I know I am over-reacting (because that is what I do) and this is going to sound really ridiculous, but is it possible for a 6-month-old to already show signs of no coping skills (or the lack thereof)? OMG - it sounds even more ridiculous now that it's out in the open as opposed to the question flowing repeatedly in my head (:::wants to hit backspace key so bad:::).
Seriously, though, what is the deal with this little one getting SO frustrated over the smallest things?
1. Her toy was in front of her, but she couldn't reach it - freaked out.
2. She couldn't get a ball into her mouth because it was too big - really freaked out.
3. Picked up a plastic ring and, well... - REALLY, REALLY, REALLY freaked out.
I've googled "Baby Coping Skills" and it's probably the first time in my lifetime that I can barely find any topics. That should ease my mind, right? No. I still need answers. Please.
That's your cue...please email me or post your comments! What's your experience with babies getting frustrated like this? I'm assuming it's normal, but I need some reassurance, please!
Good night.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
6-Month Check-Up, Constipation, Fever, Colds...Oh My!
Dear Katie,
My dear, you have had a rough week (and, so has your mommy, but that doesn't count!). You kicked off the week with your first real experience with constipation. No poop for 4 days, and then thankfully - before Mommy had to go buy/insert suppositories - you cleared out your system (and blew through a couple outfits - no pun intended).
Yesterday, on my Wonderful Wednesday off from work, I took you in for your 6-month check-up. Once again, the doctor declared you were "perfect"! You now weigh 15.13 lbs, are 25 1/4 inches long, and are in the 50th percentile for height/weight and the 90th for your head. Big brains, I am sure! You were great at the appointment, but unfortunately we had to end it with 2 shots in the leg. That moment right there changed the course of our happy day.
I'd say from there on out, until 5:00 this morning, I saw a different side of you. Cranky, tired, fussy, irritable and sometimes just downright angry. Almost.all.day.long.
You practically fell asleep during dinner (this was after you dramatically made gagging noises when I tried feeding you avocado), started to doze off in the bathtub when I was washing your hair, and had a complete meltdown when I was getting you dressed. I honestly couldn't get you to bed fast enough and by 6:25, you were out like a light.
I got to spend a pleasant evening eating dinner, playing online, watched TV with Daddy and then hit the sack...only to be woken up an hour later (around midnight) by you not feeling well. It turns out, you finally developed your first fever as a result of the vaccinations, and boy were you upset (and hot!). Poor little munchkin. I don't think I have ever seen you so upset/angry and just downright miserable.
I stripped you down, took your temp (it was mild - 100.1), gave you Tylenol and then rocked you back to sleep. Without going into all of the details, let's just say that Mommy didn't go back to bed until 3:30 this morning because you woke up so many times and only to be woken up again at 5:00 by a little baby who didn't want to go back to bed. Wow.
2.5 total hours of sleep + unhappy baby = very sad/cranky Mommy.
BUT
Very sad/cranky Mommy + Starbucks coffee = energized happy Mommy.
Thankfully, when I picked you up tonight from daycare, you were as happy as could be! Now, please...pretty please, let Mommy and Daddy get some sleep tonight.
Love,
Mommy
My dear, you have had a rough week (and, so has your mommy, but that doesn't count!). You kicked off the week with your first real experience with constipation. No poop for 4 days, and then thankfully - before Mommy had to go buy/insert suppositories - you cleared out your system (and blew through a couple outfits - no pun intended).
Yesterday, on my Wonderful Wednesday off from work, I took you in for your 6-month check-up. Once again, the doctor declared you were "perfect"! You now weigh 15.13 lbs, are 25 1/4 inches long, and are in the 50th percentile for height/weight and the 90th for your head. Big brains, I am sure! You were great at the appointment, but unfortunately we had to end it with 2 shots in the leg. That moment right there changed the course of our happy day.
I'd say from there on out, until 5:00 this morning, I saw a different side of you. Cranky, tired, fussy, irritable and sometimes just downright angry. Almost.all.day.long.
You practically fell asleep during dinner (this was after you dramatically made gagging noises when I tried feeding you avocado), started to doze off in the bathtub when I was washing your hair, and had a complete meltdown when I was getting you dressed. I honestly couldn't get you to bed fast enough and by 6:25, you were out like a light.
I got to spend a pleasant evening eating dinner, playing online, watched TV with Daddy and then hit the sack...only to be woken up an hour later (around midnight) by you not feeling well. It turns out, you finally developed your first fever as a result of the vaccinations, and boy were you upset (and hot!). Poor little munchkin. I don't think I have ever seen you so upset/angry and just downright miserable.
I stripped you down, took your temp (it was mild - 100.1), gave you Tylenol and then rocked you back to sleep. Without going into all of the details, let's just say that Mommy didn't go back to bed until 3:30 this morning because you woke up so many times and only to be woken up again at 5:00 by a little baby who didn't want to go back to bed. Wow.
2.5 total hours of sleep + unhappy baby = very sad/cranky Mommy.
BUT
Very sad/cranky Mommy + Starbucks coffee = energized happy Mommy.
Thankfully, when I picked you up tonight from daycare, you were as happy as could be! Now, please...pretty please, let Mommy and Daddy get some sleep tonight.
Love,
Mommy
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Blog Hoppin'
It's funny - I have been looking for new moms to follow on Twitter recently and have
even been looking for some new blogs to follow, and then I stumbled upon the "Blog Party" tonight while reading one blog I like to check out. Apparently it's an online event that is taking place this week, where you can link up to other blogs and "meet" other bloggers.
So, on that note, let me give you a little background about me (in case anyone except the handful of friends/family who read this are curious)!
My name is Erin. I live in Smyrna, GA and decided to start this blog right after I got pregnant. After struggling to come up with a name, I decided on "Smyrna Baby" - it seemed appropriate since "Smyrnagal" is my user name on a couple different sites I frequent.
We have a 6-month-old baby girl who is just perfect in every possible way. She's so cuddly, sweet as could be and has the funniest personality.
I was one of those crazy pregnant people who didn't find out what we were having. If I had been a betting woman, I would've put down a lot of money on boy odds. A lot. When the doctor announced "It's a girl!" I think I actually questioned her because I was that sure.
So far, I love being a Mom, but honestly could not be a SAHM. For those of you that are, I don't know how you all do it, but I commend you. I feel guilty for wanting to go to work, but that's just my personality. Don't fault me.
I love blogging, I love emailing, I love social networking, I love the Internet. I'm addicted to Twitter and Facebook, and honestly sometimes think I should go to rehab for this addiction.
I could go on-and-on, but that's enough for now. Please leave comments and leave a link to your blog. Like I said, I am looking for more to follow (because, you know, I have all this free time on my hands)...
Grandma Comes to Visit!
Dear Katie,
You have just had a whole slew of visitors lately - Grandma C, Nana S and this weekend Grandma M! How much fun you have had with everyone. Your mommy gets such a kick out of watching you with each person and to see how you "take" to them. Even better, I love how each person gets to see you hit a different developmental milestone. This past weekend, Grandma M got to see you sit up by yourself for the first time! Now, we can't necessarily get up and walk away because I am sure you will just topple over, but you do seem to stay sitting upright by yourself for quite some time!
You and Grandma got to visit the Georgia Aquarium for the first time and you both just loved it! I will say that if we ever decide to go again, we will get there early in the morning. There were just way too many people, but regardless, we had a blast!
Afterward, we took you to see your Great Aunt B. You rolled all over the place, showed everyone how you love to sit up and bounce and we walked around the garden so I could show you all of the flowers.
You'll get to see Grandma M in about 5 weeks and will have to save any new tricks until then...okay?
Love,
Mommy
You have just had a whole slew of visitors lately - Grandma C, Nana S and this weekend Grandma M! How much fun you have had with everyone. Your mommy gets such a kick out of watching you with each person and to see how you "take" to them. Even better, I love how each person gets to see you hit a different developmental milestone. This past weekend, Grandma M got to see you sit up by yourself for the first time! Now, we can't necessarily get up and walk away because I am sure you will just topple over, but you do seem to stay sitting upright by yourself for quite some time!
You and Grandma got to visit the Georgia Aquarium for the first time and you both just loved it! I will say that if we ever decide to go again, we will get there early in the morning. There were just way too many people, but regardless, we had a blast!
Afterward, we took you to see your Great Aunt B. You rolled all over the place, showed everyone how you love to sit up and bounce and we walked around the garden so I could show you all of the flowers.
You'll get to see Grandma M in about 5 weeks and will have to save any new tricks until then...okay?
Love,
Mommy
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
6 Months Old
Dear Katie,
I'm at a loss for words. Today you turned 6 months old. I could have sworn I just wrote about you turning 5 months old, and now here it is already one month later. You've changed so much in the past month. You have started to develop quite the personality and I am fascinated to watch as it continues to change day-by-day.
In the past month, you have hit several milestones. The biggest, I would say, is that you have gone from having no teeth to suddenly having two bottom teeth! WOW! You continue to check out your hands, but suddenly they are not as interesting to you as your feet are. I have noticed just in the past couple of days, that you have started to put your feet in your mouth - primarily when you are laying in your crib.
We have upgraded you from only 1 tablespoon/day of oatmeal to 5-6 tablespoons! Every day, around 11:00-11:30, you have 3 tbs of oatmeal...and, around 6-6:30, you have 2-3 tbs of oatmeal ALONG with a little bit of baby food. This week, we introduced you to green beans, and tonight when you polished off the jar, I brought out a jar of peas. You gobbled them right up! My good little eater! :)
These days, you have little interest in going in your swing, but instead you continue to love to play on your mat and could spend hours bouncing in your jumperoo! Once you got the hang of it, now you want to bounce all of the time!
Another major milestone you hit in the past month is that you now roll over from your back to your stomach - and suddenly you LOVE tummy time! You love it so much that you started sleeping on your stomach two nights ago...and freaked Mommy and Daddy out in the process! But, we've now grown accustomed to this new habit of yours and, personally, I think you sleep better in this position!
6 months...wow...I honestly cannot get over it. You're growing up fast...slow down, will ya?
Love,
Mommy
I'm at a loss for words. Today you turned 6 months old. I could have sworn I just wrote about you turning 5 months old, and now here it is already one month later. You've changed so much in the past month. You have started to develop quite the personality and I am fascinated to watch as it continues to change day-by-day.
In the past month, you have hit several milestones. The biggest, I would say, is that you have gone from having no teeth to suddenly having two bottom teeth! WOW! You continue to check out your hands, but suddenly they are not as interesting to you as your feet are. I have noticed just in the past couple of days, that you have started to put your feet in your mouth - primarily when you are laying in your crib.
We have upgraded you from only 1 tablespoon/day of oatmeal to 5-6 tablespoons! Every day, around 11:00-11:30, you have 3 tbs of oatmeal...and, around 6-6:30, you have 2-3 tbs of oatmeal ALONG with a little bit of baby food. This week, we introduced you to green beans, and tonight when you polished off the jar, I brought out a jar of peas. You gobbled them right up! My good little eater! :)
These days, you have little interest in going in your swing, but instead you continue to love to play on your mat and could spend hours bouncing in your jumperoo! Once you got the hang of it, now you want to bounce all of the time!
Another major milestone you hit in the past month is that you now roll over from your back to your stomach - and suddenly you LOVE tummy time! You love it so much that you started sleeping on your stomach two nights ago...and freaked Mommy and Daddy out in the process! But, we've now grown accustomed to this new habit of yours and, personally, I think you sleep better in this position!
6 months...wow...I honestly cannot get over it. You're growing up fast...slow down, will ya?
Love,
Mommy
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Fernbank Forest
Dear Katie,
Today, you embarked on yet another adventure and this time with your mommy, daddy AND your Grandmother C. This time, we ventured down to "Fernbank Forest" - a place a friend of mine recommended - and walked around the trails for about an hour. According to their website, "Fernbank Forest is a 65-acre tract of relatively undisturbed mature mixed hardwood forest. It is a small remnant of the type of forest vegetation that originally covered the Piedmont region of Georgia, including the Atlanta metropolitan area." As always, you were the perfect angel and just talked and talked, sang, looked around and just enjoyed yourself!
Afterward, we left and headed down to the Decatur Square and had some lunch. Your Grandmother had never been to that part of town, so we thought it would be fun to try something new (and, of course, it was!).
Tomorrow is Mother's Day...my very first Mother's Day. Hard to believe that one-year ago tomorrow, we were driving back from the beach and you were in utero. It will never cease to amaze me at how fast time goes by.
I can't wait to celebrate with you!
Love,
Mommy
Today, you embarked on yet another adventure and this time with your mommy, daddy AND your Grandmother C. This time, we ventured down to "Fernbank Forest" - a place a friend of mine recommended - and walked around the trails for about an hour. According to their website, "Fernbank Forest is a 65-acre tract of relatively undisturbed mature mixed hardwood forest. It is a small remnant of the type of forest vegetation that originally covered the Piedmont region of Georgia, including the Atlanta metropolitan area." As always, you were the perfect angel and just talked and talked, sang, looked around and just enjoyed yourself!
Afterward, we left and headed down to the Decatur Square and had some lunch. Your Grandmother had never been to that part of town, so we thought it would be fun to try something new (and, of course, it was!).
Tomorrow is Mother's Day...my very first Mother's Day. Hard to believe that one-year ago tomorrow, we were driving back from the beach and you were in utero. It will never cease to amaze me at how fast time goes by.
I can't wait to celebrate with you!
Love,
Mommy
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Atlanta Botanical Gardens
Dear Katie,
Yet another Wonderful Wednesday has passed and, of course, we had nothing but a wonderful time! For the second week in a row, it was a girls day - you, me and your Grandmother C. We loaded you up in the car and took you to Einstein Bagels so we could enjoy a (free) bagel/cream cheese and a cup of coffee before venturing off to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. You took a nice little cat nap on the way to Midtown, which put you in the most perfect mood for our 1.5-2 hour stroll through the Gardens. You talked, sang and just looked around at all the pretty flowers. We had such a good time pointing out the roses to you, as well as the shade plants, vegetables and orchids. At the end of our visit, we took you into a beautiful garden, sat on a bench and fed you your lunch. It was perfect, and for some reason a moment I will remember for a long time.
I can't wait to experience more adventures like this with you.
Love,
Mommy
Yet another Wonderful Wednesday has passed and, of course, we had nothing but a wonderful time! For the second week in a row, it was a girls day - you, me and your Grandmother C. We loaded you up in the car and took you to Einstein Bagels so we could enjoy a (free) bagel/cream cheese and a cup of coffee before venturing off to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. You took a nice little cat nap on the way to Midtown, which put you in the most perfect mood for our 1.5-2 hour stroll through the Gardens. You talked, sang and just looked around at all the pretty flowers. We had such a good time pointing out the roses to you, as well as the shade plants, vegetables and orchids. At the end of our visit, we took you into a beautiful garden, sat on a bench and fed you your lunch. It was perfect, and for some reason a moment I will remember for a long time.
I can't wait to experience more adventures like this with you.
Love,
Mommy
Monday, May 3, 2010
Rolling Over
Dear Katie,
These are the times when I wish I were at home with you more. This afternoon, I received a text message from your Grandmother telling me that you have been rolling over from your back to your stomach all afternoon - just back and forth and back and forth.
You did this for your Daddy and me 2.5 months ago, while in Pennsylvania, but you haven't done it since...until today.
Will you please consider doing this new trick of yours for us in the next couple of days? We want to see you accomplish this new milestone and cheer you on!
Love,
Mama
These are the times when I wish I were at home with you more. This afternoon, I received a text message from your Grandmother telling me that you have been rolling over from your back to your stomach all afternoon - just back and forth and back and forth.
You did this for your Daddy and me 2.5 months ago, while in Pennsylvania, but you haven't done it since...until today.
Will you please consider doing this new trick of yours for us in the next couple of days? We want to see you accomplish this new milestone and cheer you on!
Love,
Mama
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