Progress Report

As promised, I'm back to give you a progress report on all things Sawyer - and even a few other things because even though he's attached to me in some fashion 90% of the day, there are a few other goings on around our abode.  I've gotten quite good at one-handed typing, by the way.  I also am mastering the art of multi-tasking.  I thought I was pretty good at it before but that was nothing!

Thanks to all of you who answered my census poll.  I won't be writing a book and making millions but I did lean that I'm not alone.  Here's what we've tried - mylicon drops, gripe water, probiotics, diet modifications for me, pumping legs, and burping more frequently.  Eliminating dairy from my diet was torture but I adjusted fairly quickly.  Thankfully there are lots of fake products out there thanks to almond and rice milk!  I actually already used almond milk prior to, it was the cheese that was the biggest adjustment.  I say was because while it seemed to help a little for a while, that was short-lived and didn't solve the issues.  I'm sad to say none of the other things proved to be solutions either.  The pumping of the legs does usually provide relief but we're aiming for eliminating it altogether.  Either we're just getting used to it, or it's easing up a little on its own because it seems to be getting a little better with each passing gas day.

Another possible contributing factor is the development of his herniated belly-button.  It sounds more painful than the doctor says (but how would he know) but it looks gross.  It's called an umbilical hernia and is apparently most prominent in infants of African decent.  Um honey...  Kidding.  There's nothing that we can do about it right now, as it is supposed to close on its own within 3 years.  I have no idea if this is causing him any discomfort but it certainly looks like it would.

Other than his frequent belly disruptions, Sawyer is a pretty laid back baby.  When he's not in pain, he's just content to sit in his bouncy seat and look around.  Granted those moments are few and far between but it makes us appreciate them that much more when we get them. And much to our chagrin, he has found his thumb.  Wes, nor I, wanted to encourage this, since I've tried everything to get Colin to quit, but if it makes him quit crying for a minute, I'll make the sacrifice.

Colin's defiance has eased up some as well, making life much more pleasant for all of us!  He continues to be a great helper with his little brother and has only said he didn't want him anymore one time.  I consider that a success coming from a 3-year old who has never had to share the attention from anyone.  He's just a sweet child and I'm thankful that side is showing once again.  We've missed it!  Just the other day he told me I was a great feeder!  He was referring to Sawyer but later told me I was a good cook too.  He went on to ask if he could cook for Mommy and Daddy when he got older.  Absolutely!

He started one of his new schools a couple of weeks ago and he loves it.  I love it too but I'm not loving that he has yet to take a much needed nap at school.  It does make for an early bedtime but it also equals more mischief from a tired little boy.  His teacher has told me twice how smart he is and while I don't like to brag, it's comforting to hear we might be doing something right.  I attribute it to all the reading we do but who knows.

Sawyer goes for his 2-month check up next week and I'll be able to post size updates then.  I will also be returning to work later next week.  I have mixed feelings on that.  I look forward to the routine but I know I'm going to miss my boys and getting to laze around a bit!  I'll just learn to live for the weekends again.

Sweet tooth

Hi, my name is Danielle and I'm addicted to sugar.  I wish I could say that me feel better but alas, I'm still infatuated with the white stuff.  Sugar and I go way back but our love has only intensified since being preggo with the Saw Dog.  Apparently I can't live without the dreamy sweet crystals and he feels the same about me (at least that's what I hear when he's sitting on the counter all lonely and what not).  As a result, I have a couple of recipes to share with you that will either make you a prisoner or cause The Sugar, depending on the severity of your case - in my case, I'll be consulting Wilford Brimley very soon.

First up is a classic.  Who doesn't love chocolate chip cookies?  Communists?  I bet even they'd love them.  And to make them better, how about one gigantic one?!  Yes, please.  This would make good individual cookies if you swing that way.  

GIANT COOKIE

by way of My Kitchen Cafe  

1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup chocolate chips (feel free to splurge here - you'll really taste the difference!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, cream together the sugars and butter. Add the egg and vanilla and mix. Add the dry ingredients and mix well. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Line a large (11X17-inch) baking pan with foil and press the cookie into a circle. I press my cookie into a 9-inch circle, about 1/4 to 3/8-inch thick. When it bakes, it spreads to about 11 inches, which fits perfectly onto a 12-inch round cardboard circle you can find at most craft stores.

If desired, top the cookie with M&M’s or any other garnishes. Bake for 13-16 minutes until the cookie is lightly golden brown. Let the cookie cool completely on the baking pan – this helps the cookie stabilize and set so it can be easily lifted off the pan. Once cool, gently use the foil to lift the cookie off the pan.

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Next is one of Wes' favorites.  I may have even used him as my excuse reason for making this - the things you sacrifice for love!  This recipe comes by way of Paula Deen and therefore you can only imagine what it's made of.  Surprisingly it doesn't have any butter, if you do as I did and use a ready-made crust.  I used a pastry crust, which I prefer, but Wes informed me he prefers graham cracker crusts, which I do not care for.  That's when it pays to be the baker!

PAULA DEEN'S PEANUT BUTTER PIE

from Paula Deen, the magazine

1/2 cup whipping cream

2 T. powdered sugar

3/4 cup crunchy peanut butter (I used an all-natural almond butter)

8 oz reduced fat (mot fat-free) cream cheese

1 (14oz) can condensed milk

prepared crust - either graham cracker or pastry

/in a small bowl, beat whipping cream on high speed until thickened.  Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.  Set aside.

In medium bowl, beat cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth.  Add condensed milk and beat until incorporated.  Fold whipped cream in, don't over mix.

Pour into prepared pie shell and refrigerate overnight (below  is a picture of what happens when you don't allow it to sit long enough).

Patience is a virtue.  Not one I've developed yet, but a virtue nonetheless!

Pardon us

We've been doing a lot of this - some more than others!

I'll be back shortly with more updates and even a few recipes!

The Magic Number 3

Earlier this week, Sawyer celebrated his 33rd day of life.  Why is that worth mentioning?  Well this year Wes turned 33, I turned 33, and Colin turned 3.  Now that's a lot of 3's!  I'm not a numerologist (A, this is for you!) but if I were I think that would be pretty interesting.

Those aren't the only 3's in our lives right now.  The power of 3 takes on new meaning when you breastfeed a newborn!  Never in my life have I been so connected with the clock.  I could tell you what time it is at any given moment.  I am basically a slave governed by the old tick-tock.  I wake up in 3-hour intervals, I plan my daily activities around a 3-hour schedule, and I eat in accordance with the 3-hour cycle.  

Any nursing mom understands this is just a way of life.  It's not good or bad, it's just how it is.  When you plan to leave the house, you generally try to feed your infant minutes before leaving to allow for the longest possible amount of time to be away.  I find myself counting frontwards and backwards 10 times a day, trying to determine what time the next feeding will be, when the last feeding was, and the best time to do things or how much time is available.  And that's not even taking into account those precious first weeks of life when the interval is shortened to 2 hours!  

I can tell you that the second baby, in terms of feeding, is much easier.  You have a concept of what's going on and what to expect.  Since you already know you'll be occupied every 3 hours (often on the dot), you just plan accordingly.  The apprehension of being in the right place at the right time, so to speak, is gone because you realize you take your equipment with you wherever you go.  As long as there is a car and an empty parking lot, you're good.  It becomes a way of life and although tiring at times, it's all worth it when you think the the incredible bonding and closeness you feel with your newborn (not to mention the nutrition you're providing).  This wasn't meant to turn into an infomercial on breastfeeding, by the way!

So Mr. Clock, as Britney Spears so eloquently put it, "I'm a slave to you."  And I'm okay with that ol' ball and chain - at least for another 11 months!  Oh and one thing is for sure, my children LOVE to eat and would never dream of missing one of these said feedings!  Only 1 hour and 7 minutes left until the baby bird starts pecking and I'm otherwise occupied with a sweet smelling lad attached to my bosom.  

This open mouth position is what I see 90% of the day.  And yes, for you old schoolers, that is a Run DMC shirt he is proudly sporting!

Happy Birthday Buff!

I'm only a week late but nonetheless, Happy Birthday Mom!  You are such a wonderful, helpful, and inspirational woman.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate all that you do for us.  You are one of a kind!  I can only hope to be half the woman, mother, and grandmother that you are.

To celebrate, I made her a special birthday treat.  She has always asked for an Orange Dreamsicle cake and I've never really found a recipe that met that criteria.  I've improvised in the past but when I came across this cake called "Orange Cream Layer Cake" I bookmarked it for this very occasion.  It was lighter than most cakes - in texture, not calories!  My grandmother didn't think it had any sugar in it but it certainly does.  I think it's just the fact the icing isn't traditional buttercream that threw her off.  I bought some orange extract to use in place of the orange juice concentrate and added some to all 3 components of the cake.  I think that really helped boost the flavor and I'd encourage you to do the same if you try this recipe.  (I got mine at TJ Maxx.)  Enjoy!

Splish, Splash

Sawyer loves his bath!  Well he's still getting a spit-bath for now because it's just easier on mom but he still loves it just the same.  Hopefully when he'll still love it when he's actually sitting in the water.

Surprisingly, he loves his hair to be washed the best.  I do too because I love the smell of that pink baby lotion!  It seems every time I wash his hair it gets a shade lighter but alas, I don't think it's changed a bit from the color it was when he was born.  He still gets looks and comments everywhere we go because of those luscious locks.  One thing we've blessed our kids with is a generous head of hair!

And we can't forget this little guy!  

Fan Day

Allow me to introduce UK's newest fan!

Last weekend was the University of Kentucky's Fan Day and let's just say Wes was a little more than excited.  He's gone sans kids for the last couple of years but has always looked forward to the day when he would get to take his own children.  Last year the festivities were a bit too late for Colin's early bedtime.  This year was really later too but we (Wes) decided one night wouldn't kill him.

I'm not sure who had more fun!  We went to breakfast that next morning with my mom and she was just laughing to herself at how excited Wes was to recount EVERY detail of the evening.  He really was like a kid in a candy store, eyes sparkling, excitement in his voice, repeating things over and over again.  It was really sweet.  He even took the initiative and took the camera without my suggestion and on top of that, even asked a stranger to take their picture!  Will wonders ever cease?  Now if I could just relate everything in our day-to-day life to KY sports, we'd be in business!

Colin's favorite parts were the giant blow-up helmet that the boys ran through and clapping for each player as their names were announced.  It's the little things, ya know?  They stayed for a bit of the fireworks and surprisingly Colin did well with the noise.  He had watched them from our window on the 4th, so maybe that got him ready.  He came home with a signed football and a poster for his room.  He has since shown the football to everyone who enters our home and "decorated" the poster with tons of stickers.  Wes was a little heartbroken Colin had ruined his poster but he is just 3 after all.

Closed eyes or not, I just had to post this one for his cheesy smile and him showing off his football.

They both are anxious for next year's fan day but not nearly as excited as Wes is for football season to begin!  Go Cats!!

Census Poll

I've decided to temporarily take on the role of a census worker to gather some self-requested information about babies.  Yes, I know where they come from (now) and I know each one is different but I also know there are many commonalities amongst the itty-bitties.  For example, why must God play such mean pranks on us and have us deliver babies before their little tummies are fully developed?  That, my friends, is the subject matter for my poll.

In an attempt to find some answers, get ideas, and commiserate with fellow mothers, I have a few questions.  I just thought it would be interesting to hear your stories and tally the results so as to see if there is a pattern amongst the small fries.  Some of these may not apply to all of you and I like to refer to you as the unfair lucky ones.

1)  Did your baby suffer from gas issues?
2)  Approximately how frequent were the disruptions and to what extent was his/her discomfort?
3)  What did you do to remedy or cure said issues?  Did they provide solutions or just temporary relief?
4)  If your child had stomach issues, did you breastfeed?
5)  Did you change your diet in any way to try to stop the issues?  Were your attempts successful?
6)  How long did the stomach issues last?
7)  If you have multiple children, were all of them blessed with the same rotten bellies?
8)  Did you go to full term with your child?  If not, was he/she early or late?
9)  Do you have any tips, medical or other, that you would like to share?

This little guy (and his parents who are tired of hearing him cry) thanks you for your participation.  I'll be sure to report back with the results, as well as any improvements in his little tummy.

The Boys

At this rate it looks like I'll be lucky to post an update once a week!  Part of the issue is a lack of subject matter.  There are only so many pictures of my children I'll subject you to and when you're just trying to survive life with 2 little ones, there's not a whole lot left to blog about.  Oh sure, I could write about my near meltdown 2 days ago but again, some things are better left untold.

The good news is that we are getting out on a daily basis.  For all of our sanity, this is a necessity!  Colin gets bored easily (even though he doesn't know that term) and acts out accordingly - not pretty - if he's cooped up too long.  And I'm too much of a busybody to stay still for longer than a few minutes.  Don't get me wrong, I love the peace and quiet of naptime (assuming all parties cooperate) but that's generally because of lack of continuous sleep at night.

Wes reminded me one day when I was sighing from exhaustion that we signed up for this.  Thanks, honey, that makes it all better (:  I've said it before and I'll say it again, I don't know how you stay-at-home-moms do it!  I've already bumped Colin's starting of school up 3 weeks.  It's just as much for him as it is me though.  He needs the structure and he's eager to learn - neither of which do I feel I'm excelling at these days.

Sawyer is growing like a weed.  He had put on almost a full pound at his 2-week check-up and that's after dropping down to 7.4 when we left the hospital.  He had also allegedly grown an inch but I think that might be due to different measuring techniques.  So he was 8.8 pounds and 21 inches long.  Either way, I'll take it!  He also has developed a callous on his upper lip from sucking too hard, thus the stomach and gas issues.  I think all my children will be cursed with rotten bellies.  Sorry, kids, it's certainly not intentional.  I certainly wouldn't choose to be woken 15 times in the night while you try to work a toot out.  Thankfully the curse heals itself at some point - I just can't remember when.

He is still sleeping a lot and the nights are come and go.  He'll have a good night and then the next one we'll feel like we didn't sleep a wink.  It's all from the belly issues though.  He has started spacing his feedings out to 3 hour intervals (with my help) which is fantastic for mommy and daddy's sleeping!

Colin is acting out a bit and showing it by his defiance.  I hear way too many "no's", "I won't", and "I don't want to" during the course of the day.  He's also taken to hitting, kicking, and spitting at us.  I know part of it is the new baby but  I swear you'd never know as much as he kisses, talks, and helps with him.  Any experienced parents want to chime in and offer suggestions how to handle this situation?  Wes and I have tried to give him individual attention, special activities, but nothing seems to help.

If you've managed to hang around and keep reading, thank you.  I need some adult interaction.  Here are a few pictures for you.

Yetanother picture of my shirtless child.  I didn't realize how common this was until I saw these pictures.