mommypalooza™ ~ a daily dose of mommy mayhem.

Jacob: Four Weeks.

I know that every mom says this about her baby, but dang...really, the time flies so fast!   I can't believe he's four weeks today.  Seriously.  Four weeks?  I was giving birth four weeks ago?  Seems like just last week to me!

Big Jake has changed so much over the past four weeks.  For starters, I went to the hospital's baby boutique today and weighed him.  He's a whopping 9 pounds 10.5 ounces - up from his original 7 pounds 8 ounce birth weight.  He's also sporting the healthy double chin look these days.

He's growing more and more each day - not only physically, but socially and emotionally as well.  He is alert for more than just a couple of hours these days, taking in the sights and sounds of his noisy (but loving) older brothers.  He enjoys spending time in his swing and on the activity mat, but unfortunately the same can't be said about his carseat.  He'll learn.  He'll adapt.

Bathtime is usually enjoyable except for when I have to touch him with my cold hands.  He's all good while the warm water hits his skin and hair and it's so cute to watch his big eyes just take it all in.

He squeaks beyond belief.  Literally squeaks.  He also is still enjoying being swaddled so long as his hands are up by his face.  And, he usually is able to sleep through all kinds of noise though I still shush the rest of the household while he's sleeping. 

He smiles often now - usually either at me or at Will or in his sleep.  It's heart-melting! 

He's eating like a champ and there's poop in just about every other diaper, so I know he's doing just great!  So hard to believe it...the past four weeks have just flown by.  Here's to the next four!  ♥

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Fun with pumpkin cookie cutters.

Today Will requested quesadillas for lunch.  As an added bonus, I busted out the pumpkin cookie cutter in hopes that he'd be more inclined to eat the little pumpkins rather than two giant triangles, like I usually cut them.  Who knew?!  It made all the difference in the world.  And also made me realize I need to bring ou the seasonal cookie cutters more often! ♥

Can't I Just Play in Peace?!

I took this video of Jacob having some playtime on his activity mat the other day.  It'll give you a glimpse of what growing up with two older (and very energetic) brothers will be like for him. Poor babe!
♥

 

Jacob: Three Weeks.

Wow.  Seriously, where has the time gone?  It feels like just a few days ago when your whirlwind birth happened.  But, alas, you're growing like a weed, I am back into my pre-pregnancy jeans, and our family is back on some sort of routine - now with THREE boys!  My, how things have changed!  I've enjoyed the past three weeks, although they have been somewhat of a blur.  You know, with all the sleepless nights and such.

But, be that as it may, here's a little of what we've come to learn (and love) about you so far, baby Jake:

• You squeak.  No, seriously.  I'm not kidding.  You are squeakier than any proverbial mouse (I'm sure) and certainly the squeakiest human I've ever known.  Maybe you're not "squeaking" but instead "tweeting"?  How fitting!  Ok, so you "tweet".  You make the funniest, most awkward noises while you're sleeping, just before you're waking up, and at random times.  You actually squeak before you start crying so it's sort of my cue when I hear you on the baby monitor, to get up and get moving to your room and give you the liquid gold.
• You're shaping up NOT to like car rides just like your older brother, Will.  At first you were fine with the car ride as long as we were moving, but over the past couple of days not even that will simmer you down.  You just simply don't want to be in the car. I've tried talking to you about it, telling you that you're just going to have to suck it up since I am most certainly a mom who's on-the-go.  We'll see if you get used to it anytime soon.
• When you're nursing, you want your latch to be on your terms, not mine.  I'll try to guide you to the position you need to be in so that you can get to your food source (ME!) but when I do that you just grunt and pull back.  Then, you go for it yourself and pretty much repeat what I just tried to do.  This is not looking good.  Mama cannot take another stubborn boy in this house. We'll have to work on that.
• You smell insanely heavenly!  You are a good boy to just let me nuzzle you on the neck and take a big whiff of your cheek.  Usually you just sit and squeak.
• I've noticed you have a lot of your daddy's features.  His fingernails, toes, toenails, nose, eyes, etc.  I'm glad.  You started out looking a lot like big brother William, but have recently sort of come into your own and your daddy and I both agree you have your own look.  You're you.  And, we love you!
• You've adjusted amazingly well to your two rambunctious, loud, and sometimes annoying big brothers.  They've poked and prodded at you and you usually just look lovingly into their eyes and study their faces.
• You've started to bat at things (namely, on your activity mat) and it's fascinating to watch you learn and develop right before my very eyes!
• You like to sleep with blankets and your hands covering your face and eyes.  I am sure you get this from me but your older brother Nathan is like this as well.  You love it when I pull the covers up close to your face.  You're also most comfortable with your hands out rather than in.
• You're not a fan of tummy time....yet.  But it's getting there.  You spend a lot of your tummy time on your dad's chest and seem to enjoy that.
• You've started turning your head while on your tummy and back.  You can easily turn it from left to right and vice versa while on your belly, which makes me breathe a little easier.
• I've been able to put you in my sling/pouch a couple of times and you seemed to tolerate it pretty well.
• You're amazingly sweet and adjusting well to our family.  You absolutely couldn't be more loved!  ♥

• 
• 
• 

 

Blog Action Day 2009 :: Change IS Good.

In honor of Blog Action Day 2009 I must say that whether or not you support President Obama's political agenda, no human can deny that there is an inherent risk to our humanity (and our kids' futures!) if our outlook on environmental awareness does not change.  And soon.

We are all affected by global warming, whether we would like to think so or not.  Believe me, on a cold, dreary day that feels more like winter than fall, even I know that global warming exists, despite the frigid air!  As mothers, this issue affects not only us and our kids, but our future families - our grandchildren, and so on.

Even in slight ways we can help affect change within our families.  Here are some of the little things we do regularly around here that can make a big impact:

• Turning off lights as we leave a room.
• Not running the faucet while we brush our teeth and/or rinse.
• Subscribing to the "If it's yellow, let it mellow; if it's brown, flush it down" notion - well at least in the boys' bathrooms!
• Making the most of our laundry loads by doing large loads when possible.  I am sure this is the easiest to do as a family of five!
• Recycling much of our household waste.
• Only running our dishwasher with a full load and usually only every other day.
• Using filtered water pitchers and NOT buying plastic water bottles.
• Buying kids' clothes at consigment and resale shops whenever possible.  (This not only saves the earth but the money in my wallet!)

So what are some things you and your family do to help take action?  ♥

I SO Hope We're Not Invited to This Party!

Recently I read about parents holding Swine Flu parties in order to get their kids exposed to the virus while the strain is still weak.  I was stunned.  If you ask me, that's a pretty weak thing to do to your kids.

Not only is it ridiculous to assume that getting them sick on the flu now will result in a milder case, but it sets the wrong example for the kids. 

"Yeah, let's go to a party, NOT wash our hands, AND share drinks with all of our germ-infested friends!"...... Not exactly what I've been preaching to my kids lately and not exactly how I want them to view appropriate social etiquette!  Please.  I'd much prefer they just run their tongue along the back of the church pew!  At least the germs there would be blessed, eh?

So what are your thoughts?  Do you think these Swine Flu parties are ok? Have you been invited to one? And moreover, would you send your kids to attend one? ♥

Serve It Up Sunday ~ Getting the Royal Treatment.

Go ahead, grab my button!
Copy the code below then paste onto your site or blog!

<a href="http://www.mommypalooza.com"><img src="http://www.mommypalooza.com/serveitup.png" alt="Serve It Up Sunday" width="125" height="125" /></a>

I am back this week with Serve It Up Sunday, but unfortunately I am not serving up much of anything these days!  With a newborn in the house for almost two weeks now, our family is SO blessed that many of our friends have offered to bring us dinner nearly every day this month!

But, I am sure I will be back in the kitchen in no time so please share your menus for the week below, as I would love to have some dinner inspiration soon!

So what 'cha got cookin'?  Be sure and click below to post your link! ♥

Can I borrow a jet?

I need to borrow a jet plane, if you have one, please.  Let me explain.  See, anyone who knows me well knows that I absolutely LOVE George Lopez.  Not only is he a pretty inspiring Latino but I happen to find him freakin' hilarious!

A while back upon hearing about his new late night talk show staring in November, I immediately joined the site to get updates and request tickets to a show.  Little did I know I'd actually get the chance to go! 

I received an email earlier this week that I've got guaranteed tickets to a show of my choice sometime next month.  The only problem is that a) I can't exactly just pick up and go to Burbank to attend with a newborn in tow; and b) I have no desire to actually buy a plane ticket out there.

Major suckage.

So, if anyone out there has a plane they'd be willing to fly me on, I am pretty sure I could figure my way around having a newborn with me.  George loves kids, right?  ♥

Wordless Wednesday

Jacob David

I have the most wonderful excuse for not having blogged lately.  Jacob David made his grand entrance last week and he's been a bundle of joy ever since!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Jacob David arrived on Tuesday September 29, 2009 at 6:59 a.m. and weighed 7 pounds 8 ounces and was 19 inches long.

The whole birth was a whirlwind experience.  First off, I had NO idea that me twittering about heading to the hospital at 3 a.m. would set off such a frenzy!  Secondly, I decided to forego epidural this time around (crazy, I know) so that made for a very vocal delivery room!  The kids remained in the room with David and I throughout the whole thing.  They watched Disney movies on TV while I labored and were right there, just feet away when Jacob took his first breath.

Here's how it all went down:

On Monday night, I started to feel contractions at about 8 p.m., but I seriously thought it was false labor and was sure they would stop.  Needless to say, they didn't stop.  I labored at home for most of it and at about 3 a.m. I could no longer wait.  My initial thought was to hold out on going to the hospital until after 7:45 a.m. - so that Nathan could go to school and everyone else in the house could be rested.  What was I thinking?  I was the one needing the rest!

So David jumped out of bed when I woke him and said, "honey, I can't wait any longer, we need to go to the hospital NOW!".  I packed a hospital bag (yes, talk about last minute!) between contractions and managed to call my mom to give here the scoop so that she could catch the first flight out that morning.  David and I then woke up the boys and dressed them.  They were a little out of it at first but after we explained to them that their brother was coming they were wide-eyed and busy tailed!  Such troopers!

On the drive over to the hospital I started thinking about all the family and friends I needed to call and alert.  One of them that came to mind was my sister living in Paris.  So I decided to twitter that we were heading for the hospital, thinking that she'd read it since it was mid-morning in France.  Little did I know that I'd resort to twittering throughout the entire labor process.  Not only was it part of my daily routine (and who really breaks that just because they're having a baby, right?), but it helped me take my mind off the pain!   I literally kept my phone by my side throughout the entire labor & delivery process.  I am sure the nurses (and my doctor) thought I was some freak addicted to my cell phone.  And, well, I kind of am!

Then, Kansas City's coolest female TV gal and personal friend of mine replied to one of my tweets and a local news story was born!  Jacob was born at 6:59 in the morning and by evening time, he'd made the 6 o'clock news!  I am certain I am not the first person to tweet their labor & delivery process but despite that our news piece ran in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and even on CNN!  And today there was a blurb in ink KC magazine about my tweets.

In between all of this happening, Jacob was battling the bilirubin!  He spent a day on the bili-bed in the hospital and despite the fact I wanted to come home so badly after the second day, I followed the doc's advice and stayed the extra day for the phototherapy.  We ended up being discharged on Thursday afternoon and had three home health visits to follow up on the phototherapy we were administering here at home via the bili-blanket - also known as the wallaby.  Jeez that thing was SUCH a pain! I am so glad it's over!

Fast forward to today.  Jacob is pure bliss.  He smells beautiful.  He behaves beautiful.  He IS beautiful!  I don't know what it is about the third kiddo but I find myself taking more time to just savor his newness.  I know how fast the time will pass and how he'll soon be off to Kindergarten. 

Nathan and Will have been amazingly loving big brothers, too!  They are having a ball with him and are the best helpers I could've hoped for.  I am so glad my swaddling days are back!  Even if it is only for a little while.  ♥