This is what the back of your car looks like when you take a baby to the beach for the first time.
Let me paint the picture…
It’s 2:00am. Andy and Logan are tucked soundly in their beds downstairs. Logan snores while Andy clings to what little bit of blanket Logan has afforded him for the evening. Up the stairs all is quiet and the hallway is dimly lit by the sliver of light peeking out from the bathroom. Eric and I are sound asleep in our king-size canopy bed and all that can be heard is the sound of quiet lullabys playing in the monitor. Until…
“He’s up.” Eric sits up and trys to peer over my should at the monitor on my bedside table.
“Hmmm…”
“Check him…Laura…MAULDIN” (No, my husband is not referring to our son. He is speaking to me. For some reason, I can never hear Eric when he calls me by my first name, just my maiden. This will probably cause some problems as Mauldin gets older, but for now, it still works.)
“What?” I finally wake from my deep sleep.
“He’s up, check him.”
“He’s fine” I roll back over to catch a few more minutes until I hear grunting occurring through the monitor. Quickly, I roll over hit to button and look to see what my son is up to. “He’s up.”
“That’s what I said.”
“Oh…well, he’s not crying. He’s actually…crawling.”
At 2:00am, there was my son, turned over in his crib, crawling towards the corner. Intrigued by what he was doing, we watched. There went Mauldin, inching his way into the corner of the crib, and there he kept going, even when he hit it. Apparently, my son has yet to learn that when something blocks your path, you must stop. Instead, he kept rocking in the corner trying to get through.
“He’s trying to escape,” I finally said smiling. “I’ll go check on him.”
So in a went to try to put Mauldin back to sleep. Unfortunately, he was so proud of his new trick, he felt the need to practice it. And practice it he did…until 4:00am, when finally, after much protesting, he went back to sleep.
So far, Mauldin hasn’t quite figured out the corners of the crib. I have awoken often to see him trying to work his way through them. Eventually he will figure out that going through is not an option, but going over…that might just be the way to freedom.
I feel like I’m in confession right now…
It’s been exactly one month since my last post.
I’ve heard about this happening. I’ve read it in magazines and in books. I’ve seen parents do it and swore I never would, but alas, I have.
There comes a point in every parent’s life when they stop themselves and realize, my life now revolves around my child’s poop.
Yes…that’s right…his poop.
Mauldin is five month old now and at about four and half months, we began feeding him solid foods. Why they call them solid, I really don’t know. Baby food is more or less mush. Being the control freak that I am, I have made the decision to make all of Mauldin’s food. So far we have tried avacado, sweet potatoes, bananas and prunes. He also eats rice cereal and oatmeal, but those come from the wonderful world of Gerber.
Here is the problem with solids. Once solids are introduced, your child’s diaper changing routine moves from “Did you make a poopy” (insert cute, sing-songy voice) to “Where are the wipes…gag…I can’t find the wipes…gag…Hold still…don’t stick you foot in that.”
The other thing that happens, is that you become completely obsessed with when, how much, and what color your child poops.
The Poop Report I call it.
My mornings begin by telling Eric to be sure to tell our caregiver that Mauldin has not pooped in 3 days. He then proceeds to take Mauldin to daycare and relay the Poop Report to her. If he poops during the day, Eric receives a phone call let him know. If he poops more than once…more than one phone call. If not, when I pick Mauldin up, the Poop Report or lack thereof is relayed to me. I then proceed to get on the phone with my mother and give her the Poop Report before regaling her with the events of my day. The Poop Report finishes when Eric arrives home and I update him with any news.
For the most part, we are good at keeping the Poop Report in the family; however, the other night, I reached a new low. Our friend, Terri, came over for dinner and cupcakes. I make the dinner. Terri makes the cupcakes, rootbeer float cupcakes that night. My favorite cupcakes are the angel food with cool whip filling … mmmm …. mmmm … I digress. After coming in and getting settled, Terri asked me how Mauldin was doing. I know she was expecting to hear “He’s great! Growing like a weed.” My response however, “He pooped today. He hasn’t pooped in 3 days, but today he did. It was massive too. You wouldn’t believe how much solid food poops stinks. We are going to start trying prunes. I think that will help. He just doesn’t poop enough.”
This is one of those moments when I realize…Wow…life has changed. Mauldin is my life, for the time. My world revolves around him, what he does and what it best in his life. So let me appoligize in advance if I begin to diatribe about my son’s bodily functions. Just smile and nod…I promise I will move on to new topics soon enough. Eventually the Poop Report will come to a close and a new report will open, and the way things are looking, the Crawl Report is about to begin.
This has been quite a week for Mauldin.
Daddy getting Mauldin ready to go see Mrs. Gloria
First, I’m heading back to work tomorrow. That means daycare for Mauldin. To get him use to the new schedule, he has been going half days so far this week. It’s been an adjustment for both of us. The house has been a lot quieter without his coos and sleep music drifting down the hallway. I know that he is in good hands though. When I picked him up on Monday, Gloria, our caregiver, gave me a picture she had printed on a piece of paper that said, “First Day of School.” This, of course, will make it’s way into the baby book, although for now it is proudly displayed on our fridge.
Mommy feeding Mauldin some "yummy" rice cereal
Now the Mauldin is growing, we are also adding solid foods to his diet. The doctor gave us the go ahead at his Friday appointment, so tonight, we began with rice cereal. I made about a teaspoon (at least that’s how much dry cereal I used) and we attempted to eat about half of it. I say half, because I don’t really know how much ended up on the bib and how much ended up in the tummy. It will take a while for us to get the hang of it, but we will keep trying.
Finally, our biggest accomplishment occurred after I picked him up from daycare today. After running a few errands, we arrived home and I placed Mauldin on the play-gym beside me in the office. While I was checking emails, I heard grunting going on around my feet. When I turned to see what the little guy was up to, I found him straining on his side, trying to reach a toy beside him. In order to reach it, he was going to have to roll all the way over on his tummy. He was trying so hard, that his face would get red as he grunted and tried to push himself over. That’s when I grabbed the camera and began filming. I didn’t want to miss this. Of course, as soon as I hit record, Mauldin stopped. He’s so camera shy. Still thinking that he may try again, I set the camera, still turned on, beside me on the desk. Sure enough, he started again. Fortunately, I grabbed the camera in time to catch it on tape. I’m so proud of my little boy!!!
Okay…this has nothing to do with parenting, but I cannot wait to see this movie. I loved this story when I was little, and still remember the live action version that came on HBO, I think, with Carol Channing.
Here is the live action version that I love!
My parents have a garden. Actually, my dad has a huge garden with tons of veggies, and my mom has a smaller version at home with peppers and tomatoes. I love my parents gardens, because it provides us with wonderfully fresh vegetables and tasty canned goods throughout the year.
This year, my mom decided to try growing eggplant. Not a very popular plant, but still tasty. So, last week, she sent some she had just picked.
What did this mean for me?
My first attempt at Eggplant Parmesan!!! It was such a success, that I decided to share it with everyone. I hope that you enjoy it and gain a little bit of appreciation for this purple fruit (yes…it is actually a fruit).
Eggplant Parmesan
2 Eggplant, pealed and thinly sliced
3 egg whites, slightly beaten
1 3/4 cups Italian Seasoned bread crumbs (I just use regular bread crumbs and season them with Italian herbs)
2 2/3 cups of your favorite spaghetti sauce
8 oz Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
3 Tbsp. Parmesean cheese, grated
1/4 tsp. basil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Dip eggplant slices into egg whites and then coat with bread crumbs. Place on baking sheet and bake in oven for 5 minutes on each side. In a 9 x 13 casserole dish, lightly coat bottom with spaghetti sauce. Then place a layer of eggplant and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Then continue this layering one more time (spaghetti sauce, eggplant, and cheese). Finally, sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese and basil. Bake in oven for 30 minutes.
I put mine on top of angel hair pasta (my favorite).
“Hey Babe! I’m on my way to Publix to get your sandwich for lunch. See you in a bit.”
Eric and I have enjoyed the fact that he has been able to come home for lunch this summer. Usually it works out great, because Mauldin has just woken up from and nap, eaten, and is ready for some playtime. Next week, this ritual will end, but for now, we are enjoying it. Today, I decided to get us a sub from Publix.
Publix subs became my favorite while pregnant. I wasn’t allowed to have Subway, due to a higher risk of bacteria in the meat. Publix cuts their meat fresh, so it was the only luncheon meat I was allowed. Plus, I now think that their subs are truly the best, and I don’t really care to eat Subway.
Mauldin did great as I put him in the car. He really hates his carseat, and usually screams while in it. This is until he falls asleep. The problem with Publix is that it is only a minute down the road and not enough time for him to slip into dreamland. Today was going well though. We started down the road, and I could hear him cooing in the background. “Yes!” I thought to myself. “Today we are going to make it.” As soon as I thought it, the crying began.
“Mauldin, we just have to get a sandwich for Mommy and Daddy and then we can go home. I promise. Just let Mommy get a sandwich.”
When we finally arrived at Publix, Mauldin was in full swing, with tears and all. Keeping my fingers crossed, I pulled his carseat out of the car and headed inside. I don’t know what it is about the outdoors, but as soon as Mauldin steps into the sunshine, the tears and screaming stopped. I got into the grocery, set the carseat in the cart, and headed for the deli.
Unfortunately, there was someone already in line and we had to wait. Waiting with a baby can be nerve racking. You usually have a finite amount of time to get things done, and waiting time is usually not factored in.
“PLZZZZZ” Mauldin starts making raspberries at me. His new, favorite trick. “PLZZZZZ”
Obviously this makes him happy, so I, of course encouraged it with a PLZZZZZ right back. Thus began the symphony of raspberries back and forth between me and my son. People passed and smile. A group of teenage boys beside me laughed. I even ordered while making them.
“I need a full Boarshead turkey sub…PLZZZZZ…with mayo, deli mustard…PLZZZZZ…and pepperjack cheese…PLZZZZZ”
I know I looked ridiculous, but who cares. My baby was happy and I was able to order in peace.
Anyways, what better place to make raspberries than in the grocery!
Well, I can’t believe it, but Mauldin is four months old today. It doesn’t seem like that much time has gone by. We’ve already had to clean out his drawers from all the newborn and 0-3month onesies. He now wears 3-6. Instead of spending the hours in deep slumber, Mauldin now coos and wets my face with slobbery kisses and zerberts. He smiles when his Daddy gets home from work and loves watching Playhouse Disney while Mommy cleans up dishes from the previous night’s meal. We no longer put blankets under his feet in the exersaucer. He touches the bottom with no problems. I’m sure crawling will occur any day. He tries so hard when I put him on his tummy. We will go to the doctor on Friday and see how much he has grown, although I think he is 11 pounds now.
It has been a glorious 4 months! I’ve enjoyed every moment we have spent together. I can’t wait to see what this next month will bring 
-
- Mauldin’s first week home
-
- Mauldin at four months old
Click here to read previous post.
Well, we’ve had a breakthrough. Mauldin isn’t sleeping through the night by any stretch of the imagination, but we are sleeping in 4 our stretches now. This is a huge improvement over the hour and half and two hour wakings we were experiencing a few weeks ago.
What changed…Bedtime Routine!
Yes…I know how simple it sounds, but once Eric and I developed a simple bedtime routine, and stuck with it for a few days, our nights went much smoother.
First, we set a bedtime. Nothing too exact. We decided to try and put Mauldin to bed sometime between 6 and 7pm. If we don’t have much to do, and we eat dinner early, bedtime is around 6pm. If we decide to go to the pool or on a walk, then it is more around 7pm. In general, we stick between these two times. There are days that it’s not possible, but we have made those few and far between.
Second, we developed a plan. BEB…That’s right…BEB. Bath, Eat, Bed.
Eric begins by giving Mauldin a bath. For now, this takes place in his mini-tub. In the future, I foresee lots of bubbles, toys, splashing and laughing to occur. Mauldin loves bath time and he and Eric have a blast during it.
After bath, it’s time for lotion and PJs. We use the Johnson and Johnson lavender scented kind. It is suppose to be calming. I’m not sure that it is, but it definitely smells good, so we are going with that.
Next it’s time to eat and hear a story or two. He has just gotten into books, so while I read a story, he constantly reaches for this pages. Sometimes he even helps me turn them.
Finally it’s bedtime! Again, I call on Eric for this one. I am married to the world’s best swaddler!!! Mauldin is so strong now, that just cant’ get him swaddled tight enough. He breaks out of my swaddles, no matter what I do. Eric however is a master, so this has become his job. Once swaddled, Mauldin gets rocked until he drifts off to dreamland and is set down into his crib for the night.
Seriously, this is the only thing we have changed, and bedtime has become soooo much easier. Mauldin usually sleeps until around 11pm. Then wakes again at 3 and 5:30am to eat. We still have a way to go before we are sleeping through the night, but we are getting closer and Mommy and Daddy aren’t looking so much like zombies anymore.
