Slacker City

I've been slacking real bad on keeping up with this blog.  Reallll bad.  But, for me, this blog is a medium that I use to keep in touch with friends and family that I don't get to see too often and luckily this year I've been able to FaceTime with more of my far-away family and friends (Thank you, iPhone!).  Plus, there has been quite a bit going on "behind the scenes" recently.  Here is the latest:

Grayson is now just over 13 months old and he is walking all over the place.  He is generally such a happy, easy going baby.  However, he has had several ear infections over his first year.  We finally got to the point in January where his pediatrician recommended that we take G to see an ENT specialist.  It was not great news, but we literally could not keep going on the way that we were.

We had both heard the stories about babies getting tubes and how it is supposed to be extremely helpful, but this is our baby.  Our pediatrician referred us to Dr. Wasylik.  After finding out where her office (one of her offices) was located, it luckily turns out that our friend Donna is a nurse in the Odessa office.  We were relieved to know that not only was the doctor highly recommended by Donna, but she would be there on the day we were visiting as well.

Grayson first had a hearing test and the audiologist noticed that he had fluid in both of his ears right away.  I sat in a sound proof room with him and listened to all the puppets, rain and waterfall sounds.  He barely heard the rain or the waterfall, but responded to the sound of the women's voice as well as the puppets who were banging on drums.  He did not fare too well on this test, but the woman wanted us to talk to Dr. Wasylik first before getting anxious.

I should mention that my sister also went with us to this appointment.  I asked her to come, because some times there are things that her nurse brain thinks of that we don't.  Also, some times I need things dumbed down from the way they are delivered from medical professionals (this happened a lot when I was pregnant).  We joked later that the entire office probably thought that Ben had sister wives or something because my new nephew, Micah, was at the appointment as well.  It was quite the sight to see.

When we finally got to meet Dr. Wasylik, she was everything Donna said she would be!  She was calm and reassuring, but also realistic with us about the procedures and what is going on with Grayson.  Basically, there is so much thick fluid in both ears, that it is a breeding ground for the ear infections.  Most likely, the ear infections have never really gone fully away.  The fluid is what they call "glue ear" and it is almost like boogers (this is what the medical doctor said - I can not make this stuff up!).

So, because this nonsense has been going on for so long, she suggested that we get moving sooner rather than later.  This sort of thing can lead to permanent hearing loss as well as delayed speech.  The doctor is going to drain the fluid in both ears, put in the tubes and possibly take out his adenoid as well.  The whole procedure, even if the adenoids are taken out, is about 20 minutes.  All in all, he will be there for about 3 hours this coming Wednesday.

Ben and I are both relieved that we finally know what is really going on with Grayson and hopefully that this solution will be long term.  With that being said, we are obviously also very nervous about the procedure because he will be going under anesthesia.  However, Donna has already claimed him and her patient on Wednesday so we are very happy that Grayson will see someone he knows (and likes!) when he wakes up.

So, keep G (and his concerned, tired parents) in your thoughts and prayers on Wednesday and we will keep you posted.  That is all for now - picture for cuteness (this is what you get when you let a toddler play with your Sweaty Bands...)

B&L&G

Months NINE and TEN!

It really has been way too long since I have posted an update on Grayson.  The holidays and busy season at work really sucked the life out of my motivation to document events on the blog.  It is hard to believe that the little guy is 11 months old today!  We are talking about his first birthday party already.  People always tell you how fast time goes by once you have a child, but you never fully understand the sentiment until it happens.

Grayson turned 9 months old on November 6th and we had our 9 month well visit shortly after on the 11th.  He weighed in a 20 pounds, 2 ounces and measured 28 3/4 inches long.  The doctor is really happy with his development, but he also had another ear (double) ear infection.  The pediatrician is not too concerned just yet, especially since he is in daycare.

Since the last posting, Grayson has celebrated several first holidays.  Here he is as a gnome on Halloween:

He was originally going to be a fox for Halloween (naturally), but the company that I ordered the costume from sent a notification that the fox costume was discontinued/back-ordered.  There wasn't a whole lot of time left, and we wanted a costume that would be unique and we couldn't resist how darn cute the gnome costume was!  Grayson did go trick-or-treating in the neighborhood with Ben and he did really well.  He was fascinated by all the kids.

Here is Grayson just hanging out (and making a mess) at the house: 

Grayson is now able to clap, wave, blow kisses, show his muscles, give a high five and fist pump (knuckles). Waving "hi" to all of his fans:

We all ran the Wiregrass Wobble on Thanksgiving Day.  It was a little chilly in the morning, but we all had a really good time.  The course took you through the Wiregrass Mall parking lot, to the Hospital, and then up the ramp of the parking garage.  (Going down the ramp was the hardest!).  It was pretty difficult to maneuver the stroller around all the people, but we actually were the second stroller to finish the race.

The rest of our Thanksgiving was delightfully uneventful.  :)

We also took Grayson to Ergle's Christmas Tree Farm so we could pick out our Christmas tree.  Grayson did an excellent job cutting down the tree, don't you think?!?

Here is a photo from the Safety Harbor Snow Fest event that all the babies got together for: (Left to right - Graham, Ronan, Hailey, G, and Liam)

Big boy that now drinks from a sippy cup:

Taking in the light show at the Shops at Wiregrass:

Checking all the Christmas lights to make sure they work:

First meeting with Santa!  We were at International Plaza to pick up my race packet for the Holiday Halfathon and saw the awesome Santa setup they had.  It was a whole Peanuts experience with fake snow and several staging stations.  We started with plastic snow, Christmas trees, Peanuts clips and then moved in to a dome with "snow" coming from the ceiling.  It was actually rice, which was great since G probably ate some of it...  But it was on the ground and in his hair, and he really liked it.  Until we had to leave and see Santa - which is what you see here:

We also had our first family photos taken.  We couldn't be more pleased with the results and Heather from Inspirefly Photography.  The location we decided on was awesome (Edward Medard Park in Plant City).  Here are some of my favorite photos:

As of December 17th, I was officially on Winter Break from work.  Grayson and I had a lot of fun together for two weeks, but it was also super exhausting!  I really think staying at home with him was WAY harder than working!  I did get a chance to catch up with some of my friends and G got to eat his first cupcake:

Here is Hailey, Ronan, G and Liam before the cakes:

Grayson's first Christmas was really a lot of fun but also exhausting.  He wasn't terribly interested in presents, but enjoyed ripping paper and opening boxes.  At the end of the day, he still wanted to play with the TV remote and water bottles... New Year's Eve was also pretty quiet.  We went over to a friend's house and Grayson fell asleep well before midnight.  

A few other updates - Grayson finally broke two teeth!  He is also VERY close to walking.  He stands on his own and will walk assisted, but has yet to master walking on his own.  He likes to bounce in place and take an adventure step as long as he has something to grab on to.

Also, when I brought him back to daycare this week, they asked me about moving G up to the 1 year old classroom.  At first, I was a little shocked because it seemed so early.  But his teachers said that he is getting really bored in the infant classroom and his buddy was going to be moving up at the same time.  Much to my surprise, on Tuesday (yesterday), he transitioned in to the new classroom.  I truly had a harder time that he did...

He did really well and even went to sleep on his own without being in a crib.  This was the first of many milestones that we will experience.  Ben and I have been talking recently about how different life is this year compared to last year.  We have both had our moments, but parenthood has been the most rewarding experience of my life thus far.

Until next time!

B*L*G

EIGHT Months!

Grayson officially turned eight months old on October 6th.  See photo below from the actual day:

The past few weeks were pretty difficult overnight.  Grayson had been sleeping overnight, but in early September he started waking up two and three times each night.  We originally thought he was going through a growth spurt, so we would feed him and he would go back to sleep.  It was a pretty typical routine - we even made our bottles and anticipated the 1:00 or 2:00 am wake up.

Needless to say, it was wearing on both of us.  We were going about our normal routine when we got a call from daycare saying that he had a fever.  Since we visited the doctor's office quite frequently, I called and we decided to try some Motrin and monitor him overnight.  The fever came and go, so we finally took him in to the pediatrician's office,. 

Turns out that he had a double ear infection.  Our theory is that he never actually recovered from the initial ear infection he had previously.  Since he started his antibiotics, Grayson is a totally different baby!  He has gone back to sleeping through the night and the entire household is much happier.

We are still anxiously anticipating that first tooth!  Could be any day now - could be much longer.  But Grayson has branched out from just his favorite sweet potato and now eats zucchini and squash in addition to his favorite vegetable.  Fruits are never a problem with this kid - he's had apple, banana, pear, and peach.  I am still making his food, which has been working out really well.  It is down to a science now so about once a week I get out all the supplies and stock up the freezer.

Ben and I also just took out first long weekend away from Grayson this month.  We traveled to Chicago for the marathon and we certainly missed our little guy.  Luckily, he was in the capable hands of Granny and Papa and didn't seem to miss us too terribly.  Here is a photo from when we were happily reunited:

I also took Grayson to a school fundraiser at a local froyo shop and he finally got to meet a few of my student leaders.  Needless to say, Grayson LOVED their long hair and all the attention.  He officially has two Colombian Aunties:

The pediatrician said that Grayson could quite possibly be the happiest sick baby they have ever seen.  This is what a double ear infection looks like:

This is our favorite after-work activity - counting cars in the front yard:

I will save the all the details of Grayson's first Halloween for the next post.  Until next time y'all! :)

B&L&G

SEVEN months!

Grayson reached his seventh month milestone back in the beginning of the month, but late August/early September is a little crazy with birthdays in our family.  My niece Emily turned 4 on August 28th, my mom's birthday is September 3rd and Ben's Dad's birthday is September 7th.  We partied HARD in the beginning of the month!  But, better late than never?

Unfortunately, Grayson got (yet) another ear infection this month.  That was officially his third ear infection in seven months.  I'm not sure that he ever completed recovered from the second ear infection, but since his most recent visit to the doctor, he's been feeling much better.  At first we thought he was just a little cranky from getting teeth, but it turned out that we were wrong.  We are still anxiously anticipating that first tooth!

The doctor also recommended that we cut back on the fruits for now, since his stomach was so upset.  So for now he's just doing vegetables.  Sweet potato remains his favorite vegetable.  Next month, he will be able to start eating protein, so hopefully he will have some teeth by then.  As of right now, he just has a lot (!!) of drool.

He also started crawling this month.  Man, he is fast!  His other trick is to pull up on pretty much anything and scoot around on his feet.  The daycare tells us every day how "advanced" Grayson is and that other kids his age have no interest in pulling up on things all the time.  Obviously, we feel like he is super advanced, but we might be a little invested...

Here are some of the photo highlights from the past month:

Reading his Gator book during the Gator game:

Game day ready in Black and Red: (side note: Grayson's Bumpo is a hand-me-down from my niece, Emily.  This is why he rocks a purple chair)

Fancy pants:

"I'm not tired!"

Good morning, sunshine!

Water baby, for sure!

Grayson LOVES being in the water.  Pool or bath he doesn't care.  Some days Grayson will be in a bad mood and we'll just pop him in the pool for a few minutes and he calms down.  He has learned how to make his way to the side and to use his feet to kick.  Also, swimming wears him out!  

This month,  Grayson also started taking a bath in the whole bathtub! (It's been a pretty big month)  He likes to scoot around the entire tub, which makes it a little more difficult on us when it comes to actually bathing him...

That is all for now - until next month! :)

Six Months

It's hard for me to comprehend that Grayson is already a half a year old!  Every month that goes by, I find myself saying "I can't believe he is xx months old!"  Time really has gone by so fast since February 6th.  This month, Grayson is 16 pounds, 14 ounces and measures 27 inches long.  He's in the 55th percentile for weight and 70th percentile for height.  His doctor thinks that he is developing just fine.

We officially started Grayson on "solids" about three weeks ago.  So far, he has tried sweet potato, squash, carrots, and avocado.  The only vegetable that he really didn't care for was avocado.  Everything else he does really well with.  His pediatrician suggested staying with vegetables for a few more weeks and then start introducing fruits as well.  He suggested that at 8 months to start with protein (just in time for Thanksgiving!).

I've already posted on Facebook about making his baby food.  Truly, it was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be.  I read a couple articles online about how to do it and then started prepping.  I spent about two hours one Friday and made his food for two weeks!  It was definitely worth it.  Not only did we save a ton of money, but I know exactly what he's eating.  Here is a link to the blog post that I found most helpful.

This kid really enjoys his food!

Breastfeeding is totally over.  During the move (July 15th-ish), it took two days for me to even produce 2 ounces of milk.  It was getting to be more trouble than it was worth.  It was a sad day, but also a strangely liberating day.  We didn't quite make it to six months, but we had a good five month run.

We are officially somewhat settled in the new place.  It has been bittersweet to leave the home we brought Grayson home from the hospital, but we are surely going to be making many more memories at the new house.  We finally unpacked our last box this week, so it's really just a matter of hanging pictures, sorting through miscellaneous crap, and finding a place for everything.  We did paint Grayson's room, and his room is officially the first room to be completely done.   Hard day of work:

I was actually really surprised that he fell asleep in the picture above without being swaddled, but I guess if you're tired enough... We still swear by our Swaddle blanket at during naps and overnight for sleeping.  He hasn't been fighting it as much lately.  He pretty much sleeps through the night, unless he's sick.

Speaking of being sick, we are going on our second ear infection.  I'm guessing he picks up the germs at daycare.  It's either that or from the students that I am in contact with.  But, you can always tell when he's getting sick because he has problems sleeping through the night.  We are so spoiled because he's been sleeping overnight since about three months old.  So when we doesn't sleep overnight, we don't know what to do!

Marathon training is also in full effect as well!  It is so hot, y'all!  Plus, when it's not 100 degrees it has been raining so a lot of the trails are either flooded or damaged.  It is nice to be back at the long runs (when they are over!).  The distances that we are up to now are the longest since before Grayson.  So certainly I'm sore!  This is my favorite meme to send to my training buddies:

That is all for now - until next month!

B&G&L

FIVE months! Lots o' changes!

2015 is turning in to quite a year for the Raposa family!

First, in February we welcomed Mr. Grayson James.  Things haven't been the same since!

 Secondly, on July 15th we are so excited to announce that we are closing on our very first home together.  Most of our friends and family know that we have been searching for a home for the past couple of months.  Our current situation in the townhouse we rent was/is starting to get a little cramped.  Also, the stairs...  Coming home from the hospital was not a great time with the stairs.  And the kitchen here is pretty much a nightmare.  I would say that it is next to impossible for both Ben and I to be in the kitchen at the same time.

Our new home is in Lutz (pictures coming soon after we get settled)! The school district is amazing, the neighborhood is super close to Grayson's daycare, and there is a park within walking distance.  Also, we weren't exactly looking for a house with a pool but it just so happens that we will now have a pool!  And a fireplace!  Homeownership is super scary, but we are also very excited to have a place for Grayson to grow up, a yard for him to play in, and something that we can make our own.

Finally, if all those changes weren't enough, I'm starting a new position at PHSC on July 20th as well!  I've been in advising for the past 7ish years and will now be the new Coordinator of Student Activities at the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.  I've been going through the process of applying and interviewing for some time, but have been keeping everything private just in case things did not work out.

I'm very excited to get started, but it appears that everything is going to be getting under way at about the same time.  Needless to say, life is a little hectic right now.  But, we wouldn't have it any other way and will be very happy once we are all settled.

Here is the latest and greatest to get everyone up to speed on our little man.  Grayson has been taking a "Water Babies" class at Seal Swim School for the past couple of weeks.  The program is free for babies 0-6 months.  The first class didn't go very well, but he has since gotten a lot more comfortable in the water and seems to be enjoying swim class (and just generally being in the water) a lot more.  Here's a shot from before and during the second class:

Pool parties:

True love:

New trick - super flexibility 

What are you doing, Mom?!?

Riding a cow on Father's Day - YEE HAW!

These days breastfeeding is not going so hot.  I'm still pumping as much as I can, but it's certainly not enough to keep up with demand.  Nursing has completely stopped unless Grayson is really sleeping and doesn't realize what is going on.  So we are supplementing with formula when necessary.  I feel like as long as he's getting a little bit of breastmilk, it's better than nothing.

Grayson does still sleep through the night.  He goes to bed around 8:30 and typically wakes up between 5 and 6.  He has his routine down pretty well in the evening now.  His swaddle and a story from Daddy typically lead him to sleep very quickly.  We've been swaddling Grayson since about two-three weeks and it really helps to calm him.  He really does know that when his hands are taken away, it's time to sleep.

Ben and I often talk about how lucky we are to have such a good baby.  There are times when we feel like failures as parents or feel like we have been pushed to the limit and then we are rewarded with a sweet smile or squeal.  This has been quite the journey so far and it's hard to believe someone so small has been able to teach me so much humility, patience and unconditional love in such a short time period.

Next month, we go back to the pediatrician so we will have some updated stats on Grayson's growth and development.  Also, next month, our pediatrician recommends that we start incorporating some solids in to his routine.  Grayson has been drooling like crazy and I think those teeth will be here soon, but nothing yet on tooth watch so far.

That is all for now - until next time!

B&L&G

Four Months!

True confession time!  I'm a huge slacker and have been writing this particular blog posting since BEFORE Grayson turned four months.  Time just gets away from me most days.  Plus I've been working 4-10 hour days this summer and the long days are REALLY taking their toll on me this year.  So here are some of the happenings from the past month:

Grayson turned four months old on June 6th and he's really been moving and shaking, as usual! He weighed in at 14 pounds, 6 ounces and measured 25.6 inches long. He got more vaccines this month and handled them really well. He seems to do much better with one particular nurse. His pediatrician is very happy with how he is growing and developing.

I did read online that once babies double their birth weight that it could be okay to introduce other foods.  I wanted to ask the pediatrician before attempting anything, and it's a good thing I did.  He said absolutely not to give him any solid foods until at least six months.  I know several people have told me that they started their children on rice cereal or baby food at around four months, but we decided to wait for now.

Our entire household also went down with cold/flu this month.  Because I come in contact with so many people at work, I can count on getting sick basically every summer.  I think that combined with Grayson being exposed to more germs in daycare was the perfect combination.  Grayson had a double ear infection (fun!), but really handled it like a trooper.  But, we did a really good job of passing it to one another and both Ben and I got colds and it was pretty miserable in the Raposa house for about a week.  Luckily, once the doctor got Grayson on antibiotics and ear drops, he started to improve very quickly.

Grayson did get to spend an entire week at Granny's house this past month as well (which he absolutely loved!) due to a family emergency at his daycare.  We are so grateful that Granny is willing and able to watch our little guy in a pinch, but more importantly, we are so happy that he is healthy and happy.  There are moments when I really miss sleeping, or taking a long shower, or going out for a nice meal but seeing Grayson's sweet face immediately makes me forget about everything else.

Here are some of the photo highlights from the past month:

The dinosaur feet pajamas.  I can't even handle the cuteness

Baby Pool Party! 

Josie, Hailey, Ronan, Liam, Grayson, and Graham (in birth order!)

 Lailah and Grayson (their faces make them look guilty)

First Mate

Stop moving!

 Getting ready to party

 First Water Babies class with Daddy (we weren't a huge fan)

My angry chick magnet

Grayson's "Daddy's coming home?" face

I promise to write more next month.  Big things are coming for the Raposa family very soon - stay tuned!

B&L&G