Adventures in BabyLand

The Babe is now 6 weeks old! Crazy how time flies. In that time he has truly become his own little person with a little personality and everything. Oh and then there's the colic. Not as bad as Giggles had it, but colic nonetheless. In our furious state of denial we tried solutions for a dairy allergy and acid reflux, but alas it turned out to be the "c" word. Even having been through this before, it isn't easier this time. The worst part is the "10-minute treatment" that pediatricians recommend where you put the baby in a quiet, dark room by themselves for 10 minutes at a time so that they can calm themselves down. It still breaks my heart! The good news is that the worst of it should be over.

Because the little guy is so irritable, he hates being put down. At all. I mean, he cried in his swing, in the bouncy seat, in his crib - everywhere. My arms are about to fall off from carrying him all day. Thank goodness for the harness (but oh my poor back!) I ended up borrowing a baby papasan chair from a friend and he at least will sit in that for up to 12 minutes.

Other than those two things, he is dreamy. Cute and chubby and precious. The girls are doing great with him, even though Giggles can get superjealous and meltdown at times. But they love their little brother and I can tell they have already forgotten life before him!

And so have I :)

You're FOUR!

My big girl! I can't believe you're four. You are growing into such a little lady, helping me with your sister and brother, asking tons of smart questions, and becoming oh-so-independent. It never ceases to amaze your Dad and I how much you make us laugh and how often you surprise us with your spectacular memory. You've waited so patiently for your birthday to come; counting down the days on our calendar ever since Giggles' birthday back in March. Now your day is finally here! I'm so proud of you and I love you more than words.

Happy Birthday Sweets!

So Long, Fairwell

Well folks, summer is officially over here at the Jonesie household. School starts this week for Oldest and the other two will start pre-school next week. It's been a wild and crazy summer here. Wild because my kids act like wild monkeys on most days, and crazy because there were days when I needed a stiff drink to make it to the next. We went swimming, fishing, swimming, the gym, fishing, swimming, and ran errands. The kids fought like wild monkeys on most days and then kissed and made up on the other days. All in all, we had a blast.

Even though my kiddies were gone for two weeks visiting my parents for their annual summer trip, I was not in town for most of that time which means I was not resting or at home pretending Hubby and I were two grown ups with no kids. There were maybe three or four days where I was home and we played grown-ups with no kids. It was fun but the grass is not greener on the other side, as they say. The house was too quite and it felt empty. It was an interesting experience considering we don't know what it's like to be a married couple without kids. We got pregnant six months after we got married and during that time I was in my third year of law school studying and tied down to that. So although this was a small tiny taste of what life without kids would be like, I can't imagine my life without my three babies. They complete me and Hubby.

On one of my trips I went to help my cousin who just had her first baby. She was having problems nursing so off I went to the rescue. For three nights and four days, I played the lactation nurse and by the time I left, that baby was sucking the life out of mama. I left feeling proud of myself, don't ask me why. Maybe what Nanny Joe feels like when she leaves a family. It also reminded me of just how much work a newborn baby is. PHEW!! When you are wrapped up in the moment, it's a lot of work yes, but you don't have a second to really stop and think about how much work it really is. My cousin's husband works in the hotel industry so he was at the hotel the three nights I was there. I ended up "co-sleeping" in the room with my cousin and her baby so I was up for all the feedings, helping to burp, change the diapers, etc. I guess I was the baby daddy for those three days (ha, ha). Anyhow, when I returned home, I passed out and slept for 11 straight hours. I don't think I even moved at all. I can't remember the last time I slept for 11 straight hours, college maybe? After a long night partying, I mean studying for an exam.

Anyhow, I was happy to help my cousin because she is like an older sister to me. During her pregnancy I did my best to offer her advice and of course, now I'm here for her and the baby.

Well, good-bye summer, hello another school year. I'll have to post pictures of us fishing which most people have hard time believing that Justice Jones fishes. Oldest and I actually really enjoy it. I hope everyone's summer ends on a great note!

*UPDATED* Summer Review #2 & Giveaway: BK Fresh Apple Fries

Congratulations to A Shorter Mama and "cpullum"! They both will be receiving BK Crown Cards worth $10 each. Stay tuned for the next MamaLaw giveaway coming soon...

The fine folks at Burger King sent me their new Fresh Apple Fries (and a fly lunchbag!) to try out and I must say, they were a hit with Chatterbox and Giggles. The "fries" (fresh apples cut into fry shapes) were fresh, crunchy and sweet - so much so, that the girls didn't even bother with the low-fat caramel dipping sauce that came with them. I did try the sauce though and it was quite yummy.

It's about time that moms were offered an alternative to boring, fatty french fries for their kids' meals. In fact, it's gotten so that Chatterbox doesn't even eat the french fries anymore. Of course, a lot of the popular fast food restaurants do offer some substitutions, but I think these BK Fresh Apple Fries are one that the kids will actually eat. Making the thought of yet another drive-thru dinner easier for moms to stomach.

Wanna try out the BK Fresh Apple Fries for yourself? I'm giving away 2 BK Crown Cards worth $10 each, courtesy of the King! Just leave me a comment and I'll announce the winners on Monday 8/4.

Translation: YUMMY.

My Poor Baby!

So yesterday we all went to Delaware for the day since Hubby had a meeting to attend. Things were going swimmingly with me toting all three kids around a new city: we went to the Zoo; made bead necklaces in the park; ate lunch; checked out a toy store, and then...on the way out of the Mall, Giggles slipped and fell and chipped.her.tooth!!!!

Of course she also cut her bottom lip a bit so she was beside herself crying and I was so shaken up when I realized that a piece of her tooth was missing. Anyway, I immediately called the pediatrician who said to call the dentist who said to come in first thing this morning. Giggles was fine after a few minutes, and we left to pick up Hubby from his meeting. And I was dreading having to say: "Hi honey! How did it go? We had a great day. With one little mishap..."

This morning we were at the pediatric dentist bright and early. Giggles was a little scared, but hung in there for an X-ray and mouth exam (all as a result of being bribed with Dora stickers). In the end, the dentist said there had been no permanent damage done and she was fine. The dentist advised against repairing the tooth for aesthetic purposes, because Giggles is so young and will be losing that tooth eventually. Also, she has a fierce thumb-sucking habit which would loosen any filling or cap and could be dangerous. So, my baby will have a chipped smile for the next few years!! I feel so bad, but it could be worse. I felt so guilty, but my mom assured me that there is nothing to feel bad about and that kids break limbs and injure themselves all the time and it's not anybody's fault, it's just being a kid. Intellectually, that makes perfect sense, but seeing her "new" smile...I still can't help feeling bad about it.

FYI: jelly sandals + shiny mall floor tile + active toddler = BAD NEWS!!

Bad Mommy

Am I a bad mom for not correcting Chatterbox when she calls her bathing suit a "babe-ing soups"? It's just so cute that I can't stand to correct her.

Ok, I'll do it next week. I promise.

Well I'll Be.

We actually have tomatoes!

Summer Review #1: Ginger Snaps Baby

Ok, I have to tell y'all about the cutest online gift boutique: Ginger Snaps Baby. What's unique about this boutique is that its products are inspired by children of color, which is so great, because chic baby items made especially for brown babies are rare! No matter what the color of your bambino though, you are sure to find something precious at Ginger Snaps Baby. The owner, Michele Duger, was gracious enough to send me some samples of her products, and they.are.adorable! Really. I'm in love with the Bag ID tags personalized with my girls' names. They are just darling. And, I'm a sucker for stationery, so I was tickled pink to receive some personalized notecards in a pretty and stylish print. With matching, round, address labels. So cute!

So during your next Windows shopping trip, make sure to check out Ginger Snaps Baby! MamaLaw readers can get 20% off their purchase by entering the coupon code JUSTICE20 at checkout. And, for a limited time, you'll receive free address labels with the purchase of personal note cards.

Enjoy!

*By the way, this might go without saying, but this and forthcoming product reviews are entirely unpaid (but for the free samples) and voluntary. Just want to make that clear!*

Okay, now I'm Laughing my A@@ off!!

Two posts from me in one day because the next thing on my to do list today was to order Oldest's school books (after I researched when tax free week was) and this year, we have 11 books to order and the grand total for 11 first grade text books that must be purchased new is ........................
$366.49

Oh, and that doesn't include the cost of shipping.

THIS IS INSANE.

This Sucks

"Unfortunately, the state of Florida will not be offering its usual sales tax free week during 2008. In the past, the sales tax holiday was voted upon in the state legislature, but the measure was not brought up for a vote this year. Should the state of Florida decide to offer a sales tax free week again in 2009, this site will be updated to include those dates."

I look forward to tax free week every year. My single friends enjoy the annual sale at Nordstrom's or things like that, but me, I look forward to the usual week in early August/late July where I can buy all the school uniforms, clothes, and school/office supplies tax free. The savings add up. I haven't heard anything about this year so after Googling it this morning this is what I find. Outrageous! First, I'm forced to decide between buying gas for my car or feeding my family and now this!! What do they mean, "the measure was not brought up for a vote this year"?? At least put it up for a vote and vote no. But to not even put it on the table is insulting. We need our tax breaks!! We need lower gas prices!! I don't want to worry about my 12 MPG vehicle when I'm picking kids up from school and I want to be able to buy fresh fruit and milk for my family without having to pay ridiculous prices for it! I can't wait until November because I am ready for a new administration. Change is coming people.

Okay, back to cleaning the kids rooms before they come back from their trip at the grandparents'. I'll have to update you guys on our summer trip later this week.

Coming Up For Air

Having a newborn in the house has been hectic...fun...but hectic! (Did you catch that Mommy Guilt Reflex?) And so naturally, blogging fell by the wayside. But, things are finally settling down and I'm back on the block. Or blog, as it were. And I have so many things to post about.

First things first - here are some recent photos of my bambino. He's so cute and cuddly, if not a little lacking in the sleeping department (at night anyway).

The other question I get asked the most (after "how's the BABY?!") is "how are the girls adjusting to their new baby brother?" Up until this week I was answering "fine!" or "great!" or "they just adore him!" But for some reason, this week all that changed...I guess they realized that he is here to stay. Giggles started getting unusually whiny last week, but now it's on a whole other level. Everything is grounds for a meltdown: not enough ice in her drink; a broken blue crayon; the ending of the Dora episode - you name it. The worst of it though, comes when it's time for the nanny to leave everyday. It's likely because she gets the nanny's undivided attention all day long while evil, old Mom has to constantly nurse, change, and hold that doggone baby. But seriously, Giggle wails and screams and tries to run out the door when the nanny leaves. It was so heartbreaking that the nanny even offered to take Giggles with her for the night. She usually calms down within 15 minutes or so, but it's really nuts.

[And before you start rolling your eyes at me for having a nanny while I'm home - know that I am only home for 3 lousy months on unpaid maternity leave, and will be needing the nanny for the baby once I go back to work, so that's why she's still here. And yes, I am fortunate.]

Then there's Chatterbox. She's really been doing fine until yesterday. Up until then, she has been very helpful with the baby and very loving towards him. But, yesterday the nanny was going to take the girls to the park as she often does, but Chatterbox had her own meltdown! She screamed and wailed that she didn't want to go and that she wanted to stay HOME! WITH! MOMMY! And then proceeded to dramatically change her mind three more times. She ended up staying with me and we made cupcakes for the neighbors together. It was fun. And I could tell she was happy. (I suspect Giggles was happy too, to have the nanny all to herself at the park.) And so all's well that ended well.

And I imagine the adjustment to the new baby will take some time. My "Mom to 3" advisors (Justice Jones and my SIL) have told me that the transition will not be easy and that the best thing I can do is spend one-on-one "Mommy Time" with each of them indivudally. I've already started doing this and am looking forward to next week when the girls' gymnastics classes start. They are going to be in different classes on different days and so we'll be able to talk in the car, to and from the class, and maybe we'll go to lunch afterwards or something like that, just the two of us. Giggles' class is a "Mommy and Me" class, so that will be even more great.

And right on cue, the Babe is whimpering for me through the baby monitor, so that ends my blogging time for today. See you next time on the New Adventures of Old Justice Fergie.

This season's gonna be good.

Sometimes you just need to laugh

I worked about 12 hours today and it was crazy hectic. Anyway, I got home tonight and DD and her dad are out painting the town blue. So I have the house to myself - yeah!!! I flipped through the channels and low and behold I find my absolute favorite show in the world - "The Cosby Show". I watched this episode tonight and it really took the edge off - and it made me realize just how important it is to get a good laugh. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFY0HBkUm8o

Also....here's my favorite episode - The Gordon Gartrell shirt - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crnPfls0fHw