Sunday Ramblings

So, it's been a while. Yeah, I know. I've been sick, then Robert got sick. We both take the MPRE on Saturday and I've been finishing my substantial writing requirement. The rough draft is due tomorrow and then I have a week to fix it after receiving back the professor's comments. I've been trying to get everything done but it's been really hard. Graduation is approaching and most of our class, including us, do not have legal jobs upon graduation. Normally, you have an offer before Christmas, but with the economy the way it is, few of us do. Many have said it's the worst economy for law graduates ever. Lucky us! The school hasn't been much help either. I've been wondering why I went to law school. It's been difficult wondering how things are going to work out; wondering if they are going to work out. This just makes it that much harder to focus on my paper. I'll be glad when school is over, that stress will be gone.

John is doing well. He is so dang cute! He rolled over the other night on his own and giggled for the first time the other day. He is tolerating tummy time now (he hated it before) and continues to talk to "Fudgie the whale" in his gym. He loves his baby mobile and grins in awe when we turn it on and it moves. He also loves the tv. Yeah, not necessarily a good thing, but we found it funny when he kept looking at the tv and crying. Robert turned it on and he was fine. We don't watch that much tv but I guess he paid attention when we had it on. Thank goodness he usually sleeps well at night. He has grown so much. He is in 6-9 month clothes now. He won't eat unless he's hungry - he will spit the bottle out if he doesn't want to eat and will turn his head. He loves sucking on his fist but he won't take a pacifier anymore. He loves to stand or sit and only wants to lay down when he is tired or wants to play in his gym. His hair is starting to grow back from rubbing off in his crib. Socks don't stay on his feet for long. He also moves himself with his legs. We will put him down and come back and he's moved. If his arms were stronger he'd be crawling.

After the first paragraph I realized I needed to list the things that I am thankful for (in no particular order):

John sleeping through the night or only getting up once a night.
John giggling and smiling; it's great to come home to that at the end of a bad day (I've had several lately).
A husband who cleans the bathroom when he can tell I'm overwhelmed.
A husband who is a LexisNexis student rep. I know when all the trainings are.
A husband - more particularly my husband.
Family.
Having another nephew on the way - Congratulations Brian and Mindy; little boys are so much fun.
Baby formula on sale for $4 off - I bought every can at the store yesterday.
Contact lenses - I hate glasses unless it's night.
Law school study carrels - it makes you feel that your tuition was good for something (stay away undergrads, some are not so nice about kicking you out of their carrels).
Being non-diabetic - yeah, that was horrible I'm glad I can eat real food again and that I don't have to prick my finger anymore.
Good chopping knives.
Sleep - It eludes me far too often.
Friends - I love my friends.
Starting to feel human again - giving birth rocks you.

Due to popular demand, pictures of John follow:

After church.

Daddy taking his sweater off after church.

Playing with daddy.

More playtime.

Helping dad with homework.

John and dad having fun with the camera while mom is gone.

In his baseball outfit.

Sitting up.

Kind of a Crummy Week

So, last week and this week have just been crummy. Robert sprained his ankle last Thursday which meant that he had to sit around for two days. Thursday, John wanted to be entertained all day so I got no homework done and got behind in classes, especially when Robert hurt his ankle and could not do much. luckily, Robert's ankle seems to be fine now. We got John a "gym" so that he will be entertained more and, boy, did it sure work. He loves that thing and I am singing the hallelujah chorus! I am almost caught up in all my classes again. It's never a good idea to get behind but sometimes life happens and it's unavoidable. Luckily, I have one small assignment to finish this weekend and I will be set (except for that whole, huge substantial writing paper thing). Work is going well but my schedule is more difficult with John and making sure that he is taken care of and that I get enough time with him. Plus, I've just been in an overall bad mood that I think is starting to lift. I call it the February fog; it happens every year around this time in Utah. The thrill of the new semester has worn off, fatigue starts to set in, and the weather is usually dismal. So I suck it up for a week until it passes.

My dad was here last weekend for Aunt Gloria's funeral. He had a good time seeing us and had a blast with John. It was good to have some time with my dad; we get that a lot with my mom but not much with my dad. It was laid back Sunday at the cabin and Monday night we had sushi (the first for me since my pregnancy) and it was so good. John "talks" to everyone and everything now. My dad and John had so much fun "talking" to each other. John loves being able to "talk" to us; his smile is always huge during it. He is now grabbing the rings on his gym. He is also drooling a ton now. That was something new. He is also having a hard time falling asleep on his own. He now needs to be cuddled and rocked to sleep. I love this cuddle time with him. I know that there is only a small portion of his life where this will happen so I try to enjoy it instead of stressing about what needs to be done.

John in his gym.

He was so cute I took another one.

I love this outfit and took a picture of it because he has almost outgrown it.

John's Two Month Doctor's Appointment

John has his 8 week check-up today. He is nine weeks but the doctor was out of town last week. John is 14 pounds 1/2 ounce. Yes, he is a chubby little, well big, baby. The doctor is not worried and said his weight is fine; it is a good sign when babies can gain weight well. He is 23 1/2 inches long. His weight is 90th percentile and his height is 75th percentile. He said everything was good. His ears and throat looked good. His development is good and right on track. He starts immunizations soon.

He almost rolled over from his tummy to his back last night. He had just had a bath and was on his tummy so I could lotion his back. He hates tummy time so he rolled onto his side. He almost made it all the way over. Robert and I cheered for him but he couldn't quite make it over. He had never done anything like this before. He continues to coo and track with his eyes and smile. He knows my voice and Robert's voice and look for us when we talk. I think he gets that we're his parents. He is discovering that his arms are under his control. He stares at his left arm and moves it up and down and you can see the wheels in his head turning and things start to click. He likes to put weight on his legs with Robert or I holding him; we call this his standing stage. He almost prefers standing to sitting.

School is in full swing and is going well. I have my substantial writing to do this semester which will be a huge amount of work. Luckily I am writing on a topic that I like; but it is still over 20 hours of research, several drafts turned in according to a schedule, and writing a minimum of 30 pages. I start work again this week and I am excited. It has been snowing this week and although it is pretty I wish we had rain instead of snow. Pictures follow.

Looking at the zebra and bouncing in his bouncer.

After his bath last night. Check out those chubby leg rolls.

Sleeping in his bouncer. Every now and then it lulls him to sleep.

Falling asleep after his dinner.

Having some floor time.

In his towel after his bath. He loves his bath and he loves splashing.

Just a Boring Post (With Pictures)

I kept trying to find a catchy title but couldn't think of anything as this post is just a bit of a boring update.

We all survived week one of school. John came to school on Thursday and did pretty well. Robert and I have a class that overlaps by 15 minutes so my professor told me I could bring John as long as he was quiet. When Robert's class is over he comes and gets him from my class. John sleeps pretty well at night (with the exception of last night) and I wish the same could be said for me. I wake up at every sound because I think it's the baby waking up, or I wake up for no reason and can't fall back to sleep. I woke up every night for nine months and now it's hard to sleep through the night. I'm slowly getting better but have moments where I still feel yucky. I figure it took me nine months to get here and it will take longer than a month or two to be back to normal. I went to the doctor this week and I'm well enough that post partum restrictions are lifted. (Now to work on the pregnancy weight).

John started a new thing this week; instead of just kicking his legs like he is riding a bicycle, he now lifts them up into the air (so his legs are at a 90* angle to the floor) and pumps them up and down. He loves doing this and usually "talks" when he does. He is liking his bouncer more and more and doesn't need to be held as much as he used to. He is becoming more aware. He is starting to discover that he has hands and that he can control them (usually while he's grabbing a handful of my hair). He doesn't like to be alone so one of us has to talk to him while he has floor time (if we're using the time to do some chores or homework). On Sunday, he was crying in his crib after he woke up from his nap. When I walked in his room and he saw me he stopped crying. Robert fed him one morning (early) and he spit the bottle out, looked at Robert, and smiled. It's moments like these that make the less than pleasant times worth it. I love this baby!

Many people have requested more pictures so here is a random sampling.

Minutes after he was born. Can you believe he fit inside of me.
Eating with auntie Christine at the cabin around Christmas.

Meeting Grandpa Duffy. My dad was sick when John was born so he didn't get to hold him until John was one month old. My dad loves being a grandpa.

Hanging out at the cabin with Grandma Great. (My Grandma. I thought I had a picture of John with Grandpa Great but I don't)

On his blessing day.

Another blessing day picture.

Just after he got dressed.

His first day of law school with mom and dad. (I had explained the finer points of the bibs the law school gals made him. I think he absorbed that conversation well).

Sleeping in his car seat. He slept through my entire doctors appointment.

Goodnight to you all. Sleep well.

Back to Real Life

School has started again and I'll be honest I don't know how I'm going to do it. I'm still healing and have 14 credits plus my substantive writing to do (thank you 30 page paper). Robert and I staggered our schedules so one of us is with John at all times. It's kind of weird not to go to school with Robert. We've had at least one class together a semester and seen each other during the day but not anymore. I'm tired and in pain and I just want another week to recover. I don't understand why we start school again so soon; other schools get a month off for break and half the professors cancel class the first week because they have to attend the AALS meeting in San Diego. I just want one more week, heck I took finals two weeks after having a baby with an infection and 103* fever - why can't I have one more week? I just want to feel like myself again, I haven't for a long time. Okay enough of the negativity now.

John had a great night Sunday and slept 7 hours. I knew it wouldn't last; the last two nights have not been so good. Yesterday was good. I got the laundry done, cleaned the apartment, watched John, and did my homework. It's going to be a long semester but it will be great to have my JD. It is nice to have other things going on besides poopy diapers and sleepless nights. It's also great to have my brain engaged in something to keep it sharp. Plus, I love the law. I love digging into it and figuring it out and using it to solve problems. Yeah, I know I'm a nerd :) I miss John everyday I'm at school and love going home to see my husband and my baby.

Anyway, John is adorable and loves his floor time more and more, he actually fussed because he wanted to be put down. He now likes his bouncer. At first he would cry when he was in it ( I thought "great we paid how much for something he hates"). I had a ton of laundry to do yesterday and he wouldn't go down for a nap. Whenever I got him to sleep and would put him in his crib he would wake up crying 10 minutes later (It's a good thing he's so cute). I finally put him in the bouncer. He loved it and was good for about 30 minutes. His bounder has a bar overhead with jungle animals hanging from it. He loved watching as they moved. I talked to him while I sorted and started the laundry, made my bed, took a shower, and got some things picked up. It was great. He also purposely smiles. I was getting frustrated because he wouldn't sleep. He looked right in my eyes and smiled at me (baby survival tactic if you ask me) and my heart just melted. He is exercising his voice more and more. He squeals and coos when he has floor time, especially if you talk to him and tickle his stomach. Robert and I are starting to decipher his different cries and getting some of this baby stuff down. John loves to cuddle and sometimes he wakes up and just wants to cuddle.

Happy New Year!

Christmas - Week 5

John is now 5 weeks old and he had his first Christmas. We are at my family's cabin in Midway, Utah. Robert and I admit that it has been nice having some help. So many people have been wanting to hold him, feed him, and even change diapers. It has been nice to have a meal or take a shower where you aren't racing the baby nap clock!

John had his first bath where he didn't scream at all. I let him play in the warm water today and he loved it. When he got out of it he didn't even cry = milestone. He had a rough couple of days. He either has gas or acid reflux. He screamed a lot last night. Auntie Meredith (my awesome sister in law) was a nanny for a year to a three year old and an infant. The infant had bad acid reflux so she had some good tips. He started to do better during the night when Robert and I tried her tips. I'm so glad that other people know what they are doing; it saves me from having to figure things out via trial and error. We also tried some Mylicon drops (for gas) that were recommended by my friend Micci and those seemed to help as well.

John has also realized he enjoys floor time. He will lay there on his blanket (surrounded by willing admirers) and kick his chubby legs and move his arms back and forth. He also started cooing and trying to "talk." It is really fun to watch (I admit that I am biased:) ) Today he also started deliberately smiling. He looked right at me while Meredith was holding him, focused on me and smiled (letting his pasi fall out of his mouth). He did the same thing to grandpa Duffy. He loves the swing and his food. If you don't feed him fast enough when he wakes up he lets you know he is not happy.

Robert and I have to go buy books this week and prepare for classes to begin again. It is going to be a tough semester. I have a full load plus my substantive writing. At least when it's over I will have my law degree!

I'll have to add pictures later because I'm posting from another computer. My Internet is not working at the moment.

Week Four

Getting ready for bed. He loves this sleeper

Staring at the clock (see below) and moving his arms.


Finally asleep. Mom wants to be asleep too.


Bonding with daddy.

Week four has passed. I can't believe John-John is four weeks old. Some funny things: he loves looking and listening to the clock hanging above his changing table, once you lay him down he stares intently at it. He likes his baths and cries less now, the toaster intrigues him. When he's staring at something that he doesn't quite understand his mouth forms and O and his eyes get really big. He continues to eat well but he's spitting up now as well. He is growing out of his 3 month clothes (the pediatrician said the dates on baby clothes aren't accurate) and is learning to use his legs to push off of things (read: mom and dad). He has slept 5-6 hours that last few nights and we are hoping that lasts; the trade off - he is awake a lot during the day (we'll take sleep at night over productivity during the day).

I'm continuing to heal but it is taking longer than I thought. I've had a rough couple of days this week where I couldn't sleep and couldn't do much during the day. It's hard. I spent nine months dealing with pregnancy and now more time recovering from it. Don't misunderstand me, it is worth it and I love my son, recovery is just harder than I thought it would be. I cannot wait to get to my doctor so I can discuss what happened during delivery so I can ensure it doesn't happen with subsequent deliveries. At least I get to eat sugar and treats again! YUUUUUM! Christmas is almost here and I am excited for family to come into town.