Snow Days...again!

So the last time I went to work was one week ago yesterday. We've now had two major snow storms in the past week that have dumped almost 15 inches of snow on us. We've used all of our snow days at school +2 which means the school year is extended.

I absolutely LOVE hanging out with Ethan. We play floor time together and have had quite a few extensive conversations. However, all that happy time ends when the boy REFUSES to nap as mentioned in a previous post. He sleeps for maybe a half hour or so and wakes up cranky as can be. I would have no problem with these little catnaps if Ethan was getting the sleep he needs and seemed content but this isn't the deal AT ALL. Yesterday he got so overly tired by 2:00 that he wouldn't eat and screamed until his little face turned a shade of red I've rarely seen on him.

Today's naps started out the same way when he only slept for 35 minutes and woke up screaming. Chris and I had previously hung a dark red blanket over his window thinking the darkness would help Ethan sleep longer/later. When it didn't seem to work, I removed it. Well today, out of desperation, I hung the blanket back up. Though unsightly, Ethan did sleep for an entire hour! Yay! Happy baby = happy momma!

Ethan seems to be content. He's playing on his floor mat trying his hardest to turn from back to belly.

3 Months!

Ethan is 3 months old today! I can't believe he's no longer considered a newborn. I am, however, super excited about all the things he's learned to do, places he has visited, and things he's experienced.

Ethan usually sleeps through the night but occasionally wakes up once between 3-4 to eat. He's spoiled us so much by sleeping through the night that it really takes its tole on us when he wakes up in the middle of the night. But, we know he needs his food or needs to be cleaned up and its absolutely to be expected.

Ethan eats around 5 oz. every three hours during the day. Spitting up has become a major issue lately and could more accurately be described as projectile vomiting. We've tried burping him several times in the middle of feedings and again at the end but he continues to puke regardless of how many times he burps. We even started keeping him at a slight incline for a half hour after eating as recommended by doctors to help babies with reflux...no luck with that either. After talking to the doctor she said it's not really something to worry about unless he seems to be in pain, which he's not. Oh well, for now I guess it just means more laundry for us.

He takes wonderful naps with the sitter every day but has trouble napping when home with Mommy and Daddy. We'll just chalk that up to the fact that he loves hanging out with us :)

Ethan is wearing size 0-3 clothes and I'm thinking it's time to move up to size two diapers. Size one diapers no longer fasten in the middle and we've started to have major blow outs lately. I tried a size two on him yesterday just to see how it fit and it ended up fitting perfectly. After finishing up our current pack, it's time to move on :(

In the past few days, Ethan has learned how to grasp objects and put them in his mouth. His favorites are rattles and stuffed animals but we learned today that burp rags are just as fun! Ethan smiles so much these days and it's the best part of our day. Just this morning when I walked into his room, I was greeted by the biggest smile. We occasionally get an actual laugh out of him too, especially when blowing raspberries on his tummy or munching on his fingers and toes.

At the very beginning of the month, Mommy returned to work and Ethan started going to the babysitters. According to Dawn, he's been such a well behaved little boy and absolutely loves to play with Carter, her 8 month old son.

Ethan also spent the night at Grandma and Grandpa Becker's house for the first time this month. While he did wonderfully, Mommy had a rough time that night. I missed my baby boy so much and was so excited to see him the next morning.

Ethan spent a few days this month talking to Grandma Connie on Skype. While he can't quite figure out a computer screen yet, he loves to stare at the camera itself and make it bounce by kicking his feet. He babbles away and loves to answer her questions.

This past month has also brought about Ethan's first major snow storms. He's stayed home with Mommy for the past two days because school was canceled. It's so much fun looking out the window at the piles and piles of snow in our yard. He's still too young to go out and play in it but he sure does love to watch the snow come down.

Happy 3 Months Little Man...quit growing up so fast!

Would you Just Nap Already?!

Normally Ethan spends the day with Dawn, his babysitter, but today I was off work due to a snow day! Based on Dawn's daily reports, Ethan tends to take 2-3 naps a day ranging anywhere from 1 to 3 hours. She wraps him in his swaddle blanket, tucks his paci in his mouth, and puts him in the swing.

Why doesn't he do this for us????? I do the exact same thing with Ethan but he absolutely refuses to take a nap. He woke up for the day at 7:00 and was ready for a nap by 10:00. I did the normal swaddle, paci, bounce, rock routine with him and got him to fall asleep. He only slept for a half hour! After repeating the whole routine, Ethan would fall back asleep but would wake up every time I tried to put him in his crib or swing. He FINALLY went down from 11-11:50.

When he woke up from this nap, Ethan ate and played and was a happy baby. Around 2:00 he started to get fussy so we began the routine again. Again he only napped for 30 minutes and would not go back to sleep. Here it is 5:00 and he's only had those short naps all day long. It wouldn't be a big deal if he was content while awake but he's screaming at the top of his little lungs. I can't just let him cry it out because even that doesn't work.

Why is it that Ethan naps so well for the sitter but not us? Grrr.....

Busy Busy Weekend

Chris and I had our first baby less night this weekend while Grandma and Grandpa Becker kept Ethan. After packing the diaper bag full of 4 outfits, 3 bottles, 10 bags of milk, 10 diapers, a new pack of wipes, 3 burp clothes, and a paci, we loaded our little bundle of joy into the car. Of course we couldn't take little man out without also packing our new car seat swing into the trunk.

Tera, Jake and Toni all came over to see Ethan since they hadn't seen him since he was born. Tera couldn't believe how big he's gotten and Toni loved to see Ethan smile. I guess that's so much better than the screaming and crying they witnessed the first time they met him.

I really was looking forward to having a night out but I wasn't prepared for how much I'd miss Ethan while out. I thought since I was able to return to work relatively episode free that leaving him overnight at Grandma's was about the same...Definitely not the case. I found myself not wanting to leave their house. I even shed a few tears in the car on the way but I knew my little guy was in good hands.

With Ethan all taken care of for the night, the five of us went to BW3 to watch UFC fights. After consuming just three tall beers, I proved to be a cheap date once again! Good times! Not so good times...having to pump and dump over 20 ounces of milk. Getting 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep was just as wonderful however.

This morning, Chris and I woke up around 9:00 and ate a quick breakfast at Buskens before picking Ethan up. Grandma reported that Ethan was a good boy last night providing tons of smiles and only one middle of the night wake up call for food.

Sunday afternoon was spent getting Ethan's three month pictures through Olan Mills. They offer a free portrait package for babies under three months so we had to take advantage of it before Thursday. The pictures turned out so stinkin' cute. I'll be sure to post a few when we pick them up in two weeks.

Ethan went to bed early tonight after such an exciting night at Grandma's house so Chris and I are sitting here watching the Super Bowl with the pups. Go Saints! ( Honestly I could care less who wins but it makes for a good ending to the post.)

Snuggle Puppy

Ethan's favorite book is Snuggle Puppy by Sandra Boynton. It's actually a song that Ethan loves to listen to at least once a day when Mommy or Daddy sings it to him. Click here to listen but you have to promise to sing it to Ethan next time you see him!

(Don't let the picture deceive you. Ethan LOVES his book but was getting sleepy when Daddy snapped this pic!)

Breastfeeding is a Problem?

At this point I've been back to work for four weeks now. After getting suggestions and ideas from other teachers, I've worked it out so I'm pumping three times a day while at work. I've been on a team with two other BFing moms who have spent part of their work day pumping to provide nourishment for their babies. I never would have imagined that BFing would turn into a problem at work...let me explain.

Each teacher takes recess duty during the winter months because we're unable to send the kiddies outside. When I returned to work, the other teachers on my team agreed to take the kids and allow me to use that time to pump. The first few days everything seemed fine and dandy with the arrangement. Overtime however, I've started to receive resentful comments from my coworkers about how I don't have to deal with the kids and how I'm getting off easy because I'm pumping.

I never EVER would have imagined that choosing to BF my child would become a problem. I worked my butt off before maternity leave because I knew I'd be somewhat limited when I came back. I've tried my best to pick up more responsibilities since returning to work but feel it is my right to take the time to feed my child. I don't know how long I'll nurse Ethan but doctors recommend 1 year. I couldn't even start to think about the reactions I would get if I chose that. But it's my right and my responsibility as a parent to do what's right for my baby. Why do people have to always have issues?!