Two Lovies+ a Passie + a Swing = A Sleeping Baby

He is so funny. He double fists his lovies and puts them up to his face and will fall asleep. The funny thing is he has to have both - one won't do it. My son is one funny kid. I am still trying to keep his thumb out of his mouth.

Our little Fish...or Water Spaz..same difference

Look What I Did...

So I am trying to be more productive when Joshua is napping. I didn't realize how ambitious I was being when I decided to try and put the exersaucer together. I am usually very able and capable of putting things together - this had more pieces than I was prepared for. I did get it done though, with only a few choice words. But here is the contraption that will possibly drive me crazy and give me moments at sanity (all wrapped up in one).

Aren't we a BIG BOY: Eating with a Spoon

So we started eating with a spoon today - or attempted to eat with a spoon today. He did pretty well. He did learn that he can spit out his food and I don't like it - so he kept doing it. Kids...there's no doubt we are born sinners - lol.

Love the bib...it says "Spit Happens"

This is Joshua's look of "I don't know about this...?"

Bumbo Time

So we're getting used to the Bumbo. Our first time putting him in it - he was happy for all of 10 seconds. He's grown to tolerate it for around 10 minutes. So we are making progress. I am, however, worried that he won't be able to fit into in a few weeks - if he keeps gaining weight like he has been. He already gets stuck in it...lol.

Everything goes right in the mouth these days. And we've mastered the ability switch items from one hand to the other.

It takes him a little while to get used to it....balance is a learned I guess.

He loves pulling things off his tray. He is really grabbing at things well.

4 Months

Our little man is getting quite big. He can touch each side of the crib. We went to the pediatricians today. Dr. Ayers says that he is looking good. She wants him to be rolling over by 5 months - so we're on a mission to get him to rollover.

He's started consisting sleeping 9-11 hours per night. We still have some nights were we have random wakeup calls at 3am but they are fewer and fewer. With the suggestion of a good mom friend, we changed his feeding schedule back to 6oz every 3 hours. This has eliminated him waking up at 5am. Our last bottle we up'ed him on his last bottle to 8 oz with 3 tbsp of cereal. Dr. Ayers has given him the green light for cereal twice a day and working towards his first solid foods in two weeks - but I think we are going to wait until he turns 5 months. There are no reasons to rush - right?

His stats:

Weight - 16 lbs 1.5oz (80 percentile)

Length - 24 in. (30 percentile)

Head - 42 cm (50 percentile)

So he's short and round... just like his mama...I hope he's going to grown taller soon. We're still in 0-3 months but wearing some 3-6 months.

He can touch each side of the crib now - I can't believe how big he's gotten.

Gumbo is looking smaller and smaller.

Just another reason why we are continuing to swaddle - he's hurting himself in his sleep these days. We can't leave him alone for a minute. He looks like he has 1/2 of a mustache.

Miracles do happen -

This past semester was challenging to say the least. I started the semester and after 3 classes, I was a mom. I took one week off of classes - since my mom was with us for 2 weeks, I skipped the Tuesday right after we had Joshua. I even took Joshua with me to class after my mom left. He did really well and slept through the class and then the magic ran out and I had to start taking him to the sitters.

I started the semester with 6 credit hours: OT History and Theology (3 hrs - weekly class), God's world mission - online class (2 hrs), Adult Children of Divorce (1 hr. weekend class). I ended up dropping the online class - because by the time I had Joshua, I was WAY BEHIND! I picked up another 1 hr weekend class. Leaving me at 5 hours.

For those of you who do not know, my old testatment class had roughly 200 pages a week of reading of text and bible. It was insane!!! And then on top of that we had a paper, 2 tests, and a 50 page journal on 25 books of the bible in the old testatment.

During the semester - Michael was gone for a full 3 weeks on business trips. Which made getting homework done a real challenge. I also was looking for employment since my previous employer let me know in my 6th week of maternity leave -they were not having me come back - wonderful! So needless to say, It was a stressful semester.

I took time off from youth group, my bible study, and pretty much everything except being a mom, wife and student. I had braced myself for my first C's in seminary. I really felt great if I was able to get C's with the chaos of the semester.

Today I checked my grades, I couldn't believe my eyes. MIRACLES DO HAPPEN. I got straight A's, 1 - A-, 2 A's . INSANE - I might not being modest... I didn't turn in A work. My professors applied some serious mercy and grace to my grades. I can't even believe it. Thank you for everyone who prayed for me!!! I really appreciate it. It just makes me feel good that I survived.

I am taking the semester off, because last semester really did a number on me, my marriage, and Joshua. I will be returning Fall 2010 and will be graduating (hopefully) May 2011. It is crazy to think that the finish is in sight and is coming soon. I just hope I can get a job after I graduate.

Where is Happiest Place on Earth?

Most people would say...Disneyland, right now - some might say - anywhere where the sun is warm and there is a beautiful beach to enjoy.

Joshua thinks the best place in the whole world is his changing table - he goes crazy! He kicks, and dances (at least what we calling dancing), squeals and smiles. When he was younger, he screamed every time he peed. Thank goodness - he's finally over this, which helps with the number of diapers we use in a day but he still gets super excited when we put him up there. It is the silliest thing. I am scared though when he starts to be more active I will really have to get quick at changing his diaper or he'll wiggle right off. LOL

Today's Schedule

Today we started at 2am - with a unwanted wake up call. I was able to get him back to sleep

6:00am- woke up, fed 6 oz, put in his swing and did some floor time
7:30am - put down for a nap
10am - hallelujah - he took a nap longer than 45 min. I would have woke him up at 9 - but I also feel asleep. fed oz - did exercises and tummy time.
11:30am - nap, actually slept 1 hour (only 15 minutes more but its a start)
12:30 put in his swing until time to eat
1:00 - Feed 6oz, tummy time, exercise and practicing rolling over, reading
2:15 - nap
3:00 - woke up and I let him CIO (15-20 min) didn't really work, went in put in the passy and he went back to sleep for all of 5 min.

3:30 got him up and put him in his swing

4:00 fed him 6 oz

5:00 - he was acting fussy and rubbing his eyes so I put him down early
He slept for all of 30 minutes - I just can't win
I let him cry it out for 20 minutes. He didn't give up. So I put him in the swing and he ended up falling asleep around 6:20
7:00 woke him up and fed him 8oz with cereal
8:00 put down for the night (hopefully)

Today was better than yesterday - I am hoping tomorrow is better than today

Calling all Veteran Mommies

Ok, I am really struggling with feeding and sleeping schedules with Joshua. I am going to be posting his daily schedule and ANY suggestions you have - I will take

Today.
5:00am - wake up, fed 6oz , Changed diaper and put right back to bed
9:00am - woke up, fed 6oz, played, tummy time, read
10:30 am - put down for a nap only slept 45min, let chill out on his activities mat
12:00pm - fed 6oz, played, did exercises with him
1:30 pm - put down for a nap slept only 30 mins, let him cry for 20 mins to see if he would go back down - never happened
3:00pm - fed 6oz, did activies for 1 1/2 hours
4:30pm - put down for a nap - again only 45min nap, let him stay in his crib for 15 min - didn't go back to sleep - put him in his swing - acted tired but never fell back asleep. put him on the table in his bouncy seat while i cooked dinner and ate
6:00pm - fed 9oz with cereal in the bottle for last feeding...
(I left for a meeting at 6:30 ) Michael said he started putting him down at 7:15 going through our bedtime routine (read book, turn off lights listen to music, pray, and then lay down)
He put him to bed four times - yikes - poor daddy. He finally went to sleep and stayed asleep at 9pm. Michael had given him Milacon and Tylenol before bed to help him sleep. It didn't help. We'll see how he sleeps tonight but I am hoping that he can sleep the 10 hours he was before this 5am business started.

Seriously....any widsom or advice is totally soliciated!!! I need help.

Taking after his Mama

My mom will appreciate this post. All during my childhood I had a blanket. This was more than a blanket - it was a permanent fixture until I stopped sucking my thumb, which I am ashamed to say didn't happen until age 6 or 7. And so - braces inevitably followed.

I hope that braces aren't in his future but he has definitely found a favorite blanket or lovey. He loves playing with it and it really calms him down in his swing. He takes it and puts it on his face - which is really funny. And today - he finally figured out how to suck his thumb - but thank goodness - it didn't last long and he was bored with it. I have been trying to have him avoid the thumb sucking since I know how hard it is to beat the habit...lol.

Thank you Nina for my favorite blanket. She bought it for him before we even knew he was a he. Mother's intuition I guess.

Be careful all St. Louisians - it's getting ugly out there with the snow.

Tummy Time

Since Joshua has started teething... this is the extent of his tummy time. Once he finds his fist, its all over with. He is never going to roll over - at least not until those first teeth come in.

Sleeping, Eating, Swaddling and figuring it all out

So my son and I are constantly learning each other. Just when I think we have it figured it out - he changes. So I am so blessed. Joshua started sleeping through the night at 3 1/2 months. We by chance changed him from eating every 3 hours - 5 oz to every 4 hours - 6 oz and the last bottle we do 8 oz with cereal. It was working. He was sleeping 8:30pm - 6:30am, 10 hours which is suggested for his age.

Even though he was doing so well, New Year's eve it went to pot. I don't know if he is going through a growth spurt (as suggested by other moms) or if he needs more food - I can't imagine any more food fitting in him. I know it sounds stupid - but he is so big already I don't want to make him to be too heavy. Babies who breastfeed never have issues with overeating but bottle fed babies can - I don't want to start bad habits.

A friend of mine gave me some material she received from an infant sleep specialist. I am eager to read it and learn the best way to get a baby who is getting what he needs as far as sleep and eating. I go to the doctor on Monday with him and hope to talk to her about it too. I am thinking it might be time to start cereal or some solid foods.

The last issue were working out is to Swaddle or not to Swaddle. I love my son he is the best thing in my world, however left to his own devices he is a mess. HE is so active in his sleep that if we don't swaddle him he wakes himself up. He ends up hitting himself in the face. So we've continued to swaddle him but he's breaking out. He is also moving a lot more and I a scared that he would roll over and not be able to prop his head up since his arms are in the swaddle. I would appreciate any wisdom you want to share with me about your swaddling experiences and how you transitioned.

Captain Adorable

My sister Christi got Joshua the most hilarious stuff. The things you can find in Los Angeles. I love this shirt and he can finally wear it. Newborn - my rear. This thing was huge until just recently. I am amazed at how much baby sizes can vary between brands. Well here's my little super hero - hope he brought a smile to your day.

I want to make him a cape and mask to go with this....maybe even some arm bands - like Wonder Woman....LOL

More pictures of the cutest boy ever (but I am bias)

These are just a few more pictures of his first month of life on the outside. His head is getting a little rounder, his face is less jaundice and we are falling more and more in love with this little boy.

Pictures from the first weeks (backtrack)

We hadn't graduated to the big bottles yet - Only 2 oz at a time - I can't believe how small he is.

Michael got to spend the first full week at home with us it was great to let them bond as dad & son

He slept alot during those first few weeks. I didn't know how easy I had it.

Joshua hated his first bath and as you can see slept through the second. He now loves them.

The gotee picture was taken the night we brought him home. LOL Too much fun with our new toy- just kidding.

Joshua's First Christmas

I was so excited for this Christmas since it was our first Christmas as a family. Each year we have alternated between families. Last year we were in Pittsburgh with my mom and this year we would spend Christmas with Michael's mom and family.

My family (mom, both sisters - Christi from LA, Kelly from PA, my dad and stepmom) all came in the week prior to Christmas. It was the first time the entire family was together since my wedding in 2007. It was the first time Christi had met Joshua... it was love at first sight! She flew in at about 11pm and I only let her hold him, even though she wanted to wake him up. Dad and Brenda brought us presents even through we said we weren't exchanging presents this year - due to financial issues for us all. However, everyone brought presents for Joshua. They got me the Rachel Ray cooking set - which I am in love with. They gave Michael a TomTom which he's been playing with ever since. It was so nice to have everyone at our house - it was too short but wonderful to have my whole family together.

Christmas morning we spent just as a family - and in Schindler tradition - we ate cinnamon rolls and had coffee. We went downstairs and opened presents. This year we didn't overdo it. I got Michael a second playstation controller, and a stocking full of candy. My husband LOVES candy. From Joshua I gave a pciture of Joshua's footprints. He gave me two cd's, Dave Matthews Band new one and the new John Mayer's cd. I have been enjoying them ever since. We got Joshua one present - an educational toy from Lamaze. He now has toys all over the house. For Christmas - the grandparents really had fun. He got a bumbo, a exasaucer, books and outfits galore.

After we cleaned up and Joshua had his morning nap - we headed to Michael's mom to spend Christmas with Bonnie, Angie & Mark (Michael's brother and sister-n-law) and their kids, Breckin (7 yrs.) and Samantha (6 months). We enjoyed opening presents and sharing a meal together. Later Michael fixed his mom's new computer and I watched Julie and Julia with my sister in law. It only took us almost 4 hours to watch it since we had to keep attending to the little kids. Here are some pictures from our time there.
Breckin was missing some teeth and wanted new ones for Christmas.

Here are the two newest members of the Schindler clan. They are two months apart and weigh almost the same amount. Sam is a lot longer than Joshua. They were cute together. Joshua talked Sam's ear off and she just beat up on him when she could...lol.

They even coordinated with the red and green. The best part is that Sam did not share her cold with Joshua.

It was overall painless and uneventful which is a lot for those who know my past with my mother in law. I hope everyone out there had a great holiday season and a very Merry Christmas.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was spent with family. Best of all - Michael took the day off work so we were able to be a family all day. First we had a visit from Michael's dad. It was nice to see him and we exchanged gifts and then he got on his way and returned home.

Later that night, my dad and Brenda came up and we went to church at our church, First Evangelical Free Church. I actually had a speaking part in our Christmas Eve service. I successfully got through it without forgetting anything or mispronouncing anything. It was a huge accomplishment. Brenda even said that when I spoke Joshua woke up and started looking around for me. Isn't that cute. It was wonderful worshipping as a family.

After church, we all headed to the only restaurant open, Denny's and enjoyed a meal together. It was unfortunately pouring down rain when we left the church - it didn't let up until after dinner.

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was so wonderful. My mom and sister Kelly came in from PA to be with me, Michael, Joshua, and my dad and stepmom all celebrated Thanksgiving together in Pinckneyville. The best part was it was a mother-n-law free holiday. The first one since I've been married that I have been able to enjoy just my family. I know that sounds selfish and not nice but it's nice just to be able to be yourself with your own family and not watch everything you do and say.

My mom came in on Wednesday and stayed at my house. It was so nice to just have time with her and Kelly. I was in the end of my semester at Covenant so she was able to help out with Joshua while I was writing papers. Thursday my mom, Kelly, Michael, Joshua and I all went down to Pinckneyville and stuffed ourselves silly. Joshua sat at the table with us and was our entertainment during dinner as he smiled and drooled. Dinner was exceptional and it even included my dad's famous haystack potatoes. (Sorry Christi - we wished you had been there with us) My sister Christi was in California spending Thanksgiving with her boyfriend and his family- we missed her so much.

We came home on Thursday night, Michael had to go to work the next day and Kelly stayed behind so my mom and I were able to spend some time together. Friday - I worked on papers, my mom hung out with Joshua. We also went shopping and found Kelly a dresser for the nursery at Once Upon a Child. It was a great deal. That night we also went out to dinner with Michael's dad, his wife and their granddaughter Megan. Macaroni Grill is always great! And it was nice to catch up and spend time with family.

We went back to Pinckneyville on Saturday for my sister's baby shower. Kelly is due in February with little Iris May. The shower was fun - and it was nice to be able to show Joshua off to all the wonderful ladies who came to his baby shower just a few months ago. Unfortunately, Joshua was cranky all day and pretty much slept the entire party. I think he was a little overwhelmed.

My mom and I were talking on the way home from the shower and she let me know that she has been going to church and she for her 50th birthday wants to be baptized. To those of you who don't know. I have been praying for this for 7 years. If I wouldn't have been driving I think I might have broke down crying. My heart was just swollen with joy and excitement for the journey my mom is beginning and the now shared eternal destiny we both have as believers in Christ. God is so good!!!!!!!!!

Kelly's baby daddy - Jonathan, let us all go to see her 4-D ultrasound. It was really cool but Iris didn't participate well and the pictures weren't that clear. The funniest part was there was a point where the ultrasound tech found Iris licking her umbilical cord - she's a strange little girl already. She'll fit right in with our family. LOL.

3 Months Old

We're slowly growing bigger than Gumbo. He's finally in 0-3 month clothes. He's in size 1 diapers and gaining weight with furry. He is very vocal and loves telling stories and singing to us. He loves his activities mat and smiling at girls. The above outfit was intended as his "coming home" outfit. It's just finally fitting him.

We're finally settled on a bedtime routine and eating more at night which has resulted in sleeping all night - huge milestone which is making me feel more human. He started out the month eating 5 oz every three hours to 6 oz every 4 oz. We've also started to feed him 8 oz for his last feeding with some rice cereal in the bottle. He has stopped napping more than 1 hour. Which means he's an hour up and an hour down - it can be exhausting for me but he doesn't seem very motivated to merge any of these naps any time soon.

Went to the doctor around 12 weeks because of fear of an ear infection. He was fine but he weighed 13.4 lbs. He's growing so fast. Getting to be a chuncky monkey too. He has started the beginnings of teething - he's a drool machine. He was really good at tummy time and pushing his head up and now he's more interested in eating his hands when he is on his tummy. At this rate - he'll never role over. He has started to raise his legs up to his chest and begin to roll to the side.

We've started taking baths with only about 1 1/2 inches of water in the tub and let him just splash and kick. He loves it. He is so funny. The changing table is still his favorite place to be - it's an automatic smile when he is up there.

Joshua is growing into a very happy little man and is so fun to be around. He was even kind enough to sleep a little extra during my finals. He is so thoughtful! (lol)