Cutting the Cord...

"To raise a child, who is comfortable enough to leave you, means you've done your job,they are not ours to keep, but to teach them to soar on their own."
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Braylee has started Pre-school/Pre-K

I have attachment issues with my kids LOL. I bet that statement comes as a surprise to  my family and friends (MUCH sarcasm there lol). Its been interesting to have Braylee go to pre-school. She's never gone to a day care or babysitter that hasnt been my family. 

I REALLY hate not knowing what she's doing while she's gone. Im so used to being present in everything she does that its been a huge reality check that my baby isnt a baby anymore.

But on the same page, i am really stoked for her to be in school. Braylee is my "difficult" child. But i really believe the reason she acts out is cuz she gets bored. She is always busy! Learning, playing, imagining, reading, coloring. She is so smart and always has been. She counts to 30 without missing a #. Knows all the colors, most letters, identifies # and letters out in public. And i don't encourage any of this! Im not a mom who forces my kids to be above their level and quizzes them and hands them things to work on (not that any of that is bad.... its just not what i do). She does this herself. She starts spitting out #s and letters she sees. Walks around counting. etc etc. She is just this little sponge who is going to go far with her smarts!

So im glad that her preschool really focuses on reading. Cuz thats really the only area she's never really explored. She has something to learn instead of repeat. So im stoked for her.

Reality has set in that my baby is far from my baby.
She is a little girl who is starting her journey at becoming an independent adult. The more years that pass, the more I have loosen up that mom grip and let her grow. So hard for me to accept, but at least I have many years to work on it :)

Baiden's 5 Month Update!

Yes, 

you are correct.

This means Baiden is almost 6 months old.... ??? waaaaa!

THIS little guy, is the sweetest thing ever known to man! I kid you not!
(his hair looks red in these pics, but its blonde. Not red)
*Baiden is so smiley and happy!
*loves to laugh

He is so fat! I LOVE it!

Baiden has a cousin and a neighbor baby that are both 9 months old.. and Baiden is JUST as big as them! haha he is a tall fat baby boy!

*He was 16lbs fully clothed the last time we checked

*Wears 6-9 month clothes

*Size 2-3 diapers

*Says "mama" and "mom" all the time!

Seriously?

Prettiest baby boy ever. And im ok saying that!

*He eats 6oz every 4 hours!

*we introduced carrots, peas, green beans, squash, and bananas.. and so far, Baiden hates carrots, peas, green beans, squash, and bananas! Little stinker! ;)

*He LOVES to eat his hands!

 He is still a HUGE mama's boy! He will always search for me if someone else is holding him. He doesnt always cry for me, i just have to be in his view haha. If we are out and about, IM the one who has to hold him so he can sleep.. Daddy just doesnt cut it haha.

*He LOVES his big sister! Them interacting together is hands down the cutest thing ever.

*is GREAT with tummy time and rolling over

 Pulling his socks off is his new trick!

If he is in his bouncer or swing with any sort of recline in it.. he always tries to sit up! (but wont try to sit up on his own!) I tell you, he is the cutest little stinker ever.

*He LOVES being outside. Gets a perma-smile on his face! BRING ON SUMMA!

*LOVES his rainforest bouncer toy! His legs are so strong!

*LOVES bath time

*Baiden LOVES music!

we call him our little music man. If he is upset and hears music, he calms right down. If i sing to him, he gets the BIGGEST smile and tries to sing with me

*He loves to talk and makes the cutest faces

*He sleeps through the night 8pm-8 or 9am. Usually eats one bottle through out the night but goes right back to sleep.

*He naps well! Usually takes 2, 2 hour naps.

*He is SO sweet. His mannerisms, his sounds, his voice, his cry.. everything about him is SO sweet.

He is just the happiest little fat guy!
I cant believe he is almost 6 months old!
Where did my tiny newborn go??

Is My Baby "Slow"??

Im starting to feel helpless and trapped (which is a weird emotion) when it comes to my perfect baby boy. I feel like we're constantly trying to play catch up. Like its becoming a part time job trying to keep him at the level of development that other babies are at. and every time i turn my head, a baby his same age is mastering ANOTHER milestone when we're still 2 steps behind working on the first milestone he was struggling with.

As you know, at Baiden's 4 month check up, the NP (nurse practitioner) was concerned with Baiden's lack of holding his head  up, and said we needed to go to a specialist for his development. Also brought up needing a helmet.

For some reason i was heart broken.

Baiden came down with the flu early the next morning, so once he was on the mend with the flu, my mom brain kicked in and i said "well thats why he wasnt holding his head up good! He had the flu coming on. He was weak and tired!". I guess you could say i was in denial.

The following day upon hearing that news, we worked really hard on tummy time and putting him in his jumper toy. He was doing AWESOME. I became full on set that he was fine and we were going to get a second opinion.
But those days turned into weeks, and although he was still doing really well with it, was rolling over all the time, somehow rotates himself in circles, he was being "lazy". He'll be on him tummy, hold his head up for a few minutes, then lay it down, and repeat. I thought that was great! But then i learn that other babies his age hold their head up for like 10 minutes at a time or longer. Okay. Is my baby behind? We're on week 3 of working with his tummy time, and he is "progressing" he's just doing the same.

We laughed it off and joke about him being a lazy boy.. but it soon started to concern me. And in the mist of being concerned and working even harder on his tummy time.. other babies his age are almost sitting up! Okay. Baiden is no where NEAR sitting up...

Am i being paranoid? Should i brush it off? I NEVER compared Braylee's milestones with other babies. But then again, she was always right there with other babies and their milestones. Im not MEANING to "compare", im just simply noticing.. and it causes some concern.

People tell me, "Christa, all babies go at their own pace, he's fine". And i know that and i try to comfort myself with that thought.. but what if its more? People say, "Christa, he was a month early, he might just be a little behind till he is older".. and i know that. But Braylee was 3 weeks early (Baiden was 4 weeks early) and Braylee did fine. Does 1 week really make that much of a difference? i just... i dunno.

Im just feeling like we're getting more and more behind.

We have an appt. on Tuesday for a second opinion.

What do you guys think? Anyone been in this situation? Any advice?

Baiden's 4 Month Update!

Are you ready for your heart to be in a puddle on the floor??

Baiden's 4 Month Update!

(so yes, he is almost 5 months now :( cuz i do these updates right before he is almost the next month)

 At Baiden's 4 month well check, his stats were:

*14 pounds (29.65 %-tile)

* 25.75 inches (73 %-tile)

 Baiden LOVES to talk.

He will jabber jabber and get so intense into talking to you! It seems like he's LEGIT having an intense conversation with you, but in baby talk haha. He is the cutest thing!

 He is SO smiley! Smiles ALL the time, even strangers get smiles out of him!
He seems to be a little on the shy side too. Cutest thing! He'll smile and laugh, then get all bashful and bury is face in whoever chest that is holding him :))

 You cant tell me that isnt the cutest thing you've ever seen!

He for sure wasnt thrilled about the hat.. hahaha!

This boy LOVES his hands. He is ALWAYS eating them!

 As mentioned in previous vlogs and also the vlog added in this post, Baiden is a little behind with his head control. We like to look at it more like he is just choosing to be lazy with it :))

 Baiden LOVES his big sister! (crap, im crying). Words can NOT express how amazing it is seeing your KIDS (plural) together! Braylee ADORES Baiden. From day ONE, she LOVES to help take care of him, talks baby talk to him, tries to play with him, wants to hold him.. and seeing Baiden light up when she comes around him.... **SIGH** that feeling is indescribable. 

 Getting too big for his swing!

Baiden is an ANGEL baby.

He takes regular naps. He wakes up around 7 or 8, has a bottle, 2 hours later, i lay him in his bed (no rocking, singing, no nonsense), and he just turns his head and goes to sleep! Doesnt even cry. He'll sleep for 1.5-2 hours, have a bottle, and 2 hours later, take another nap! No crying. Then he'll usually take a short 3rd power nap somewhere in the evening, then at 8pm, we have snuggle time (not cuz he needs it, cuz MOM needs it), lay him down, and without a peep, goes to sleep :))) He usually only eats once throughout the night.
ANGEL baby i tell you!!

 He doesnt care for tummy time. He has got a LOT better with it.. but he likes to "rest" a lot haha.

And due to this dislike of tummy time.. Baiden has MASTERED rolling over! (little terd).
He even rolls from his back to his tummy (which is harder). But he doesnt do that often cuz he caught on that that puts him on his tummy LOL.

And for my favorite part...
Baiden is STILL a mama's boy! :))))


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Baiden's 3 Month Update

Yuck.

My baby turned FOUR MONTHS YESTERDAY!!

sad mama right here.

Anyway.. i meant to do this post a couple weeks ago but ya know. I suck at life. So here we are haha.

Baiden's 3 month update

 how did this happen?!

 My chubba bub EXPLODED!!
Bubba is seriously growing at warp speed.
Do they put growth hormones in formula now a days? Cuz i wouldnt be surprised if they do.

 Braylee grew fast... but not THIS fast!!
Im very interested to see his stats and growth chart at his next check up!

 As you know, after 2 months, you dont do another check up until 4 months old. So dont know his growth stats, but sets just say a #1 diaper is 8-14 lbs... and he is almost grown out of his #1 diapers.. HEALTHY BOY!!

*Baiden was eating about 5oz every 3 hours, but he now eats about 6oz every 4 hours now!

Baiden is now smiling A LOT!!

He is so smiley!

In the last couple weeks, he has even started to laugh (or try to). When he first stated laughing, it was so funny cuz he sounds like he is laughing, but his face looks scared and confused! Like he isnt sure what is happening haha!

*Baiden LOVES baths. He will lay in his bath and just stare at mama the whole time with a permanent half smile. Almost like he is in a euphoric state of mind, just in la la land LOVING his bath. 

*Baiden is a COMPLETE mama's boy! Just what i wanted :) Braylee is such a daddy's girl so i always said "Baby boy BETTER be a mama's boy" :)

And the milestone that tops the cake for 3 months old...

BAIDEN HAS BEEN SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!

HAAAAAALLELUJAH!

Braylee was backwards (didnt sleep at night at all) till about 2 months old. Then would only sleep about 2 hours at a time till about 4 months old. Then 3 hours, 4 hours, so on and so forth till she was about 8 months old. And even then, still needed at least one bottle a night and wouldnt always go right back to sleep till even past one years old.

Baiden on the other hand, from day one, sleeps through out the night, but would have about 3 bottles through out the night and go right back to sleep. The last week or 2, Baiden will go to bed at 8pm, and wake up for a bottle at 7am!! THEN, go back to sleep for another 2 hours!

 This little man is seriously an angel baby.

He is starting to get really fun!
Cheers for 4 months!