Sick Day

Well, today was officially our first sick day.  Two Not even two weeks into daycare and little Nolan was sent home sick.  He had a low grade fever (100.5). 

I received the call around 11:00 and when I noticed it was from PA, I quickly answered it.  "Nolan is running a mild fever so he will need to be picked up."  Crap!  My baby is sick, this sucks.  I quickly called the doctor to get us an appointment, then asked to take a half day of sick time from work and I left.  Out the door I ran to get my little man. 

He slept all morning, 2.5 hours straight, which isn't normal for him.  He only ate one bottle and he just looked terrible.  We left daycare and headed right to the doctors.  When we got there he looked a bit better.  The nurse took his temperature and it was 100.5.  "Yep", she said, "a very low fever." 

The doctor came in and said she saw mucus in his throat and with the mild fever was sure it was the starts of an upper respiratory infection.  She said that there wasn't a need for antibiotics just yet, for us to use saline solution, a humidifier, and to have him sleep upright.  The doctor said it could get worse before getting better but that she wanted his body to do it job of fighting the cold.  If the fever gets above 102, she told us to come back. 

Before leaving the doctor's office, she asked to do a urine sample to ensure it wasn't a UTI.  She said that with UTI's the only symptom is a fever and she wanted to rule everything out.  Talk about a pain... My poor child had to have a bag stuck to him to collect the urine and then we had to wait.  Poor kid!  Well, the test came back normal, thank goodness.  So with that, we left the office and came home to spend the rest of the day sleeping to make it an official sick day!

Sleeping while waiting in the "Sick" waiting room.  I hate that side of the office.

Stretching while waiting for the doctor

He doesn't look sick.  :)

Three Months Old

Today he turned three months old... someone please freeze time!!!

Although this was his three month old outfit, he only wore it for about 20 minutes before he ruined it with a pee.  Oh well, it happens! 

Happy three months baby bear!

Thirteen Weeks

Oh my, how can it be? 

We woke up and it came to me.

Today is thirteen weeks

With those precious smiles and chubby cheeks.

Ah yes, another week has come and gone and now our Nolan is thirteen weeks old.  It truly is amazing how time flies and how a child can learn so much in such a short period of time.  Over the past week or so, Nolan has really started to coo.  He mimics the gurgling noises that I make and he knows that when he makes his little cooing noises that we will talk back to him.  He smiles non stop which is wonderful.  It doesn't matter what is going on in life, when I see that smile my world stops to enjoy it.  Nolan had found his hands a few weeks ago but he is now playing with them and biting on them all the time.  If he isn't eating, sleeping, or crying he can be found with his hands in his mouth.  Oh, and his feet.  Well, if I hold his feet up he loves to stare at them.  He started kicking at his toys in his bouncy chair a week or so ago, but he is now really good at it.  He can lift his feet and he understands what he is doing.  It is only a matter of time before he rolls over (for real this time).  He can get his feet over to one side but he struggles with that head of his.  Poor kid, he has the Lech head.  Sorry dude!



Nolan has been in daycare now for one week and one day.  He really seems to enjoy it.  When I drop him off in the mornings he goes right to the staff.  When I pick him up, he is normally in someones arms or sitting in a bouncy chair while other children are playing near him.  He is doing well with taking the bottle and then coming home to nurse.  He hasn't had any issues with feeding since he started daycare and believe me, his weight proves that.  In just the past few days we have noticed a huge change in his weight.  Nolan, my child, is getting fat.  LOL  No, not really fat, but he is packing on some meat.  I weighed myself and then weighed him and I together just the other day.  I couldn't believe my eyes!!  My son weighed in at 14 pounds.  What the heck, how did that happen?  Maybe it's those 4oz bottles that I am sending to daycare.



Speaking of bottles, this pumping at work thing is terrible.  One, I can't pump 4ozs in one session so I have to pump more times than Nolan actually eats while in daycare.  Two, being able to get in the number of sessions is working right now since I don't have to teach, but once I start teaching this could be impossible.  And three, an interior designer is definitely needed to decorate the "Mother's Room" that I use at work.  Omg, talk about a hole in the wall!  White walls with scuff marks all over them, two huge empty book shelves, one ugly chair, and a huge mirror that I stare at myself in while I pump.  Sounds inviting huh?  LOL


So what did we do this past week?  Well, Nolan completed four half days of daycare last week and then a full day yesterday.  He received all good remarks on his daily report card.  I had planned to take him for walks each day after daycare, but the mornings simply wore him out.  He did nothing but sleep all afternoon, which in the long run was good, cause Mommy was just as tired.  Talk about tired, yesterday was a killer.  I haven't worked a full day since June because of the surgeries and stones and stuff.  I was about to drop yesterday around 2:00.  And last night, well that was tough.  Needless to say, we were in bed by 9:30.

Tuesday and Wednesday were really spent doing nothing after daycare and work.  We basically sat in the recliner and slept all afternoon.  Thursday night my mom came over to see Nolan, so Nolan had some "Nolan and Mommom time".  Friday was a big day because it was time to celebrate.  Friday night we celebrated Brian's completion of his apprentice program at work.  It was a surprise and believe it or not, he really had no idea!  We went to a great Mexican restaurant in Avondale with both of our families.  The food was great and we had a good time.  Then on Saturday, Mommy, Mommom and Nolan went shopping.  I was in dire need of new work clothes (two pregnancies in one year can really do that to someone), so we headed out to Boscov's.  Nolan was great!  He started fussing because he was tired, but a crochet blanket that Mommy made took care of that.  I handed him the blanket, he rubbed it on his little face twice, and just like that he was asleep.  Can't ask for a better baby than that.  On Sunday, Brian worked so we skipped church.  I know, not good, but I knew I wouldn't be able to handle it on my own.  After Brian finished work, he stopped at Lowe's and decided to pick up materials to build Nolan a toy box for the living room.  Now, Nolan already has one in his bedroom, but his Daddy decided he needed one for the living room too.  I am sure one day Nolan will treasure the one his Daddy built for him though. 



Yesterday was Nolan's first full day in daycare.  He seemed to be okay but he didn't smile much last night.  I honestly think that he was as tired as I was.  You know, there is a lot to look at in daycare and it can really be a lot of work.  HAHAHA.  But really though, it is a lot for a little baby, when you are in daycare for 10.25 hours each day.  Last night sucked.  Not just because we were all tired, but because I realized that my fear was reality.  Weekdays, I will only be able to spend about 2.5 hours with my son while he is awake.  Daycare gets the rest of his waking hours.  Sucked, well that isn't even the right word to use.  But the reality of it is, I don't have any other choice.  I make too much to not work.  Maybe one day though, maybe.

So, that was the week in review. 

On to another week and we are preparing for Nolan's first Halloween.  Here are a few photo from this week to view.  Get ready for next weeks post and for some adorable Halloween pictures!!!!

Nolan and his blankie

Mommom and Nolan

"Yes, I can see you!"

Happy baby

"Which hand do you think it in?"

And I love you!

Mr. Handsome

Ten Reasons I Hate Returning to Work

Okay so I have to vent and thought this was the perfect place. 

This return to work thing, it sucks.  Today is day two and I am already hating it, which I knew before I started back that I would.  There are several reasons I feel this way:

1.  Waking my son up at 6:00 to get him ready when he just fell asleep only an hour before that just sucks

2.  Only getting in a few smiles before handing him off to someone else and watching him smile at them is really hard to do

3.  Going to work and having to miss feedings with my little munchkin really isn't much fun

4.  Having to sit in a room with white walls, dirty carpet, and a chair that looks like it is from the 50's to pump the food that my son should be eating isn't fun

5.  Only able to pump half of a bottle for my son each time I pump at work is super stressful because eventually the supply isn't going to be there

6.  Going to pick my child up and seeing him growing up in someone else's arms just tears at my heart

7.  Coming home and only having a few hours with him just isn't fair

8.  Realizing that my soothing technique isn't working any more because he likes the daycare technique better is an arrow to my heart

9.  Kissing my son's head and smelling the perfume of another women just eats at me

10.  And the worst thing of all, trying to feed my child and having him pull away and fearing that this could only get worse

The sad thing is, this is only day two and I am only doing half days.  What will happen when I start full days and work a full week.  Maybe I will move to Canada or England where I can have 6 months to a year off for maternity. 

PS:  I didn't even mention that I don't have computer access to ANYTHING at work.  Or that I have zero items on my to do list so it makes the day go super slow.  Or that upon my return only a few seemed to even notice I was back.  Or that I just don't care to work anymore. 

Twelve Weeks

Another week has come and gone and this one was crazy.  We had so much to do to prepare for Nolan's first day of daycare and my return to work.  From the beginning of the week till the end, I FELT NOTHING BUT DREAD.  I was dreading to send my little baby to daycare and return to work, but some things just have to be done. 

After putting off taking Nolan's things to daycare, Brian and I finally did so on Friday.  Nothing like putting a pack 'n play together during nap time.... yikes!  So the pack 'n play was set up, his clothes and spare everything (cause they need spare bibs, sheets, socks, clothes, burp clothes...) was in his little cubby, and we met his teachers.  He was ready for his first day.

Over the weekend I started the labeling process.  Now that is some work.  Everything, and I mean everything had to be labeled.  Now what I took to daycare on Friday was already labeled, but I had to plan his outfits for the week and label them.  Of course I am obsessive, so not only does he have outfits but he has matching blankets, which needed to be labeled as well.  After sticking and ironing (yes, I broke down and got iron-ons too because I know how some tags are picky and I ate it, and I couldn't stand the thought of him maybe picking) many labels to his belonngings, Nolan's items were all labeled. 

Monday, Nolan started daycare.  I couldn't believe it but it was happening.  Ironically, picture day was the same day.  Nothing like a professional picture to celebrate your first day of school.  After getting up at 4:30 and taking three hours to get ready (two diaper changes, two feedings, Nolan dressed, Mommy showered and dressed, and the four bags ready) we were finally ready to go.  OR SO I THOUGHT.  I heard a nice rumbling sound, then a squirt.  Yep a big poop.  Nothing like getting him all ready just to have to take him out again.

We finally made it to daycare at 8:30.  Nolan was taken out of his car seat and fed by his teacher while I filled out paperwork and talked with another teacher.  I headed off to the dentist and only called once to check in on him.  When I picked him up he was sitting in a bouncy chair sound asleep.  His paperwork said he had a good day, was content and full of smiles.  When I took him to the car and put him in his seat I noticed a tear in his right eye.  Talk about pulling on my heart. 

All and all, this week was a huge step for both Nolan and Mommy.  Let's see what next week has in store, shall we?

Of course we had lunch with Mommom again and it was really good.  The food was home cooked and you could tell, it was delicious.

Here are photos from the week:

Asleep in his swing

Love this face

"Seriously, jacket weather already?!  Do we have to have the hood?"

Cuddles with Daddy

"Look at me!!"

"Yes, just like my shirt says... I'm in charge"

"What you lookin' at?"

"Now this is the life"

Best video ever

"My first day of WHAT?!"

"SCHOOL!!! YAY!"

Lovin' the blanket

"mmmm fist"

"Wyatt, please HELP me!!"

"Oh just take the picture"

"At the end of a long day it's nice to sit with my dog"

Eleven Weeks

This week was filled with a lot of running around to prepare for Nolan's baptism.  The weather was fantastic and we still managed to get in a few walks. 

I feel like everyday our little Nolan looks different.  I find myself still dreading the fact that I have to return to work in just one week.  I can't believe twelve weeks are almost over.  Where in the world did the time go??? 

Nana and Grandpa came to visit early in the week and Nolan was ready with this Grandpa shirt. 

"What?!  Grandpa's coming?"

 "I think I will nap until Grandpa arrives"

Mommom came over to visit on Wednesday to ensure that the 55 year old christening outfit would fit.  It did fit thank goodness.  Then we found out on Thursday that Mommom had a cold.  I spent the rest of the week praying that Nolan and I wouldn't get it. 

The entire weekend was spent getting the house ready for Nolan's baptism.  Talk about stressful.  Thank goodness for family and friends cause there was no way I would have been able to do all of the set up plus cook everything.  The baptism turned out great (see the previous post). 

Here are some other photos from this week:

 "What are you looking at?!"

My little conductor

Cuteness

I love these eyes

"Yes world, I found my hands!!!"

"This tummy time thing... it sucks!"

Yesterday we received Nolan's professional photos.  Talk about adorable... OMG.  See for yourself:

Well, another week down which means Nolan is now 11 weeks old.  I just can't believe it.  I continue to wonder how time can go so fast and why there are only 24 hours in one day.  As I continue to wonder, another week is currently taking place.....

Into the Hands of God

We couldn't have asked for a better day.  Maybe it was God's way of telling us that things are the way they are supposed to be or maybe it was his brother shining down on him.  Whatever the reason, Nolan's baptism day was beautiful. 

It was decided that Nolan would wear my father's baptism outfit.  This outfit has been in our family for 55 years and was worn by my father, my brother, and now Nolan.  It was washed several times very carefully, as it is made of lace, and ironed ever so gently. 

Gramps and Nolan

We got him dressed and ready to go in the comfort of his own room and prayed that he didn't christen the outfit on the way to the church.  Our prayers were answered as he was dry upon arrival, LOL. 

A total of three children were baptized yesterday, two boys (including Nolan and a little girl).  Of course, our family took up most of the church, but that's what happens when we have 11 grandchildren on one side.  The sun was brightly shining in on us during the service, as if Wyatt was trying to shine through to help welcome Nolan into the hands of God. 

Our family is so big it took two photos to capture everyone

Nolan's God parents

After the church, we returned to our house and hosted a huge celebration with friends and family.  The day was great.  The kids played on the moon bounce and the adults ate and enjoyed time together.  My aunt made Nolan's cake and it turned out incredibly cute.   

Yes, someone found his thumb!

The day was just perfect, absolutely perfect.