Nothing to do over Presidents' Day Weekend?

Well... American Airlines and United Airlines have pretty cheap flights from Tulsa to Boston. You could leave OK on Friday and come back on Monday... ($350 round trip - trust me, that's pretty cheap). And that was just one quick search.

I'm just sayin'...

My obsession

Once Becca sent me a link to a free sample of something or other (I forget exactly what - maybe it was Kotex?) and I signed up, thinking why not.

Well, I am now officially obsessed. Armed with this blog full of freebies, I have received granola bars, cookies, popcorn, and at least a million coupons (including great baby stuff), among other things. I just wanted to share - enjoy. But beware the obsession.

The Culprit

The doctor called me back yesterday and wanted to see Eden, so I left work early, met up with Bryan (Eden was with Angela at home - Tuesday is Bryan's working day) and we picked her up. As we were in the apartment getting her ready to go we both felt her gums - they did feel a little bit swollen but it's hard for us to know what we're feeling for.

Our regular doctor, Dr. M, was out of town so we saw her partner, Dr. S - who was thorough, just like Dr. M. She examined Eden, who had a slight fever, and determined that it was not an earache (thank goodness - I was envisioning multiple earaches and tubes - I know people who've gone through that and it does not sound fun). When she felt her gums, she said, "Oh, that's the problem. There's a little tooth that just peeked through."

Yes, folks, somewhere between home and the doctor's office yesterday, my baby got a tooth.

It explains so much, and honestly just knowing that there is a purpose for the screaming, being able to give it a name, feels better. And Dr. S gave us some homeopathic medicine (I'll have to post the name later), and said to use it and Motrin before bed. There's a second tooth just about to pop up, so we're probably in for it for a little bit longer.

But last night she slept from 8:30-5:30. I'll take it. :)

Thanks for all your help, guys. You're so wise.

Desperation

Eden is a great sleeper. She has been since literally Day One, when she slept all the way through the night in the hospital nursery (and scared the crap out of me - I kept dreaming someone stole my baby). She started sleeping through the night regularly at two months old, and has been an angel since then...

until now.

I have no idea what is wrong with my child but over the last week the longest stretch she has slept has been from 10:30 pm to 6:00 am (and that was only once). I realize this is nearly 8 hours and is really great, but she usually sleeps from 8:30 to 7:00. And it's not just that she's not sleeping; she wakes up literally screaming. And she is inconsolable. Bryan and I are completely bewildered. There has to be something physical going on here. During the day she's pretty OK, but at night she completely loses it.

She's been congested off and on for a couple of months, but even if we clean her nose out really well right before bed, keep the room a little bit cool (and bundle her up), and crank the humidifier religiously, she wakes up unhappy. We've tried cleaning out her nose first thing when she wakes up (to no avail), rocking (which makes her scream louder), nursing (which she'll do, but usually scream all the way through it and after - she hasn't had nighttime feedings since I quit dream feeding), and bouncing. Bouncing works for a few seconds, and as soon as she relaxes she screams again. Usually after about an hour some combination of these things (or pure exhaustion) does the trick and she settles enough to be laid down, and she grunts and sobs her way to sleep again.

This is incredibly difficult, because it is so out of character for her. I have no idea what is going on. Is it just the congestion? Teething? Developmental milestone-ing? Growth spurt? All of the above??? All I know is my baby is very upset and I can't fix it. So I'm turning to the internets. (And her pediatrician - I put in a call this morning, and I may end up setting up an appointment for tomorrow).

Any of you veteran (or even not-so-veteran) moms have any ideas???

Top ten tips for traveling with a baby

My cousin emailed me and asked for some tips on traveling with a baby, and I thought it might be useful to post here, both for other people's information and so that she and I can get tips from other parents who have done it. Here are my thoughts, based on my two trips (and nine flights) with first a 2-month-old and then a 6-month-old:

1. PLAN AHEAD. This is pretty much my motto for life, but I think it is especially important when you're going to be away from home with an infant. You have to very carefully think through all of the items below (and everything else I forgot) before you even think about stepping out.

2. Food. She can't eat just anything you buy at the airport or rest stop; make sure you've got the necessary grub (if you're breastfeeding that includes a nursing shawl or blanket in the carry-on and a pump if you're going to want to give the baby bottles while you're gone). When we went home in January this was complicated by the fact that she was eating solids already, so I had to physically make stacks of food for the trip in order to think it through - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. If you're flying, consider only taking food for the day of travel and the next day, and going to the store when you get there (to save space on luggage which the airline will charge you to check!).

3. Diapers. I think the buy-when-you-get-there rule applies equally well here, but make sure you have diapers aplenty, even more than you think you'll need, while you're traveling. And also get some of those disposable changing table covers. I don't trust bathroom changing tables at ALL, not even for our changing table cover. Yucky.

4. Clothing. This goes without saying, and anyone with a five-second-old will know this, but pack extra outfits. Poop, spitup, etc. will invariably happen at the most inopportune times. And this is sort of related, but bring blankets. You never know what they'll have where you're going, you never know about temperature on planes, and don't even get me started on airport floors.

5. Carseat. This might be the second most important tip, actually. (#1 is most important, of course). If you're flying, gate check the carseat. Even if you're not going to take it on the plane, do not check the carseat at the counter with your other bags. What if it's delayed, or lost? You wouldn't be able to leave the airport without it!! Also, I think next time we go we might take the base attached to the carseat as well. I hate having to strap her in old-school style. (Anyone have thoughts about this issue?)

6. What to pack where. This is the lawyer in me, I know, but always think about worst-case scenario. If your bags got lost, what would you absolutely need, especially right away? Pack that in the carry-ons. For us, this is food, extra diapers and wipes and the aforementioned changing table covers, my pump and bottles, a change of clothing for Little Missy, and any medicine, etc.

7. Getting around the airport. Keeping #6 in mind, pack light carryons. You're going to be toting a baby and a carseat. You don't want to have to tote a ton of other stuff too. And you're not going to get any reading done on the plane with the baby on your lap, so forget the book.

8. Distraction. Two words: pacifier and toys.

9. Schedule. Try to plan your flight times around the baby's schedule if you can. It's not always possible (and I am not about being a slave to the baby's schedule) but it's way easier (and better for everyone around you) if her natural naptime is while you're 30,000 feet in the air (or even better, just about to get there, so she sleeps through takeoff). Think about logistics of feeding on the plane or in the car, etc. If you're alone and the baby's taking solids and you travel during that time, well, you're braver than I.

10. Relax. I swear Eden picks up on my stress and it makes her cranky. If you are well-prepared, and you've done all of the thinking ahead of time, it will be no biggie. Even with delays.

Anyone else have thoughts???

Seventh Month

Pictures. And a very awesome video of my giggly little one.

Seven Months

Dear Precious Baby Girl,

We are on the downward slope of the first year and it hardly seems possible. It seems like yesterday you were a tiny newborn who stared at everything but interacted with nothing. And now you're always busy, always moving (unless you're sleeping). Maybe the more surprising thing is that I love it. I love watching you discover new things, like how to pick up little bits of food with your thumb and forefinger. You concentrate so hard while you're doing it - I can almost see the wheels turning!!

This month we celebrated your first Christmas. It was really amazing. We had a very low-key day, and we talked a lot about what Christmas really is all about. It was great for all three of us. We also rang in 2009 together. We were all here at home, and you even woke up about ten minutes before 2009 began, so I got you up and you celebrated with us. There were kisses all around - it was great.

After the new year began we went back to Oklahoma to visit family. And you were awesome. Despite the fact that you've begun to get a bit of stranger anxiety, you let everyone hold you and pass you around. You did tend to get a little upset if you couldn't see Mommy and Daddy, but that was OK because we were with you the whole time. You got upset when Daddy held your cousin Noah - that made Daddy feel pretty good.

While we were in Oklahoma, at Uncle Jason & Aunt Gena's house, you finally figured out how to sit up by yourself. You were on your tummy one minute, and the next you were sitting up! We were so proud of you!!! You showed everyone how you could roll around on the floor and get anywhere you wanted to go, and then when we got home you started to really crawl. You'll take a few normal "steps" and then it's on your belly for the army crawl.

I can't believe you're mobile. I knew this day would come but I still can't believe that you're the same baby who didn't know how to grasp a toy. And now you're crawling everywhere. Baby proofing began in full force as soon as we returned from Oklahoma.

Your laugh is so contagious. And it is so easy to make you laugh, too; we love it when you really get going. All it takes is a little tickling your belly with my nose and you're off. Add a little snorting and you're practically rolling. I love it.

You've started really loving your little lamb blanket, Lucy. Yesterday you were upset because you woke up prematurely from your nap (you don't like anything getting in the way of your sleep...) because you were congested. I cleaned out your nose (which you hate) and then started rocking you to calm you down. You calmed down most of the way, but when I handed Lucy to you, you immediately relaxed completely. I laid you in your crib and by the time I got out the door you were asleep. Amazing.

Well, Little Missy Moo, I could fill volumes trying to explain how amazing you are, describing all of the little adorable things you do. I really do think you are the most amazing thing I have ever seen, and I can't believe I have the good fortune to be your mother. I love you more than words can ever say, more than I ever thought I could. I hope you keep growing big and strong, but I hope you keep coming back to me for kisses. I love you baby girl.

Love,

Mommy

Christmas in Boston

Yes, I'm finally getting around to blogging about Christmas!!

This year we stayed home in Boston for Christmas. It was our first Christmas away from our families back home, but we decided to save a little money and a little travel stress by going home after the holidays, and we wanted to start our own traditions with Eden... so we did.

Christmas Eve was relaxing. We went to some friends' house, had dinner, sang Christmas carols and read the Christmas story from Luke. There were six kids, including Eden, and a puppy (lil miss Bella). Everyone but the two youngest kids and Bella took a turn reading, and it was beautiful!


When we got home we began the first Thomason Tradition: opening one present. Surprise! Bryan and Eden both got footie pajamas!! They changed into their new pj's and posed for a picture, and then we all headed off to bed (nice hair, Bryan!).


Christmas morning we slept in (Eden got up at 7, ate, and went back to sleep with us until 9! Yay!!) and then got up to open our presents. We had received FOUR packages on Christmas Eve (and at least two before that - it's now been too long and I forget) so there was plenty to open!


Eden got a couple of new toys, and Nino got some new toys, too. Eden liked Nino's toys almost as much as she liked her own, but she did get a kick out of the ring stacker:


We relaxed and played for a while, and then Bryan went to get some friends of ours who also were away from family for the holidays (they're from South Africa). I made sugar cookies (which I'd intended to do on Christmas Eve but never got around to) and we made a huge, Thanksgiving-like feast of ham, turkey, salad, mashed potatoes, and mac & cheese. It was awesome but it was a LOT of food. I did glaze my first ham, and I think it turned out pretty well. I basically just loaded it with honey and brown sugar. How could that go wrong? :)

We spent the whole day hanging out, playing J&K's Wii (they were in Texas so we borrowed it), teaching Phumlani and Ellen to play Canasta (which was fun but we miss our regular Canasta partners!) and enjoying friends.

All in all it was a really nice and relaxing Christmas. I think we'll do something very similar next year. :) Yay!