Lilypie First Birthday tickers

Lilypie First Birthday tickers

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Growth Spurts

I am happy to say the 3 month growth spurt is over, for now! Another translation for growth spurt is grumpiness, sleeplessness, and general fussiness.  Cohen has once again returned to sleeping about 7 or more hours a night with a short nap in the morning and late afternoon and a long nap in early afternoon.  He has bounced back, but I don't think Chris or I have.

The biggest news is that Cohen rolled over on his stomach from his back!  He was in the middle of his first play date with his friend Caleb and borrowing his play gym.  Cohen really wanted to see the pictures of the colorful animals on the play gym mat.  He has not shown as much enthusiasm for rolling over since.  I am beginning to think he is rather bored with his play gym and maybe it is becoming too small.  He just lays in the middle of it with his arms spread out daring it to do something interesting and surprise him.  I wish we could buy the one Cohen's friend has that matches his swing, but they are surprisingly expensive!  So, we will probably need to go with the diaper purchase instead.

Cohen is also enjoying TV.  He was very interested in the Presidential address last night and he is also fond of game shows and children's programs.  He sits in his bouncer with his hands propped on his knees and makes occasional, and sometimes often, exclamations at the TV.  If a commercial or something not as colorful comes on, Cohen will lose interest and start to get upset.

Cohen's last chiropractic appointment last week went well. She worked on his neck and right shoulder.  The neck always has a few spots because of trying to hold up his head and all the tummy time and we figure his right shoulder needed work since he prefers to roll on that side.  Otherwise his growth and development looked good!  He is growing so fast!

That's about all.  Chris did get his Vibe, but had to drive a ways to get it.  (Thanks April!)  So now, Cohen and I can get out more!  Although the current gas prices are a major deterrent.  But, we have the option.  So, be looking for us out there! Who knows, we may pull up beside you!  I am getting a little  more brave in venturing out with a baby.  And Cohen is improving on car rides. He plays and occupies himself for a short time.  But, if we hit his cycle wrong, we are sure to have screaming and crying all the way home!

And now for the most current and fashionable pictures:

Not sure about being 14 weeks old

Mooove over world!

With his buddy again

Play date with Caleb

More fun



Cohen can't wait to sit in his Bumbo!

We love his crazy hair!

Pesky bath time

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Talkative, Bath Tub-Hating, NASCAR Enthusiast

That's right. That is where little Cohen is in life these days.  He is growing into such a pint-sized person lately with his own personality, likes and dislikes, and habits.  His latest interest and passion we (and he) have discovered is NASCAR.  Much to Chris's delight, Cohen watched the race with much excitement, attention, and awe for more than an hour the other week.  We put him in his swing facing the race and he was completely mesmerized by the sound and colors and the little cars going round and round the track!  He was also talking non-stop as if to exclaim to us all these things he was seeing.  He wouldn't even look at us or acknowledge us during this time.  So, I went over and recorded this latest hobby of his:


Usually I can't record him or snap pictures of him very easily.  I have been attempting to catch Cohen's smile on camera or camcorder for weeks now and he has that radar that goes off when I am looming with one of them.  When I approach, he immediately stops whatever he is doing and scowls at me with a look on his face that tells me he is not a circus monkey and he will not be cooperating.

The other big deal is trying to get him to take a bath in an infant tub.  He is not having it.  Chris has been humoring me as I attempt different approaches and purchase different styles of tubs, foolishly thinking it will make a difference and he will magically appreciate all of the special features that attracted me to the tub.  I almost made the huge mistake of buying the top of the line "whirl pool" infant bath that was only marginally on sale, but when I was hauling it to the check-out Chris oh-so-calmly asked what kind of batteries it took and read off the box, 10 "C" batteries, I kept on walking back to the shelf.  I think the problem is we were instructed to sponge bathe Cohen longer than usual because of medicine the doctor put in his belly button.  So now, when we lower him gently into a warm just-his-size tub, he screams and flails his arms and legs and the tears fall. We have given up for now. We are optimistic that once he is able to hold his head up completely and especially sit up, he will not be so frightened by this ritual we make him participate in.

Cohen's recent schedule or lack thereof has been exhausting.  On Saturday, Cohen woke up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 3AM, ready to start the day.  Chris and I alternated entertaining him, but nothing could redeem the way we were left feeling that day.  Then just yesterday, Cohen took a four hour nap even though I know we are not to let him sleep more than three hours during the day. He was just so peaceful! And lately his naps have been shorter and easily interrupted.  Anyway, it took us three hours to get him to bed at night.  We finally drug ourselves into bed at 11 PM exhausted from the "wear Cohen out" activities.  He is still sleeping 5-9 hours at night, but the way he breaks them up are killers!

Cohen recently reminded us he has graduated from "newborn" to "infant" when Chris attempted one of the soothing techniques we learned in class by loudly shhhhshing him when he was fussy and he instantly broke into tears .  Things are changing, for sure.  Cohen loves to roll on his right side and pivot himself around in a half circle.  He is pulling my hair and honking our noses as he reaches for anything and everything.  He now does tummy time propped up on the boppy with a musical turtle in front of him that he pushes the buttons to re-start the music when it has stopped!  Whenever we go anywhere, Cohen wants out of his car seat and to be carried around to see everything going on around him. We are trying to keep up and adapt to Cohen's ever-changing abilities and preferences.  It is quite a ride!


11 Weeks

Go team!




Caleb, Cohen and Jackson-Best friends!

Going to get fireworks on his first Fourth of July

12 Weeks




Intimidated by the sweet tea




Kinda preppy sometimes

Hanging out with mom

13 Weeks

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Gettin' Jiggy With It

It's difficult to believe that Cohen was 12 weeks old yesterday.  This little boy has brought so much joy in such a short time. Cohen is reaching for things and holding onto them longer.  His neck is stronger and he holds it up for quite awhile without wobbling too much. He loves the little stuffed animal blankets that he can hold, pull up to his face and suck on. He seems to have established more of a routine these days.  He has been going to bed between 8:30 and 10 and then sleeps until 5 AM or so. Previously he would go back to sleep, but not lately.  He wants to play a bit, then I can usually get him back to sleep but only for an hour or less. Then he is up for the day!  The next time window is critical to me getting a shower. Cohen will play, but usually gets bored and tired when I am in the middle of drying my hair.  Plus it never fails that I hear that noise and see that face that says we need to visit the changing pad as soon as I get out of  the shower.  At that time, Cohen is ready to eat and take a nap around 9 or 10.  He may sleep a half hour or three hours.  Then by 1 or 2 he is napping again.  My problem is, I have a difficult time with that old rule, "Sleep when the baby sleeps".  I see those times (if I am not holding him) as the time to catch up on things like laundry.  That must be why I am so exhausted, reminiscent of the "early days" after Cohen was born. 

Going out is still a challenge.  Sometimes he is happy and content but other times he is cranky and hungry.  The hardest part is not knowing what we will get.  Even when he is perfect, he is still high-maintenance.  And Chris thought I was! When we go out to eat with him, I might as well order my food cold. 

Cohen probably wouldn't have minded missing his first Fourth of July.  Not a big fan of the loudness and bright lights. I learned this when I cautiously took him out just to watch my special firework, "Pooping Puppy" because it was harmless enough.  Then the loudest one we had was set off and it was back into the house in tears. Broke my heart.  I will probably remember that forever.  After I calmed him down, he sat in front of the Boston Pops concert and fireworks on TV and was quite interested for awhile. I tried to watch the ones Chris and my family were setting off all evening, but I couldn't see much from the window.  You know it was a fun time when Chris comes in covered in black firework soot and must spend an hour the next day cleaning up our driveway and the neighbor's across the way! It was a late, long night for Cohen, though.  Hopefully, it will be more fun for him next year.

One of the things Chris loves to do with Cohen lately is sing and dance. I don't think Cohen fully appreciates this activity yet, though!  Some day.... So below is the promised  video of this rather entertaining spectacle.  The next video we refer to as Cohen's  "lip wave".  This was taken as he was first discovering his tongue and all of its powers.  He was also starting to imitate our faces and expressions.  Enjoy!