Squirmer

I hadn't posted in such a long time and only because time gets away.  I do think about you all the time and I do regret not documenting it.  I might go back but I'll start with today.  You are 8 months or more and we saw you today with your parents and your Dad's parents at Amaya's.  We had already eaten and I only wanted to see you because it had been over a week and I don't like going too long without seeing you.  I was going to hold you while everyone ate.  I had to say it is hard to hold you cuz you do squirm like crazy.  Your mom did the same maybe worse.  You want to see everything in the restaurant and you want to do everything, but mostly you wanted to teethe on the high chair.  I only had eyes for you and I realized I wasn't paying attention to anyone else.  Your mom ordered you guacamole and charro beans.  Not exactly something I would consider baby food.  You loved the guac but I think the charro beans were spicy, but you mom said you could eat them. You finished all your guac and ate just some beans that your grandpa Jeff smashed for you.   I should mention some things you are doing now.  You can stand on your own and you can crawl like crazy.  You love to jump and it seems you dance to music.  Your dad lifted your arm and tickled your armpit and you laughed and smiled and it made us all laugh.  You are so cute and I just want to squeeze you.  I sometimes wish you could stay a baby but I know that every stage will be wonderful.

Holding your bottle and feeding yourself

I went to help your Dad out by taking care of you while he ran errands on my day off Friday, August 12.  You are about 4 and a half months old.  Your Dad mentions that you can hold your own bottle now.  When I go to feed you, I hold the bottle in front of you and you reach with one hand and then the other and you aim the nipple straight to your mouth.  WOW!  I am dumbfounded.  You have actually observed, and deduced what that object is for. 

Later your Mom and I make sweet potato for you.  It is your first time for that.  I believe you had carrot before.  When she goes to feed you you are not sure but you seemed to love the taste.  As she goes to put more in your mouth, you grab the spoon and put it directly in your mouth.  Your Mom has to wrestle it out from your hands.  Then again as she gets more and goes to your mouth, you grab the spoon and feed yourself.  So, all she does is load the spoon and hand to you.

Peed and pooped in potty!

Your mother texted me this week so excited.  It seemed that after she feed you in the morning, she placed you on the potty and you peed and pooped.  She was so proud and wanted us to share in that pride.  I thought it grand but I don't know if you will put two and two together.  The next day you did the same thing and she sent a photo commemorating the whole thing.  Who knows if she can actually get you potty trained??

Our Friday night treat!

Your mom texts that if we want to see you and of course we hurry over after work.  They are friends over and you are in the center of the table with them all looking at you.  We join in and you are very happy to see us (or so it seems).  Your mom says that if we want to bathe you and put you to sleep.  Of course we do.  You now want to play with your toys in the water.  Not so long ago, (a few weeks) we just put you in and washed you and out you came.  Now, we let you play and play and you are over everywhere trying to get the toys that are so elusive.  I rock you to sleep and sing you my silly songs.  You cry because you are so tired and are fighting it, but soon you give in.  I make sure you are good and asleep and your grampa comes and helps me lower you onto your crib so that I don't drop you in it like last time (I forgot to mention that).  You don't even wake this time and I pat you a feww times for good measure.  Your mom has left with the friends to hear some music, but your Dad has a headache and wants to watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.  We leave you after I check you one more time.

Back from vacation to Colorado

We got to see you a bit on Saturday when we got back.  I think your mother liked the bicycle patterned dress and bloomers and the hair band that we got you.   We missed you so much.  When we saw you on Sunday, July 31st, you kept wanting to see me.  Your mother was feeding you and you would stop to find me and then feed a bit more, then stop again to find me, then feed some more then stop once more to find me.  Your mother had to say " Jackie, focus!"  I had to get out of sight so you could finish eating.  The other thing you are doing is talking.  I always say "I love you", and it seems you are trying to mimic me.  You say "I" and then baby babble. It is so cute that I will have to record it soon.

Your grandpa and I love giving you a bath!

Must see you before vacation

We over to see you after we got back from Corpus and my sister's 50th wedding anniversary party and my mother's birthday on July 17th.  We go on vacation on the 23rd and I knew that we needed to see you before being away from you for so long.  We didn't stay long because you had to sleep, but I noticed that you are starting to push off if raised to a standing position.  You will be wanting to stand soon.

Reaching out

So when we saw you on Sunday, July 10th, you were into grabbing my arms when I tried to change your diaper.  The when I pulled my camera out to take your picture, you grabbed my arm.  So I videoed you doing that.  You are getting so big and I marvel that you look so different every time we see you.  Sometimes you look different from picture to picture. 

These two photos were taken the same day.

Our first all day and two surprises

It's Saturday, July 2nd and Mom needs to go on her bike ride (to Kyle and back, roughly over 3 hours) and your Dad needs to take Samson to get his shots.  Grampa and I bounce out of bed and head on over; get there by 8:20 so no sleeping in for us. We don't care because we get to spend some time with you and we love you so.  There's a poopy diaper and then a bath and lotion and loving and soothing and feeding and rocking and, of course, lots of singing on my part.  You are still wanting to chew on things and you are a bit more droolly.  So, I suspect, teething is definitely here.  I see you sucking on the stuff animals but the teething rings are too big and too cold for now.

Your mom comes back from her ride and mentions that you are turning over and have we seen it.  No, but we will...  Your Mom and Dad go off to celebrate Grant's birthday with tacos and we get to stay some more.  Yay!  Sure enough, we do see you turn but your arm is caught under you and you can't get it out so it is not a complete turn.  You do it again to show us!

But the most fun surprise is that when Grampa and I sing "Camp town racetrack" you actually start to giggle.  We are in heaven to see you smile and laugh.





Your parents like to put you in the seat that bounces and has rings that dangle from it.  You are now pulling on those rings and entertaining yourself. 

First signs of teething

So, it's Friday night, June 24th and according to your parents you have had a rough day, inconsolably crying off and on all day. So we are called to give your parents a respite.  You are probably starting to teethe.  I notice that you are chewing on the pacifier.  When we can't figure out how to comfort you, we resort to the Tylenol that they left us with.  It does the trick and you go to sleep while I sing and sing.  I am in paradise.

First Father's Day

Coming back from Corpus and we had to see you.  Your Mom had you strapped in your swing and I had to hold you and change your diaper of course.  Your other grandparents were there so we just stayed for a bit.

Saturday night visit

So, your Mom asked if we wanted to see you.  I had to work that day, Saturday, June 11th.  I said we could go after we had dinner.  She said fine since they were at Maudie having dinner with friends.  So we were to go over after we left Mr. Natural.  But when we got there, they were not there yet.  It turns out they were having a good time with friends at Maudies.  That's okay because I had just gotten a hearing amplifier for your great-grand father that I wanted to give him for Father's day and I wanted to try it out.  You were awake when they brought you home and you were happy.  Your Mom said you needed a bath since you were sweaty.  So Grampa Jeff and I did the honors.  It's so much fun.  We put your clothes on and then remembered that we were supposed to put lotion on you. So we just did your arms and legs and opened the bottom of your onesie and did you tummy.  Your parents then went to take the dogs out and we were left with a bottle of water to give you if you got hungry.  We did the water after a bit but it seemed you were gulping it too fast and choked a bit.  I just walked you around the kitchen and you seemed so interested in the spices above the stove.  Jeff opened a few of the bottles to let you smell.  You seemed interested in the different scents.  I tried to put you to sleep after you Mom came back to nurse you but you weren't having it.  Refusing a rest.  Your Mom had to wrap you up in your swaddler.  We left shortly thereafter.  It seem that you are chewing on your pacifier.  You could be teething early.  Grampa took a lot of pictures.  I'll post one here soon.

A Wild Friday Night

So your Mom asked us to babysit and that we had to get there as soon as before 7 PM; since they were due at Seth's at 7.  So, we can home from work and boogied over there.  She fed you much too quickly because they had to finish a pear ? salad and dressing.  We had to help in making the dressing.  You were okay for a while in your vibrator swing.  We gave you another bath which went pretty well.  You seemed to like it or at least not mind.  I loved putting baby lotion on you and giving you a massage.  Then you got fussy and actually led out very very loud ear piecing wails.  It was the absolute loudest you have ever been.  We couldn't calm you down.  I thought maybe you needed more milk but you didn't want it and you were very stuffy.  Grandpa tried to get it out with the bulb syringe.  You were so mad and unhappy and I hated to see you like that.  Finally you slept but when I tried to put you down, you cried again.  You seem to like the kitchen in particular the stove and all its accoutrements. Then it seemed that you might be hungry again, so Grandpa warms up your bottle again.  This time you do take it and almost finish it.  I like that when you are finished, you really don't allow me to give you more.  Then it's play time.  I put you in your little bed on top of the rolling ottomon and scooted you around.  You seemed to like it.  We played with you for a while.  You being fascinated with lights in the kitchen.  When you started rubbing your eyes, I knew it was time to go down.  You did sleep like a baby in my arms.  Then Mom came and decided she wanted to feed you.  I said but she just ate 45 minutes ago and she put you in your crib and turned on your mobile.  She said she wanted to wake you to feed you but I said no.  I told her to pump instead. Ha.  Anyway, we left at that point....so who knows what happened.  She did say that maybe she shouldn't have eaten so much ice cream.  Maybe that why you were so stuffy and miserable.

More updates

I actually filmed you smiling. You had been smiling and I grabbed my phone, just hoping that you would oblige me with a smile....32 seconds in; you did.  I have played over many times and my heart leaps.  This happened when your parents left me with you on my day off: April 15th.

Your Aunt Rachel came to visit you on April 23rd.

The next day we went to see you and you played and played.  I showed you how to stick your tongue out.  Too funny.  You are losing your hair all over finally...but, your eyelashes have popped out.

On April 30th, you go to see you but you just sleep.  I take a quick picture of you sleeping. You look like Jabba the Hut.  Well-fed you are!  We didn't stay long since your Ramirez grandparents were there.

We go see you on May 1st and get to stay with you while your Mom goes to visit a friend.  But again you just sleep.

On May 8, we came back from Corpus for Mother's Day and your Mom took us to Mueller Cafe.  That was our first outing with you but you slept the whole time.  We watched you at the cafe while your parents shopped.

Your great-grand mother Yo came to town.  You, your Mom, GG Yo, and I went to eat at Thai Cuisine.  I regret not taking a picture of the four generations.  I did take a picture of you in your carrier sleeping as usual.

May 15th was a great day.  You are awake and playful and your parent's leave to go to the grocery store and we get to feed you a bottle for the first time.

We are asked by your Mom to meet her at the rec center. She has to work and we are to take care of you.  She rushed feeding you and you had not gotten enough.  You started to cry and we couldn't warm your bottle in the bathroom since there was no hot water.  You screamed and your Mom came running to feed you.  We felt like we failed her but it wasn't really anyone fault since we just couldn't get your bottle warmed.  Live and learn.  But you were happy for a while....

And you took a cute picture with your tongue out to show Aunt Rachel.

Your parents went to a bar-b-que on May 28th and we got you for 6 hours that included 3 feedings.  We didn't have the right nipple to the right bottle and we ended up with spilled milk.  We couldn't figure out how much to feed you.  We tried to make you wait three hours but you cried and had to suck on my hand for about 30 minutes.  Your grandpa Jeff and I were felt miserable because we made such a mess and you cried so long.  Your parents said that we should have fed you more and that we shouldn't have made you wait so long.  Live and learn.  But there were some good times in there too.  We will get better at this.

On Memorial Day, May 30th, your parents decided to go to the movies.  We're ready to get back in the saddle again.  This time we use the right bottle and nipple and the feedings (2) go well and we get to give you a bath!  I'll have to post that picture next time since it is still in the phone. 

And here is that picture.

Crawfish reaction

So, according to your Mom you broke out in a rash after she ate crawfish on Saturday.  By the time I saw you on Friday, it looked pretty bad.  Your eye was even crusted.  By your parents assured me was getting better.  I got to carry you outside and we took a stroll about 1/2 mile.  Your Mom had Max and Sampson.  On Sunday, we went to take your parents the Baby Shusher.  You slept the whole time even though they kept saying it was past your feeding time.  I got to hold you, though. First picture is from Sunday, April 3rd.  Second picture is from Friday, April 8th, after the rash. 

Update to now

We went everyday to see you, Jackie, at the hospital.  We came home and sleep only 4 hours from 5:30 to 9:30.  Your mom wanted us to come back because your Dad had left to go home for a bit.  We jumped out of bed and hurried out as fast as we could.  So we were there Tuesday March 22, 23, 24.  On Friday, your Ramirez grandparents were coming to help get your home.  I was very sick that day.  Maybe I just let my self succumb to  being very tired.  Grandpa Jeff did go to work.  I knew you were in good hands with your Ramirez grandparents. 

On Saturday, March 26, your Mom texted wondering if we were coming over.  "Wanna come see the baby today?"  I replied "Yes, can we?  Maybe when we head that way for lunch...Mr. Natural."  She said "Sure".  I said "What time is best?"  She replied, "whenever.

The next day was Easter Sunday.  We ate at Cool Beans and then went over.  Your mom asked about where were yours and hers Easter baskets.

On Thursday, March 31st, your Mom texted "When are you coming to see her again?"  I wrote "We can be there tomorrow night as well as Saturday and Sunday. We'll babysit if you need a break."

She replied "come tomorrow.  And Saturday Irma will be here-but we want to go to a Craw fish boil around 4.  Can you come and help Irma?"  I said "Sure!"   On Friday, April 1st , I texted "We are on our way to your house" at 7:23 PM after eating at Tino's.  Your mom answered "OK"

So, we went over on Saturday, April 2nd and help your grandmother Irma watch you from 3 PM to about 7PM.  You did some crying and it hurts when I can't help.  I will get better learning what to do.  Irma seems more skilled than me.

Today, we went over and Irma was by herself with you. Your parents had gone to the store to exchange your baby

bath. You did do a lot more crying.  I changed a poopy diaper or two.  I stressed about your crying but you did calm down.  You like being held by your chin and your bottom like I saw that Californian Dr. do.  Your grandpa Rudy and grandmother Estrella came by too.  We left shortly there after. 

You are changing more and more.  You are almost two weeks and can sleep 5 hours straight.  I think it is great!  You do have some problem with colic and your mom is giving you drops for it.  I know you will get better and better and not hurt so much and cry so much.  It amazes me that all 3 dogs (Sampson, Max, and Pepper) can bark and you don't wake up. 

The beginning

Jackie was born on March 22, 2016 at 3:25 AM by emergency C-sec.  I was worried, very, very worried.  It was surreal.  One moment just Nadia; then another human being. A very tiny one.  Jackie, my heart!