Yesterday Steven and I put a sleeping Edmund in the car. When Edmund awoke he found himself in Lynchburg, VA where we had traveled to meet Edmund's Aunt Becca and to see his Grandma Kay Kay. When we arrived at Panera, the meeting place of choice, Edmund was greeted for the first time by his boisterous aunt. His initial reaction was one of confusion, although this seems to be his initial reaction to anyone new. Eventually Edmund decided Aunt Becca was very entertaining and gave her a great big smile. Edmund was ravenous after a two hour car ride, so Aunt Becca did the honors of feeding Master Edmund. As Edmund thinks the moon of anyone who feeds him, the two soon became fast friends.
After wearing out our welcome at Panera, we again loaded a sleeping Edmund into the car. When Edmund awoke this time, he found
himself wandering the Lynchburg Mall. Steven commented that there must not be much to do in Lynchburg if the tiny mall is the local hangout. I have a feeling he is right. While at the mall we made a stop in Baby Gap. I mainly go to Baby Gap to drool enviously over the miniature, trendy clothes. Edmund, or his mom as the case may be, hit the jackpot though because Grandma Kay Kay and Aunt Becca were present to spoil him. That's what grandmas and aunts do best. Becca helped to pick out an adorable argyle sweater vest, pants, and matching argyle socks. If Edmund wasn't the best dressed baby on the block he certainly will be now.
By the end of our tour of the Lynchburg Mall Edmund was again sleeping. The next time Edmund awoke he found himself in the Lynchburg Olive Garden. It occurred to me that a baby must get quite confused
if he constantly wakes up in a new place. That or he thinks that people teleport to get to their destinations. Just think, he went to sleep in Chapel Hill and awoke in Virginia. If only I could travel long distances without the monotony of a long car ride. We all enjoyed our time at the Olive Garden, especially Steven who claims it as his favorite restaurant. Edmund entertained our table by giving everyone his world famous grins. Eventually we had to say good-bye after an all too short visit. Edmund had a great time, however, and is already begging for another visit with his aunt and grandma.
My Mommy Makes Me Laugh
Last Thursday evening Steven, Edmund, and I headed to the mall. Steven decided to study in Panera since they have wi-fi and I wanted to walk Edmund around the mall until he decided to nap. If you will recall from an earlier blog posting, Edmund refuses to nap during the day. After walking around the first floor of the mall a couple of times Edmund was still wide awake. I needed a change of scenery, so I decided to take the elevator to the second floor. I pushed the up button. When the elevator opened I pushed the stroller into the elevator and pressed the button to close the doors. After about a minute the doors reopened. Edmund and I got off the elevator while making room for the next mommy and stroller to enter. We began our walk on the second floor, or so I thought. After walking 100 feet or so the stores seemed all too familiar. Edmund and I were again walking on the first floor. Edmund's very silly mommy had forgotten to press the 2 while in the elevator. We had stood in a non-moving elevator for a minute and I never noticed. Fortunately no one was around to see my blunder except Edmund, and for the moment he's not talking!
Edmund Sneaking a Nap in Mommy and Daddy's Bed
What surprised me more than anything was how exhausted I feel. At work I take care of six infants on a day to day basis, though somehow have never felt so tired. I wonder if perhaps it is because my baby now refuses to sleep during the day unless I am holding him. I vowed my child would be an excellent napper, before he was born of course. I have gotten somewhere in the range of 20 babies to sleep in their cribs for naps, but not Edmund. Edmund has a mind of his own, and is keeping his mom on her toes.
This week I've learned that as much as I want order I can't have it. With Steven here I could hand Edmund off and get things done. That's not the case anymore. Edmund is teaching me to be more flexible, but that's a good thing. In two weeks the two of us will make another transition, a transition filled with five baby friends and lots of new caregivers. Edmund will begin attending Chapel Hill Cooperative Preschool and I will start back to work as his teacher. I think Edmund and I can handle it, but we'll see if CHCP can handle Edmund and me!
Watching Edmund Sleep After 2 Month Shots
Last Friday Edmund went for his 2 month check-up. He now weighs 11 lbs 4 oz and is almost double his birth weight. He is in the 25th percentile for weight and his 22 1/4 inches puts him somewhere between the 10th and 25th percentile for height. I'm still convinced the nurses aren't doing a great job of measuring him, since I often get a good half inch taller when I measure, not to mention the fact that Edmund had apparently shrunk on his first pediatrician's visit. Edmund checked out just fine. He is all smiles and cooing frequently. He is tracking objects and faces very nicely. When the pediatrician got out the light to check Edmund's eyes, Steven and I both exclaimed "oh he loves lights." Apparently not this particular one. Edmund thought it was a bit too bright.
Unfortunately the 2 month check-up brings with it immunizations. Edmund was so happy playing on the examination table and smiling at the doctor and nurses, that when they gave him his shots my heart broke for him. The little guy had no idea what was coming. He had made some new buddies and then they went and stuck him with giant needles. He came through it just fine, however, and was given some neon band-aids to cover his battle
wounds.
After Edmund's doctor'
s visit we thought what better than to hand him over to relatives. His great Aunt Suzann and great-grandmother Nannie made the trip all the way to Chapel Hill from Owensboro, KY. They made quite a fuss over him even though he was making quite a fuss over the fact that he had just gotten poked in the legs. I have heard horror stories about the 2 month shots, but Edmund did quite well. He mainly slept, giving Aunt Suzann and Nannie time to hold him.
We spent the rest of our visit catching up. Suzann spent most of her time standing over Edmund's crib and watching him sleep. I know it made him feel quite special. Nannie and Edmund even took a short snoo
ze together. Steven got a picture to prove it. Edmund was certainly a king while they were here. Unfortunately for him, when Nannie and Aunt Suzann left, Edmund went back to being a mere prince
This week I've had to come to grips with the fact my baby is growing up. As we were driving home from church Sunday, I looked back and saw that Edmund's head was flopping forward. I had Steven pull over so I could rearrange Edmund in the carseat. Edmund has much better head control now and was not flopping forward because he couldn't hold his head up, but because his head had outgrown the newborn insert. When we got home I reluctantly took the insert out. I had to acknowledge not only that my baby is no longer newborn size, but has a big head! For those of you who may be concerned, Edmund actually has a normal sized head.
Last week I made sure that Edmund wore some of my favorite newborn outfits and sleepers, as I knew he would probably never wear them again. Of course an outfit is not as cute when the neck is stretched and the baby has to curl his toes to fit into it, but I wanted to hang onto the newborn stage just a little bit longer. On Saturday I washed the newborn clothes, then carefully packed them away. I would be lying if I said I didn't shed a tear.
I have made it a goal to make sure Edmund wears all of his outfits at least once before outgrowing them. Most babies outgrow the 0-3 month size before hitting 3 months, but Edmund seems to be following clothing sizes almost exactly. Unfortunately one of his bigger looking 0-3 month outfits was deceptive. After Edmund had one of his infamous peeing extravaganzas all over himself and his outfit I decided to put on the aforementioned outfit. To my shock he was too big for it. He's only 2 months old and I've already failed at my goal. Fortunately, the outfit, although a cute one, was a hand-me-down, so I didn't feel quite as defeated. All of this goes to show my baby really is growing. I love watching his new achievements, and wouldn't trade his smiles for anything, even the opportunity to have him wear an adorable outfit.
This week has been a lazy week for Edmund and his parents, and I must say it is quite nice. We've had no appointments or places to be. This leaves time for adventures and exploring.
One of the things I have wanted to do all summer is visit the Belted Galloways (or Oreo Cookie cow
s) at Fearrington Village in Pittsboro. The weather has been quite mild this week, so Steven, Edmund, and I took advantage and headed over to Pittsboro on Monday. There really is not much to do with the cows other than ooh and ahh over them for a minute or so, but nevertheless we had a good time. Edmund did as per usual on his outings and slept. He didn't even budge when Steven took a picture of him up close and personal with the new "Oreo Cookie" goats. The trip to Fearrington was fun for all as it ended in a cone of Maple View Ice Cream.
Our new house is close to several major highways, but Steven is a fan of using back roads. One such road we now frequent quite a bit is Fearrington Road (not to be confused with Fearrington Village). Every time we go down this road we pass a sign for Patterson's Mill Country Store. It's one of those place you pass and think "I ought to go there," but never actually do. Steven and I decided we had done the "I ought to" one too many times and finally turned in the gravel driveway. The store is piled high with antiques and Americana. One room contains an abundance of old pharmaceuticals. I was taken aback at the variety of laxatives available in the early 1900s. I suppose back then people figured laxatives could cure all ills. They definitely might solve some of little Edmund's problems. Patterson's Mill is certainly off the beaten path. I'm glad that after 14 years in Chapel Hill I finally made my way into the store, though it's probably an experience I won't have for another 14 more. 14 years from now Edmund just might be awake for the experience too!
Edmund has been a trooper this past week, considering he spent quite a bit of time accompanying me to various doctors' appointments. Edmund really is a well behaved baby. While I would like to think that my parenting is responsible for such a happy, easygoing baby, I've been around enough babies to know better. I've heard many a story of well behaved first children making way for loud, boisterous second children.
On Wednesday I had my annual visit to the eye doctor. Steven came along to drive me around after my dilation, as it is not good for anyone if I am let loose on the road with dilated eyes. Edmund came along because he and I had playgroup immediately following the appointment (not that he had a choice in the matter anyway). I must mention here that playgroup is not so much a chance for the babies to play as it is a time for the babies to eat, sleep, poop, and cry. We moms spend our time talking about the babies' aforementioned activities, and how they fit into our lives. When we arrived at the eye doctor Steven and Edmund came back to the exam room with me. After a short wait Dr. Chow walked in. He asked if Steven and I were newlyweds. We responded that we had been married two years in May. Dr. Chow went on to say that he was a newlywed too. I thought it rather odd we'd had this exchange without any mention of the adorable baby sleeping soundly in his carseat. I let it slide, as I figured Dr. Chow must not be a baby person. Suddenly, about halfway through the appointment Dr. Chow got a startled look on his face and said "there's a little one there." Edmund had been so quiet he went unnoticed. After Dr. Chow made his startling discovery he attempted to be quiet, but we assured him there was no need. I suppose when you see a doctor only once a year, a baby can come as quite a shock.
On Thursday Steven and Edmund accompanied me to the dentist. The past few years have proved me to be a nervous wreck when it comes to the dentist, so I wanted moral support. Since Steven and Edmund had no morning plans, they were gladly willing to give it to me. They sat in the waiting room while I had two (one more than I had anticipated) cavities filled. An elderly woman commented to Steven that her children were never so well behaved. I heard that other people were in agreement. I'm glad Edmund was well behaved because I'm afraid his mother was not so well behaved while sitting in the dentist's chair.
Steven and I know we are very blessed to have such a well behaved, playful little boy. Fortunately my doctors' appointments are done until I return to work, so I can simply enjoy my baby. Unfortunately for Edmund, he has a doctor's appointment and his first round of immunizations in a week. Pray they don't faze him too much!
Edmund Lounging Around in His PJs
This morning started out like any other. Edmund awoke and ate his morning meal. While I finished pumping, Steven took Edmund to change his diaper. Steven was cleaning Edmund's bottom and made sure to hold his "Wee Squirt" over him to avoid getting sprayed. The "Wee Squirt" also known as a "Pee Pee Tee Pee" is something we never would have purchased for ourselves. We received it as a gift from Steven's Aunt Connie, and are thankful we did. It gets used at least once a day. Unfortunately, today Edmund waited until the moment Steven removed the "Wee Squirt" to put on the new diaper, to pee all over himself. I entered Edmund's bedroom the moment this event was taking place. I went to get a washcloth to wipe Edmund down. Normally a small wipedown would suffice. However, as I finished cleaning Edmund's tummy and legs, I noticed he had peed in his hair and ears. It appeared a wipedown would not do the trick. I asked Steven to get a bath ready even though last night was "bath night." We hoped this extra bath would not confuse Edmund. Actually we hoped more that it would not anger him, as he currently only tolerates his baths.
I brought Edmund into the bathroom and laid him in the tub. He looked at me with an expression that could have gone either way. As I started wiping him with the warm washcloth he gave me a sweet, gummy grim. I breathed a sigh of relief. As I continued to talk to Edmund he smiled more. It seems we may have turned a corner in the quest for a happy bathtime. Now if only we could remove Edmund from the bath without a wail!
*Edmund is hoping for more outdoor adventures soon. He hears there will be a break in the heat tomorrow. Let's hope he heard correctly.
Last night Edmund attended his very first sporting event--a Durham Bulls baseball game. We had been wanting to go to a Durham Bulls game at some point this summer, but have been putting it off due to heat and evening thunderstorms. A few days ago Steven found out that if we were to bring a new or gently used children's book to the game on Thursday night we could get a free ticket. Fortunately we had an extra copy of "Barnyard Dance" lying around. "Barnyard Dance" is an excellent children's book by the way, and it seems many people are aware of this fact, given the number of copies we have received in the last few months (Edmund just loves the book). We had already passed along a couple of our extraneous copies to grandparents and decided donating the last copy to a good cause was a great idea.
Yesterday w
as another scorcher and evening thunderstorms were again predicted, so we figured we wouldn't be able to attend the game on book donation night. However, a thunderstorm made its way through Chapel Hill around 4 pm and the radar showed that no sort of rain was to follow. The air also cooled down considerably, so at 6 pm I changed Edmund into his baseball outfit. Edmund semi-willingly went along with the outfit change. We then loaded up the car and headed off to downtown Durham.
Once we got inside the stadium, we headed right for the food. We also lucked out and attended on "family night" which meant we were able to get popcorn and hot dogs for one dollar each. I have been craving hot dogs for quite some time now. Hot dogs were on the "forbidden" food list while I was pregnant, which made them seem all the more appetizing. For one dollar, I felt it was time I finally had a hot dog. While in line a woman and I exchanged stats on our babies. She had a four month old dressed up in a baseball outfit too, but in my unbiased opinion, Edmund was much cuter in his. Steven was absorbed in food purchasing and somehow missed this exchange, as he later pointed out this same baby to me.
After the food purchases were made we headed to the stands. Our seats were behind the screen. I felt much better knowing Edmund was protected from stray balls. Let me take this time to mention that I go to Durham Bulls games, not for the actual game, as much as for the silly events that take place between play
s (ex. the mascot and a child race around the bases). I took Edmund out of the Baby Bjorn and sat him on my lap. Immediately he noticed the stadium lights. As far as Edmund was concerned we had taken him to Disney World. He is a huge fan of lights. Although I know it is very normal for babies to be fascinated by lights, his infatuation slightly worried me, that is until the babies in his playgroup came over to our house and stared at the same light he does. I guess if I was a baby and had to look at the ceiling all day, a light fixture would be a breath of fresh air.
For the next hour Edmund sat happily on either my or Steven's lap and watched the game. He is quite the squirmy baby, but barely squirmed once. We think he was taken aback by his first foray into the world of sports. Eventually though a baseball game was not of interest enough to keep Edmund awake. At this point we made the decision to head home. This morning we found out the Bulls lost to Buffalo 12-2, and I'm guessing it's because they didn't have their littlest fan to cheer them on!
himself wandering the Lynchburg Mall. Steven commented that there must not be much to do in Lynchburg if the tiny mall is the local hangout. I have a feeling he is right. While at the mall we made a stop in Baby Gap. I mainly go to Baby Gap to drool enviously over the miniature, trendy clothes. Edmund, or his mom as the case may be, hit the jackpot though because Grandma Kay Kay and Aunt Becca were present to spoil him. That's what grandmas and aunts do best. Becca helped to pick out an adorable argyle sweater vest, pants, and matching argyle socks. If Edmund wasn't the best dressed baby on the block he certainly will be now.
if he constantly wakes up in a new place. That or he thinks that people teleport to get to their destinations. Just think, he went to sleep in Chapel Hill and awoke in Virginia. If only I could travel long distances without the monotony of a long car ride. We all enjoyed our time at the Olive Garden, especially Steven who claims it as his favorite restaurant. Edmund entertained our table by giving everyone his world famous grins. Eventually we had to say good-bye after an all too short visit. Edmund had a great time, however, and is already begging for another visit with his aunt and grandma.
