As Promised... Meet Jack :)

Jack O' Lantern that is... Eighty photos later... we finally got some pics of the fang-like teeth :)

and... the trouble maker continues... don't mind the sound of me yapping, one of the videos I try to send to Dave while he's at work- but THIS KID! AHHH! He got his toy stuck on his leg- this went on for a good minute before the video...

Then this past weekend, Dave let him play with his phone- and moments later apparently downloaded a navigation app that costs a bundle every month. 30 minutes later being transferred to 3-4 different customer service representatives before getting it cancelled/removed/credited...

This kid is nuttin' but trouble :)

Wreaking Havoc

The sleep-typing continues... ;) With teeth and/or growth spurts, our boy is still getting up 2-3 times a night, and has definitely not been feeling great. By the time we get somewhat near completion of our chore list, combined with the fact that it's dark by 7 pm now, we're all passing out by 9 pm :) Where on earth do the days go??? I think how I was just writing and posting pictures last week apologizing for taking so long, yet here I am again! I have to laugh thinking it was a year ago sitting in class, trying to plan on the move to Miami, Chase's birth for February, etc., talking about how bored I would be staying at home, not in school... ha! But as my sister clarifies- I create the chaos and projects on my own... perhaps...

But, having extra people around definitely makes things more interesting- and things like reading or taking a bubble bath seem a distant memory. Not complaining- just noting :) So last Monday my sister wanted to tackle the giant that is Ikea. She was looking for a computer desk and a couple other things- and man- it takes so much energy to gear myself up for that. However, Chase had fun- the carts move in such funky ways that we played "race car" throughout most the store... before you knew it, by the time we got home, Monday was nearly over. Saturday she conned me into garage sale-ing... but totally worth it for all the "big boy" toys for pennies! We had visits with and to family all week, and plenty more to plan on for next week.... 

I also wanted to try to spend some quality time with Kaely since I haven't had the time/energy/patience lately... so we went out the other day, let her have $2 to spend at Bath & Body Works (she loves the hand sanitizer stuff), used a coupon I had for a free travel item, and she was peachy. She had to show off her new boots too- all prepared for fall/winter- give her another year or so and I'll be able to steal her shoes- sweet!

To finish her "to-do list" we had her social studies project, plus some more decorations to do. She also braved a trip to Publix with me on the bike the other day while Chase hung out with his aunt... it was kind of interesting traveling with groceries... next time I'll try to remember not to pick up bags of potatoes and canned goods. Whoops.

Also had to finish up the pair of shoes for Chase's "Aunt" Jen for her Halloween costume- these things took forever!!! I think the time I may normally try to read or even (gasp!) nap would be spent then, but that's okay- it was a lot of fun in the long run... crazy!

Thanks to the ongoing Presidential Debate stuff, I missed out on the one or two shows I wanted to watch Thursday night- instead ended up watching some new show that premiered, and in the process, fell in love with this dress the character wore... remembered I had a similar dress project I started 2 years ago, but was tucked away, so pulled it all out, and am starting on that again. Ahhhh, and changed the "middle room" around once again- was so excited about getting a small desk at Ikea to put my sewing machine on, organized all my sewing/craft/paint/etc stuff... Poor Dave- but at least the room is being utilized! 

The boy continues to get into everything- the need for additional baby-proofing is apparent- so he gets trapped while I'm trying to cook or clean in the kitchen. Yesterday we split the chores- I wanted to tear up the yard (eventually we'll be putting new sod down), but I also wanted to make this recipe that was emailed last week - Emeril's Pumpkin & Sage lasagna... Due to the random ingredients, the cost, etc- I procrastinated- but my sister insisted. I love to cook- really- but this recipe took me from around 9am until around 3pm before it was done. Seriously. I am sure there had to be quicker ways, but real pumpkin takes forever to prep, plus all the other things I didn't think about... but... it was pretty darn good. 

As always, it amazes me that it's Monday morning, and I was so swamped last week, but am not entirely sure what all we did. LOL. I have tried getting a good picture of Chase's jack-o-lantern look - with his top tooth almost all the way down, and his other top tooth still trying to cut through (it's been pressing against his gums, nearly transparent for almost a week)- causing all sorts of havoc. The look, though, is priceless. I'll get it sometime soon, I swear! Hopefully this week will be a little calmer, but with Kaely's field trip and fall festival at school, I doubt it :) It's okay though- never a dull moment!

Nature of Relationships

Ahhhh... reminds me of premarital counseling (Hi Jay!)... first and foremost survival tool? Communication! I've been realizing lately  how our methods of communicating have to evolve as we get older. Not just marriage/romantic relationships, but between our children, adult siblings, parents, and heck, even our pets :) As I realized this weekend, sometimes it's hard when interacting with siblings, to remember that we are grown adults with children of our own, and you'd think that the same old arguments over who has to unload the dishwasher wouldn't exist. Or to be able to talk about things without the same sarcasm, joking, or competitive manner that we did as kids. Huh. Definitely a work-in-progress in order to evolve!

My sister was brave (crazy) enough to volunteer to walk the dogs with two babies the other morning- and as much as I love our dogs, I am NOT the Dog Whisperer, and they are not always on their best behavior, so I have to say communication was key in this situation as well. Surprisingly, they all behaved and no one came back crying :)

We decided to spike the hair for fun yesterday- and the different looks I got from Chase had me cracking up... the way he interacts with everybody- each individually and uniquely- always makes me take a step back and appreciate how early relationships develop. You can even see in the pics how Nathan is open and curious, trying to touch and discover... where as Chase looks (glares) and is territorial (get off my toys!)... ha!

The rest of my observations were with family at brunch... my baby brother & his girlfriend, my sister and her guy, my other sister & Nathan, Dave and Chase, me and Chase, the three of us, all of us with Mom, etc... like a flip of a switch we each interact differently- even in subtle ways- and I can't help but be entertained :)

Family!

Worst Sound In The World- Updated

Many months ago I commented on "the worst sound in the world" (movie reference, Dumb and Dumber), but referring to my nephew's scream. UGH.

However, not to be outdone, Chase has found a sound far worse- and that happens to be thanks to his teeth. Grinding his teeth. Sure, reading it, it doesn't seem so bad- but sitting there hearing him doing it? OMG. Chills up my spine, and I immediately yell at him to stop. His mouth is all pucker in a way as he's doing it to those brand new top teeth... and he just looks at me all serious, cocks his head to the side, then smiles... and does it again.

I did research some, and apparently it's all common and not to be concerned about- that he's just trying to adjust to the feeling of the teeth and all, but man. It sucks.

Oh well, I also realized I needed to get on board with trying to brush his teeth/gums now- I mean, I guess we should've done it from the start with the other teeth- but- whoops. Just not something I thought about as I collapse into bed at night, exhausted from the day. We walked down the baby aisle looking for some food and lotion, when I saw our selection and remembered I'd been meaning to get him his own toothbrush & toothpaste. So I debated between the kind you slip on your finger or a regular- infant/toddler toothbrush. The thought of being bit made me lean towards the regular kind, and ultimately I held the packages up to Chase and let him decide :)

So brushing an infants teeth is more difficult than it seems, because all he wants to do is grab the brush and chew on the thing- but, hey, one step at a time :)

Will Walk For French Bakery

Oh my... YUM. I have decided I am all about the French diet. No, I am not applying to be a poster child for a healthy diet- but more about enjoying all foods in moderation.

I decided to walk to Publix after dropping off Kaely today, so the 2 miles each way, and noticed that the French Bakery was open (it's been in the process of opening for months now)... so after our grocery shopping I stopped in. I heard the choir angels start singing- they have a clear window so you can see the bakers doing their magic, all the fresh baked croissants, choquettes (my new favorite!OMG), baguettes, petites, etc... I stood there in awe. On top of it, they were sampling cheesecake, the petites, and beverages. I was one happy camper. I have decided that making that walk and going to the bakery are going to be a weekly tradition. LOVE IT.

A very crazy week as always over here, with teething madness continuing (the stinkin' tooth on the top right now), and some scares next door, and insane weather, and Halloween decoration making, etc etc etc- nothing new essentially. Looking forward to a quiet evening- oh wait- babysitting- crap. Okay, that time may never arrive... at least they're cute :)

Chase getting into everything of course, and then movie night ended up in my bed :/

Teething Tablets

Hello controversy.

The past couple weeks with Chase's top teeth coming in have been pretty rough- and waaaayyy slow-going compared to his bottom teeth, which seemed to break the gums overnight and that was it. This? A much longer process. So I decided to do the "teething tablet" route like I did with Kaely- and didn't think twice. Well, that's not true, when I saw the price tag I thought twice, three- four times... but ultimately I figured if they work, it's totally worth it.

Then, Dave mentioned how he seemed to act "loopy" (insert a couple different words there) within moments off taking them. Getting the giggles, constantly bending backwards to be upside-down, etc. At the after-babyshower-party, one of the girls took a look at the bottle and joked about the ingredients being a derivative of poppies (so to speak, lol)... so when Chase started acting "loopy" again Sunday night, I took a look at the ingredients myself. Noticed "belladonna" was listed, and it rang a faint bell, I just couldn't remember why. Turns out, it was in a movie, someone was poisoned with it. Hmmmm- definitely triggered some further digging. There are so many controversial reports on this stuff- and here it is as a recommended remedy for babies! So frustrating. I mean, it's been used as a sedative, for colic, for pain relief for sciatica, nerve pain, etc, etc, etc...

After doing more research, Hyland's (the manufacturer) states that their tablets contain 0.0000000000002 mg of Belladonna alkaloids (the part responsible for adverse effects) per tablet. Whereas medicinally prescribed Belladonna is upwards of 2-5 mg per dose- many thousands of times the amount. So, yes, accidental overdoses would have to be extreme (multiple bottles worth at once) to have a full dose- buuuuuttttt... if it's this minute, why bother putting it in? Just wondering....

That being said, I decided to ask our pediatrician (of 7 1/2 years) what her thoughts were (a little late for Kaely- sorry!), and she just kind of laughed. Not in a derogatory way, but that as long as used as intended, and if they work magic on Chase, to go for it. She said she still recommends Tylenol and such primarily- since homeopathic remedies can be a little inconsistent. Buuttt... I guess I will keep the tablets as my backup plan now. Still a little unsure- but, hey, grandparents used whiskey on the gums- and I know I don't agree with that. Orajel can be dangerous as well, complicating breathing and all... sooooo... crap.

Oh well.

As far as Chase's 9 month check-up weigh in- he's the same weight pretty much from the other day- about 18 1/2 lbs, and 27" long. He's still on the lower end of the growth charts- but consistent in his growth- obviously the kid is not under-nourished. His sister also had her 7 year checkup, and she was in the same - about average for height, and in the 'teens for weight. She's at 47 lbs and 48"- sadly that's only 13" away from my height- I am fairly confident that she will outgrow me by middle school :/ Hmmm.

Well, not many pics the past day or so, but did think this one at the doctor's office was kinda funny. I was trying to catch a pic while he was falling, holding onto the toy for dear life :)

YAY!

We woke up yesterday to Chase clapping... I know most babies do this at some point, but as many times as we've played Patty Cake, or If You're Happy and You Know It... it was fun to see! So all day we clapped and responded with YAY! He's also been "talking" a lot more... with the ddddsssh (thinking this is usually for the dogs)... and dadada (duh)... bababa (ummm- no clue)... still no mama though :/ Oh well! 

Just a moment of non-teething madness to share :)