Meeting a New Friend

Last night my friend, Susan, was generous to pass of some glorious size 3 pampers cruisers for Mills and we couldn't have been more grateful! Susan and I attended hygiene school together , and we do not get to see each other much anymore. Her little one, Reagan, who is 10 days older than Mills, is a Huggies baby and didn't do well with the cruisers, so, of course, we were more than happy to take them off of her hands :) Mills and Reagan hadn't met yet, so here are a few pictures from their first meeting. Isn't she a cutie?!!!

He's "eyeing" her pappy as if he does not have one of his own...strapped to him!

Sippy Pal

If I picked up Mills' sippy cup off of the floor and washed it once, I did it 50 times tonight! He knocks it around, drinks from it, and then throws it. I'm sure you all know what I mean. So tonight I found these...

I just knew that if I googled "strap for sippy cup" when we returned home tonight, I would surely find something. I will be ordering these from One Step Ahead for a pretty good deal...two for $9.95. To me, its worth it!

Memorial Day...Mills Goes to the Pool

We usually don't do much of anything on Memorial Day, but thankfully the pool is now open and we were able to go. We met Christi, E, and P, over there around 11:00, which is right around the time Mills likes to doze off. It was such a nice day. Not too hot, and our little man did very well! E played golf, so Christi was a BIG help at being my second set of eyes. I lathered up our little guy in sunscreen, dressed him in his swim diaper and put on his new bathing suit and hat, and boy did he look too cute. Mills loves bath time, so I was really hoping that he would like the pool, as well. I just purchased a new float for him, because we are getting ready to go to the beach soon, and I was very excited about using it. I found this float at Walmart, which is one of those "spring floats" similar to my lounger.

Outcome = He DID NOT like it! He loved the pool, just not the float. I don't know if it is something that he will have to get used to, or if he just likes being in my arms. I put him in it in the baby pool, and so he was able to stand up, being that the pool is only 1ft. deep. Next time, I will try going over to the big pool. I hope that by the time our beach trip comes around, he will be happy with his float.

When we got to the pool, I got in with Mills for a temperature test, and all was good. So, I grabbed his float, put him in it, and he cried. Okay, so he got mad. So, I got him out. We played a bit, I gave him the rest of his bottle and then.....he was OUT! So, I got a little sunbathing in.

and now, we have this....

Bump in Our Road!

You may remember me saying about a month ago that our Mills had started Stage 3 foods and a bit of table food (ground up, of course). I had mentioned that at first, he gagged, but the next night, he ate his whole supper. Now, we have hit a bump in our semi-curvy road. Mills' little brain has told him that texture is not something that he needs to like. I am clueless as to what to do and am wondering if there are any similar stories or suggestions that any of you have. Here's whats going on now....

• Mills will eat lets say....chicken noodle for a few bites, but as soon as he "realizes" that's its different, he acts as if he's gagging.
• I can put peas and carrots on his tray. Sometimes he will pick them up and feed himself. The next night, he may get very angry at the thought of eating them.
• I fixed spaghetti the other night, ground it up in the food mill, he ate 5 or 6 bites without a fuss, then realized that it was textured and didn't like it anymore. Thus, the gagging started.
• This week at Mimi's, she fed him his lunch, he did fine, then gagged until he threw up. When he got home and I fed him supper. I put him in his high-chair, he got mad, so I let him throw his tantrum. When the crying finished, he smiled and so I began to feed him. He did fine, realized there was a carrot on his tongue, gagged, then threw it up.
• He does okay with puffs, crunchies, etc., but will sometimes act as if he's gagging.
• He used to love eating his solids, now when I put him in his chair, he gets MAD, and I am wondering if it is because he knows whats coming.

So, my questions are:

• He has only two teeth, should I return to stage 2 foods and try again later? He will be 10 months old in 2 weeks.
• Is this a mental thing with him (which I know it is) and what should I do about it?
• Can I stop worrying that he is going to be a picky eater and never want steak and baked potato? ha! He can't eat mush until he's 5!
  

Mills Goes Hawaiian

This afternoon, we had the pleasure of attending sweet Mary Claire's 2nd birthday party and had a blast! Mills attended two birthday parties this weekend. The other was Miss Ady Baskin's, who turns 1 this week. We had a blast at both! Who knew it would be 90° this weekend? HA! Needless to say, I lathered our sweet boy up in sunscreen this afternoon and he is now OUT for the night.

The luau themed birthday party for MC, was decked out in Hawaiian style and the birthday girl looked adorable!! Here are a few pics from the afternoon.

The birthday girl, herself. Happy Birthday Mary Claire!

The outfit Mills is wearing is straight from Hawaii!!! No joke! My friend and co-worker Maurita got this outfit for her son, Brian, about 35 years ago (correct me if I'm wrong, Maurita). She claims that Brian wore it when he was 2 years old. Mills is 9 months old, and it fits him perfectly! Needless to say, Brian must have been tiny at 2 years, or Mills is huge! hehe We were so thankful to borrow it! It's not everyday that you find an authentic Hawaiian shirt and shorts outfit for a baby. Many thanks, Maurita!

Mills and his "Chi Chi" playing patty-cake

Mills giving Anniston some sugar ;)

Stomach Bug

Saturday morning, I was hit with the ole' stomach virus. I've NEVER had it before and don't want it again EVER! I stayed in bed all day Saturday and thank goodness Erik was off to take care of Mills. I was really looking forward to my cousin, Brandon's wedding last night, but unfortunately we didn't make it. I was so upset, but I don't think anyone would have wanted to be around me, and I don't think I could have made it without getting sick. I kept telling myself, "You have GOT to get better! You can not miss the wedding!" Unfortunately it was a no go. I couldn't even get the energy to get out of bed and everything I drank or ate, came right back up. Thank goodness for my EMT hubby who "fixed me up." After a round of fluids and some phenergan I was out for the rest of the night. I didn't even know it stormed and Erik slept upstairs just to stay away from me. This morning I am still a bit weak, and have eaten a little bit, but I think I could still go back to bed. I am hoping that I can go walking this afternoon to help build my strength. I am not a sickly person at all, so when I get down, I get DOWN!

Privacy- VERY SCARY!

You might see this note floating all over the Internet.

"Please ..... take action now people - ATTN EVERYONE: There's a site called Spokeo.com, it's an online phonebook that has pictures that you have posted on Facebook, phone number,credit score, profession, home value, income , # of children, profession, and age. Search for your name. Remove yourself by clicking the Privacy button on the bottom right...of their website and follow instructions. (Please Re-Post)"

I normally just ignore the the "re-post" notes b/c I feel more than half the time they are untrue. Well, the point of this one is privacy for you and your family... which definitely interest me. So I checked it out... and I was shocked to see that it was TRUE!!!! I just wanted to post this here so you could be aware of this information that is posted online and the extent of it as well. I was blown away when I read all the information they had posted on there. It's ridiculous, scary, and very PRIVATE. I immediately removed my info by following the step in the quotes and it took it down immediately. I just wanted you to be aware of this. I understand it's probably not a big deal to some but to most I think it will be. And me... well, I may not seem like a private person, but I am (more than you probably know).

What worries me more is that on this site you can PAY to find out even more information!!! Seriously!!! Is this even legal? I'm still in shock. It also worries me to think what other sites are out there that might be doing the exact same things. Not cool!!!

Just sayin'...if you try to find me...I'm no longer there! Thank goodness :)

9 months

Today, our Mills went for his 9 month check up. All was great and Dr. O thinks he will be walking very soon. Our little man's ears looked good, and Dr. Owen showed me where his top two central incisors are trying to erupt. For the past 2 days, he has had a little trouble with his tummy *explosive diapers :( and Dr. Owen strongly believes that his teeth are the culprit. So, we've been giving him a little bit of pedialyte. For the past two mornings, I've had to strip the sheets and carry our boy staight to the bath tub. He seems to be feeling fine, just a little messy.

Mills was 28.5" long and weighed 19lbs.12oz. I asked why the difference in weight since last Tuesday, since Erik told me that he weighed 20lbs. 4oz. and he told me that they weighed him with his clothes on. I told Erik this, and he then informed me that Mills had a "full diaper" too. So, that explains it. The fact that his belly has been upset for the past two days doesn't help the fact either. Nevertheless, he is doing well and right on track. Its hard to believe that at his next well baby visit he will be a year old. I told Dr. Owen that we would see him then, and hopefully not before ;)

"Now wait lady! Let me do it myself!"

My First Mother's Day

I know it is uncommon for me to be a day behind on posting, but after yesterday, I was so exhausted and had NO energy left last night.

I woke up early yesterday morning, at 6 o'clock to be exact. I could not go back to sleep so decided to go ahead and get myself up and start the day with a cup of coffee as I packed Mills' bag for church. I think I was just excited about it being my first mother's day! I was able to get myself showered and ready, so there would be no reason for being late for church. For those of you who know me well, being late is not something I am in favor of-ha! I was able to get all morning tasks completed before Mills woke at 8:00!! In the past nine months, that is the latest our little guy has ever slept. I was thrilled. What a nice Mother's Day present!!

After church, we headed to the CC for a quick Mother's Day lunch with Nana and Gammy, and and the rest of the bunch, then headed home for nap time, but Mills decided that he did not want to take a nap. I was so exhausted and wanted a nap so badly. Why is it that when I can take a nap, I have other things to do, but when I want to and can take a nap, Mills decides that he would rather not go to sleep, but play instead, so played we did.

Last night, we had our usual Mother's Day dinner at Mama & Daddy B's house and had a great time watching Mills and Lainey play. Of course, they both tired out and Mills was O-U-T before we even left.

This year, my first Mother's Day, had to be the most special day for me since our Mills was born in August. It by far, ranked highest on my list and meant more to me than any birthday I've ever celebrated. To me, Mother's Day is an honor, a day that I can celebrate being the mother to what I consider God's most precious gift to me, my sweet Mills. When I look at him, I see a perfect little being, created by God for us. He is a miracle, and to this day, I still can't believe that he is ours. Yesterday, when I looked at him, I felt no less than proud to be his mommy, and the thoughts of it being my first Mother's Day, put a smile on my face and joy in my ♥! Now, I know how my mom must have felt on her first mother's day with me. I guess I just really never knew. I always knew how honored I was to have my mama, but never thought about how proud she must have been to be my mom. What a great day!

Me and my little love

Mom (Nana), Me & Mills

Lainey and Mills rocking with Gammy. Mills was wanting Lainey's fingers...to CHEW on!

Mills and his Nana swinging

No obstacle is too great or can keep Mills from going where he wants to go, even Aunt Whitney's leg!

Mimi June, Mills, and Gammy

Round 2

ding ding ding!

Another ear infection visited Mills this week. Bless his heart! This one was definitely worse than the last one he had a couple of weeks ago. We're not exactly sure that the previous antibiotic cleared it the first one or not, so here we go again. We think that he could possibly be teething again as well, so things have been a little rough around here since Saturday. I've NEVER seen him drool like he has been this week. Seriously! We usually go through about 2 or 3 bibs a day, but only due to his meals. Now, he is soaking himself so bad that I am seriously thinking about making a trip to "wally-world" for some cheap "around the house" bibs. At his visit to Dr. O, our Mills weighed a whopping 20lbs. 4 oz. Whew!! No wonder I'm getting so strong! He's a growing healthy boy. Well, almost...if we can clear up this ear infection, anyway.

This picture was taken the day that we started noticing the "excess" drool...yikes!