Practically a Gentleman

That Nicholas...he just keeps growing and going! Would you believe that he turned four months old this past Wednesday? Neither can I...and yet, I have to admit that I can't really remember much of the days when he was an itty bitty baby. In some ways, this is pretty good - those first few weeks were hard on both of us. I'm glad I managed to get a few blog entries out about it, though, so I can remember something when the mood strikes me.

All that aside, he's made some great leaps this month. For instance, he now assists us when we put on his clothes. He'll lift his head up so we can put his shirts over his head and he'll help as best as he can with putting his arms through his sleeves. He now has discovered that standing up (with assistance) is just more fun than a barrel of monkeys. He also loves to laugh, give kisses and smile. He's just a genuine little person at this point!

As far as his actual growth, he's still a slight fellow. He still fits best in 3 month size pants and shirts, though he's graduated to 3 to 6 months in onesies footed sleepers (they're pretty big on him, but they're long enough!). And, to think I didn't think he'd even be in 3 month size clothing for more than a couple of weeks. I still love that he's a small little guy, though...I have to admit it!

All in all, Nicholas had a "decent" birthday. I can't say it was fabulous because he wasn't feeling so great. Sadly, it seems after a week of the "formula made of gold" that it isn't much better than the cheaper stuff. Can you say bummer? Perhaps as time goes on, it will go back to being good as it was in the first three days when we tried it and again the first few days of this trial. I'm kind of kicking myself for buying enough for a month now, though since we could have spent that money in other ways. Oh well. You live you learn, I guess...and there is still a possibility, I suppose, that it will start behaving.

For now, though, we're not so impressed after a longer feeding experience. He's still having gas and now has an added complication - constipation. The poor little guy! On the bright side, his waste products look more like what they said they should...i.e., seedy. I'll spare you any further details. It's hard as many other new parents (and perhaps some seasoned ones) can attest to remember that baby poo is not something that the masses wish to discuss on a regular basis. It seems that Mark and I discuss it often, though. :)

In other exciting Nicholas news, we received his Halloween costume in the mail the other day. Oooh, it's cute! You're going to love it when I finally post the pictures on his website.

Update on 10/06/07 - It looks like I never published this so I'm doing it now! :)

Chew On This

My apologies for a rather lengthy absence (again!). There's been a flurry of activity around here with Mark finishing school last Friday (YEA!!!), painting, carpeting, Nicholas, etc.

I had to come back today though to share with you that my little boy is growing up much too quickly. :( I had already come to this conclusion, but then, yesterday, we discovered the most concrete proof yet - Mr. Sprout is getting his first tooth! What?!? He's only almost 4 months old. I guess after reading a few different resources this is not completely unusual, but I am just left with a wave of emotions. I'm so excited that he's reached yet another milestone (he's been laughing and squealing lately, too), but I am sad that this milestone is just another indicator that he's growing up at the speed of light.

At any rate, he seems to be doing quite well all things considered. He isn't sleeping as well as we'd like during the nighttime hours, but he's content to swing in his swing and suck on his little hand so we've been making use of this tool to get some sleep for ourselves.

Other than this, the formula we tried from the allergy doctor does seem to have helped. We ordered 2 cases last week and it should get here. Total cost for a month's supply - $250 (with a first time buyer coupon). Ouch. Worth every penny if it helps Nick feel better but ouch.

Mark, as I mentioned, finished school. :) It is weird having him home all day now every day, but also very nice. We enjoyed a number of outings last week to celebrate with his classmates. We missed most of the BBQ (the thing we wanted to attend most) due to the carpet people who took 12 hours to do their thing. Our house looks quite nice now, though. :)

As far as being a chiropractor, we're just waiting for the results of his Part III boards which he took on Sept. 8 (the day before his birthday). He's also seriously looking at a practice in a location to be announced if everything goes as planned. It's a great opportunity in a great location so hopefully it will!

We had a little BBQ for our friends to make good use of our 1/2 cow we bought. It was a very fun time despite the fact that I had just had an allergy treatment the day before and couldn't have anything with sugar in it (can you say just kill me now?) for about 2 hours of the party. In fact, I pretty much lived on tater tots that day...yum, I think. Luckily, pretty much everyone came about 2 hours after the start time we designated so I didn't have to really suffer too much. Which is not to say if that Nick and I didn't the next couple of days after. :)

That will do it for today I suppose... Until next time, I hope all is well with you and your loved ones! :)

Allergy Appointment

Today I took Nicholas to the allergy doc's office. It wasn't all I had hoped for, but at least we have something else to try. I am not sure if I ever mentioned the uber-expensive formula I found called Neocate. Well, he wants to try that first before we do any testing... He assures me that the soy oil in it will not cause problems if Nicholas has a soy allergy. Bizarre, but whatever we'll try it.

Of course, this was a bit of a bummer visit for me because the doctor told me to avoid all the typical offenders as far as food allergies go. That means eggs are back on the "can't eat 'em " list. Of course, I can't eat them because I choose not to for Nicholas not because I actually can't eat them so I guess that is a little better. At least I was able to enjoy some of the best French Toast I've ever had (because I hadn't had it forever, no doubt!) on Sunday morning...

Let's see, what else has gone on. Nicholas is becoming a real kissy baby. I love his little slobbery kisses. It just makes me smile...kind of makes me feel bad to wipe all the drool off, though. I'm glad as he gets older he'll be able to perfect his technique! :)

Nicholas also is really enjoying standing up assisted. He gets a little perturbed sometimes when you put him in a sitting position. I think he likes being able to have a direct view of our faces. He's a real cutie pie - I like looking at him, too.

Not that it is earth shattering, but I also got a new purse and wallet yesterday. I had to...my other one broke. I always hate it when things break or get ripped, need mended or whatever. I always have such a hard time finding something else I like and am willing to pay for. So I guess it sort of surprises me that yesterday I actually let myself splurge. I bought a Liz Claiborne purse and wallet to match. They were on sale so I don't feel the need to commit myself (hee hee). I think I'm just going through a really need to feel somewhat girly moment.

It's been really hard for me since about mid-pregnancy to motivate myself to do my hair or makeup. The hair now is pretty much worn in a single style - can you say pony tail? It's kind of a necessity if I don't want my hair pulled by my dear little guy. So, no more super model hair days for me for a while longer...except when I'm standing in the mirror in the morning or before bed and can brush out and admire that I have some very nice locks (not being conceited here...I just recognize that I was blessed in the hair department). As for makeup, well, part of that is Mark's fault. He had to go take (okay they made him) a class on Toxicology and learned about all the horrible stuff they put in makeup and countless other things so he's asked me not to use it unless I can find some without the icky stuff.

That seems fair and I've actually found some options (Bare Escentuals is one) that I'd sort of like to try, but I have a hard time justifying the cost at this point since I'm not working. BE has a little starter kit that is like $60 that I'm still contemplating, but I keep talking myself out of it partially because I've never really worn much other than mascara and eyeliner so I'm not sure I want all that other 'stuff' in the lineup. Maybe once Mark is employed I'll reconsider it.

Speaking of Mark, he is scheduled to be essentially finished with school on Wednesday of next week. How cool is that? It will be nice to have him finished. He's looking into a couple of opportunities which we'll let you know about when things are a little more crystal.

Well, I need to go help with dinner so toodle-loo for now.