Tales of a Zombie Mommy

The last week and a half has been terrible for Buggy and her arch nemesis of the week, Sleep. Anytime that silly old Sandman comes a knockin' Buggy yells and screams and, honestly, you would think the world was ending. Just 2 weeks ago, her pediatrician asked me "How's she sleeping?" And I answered "Pretty good. She sleeps around 5 or 6 hours straight, nurses and then goes back to sleep for several more hours." Oh, poor little old 2 weeks ago me. Bless your little heart, you knew nothing.

Since then, Buggy hasn't slept a single night through. None. It's been up every hour/every 2 hours, screaming, crying, and tossing/turning. Now, fortunately, we bed share, so I was able to just sit up and try and nurse her. She would nurse, and then go back to sleep, but would be up again in another hour or so. She didn't get up this much when she was a newborn. I honestly have no clue what's gotten into her.

So, through much careful consideration and long talks with the hubster, and a few friends, we've decided to see how Buggy does in her crib. I'm nervous as all get out, and not looking forward to hunkering down in my bed with only the hubs for company, but I will do anything to help my baby get a better night's sleep. She's currently in her crib now, sleeping peacefully with nigh a peep being made, so maybe we are on the right path.

All I know is that tonight, I'll be sleeping with my husband on one side, and my monitor receiver clutched in my arms on the other. :(

New Background Ideas or The Evolution of a Photo Shoot

I got the wonderful idea from a photography board that I frequent to use some of Buggy's baby blankets as interesting backgrounds. I had no idea how I was going to hang them up though. See, I usually just drape the fabric over the back of a chair and call it a day, but I couldn't do that with the smaller baby blankets. Then, it hit me. The jumperoo would make a fabulous background holder. Fantastic! So, I went in the hubster's tool box and got out a few small clamps. Attached them to the jumperoo and we had a backdrop stand. Pretty cool. See?

Anyway, I chose two of Buggy's blankets and clamped them to the sheet. The first one was a cute yellow and green one, and I liked the yellow the best. Buggy was unimpressed though.

 Even Violet couldn't keep Buggy from the brink of boredom.

Then I had a pink polka dot/chocolate color blanket, and thought the polka dots might be fun! I mean, come on, polka dots! Everyone loves those, right. So, I armed Buggy with a little teething book and let er rip.

Then...Mommy made the mistake of taking away the book...

So, in retaliation, we decided to take away Mommy's backdrop. Neener Neener.

And that was the end of that...

Make The Mommy Logs a Top Mommy Blog!

We need votes! Help make The Mommy Logs a Top Mommy Blog. Simply click the banner on the sidebar to the right, or just click here.

Lets make The Mommy Logs a Top Mommy Blog!

Thanks for all your votes! You, my faithful readers, are the bomb diggity!

There is a little person backing up all over the place

and rolling every which way she can. That's right ladies and gentlemen.
Buggy. Is. Mobile.
Sorta.

She's totally great at rolling, and has decided that should be her main form of mobility. She also has learned to crawl...backwards. I'm thinking about hooking up a backup chime on her. You know the kind, the beeping a bus makes when its backing up. This way, I know when she's on the move.

Or maybe I'll just get her a bell collar.

In other news, the weather down here in the tropics is a cold cold 50 degrees. In comparison to the 80s we got last week, its a downright freakin' cold snap. So, we broke out some cute long sleeve shirts for Buggy to wear. She looks so adorable. Honestly, she'd make a great northerner. Alas, we leave in the South. I swear, one day I will take her to see snow! It has to happen!

What's a post without pics, you ask? Well, it's just words. And we can't have any of that tonight, can we? So, heres a few recent ones of my girl, being cute. 'Nough said.

And a wonderful pic of Buggy in her sunhat and (long sleeve) shirt on one of our walks in the winter chill.

Apparently walks do not amuse Buggy anymore. Harrumph.

It's Buggy's 7 monthday!

That's right, kids. Buggy is a whole 7 months old today. To commemorate this blessed occasion, I, of course, did a photo shoot!

Buggy in her pre-requisite chair and Bun monthly photo.

Then we moved to the living room to do another shoot.

As always, I'd love constructive criticism. Happy 7 months, Buggy!

Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper

As many of you know, we and Buggy co-sleep. We've actually gotten to the point of bedsharing, as it just feels right for our family. We first used the Safe and Secure Sleeper that I talked about in an earlier Can't-Live-Without post. We loved that thing. It worked so well for us when Buggy was a teeny tiny babe, but unfortunately, she outgrew it, and we moved on to the side car style sleeper.

The one that we used was the Arm's Reach Mini Co-Sleeper though the company makes different sizes. We chose the mini because it was a slimmer version, and our bedroom isn't very large on the sides of our bed. The Mini is just the right size to fit in between our bed and the wall.

Basically, it just hooks onto the side of our bed and Buggy can sleep happily in her "own bed" and yet, we have the convenience and comfort of co-sleeping and sharing the same room, which totally works well for nursing, fyi. The one side of it comes undone, so baby is right there next to you, instead of like a bassinet or crib where there is something seperating you. However, the side will snap up again, if you need to use it as a bassinet so baby doesn't roll out.

It also has a handy dandy shelf basket underneath the bed area that holds blankets, diapers, wipes, extra clothes or whatever you need to be on hand. Which is really great for middle of the night changes or cleanups.

It worked pretty well for us for the most part. It wasn't until the Hubster was off during Christmas and he decided he wanted Buggy to sleep with us in bed for a few days, that we quit using it. It's still there, and we use it every once in a while to lay her in, if we want to snuggle or aren't going to sleep right at that second.

Highly recommend if you want to co-sleep. We didn't plan on it, but really, one never truly can plan for a baby. It's really after baby gets here that you decide how you are going to parent.

Did you co-sleep or bedshare? How long? When did you transition? What are your thoughts on co-sleeping and bedsharing? Let me know in the comments!

Recall Alert: Graco Stroller Recall

Recall Information Article

Yesterday, Graco announced a recall of several of their stroller and travel systems; the Alano, Passage and Spree models, namely. Apparently on these several types of strollers, the canopy hinge can snap and cause little finger amputations or cuts. Definitely check your stroller and see if its part of the recall.

Check out their article, and check out your stroller if you have a Graco. We can never be too safe.

"This hurts me worse than it hurts you."

We just got home a little bit ago. Buggy had her 6 month checkup. Yes, I know, I know, she's almost 7 months, so why is she just now having her 6 month checkup? I honestly have no clue. Somehow, along the way, we got mixed up on our dates. I think it was around her 4 month mark. We were out of town when she turned 4 months, and had to wait until the week after to go in for her shots and what not. I didn't want her to have a reaction while we were out of town, so ix nay on the shots before hand. Then I didn't want her cranky on Halloween, so no shots that day. Ended up being the week after, which put her at about 4 1/2 months for her shots. So, I guess that's how we got on a wonky schedule.

Wow, sorry for all that randomness. I'm sure you didn't really care to read all of that, but kudos if you actually did.

So, first, stats. I'm calling these puppies 7 month stats, since she'll be 7 months in 3 days.
Weight: 19 lbs 2 oz
Height: 28 3/4 inches
Head Circumference: 17 1/4 inches.

Why yes, she is a hunk o'chunk. I happen to think she's amazing, so there.

The doctor checked her over and said all was great. She's super happy with how developed Buggy is. Buggy was babbling Mama the whole time, and even waved goodbye to the doctor. She did tell us that we need to start massaging her feet because the tendons are really tight which is causing her to be slightly pigeon toed. She wants that to be gone before Buggy takes her first steps. Agreed. I don't want my kid walking funny, so we'll massage as needed. Plus, this gives me ample time to play stinky feet with her: her new favorite game.

She also discovered that Buggy's top two teeth are budding. Oh, boy, yay! Now we'll have a bottom one, and two top ones. I'm going to be missing a nipple here soon, I can just feel it. *cringes*

The doctor did tell me that I might want to consider weaning her off of her night nursing. Advice which, while I'm sure is right for some, I'm not sure is right for us. Buggy really only wakes once a night to eat. I'm quite alright with that. I figure, if my baby is hungry, I'm going to feed her. I'll worry about weaning her when she's ready to wean. I'm not going to force it on her. I might change my tune in the future, but as of right now, what we do works for us, so I'm not going to change it.

Then, we had the dreaded shots. 3 shots. Ugh. I used the Emla cream, and she didn't freak like she did at her 2 month shots, but it wasn't pleasant. The poor nurse (the same one that always gives her her shots) came in carrying the tray. Buggy looked up at her, and I swear to you, her eyes got all big like a deer in the headlights. It's like she KNEW what the lady had. Then Buggy freaked. I mean, freaked. She started squirming all over the table, and screaming and crying. BROKE. MY. HEART. I felt like a terrible mother. My dad had come, you know, for moral support, so I let him stay up at the table with Buggy to try and keep her attention but it didn't work. Gosh, I honestly hate shot days.

I know they are for her own good, but I totally get what my mom meant when she said "This hurts me worse than it hurts you." So, very, very true. I would literally take all over shots for her again and again if I could so that she never had to feel the pain. Unfortunately, that isn't possible.

Why don't they tell you before you become a mom, that as soon as you do become one you will no longer have a heart inside your body, but that your heart will forever be outside of you running around as your child?

The smell of Tucks pads always make me smile now.

You know, there are just certain things in life that will never cease to make you smile. There are also odd smells that get to people. Mine will forever be the smell of a Tucks pad. Why, you ask (or don't, but I'm still going to tell you.)

You see, after I gave birth to Buggy, they brought in all the after birth goodies for me to use. The standard Peri-bottle to squirt water up there when you pee, the pads, the mesh panties, and a huge supply of Tucks pads. I was so scared and so nervous about how things were going to go down there, and honestly the idea of witch hazel down in lady land did not sound pleasing to me. However, I went with what they told me, because, hey, they are the professionals and they know what works and what doesn't. For weeks, I was a slave to the Peri bottle, and really got used to the whole wiping without wiping. Warm water does the trick very nicely, thank you very much.
I also went ahead and used the Tucks because they promised it wouldn't hurt (much) and that it would make the bits feel much better. Heading their advice, I tried them and they did. I used them religiously. Every time I had to do some bathroom business, I used them. I even got all fancy and put them in the fridge to make it even more soothing.

Now, to this day, if I have to use one (which, I do. Buggy left me some not so friendly hemmies that like to greet me every once in a while) the smell takes me back to those first few weeks. I was so blissfully happy. Becoming a mother to such a wonderful baby girl was the best thing I've ever done, hands down. The memories that smell invokes are warm, sunshine, baby's breath and comfort. I'll always have that memory with me. I guess I have Tucks to thank for that, so Thank you, makers of Tucks medicated wipes. You will forever hold a special place in my heart (and other parts.)

After Park Cool Down

I took the opportunity after our park visit, while Buggy was all docile and sleepy, to take some pictures of her laying down and being still. Here's a few examples. Please let me know what you think.

Life is a Day at the Park!

Today, I met up with some girlfriends and their kids at the park. While it wasn't Buggy's first day at the park, it was the first time she seemed interested in playing, which was fantastic! I, of course, took a ton of pictures, which you will now be subjected too.

The girls swinging on the swings. Check out Buggy's expression. She was all "Weeeeee"

She super loved those swings!

Butt really enjoyed the slides.

More swing fun!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

My friend H getting love from her daughter V.

B swinging with R.

Loving the park!

It's all fun and games until someone eats the swings.

...which meant, the end of swing time.

Project 365: Week 2

Week 2 brought about many fun and exciting new things. We saw our longest freeze down here in Funkytown. It was in the 20s and teens here for lows, and that basically never happens. There was even sleet, and SNOW in places. We didn't have any snow at our house, but I heard from many a friend that had it. Plus it made the nightly news, so you know it happened.
My father, Papa, read a book to Buggy and her cousin, Butt. They had a great time. They love story time.

Buggy got her first tooth!

We took Buggy out in the cold. It was basically her first time getting to wear her coat that her Nana got her. I, honestly, thought when she purchased it, "Who needs a coat in Funkytown?" Well, apparently, my mother can predict the future because she definitely needed it last week.

I made a super yummy, and easy dessert! A Peachy-Pineapple Dump Cake. Click link for recipe.

Then, I made a super good dinner the next night! A Smothered Steak and Potatoes dish. Link again.

Then, I did my first actual photoshoot. I know, I posted the pics yesterday, but I'm including them here for my 365 project as well. Awesome fun, that was!

I'm really looking forward to seeing what week 3 brings!