Fruit of the Womb: 2012

Wow!!! It is already December! Where has the time gone??? We had a great November. The first weekend of November we went to the Georgia vs Ole Miss game. It was so nice to visit with all of our Athens buds and they were all extremely excited to meet B. He was definitely a big hit at the tailgate. We went to the game, but were pretty disappointed with Sanford Stadium when we got there. They told us we needed a ticket for B!!!!! What??!! He can't physically take up a seat in the stadium. Madness! Luckily our friend that we went with had an extra alumni ticket for us to use. Besides that little bump in the road we had a great time at the game. B slept for the first 45 minutes (it was sooo loud! Wish I could sleep like that! haha). He was really fascinated by all of the people and noises. We left at half time so we could get back before B's bed time.

Thanksgiving was lovely! We celebrated at Mamas and B got to meet some more of my family. After Thanksgiving in my home town, we headed back to Atlanta where Autumn, Mama, and I did some black Friday shopping. Then, us Noceras' drove up to Charlotte to visit with the Ennis family. We had a ton of fun! It was great watching the kiddos (Hayes, Grady and B) interact with each other. During all of these Thanksgiving festivities and travels B decided to go on a sleep strike. Those were some fun, yet exhausting days. Luckily it was only a few days and now he is doing better. I really felt like a crazy person. I feel so sorry for people that deal with that from the beginning with their babies.

Now it's time to tell you guys about B's development. It's so crazy how much he has accomplished in the last month! He now sits up totally by himself. We can just sit him on the floor with some toys and he is completely entertained. B has amazing control of his hands. He grabs at everything!!! He really likes people's faces and loves to grab at them/rub them. We do have to tell him sometimes to be gentle because he will seem so sweet by rubbing our face then all of a sudden he pinches so hard (and it hurts!)! Everything goes to his mouth. We are pretty sure he is teething, but no signs of teeth coming too soon. Let's see what else.... Oh, he likes to suck on his toes aaaaand he has discovered his wee wee... yes, his wee wee. Now when we give him a bath he goes from sucking his toes to playing with his wee wee (hilarious!). The noises he makes are pretty funny too. He squeals, giggles, blows bubbles, and even says "hey" sometimes. We call him a veloster raptor because of the noises he makes. Tummy time is more enjoyable for B now because he can roll over if he doesn't want to be on his tummy any more (he used to hate tummy time!). He is scooting around a little bit, but only backwards (hehe!). Joe and I were reading that because B has so many new skills that could have been what was affecting his sleep.

At B's 4 month doctor appointment he weighed 18 pounds. For his weight he is still in the 90th percentile, but for his height he is now in the 50th. He is just a fatso! We weighed him a couple of days ago and he now weighs 21 pounds. Once he becomes more mobile I guess he will probably even out a bit.

I don't think I have mentioned this to everyone before, but B has had reflux pretty bad for the past few months (not acid reflux, just reflux..there is a difference.). He would spit up all the time!! The pediatrician said that he is what they call a "happy spitter". It hasn't affected his weight (obviously!) and it doesn't bother him when he spits. This has been something that bothers me more than anyone (he was going thru around 8 bibs/burp clothes/outfits a day and I was doing laundry 3-4 times a week). We heard/read pretty early on that it could be that B has a problem digesting dairy (the dairy protein, not lactose-he is not lactose intolerant). Since I am nursing and have dairy on a regular basis I attempted to cut it out of my diet a couple of times, but due to our disbelief that, that could be the issue I never really cut out dairy completely. It's in everything!!! Finally after B destroyed his outfit, bibs, burp clothes, my outfit and another mommy's blanket at a play group I asked our pediatrician again "what can I do about this?!" He suggested cutting dairy out for 2 weeks and see what happens. So I COMPLETELY removed dairy from my diet.... and now we have a spit free baby!!!! It was difficult, but for the most part I have been dairy free for around a month now. Thank God for almond milk, and vegan options with a ton of foods or this would have been almost impossible for me.

We are introducing solids a little bit here and there with B. He has had banana, avocado, sweet potato, and rice cereal (all of them we pureed our selves [except cereal] and mixed with breast milk). We are also starting to do sign language with B. This kid is getting more fun every day! It is amazing how much personality he has. We just can't get enough of that constant smile.

We are super duper excited about December!! B get's to experience his first Christmas. Christmas eve we plan to hang with my Dad, Lisa and his side of the family. Then, Christmas morning we will wake up at my moms and visit with her side of the family that day. The day after Christmas we fly out to California to visit with all of our west coast family and friends!!!!!! A lot of people will get to meet B for the first time. We'll be in Los Angeles for a little over a week (will visit Nana Cindy and Papa Ron in Bakersfield too). Then, we will be driving out to Las Vegas with family for a few days (and fly home from there). Yep!! Vegas!!!! This mommy is going to have a good time! The next blog I post will probably have a TON of pictures.

Hope everyone has a MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!! We love y'all!!!!!