Thankful

As we speak, I am sitting on my couch in my pajama's on my day off and I could not be more thankful for having Friday's off. I swear I would have lost my sanity by now without it! I read this wonderful article this week, that seemed to come at a time when I really needed it. Thought I would post a few of the key points to the blog in case anyone is in need of a few reminders as well! The basic ideas of the article are below:

• Don't compare yourself to other "supermoms" and don't stress about what you aren't getting done.
• Lower your expectations and stick to the basics. You don't always have to have a spotless house. Determine the one chore that needs to get done the most that day and tackle that chore. Leave all the other chores for another day.
• Your baby is only little once. Take the time to enjoy them...soak up their little giggles and smiles.
• Learn to find the humor in the situation and always try and laugh rather than cry.
• Even though it might seem like there can't possibly be any energy left at the end of the day, save a little energy to catch up with your husband.
• Take time for yourself, even if its only 10 minutes a day.
• If you have to choose between cuddling and cleaning, always choose cuddling. You won't look back on your life and remember the dirty house, but you will remember the precious moments cuddling with your little one!

So as we speak I am sitting on my couch during Patrick's nap ignoring the millions of things that need to be done and making the choice to cuddle with my pups and watch t.v. instead of clean!

Happy Friday!

Sick Days

My sweet little Patrick has been a sick sick baby. Last week I noticed that Patrick had a runny nose and a pretty bad cough. He pretty much always has a runny nose, but the cough was new. It got progressively worse through the week. On Friday, Sharon asked if she could keep him in the morning while I worked instead of going to Margarets. 

He had fun hanging out with Nana, but when I picked him up at lunch she mentioned that his cough had been really bad that morning. When Patrick woke up from his afternoon nap, he was burning up and was having trouble breathing. I immediately called the doctor in hopes we could get in before they closed in an hour. A couple of the kids at Margaret's had gone home with Bronchitis the week before, so I assumed that's what he had. However, he tested positive for RSV and had an ear infection. I had no idea what RSV was, but knew it was pretty serious after I spoke with the doctor! It is just a common cold for adults, but is really hard on babies under 1.

So this weekend we had a couple pajama days. I think I only made it out of the house a couple times. Here are a few pictures of my sick little boy. You wouldn't even know he was sick, would you? Such a happy little guy!

After trying to rest this weekend, I thought Patrick was on the mend, but he seemed to get more sick on Monday and Tuesday! Patrick wasn't able to breathe very well (since RSV causes fluid in the lungs) and he wasn't able to sleep much at all.

Luckily we have the grandparents in town, so I had care for every day but Tuesday the following week. I worked from home on Monday since there are so many pregnant people in my office and I was sure I was carrying a bunch of germs! On Tuesday I had a nanny come to watch Patrick. I have had two really good experiences with the nanny service, so I thought it would be fine. After writing down everything in very specific detail and going over it with the nanny multiple times, I headed to work. I asked her to call me if she had any questions at all and that it was no problem for me to come home if needed. I didn't have a great feeling about the nanny that came, but I convinced myself that everything was fine.

After about 2 hours at work, I still couldn't shake my bad feeling, so I texted the nanny to see how everything was going. The nanny texted back that he had been really fussy. I immediately packed up my things and left. When I got there the nanny was not very friendly and said that Patrick had been crying almost the whole time I was gone and that she called her mom to see what she should do. Umm...called your mom? Why not call me? She also mentioned that she was not able to get Patrick to drink anything, so I fixed a bottle and fed it to him with no trouble. I could feel that he had a full diaper, so I went ahead and changed him too. While watching me change him, she mentioned that she hadn't changed him yet because he didn't have a stinky diaper. I was thinking to myself...have you ever watched a child? You change their diaper every few hours no matter if they have a stinky diaper or not! Then she casually mentioned that she had given him tylenol because he felt hot and was fussy. I had specifically said Patrick could have tylenol after noon and that she should call me before she gave him any medicine (I had also written this down and gone over this with her twice!). This really irritated me because it was well before noon and you do not mess with a child's medication!! I noticed her roll her eyes at me after I asked her why she already gave it to him. So I about lost it with this girl!!

But, I had a conference call that I had to be on for an hour so I really needed the help. Since Patrick is all over the place these days, there was no way I could concentrate on a call and watch him. I decided to do the call from the office downstairs, so I could still hear their every word. It was really obvious to me that Patrick was not fond of this girl from listening to them play. I don't blame him, since I wasn't fond of her either! After the call, I paid her for the full day (which I probably shouldn't have done) and told her to leave. I'm not normally that bold, but I was pretty mad!

I'm not sure if I will ever use the service again or not. If I do, I will be extremely picky and ask a million questions about the person who will be coming. I have had two great experiences with them, so I was really surprised about this experience!

I have really been struggling with being a working mom this week, especially after what happened on Tuesday! Being a working mom is tough, especially when you have a sick baby (and there are a lot of those sick days when your baby is in daycare)! It's been really tough for me to leave Patrick when he is so sick and just wants to be held by me. It's also tough to find alternate care while you are working! But, I think the sleep deprivation is one of the most difficult parts!! I'm pretty used to functioning at work on 5-6 hours of sleep a night, but the 4 hours that I have been getting this past week and a half is wearing me pretty thin. It's also tough since Michael is working til 1:30am every night, so he isn't available to help much at all. Did I mention Michael also had strep throat this past weekend while Patrick had RSV!?!? He ended up having to take off the whole weekend from work, but was pretty much banned from the upstairs where Patrick and I were, so we barely saw him.

So glad this week is over and that Patrick is starting to feel better!

It wouldn't be a good post, without a cute sleeping picture. So, below is Patrick's favorite sleeping position. He loves to stick his booty in the air. Cracks me up!

Valentine's Day

Every year Michael and I have gone to Mellow Mushroom and the Predators game on Valentine's Day. Michael and I have only used a babysitter a couple of times since both of our parents live in town, so I completely forgot to get someone until it was too late. So, our little Valentine joined us this year!

Ready to go to the game in his Pred's jersey from his uncles

Family photo at the game

I was a little nervous about how he would do sitting still for so long (since our little boy does not sit still for a moment!) but he did great! All the excitement and the big screen kept him entertained. The people sitting behind us yelled like crazy the whole time, so Patrick kept trying to turn around and look at them. We made it to the middle of the second period, which is much longer than I thought we would make it!

I love the amazed look on Patrick's face in this picture!

I was pretty nervous about the noise and the cold the whole time. I don't think I have ever been to a predators game where I was secretly hoping that no one would score so that it wouldn't be too loud! The hat and the hood on the coat seemed to block out most of the noise and not bother Patrick at all. He loved all the excitement!

We left the game around 8:15 and then picked up Mellow Mushroom on the way home. Patrick fell asleep as soon as we got in the car!

Worn out after a big night out with Mom and Dad!

I loved being with my two boys on Valentine's Day! It was a perfect night out!

Patrick- First Steps!

Patrick took his first steps on February 9! I am so proud of my big boy!

He has been practicing all weekend! I think he is really determined to be walking soon! I can't believe it! I better get ready for a toddler running around the house!

Superbowl

Patrick "watched" his first Superbowl game. We watched at Ben and Andrea's house and Patrick had the best time showing off for everyone! Look how happy he is in the pictures! I love it!

Here's a little video of Patrick and Michael playing together. Patrick thinks his daddy is so funny! I love how he topples over because he is laughing so hard :)

Patrick hates to nap on the weekends, so normally Michael or I have to cuddle with him to get him to nap.

Here is another little video of Patrick dancing to Elmo. He really loves Elmo and whenever we turn it on he crawls up to it and dances.

Patrick continues to be the happiest baby and laughs at everything. I am just so blessed to have such a happy, beautiful, sweet baby!

Happy Birthday Turk and Bailey

Turk and Bailey are 3 years old!

My sweet Turk

Pretty Bailey

They keep us busy for sure! I feel pretty sorry for them during the winter months since they are stuck inside all day. Luckily, it has been a very mild winter so they have had more time outside than expected. They also continue to get themselves in lots of trouble. For example, on Monday morning, Michael let the dogs out before he left for Knoxville for the day. Patrick and I woke up shortly after and I noticed that Turk and Bailey were uncharacteristically quiet. It just so happens that they had caught a possum (or raccoon- I couldn't tell). I tried yelling for them, but couldn't get them to leave it alone. I didn't want to touch the animal and then go inside and get Patrick ready, so I just left them outside all day with the animal. Turk was pretty sick for the next couple of days. Thankfully, he seems to be feeling better now.

Turk and Bailey have been really great with Patrick. He is always trying to pull their tails or pet them (i.e. pull their hair out). Turk is pretty laid back with Patrick but would prefer for Patrick to not go too close. However, Bailey is still terrified of him. She makes a disgruntled growl when Patrick crawls after her and jumps up to move away. Bailey then plays a game with Patrick where she jumps around and barks constantly. She barely ever wags her tail, but she always wags it when playing this game. Even though she sounds vicious, its just her way of playing.

They are definitely getting less attention than they were last year. Michael and my dad try to make up for it by taking them on walks a couple times a week. It's their favorite activity! They are a little more needy than they used to be, but I guess that is to be expected since they are getting a little less attention. They used to love to go outside while Michael and I are home, but now they would prefer to sit at our feet or follow us around the house all day. They really do make the best cuddle buddies!

I can't imagine our lives without Turk and Bailey! They definitely make things interesting!

Patrick- 10 Months

My sweet little Patrick is 10 months old! What a cutie!

Patrick is doing so many new things this month. His favorite activity is to push the kitchen and dining room chairs around the house. He pushes the chairs as hard and as fast as he can until he runs into something and then speed walks around to the other side and pushes it the other way. I think he could do this all day!

He also stood up for the first time this week by himself! He can’t stand up for very long by himself, maybe only 15 seconds or so! This week he has come home with new battle wound on his face every day! I know its from trying so hard to stand up by himself. Most the time he pulls up on his activity table and then practices letting go. I caught him practicing this morning.

He also learned how to climb the stairs this month

We went to Calhouns the other night and they tied a balloon on Patrick's arm. He thought it was so neat!

Patrick laughs at everything, especially Elmo. He absolutely loves Elmo! Also, any kind of funny face or funny noise will make Patrick giggle like crazy. I am almost always the last mom to pick up Patrick from Margaret’s house (since most the other moms are teachers) and I always walk into Margaret’s house and hear Patrick giggling at her. I also had another one of the mom's call and say that every time she walks in to pick up her son, she sees Patrick giggling at something!I’m so blessed to have such a happy baby!

Patrick got a new tooth about 3 weeks ago, so we are now up to 7 teeth! He has 4 on the top and 3 on the bottom. He also really likes to use those teeth! He is still chewing on everything.There is always something in his mouth. He has also started a really bad habit of biting! He bites my shoulder constantly while I am holding him, and with 7 teeth it really hurts! I think he means to only bite my t-shirt, but half the time accidentally bites me too. I have tiny little bruises all over my shoulder. He’s a little too young to discipline and thinks the word “no” is funny! I was really worried that he bites at “school” but he hasn’t yet, so hopefully its just Michael and I that he is biting.

He sees Turk and Bailey looking out over the yard, and frequently crawls over to look himself

He also uses his hands for excitement and frustration. When he gets excited he puts his hands together and clasps them really hard, like he can’t contain his excitement! When he gets frustrated because he can’t do something he puts his arms out and makes a really funny face. I have trouble not laughing at him!

He has been really needy with Michael and I lately! He wants to be held or for me to sit on the ground within a couple feet of him while he plays after “school.” Michael has been working like crazy, so it’s just been me and Patrick after work for the last month or so, which means that most of the time I have to put him down so I can get his dinner and my dinner ready. It makes me sad when he whines and pulls on my pant leg because he wants my full attention. Lately, Patrick has been crying when Michael leaves in the morning :(

Holding his favorite toy, the remote controller. Not sure why he likes it so much!

Is it April yet? I know Michael is working hard for our family, but it’s really tough working all day and then coming home and getting everything done around the house too. I am really thankful that I am only working 4 days a week (at least most of the time!). I honestly don’t know how I would survive if I was working 5 days a week! And luckily, Patrick is happy 99% of the time, so I haven’t had a really fussy baby on my hands after a long day of work :)

We are still working on his eating. He loves baby food, but I can’t really get him to eat table foods. He is still working on his pincher fingers and misses his mouth half the time. He seems a little frustrated by that, so that could be most of it! When he does get it in his mouth, he makes a face and pulls the food right out. Maybe this month we will see a lot more progress with the table food!

Patrick's hair has also started to get a little curl to it! Up until now his hair has been exactly like Michael's, but it is starting to curl a little in the back and its so cute! His hair still has a reddish tint to it, but it is mostly blonde.

Patrick is on a pretty good schedule now and doing really well in addition to sleeping so much better! Before now we haven’t really been able to get him on a good schedule. But now he is being pretty consistent! I feel like each month he is making more and more progress. Don’t get me wrong, it’s been a long and slow process with the sleeping situation, but progress is progress!Since I am using this blog as a record keeping book for Patrick, here is his schedule:

6:30-7:00- Wake up/Feeding

7:00-8:00- Breakfast/get ready for school/ go to Margaret’s

8-9:30- Play

9:30- Bottle

10:00-11:00- Morning nap

11:30- 12:00- Bottle/Lunch

12:00-2:00- Play

2:30- Bottle

2:30-4:00- Afternoon Nap

4:15-4:45- Bottle/Afternoon Snack

4:45-5:15- Play with Margaret

5:15-6:30 Picked up from Margarets/play

6:30-7:30- Dinner/Bathtime

7:30-8:00- Play until Bedtime

8:00- Feeding/Sleep

3:30- Night Feeding (about half the nights a week- the other nights he is sleeping through the night!)