If You Say So. . .

Today was Kingston's 4 month check-up. We were anxious to see how much he weighed since we thought for sure he had chunked up in the last few weeks. To our surprise he only weighs 12 lbs. 14 oz. Two months ago he was 11lbs 6oz. I thought he would be at least 13. Close, but no cigar. He has dropped from the 50th percentile to the 15th in weight. Hmmmmm.

Height was a different story-go figure. He went from 23 inches to 25 1/2. He went from the 50th percentile to the 75th. Crazy. We knew he was getting taller after comparing him in various locations around the house and noting how he was filling up spaces more!

So the Dr. was concerned about his lack of weight gain until she started asking questions. She asked about various milestones that he should have hit already and he has done them all and then some. She was impressed by his head control, eye movement, dexterity (he was clasping his hands in front of him-which apparently is leading to passing objects from one hand to the other and is very good to do early). She said that his weight gain was of no major concern since he seems to be thriving in all other areas. We will watch the weight at his 6 mo. check-up and hope that he has picked up the weight-gain.

Of course I immediately ask what I have done wrong and what I can do different. The Dr. said not to worry but as a mother, it is hard to think that maybe you aren't doing what is best for your child. I am going to make a few changes and hope for the best. I am going to make sure to feed Kingston from both boobs every time he eats. And I am going to feed him rice cereal every night and maybe start in the mornings, too, if I don't feel like he is getting enough. I can start him on fruits and veggies any time but I think I am going to wait a little longer on that. No rush.

Dr. wants me to fatten up my baby? Lucky Kingston. I wish someone would tell me I need to eat more!!!

Naked Baby

Today was really warm. Scratch that. It was hot. Let the summer begin! My new favorite thing. . . a naked baby. Well, not exactly naked, because he is wearing his diaper for obvious reasons. But Kingston wearing nothing but a diaper is a sight to see! He is the sweetest looking baby you have ever seen! He has these cute chubby thighs and marshmallow knees.

We went for a walk with Nana today and maybe got a little too much sun. Kingston's cheeks are pretty pink. It's time to invest in the baby sunscreen. I didn't really think about the sun being a factor on a walk around the neighborhood but now I know. I'm going to lather him up as best I can. You know, global warming and ozone and all that stuff.

When it starts to warm up the Haynes household usually tries to enjoy the fresh air in the house as much as possible. Nigel likes to leave the windows open until I can't stand it anymore. Well, that happened early this year, as I have already turned on the AC. I cannot stand the thought of my baby sweating to death because Dad wants to see how long we can go! When it reached 81 in our house at 7:30 tonight, I went around and closed the windows and turned on the AC.

I hope it's not too cool in here for a naked baby!

Shorts for babies?

Kingston is wearing a pair of shorts for the first time today. If I get a chance, I will post a picture of him in them later.

Funny concept, shorts for babies. I mean, his pants' legs always end up riding up his legs as if they were shorts, and his shorts are pretty much as long as his pants. So, really. What's the point?

Who cares? He sure is cute!

Core 4 + Kiddies!

Kingston and I just got back from a trip to the ATL! We had the most fun with our friends, new and old. Here was the line-up: The Core 4-Lauren (Lars), Julie (Ball), Meredith (Mere), and me. The Kiddies-McLain (5 weeks), Abbey (nearly 2 years), Sam (nearly 1 1/2 years), Kingston (4 months), respectively. The first picture was Mere, Ball and I on a Saturday morning stroll with the kiddies. The second picture is Abbey giving Kingston a kiss. So sweet! The last picture is the jewel. I bought coordinating outfits for all the kids so that we could get a cute picture of all of them together. Lars forgot to put McLain in hers, Abbey had stayed in her crib for 3 hours in the afternoon and NEVER went to sleep so she was cranky, Sam just was recovering from being pushed down by Abbey and Kingston was just chilling!!! This picture was the best of them all. Hilarious. Should have known better!

It was the first time we have gotten together with all of our kids. Crazy that we all have kids in the first place, and crazy that we attempted to get them all together! It actually went better than first expected. 2 toddlers and 2 infants. Next time we will get together without the kids! I don't even think we talked about anything but naps, kids' meals and all things baby but that was OK. I had a great time. I love my college friends. The Core 4 lives on!

It was our first airport/airplane experience. Kingston did great! When we boarded the plane, Kingston smiled at all of the flight attendants and passengers as we walked the aisle. When we got off the plane, we heard comments like, "Wow, I didn't even know there was a baby sitting in front of us! He was so quiet!" I was so proud!

People were so nice to me as I travelled by myself with a baby. Kingston rode in his stroller through the airport and we gate-checked it when we boarded. People offered to help me carry the stroller up the stairs when we landed and unloaded on the tarmac and had to walk outside and upstairs to get to the gate. People carried my diaper bag off the plane while I carried Kingston. People held elevators and grabbed my bag off the baggage carousel. We got lots of cute baby comments and brought smiles to lots of faces. Just when you think our country is getting so selfish and self-absorbed. . .

All in all we had a very successful trip. Where to next?

For Those Obsessed. . .

Kingston and I have been out of town since yesterday (Wednesday). We are in Atlanta until Sunday, visiting friends. So for those of you as obsessed with other people's blogs like me, don't worry. I'll post lots of insightful words about our visit to the ATL as soon as I get home and have time.

Just know that we are having a great time with our friends, new and old. Kingston has proved to be a great traveller, even on the airplane. More on that in a few days.

Don't give up on us. . . we will be back posting lots of stuff no one cares about in a few days! Until then. . .

Oops. Did I Say That?

Love the little guy. I swear I do. But sometimes it would just be nice to go back to not being needed so much. My baby needs me to survive. That's what I love and hate about breastfeeding. It is so wonderful for both of us. It is totally worth it. But it sometimes really gets on my nerves. I mean, can't I just get some stuff done and come and go as I please and not have to drop what I am doing or stay at home a few more minutes or not go somewhere alltogether? Not when I am breastfeeding. I am on Kingston's clock and have to be available for him whenever and wherever he needs me. I must admit that I won't be totally sad to see it go in a few months. If I can just make it to 6 months. . .

Today was one of those days. I just wished I didn't have to be at his beck and call. I am not his beck and call girl. (Pretty Woman reference-did you get that?) I feel guilty that I resented him today. But I think that if you ask any mom, she will know the feeling. At least I hope that is true!

I often say, "Come on, Kingston. Give a mom a break!" Today I meant it. Breastfeeding was on my last. There. I said it. Please don't turn me in to the La Leche League. I still gave him the boob all day long, just as he requested. I just didn't always do it with a smile on my face-not that he cared!

Here We Go Again!

Tonight we are crying it out again. Last night, being the Mother of the Year that I am, I stayed at Brandy's with Evie, Sarah and Presley and of course Kingston until 11:00! Kingston slept a little on my lap while we were there and cried most of the way home. He fell into his crib at 11:30 and went straight to sleep. Tonight, probably because of a few inconistent nights, he is really not feeling his 8:00 bedtime. I even gave him a few extra minutes, read a few extra stories and took my time changing him, swaddling him and feeding him. So far he has been crying for 4 minutes. Seems like a lifetime!!! The plan is to let him cry for 15, go in and try to calm him-pat him, reinsert pacifier, etc.-and then leave and start on another 15. If I do this more than 3 times I will have to resort to something else-maybe a bottle. I try to never take him out of his room and only pick him up if I think I have to.

Once again I hate the backsliding. Just when you think you have at least one thing figured out. . .

10 minutes and counting. . .

Big Day, Big Day!

Kingston and I had a big day today. We went to Evie's house and were happy to see that Presley and her little boy, Barrett, were there, too. The older kids played while Kingston chatted with the girls. I ended up staying and talking to Evie almost ALL day! I always have fun hanging out with her. I sure do wish she didn't live all the way across the country!

Tonight was a big night for Kingston. He tried rice cereal for the first time. I wasn't sure how to make it, and he wasn't sure how to eat it!! It pretty much ended up being just a big mess! I think I breast milked it down too much and made it too thin but it served its purpose. Now we know that he is NOT ready for cereal! I guess. I don't know! He "ate" it off the spoon-more sucked it off-and most of it dribbled down his bib. The funny part was that he then tried to lick it off of the bib. So he wasn't opposed to the flavor, he just couldn't seem to keep it in his mouth. And then most of it ended up coming back up before we got him out of his seat. I don't think his tongue reflexes are developed yet and he needs to be able to sit up a little better. So we pause in our attempt to eat things from a spoon. There's plenty of time for that. I think we will wait until after his 4 month check up in 2 weeks and see what the doctor says before we give it another try.

Good friends and cereal. What a great Thursday!

Back on Track. . . Maybe

Kingston only woke up once last night at about 2. Then he slept until 7:20. Yippee! I can handle that.

This morning we are going to visit one of my oldest and favorite friends, Evie, and her 2 girls. They are here for a few weeks and haven't met Kingston yet. I can't wait to show him off! He sure is sweet! More on that later.

Nigel comes home from Wilmington today. We are excited about that! We will probably try a little rice cereal this afternoon and see how that goes. I think Kingston is ready for something new-and maybe it will help get him back on those all-nighters! More on that later, too!

Why did I even post this morning if I am just going to write about it all again tonight? Clearly I'm just as obsessed with writing as I am reading other people's blogs. I had to keep myself from posting a bunch of random things yesterday!

We're back on track. At least for now.

Better-Still Not the Best

Kingston slept better last night. He only woke up twice-once at 1 and once at 3. I tried to put his pacifier back in and let him cry it out at 3 but after 11 minutes I was over it. I fed him and put him back down. He slept until 7:15. Not too bad. But still not the best he can do.

He's busy playing on his floor gym right now. He currently has the monkey by the tail-literally.

Sleepless Night and Busy Day

Kingston didn't sleep well last night. He had been alternating between sleeping all night (yep, from 8-7:15ish) and waking up only once around 4 and then waking around 8. Both of those options were great. Not so much last night. He woke up every 1 1/2-2 hours. All night. He hasn't done that since he was 2 weeks old. Great. You always hope with every new unfavorable event that it isn't the beginning of a pattern. I'm going to chalk it up to a growth spurt or hurting tummy (he hadn't pooped for 4 days as of last night but he took care of that this afternoon!!) or the 4 month "shake-up" (don't ask me what that is, I just read about it happening to other babies around this time). Let's hope for a better night's sleep. Nigel is in Wilmington on work for a few days and Kingston often doesn't sleep as well when Dad is out of town. Seriously. How does he know?! I just put him down a little early-7:30-because it was just time. I mean, going to bed 30 minutes early won't be the reason he gets up 1,000 times in the night if he chooses to do so. Sleep, sweet baby. Sleep.

Kingston and I had a busy day. We went to High Cotton to fix a computer problem then went to Virginia to go to Target. Man, I love Target, but that's a whole other post! On the way home from VA we stopped at Courthouse Cafe, my friend Nancy's new restaurant. I had lunch there (yum!) and tried to help her with her new computer. I ended up bringing the computer home with me to install some new software and get it up and running. Nancy's little girl, Hailey, was there and was so excited to play with Kingston. She jumped around in front of him and giggled and I have never heard Kingston laugh so long and hard. He had the whole place laughing at him laughing. So cute.

We stopped at Nana and Grandpa's house (my Mom and Dad) on the way home for a quick visit. I was supposed to help Mom pick out something to wear to her High School reunion but we ended up playing with Kingston the whole time-go figure! Kingston is lucky to have such great grandparents. When we pulled up in our driveway, Pappy (Nigel's dad) was pulling in and helped us inside. He had had a bad day and looked to Kingston to cheer him up. It worked!

Right now Kingston is screaming his head off. He has decided he doesn't want to go to sleep. I have rocked him, fed him, swaddled him-which is the usual bedtime routine. Usually that does him in. Not tonight. Tonight I've tried it twice. Now I am trying the cry-it-out method. There is nothing more I can do for him-he is just going to have to figure it out himself. I am giving him 15 minutes before I go back in there. Looks like it might take that long. . .

Wait. What's that I hear? It's the sound of silence. Growth spurt, belly ache, 4 month shake-up. . . not so sure. I'm just glad he finally stopped crying and went to sleep-at least for now. And I hope we haven't started a new pattern. We only like positive patterns!

Now Kingston's mom can watch Lou Petrozza on Hell's Kitchen. Hilarious.

I'm New Here

I used to be someone else. I've changed in just the last 4 months. I am now Kingston's mom. I used to be Rendy & Winston's daughter. I was Nigel's wife. I've been the girl from High Cotton, the girl that drives the Passat station wagon, the girl with the funny looking dog (sorry Abe!), _____'s friend-you know the quiet one. But not any more. Now I am Kingston's mom. Can't think of anyone else I'd rather be.

My main job in life is to take care of Kingston (and Nigel, of course!). I also have a few other jobs that actually pay the bills (at least a few of them). Every day is something new trying to juggle work with an infant in tow. That's probably what I will post mostly about. If you don't want to read a bunch of junk about a girl and her husband and cute baby, you probably don't want to read my blog. Just giving you fair warning. I'm going to post mostly about my cute baby. This is my blog.

I've never had a blog before and never really thought I wanted one. I have recently gotten hooked on reading a few blogs every day-Eden's, Missy's and the one by Nate whose wife just had a double lung transplant. I can't seem to get enough. I thought I would give it a try. So here goes.

Kingston's mom is blogging!