Settling down

I finally feel like the whole birthday shabang has settled now. We've cleaned up the house (popcorn, decorations, candy all over the place) and are finally getting back to normal. I have to say though, a party in your home takes waaay more work than I'd imagined. I may have to consider doing a hall next time or a party place. But, in the end, the little man was overwhelmed by all the family around him and had a good time. He made out like a bandit with money, clothes and toys. I don't know what to do for Christmas!

Now, getting into the developmental side of things, Mr. Joshua is still cruising but with a more rapid gate and has even found interest in the steps. YES the steps!! He's taken two steps so far and I've had to stop him from going further. Soon I'll stand behind him and see how far he can go. He's even tried standing on toys as a step stool in an attempt to climb over the safety gate. Yup, my boy. Oh yeah, another tooth and broken through so he's got four on top and the two little front teeth on the bottom. They look like little pearls, so adorable, but crazy sharp.

On another note, we've been really struggling financially for the last 6months now. I've been pulling extra shifts here and there but hubby's new job shows no opportunities for advancement or overtime. I laid on the tough love and told him it's time to start looking for bigger and better things. My husband is a graphic designer and has been in his field for quite some time now. He's got loads or talent and experience. Considering we're a stones throw (figuratively) from NYC, I want him to look there. Why? More money, better chance of advancement and career growth. Problem is the competition is serious. He's had a few interviews here and there that have gone nowhere. My deduction is that they either found someone to do the job for a cheap or they weren't keen on his interview. We always get into arguments about how he should open up more. My husband is the kind of guy that has to work up to getting to know you and will then open up more. You can't do that in an interview. So, any of you listening or reading out there, say some prayers for us. If we don't have a financial breakthrough soon, we may have to move! I put it in God's hands.

What's in the milk man?

Again, we are confronted with more food issues. The struggle continues with getting Joshua to eat as well as he used to. Each meal is a surprise whether we'll get cooperation from him or a tantrum. We've removed the high chair table to prevent feelings of confinement. I've pushed the high chair up to the table so he feels like a big boy. Joe has even put him on his lap to get him to eat better. I believe it's beyond teething that's the problem.

Furthermore, I've changed milk formula this week. The nursing ended at around 6 months. Joshua just stopped wanting the breast and my production slowed down. So prior to this any supplementing we used Enfamil Lipil. Never had any stomach problems and he never was the throwing up type. It worked so we stuck to it. Well, I switched to the formula for older babiew Enfamil Lipil Next Step. He drinks it down like the other milk but I've noticed his stools have been smellier and looser, with even a lighter color! I'm wondering if the higher iron content is causing the problem. Usually it'll make the stools tighter rather than loose but in Joshua it's done the opposite. Also he's had a nasty cold with coughing and a runny nose, no fever. So the combination of the two may be causing the loose bowel movements. Other than that he's a happy baby. Activity hasn't changed and he crawls around more and more each day.
I'll have to keep investigating before I finally decide to take him back to the pediatrician.

Speaking of the pediatrician, one of the down sides of being a nurse and the pediatrician knowing it, is that things aren't always explained fully. Now I'm a labor and delivery nurse first, a well baby and post partum nurse second, but I'm NOT a pediatric nurse so I don't know everything about baby development. At times I need a little extra explanation which she fails to do. Last visit, I almost felt rushed. If it happens again, I'll have to let her know my feelings or maybe even change doctors which I'd hate to do because technically she is quite smart. She's young and she keeps up on the latest in child care. But, we'll see.

On a lighter note, I'm still working on my baby's invites to his party. I'm making them myself and it's take longer than I expected. I'm glad I started early. And I've really gone overboard on the pirate theme. Oriental Trading Co. will be getting another big order from me within the next week or two. I want to make sure the house is fully decorated in Halloween and Pirate stuff galore! I think I'm more excited than Joshua (of course he'll probably never remember being so young). But this will be a family tradition, Joshua's big birthday/halloween party! I love it. We must purchase a camcorder. Financially we haven't been able to afford it so a moving cdocumentary of his first months wasn't a possibility, but stills we have plenty. Scrapbooking, card stamping and recording is my passion.

New Tooth, Tantrums and Crying spells persist

I don't know why but this stent of drama in little Joshua's world isn't coming to an end. Today he went from being happy to crying and thrashing in a matter of minutes. I see a new tooth coming in on the top but he won't let me get near it. In the morning especially he usually has a high temp. Right now, I'm just trying my best to soothe him in anyway that I can. Although I'm hear at work tonight, I was thinking of keeping him home tomorrow to care for him. Don't get me wrong, the sitter is really good with Joshua but nothing compares to Mama. Only problem is trying to stay up after working all night. And at times, he usual long morning naps ends up being a short cat nap. And I need sleep. So, things to consider before I head home in the morning.

His pediatrician appointment last week Wednesday was good. Joshua is now 21 pounds and about 29 1/2 inches long. She claims he is in the 75th percentile for children his age. I would have automatically thought he was up in at least the 90th. Josh is a big baby, so the thought of babies bigger than him.....God bless their parents! But, due to his length, we had to purchase a new car seat. Ended up buying the Britax. Although very expensive, the reviews on every web site and parent guide point right back to it. It's either get a cheap and marginally safe car seat and end up buying a new one in a few months due to weight restrictions or buy the Britax which will carry him all the way to 65 lbs. So we bit the bullet and went with the best. Only the best for my boy.

Trials, tribulations, torential rains....

Finally, my hubby is back to work...hallelujah! Started the new job today. Of all days, the worst rain we've had in a while. I'm telling you just when you thought it would stop, it'd start right back up again. But he got out bright and early for the new grind. Problem is it's not what he or I expected but it's beats a blank ( more on that later). So Joshie and Mama are back together again without Dada on my days off. It was a lovely day together and we rekindled our 'alone' relationship. Things have changed and I've got to get him on a good day schedule again. My husband did things his way that I didn't all together agree with. Anyhoo, when you're working and he's home with the kid, what can a woman do...cope. In my eyes, I had to chose a bigger battle, 'get a damn job'. And I waved the white flag on decisions made for Joshua while he was out of work and posing as a poor attempt at Mr. Mom.

But new problems have arisen. I have no idea why this boy puts up a fuss at meal times. Even when he's hungry, there is always a cry, a moan or some kind of fuss. I don't understand. This never happened before. The last month or two, getting him to just eat is a chore. Then he cries for his bottle as if taking food by mouth causes him pain. Ok he is teething and has two teeth on the bottom that have come to head but this is ridiculous. When I eat, he loves to eat my food. Even after he's had a meal and a botttle he'll fight me to get to my food. I really need guidance here on getting him to eat better. Now he eats a lil' better for Joe. But it still consists of whines and cries. This is a short synopsis of how mealtime goes down.

• Into the high chair.......fuss and whine
• Put on the bib.....cries louder and starts to break tears.
• We hurriedly open jars of food and dip spoon in.
• Spoon to mouth and a few spoons later...more cries.
• Halfway through the meal, writhing around in highchair, thrashing back and forth, refusing to take anymore food, red-faced, crying like I'm beating him (neighbors probably think I am).
• I give up and start to make a bottle cause forcing food down his throat between gasps is just beyond what make heart can take.

And this is how it goes. Another thing, if both of us are in the kitchen when the meal starts..he's distracted and won't eat. He will start to cry for the other 'non-feeding' parent. I mean this is too much. I wish I could read this kids mind. Heeeeelp!