Well, my maternity leave is over. :( It's been really great hanging out with Kirby for 2.5 months, but unfortunately, we're not really in a place that would allow me to be a stay at home mom. Actually, we could do it, but it would be really tight with just one paycheck. Besides, as much as I love my little dude, I definitely need some adult time.
We dropped Kirby off at the day care center today for about 4 hours - mainly so that Kirby isn't thrown into a full day with strangers but also because we needed to deal with some official business (getting our passcodes, dropping off supplies, etc). I was fine when we first dropped him off (he was asleep), but as I talked to one of the teachers about things we need to do, all the babies started to cry. And not just fussing..... hardcore crying! One kid even looked up at me and had these huge crocodile tears running down his face. :( One teacher was talking to me and the other was feeding a baby while rocking two others in bouncy seats with her feet (there are 8 infants and 2 teachers). I know they're good at multi-tasking, but it just broke my heart to know that Kirby would be laying on the floor crying, waiting for his turn to be comforted. :(
As the front desk person worked on setting up our passcode, I wandered over to the infant 2 room to see what was going on. I wanted to look in on Kirby once more before we left, and I saw him laying in his crib, wide awake, staring at the ceiling and snacking on his hand. I immediately started crying and had to quickly leave the building. I didn't realize it would be so difficult. Tomorrow's really going to suck! :(
Gary & I ran around doing errands (looking for a Wii), read magazines at a bookstore, ate Indian food for lunch, and grocery shopped before picking up Kirby. When we got there, he was eating. Apparently, he had a really good day - just hung out in various spots in the room and just enjoyed looking at his new surroundings. He didn't sleep much (about 30 minutes) so I was prepared for a meltdown when we got home.
I fed him just a bit when we got home and he completely passed out! I let him sleep on me for 3 hours b/c I couldn't bring myself to put him down.
I gotta say, we really lucked out with such an amazing baby. He's generally a laid back, happy baby. He's such a sweet heart! All last week he had a cold and even when you could tell he wasn't feeling well, he still had interest in playing and smiling. I feel blessed to have such an amazing little guy in my life and I'm sad that I'm not going to see him as much every day because he's changing so much and every day it seems like he's able to do something different.
Here's the latest video of him - he's talking to his new baby animals book.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
First cold
Kirby has his first cold. :( We noticed it Saturday night when he was making more noise than usual when sleeping. During the day on Sunday, he seemed a little out of the norm, but around dinner time it was obvious that he was sick b/c he sounded congested and had a bit of snot.
We took him to the ped on Monday and she said that it's just a typical cold - nothing to do but wait 7-10 days for it to go away. The only thing we can really do to help is to saline/bulb his nose 3 times a day and use a humidifier when he's sleeping. Being a first time mom, it's weird to experience your baby being sick. It's really hard to see him struggling to breathe and to be so miserable. :(
Since Monday, it's been pretty typical - snotty, running nose, coughing, sneezing, and sleeping a lot. Today was a little different - he slept a LOT today. I'm hoping there's nothing new going on - just that he needed a lot of rest to get over it. A few hours ago, he had a coughing fit and then ended up throwing up. The ask-a-nurse doesn't think that it's anything to be worried about right now b/c we're not seeing anything else that's a "warning sign".
Hopefully, he'll start to feel better soon b/c ugh - he's going to start daycare on Tuesday and I'd hate for him to feel so poorly when his life is turned upside down by being with strangers all day.
Here's a photo of him from this afternoon. Even though he's feeling like crap, he still has a smile for his mommy. :)
We took him to the ped on Monday and she said that it's just a typical cold - nothing to do but wait 7-10 days for it to go away. The only thing we can really do to help is to saline/bulb his nose 3 times a day and use a humidifier when he's sleeping. Being a first time mom, it's weird to experience your baby being sick. It's really hard to see him struggling to breathe and to be so miserable. :(
Since Monday, it's been pretty typical - snotty, running nose, coughing, sneezing, and sleeping a lot. Today was a little different - he slept a LOT today. I'm hoping there's nothing new going on - just that he needed a lot of rest to get over it. A few hours ago, he had a coughing fit and then ended up throwing up. The ask-a-nurse doesn't think that it's anything to be worried about right now b/c we're not seeing anything else that's a "warning sign".
Hopefully, he'll start to feel better soon b/c ugh - he's going to start daycare on Tuesday and I'd hate for him to feel so poorly when his life is turned upside down by being with strangers all day.
Here's a photo of him from this afternoon. Even though he's feeling like crap, he still has a smile for his mommy. :)
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
What do you think?
Here are a few baby photos of The Miller family. Who do you think Kirby resembles?
Kirby:
Theresa:
Gary:
Kirby:
Theresa:
Gary:
Monday, January 4, 2010
2 month appointment
Kirby had his 2 month appt today. We were looking forward to seeing how much he's grown...... and he's huge! His weight is 14lbs 2 oz (95%) and length is 25 3/4" (97%). He gained just under 4 pounds in one month!
We had to wait a bit before our appt and we discovered something interesting. When I went to check in Kirby, the front desk person said that another mother wanted to meet us. Apparently, our sons keep getting mixed up or it's assumed that they're twins. They were born 2 days apart (Kirby's older), both have the same last name, both mothers work at Duke, and both kids are going to the same preschool in a few weeks. The other mother first discovered it when she called the preschool and said "Mrs. Miller" - they immediately said "Kirby?" The same thing happened to her today when she checked in for their son's 2 month appt. Oddly, Kirby has never been confused with her son - maybe b/c Kirby isn't a common name. *shrug* It's kinda neat that we met them and have such a great story since they'll be buds at school. :)
Anyway, after we went back for the check-up, they had us take all of Kirby's clothes off while waiting for the dr. This was the first time that Kirby really had a chance to stare at his reflection in a mirror - and he loved it. :) I've tried showing him a mirror as I walk around the house with him, but he seemed uninterested. I guess he needed a more relaxed environment to appreciate the mirror.
Other than getting his stats, he was checked out and he's, of course, doing really well. :) Thankfully, Gary went with me b/c Kirby had to get 3 shots in the thighs. Ugh - I eventually need to get over it, but while Kirby was getting the shots, I had to stand in the corner with my back turned and my ears plugged. Poor little dude! He cried for a bit, but fell asleep on the way home.
I let him nurse and sleep on me all day b/c I wanted to comfort him as much as possible and I didn't want to move him too much since his legs were sore. He was pretty pitiful when he slept - making noises like he was in pain. :( I didn't think he felt warm, but Gary thought he felt a bit warm so he took Kirby's temperature. It was our first use of the rectal thermometer - which isn't fun for anyone. Turns out that Kirby did have a bit of a temperature (101.2) so we gave him some Tylenol in hopes that it would help him feel a bit better. Hopefully he sleeps ok tonight and feels better tomorrow.
We had to wait a bit before our appt and we discovered something interesting. When I went to check in Kirby, the front desk person said that another mother wanted to meet us. Apparently, our sons keep getting mixed up or it's assumed that they're twins. They were born 2 days apart (Kirby's older), both have the same last name, both mothers work at Duke, and both kids are going to the same preschool in a few weeks. The other mother first discovered it when she called the preschool and said "Mrs. Miller" - they immediately said "Kirby?" The same thing happened to her today when she checked in for their son's 2 month appt. Oddly, Kirby has never been confused with her son - maybe b/c Kirby isn't a common name. *shrug* It's kinda neat that we met them and have such a great story since they'll be buds at school. :)
Anyway, after we went back for the check-up, they had us take all of Kirby's clothes off while waiting for the dr. This was the first time that Kirby really had a chance to stare at his reflection in a mirror - and he loved it. :) I've tried showing him a mirror as I walk around the house with him, but he seemed uninterested. I guess he needed a more relaxed environment to appreciate the mirror.
Other than getting his stats, he was checked out and he's, of course, doing really well. :) Thankfully, Gary went with me b/c Kirby had to get 3 shots in the thighs. Ugh - I eventually need to get over it, but while Kirby was getting the shots, I had to stand in the corner with my back turned and my ears plugged. Poor little dude! He cried for a bit, but fell asleep on the way home.
I let him nurse and sleep on me all day b/c I wanted to comfort him as much as possible and I didn't want to move him too much since his legs were sore. He was pretty pitiful when he slept - making noises like he was in pain. :( I didn't think he felt warm, but Gary thought he felt a bit warm so he took Kirby's temperature. It was our first use of the rectal thermometer - which isn't fun for anyone. Turns out that Kirby did have a bit of a temperature (101.2) so we gave him some Tylenol in hopes that it would help him feel a bit better. Hopefully he sleeps ok tonight and feels better tomorrow.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Rolling over pt 2
We put Kirby in our bed this morning and he rolled over 3 times! Gary & Kirby came upstairs to wake me up and Gary laid Kirby on our mattress while I got dressed. Rather quickly, it looked like he was trying to roll from back to front. He was almost over, but his arm was in the way - like a kick stand. He was stuck like that for about a minute before Gary helped him all the way over onto his stomach.
Kirby hung out like that a bit, rocking back and forth, and the next thing we knew, he rolled over! Gary put him back on his stomach to see if he'd do it again, and he did!
We were bummed that we didn't have the camera, so Gary ran downstairs to get it in hopes that Kirby would do it one more time. During that time, Kirby started to get annoyed and I was afraid that it wouldn't happen. However, Kirby performed on command again and we finally got it on camera! Unfortunately, our computer is in the shop so we won't be able to post the video until the middle of next week. I'll post it as soon as possible b/c I know there are grandparents that are eager to see it. :)
ETA: here's the video!
Kirby hung out like that a bit, rocking back and forth, and the next thing we knew, he rolled over! Gary put him back on his stomach to see if he'd do it again, and he did!
We were bummed that we didn't have the camera, so Gary ran downstairs to get it in hopes that Kirby would do it one more time. During that time, Kirby started to get annoyed and I was afraid that it wouldn't happen. However, Kirby performed on command again and we finally got it on camera! Unfortunately, our computer is in the shop so we won't be able to post the video until the middle of next week. I'll post it as soon as possible b/c I know there are grandparents that are eager to see it. :)
ETA: here's the video!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Rolling over
Kirby rolled over for the first time today! :)
We haven't been good about giving him tummy time (ie: laying him flat on his stomach). However, we've held him so that he can look over our shoulder and he's been really great at being able to hold his head up that way. I read recently that we should try to give him 20 minutes a day on his stomach - even if it's broken up into 10 2 minute segments, which is good b/c Kirby's definitely not a fan!
I put a mattress on the floor yesterday to give him some time on his stomach. He was ok for about 5 minutes before he got really aggravated. He was able to lift his head some, but not higher than I had already seen.
This morning, I did the same thing.... mattress on the floor for tummy time. When I set him down, I looked at his little feet kicking and thought that that he looked really cute and that I should get the camera. I didn't feel good about leaving him alone on the floor (I didn't want Bingham to come over and lick him :P ) so I decided not to get the camera. After about 30 seconds, I noticed that Kirby's head was lifted higher than I'd ever seen before. I rubbed his back and gave him lots of encouragement b/c he was starting to get upset and the next thing I knew, he had completely rolled over on his own!! I was so stunned!
As soon as he rolled over, I laughed and told him how amazing he was. He smiled back at me, but then he went back to crying. I imagined him thinking how he temporarily responded to me laughing and smiling but then realized he was pissed off at being on his belly and then somehow magically ended up on his back. :)
I put him on his belly twice more today in hopes that he would roll over but he didn't. I'm sure it's going to be a while before he does it again, but at least the thought of it happening again encourages me to put him on his belly more often than I've been doing. :P
I recorded him on his belly during one of the non-roll over times. He didn't roll over, but he's still awfully cute!
We haven't been good about giving him tummy time (ie: laying him flat on his stomach). However, we've held him so that he can look over our shoulder and he's been really great at being able to hold his head up that way. I read recently that we should try to give him 20 minutes a day on his stomach - even if it's broken up into 10 2 minute segments, which is good b/c Kirby's definitely not a fan!
I put a mattress on the floor yesterday to give him some time on his stomach. He was ok for about 5 minutes before he got really aggravated. He was able to lift his head some, but not higher than I had already seen.
This morning, I did the same thing.... mattress on the floor for tummy time. When I set him down, I looked at his little feet kicking and thought that that he looked really cute and that I should get the camera. I didn't feel good about leaving him alone on the floor (I didn't want Bingham to come over and lick him :P ) so I decided not to get the camera. After about 30 seconds, I noticed that Kirby's head was lifted higher than I'd ever seen before. I rubbed his back and gave him lots of encouragement b/c he was starting to get upset and the next thing I knew, he had completely rolled over on his own!! I was so stunned!
As soon as he rolled over, I laughed and told him how amazing he was. He smiled back at me, but then he went back to crying. I imagined him thinking how he temporarily responded to me laughing and smiling but then realized he was pissed off at being on his belly and then somehow magically ended up on his back. :)
I put him on his belly twice more today in hopes that he would roll over but he didn't. I'm sure it's going to be a while before he does it again, but at least the thought of it happening again encourages me to put him on his belly more often than I've been doing. :P
I recorded him on his belly during one of the non-roll over times. He didn't roll over, but he's still awfully cute!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Finally updating
I've been *really* bad about updating this blog since Kirby was born. As a matter of fact, I just found the time to post his birth story last night. :P I have time to do some things, but it's difficult when I'm home alone b/c Kirby wants to be held at all times. I have a laptop within reach for surfing the web & playing games, but it's not easy typing anything of length one finger at a time.
Kirby's doing really well. He's a big dude! Yesterday was his 2 month birthday, but we won't be taking him in until next week for his 2 month appt. I'll find out his weight and length at that time. I've asked Gary to accompany me to that appt b/c Kirby has to get 3 vaccines and I think I'll pass out if I have to be the one to hold him!
He's been hitting all of his developmental marks (at least the ones the books mention). It was really a big difference once he started smiling back at us and making happy noises (around 1 month). In the past 2 days, I've noticed that he's been able to focus on things - looking us in the eyes, looking at the pictures in the books I read, etc. This morning he finally noticed Bingham. :)
I'm trying to be better about putting him down for naps, but it's difficult b/c he wakes up quickly once he realizes he's not being held. I've been trying to get him used to the car seat (he doesn't seem to like to be confined) and today I was actually able to get him to take a 30 minute nap in the car seat. Ahh..... freedom (at least temporarily).
I'm also trying to take him out of the house a little bit every day. I take him for a little walk around the neighborhood - either in the car seat or strapped to me in the bjorn if it's a nice, not too sunny day. However, there aren't many really nice days lately between the cold and the rain so I've occasionally taken him to the mall or Target to walk around. I imagine I'll get bored of that, but at least we're not looking at the same walls all day and he tends to nod off a bit when we're walking. It's nice for me b/c then I get a little bit of a mental break.
This is Kirby in the bjorn after our afternoon walk yesterday.
Kirby's doing really well. He's a big dude! Yesterday was his 2 month birthday, but we won't be taking him in until next week for his 2 month appt. I'll find out his weight and length at that time. I've asked Gary to accompany me to that appt b/c Kirby has to get 3 vaccines and I think I'll pass out if I have to be the one to hold him!
He's been hitting all of his developmental marks (at least the ones the books mention). It was really a big difference once he started smiling back at us and making happy noises (around 1 month). In the past 2 days, I've noticed that he's been able to focus on things - looking us in the eyes, looking at the pictures in the books I read, etc. This morning he finally noticed Bingham. :)
I'm trying to be better about putting him down for naps, but it's difficult b/c he wakes up quickly once he realizes he's not being held. I've been trying to get him used to the car seat (he doesn't seem to like to be confined) and today I was actually able to get him to take a 30 minute nap in the car seat. Ahh..... freedom (at least temporarily).
I'm also trying to take him out of the house a little bit every day. I take him for a little walk around the neighborhood - either in the car seat or strapped to me in the bjorn if it's a nice, not too sunny day. However, there aren't many really nice days lately between the cold and the rain so I've occasionally taken him to the mall or Target to walk around. I imagine I'll get bored of that, but at least we're not looking at the same walls all day and he tends to nod off a bit when we're walking. It's nice for me b/c then I get a little bit of a mental break.
This is Kirby in the bjorn after our afternoon walk yesterday.
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