I had a great time this past weekend with my college sorority sisters, and hope to get a blog up about that later. It was such a great weekend!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Big News!
WE HAVE TEETH!!! Two of them as a matter of fact. Drake also now reaches for (AKA demands) his bottle, and holds it consistently. He also has decided that rolling is no big deal. I guess sitting up alone, and crawling are next. I cannot believe how big my sweet baby is.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Father's Day!
Happy Father's day to Eric, my dad, Denny, and Boots! This is Eric's first Fathers day, and I think he's having a good one. For Mother's day last month, I got to choose the activities for the entire weekend. And we are doing the same for Father's day! Yesterday Eric slept until 11, and we went clothes shopping for him later in the afternoon. Last night I took him out to eat wings. You can understand how much my Buffalo boy enjoyed that, I'm sure. Today, I let him sleep again. He was up by 9, and gone by 10 for 18 holes of disc golf. It's another one of his favorite things! Tonight we are going to Pops in the Park, which is a summer event where the Charlotte symphony orchestra plays for free in the park. It's a lot of fun, if it's not too hot. We'll have to see about that one.
We are doing sleep training with Drake, so I am DEAD tired. No more nursing him in the middle of the night, just using the binkie and soothing him back to sleep. I've shouldered most of the work this weekend, since I'm off and it's Eric's special weekend. I'm looking forward to tonight, when I shift some of the work back to Eric. I'm in desperate need of some rest. I feel like I did the first month of Drake's life. But this sleep training will all be worth it when he consistently sleeps from 8pm to 7am. That's my goal! And maybe one day, it'll even get stretched out to 8am. The last two mornings I've given in by 6:30 and nursed him. I really want to make it to 7am tomorrow! This kid has GOT to quit waking up at 5am.
Drake's two bottom teeth are still right below the gum. They are so sharp, and he no longer gets to naw on mommys fingers. I'll be sure to post when they finally pop through!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Beach Trip!
The most adorable face in the world.
My brother and I with our kiddos
Drake laughing on the beach
In the ocean
Break out the sunglasses!
Eric and I with my brother Davy, SIL Bridget, and the sleeping babies.
Out cold. Do you not just love the tutu bathing suit?
Drake loves his daddy.
"Hey Eric- We thought you were watching the kids?"
Drake wanted to hold hands--so sweet.
Eric and I went out for a date night at Joe's crab shack! It was very tasty.
This is what happens when Drake is left with grandpa. He put EVERY toy possible on the bumbo play tray. He was trying to ensure there would be no crying or fussing.
In a coma on the beach. I love these little sun shirts kids wear. Drake's in SPF 50, which is fabulous.
Drake and Daddy on the beach. My men sure are cute.Drake was not interested in looking at the camera.
Kisses from mommy
Drake and gammy
Drake and grandpa
This is my new solar veil ring sling by Taylor Made. It's mesh, so it's perfect for swimming. It's also a high spf! Drake loves it! For any of you other baby wearers out there, I highly recommend it.
Mom, Dad, and Eric putting up the tent.
We've had a wonderful time at the beach. I think Drake enjoyed it too, although he seemed to sleep alot of the time on the beach away. Must've been the soothing sound of ocean waves. Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure.
Drake decided that the beach was a lovely place to perfect his roll. He rolls from front to back, and back to front. We also introduced a sippy cup, with nothing in it. I'm letting him get used to that and a spoon since he'll be using both soon. I was shocked and sorta sad when he immediately took the cup and put it in his mouth. How does he know how to do that??? He is such a big boy. In other big news, he has two teeth that are RIGHT below the surface. It hurts when he grabs my fingers and puts them in his mouth. No more chewing on mommy as a teether.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Packing
I've always considered myself to be a good packer. I certainly should be, as much as I've traveled. But this having a baby stuff has really thrown me off kilter. I bought a HUGE new suitcase, and I still can't fit all of mine and Drake's stuff in it. Close, but no dice. I still need to fit some toys, bottles, and disposable diapers. I fit all of his real diapers, but I want to take some sposies to the beach to test. I need to take sposies and formula to Punta Cana in July, in case they won't wash my dipes, and in case my milk isn't enough. We are testing the formula at the beach later this week as well. I'm just going to mix it with some breastmilk and let him have a couple of bottles to try. I want to make sure that (a) he'll drink it, and (b) his tummy tolerates it. I sure hope so! I'm worried about being in the Dominican Republic and not having something we need, so this week on vacation is our "test" week. I'll be taking tons of photos and video, and hopefully will get some posted. I'm taking my computer to aid in this lofty goal. If nothing else, at least I'll get them edited and ready to post.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Seattle
Eric is leaving us today:-( Drake and I are sad, but when he gets home we are going on VACATION. He's headed to Seattle for the national sleep conference, and will get to stay with our good friend Carmen while he's there. He flies in next Wednesday morning on the red eye, and after he gets home and repacks we are headed out. First we have to go to Florence to drop the dogs off, then we are headed to the beach. I am so excited to have some beach time and introduce Drake to the beach! I have a busy weekend since I'm on call tomorrow, and then work Sun-Mon-Tues. Hopefully I won't have to work much tomorrow, b/c I have a bridal shower to attend, plus I need to start packing. I've got lots to get done while my hubbie is out of town. It will all be worth it when I'm playing at the beach!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Ugh...
Ungrateful and rude people really piss me off. Especially the ones who pretend to be so mannerly and proper. It wouldn't be all that painful to say thank you and mean it. Or to be respectful and fair. Okay, rant over........
Monday, June 1, 2009
Starting solid food
No, Drake is not on solids. I sure do get that question a lot. He's not on solids because he doesn't need them. I have lots of allergies, and was fortunate to outgrow all of my food allergies. But when I was first tortured with allergy testing in the 5th grade, I was allergic to EVERYTHING. No, I'm not exaggerating. Ask my parents. It was ridiculous. So, I'm very particular about waiting to at least six months before Drake gets solids. And that's just one reason. There are plenty more. But that's the main one for us. I'm copying an article from the associated content that has more info. If reposting it educates just one other mother, then my job here is done. And, maybe I'll quit being asked all the time about feeding Drake solids. It gets old.
Starting Solid Food
The Dangers of Starting Solids Early
A lot of women, especially first time mothers, are eager to introduce solid foods to their babies. It's another first, a new experience to remember together. It is so cute when they take those first few bites from the little baby spoon, letting pureed peaches dribble down their chins just a bit. Some people do it because it seems like their babies aren't getting enough out of formula or breastmilk. If they were, they wouldn't be so hungry all of the time, right? It's also convenient to have something other than liquid to offer a crying child, and maybe it will help them develop independence. After all, your mom constantly reminds you that you started eating baby food at a month old and were off formula by six months!
The truth is that babies need nothing but formula or breastmilk for the first six months of life. Frequent freedings are just a part of parenting a newborn. Feeding them solids won't make them less hungry or help them sleep through the night. It can actually make them very sick, because the intestinal tract is not completely developed until a baby is six months old. They simply are not internally ready to digest anything other than formula and breastmilk, even if they manage to swallow. Showing an interest in food doesn't necessarily mean their stomachs are ready. Not every interest is healthy. Would you let your baby have candy for every meal because he was interested, knowing it wasn't the best food for him?
The WHO, Unicef, the US Department of Health & Human Services, the AAP, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Dietetic Association, the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, and Health Canada all recommend that babies not be given solids until they are six months of age. As Dr. Jim Sears said on the Dr. Phil show, ""The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that no foods are given before 6 months. And that's very, very important. Many of the books out there still say the old recommendations 4 to 6 months. Now it's nothing before 6 months." Those old numbers are outdated; six months is the new guideline.
Dr. Jim Sears went on to say, on Friday, January 19, "Now why? It's very important. We've learned that the baby's intestines just are not ready to handle all these other foods, anything other than milk, OK? And starting them sooner can lead to food allergies or even more severe intestinal problems."
A baby's digestive system is not ready to handle solids until six months of age. Starting solids before then will result in poor digestion and negative reactions, such as an upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, or constipation. Gastric acid and pepsin, needed to digest protein, don't near adult values until a baby is several months old. Amylase, a pancreatic enzyme that digests starches, is not abundant enough until six months. Moreover, carbohydate enzymes are not at adult levels until a baby is 7 months old. Babies are unprepared for proper fat digestion until as late as 9 months, due to low levels of lipase and bile salts. It may be better to wait to introduce solids between 7-9 months, and it is certainly not healthy to introduce them when a child is only three or four months old.
Beginning solids early also increases risk of food allergies. Our bodies have a filtering system that keeps hazardous substances from being absorbed into the bloodstream. At six months of age, our intestines produce a protein immunoglobulin that coats our intestinal walls for this purpose. This process is called closure. In the early months, allergens can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream, causing our bodies to produce antibodies against them. Solids shouldn't be introduced until after the baby's gut has closed, especially if food allergies run in the family.
All of the nutrients and calories a baby needs is in the formula and breastmilk. Supplementing with solid food usually means eliminating a milk meal, which denies your child those nutrients. Formula and breastmilk are loaded with tons more than pureed baby foods, so this can deprive them of what they need to grow and develope in the most healthy way. Babies do not absorb nutrients from solids as well as liquids in the early months, which can also contribute to babies not getting enough out of their meals. Iron-fortified foods decrease the efficiency of a baby's iron absorption, which can cause anemia.
If you feed them milk in addition to a solid meal, you're at risk of overfeeding. Younger babies usually cannot signal when they are full by turning away or showing disinterest; they do not develope that ability until they are a little older. This can cause you to teach a baby to ignore
the signs of fullness and contribute to overeating later in life. Studies have shown that starting solids early is associated with a higher weight in childhood and more body fat.
Many babies cannot properly swallow before they are six months old, which can cause choking. Younger infants have a tongue-thrust reflex that protects the baby against choking. They automatically rejected anything solid by pushing it out with their tongues until the reflect disappears. Younger babies are also not very good at chewing, being that many do not even have teeth until later in their first year of life. They begin producing a lot more saliva around this time, which will break down their solid foods and is another reason to delay the introduction of solids. This is about the time that most babies learn to sit up as well, another reason it is the prime age at which to introduce solids. Starting solids sooner also deprives baby of the physical closeness they crave that they get during milk feeding sessions, when they are held.
There are some foods that should not be given until a year. The list includes cow milk, honey, and egg whites. There is not enough iron in cow milk, which can contribute to anemia. Moreover, babies that are fed cow milk early can develope an allergy to it that can cause problems ranging from a runny nose to a rash to even ear infections. Introducing egg whites before a year increases risk of allergy to eggs. Honey contains bacteria that can be harmful to a baby as well.
Dr. Sears went on to advise parents about how to start solids, "Traditionally, the first food is rice cereal. We used to always tell our patients that. But look at what rice cereal is: it's all carbs! Americans are carboholics already, and that's probably where it starts. So we really should start with fruits and vegetables. Mashed bananas are a great first food. Avocado is another great first food. It's very high in the healthy fats that the babies' brains need." Rice cereal is actually not the best first food, because as we just learned, a baby doesn't have enough carbohydrate enzymes to properly handle the high-carb content of rice cereal until 7 months. The sources of this article include several guides to solid introduction.
Your baby will let you know when she is ready for solids. When she can sit up on her own, show signs that she is hungry, has teeth or has begun teething, shows an interest in your food, and does not push solids out with her tongue, then she is ready to start. Don't rush into it too soon,
as there are absolutely no benefits to starting solids early. Delaying solids can help give your child a much better start to life that will benefit her throughout her many years on this Earth--especially if you breastfeed exclusively for the first six months. There is no need to be in a hurry. Enjoy the bonding that comes through the closeness of bottle or breastfeeding time. Solids can wait.
A lot of women, especially first time mothers, are eager to introduce solid foods to their babies. It's another first, a new experience to remember together. It is so cute when they take those first few bites from the little baby spoon, letting pureed peaches dribble down their chins just a bit. Some people do it because it seems like their babies aren't getting enough out of formula or breastmilk. If they were, they wouldn't be so hungry all of the time, right? It's also convenient to have something other than liquid to offer a crying child, and maybe it will help them develop independence. After all, your mom constantly reminds you that you started eating baby food at a month old and were off formula by six months!
The truth is that babies need nothing but formula or breastmilk for the first six months of life. Frequent freedings are just a part of parenting a newborn. Feeding them solids won't make them less hungry or help them sleep through the night. It can actually make them very sick, because the intestinal tract is not completely developed until a baby is six months old. They simply are not internally ready to digest anything other than formula and breastmilk, even if they manage to swallow. Showing an interest in food doesn't necessarily mean their stomachs are ready. Not every interest is healthy. Would you let your baby have candy for every meal because he was interested, knowing it wasn't the best food for him?
The WHO, Unicef, the US Department of Health & Human Services, the AAP, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Dietetic Association, the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, and Health Canada all recommend that babies not be given solids until they are six months of age. As Dr. Jim Sears said on the Dr. Phil show, ""The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that no foods are given before 6 months. And that's very, very important. Many of the books out there still say the old recommendations 4 to 6 months. Now it's nothing before 6 months." Those old numbers are outdated; six months is the new guideline.
Dr. Jim Sears went on to say, on Friday, January 19, "Now why? It's very important. We've learned that the baby's intestines just are not ready to handle all these other foods, anything other than milk, OK? And starting them sooner can lead to food allergies or even more severe intestinal problems."
A baby's digestive system is not ready to handle solids until six months of age. Starting solids before then will result in poor digestion and negative reactions, such as an upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, or constipation. Gastric acid and pepsin, needed to digest protein, don't near adult values until a baby is several months old. Amylase, a pancreatic enzyme that digests starches, is not abundant enough until six months. Moreover, carbohydate enzymes are not at adult levels until a baby is 7 months old. Babies are unprepared for proper fat digestion until as late as 9 months, due to low levels of lipase and bile salts. It may be better to wait to introduce solids between 7-9 months, and it is certainly not healthy to introduce them when a child is only three or four months old.
Beginning solids early also increases risk of food allergies. Our bodies have a filtering system that keeps hazardous substances from being absorbed into the bloodstream. At six months of age, our intestines produce a protein immunoglobulin that coats our intestinal walls for this purpose. This process is called closure. In the early months, allergens can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream, causing our bodies to produce antibodies against them. Solids shouldn't be introduced until after the baby's gut has closed, especially if food allergies run in the family.
All of the nutrients and calories a baby needs is in the formula and breastmilk. Supplementing with solid food usually means eliminating a milk meal, which denies your child those nutrients. Formula and breastmilk are loaded with tons more than pureed baby foods, so this can deprive them of what they need to grow and develope in the most healthy way. Babies do not absorb nutrients from solids as well as liquids in the early months, which can also contribute to babies not getting enough out of their meals. Iron-fortified foods decrease the efficiency of a baby's iron absorption, which can cause anemia.
If you feed them milk in addition to a solid meal, you're at risk of overfeeding. Younger babies usually cannot signal when they are full by turning away or showing disinterest; they do not develope that ability until they are a little older. This can cause you to teach a baby to ignore
the signs of fullness and contribute to overeating later in life. Studies have shown that starting solids early is associated with a higher weight in childhood and more body fat.
Many babies cannot properly swallow before they are six months old, which can cause choking. Younger infants have a tongue-thrust reflex that protects the baby against choking. They automatically rejected anything solid by pushing it out with their tongues until the reflect disappears. Younger babies are also not very good at chewing, being that many do not even have teeth until later in their first year of life. They begin producing a lot more saliva around this time, which will break down their solid foods and is another reason to delay the introduction of solids. This is about the time that most babies learn to sit up as well, another reason it is the prime age at which to introduce solids. Starting solids sooner also deprives baby of the physical closeness they crave that they get during milk feeding sessions, when they are held.
There are some foods that should not be given until a year. The list includes cow milk, honey, and egg whites. There is not enough iron in cow milk, which can contribute to anemia. Moreover, babies that are fed cow milk early can develope an allergy to it that can cause problems ranging from a runny nose to a rash to even ear infections. Introducing egg whites before a year increases risk of allergy to eggs. Honey contains bacteria that can be harmful to a baby as well.
Dr. Sears went on to advise parents about how to start solids, "Traditionally, the first food is rice cereal. We used to always tell our patients that. But look at what rice cereal is: it's all carbs! Americans are carboholics already, and that's probably where it starts. So we really should start with fruits and vegetables. Mashed bananas are a great first food. Avocado is another great first food. It's very high in the healthy fats that the babies' brains need." Rice cereal is actually not the best first food, because as we just learned, a baby doesn't have enough carbohydrate enzymes to properly handle the high-carb content of rice cereal until 7 months. The sources of this article include several guides to solid introduction.
Your baby will let you know when she is ready for solids. When she can sit up on her own, show signs that she is hungry, has teeth or has begun teething, shows an interest in your food, and does not push solids out with her tongue, then she is ready to start. Don't rush into it too soon,
as there are absolutely no benefits to starting solids early. Delaying solids can help give your child a much better start to life that will benefit her throughout her many years on this Earth--especially if you breastfeed exclusively for the first six months. There is no need to be in a hurry. Enjoy the bonding that comes through the closeness of bottle or breastfeeding time. Solids can wait.
Drake Photos
He loves to laugh! And sometimes he's just so serious...
This one's not my kiddo.....it's McCall!
Being a big boy in his bumbo. Although his legs are a little fluffy for it!
He loves his toys.
A week in review...
This past week was quite busy, and it doesn't look like it will slow down any this summer. We've got lots of fun things going on! We went to Florence this past weekend for my brother's surprise birthday party and to visit family. It was alot of fun, and Eric had a great time being a "country boy". My sweet Yankee husband who grew up in the city LOVED the tractor. I was amused. My parents are desperately working on getting Eric to move to the country. I'm the one objecting. We'll see if I ever give in......
This is a busy work week for me, and Eric leaves for Seattle Friday evening. We'll miss him lots, but I'm hoping my Mom comes to visit for the weekend. Eric flies back in next Wednesday morning, and we'll pick him up to repack and head out again. We are going to North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove Beach to be specific) for a family vacation. I am really looking forward to it. My parents are going, as well as Davy and Bridget with my niece McCall. And my cousin Ashlee may come for a day or two with her girls. I can't wait to get some sun and introduce Drake to one of my favorite things--the ocean!
In sad news, I am beginning to struggle with making enough milk for Drake. My goal right now is to make it to 6 months on exclusive breastmilk. I'd pay money right now to get my supply to increase. I'm doing numerous things to work on it, and hopefully it will improve soon. I really want to BF for at least a full year, but that is seeming to slip out of my reach. If you are religious, feel free to say a prayer for my boobs. LOL....
Okay, I'm off to try and upload some sweet photos of my Drakey from this past week or so. Have a good week!
This is a busy work week for me, and Eric leaves for Seattle Friday evening. We'll miss him lots, but I'm hoping my Mom comes to visit for the weekend. Eric flies back in next Wednesday morning, and we'll pick him up to repack and head out again. We are going to North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove Beach to be specific) for a family vacation. I am really looking forward to it. My parents are going, as well as Davy and Bridget with my niece McCall. And my cousin Ashlee may come for a day or two with her girls. I can't wait to get some sun and introduce Drake to one of my favorite things--the ocean!
In sad news, I am beginning to struggle with making enough milk for Drake. My goal right now is to make it to 6 months on exclusive breastmilk. I'd pay money right now to get my supply to increase. I'm doing numerous things to work on it, and hopefully it will improve soon. I really want to BF for at least a full year, but that is seeming to slip out of my reach. If you are religious, feel free to say a prayer for my boobs. LOL....
Okay, I'm off to try and upload some sweet photos of my Drakey from this past week or so. Have a good week!
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