Ethan at 2 years 3 months (27 months)

This kid.  He's a hoot!  And so sweet.  And sensitive.

He's the kid who will tear up if his friend gets scolded.  We also hear, "Uh oh.  Elmo sad?" on Sesame Street when there's a conflict of some sort.  (He loves Sesame Street.)  It is making me a different parent than I expected - gentle corrections in behavior almost need to be presented as a game, and light hearted.  My tendency is to use a harsh tone right away but Jeff is helping me be the parent my kid needs rather than the parent I think I am...he's such a great dad and is SOOOO in tune with little buddy.

Ethan tries so hard to communicate with us but his words aren't very clear -- we all get frustrated.  Last night he kept saying "pun" "pun" at dinner.  We were having burgers but I had a salad.  With a fork.  Finally figured out he wanted a SPOON to eat his fries with, just like Mama.  Not until after a near-meltdown though!

He loves to say "I uv you" and take off running a la toddler - not as many hugs and kisses any more during the day, unless they are accompanied by a wrestle session.

He also loves to say "I got you!" and be chased, followed usually by a "Tickle Tickle" of some sort.

Music class ended for summer but he has not slowed in his love for music and dancing.  In the car, we hear "Song Song" if the radio is off, and he gets so excited when the YouTube app pops up on the TV and we watch music videos - particularly every musical number from Pitch Perfect 1 and 2 (he has his momma's taste, obviously).


He did have a slight reprieve when he went to VBS for a week - he loved "Bible Schoo" and even had a program!

Things that go are his favorite toys, and he loves to say truck, tractor, and fire truck...but isn't say "tr" and is substituting "f"...this has been going on since April or so, so we're used to the cussing and know it's just him figuring out language but occasionally adults will look at us like...did you hear that?

Favorite foods are popcorn, yogurt, goldfish, fruit snacks and dried fruit, ice cream (haha, tricky frozen greek yogurt tubes), wheat thins and cranberry goat cheese.  Typical toddler diet.  We try to make sure we keep offering other stuff...but whatever.

All in all, our house is in a happy steady-state, for now.  We have about a month or so left before it all gets turned upside down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

October 2015 - Hartman visit

We're playing catch-up on the blog...................because a LOT has happened but even more is about to happen!

Grandma and Grandpa Hartman visited!  That always means we're doing tons of fun stuff.

Thomas the Train and choo choos were set up in the living room AND the old HO train set was put up in the garage.

Airplanes!  Ethan loves planes.  Welcome to the Great Georgia Airshow with the Blue Angels!  Gail, Jess, and Ethan had primo family area seats while Jeff and Allen sat with the masses.

Trick or Treat!  My little pumpkin head braved the cold and rain to visit just a few neighbor's houses after a long day at the airshow.

We also went camping at a cabin in Unicoi State Park just outside Helen, GA - a neat Alpine town (Gail was in heaven!).  Ethan was too - mooing and chasing the horses pulling carriages.

AND saw our first concert (Bluegrass!)

And totally relaxed at the cabin.  My big smore maker.

19 months old

What a wonderful and joyful time to be a parent.  We are so lucky to have such a happy, if not a bit intense, toddler.

Here's a peek into life at our house...

Ethan has a bunch of words, some of which are kind of funny (don't judge them)...

Mama
Dada or daddy
Gaga (grandpa)
Bye or bye bye
mi-mi (milk), and signs it
Nigh Nigh
num num num (for food he likes)
pisa (pizza)
choo choo
Shoes
This, or these (with pointing)
tweet tweet (what does a bird say)
moooo (what does a cow say)
ba ba ba (what does a sheep say)

He also does some hilarious stuff:
claps for all done (with food. with playing. with riding in the car.)
Points at his nose and eyes
Loves to 'go bye bye'
Click kick clicks his heels on the ground when he's excited
Climbs the stairs up (only) super fast
Tries to put on socks and shoes constantly, the kid loves shoes
Stacks blocks 2-3 blocks high
Still loves to put stuff "in" stuff, like animals in shoes, trains in baskets, etc
Waves bye bye to planes overhead, from RC to commercial jets

Stomps his feet to "We are the Dinosaurs" by Laurie Berkner

And some other random stuff --

Loves Curious George and Thomas the Train on tv (yeah we didn't make it to 2).

He can drink water out if straw sippy cups well, if he wants.

He loves the milk, in a bottle.  And that darn paci.  He usually only gets it at naps and night but still.

Loves his teddies and blankie in his crib, and his monkey for cuddles downstairs.
Loves to play the piano with mommy, low notes.

He's a great sleeper, one nap a day 1pm for 2-3 hours.  Bed by 8pm and he'll sleep through until 6-7am.

And his laugh. Oh my.  I'm in love.

15 months old!

Little buddy is getting so big!  We think he is going through another growth spurt now as well - I guess that doesn't stop for a lot more years?!

He's been dropping the afternoon nap, so Dad's been trying to start his morning nap later - after 10AM if possible.  And sometimes it's a lot later if the boys went someplace fun, like the zoo or aquarium, with Ethan's buddy Silas.  And sometimes he still sleeps in the afternoon though, it comes and goes.

We are finally fully on  cow's milk (we use Horizon Whole Milk with DHA).  Thanks to my donor mommies for stretching out their pumping sessions to give us mommy milk.

Bedtime continues to be easy (thank goodness!) - diaper and jammies while singing "Are You Sleepy" and "My Ethan Lies Over the Ocean, bottle, a book "Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night" (he pushes all other books away), kisses and lay him in the crib.  Mealtime continues to be difficult (kid hates to eat anything other than a crunchy carb).

Ethan is still scooting instead of crawling, and his legs and arms are not very strong as a result.  Thus, no walking.  Not very much standing.  He is starting to go up on his knees a lot more to peek into the toybox, and LOVES climbing over stuff (like pillows on the ground).  His ped recommended an early intervention evaluation - just in case - so we are working on getting that scheduled.

(His nose-crinkle-smile when you say "CHEEEEEESE" or he is trying to make you laugh)

Likes
Music, especially Raffi - we listen to Pandora a lot

Anything that he can 'drive' - trucks, cars, tractors

Putting things into things.

We try not to have the TV on too much BUT those teething days are tough.  Thomas the Train and Curious George to the rescue (thank goodness for PBS Kids and Sprout).

Foods - Cheerios, saltine crackers, and cheesy poofs; Peanut butter (on crackers or toast); breakfast bars and Clif bars; sweet potato, pumpkin, or squash type foods.

Monkey during the day if he's feeling yucky or tired.  Paci, blankie, and teddy at sleepy times.

Puppies!  He gets so, so excited when he sees puppies duirng walks.

Mark and Silas - he is a little Silas groupie, and Daddy is grateful for the adult company :)

Dislikes
Pooping - poor kid has trouble once in awhile

Eating in general - except for the list above

Sippy cups - although that is getting better with water :)

(Enjoying a bagel and cream cheese on Father's Day)

Happy Halloween

Ethan's first Halloween - TIGGER!!!  

It's so nice in Georgia in October - the weather is cool but not cold, and it's usually sunny with leaves falling.  Almost perfect most days!

We went trick or treating with our friends, the Newtons, and their little one who is about a year older than Ethan.

E loved reaching into the bowls and grabbing stuff!  But of course no candy for him yet!!

My baby at 9 months old

When, oh when, did my newborn turn into a full fledged baby, like on TV???  You know, when you see "baby" on a show, they are sitting there, sucking on something and being all cute and alert and aware and engaged?  It snuck up on me.  Jeff keeps reminding me that he is not a helpless 3 month old anymore.  I think this may be how "mama's boys" are created.  (And I'm ok with that.)

Here's a glimpse into what makes Ethan, "Ethan", these days

He loves to watch daddies.  Like when we are at a restaurant, he will try to lock eyes with any dark haired, middle aged guy and flirt with him.  Hard core.

He has started pelvic thrusting all. the. time.  It is an iteration of his favorite physical activity, bouncing.  Bouncing in his jumper, when you hold him, while you hold him up standing...he loves it.

Clap, clap, clap.  You say "Yaaaaayyyyy", and he claps.  You clap and smile at him, he claps.  Patty-cake?  Oh yeah, loves it.  It's adorable.

If you get your head close to his belly, he laughs so hard.  Even if you don't blow on it.

When his diaper is being changed - if you're brave enough - to blow air on him to dry him up, he laughs.

He hates wearing shoes.

He's unsure about strangers.  Especially if he's tired.

Speaking of tired, he's an eye rubber.  No yawns, no sleepy eyes (although they still might get red), but he regularly has claw marks around his eyes.

He loves sweet potatoes.  And salmon.  And chicken.  And broccoli.  He has started projectile barfing if food gets too far back on his tongue.  Baby led weaning has not yet taught him how to eat :/ but he is doing well both with purees and giant pieces of food he can suck on and taste.

He still gets 4 bottles during the day, between 3-4oz each.  Mostly breastmilk, but supplemented with formula up to 4oz per day during a hungry day.

He takes 2-3 naps a day, and goes to bed by 7-7:30PM.  He usually sleeps till 10 or so, feeds, then (if we're lucky) sleeps till 5-7AM.  Otherwise he might be up once during the night.  (I hope I didn't just jinx us.)

He loves being outside, going for walks, and watching other kids and animals.

Can you tell we think he's the best?!?

Ethan at 7 months old

Ok, those with kids probably remember the "Baby Dayz".  It is so fun with him right now.  He is getting more independent (and opinionated), and we are enjoying our time as a new little family.  I am trying to be very present and remember that when things are tough - it will too pass, just as quickly as the times that are wonderful.

Here is Mr. Ethan in a nutshell at 7 months...

Loves

Daddy, until he's bored, then Mommy

Mommy, until he's bored, then Daddy

Playing in his jumper

Being outside and going for walks

Favorite toys: Connectable rings, Sophie, Taggie the Elephant, really any tag or zipper on any toy

Standing on our laps

Playing in his crib in the morning after nursing, with the mobile and either Tigger or Monkey 

Favorite foods: Mommy Milk (of course), sweet potatoes, sugar snap peas, carrots, celery, broccoli

OK foods: Chicken, apple slices, prune purees

THAT DANG TV!!  We have to turn it off all the time (bummer for us) because it totally grabs his attention for 10 seconds

Sitting (with help from toppling over)

Hates

We have moved on from the bouncer since he started trying to launch himself out of it.

Avocado

Nursing during the day

Snuggling or cuddling in the "baby" cradle position

Sleeping in the car

Teething - we got 2 teeth (bottoms) in 2 weeks!

Car trips longer than 1 hour

Bottles less than 4 ounces

7 months old vs 1 month old!

Just because...

Our little monkey at 6 months old

Ethan at 6 months old

Where did the last 6 months go?!?  He is growing so fast, yes - cliche but true.  Moreover, we are finally starting to feel like ourselves again.  My post partum anxiety is better (not gone but better), Jeff is finding his groove as a SAHD, and Ethan is well, Ethan.

Mostly sunny, with a chance of severe thunderstorms

Loves to play

Starting to sit up like a big boy 

and not so sure about real food yet

We are venturing out and about more, and maybe - just maybe - starting to get the hang of this thing.  Of course as my mom reminds us - that means everything is just about to change.  But we'll ride the wave for now!!!

Baby Led Weaning

Now that Ethan is SIX MONTHS OLD (!), we are starting the process of introducing solids.

I want to follow the principles of Baby Led Weaning, which in general are to let baby put food in his own mouth, and everything is mushy/steamed and cut to pieces 2-3 inches long and as wide around as your thumb (or so).

We tried banana.  Too slimy - he couldn't grab it, so we made a bit smaller pieces.  He was still not impressed and I'm pretty sure didn't swallow anything.

We have tried prune juice in his bottle to facilitate a BM...he is hip to that program now and won't drink it.

We are going to try avocado next. 

We tried this apple slice - it was too slippery so I held it while he sucked on it.  That is about the only thing he has liked so far!!

For now, he seems content to to continue with nursing and bottles, and to sit up at the table in his highchair, playing with his toys.  And that is fine.

Our mantra lately is to "Let Ethan Be Ethan".  Some days that is happy, some days that is sleepy, some days that is super interactive, some days that is cuddly, some days that is alone play time, some days that is curious, some days that is very loud and babbly.  We are just trying to respect him and meet him where he is at.  Trying.

5-6 month old...

Ok, moms - when do you stop counting by weeks and start counting by months?!  Ethan is 24 weeks old, so is that 5 or 6 months old??

Anyway, here is a day in the life of Little Duck at 24 weeks old!!!

• Daily Baby Pilates by grabbing his toes and pulling them to his mouth
• Puts everything in his mouth, including your fingers
• Rolls onto his back to tummy and is STUCK (even though he used to be able to roll tummy to back!!)
• Giggles and smiles when you chomp on his fingers and toes
• Gives open mouth slobbery kisses to mommy and daddy's cheeks and necks
• Has become a side sleeper

• Holy distractable nursing, Batman.  Hey, was that Daddy?!  Hey, the sun came out from under a cloud!  Hey, I think I heard air blow!  I better look!
• Loves to stick his fingers in your mouth and grab your nose
• Tries to move the paci and bottle nipple over to the side to chew on it
• Fiddles with his ear when sleepy nursing
• Loves to suck on his toes, even better if he is in jammies so he can make the fabric all wet
• Kick, kick, kicks during bathtime and gets half the water out onto the counter and Daddy

• Favorite songs and rhymes: Jesus Loves Me, Skinnamarinkydink, My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean, Daisy Daisy, All God's Critters, Itsy Bitsy Spider, The Bright Sun Comes Up, Are You Sleeping, Ethan-Ethan-Bo-Bethan, and he LOVES Pharrell Williams Happy and Iggy Azalea Fancy (I know)
• Favorite books: The Going to Bed Book, Are You a Cow?, OhmyOhmyOh Dinosaurs, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Brown Bear Brown Bear
• Favorite toys: Daddy, Butterfly, Squiggle (below picture), pull-apart rings, O-ball, stuffed Tigger, Mommy's blankie, baby jumper, play gym dangles

4th of July Family Vacation - Part 1

We packed up the baby and headed HOME to South Dakota for the week of 4th of July!!!!!!!!

We spent the first part of the week in Sioux Falls, seeing lots of family and friends.  We stayed with Jeff's sister's family, and had a wonderful time...we saw Ethan's aunties, uncles, cousins, and grandma and grandpa, and then Mommy's friends and their babies, and also Mommy's aunt and uncle and cousins (and girlfriends)!

Oldest cousin Nick, Grandma, and Ethan (in mommy's favorite Little Duck jammies) 

(ps - the baby literally never got put down!!)

Here's Ben!  The boys love Uncle Jeff because he plays with them like crazy!  

Auntie Jen loves baby bath time - we were more than happy to let her do it.

Grandpa and Baby - that right arm gets a firm grip on the chubby thigh!

Mommy's friend Emily, snuggling a baby that could be a twin to her own baby Max!

Little Miley (she is a Spit.Fire.) and Max

Marne, Miley, Mommy, Ethan, Max, and Emily

It was so fun to chat and watch the kiddos play - it's still hard for me to believe we are all mommies!!!!!!!!!!

This was soooo adorable - these 2 babies were cheesing at each other.  One would grin, which would make the other one grin, and on and on :)

Jeff took the boys on an adventure and found a turtle.  Because, of course they did.

Aunt Kathy was so in love immediately!!!  She would stroke his little hands - a perfect doting auntie.

Uncle Bill of course got thrown up on.  

They graciously hosted us for a dinner at the farm, with my cousins and girlfriends.  

It was so nice to catch up with everyone and introduce Ethan to so many people!  It was wild, and hectic - and this was only the first half of the trip!  We spent the 2nd half in the Hills (more to come).

All of this does make me wish we lived closer to family...and therefore we contemplate moving home every time we visit.  We need to visit when it's yucky - 20 below and snowy - because South Dakota is really wonderful in the summertime!

Nursing Strike

On Sunday, Ethan fussed and cried in the late afternoon when he was hungry.  And refused to nurse.  Even though he was hungry.  

I was concerned, but it had happened once or twice before, where he just wouldn't latch and be patient enough.  And it wasn't a big deal before. So we gave him a bottle.  He nursed fine later in the evening, overnight, and in the morning.

Last night, Monday night, it happened again.  I came home from work, we played, and he showed hunger cues.  So I got ready to nurse him - like I have over 900 times before - and he SCREAMED.  Pushed.  Grabbed.  Arched.  Cried and kicked.  So we gave him a bottle.

Both times I tried to console and reintroduce nursing when he was calmer, multiple times.  Nada.

Then, during our bedtime routine, he started down this path again.  He wasn't super hungry and was acting really tired, so I decided just to put him down, and then try to feed him again when he was sleepy / asleep.  It worked.  So did all the overnight and morning feedings, again in the sleepy state.

I did a ton of reading about nursing strikes last night.  I was really, really, really upset.  Nursing has been such a struggle, but it has been such a complete joy when it is going well.  I am not ready to stop.  I can't believe he is either - babies don't wean out of the blue, this early.  

He is just growing, and changing.  Like he should - and like I should too.  

From my reading I found - 

1.  This is a temporary thing.  It is not calling into question - "Am I good mom?".  Or "Does he still love me like he used to before I went back to work?".  Or "Will I be able to do this parenting for the long haul?".

2.  We need to be patient with each other.  I've never been a nursing mommy before, and he's never been a 5-1/2 month old baby before.  We are in it together.

3.  I am not alone.  This happens to a lot of mother-baby dyads.  And we will get through it.  

4.  There are specific things I can do to try to encourage him to nurse, but ultimately, he will be loved, fed, and taken care of, and that is most important.

5.  My feelings of apprehension, inadequacy, guilt, fear, sadness are all normal.  Validating my feelings is huge.  (There is a good life-lesson for me in this one as well.)

Wish us luck today.  I'm hoping this is temporary, but we will work through it no matter what.

Photo credit 

A little cutie for Monday

HAPPY MONDAY

Seriously. Squishy.  Love him so much.

Taken 6/24 - almost 4 months.  

(He's so much more grown up now but I HAD TO SHARE!)

I am totally amazed watching him grow, and learning new things.  When he figures something out, he does it over and over and over...like grunting.  He has figured out grunting this weekend LOL.  

It is going so fast.  Practicing mindfulness, and being present with him, are on my docket this week.  

(Putting the Facebook down!)

Have a great week!

  

4 months old!

Ethan turned 4 months old when we were on vacation over the 4th of July!  More to come on the vacation...but I wanted to post his 4 month photo today since Daddy just sent it over :)

Here are some of his favorite things:

• MOMMY & DADDY, and Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunties, Uncles, and Cousins
• BEING HELD  for naps
• His paci (Dr. Brown's 0-6 month)
• Being covered by a blankie while napping in someone's arms
• His play gym and in particular the blue elephant that dangles down so he can hit it
• Singing songs with Mommy, especially Jesus Loves Me,  The Itsy Bitsy Spider, The Wheels on the Bus, All God's Critters, and Daisy, Daisy
• Laughing back when you open your mouth really big and laugh first
• Catching glimpses of the TV while Mommy & Daddy try to turn him away (we are trying for a no screen time until 2yo rule)
• Being outside and looking at the trees
• Sitting upright (with assistance / pillows) and looking at the world
• Giggling when he gets his tummy raspberried
• Scrunching up his shoulders when pulling a shirt on or off over his head
• Kick, kick, kicking the water at bathtime

Things he hates (there is not much!)

• The Nosefrida and getting his boogers sucked out
• Taking naps and falling asleep alone
• Riding in the car without someone in the backseat

Ethan's First Camping Trip!

We took 2 camping trips while I was out on maternity leave.  The first trip was to FDR State Park in Pine Mountain, GA - about 40 minutes from home.  

We have day tripped and overnight camped there many times and new it would be an ideal location to try and get our feet wet with baby.

We went April 30-May 3, when Ethan was 7-1/2 weeks old!  And he did so great.  He LOVES to be wrapped up with Mommy, and camping was the perfect time to never set him down.  

There is not a good way to put a baby that age down - we tried the Rock N Play but he wasn't super interested.  It was also a bit chilly, so getting wrapped in the Moby kept him warm too.  He never cried the whole time we were there - because what baby doesn't like getting held and carried around by Mommy all the time?!

We debuted our family camp sign addition - thanks Aunt Lois for the "& Ethan" to add to our post!!!!!!!

We mostly hung out at the campsite, but every morning around naptime, we could take a walk or do something else.  One morning, we put Ethan in the Baby Bjorn and went hiking on a super easy trail with our poles - to find the state Geocache!  Daddy did the off-roading once we got close though.  Mommy didn't feel totally comfortable climbing over rocks and roots.

We nursed exclusively while camping - it was super easy to pop into the camper, sit down at the dinette with the Boppy, and nurse for 20 minutes.  Sleeping went well too.  We set up our bassinet pad on the dining bench.  With Ethan swaddled up, he slept really well and did his customary once a night feeding.  It was really not that different than being home!

Daddy was super happy with how everything went.  Ethan wore his favorite camping outfit from Aunt Jen "Daddy's Happy Camper" with a monkey!

We had a great time!!!!!!!!!!!  And can't wait to continue this tradition.  Although - we may need a bigger camper LOL!...

We made it

Well, we are on Day 3!

Mommy went back to work on Monday - to a new job and boss and team (all of that changed while out on maternity leave!).

Daddy went back to work too, to a completely new career - stay at home dad.

After 12 weeks of togetherness family time, we were just starting to find our groove...so...

HOLY SCHMOLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The Hartmans are tired, cranky, and happy all at the same time.

But mostly happy (we think)...when this face is looking at you, watching his hands :)

Mommy's back to work schedule for the first week only looks like this:

3:00AM NURSE
5:45AM NURSE
6:15AM SHOWER AND GET READY
7:00AM PUMP
7:30AM MAKE BREAKFAST, GRAB STUFF AND LEAVE

8:00AM ARRIVE TO WORK
9:30AM PUMP BREAK / SNACK
12:00P PUMP BREAK / LUNCH
3:15PM PUMP BREAK / SNACK
4:15PM LEAVE WORK

5:00PM ARRIVE HOME NURSE/PUMP
6:00PM DINNER / NURSE IF NEEDED
7:00PM PLAY OR GO FOR A WALK
8:00PM GO UPSTAIRS, NURSE, AND BEDTIME
9:00PM PUMP AND PREP NEXT DAY BAGS
9:30PM SLEEP

Now, this schedule does not take into account actually "WORKING" at least 8 hours, or any time to workout daily...we decided to give ourselves a break this first week and get back into it. Plus, I was just not sure how often or how long I would have to pump at work. Ideally I would only have to do it twice, and maybe over 15-20 minutes. 

So far...I am pumping 3x per day - and going to/from the mother's room, plus getting everything ready, plus actual pumping time, plus storing all the milk, plus a potty break is taking 20-30 minutes per session this week. Hopefully I get faster at it!!! I'm sure I will. Practice makes perfect (and I will be getting a lot of practice). 

I am bringing home 12-13 ounces from the 3 work pumping sessions. And, it looks like I am doing about 4 extra ounces per day by adding the 2 pumping sessions at home (morning and night). 

And I know, the best laid plans etc etc but wr had to start somewhere.  Over the next couple weeks we are going to have to refine this schedule though because of course

Ethan didn't know I had set up a schedule. As luck would have it he is staying up at night until 10 or 10:30PM!!!!!!!!! Which pushes my whole shebang back a lot...yikes-o. Daddy is going to take over putting Ethan putting to bed duty if it goes past 9:00PM. Or something. 

Well, we will figure it out, right??

Newborn baby

What have we been up to the last month?  Well we went from this...

1 week old

To this...

4 weeks old

We had lots of visitors...Grandma Karen & Grandpa Lewie, Grandma Gail & Poppa, Auntie Amy, Great Auntie Lois...

...and lots of friends and neighbors.

A little bit of playtime and bathtime

And lots of eating, sleeping, and pooping (ok the BABY has done a lot of this, not so much Mommy & Daddy).

What a BLUR!  A blessed, sleep-deprived, surreal, special, life changing BLUR!