Bad Mama

The Greek equivalent of Hell is doing the same thing over and over again without getting anywhere. That's what the last few days have been for me. Dutch doesn't sleep and all he wants to do is eat. I mean that literally. He cries if he does not have food in his mouth at all times. It has been the most exhausting and frustrating time in my life because he just can't seem to get full anymore. I'm beginning to wonder if my milk is adequate for the little guy. Luckily tomorrow we see the pediatrician and I can see what's going on. I just don't know what to do.

Last night I literally got 3 hours of sleep - all in 10 minute increments.

A List for Tuesday

Five Reasons Why I Didn't Post Yesterday

1. Dutch didn't sleep all night.
2. Dutch didn't nap all day.
3. It took me a long time to pick a new blog template.
4. I have a school deadline tomorrow and I'm not ready!
5. I just didn't have anything cool to say - so BACK OFF! Just kidding!

Smiles and Sighs

This is a picture of Chris and Dutch that our sweet neighbor Janet took.

My baby doesn't like to be swaddled. All the books and magazines say that he should, but if his hands are not able to reach his mouth he is inconsolable. We learned this last night when he wouldn't go to sleep and seemed to be crying for no reason. Chris suggested that we unwrap him and BOOM he was fine. Silly baby.

Last night there was a thunderstorm - no rain, just a bunch of thunder and lightning. When I went in to Dutch's room to feed him I saw him staring out the window at the lightning. It was amazing.

Early this morning when the sun was rising I was watching him sleep. It's so funny to see the range of emotions that he seems to experience in his sleep. He was smiling and frowning and sticking his tongue out and making angry faces, one right after the other. There are so many times that I wished I had a camera, but I knew that it would only wake him up if I put him down to go and get it.

I can't believe he's already three weeks old! It seems like yesterday that I was complaining about morning sickness and outgrowing my clothes. It's so crazy that I'm a mom, but I am so happy to have my little Dutchie.

A Momentous Occasion

Today our little man outgrew his very first outfit! Sadly it was a very cute outfit his Aunt Cari bought him (the penguin one, Nan). He hasn't gotten much chubbier, but he has gotten longer for sure, I couldn't snap the onesie on him because he's so long.

We're getting into a pattern at night now. He's woken up at almost the same times every night for the last few nights. It's nice to be able to predict how much sleep I'm going to get between feedings.

For those of you still waiting for thank-you cards I promise they will be coming to you soon. Thank you all so much for your love and support - we really appreciate it. Love you!

Happy Pioneer Day!

Three Generations

Thanks Aunt Pat!

Due Date

Happy Dutch-was-supposed-to-be-born-today Day!

We had an amazing night last night. He's more awake during the day and that helps him sleep really well at night. His eyes are getting lighter, which really surprises me. I expected his eyes to start turning brown, but they have gone from a dark metal-gray to a deep blue. Baby boy is also suffering from baby acne. I'm not sure what to do about it or what causes it, but it doesn't hurt him so that's good.

Today Great-Grandma May sent Dutchie a package with a very sweet card, some cute clothes, and (my favorite) a magnet that says "It's hard to be humble when you're Dutch." I laughed when I read it and I know that if he takes after his father it will be true. My mom-in-law Kellie has apologized more than once for my husband's incredibly high self-esteem.

It's a rainy day today. Very rainy. Pouring. Dutch is sleeping through the thunder and lightning, but I hope he wakes up soon. I want to see his reaction to rain. I think that's my favorite part about being a mom so far - I get to see everything like new again.

Sorry there haven't been any pictures lately. Chris is working hard at school and I just don't think to pick up the camera while I'm enjoying Dutch. We'll post some soon, I promise.

A List for Tuesday

Five Reasons Why I Miss My Nephew Nathanael

1. He entertained Bo. He never got tired of throwing Bo's ball (and Bo never gets tired of wanting it thrown).
2. He helped Chris realize his dream of catching fire-flies without looking like an idiot.
3. When he would call Bo he'd say, "Bo! Bo-Bo! Bo-de-Bo-Bo!"
4. He called Dutch "Rubber Dutchie."
5. He brought his mom with him.

Good Baby

My Good Baby is back! Last night Dutchie slept really well and waited until 1pm instead of am to do the crying, I-don't-wanna-sleep thing. It was much easier for me to handle in daylight.

Also, my sister Heather is a thief! That is not Delilah's pink diamond that she's playing with, but Coco's diamond! Yes, that's right. Heather gave her dog my dead dog's toy! Shocking.

There are some very cute pictures of Dutchie coming soon. He's started doing this new kissy-fishy face when he wakes up. It's hard to explain, but you'll love it when you see it.

You skeptics beware! Dutch has now rolled over a total of FOUR times. It's not just a fluke, my baby's a genius.

Last night was the first time that Dutch leaked through his diaper. Chris now calls him Pee-Pants. I think it's mean, but he thinks it's funny. Dutch doesn't seem to care yet.

Bo loves Dutch. Or he wants to eat him, I'm not sure which. Bo likes to lick Dutch whenever he is nearby. He also lets us know when Dutch is crying, by coming up to us and then walking over to the baby. He's very helpful.

That's the updates for now. Love you!

Bad Baby

Dutchie and I had our first rough night last night. Baby boy wouldn't stay asleep! I was up with him from 12:30 to about 3. I would feed him, rock him, and lay him down. Then about 10 minutes later he would wake up crying. I tried everything, but nothing worked. Anyway, we both survived and hopefully tonight will be better.

I still love him, I just like my Good Baby better than my Bad Baby.

Happy Birthday Pop-Pop!

Happy birthday, Pop-Pop! I am excited to meet you soon. When you come to play I will snuggle up on your lap and fall asleep, because that's my favoritest thing to do. I love you bunches!

Love,
Dutchie

Sleepy Baby

I realized today that almost all of the pictures we have of Dutchie are of him asleep. I think that's because when he's awake we are so excited we forget to take pictures of him. Here are some pictures of him sleeping.

It Fell Off!

This morning when I went to change Dutch's diaper I noticed that the little raisin passing for his umbilical cord was missing! Chris thinks that umbilical cords are disgusting and will be very excited when he gets home from school and notices that Dutch's is gone.

Dutch's Grandma Kellie was here last week and his Aunt Cari and cousin Nathanael are here this week. I was thinking that I haven't had to take care of the baby all by myself at all yet. I guess we'll see if I have what it takes next week!

Dutch gets the hiccups all the time. It makes me laugh because he NEVER got them in utero (that I noticed anyway). They don't seem to bother him very much, but sometimes he growls at them.

Since Carianne has been here Dutch has rolled over - TWICE. The first time it happened I thought that she had helped him, but the second time we were both on opposite sides of the room from him. He was doing his Tummy Time exercises and then just *flop* he was over on his back. Carianne and I were ecstatic, but Chris was skeptical, "Is that supposed to be cool?" he asked. When we explained that babies can't normally do that this early he just nodded. "He's a genius."

On a personal note, I haven't gotten much writing done since my little peanut came into the world. I have a deadline at the end of the month. I guess I'm just hoping that the story will write itself without my help. Starting today I will definitely try harder to get my writing time in, but I can't promise I won't be distracted by the amazing-ness that is my son.

Little Fatty

Last week when we went to the Pediatrician (who, out of habit, I keep calling the Vet) Dutch weighed 5 lbs 10 oz. We went this week to check on his weight and he was 6 lbs 6 1/2 oz! That means that my milk is good and that he's healthy and happy. His jaundice is barely visible now and he's just beautiful.

Thought I would share the good news. Love you!

Jealousy

Bo is a little jealous of Dutchie, I think. The other day he hopped up on my lap and refused to get down until he'd had his share of cuddles. Poor Bo-Bo.
And here's a picture of Dutch. Just for good measure.

Baby Showering

The women at church threw a baby shower for Dutch and me today. It was really fun to get to know them better and to see them outside of a church setting. Of course Dutch was the center of attention and everyone thought he was just the cutest little peanut ever. We got a lot of great stuff for him - he's definitely going to be a well-dressed little boy.

This is how he spent most of the shower - sleeping like a log. He was held by several different people and never made a peep. Until it was time to eat! Then he let me know that he was hungry and he wanted to eat NOW! But even his crying was adorable, so everyone is still in love with him.

When Your Guard Dog is Blind

Projectile Pooping

Chris and Dutch and I were taking a nap earlier today. When Dutch woke up Chris went to change his diaper before I was going to feed him. I hear this horrible sound and rushed into the room - I thought Dutch had thrown up his stomach! I go into the room to see a very stunned Chris staring at the wall.

"That did not just happen!" He laughed.

Dutch had literally projectile pooped from the changing table to the wall two feet away! It was so disgusting, but hilarious! Just goes to show, he's talented.

Dutchie's Preferred Way of Sleeping

A List for Tuesday

Five Reasons Why My Husband Chris is the Cutest New Dad Ever

1. After holding our son for the first time his only question was, "Is this all he does?"
2. He's so willing to help! When I am up and can't get Dutchie to stop fussing he comes in and asks what he can do.
3. The first thing he wants to do when he gets home from school is hold the baby.
4. He had never changed a diaper before and is already doing it like a pro.
5. Just look at that picture! He's literally the cutest new dad ever!

Eyes Open

Baby Boy Meets Big Brother

For those of you who don't know Chris and I have a 6-year-old blind chocolate lab named Bo that we rescued a year and a half ago. He is the inspiration behind the name of this blog and he's been our "baby" since we got him. A big concern was how Bo was going to react to the sudden appearance of Dutch. They met for the first time today and...

Bo could not care less. He sniffed Dutch, sneezed, and went to find his toy. The only thing that seems to faze him is when Dutch cries out. Bo did not care for that, but handled it in his usual mellow way.

So if you were looking for more drama you won't find it here. Bo is completely indifferent to Dutch. The only question now is: how long will that indifference last?

Fourth of July Fireworks

Here's the scene: A sunny day in Palmyra, New York about 5 hours from home, 19 days before the baby is due. We're planning on spending the Fourth of July watching fireworks in Niagara Falls. I walk to the bathroom. I immediately walk back out of the bathroom.

"We need to go home," I say to my husband. "My water broke."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes I'm sure! I didn't just wet my pants!"

We go to the hotel and pick up our stuff and haul tail home. My water broke at 12:30 pm. My contractions start about 1:30 pm. We get to the hospital at 6pm. Dutch comes into the world at 6:35 pm. (This after being told that I would probably be late and have an incredibly long labor. Liars.)

My family likes to say that I have a flare for the dramatic. Apparently it runs in the family.

Please note: The picture was taken shortly after he was born. He's much cuter now with lighter hair and that bruise is fading (he decided to come face up instead of face down so he had a little bump). I'll add more pictures when I can. In the meantime, enjoy this video.

Book Review

Book: Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

I bought this book a long time ago at The King's English Bookshop in Salt Lake City. Because of one thing or another I didn't get the chance to read it until recently. I can't believe what I was missing! This is a beautiful woven tale set in Transylvania (no, there are no vampires). Marillier takes a wide array of fairy tales and not only makes them believable as a whole, but leaves you wondering why no one has ever done it before. The reason I bought it in the first place was because it was said to be an homage to my favorite fairy tale - The Twelve Dancing Princesses.

There are not twelve princesses in this story, but five sisters who travel to another realm every full moon. The characters, the setting, the dresses are all described in breathtaking detail that never gets in the way of the actual story. I have to admit that I was skeptical at first but my skepticism soon turned to wonder and I found myself drawn into the story.

One horrible habit I have as a writer is to try to "read" the plot ahead of the pages. I am constantly guessing what will happen next. In this book I was continually surprised that what I thought would happen was not what actually happened! I'm not sure if Marillier has written anything else, but I will definitely read anything else by her.

Happy reading!

A List for Tuesday

Five Reasons Dutch Should Be Born Sooner Rather Than Later
(in no particular order)

1. I am tired of people telling me that I'm "not that big" for how far along I am. I am big enough, thank you very much.
2. I'm sick of being uncomfortable - sausage feet and back-aches and all that jazz.
3. Really I'm just ready to start being a mom already.
4. I want to see if he looks like the Brugger/Bailey side of the fam or the Morgan/Davis side.
5. Chris will be so much happier when I stop complaining.