JAB blab

As you can see in the new set of pictures, we’ve been enjoying the lovely sun and moderate temps here on the Left Coast (sorry East Coasters…I hear it is blazin’ hot in your parts!). We’ve planted the garden, pulled out a truck load of weeds, hung out in the park, and hiked in the woods. We also hosted a little BBQ this past weekend in honor of our good friend’s recent completion of his MBA at Berkeley. Well done, Dintenfass.

Jack seems to enjoy the great outdoors. Now that the yard is cleaned up we are able to spend a good portion of our day out there. We’ve even hauled the bouncer outside on occasion, but he’s generally content to hang out on the blanket and roll/shimmy his way to the nearest patch of grass in an attempt to get his daily greens. Though I imagine it wouldn’t mess with his system any more than the introduction of solids in general has, I tend to encourage the touching but not the eating.

On that front, Jack seems to be regaining his appetite after a bit of a “solids strike.” Today he tried peas and the boy couldn’t get enough of them. He LOVED those peas. My, won’t it be great if that lasts. In general, he seems to be feeling better which is also helping on the sleeping front. Yep, still working on that too!

Speaking of which, he’s sleeping and I’m exhausted so I think I’ll sign off. I swear I’ll get back into the writing groove soon.

Robert Graham Gwaltney
May 24, 2006
7lb 6 oz, 22 inches

The happy family…

More pictures of the new addition for those interested.

Elizabeth delivered a healthy 7 lb 6 oz boy earlier this morning. We’d like to officially welcome all 22 inches of Robert Graham Gwaltney to the family. Happy Birthday!

From what I gather, it was a relatively smooth labor (as smooth as something like that can be!). I spoke with Liz this morning and she sounds positively chipper. I imagine she has also done her hair and put on make-up because, unlike me, she is actually good about these things. I figure in a couple of hours I can start badgering Robert (the proud daddy) for pictures.

On the other front, Rob gave birth to his appendix this morning as well. We just couldn’t be more proud. The appendix was reported to be “very angry” while Rob, on the other hand, was perfectly happy and enjoying the effects of painkillers.  

Within the span of an hour, I spoke with my parents who informed me that my brother was making his way to the emergency room with what he thinks is appendicitis and my sister who was on her way to labor and delivery. Oh, this is sure to be one of those stories told around the dinner table for years to come!

I woke up about 4 am, and I heard Jack crying. I looked over and Tiffany was already with him. Content that he was in good hands, and knowing that she would let me know when it was time to tag team in, I rolled over to go back to sleep. A couple of minutes later, I hear Tiffany exclaim, “Oh My,” and Jack kicked his crying up a notch. Then, “Kieran Kieran!”

Worried, I shuffled into Jack’s room, where Tiffany had him on the changing table. He was fine, but she needed some help. Normally, changing a baby is not a two person job, but tonight was special.

Try to imagine this from Jack’s perspective. Your sensitive stomach is being invaded by new solid food, and nothing is working like it used to. Things have been building up for about 60 hours. The doctor poked your belly and declared you fine, but it sure is uncomfortable. Your parents have been feeding you warm pureed prunes for two days. Finally, the dam bursts. There’s a feeling of relief, but all sorts of new discomfort. And your parents can’t decide what’s needed more – several warm wet washcloths or a hazmat suit.

While Jack never really got back to sleep last night, we are hopeful that with this explosive episode behind him, the train to slumberville will be back on schedule soon.

Ummmm. Spoke WAY too soon and optimistically about that whole sleep thing. Last night was something of a disaster. Jack was not a happy camper and because he was feeling under the weather (tummy?), he was not at all thrilled with being put down in his crib. Super Daddy K Dog took the first shift (1-3am) and I took the hours thereafter. Fun times.

Wrote the above this morning, but was going to add more so I didn’t publish. Super Sleuth (NOT) Mommy discovered what is perhaps a clue to Jack’s restlessness last night a mere 18 hours after the fact when she decided that he really did feel a bit warm all day and maybe she would go ahead and take his temperature. In her defense, he often feels warm and she has in the past been somewhat of an alarmist and subjected Jack to no less than three different thermometers because she was convinced he was running a fever. This time, however, she should have trusted her instincts. Perhaps she would have discovered the fever sooner and not subjected the four other adult brunch buddies to what could be some nasty kid germs. (If you have ever gotten sick from a kid, you know what I am talking about.)

Now it is not alarmingly high, but he is running a fever (his first as far as we know), and he has a rather runny nose. He is VERY uncomfortable because he so desperately wants to sleep but he keeps waking up. Walking him in the sling earlier helped and we were able to get him down in the crib just long enough to eat some dinner. Super Daddy K Dog is in with him now. I think it may be a very long night.  

I hate to see him so miserable. I know he is going to be ok, but it still breaks my heart when he looks at me like “Mama, why don’t you do something to make it better?”  I think I still give my mom that look sometimes. Wow, scratch that long night; it’s going to be a long life.

After starting back up with the solids–oatmeal cereal per the doctor’s advice–and once again enduring the early morning two hour screaming session, we have decided to nix the cereal and just plunge into fruits and veggies. Pears have been on the menu and things seem to be (ahem) moving along. Last night we still had a wake up call from the Jackalope, but he didn’t scream quite as loudly or for quite as long. (Kieran just informed me that was not all together true. He asserts that he did scream quite loudly.) At any rate, he was super tired today but managed to nap so we are hoping that bodes well for tonight.

**Side note…as I typed this he went into melt down mode. He went down really easily tonight and this is an odd hour for him to have problems. But hey, I much prefer a 7 pm scream to a 3 am scream.**

He’s really getting into the food now. At first I think it was just a novelty, but now he reaches out for it eagerly grunting for more. It’s kind of cute, though starting to be a bit messy. He’s also more interested in our food and apparently thinks he is ready for a diet coke and popcorn. I think we’ll hold off on that…I’m not ready to share.

Solid foods feel like a big milestone, a real “big boy” accomplishment. Next thing you know he’ll be going to college.

The much anticipated and long awaited first pearly white poked its way through today. It still has a ways to go, but soon there will be oh so cute pics of that little sucker in all its dental glory! 

…to all you mammas out there, mammas-to-be, mammas-trying-to-be, and mammas-that-always-wanted-to-be-but-couldn’t-because-of-reasons-beyond-your-control

What a great weekend!

Friday night K watched Jack so I could go to the movies with a friend.

Saturday we planted some veggies in the backyard. By “we” I mean Kieran planted some veggies while Jack and played on a blanket in the yard. Saturday night K took me out for dinner and a show for my birthday. Yummy French food and a pretty good production…The Glass Menagerie at Berkeley Rep. I certainly can’t complain. Thanks to Auntie Cassie and Kent for watching the little tyke!

K learned that he did NOT have to go out of town today. Whoo hoo! So this mama got another home cooked brunch and dinner! We also took Jack out for a mini hike this afternoon. He had a sweet ride in the backpack carrier given to us by Special K at our shower. I’ve got pictures of Jack in the carrier, but am feeling too lazy to upload them right now.