We left the house for the first time yesterday. His cold is coming back, or more likely, I reinfected him, so he was a little out of sorts. We had a 3-hour adventure at Babies R Us and Target. He was pretty good, but wanted to turn around in the cart and play with whatever was in it. I have a cart play thingamajig, but hadn't brought it, since I thought figuring out the carseat, the carts, and our first time out was enough. I'll try it next time and see if it helps.
I also expected squalling in the carseat (the first time coming home from the airport was brutal for about the last 15 minutes, but he was exhausted and scared), but he did fine! He was having fun looking out the windows. I can't wait until he can be forward-facing though. He kept trying to turn around and look at me, even though I have a mirror on the headrest in front of him.
It was nice to get out. Felt like we really are starting to settle in. I knew it, but it really became apparent that even with 2 years to get ready, I wasn't ready. Still trying to get organized, finding out some of the things I still need to buy (like 2 dozen pacifiers, instead of the 2 I had!), and where things should go in the house.
Learnings.
Brady:
-- how to climb the stairs (oy!) -- blocked, but gate being installed very soon!
-- how to wave "Hi" (thank you, Elaine!)
-- what "no" means and it is working! He's staying out of the cat food and the away from the electronics
-- that he still can't quite chew chunkier food. We're having to stick with pretty mushy wet stuff for now
-- that despite having toys scattered everywhere, the best toys are magazines, telephone books, remote controls, kleenex boxes, and anything Mom forgets and puts on the coffee or end tables.
Mommy:
-- how to take soggy paper out of a baby's mouth (see above)
-- how to do almost everything one handed and with an aching back
-- where the nearest massage place is for when I can find someone to babysit for an hour or two
-- how to play peekaboo while I pee
-- just how much an 11-month-old can get into in 5 seconds or less
-- that the La-Z-Boy rocker/recliner that I bought for his room was worth every penny
-- washing dishes, washing clothes, washing my hands happens ALL DAY LONG
-- what the best hand lotion is for dry, cracked hands
-- never buy 6 of anything until you test it on the kid (stocked up on pacifiers with ribbed nipples on them yesterday thinking they'd be good for teething,washed and sterilized them, and he spits them right back out)
-- that you need 2 of everything when you have a two-story house (thought I learned this one when I moved in and had 3 bathrooms, which is 2 more than I've ever had)
Questions for the experience Moms out there:
-- because of the extra dry climate here (not to mention his cold) he needs lots of fluids. Other than juices (diluted) and formula, any other ideas? I'm working on water, but he isn't crazy about it. I'm diluting the juices more and more hoping he'll drink it eventually, but he also seems to want everything warmer than room temp. He hasn't mastered the art of eating soup yet either. Runs right out of his mouth.
-- cold with sore throat. I can't believe how much snot a little guy can create. Using the snot sucker (pure torture, since I have to get him in a headlock and hold both arms, and not very effective), saline drops in the nose, humidifier in the room, baby tylenol, trying to get lots of fluids in him, but he still seems pretty miserable. I'm also using some Boudreaux's Baby Kisses lip balm (again the super dry climate here) and putting some under his nose, which is no doubt tender from all the wiping. Any other suggestions?
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4 comments:
wooo hooo-congrats on your outing! It sounds like you are doing really well adjusting.
Leeza never drank much at all in Kaz, but i noticed she is thirsty here. She does prefer water though over anything else-and drinks it out of a Hard Rock Cafe shot glass..LOL
I am also still using the soska's I bought in Kostanai-one stays in her crib and one is in the ergo for marathon outings where she needs to nap on the go...
I'm afraid i'm not much help on your questions-but it sounds to me like you are doing really awesomely on your own.
you were ready my dear-just hard to know everythign when you don't know your child yet-and they change everyday. We haven't child proofed at all yet, but she doesn't really go near anything (YET). We'll what happens when she starts walking...which could be any day now.
Happy Halloween!
More milk and juice are good as well as any watery food - like a lot of the baby food in jars, yogurt, etc. To decrease his discomfort, you might try taking him into the bathroom and turning on the hot water for the shower. Hold him on your lap for several minutes and the steam should help him breathe better.
Overall, it sounds like you're doing a great job! Colds are no fun for anyone although it seems like children tolerate them better than adults.
-Kim
Hi Alysa,
Wow your first outing! Sounds like mommy hood is working out great! Brady seems like the perfect baby! I can't believe how well he's adjusted!
I agree with the hot showers and baths. I use to take Davis in with me and sit him in the corner and let the steam do it's magic. They are little snot machines...we are dealing with it right now also.
Aquaphor is the best for mositurizing. It's greasy (like vaseline) but I smear it on D's face and any dry spots he gets...(my pediatrician's recommendation and it works great!)
Your email cracked me up. It definitely brings back lots of good memories and lots of "aha" moments. Along with pacifers, I might suggest strategically placing empty bottles everywhere....car, diaper bag, friends' houses. I was reminded of that one Friday night when I didn't have a clean one with me when we walked into my frends' house. Egad.
No additional suggestions on the snot thing. Saline solution works well on Griffin although he thinks I'm torturing him when I do it. The humidifier goes alot of the time,too. Sorry I'm not much help on this one.
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