy boy! He seems to have an adventurous side to him. He is able to crawl around to explore, but he prefers to be on his feet! He pulls himself up to a standing position with no problem, and is now starting to walk along the sofa. I have also caught him on more than one occasion climbing on things. But his absolutely favorite thing to do is play with water. Every time he hears the water running in the sink, shower, or bathtub he gets excited! He wants to touch the water, and splash, and even stick his face in the water. It makes bath time a breeze!

Scott is eating solid food. Up until pretty recently he has really only been eating purees with occasional finger foods. But now, he really prefers to feed himself. He isn't so interested in the pureed food, he wants to chew! Maybe that is because he has seven teeth now! That is right, seven teeth. Last week was really tough because he was cutting three teeth all at once...thank goodness for Tylenol and teething tablets, not to mention the extra cuddle time!

The past nine months have just been wonderful. Matt and I are absolutely in love with our baby boy. He has brought so much joy and happiness into our home, we truly are so blessed. Happy 9-month birthday sweet baby!

Swimtastic!

Scott is definitely a water baby. He enjoys bath time, especially now that we have moved him from the infant tub to the big tub (no pictures of that yet). He likes to splash and feel the water. He doesn't seem to have a problem with having water run down his face, which makes rinsing his hair really easy.I took him to Knott's Soak City to celebrate my nephew, Tanner's, birthday. He didn't have any problem playing in the water there either.But the biggest shock to me was how he behaved in a swimming pool. I took him over to a friend's house and we went swimming. We didn't go into until late in the day, and the water was kind of cold. But Scott didn't seem to mind one little bit. In fact, he was loving the water. He kept trying to put his face in the water, and always wanted to be on his stomach so he could splash. He splashed with his arms, and kicked with his legs. He even lounged a bit, all we need to do now is get him a little raft. It was a lot of fun, but I just never realized at what a natural he is in the water! Summer Olympics 2028 here we come!

Pictures

I need some help!
When I became a mom I was not prepared for the responsibility of having my son's pictures taken. He is going to be 8 months old, and the only professional pictures I have of him are from when he is 5 weeks old--supposed to be his newborn pictures. So, now here I am...I have missed so many opportunities to take pictures at 3, 4, or even 6 month intervals. What am I supposed to do now? Should I just skip any professional pictures until he is 1 year old? I remember my mom always had our baby pictures on the walls, and with all 6 of us, she managed to have pictures of us all at the same ages and the same intervals.

This has also messed me up for any of my future children. If I have another child and I start taking pictures at regular intervals with him/her, then Scott will have been cheated out of those. And, how am I supposed to hang pictures on the wall of all my babies at the same age, when I don't have any of Scott? Now, don't get me wrong, I have a lot of pictures, but they just don't seem frame worthy. So, I have considered making some kind of collage with the home-pictures for the first year.

I just need some advice. Where do I go from here? How do I make this right? Am I a little crazy? Yes.

It is amazing how quickly time is racing by. It seems like I am constantly going non-stop, and yet...I look around and there isn't a whole lot to show for it. But we are having fun and taking on all of life's adventures as they come with all the effort and energy we can spare!

I just feel inspired to say how grateful I truly am to have such a wonderful life. I love my husband and my son so much. They are more important to me than I ever thought possible. When Scott and I are together I do what I can to stimulate his learning. He is such an active little guy. He loves to see the world from an upright and standing position! He doesn't seem to have much interest in learning how to crawl, and yet, he is extremely wiggly and finds his own way to get around. He rolls all around and uses his legs and arms to swing himself this way and that way to get to where he wants to be. I have a feeling we will be having to chase him around the house in no time at all.

When Matt comes home from work, Scott is all smiles for his daddy. Those two boys have a connection I don't think I will ever understand. They have a great time playing with each other. It is very clear to me that Matt is a very hands-on and attentive father. He picks up my slack, and when he sees that I need a break, he swoops in to save the day! ...and, between the two of us, he seems to be much better at putting Scott down for his naps! Sometimes, Scott just needs his daddy.

I am grateful for the love and attention that friends and family offer to myself and my family...well, lets be honest, it is mostly all for Scott! But that is ok! Just in the past couple of days Scott has received gifts from friends for no reason in particular. He gets so much attention from anyone that comes around him, even perfect strangers. And it makes my mommy-ego grow every time they describe him as being: cute, handsome, smart, happy, and so on. He really is my world, and as a mother I wish I could protect him from all the bad things in this world 100% of the time. Unfortunately, reality has its way of telling me that I can't. I hope I will have the strength to help Scott get through the tough times.

And, just to update, Scott is now in the process of growing 4 more teeth. His two upper lateral incisors have already begun cutting through the gums. We have been teasing that he is going to look like a hippopotamus :) But then, we noticed that the gums around the 2 upper central incisors are starting to puff up and look like they have teeth coming soon too! So we should be seeing those in a few weeks I suppose. I want to try to get pictures, but every time I try to lift Scott's upper lip he manages to get so tight-lipped I can't even peek! Darn.

July is going to be an exciting time for us. Scott is turning 7 months old tomorrw, Matt will be turning the big 3-0 on the 23rd, and just for some extra fun, our nephew Tanner will be turning 7 years old on the 30th. We have a lot of celebrating to do! So here is to being safe, healthy, and happy! And now, here are a few fun pictures:

Scott and I are watching the fireworks together. I was so relieved that Scott did so well. He didn't even flinch at the noise.

Boy boy, big yawn

This was just so funny because he fell asleep holding onto the carseat handle, and never dropped his teething ring either.

Say "cheeeeese!"

What a happy baby!

Food! Glorious Food!

So far Scott has really enjoyed eating his food. We started him of with rice cereal, then moved to peas, banana, and avocado. So far, he eats like a champ! Every now and then he spits it out, but I think that has more to do with him not being very hungry. Yesterday when I was feeding him his banana he was grabbing the spoon as I put it in his mouth and he was slurping the food off the spoon. Pretty funny. Next we are going to try sweet potatoes. Here are some fun food pictures...

I absolutely LOVE this one!

Scott managed to get the bowl and dumped his bananas all over...oh well. At least he had fun and as he chewed on the bowl he had to at least eat a little more banana.

6-month update

My baby boy is 6-months old! Matt likes to point out that he is "half a year old!" Yikes...how did time fly by like that? Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that he is growing and developing...I just wish he could stay my baby forever!

Well, here are his stats from his appointment yesterday:
Height: 27 1/4"--80th percentile
Weight: 18 lbs 4 oz.--75th percentile

So actually, his growth has slowed down a bit, previously he was in the 90th and 95th percentiles...but his head circumference has increased in its percentile. My pediatrician tried to put it delicately by asking me if anyone in the family "wears a large hat size." HA! I couldn't stop laughing (inside) because she was telling me that my son has a big noggin'! It was pretty funny. Actually it isn't big, yet, just bigger than before.

When the doctor asked me about how much Scott was eating I was actually surprised to find out that in her opinion I wasn't feeding him enough. I have just started slowly introducing solids, and she had a very shocked expression on her face...apparently according to her, I should be feeding him solids now for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Hmmm. I didn't realize I was starving my child! He looks pretty healthy to me! But, I do think it is time to increase the solids...I just thought I was doing an ok job so far. Oh well.

Other than that, Scott is such a fantastic baby! Everyone that interacts with him tells me what a happy baby he is. And when people hold him, they always comment on how strong he is and how he really wants to be on the move! He is able to sit up on his own now. I can leave him sitting on the floor with his toys for quite some time. The only time he falls over now is when he is reaching for a toy that is just out of reach. But he is mostly happy when he is standing up. He doesn't like to just sit on your lap...oh no, he wants to stand up and see the world! He rolls front to back, and back to front...especially when I am trying to change his diapers!!! AND the other day, Matt put him down on his tummy and he actually was on his hands and knees...rocking! It has only happened once so far, but just the same, it happened.

Scott talks a lot. He is really learning how to use his tongue now too, because he likes to spit. He still just has the two front teeth, and if you make the mistake of putting your finger in his mouth, he will bite you. No biting!

He is always finding new ways to surprise me. He plays with his toys really well. He has so much fun with his parents. He is a friendly little boy...especially to girls. I could just go on and on... What can I say, I am so proud of him.

As far as pictures go...well, we just got a new printer, and it doesn't have a card-reader, and Matt hasn't taught me how to upload our pictures without it. So, maybe I will make the next post nothing but pictures!

Trip to Utah

We took Scott on his first trip to Utah last week to visit his grandma and aunt Valerie! My mom and sister came to stay with us when Scott was born, but they haven't seen him since he was about 2 weeks old. Needless to say, there have been a few changes since then!

I was able to find a really great price on Jetblue Airlines (highly recommended!) so we didn't have to worry about making that long drive with a baby. If anyone really knows me, they know that I have to plan things out with lists and schedules and Plan-A, Plan-B scenarios. It is a bit obsessive compulsive. So, I had decided that flying first thing in the morning was going to be the best time for Scott, so he could just sleep on the plane. Scott's first airplane ride went great! He didn't actually sleep (until we were landing), but there wasn't much fussing, and we only needed to do one diaper change in the lavatory. Here are are a few pictures from the airplane. We totally took advantage of being able to board the airplane first!

I had Scott all wrapped up for his nap, but that didn't last very long.

Scott and Matt were watching TV together.

While we were in Utah we went to my Uncle Erik's new restaurant, The Smoking Apple. It is a BBQ casual restaurant...and the food is remarkable! If you ever find yourself in Lindon, UT make sure you take time to go there to eat. We actually managed to go there twice!

Scott was able to meet his great-grandma Lois Sullivan while we were visiting. My grandma has 6 great-grandchildren and she is in all her glory!!! Here is a picture of grandma with almost all of the great-grandchildren. Tanner is the only one missing from this picture.

And here is my 4-generation picture. I am so glad that I was able to get this picture!

Our other adventures consisted of going to a Wild Outdoors Festival...only to be driven away due to the down-pouring rain and fierce winds that made canopies tumble across the field.

Matt and I went to see a movie, and had grandma babysit. It was really nice to go on a date with my husband, but of course I kept my cellphone at my side the entire time.

And of course we went to Hires' Big H in Salt Lake City. My dad would always say that he would travel 800 miles for a hamburger because we MUST eat there every time we go to Utah.

It was nice getting away and taking Scott on his first trip away from home, but it was also really nice to come home. I didn't realize how much children are attached to their own surroundings. It took Scott a few days to adjust being away from home, but he did great...he is such a champ!

Scottish Games

I know I have a lot of catching up to do...but I wanted to get in this post while I had the time. Every year on Memorial day weekend, at the Orange County fairgrounds, there is a Scottish games festival. My family has attended this event for as many years as I can remember because my dad's bagpipe band would compete, and my sisters and I would compete in dance. Well, now that I live in Orange County, I have no reason not to go!

Matt had to work today, and so it was just me and Scott. I got all packed up and headed out this morning and we spent the entire day there. We watched the bagpipe bands, the interesting Celtic bands...that were almost rock and roll bands, and we went through and looked at the vendors. I didn't get a chance to go watch the dancers or the sports, but I was mainly there to spend time with my dad.

I have been around bagpipes all my life. They are loud. But they have never bothered me, at least that I can remember...but of course, when it is my own baby all of a sudden I was thinking ear protection!!! I didn't think he would stand for earplugs so I did the next best thing...huge earphones. They actually worked out pretty well. He managed to fall asleep while wearing them, and took his nap as we walked around the bagpipe bands.

Grandpa was pretty excited to have Scott around. He bought Scott his very first kilt. He got a lot of attention as we walked around. People just love this little guy...and that just boosts my mommy-ego! So here are a few pictures from the day. We had a great time, and if you are ever interested in going, just remember Memorial Day Weekend, OC fairgrounds!

This is my dad's band, marching off after competing. They did a great job. (Go Pacific Coast Highlanders!)

Scott and Grandpa, Scott's kilt slipped up into his armpits...it was a little big.
What???
Nap time...right next to the bagpipe bands.

Look ma' I can use my hands!

Yesterday, while I was at work, Matt gave Scott a bottle and took this picture. At first when I received the picture as a message I thought "Aww, look! It is my little boy." Then I thought about it for a second, HOLY COW he is holding the bottle all by himself! What a big boy I have!

My blow out

I started a new job a few weeks ago. I work half a day on Wednesdays in a dental office down in Huntington Beach. In a perfect world I would be staying at home with Scott all day, every day...but I think this is the next best scenario. I am only working 4 hours a week (2-6pm), and my sister is able to babysit for me.

I got a call the other day from the office asking me to come early to work so that I can go to lunch with the office to celebrate the birthday of one of my co-workers. So, yesterday I left for work nice and early. However, I didn't get very far. After about a mile on the freeway I heard a loud "bang." I turned to see what it was, and saw that I was next to a semi-truck. I figured the sound came from the truck, after all...they always make big loud noises. So, I kept going, but cautiously...something wasn't right. A second or two later I heard a loud thundering sound, similar to those cars with the huge mufflers. I looked around again, and saw that a sports car was driving by. I figured that the noise must have been coming from that car, not mine. So I slowed down and waited for that car to pass me by, but instead of the sound drifting off into the distance it got louder. Ok, I can take a hint or two...so I pulled over.

Sure enough, I had completely popped a tire. The side wall of my passenger-side rear tire had blown out. This is where I heard the voice of my husband in my ears saying "We need to get you new tires, yours are starting to crack!"

So there I was, on the side of the road. I wish I could say that this was a first for me. Let me give you a little run down on my car history:

• I used to share the family cars with multiple drivers, and a lot of times got stuck without any gas...so I have run out of gas more times than I can count
• I have overheated a few times
• I can now count this as my 3rd flat tire
  
• I have been in a few fender-benders, but also 2 real accidents, one my fault, the other DEFINITELY not my fault
• I have actually fish-tailed in my family's 12-seat van, doing a complete 180°turn (but give me a break, I was 15 years old with my learner's permit...this wasn't last week or anything)
• And I once "threw a rod"...a slang term for basically punching a hole in the engine! That car died on the side of the road.
  

In total, I have personally been responsible for the death of 3 cars. But again, lets be fair, these are always old cars being shared by multiple drivers and never really treated very well.

So going back to me on the side of the freeway...I knew exactly what to do! Before I did anything I called Matt to let him know what was going on, and I called my office to let them know I wouldn't make it to the lunch...oh well.

I got right to work. Yes, I do know how to change a tire. And so I did, right there on the side of the freeway. No one stopped to help, but I did manage to get honked at once. Also, I learned a little something new. If your spare tire is stored underneath the car, the way to release it is inside the trunk. The carpeting had a little area that you could pull back, and use the torque wrench to turn the screw holding it on. It will then lower the tire on a cable allowing you access to the spare.

As I finished up the tire change, Matt pulled up. He was able to take my car to go get me new tires, and I took his car to get to work. I still managed to get to work 20 minutes before my first patient! Total time changing a tire: about 20 minutes.

And this is how I know I am a blogger, I was sitting there looking at my tire, I thought to myself...hmm, maybe I should take pictures so I can BLOG about this! HA! Yeah, I thought about it, but didn't do it. Maybe I can make a "how to" video about changing tires.

Hot-bod baby!

We are feeling hot hot hot! Temperatures so far this week have been reaching 100°, which just doesn't make sense...where are my "April showers?" The heat has brought on a new set of challenges that I am not use to. My little baby boy was born in December, and granted California winters are not that cold...we did get a bit chilly! All I had to do was put more layers on Scott. That was a piece of cake! Here is a picture of Scott layered: a onesie, a sleeper with hand covers, a sleeping "bag", a nice fuzzy blanket, and of course his little beanie. Looks cozy, doesn't he!?! Well, how does one keep their baby cool enough? I just strip him down to his diaper, turn all the lights off, and all the fans on...and when it is hot enough, blast the A/C. At one point I even wiped him down with a cool, wet washcloth. Here are a few pictures of Scott trying to stay cool.

Scott stays cool by playing in his excersaucer.

Mommy and Scott, just a cute picture showing off his blue eyes!

I had to put this next picture in because it shows how BIG my 4-month old is.

Scott stays cool by playing "Hop On Pop!"--except he was choking daddy

And last of all, Scott stays cool by letting it all hang out!