Thankful

I woke up this morning (earlier than I wanted....Thank you very much Preston!) and didn't have a care in the world so to speak. I left the house in clothes I wanted to wear and listened to what I wanted to on the radio. I met up with two friends for lunch at a place we all agreed upon. From there we went to the mall, where we walked around, shopped, talked freely and even openly discussed religion. Not once did I worry about my life or what I was saying or the immediate future or our safety. I enjoyed a nice day with some good friends all because of soldiers that sacrifice so much....time away from their family and friends, modern conveniences, comfort and so much more. They fight for our freedom on a daily, if not hourly, basis so we can lay our heads down at night for a peaceful night's sleep. We have more freedom than most countries combined. So often we neglect to thank soldiers for their hard work and dedication. That's why this blog is one BIG THANK YOU for those who have served so we could be free. OUR vets and soldiers are MY heros!!!!

Pacifiers, Coughing and Buttons...OH MY!

This past week has been full of many discoveries in Preston's world. Actually the past few days have been busy for things he's discovered. It all started last week when I put him in his Bumbo chair, his favorite place to be other than with mommy and daddy. I put some toys on the tray to see what he'd do. It didn't take long before he discovered that, not only could he grab them, but that he could fling them off the tray for a fun game of "Mommy, fetch!". That opened up a whole new world for him. He has since learned how to grab his pacifier and remove it from his mouth. This game started while we were grocery shopping and I was afraid he was going to throw it on the ground. But, his pitching arm hasn't developed yet so he just tossed it around his carseat (Phew, that was a close one!). This morning he worked on getting the paci back in his mouth. This will take some practice but he's off to a good start.
Yesterday I wore a sweater with big buttons. He was fascinated by them! He would stare at them, trying to tear them off. He was constantly grabbing at them. The best discovery to date, in my opinion, is his cough. This discovery came about sometime on Saturday. He would give a fake cough then look around to see if Rob or I noticed. If we didn't acknowledge him then he'd cough louder. That would be proceeded by a "courtesy chuckle". I've only heard him laugh a real laugh a handful of times. But, when we're being silly with him or he gives a loud fake cough, he gives a courtesy chuckle like he wants to acknowledge the action but doesn't think it's worth a full laugh. All of his discoveries are so much fun. He changes so much every week, interacting more and keeping us in stitches. Who knew having a kid could be so entertaining?????

"Me" Time

It's not often that both boys are asleep by 8:30pm and I have the house to myself. On the rare occasion it does happen I like to use the quiet time to read, write or just veg. On VERY rare occasion I use the time to clean what I didn't have a chance to do earlier in the day, but that only happens in "emergency" cases. I have to be "on" every minute of the day, meeting Preston's needs and getting things done around the house so I don't often have "me time". Even when Preston is napping I clean, return phone calls about bills, wash dishes, etc.... (Ok, I lay down with him during his late afternoon nap but by that time I'm exhausted!) So, having a quiet house so early in the night has been a treat.
Tonight Rob was in bed around 7:30 (He climbed 8 poles today and then went to the gym on his way home!!) and Preston was alseep by 8:15. So, I took my People magazine that came in the mail today (Thanks Mom and Dad Herrington!),made a huge mug of hot chocolate and soaked in the tub until I turned into a prune. I read the magazine cover to cover, not worrying about getting out so I could get to bed. Now that Preston sleeps through the night most nights I don't have to go to bed when the sun goes down. Now I'm playing on the computer and contemplating whether to put in a chick flick. On second thought, it feels a lot later than 9:40 so maybe I'll just call it a night. Afterall I've already had some "me time" and I can only handle so much of it!! =)

Learning Something New

OOPS....I never got back to blogging last night. After I put Preston down my day kind of ends. I soak in a hot bath and then unwind with a good book or TV before calling it a night.
ANYWAY, we are learning that Preston is not a typical baby. He's a fabulous baby but that's not what I'm referring to this time. I'm referring to the fact that he reacts differently to vaccinations than the typical baby is supposed to. My understanding is that on the day of the vaccinations babies are fussy, tired and usually need Tylenol for a fever. Preston, however, is perfectly normal the day of his vaccinations. He takes his usual naps, isn't fussy and doesn't run a fever. The day after, however, is when he sleeps almost the entire day. He's not fussy or running a fever but he sleeps a lot and just wants to cuddle. He usually takes 4-5 forty-five minute naps each day and if I'm lucky he'll take a 1 1/2 hour late afternoon nap. Today, however, he took a 3 1/2 nap and he only woke up because I was intentionally making noise. By the time he woke up I had vacuumed, wiped down all the doors, did touch up painting around the house, washed all the dishes (I usually do it in spurts cause I hate it), scrapbooked, put together a couple Christmas presents, called about 3 bills (I got one reduced by $105 and another one completely wiped out....love it!) and cleaned the bathroom. I'm not used to having so much time during the day. On one hand it was nice but on the other hand it was weird not to have my little man to talk to, play with and smile at. He did stay awake long enough to help me load up firewood in the wheel barrel, feed Cheyenne and water the trees. The rest of the day he slept...and all was good!

4 month check up

this is jen writing but i have a sleeping baby in my arms so am typing with one hand. today preston had his 4 month check-up and vaccinations. this time instead of screaming uncontrollably he melted everyone's hearts. his height is in the 75th percentile (the pediatrician said the nurse probably didn't accurately) and his weighht is still only in the 10th percentile. so our doctor told me to start him on rice cereal. i wondered how he would do because 4 month olds aren't usually good with eating from spoons, but preston took it look it like a pro. he ate rice cereal twice and both times was able to eat 5-7 spoonfuls. At this rate he'll be a chunky monkey in no time! ok, he woke up so i better feed him. more later......

So much.......

There is so much to write about today that I don't know where to begin. I decided to wake up with Rob this morning and take advantage of the quietness. When he left for work I got the rest of my first story written and formatted so I could send it to the institution today. I was also able to get some other important things done before Preston woke up to start the day. After Preston got up we went to see Rob's crew do helicopter work in Dayton. I always admire what Rob does but seeing it up close gave me a new appreciation for his job. I told him I'd never get on his case about napping anymore, especially after getting up at 4:30am myself AND seeing how hard he works everyday! Preston and I left there to go to a doctor appt I had. He had everyone in the waiting room smiling by the time we got called in because he was making his teradactyl noises. The doctor even commented a few times about how good he was being. Like I have said many times, we know we have a good baby but it's nice to hear it from other people as well. He is 4 months old today and every month I like to look back as what he's accomplished. In this past month he laughed (only one day but we'll take what we can get), discovered his feet, puts everything in his mouth, can almost sit up, interacts with us so much more, babbles and is starting to grab things (he held his medicine bottle tonight!). Being a parent is such a fun, exciting experience. Yes, we have rough days but those are few and far between anymore. He pretty much only cries when he's really hungry or overly tired. Other than that he is a very happy baby. The milestones he constantly reaches just amazes me! So much to be thankful for as we are really blessed..................

Running and Writing

At 34 I've discovered a HUGE "Aha" about myself! I love reading, writing, photography, scrapbooking, running and hiking. (That wasn't the "aha.) The "aha" is that all of my passions are things that are usually done by yourself or without competition. It surprised me when I thought about this because I am such a social person. I think the reason these things are hobbies/passions is because I am a control freak, an anal perfectionist. I hate when people point out what I'm doing wrong or when I have to compete against anyone other than myself. That's why I am stretching myself in two ways. One way is that I'm in the process of fulfilling a childhood dream of becoming an author. Since my writing to date has consisted of this blog, my journal and my Masters project I am dreading the editing that will take place. I love writing and it comes easy for me, but I don't like someone pointing out all my mistakes. I guess I'll have to get past that if I want to be an author because I have to have an editor that will strengthen my writing.
Another way I will stretch myself is by running a relay in June. Last night I was asked to join a relay team for a 24 hour run. I was asked by a neighbor earlier in the week to join her team but it had come with the disclaimer that she didn't have a full team. I figured I wouldn't have to do the relay but now there's an official team so I am committed. I am part of a team, responsible in part for the team's success or failure. That concerns me but the people that I know on the team are laid back so that helps ease my insecurity. If nothing else it'll give me an excuse to get in shape before we start trying to have a second child.
So, two weeks into the 34th year of my life I will stretch myself, trying to get past my insecurities and letting go of how controlling I can be. Wish me luck...