Happy Birthday Little Bean!

Here's to three years of laughs and giggles and all the wonderful memories you've given us, my little Bean! And here's to many more!

My little tot is three. I can hardly believe it and am, honestly, a bit speechless and overwhelmed. I love her endlessly. What more can I say?

Two Years

Last month my little girl turned two. Somedays I still feel like a new parent without a clue as to what I'm doing. Other days I feel like a seasoned pro that could write a book on it.

Bean's feet at 2 weeks.

Bean's feet at one year and two weeks.

Bean's feet at two years and two weeks.

Guess Who is Two!

That's right. Little Bean just had her 2nd birthday. I've been enjoying two years of the unexpected and beautiful.

She had a great birthday. We had a family corn dog party and I attempted an ice cream cake (a delicious mess). She got a Little People Fairy Tree House, a Safari Set (which she's discovering in the photo), and some cute new clothes. We kept it small - we just had Christmas for crying out loud!

She has also been to her two year check-up. She's still topping the chart in height and weight. She's proportionate, so it isn't anything to be concerned about. She's just big (35.5 inches tall and 30.5 pounds). It was also confirmed she detests the doctor. And the doctor reassured me that her behaviour is perfectly normal for a 2 year old at the doctor.

She's becoming a little person. She is willful (which is just me being a mother and not wanting to day stubborn - she'd put a mule to shame). We're having temper tantrums, but I maintain that I will not negotiate with terrorists. But the majority of the time, she's a happy little munchkin, eating snacks, drinking juice, playing with animals, and giggling like a fool!

It's been another great year and we're looking forward to the next!

Baby Update: 18 Month Check Up

We made it through another visit to the doctor. This one was far more eventful than all the ones before. Why? Let's just say that adorable grinning girl is stronger and smarter than I imagined.

We went into the waiting room where it was all smiles and giggles. Nothing bad has ever happened to her in the waiting room. Then the dirty diaper hit the fan and we walked back to the exam room.

As soon as I started taking her shirt off, she started getting upset. She remembered what happens when she's in the exam room... shots. She didn't want to lie down so they could measure her height (which came in right under 33 inches). She didn't want to stand on the scale to measure her weight (which is 27.2 pounds).  And then came the doctor.

She was nice, but to make things more uncomfortable it was one of the doctors we've only seen maybe twice before. Beans was being poked and prodded by a stranger. She was pissed, but we survived. Even though I had to hold her in my lap with my arms around her head to check her ears... and every check was like that.

And shots. Wow. She recognised that silver tray instantly. I had to hold her chest and arms while the nurse held her legs between her knees. You wouldn't believe the shade of red this child turns when she's angry and scared and in pain.

But we made and she good for the next six months. Unless of course she gets sick in the meantime. But until then, we'll enjoy six months of no baby doctors. Here's to a healthy little girl.

Baby Update: Much Ado About the Potty

Beans is now a year and half old. And I'm ready for potty training. But as you know there is always a but...

The toilet in our house is sad. It is sad because Beans won't put her cute little bum on it. At all. It only results in a nude, hovering butt attached to an arched back which is attached to a neck which houses vibrating vocal chords and holds up a darling blonde head and angry red face. Yeah. She just screams.

So I fear that she may just not be ready even though I am. I don't like diapers. Bad for the planet, bad for my wallet, and ever filling my trash can. I'm done.

MISSION: Figure out how to get that powder white booty on the porcelain throne.

Baby Update: We've Made It 15 Months!

Beans had her "15 month" (or 1 year and 3 months) appointment yesterday. 

She's just over 31 inches tall and weigh a few ounces over 26 pounds. That's out her over the 75% for height and just under the 95% for weight. She is not any where near being considered over weight.

She got a shot and we declined one (which we may end up getting later). We just didn't think the chicken pox shot was all the necessary. She cried for less than a minute when the nurse gave her the shot and was smiling and waving by the time we left. She's been a little fussy, but so am I when I have to get a shot.

The verdict: she's a big, healthy, happy girl.

Baby Update: Snip Snip Chop Chop Bang Bang

Or... Beans got a hair cut! We've said good-bye to the baby mullet! It actually took two cuts, but I'm feeling lazy and only posted the final result. 

Jason and I decided to cut her bangs a few days ago. He felt bad for her because they were always in her eyes. I agreed. So he held her and I snipped away.

It was cute. But I couldn't shake the feeling it looked even more like a mullet. Then my sister threatened to drive to Atlanta if I didn't fix my poor child's hair. I laughed it off until our friend 

and neighbor Robbie dropped off our mail and said something about it. 

The simple fact that my sister and

 Robbie both agreed with me was enough to give me the courage to chop the back. So out came the scissor and with Robbie's assistance, Beans got a full fledged hair cut.

To the left is the end result. Robbie put the barrettes in her hair to help convince me she does not look like a little boy. Jason is not quite yet convinced. But how did Beans feel about it? Please note the photo to the right.

Baby Update: Size Five Raaawr!

She getting bigger and bigger. My little Godzilla baby. 

A month ago I went to buy some shoes for her. She wasn't with so I asked the clerk what size one year olds usually wear. She tells me that moms come in all the time and buy size 2 for the kids. So I get a 2. It's half the size of her foot.

I got back. Again with out her. I find a different pair in a size 4. I get it home and it's like stuffing a baby elephant into a Beetle. It could work, but it's going to be tight.

So back I go. This time with Beans in tow. They measure her foot. She a size 5. That's no longer a baby size. It's a child's size.

She also weighs enough now to take children's (not infant's) Tylenol and Motrin. So I guess she's officially a child now.

And for the record, that expression in the picture is a happy face. It's her hysterically happy for no real reason face.

Baby Update: Teeth and Bruises and Scrapes

Yes, it's that time again. It started in Mississippi. Beans has a second molar coming in. She's seriously fussy and grumpy and running a low grade temperature. It's just broken through the gum. She's really enjoying chewing on ice. And she actually said "ice" today. 

And speaking of new discoveries, she can now identify a nose and half way identify a mouth. She did mouth twice, but nose she knows.

And the bruises and scrapes she is so proudly displaying in the photo to the right are from her first full on encounter with pavement. Yes, little Beans was walking down my dad's drive way in Mississippi and got some serious momentum going. And it was too much. Face plant into the pavement. She handled it like a pro. She cried (wailed) for about 5 minute and then was cool. It's almost completely healed already too.

She also met the car door on the way home. She pulled this awesome maneuver in my arms and manage to connect her maxilla with the corner of the car door. Some tears and wailing, but she's tough.

Tough and cute. We're in for it.

Baby Update: Grumpy Teeth

Yes yes. She's teething yet again. She has two molar and an incisor coming in. She's been grumpy, but sweet for days.

She's also having small tantrums again. I just look at her and tell her that screaming and yelling isn't going to make it any better. It only hurts muma's ear drums. And muma is tough.

She's also constipated. Surprised? Not really. We've switched her from formula to whole milk. It's not a big deal. The pediatrician said that her body is just adjusting and as soon as it does, she'll be her "regular" self again.

On a happier note, she's really enjoying getting into strange spots. It started with her finding her way behind the couch. And later the same day she managed to climb into her toy box - which she blended into and scared me momentarily because I didn't know where she was. And Then the other day she went back behind the couch and played peacefully as I watched from above (see photo). 

Baby Update: Happy Birthday from your Friends at Poison Control

Happy birthday to my Beany girl! That's right she's made it through one year of life! With some help from Muma and Dada, but why nit-pick?

For her first birthday treat, she found and partook (I suspect) of some styrofoam packaging! I turn my head for maybe 30 seconds and she's found some elusive foamy goodness. It's crumpled all around and I have no idea how much if any is in her mouth. Thus we fish for foam.

Not finding any in her mouth, I have a moment of peace. Then the "what ifs" set in. What is she did swallow some? Is it poisonous? Should I go to the hospital? Will they pump her stomach? But I remember the commercial "call 1-800-222-1222"! Yes, victory!

So I dial and follow the prompt and am connect with a very friendly fellow mommy (whose son will also be 1 on the 27th - happy birthday kiddo)! I tell her half laughing, half panicked  what has happened. She told me to hold for a moment while she checked, but was fairly certain that she'd be okay.

And of course after a moment she informed that she would be just fine. She said just give her a little something to drink and not to worry. Turns out that swallowing styrofoam is considered a "non-toxic" exposure! Hooray!

Child's first birthday, styrofoam, Poison Control,... all priceless!

Baby Update: What a Bean-utiful World

Haven't been blogging much. Too much going on to write. Beans has been developing at lightning speed.

She can walk. Not that she likes to do it much, but she can. She can walk across the living room with ease, but crawling is just so much faster. She has another tooth. A molar. This one makes a total of eight pearly whites in that baby's head. She learning to "talk". It's not really words, but she'll mimic sounds. She will say "ta too" for "thank you " on occasion and she has mastered "up". She has learned to drink from a straw. This doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but it's going to make bottle weaning so much easier! And today she climbed up onto the couch all on her own. A shoe box that we use to keep her blocks in was next to the couch and she, much to my chagrin, used it just like a stool. I'm proud of and terrified by this development.

She's going to be one year old this weekend. That means this time last year I was about to pop. Luckily I didn't. I just gave birth instead. Just popping would have been so much messier.

Having all that said, I have the greatest (albeit sometimes very very hard) job in the world. It doesn't pay a dime but it's priceless.

Baby Update: My Tiny Tempest

We have entered a new phase. It's not really cute, it's a bit painful. To my ears mostly. At about 10 months, it turns out that babies go through this phase. Tantrums. It's not because she's a brat or mean, but because she's learning. She can't talk but has needs and desires and now better way to express them than screaming at the tops of her lungs.

When she wants up. Or to play with that thing. Or she wants out of the car seat mid-ride. Or she suddenly very hungry...

So what is one to do you ask? Don't give in. Wait out the screaming. The shrill, high-pitched, piercing screaming.

At least she looks funny when she's busting my ear drums. Parenthood.

Baby Update: These Feet Were Made For Walking

As you may have read, yesterday was a day of painful recovery for Jason and me. There was, however, a brief moment, about 10 seconds, when I felt no pain. It was a beautiful moment of elation that removed Jason and me from our struggles with our bowels. 

Beans took three consecutive steps.

She hasn't done it since, but she's on her way to full, upright mobility. She again wanted something I was holding (in my sicken haze, I can't even remember what I was holding) and she took the little steps. One, two, three. It was amazing! 

Three small steps for baby, one giant leap for mummy's heart!

Baby Update: First Step

I don't have picture to go with this, sorry. But I nearly passed out yesterday when Beans took a tiny step. It was little, but it was a step. 

I was holding a book and her baby powder and she wanted them, badly. So the left foot moved forward. Then the right foot came to meet the left. Then she of course grabbed the book and powder and plopped down.

Anh and I started clapping for Beans. Beans had no idea why we were clapping, she was just happy that we were.

Hooray for Beans and her first step.

Baby Update: Mac & Cheese

Beans tried a new food yesterday. Mac and cheese, or more officially, Velveeta Shells & Cheese.

 

She sat on the kitchen floor playing with toys and pots and spatulas whilst I cooked noodles. Then she and I drained the noodles and we and the dog sampled a few. Then we poured on the orangey yellow cheese sauce goodness and stirred. We then went to the living room and ate mac and cheese until our hearts and tummies were content. And as you may be able to tell from the photo, Bean's heart, tummy, and taste buds were content and very happy.  

Hooray for mac and cheese and happy babies.

Baby Update: 9 Month Check Up

Beans had her 9 month check up on the 16th - 9 months to the day. She weighed in at 20 pounds and 12 ounces and is a whopping 2 feet 5 inches tall. She's on track developmentally and a little ahead in some areas. The only thing she's not doing (that the pediatrician asked about) is waving bye-bye. I have faith that will come soon. I'm not stressing it. She's too busy pulling up and standing (on her own now) to wave bye-bye. 

On a not so cute and sweet note, she had to have her blood drawn like an adult, from the arm. She was held down and screamed and wailed. You'd think they were stabbing her with the needle repeatedly. I haven't seen her that shade of red since she was born. It was heart wrenching. And when they finished she clung to me with teary eyes and I thought she'd never let go. She usually smiles at the nurses when all is said and done, but not this time. She was pissed.

But back to the happy, she got her first sucker. A bubble-gum Dum-Dum. She loved it. So much in fact, that when I took it away to get her ready to go, she began screaming. So the PA gave us another (watermelon flavoured) to take home. Her dada got to give her that one. They both enjoyed it very much. Jason has been dying to give her sweets. He finally got his way.

So at  9 months, Beans is a happy healthy baby girl! Hooray! And she doesn't have to go back (unless she's sick) until January! Hooray again!

Baby Update: Day 9 of Antibiotics

We have one more day of the tropical flavoured goop and we're finished. All gone! And I think it shows. Beans is a little more clingy and not sleeping well, but she's not running a fever or rubbing her ear. Things are looking up.

I think she's teething pretty seriously right now. She's "grown" another new tooth recently. That makes a totally of five. She seems to like chewing on her tooth brush. She doesn't get it, but we're starting the good oral hygiene early.

Other than that, everything is going well. She's been eating all sorts of new foods. Everything from Vietnamese noodles to french fries with buffalo sauce. And of course still loving the classics, peaches, green beans, rice.

She's also really enjoying her new buddies, Anh, Heather, and Florian. She has been trying to eat Anh's tattoos. We're not sure why, but she's been trying. She loves to hang out with Heather and Florian and loves their "poo pods" as they are lovingly called (dogs). Heather lets her play on the drum and watches the Wiggles on YouTube and They Might Be Giants' Here Come the ABC's and I think Florian is just tall like her dada so he seems familiar.

I've been working a lot a missing her, but she's getting quality time with the dada. They seem to have fun. I come home to smiley (yet filthy, from playing) baby girl and a happy hubby. They're really great. This is where your heart should feel warm and fuzzy and you let out a contented sigh... aaahhhh.

Baby Update: Poor Kiddo

Little Beans has her first ear infection. Last night she was a fussy. Toss and turned in bed. Didn't eat much. Just didn't seem quite right.

This morning, I was holding her and her daddy came over to give her kisses and he thought she was warm. I always think she's warm, but if he thinks it too, something's up. So I took her temperature.

And off to the pediatrician we go. Well, three hours and a pissed off and worn out baby later, we're back at home with antibiotics. She's napping peacefully, but you would be too if you'd been through what she went through this morning. 

She's had a rectal (yes, up the booty) temperature taken three times, awakened from a nap to  be held down to look in her ears, put in and taken out of the car seat three times, and on and on with minor frustrations. Heck, I need a nap too!

On a happier and lighter note, she has yet another tooth. That's right, 4 total. Two on top and 2 on bottom. And she likes to grind them. It's gut wrenching. I'm sure it's a phase, something new and interesting.

But hopefully this ear infection will be an easy one. Into the mouth and over the gums, fruity creamy antibiotic, here it comes!

Baby Update: No Poop, Good Spirits

Just thought I'd mention that Beans has still not had regular bowel movements. She has a good peanut buttery one yesterday, but nothing today. I must say though, she is in good spirits.

She is currently under my chair examining her daddy's brief case. Previously, she was trying to understand the air vent. Her little hairs blow in the cold air. She seems to prefer cold (except post-bath) than hot. She'll wake up at night if she's hot. But she'll sleep happily if it's icy cold.

I digress. If anyone out there has any baby pooping advice, I'm listening. Until poop, we keep on pushing.