5-month Check-Up

Got two more shots. One prick in the thigh and one oral. Took them like a champ again.
Weight: 15.5 lbs (20th percentile)
Height: 26.5 inches (70th percentile)
Head size: 42 cm (20th percentile)

Sleep update

So Mom and Dad  decided to start this sleep training now because Mom is going back to work full time on Oct. 4. They really, really want me to get on a regular schedule that includes crib sleeping before she turns me over to a new caregiver.

Here is the sleep training update (I look tired don't I?):
Day 2: 2 naps in crib, fell asleep by myself after crying for while… progress
Day 3: good night of sleep. Slept from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. in my crib with one break to eat… more progress
Day 4: 2 naps in crib, on the second one, cried for 40 minutes then fell asleep and slept for 2 hours. Might be learning.

Sleeping Training 101

I thought we had a nice little thing going, but apparently Mom and Dad have had enough of my inconsistent sleeping at night. We were on a steady routine of me getting up in the middle of the night to nurse and then refusing to return to my crib. When all else failed, I would get to snuggle up in my swing set up in my parents’ bedroom and finish the night swaying back and forth.

According to M&D, there were two problems with this. 1, they were tired of interrupted sleep and 2, I’m getting close to outgrowing that swing. A close third problem was that I never napped in my crib. I mean that’s just a crazy idea, right?

Enter radical shock therapy.

Sleep training 101 began with two attempted naps in my crib. I cried for an hour or more both times without a wink of sleep. Good times.

We went to dinner that night with my buddies Roy and Winston and I was so tired I fell asleep at the table. So embarrassing.

However, when we got home I went to bed with a just tiny peep. My parents checked on me a few times in the night and found me spun in a different direction each time, finally resting with my stuffed hippo in the corner.

I got up in the middle of the night again, but they forced me back into the crib after a feeding. More howling, but eventually sleep. This could take awhile.

Food for the Lil Dude

Today was an interesting day. Mommy tried to give me my first food. Mommy pureed a few different vegetables and thought she’d see what I thought of them.

I have to admit that I’ve been showing a lot of interest in food and drinks lately. If somebody’s holding me and they put something in their mouth… I’m jealous and reaching for it.

Classic grass is greener scenario… I wasn’t fond of the jive Mommy was serving me. She started with sweet potatoes and I’m not a fan. Up next was carrots… reaction was lukewarm I’d say. I didn’t refuse the carrots, but I’m not sure I “liked” them either.

Give me a cheeseburger or pizza… enough of this veggie mush already.

Baptism into Christianity

“Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
MARK 10:14

As big as yesterday was in life’s rite of passages, today was much, much bigger. Let’s keep things in perspective here.

Today, I was baptized into the Christian faith at our church Good Shepherd Lutheran. Apparently Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist like a few weeks ago or something, so I figured… if it’s good enough for J.C., it’s good enough for me.

Lots of family in attendance Sunday, including Nana and Papa Herb, Gigi and Rico Stach, Pam Stach and of course Whitney and Brett. Whitney is one of my godparents along with Uncle Tim and Aunt Roxanne Dixon. Sadly, they couldn’t make it, but they were there in spirit. We missed them, but they were mentioned during the ceremony and I know they’ll help raise me spiritually.

Since I’m totally conditioned to water these days – thanks to my swim lessons – this little head sprinkling was no big deal. Whitney held me during the ceremony and Pastor Tim Nybroten (family friend) performed the ceremony. No crying out of me… just Mommy (what’s new, right?).

Mommy and Daddy hosted a little brunch/Packers watch party afterwards for the group. Green Bay 34, Buffalo 7.

All in all, a great day and it feels great not to be a heathen anymore. I kid.

We celebrated the Baptism by taking Whitney and Brett to their first Brewers game at Miller Park (against the Reds). Complete with tailgate, football in the parking lot and box seats behind the plate, we had a blast. Not sure when I’ll get to try my first brat… but I was drooling over the cheddarwursts today.

The game didn’t go as well (lost 5-2) for the home squad as my first Brewers game, but we still had fun. Nice to spend the extra time with Auntie Big Dub.

Baptism into Bucky

Huge weekend for ole T-Clay. Double baptism if you will. First, my baptism into the church of Bucky on Saturday and then baptism into the church of Christ on Sunday.

Equally important rites of passage my Dad jokes. I think.

We had a big group going to the game. I rode on Mommy in the Bjorn and was flanked by Whitney and Brett, Nana and Papa, Gigi and Rico and Pammie. Daddy said he couldn’t sit with us. Something about sidelines and work. Sorry excuse if you ask me.

Things started out quite positive. We took in some of the tailgating flavor and then marched into Camp Randall with high hopes – both for the Badgers (playing Arizona State) and my attention-span.

I made it approximately one quarter before I decided I had had enough of this action. I was taking everything in, taking a particular interest in the many Badger-shaped hats and the occasional cheesehead. It’s a good thing I like the color red, because man there was a lot of it.

I actually did just fine with the noise (thanks Mom for the hand earmuffs). In fact, I fell asleep. Wisconsin was down 7-3 after the first quarter and by the time it reached 10-3, I was done. I didn’t want the Badgers to lose because I was at my first game. That’s a huge burden for my seven-inch shoulders.

Not sure what woke me from my slumber – could have been the wave going around – but I was NOT happy to be awake. The good news was the Badgers were leading 13-10, but that just wasn’t enough. I was passed around like an offering plate at church, but nobody could settle me down.

Finally Mom and I had to go in and watch the second half on TV in Daddy’s office. I ate and took a nap under the conference table… probably the same thing Dad does all day at work.

It made me feel better, but Mom and I missed a great game. The Badgers held on for a 20-19 win when Jay Valai blocked a late extra point.

We met up with the clan afterwards for the fifth quarter and that was more my speed. I can get down with the Chicken Dance. Does this mean I’m more inclined to be a trombone player and I am a football player? Hmmm…

Not sure the next time we’ll be going to a Badgers game, but I’m already looking forward to it.

Swimming Lessons 1.0

I can’t remember if I mentioned this earlier, but Mom’s Father’s Day gift to my Dad was swimming lessons for me and him to take together. Well, I think the lessons are mostly for me… he knows how to swim.

You're supposed to be at least five months to enroll but I'm only 4 months and three weeks. Shhh... don't tell. Thanks Mom.

The lessons started tonight at Swim West only a few minutes from my crib (and our house). I’ve been in a swimming pool and lake before, but this was much more intensive water adaptation. The water felt a little chillier than the pool in Florida I went in. Sent a little tingle through me when the water reached my belly for the first time, but I adjusted.

All in all, I loved it. Not a single tear and hardly a fussy face. I took it like a man as Dad likes to say.

We started with a welcome song and then went through stations designed to get me used to the water in different positions. We practiced getting out of the pool and then jumping in, reaching into the water to grab rings and toys, floating and kicking on my stomach and back and the rain station.

I liked them all. Had a little trouble jumping into the pool seeing as though I can’t stand, jump or hold my breath, but I tried. Probably liked the floating on belly and kicking station the best. I didn’t go under water, the rain station on my head was as close as I got. We’ll work up to that.

More singing and water aerobics to end the 30 minute class. Can’t believe how quickly it went.

My buddy Winston is in the class with his Dad Brandon too which is fun. We’ll be racing in no time.