Holly Daze

We have movement.

hollyhkr — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:50:45 +0000

Within the last few weeks, my man has started to develop at astonishing speeds! He is feeding himself cheerios, peaches, blueberries, little pasta pieces, peas, and quite honestly, whatever else we are willing to give him. He ate some spaetzle off of my plate at a German restaurant a few weeks ago. He has one tooth and the beginning of another one. He holds his own bottle, and sippy cup. He has seen a baby only a month older than him pulling up and tries his darndest to do the same.

And, within the last week, he is army crawling. He’d only go about six inches. Until today. This morning, something caught his eye. He was mesmerized. He had to have it. Those little arms and legs started working on superdrive…pushing….pulling…..arms out….legs up….legs down….I mean he was going to town! A good six feet until the prize would finally be his. Something better than mom’s smiles and encouragement, better than any of his toys, better than his beloved Cheerios…..

A red, drool covered, nasty, Kong dog toy that Woody had dropped out of reach. So, the dog is better at encouraging my baby to crawl than I am. Better than any of the toys with the label “encourages crawling”. And, apparently a used Kong dog toy is better than any of the toys labeled “stimulates visual interest”. Guess I know what is going to have to soak next in some Clorox bleach mix.

The Adventures of Ashton

hollyhkr — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 02:40:21 +0000

At a birthday party!

At the ‘CueGrass Festival!

In Clemson for the Spring Game!

All dressed up for Easter!

In Asheville for our third anniversary!

The best way to buy jeans. Ever.

hollyhkr — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 23:14:09 +0000

I hate trying on 20 pairs of jeans and not finding a pair that fit right. I always ended up giving in eventually and buying a pair that fit best of the 20.

This website rocks. Totally. Totes magoats.

www.truejeans.com

If you spend the 5 minutes or so and put your measurements in (whether or not you like your measurements, seriously just put in what you get), the site gives you recommendations from the brands they carry for your best fit. From 1-5 stars.

I just got a pair in that was a 3.5 star fit and I love them. They really really fit. Finally!

Blogworthy

hollyhkr — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:50:37 +0000

Last year at this time, if I had had a blog, there would have been ramblings about stuff like preparing for a vacation in Germany and Austria. I’m sure there would have been some light whining about not being able to get wasted on German beer since I was like 2 months pregnant and all.

Oh, but this year, it’s a whole new ball game.

Blogworthy this year means talking about what happened at Target (and afterwards) today.

I strapped Ashton in the front carrier and proceeded to begin a hands free shopping trip at Target Greatland. Ooohh…so much stuff on the list today. It was going to be a longer trip than normal. I hadn’t been in 2 or 3 weeks and was having major Target withdrawl.

I was not quite halfway through the trip when I noticed that Ashton’s left sock was soaking wet. Curious, but I didn’t think much of it. Then I noticed that my pants were a bit wet. Hmmm….I must not have put that diaper on quite right but buddy…..we are halfway there and you don’t seem too upset by it and to be honest, I can deal for a bit longer.

Next aisle: What is that smell?

A few steps further: Uh oh. It can’t be good.

By now, Ashton is deep alseep and basically snoring against my chest. What to do what to do what to do…..

Quick analysis to self: Smells bad, kind of wet, contained save a wet sock and my damp pant leg….15 minutes from home and diaper bag in the car….hell, I’ve got 3 more things on the list, may as well just finish and check out.

Arrive home: H o l y c r a p. I mean literally.

The resulting wash list after arriving home.
-2 socks
-his pants
-my pants
-his shirt
-my shirt
-my zip up sweatshirt
-his zip up fleece
-diaper changing pad cover
-10 or so wipes
-2 rags at diaper changer
-2 wash rags
-1 baby towel
-a pre-bath for him in the sink
-a full bath for him
-a quick rinse off for me
-the front carrier
(Funny aside: I picked A up from his exersaucer thingy right before hitting post and he vomitted on me enough to require another full change of clothes for me. Nice aim buddy!)

Busybody

hollyhkr — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:30:21 +0000

I’m writing this post as: 1. I procrastinate doing things on my GIANT, self perpetuating to-do list and 2. I wait for the DVR to record enough of the show Intervention that I can fast forward through the commercials. If I wait until about 16 minutes after, I can FF through all of the commercials. That is lazy TV watching right there.

Ashton reached another sorta’ milestone today. He wasn’t exactly saying his first word, or rolling over (which I am W A I T I N G not-so-patiently for) but nonetheless something to give him a big round of encouragement for.

Yep, he is now sucking his toe. Hey, that is BIG stuff when you stay at home with a baby all day. I mean, WOW and NEAT and OOOHHH DO IT AGAIN! And, he is doing something that I cannot do. There is something to be said for that.

Last week this time, we were recovering from a whirlwind trip to visit Grandma in PA. It was the first time Ashton has stayed in a hotel and the second time we’ve been in the car for a long trip. We hauled him around EVERYWHERE for four days and he did so well. My chest puffs out with pride at how incredibly well he did. I don’t know if I’ll ever get this lucky again. He slept in the hotel room! J and I tried to keep his nightly routine as consistent as possible. We put him to bed in his pack and play and spent the remainder of the evenings sitting with our laptops in the dark and quiet hotel room. We even had a “romantic” sushi and beer dinner by flashlight on the bed. It was like being a little kid again and reading a book under the sheets with a flashlight when it’s past your bedtime.

Now that it’s mostly spring in NC, we’ve been out on walks! In sunshine! Out of doors! Visiting with live people! I am talking to adults more than once every couple weeks! And, still working on regaining social skills.

And, although most outings go very well and are mostly uneventful, we do have a few that go kinda like this:

Hey there, happy birthday… sorry I’m screaming in your face. But I am pissed, tired, having a bad hair day, and so many strangers…..

This little man is starting to show more personality every day. He is my little buddy and I’m loving every minute of it. J usually puts him to bed at night, but tonight I did it. This evening, I put him down in his crib after feeding him and he looked right up at me and smiled. A big, toothless, unspoiled grin. That is the best feeling in the world. It’s like he was satisfied with his day and ready to rest for our next big day together again tomorrow.

Snow, cereal, and silliness

hollyhkr — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:37:19 +0000

This is how we started March in North Carolina. Whhaaaat???? It was like a cruel joke. March is the month when the dogwoods and cherry trees bloom, when the tulips come out of the ground, sixty degree days begin to prevail, and daylight savings time makes it really start to feel like the winter hibernation is over. Thankfully, in NC, snow like this only lasts for a day or two and then melts into a distant memory.

The same week as the snow, Ashton tried cereal for the first time. He seemed so interested and it did not surprise us a bit that he took it whole heartedly.

Well, cereal is now on temporary hold. Let’s just say that, uh, well…things got a little backed up if you know what I mean. We went to the pediatrician for his four month well-child visit and decided to just wait until around five months and start him on a few stage one foods. I can see now why I’m always reading other mom’s blogs that talk about the beginning of weaning. I can empathize now with the statements “they grow so fast” and “enjoy it while you can” and all of it! Sniff..sniff….

Little man is still 75th percentile for weight at a solid 15 lbs, 10 oz. Chunkers! He’s a whopping 20th percentile for height measuring in at 24″ and perfectly mid range for head circumference at 50th percentile. He’s in this awkward stage of not many 3 month size clothes fit, some 6 month fit perfectly (some don’t), pants are too long but a big snug in the waist, don’t really know what to dress him in during this transition into warmer weather phase.

And, much to my delight, he has turned into a regular ol’ Tickle Me Ashton Doll. The kid is just cracking up on a daily basis now.

Tagged: Cereal, Four month check up, Snow

There’s a first time for everything…

hollyhkr — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 01:09:55 +0000

Ashton’s first time at the park. We had a string of 70 degree days. Sure proof that winter cannot last forever.

First time in the bumbo chair with his first baseball cap. I realize this is a stretch when it comes to “firsts” for a baby but this kid is freakin’ hilarious. He had his new hat, new bumbo, a new found love for this toy and was happy as a clam.

First time in the bouncy chair.

First honest to goodness belly laugh. I wish I could sum it up in a picture, but that’s impossible. It does look a little like this…a big, toothless, unspoiled by worry, open mouth grin with lots of excited sounds and belly contractions followed by complete joy. It’s the kind of thing I think about before I fall asleep at night.

First time that mom and dad went on a date since before the baby was born. We went to Mo’s Diner and the Flying Saucer last night. We ate every bit of food on our plate and drank every drop of beer we ordered and got to catch up a bit. It was great and all made possible by my most fabulous friend Kelly (with the help of her boys). She does not even know the extent of her fabulousness.

A picture of us when we first got together.

February is one month closer to Spring!

hollyhkr — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:26:15 +0000

I lost track of the entire last week of January somehow. But, now it’s February and since it’s a short month I feel like Spring may actually be coming. Plus, I saw a Cadbury’s egg in the store which was always a sure promise of Spring and a candy filled holiday right around the corner.

Because I like to think in the form of lists these days (takes less brain power than forming full thoughts):

1. We’re not moving, yay!

2. Ashton gained 2 pounds in three weeks. Whoah. He’s 14 lbs, 4oz and is officially starting to fit into his six month size clothes. Of which he has 4 things. I’ve changed 4 outfits in one day before, so I best be shopping soon.

3. The reason I know he has chunked up is because we went to the doctor yesterday. He had terrible, weepy, scratchy, crusty, red, rashy, scaly, bring-mom-to-tears for her poor poor baby, patches all over his face and scalp. So, the (new) pediatrician told us that his eczema had a secondary infection and prescribed an antibiotic, antibiotic cream, and hydrocortisone ointment. He will probably battle eczema for another year or two and hopefully grow out of it.

4. The new pediatrician is apparently better trained than the doctor and nurses at North Raleigh Pediatrics. We had a terrible last couple appointments at N. Raleigh and have left the practice. I have never been treated worse at a doctor’s office. Not to mention, they didn’t even tell me last week when I asked about the terrible patches on his face that it could be eczema or how to treat it. The nurse just gave me more lotion to put on it and…the next day….it got infected. I could go on and on about how the first nurse acted like she was completely miserable, the second nurse we saw shook her finger at us AND made the “tsk tsk” sound…neither never smiled once….nor took his temperature (even before vaccines) or did more to explain the vaccines than shove a piece of paper from the CDC AFTER giving the vaccines and got close to Justin’s face and argued with him! Freakin’ unbelievable.

5. I need to get out of the house more.

6. Ashton is starting to squeal in delight a bit and is right on the verge of laughing out loud. I can’t wait to hear that!

Tagged: Ashton

To move or not to move….

hollyhkr — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:30:06 +0000

I thought by now that the burning question of whether we are moving to Atlanta or not would be answered. Here it is, almost three weeks later and we still aren’t sure. And, again, today I “think” the question will be answered. I feel like everything is totally up in the air. J officially took the job in Atlanta, but is also officially considering the counter offer. They have a few things to work out for him to keep the job here, so hopefully that will get worked out today. If we go to Atlanta, we have to sell the house on our own (no more buyouts) and J has to commute down to Atlanta. It’s a really indefinite situation because homes have not been selling. It has been kind of stressful. So, I’m glued to my computer again today, without a shower again today, waiting for the update. It’s not like I can go anywhere anyway. J took my car to work since we had 2 or 3 inches of snow yesterday! I didn’t even go out in it once. I’m ready for spring weather because I am tired of being in the house! I’m going stir crazy and baby talk and dirty diapers and baby no naps and get up too early too much TV need sunlight outside world interaction!

Uncle Brian came to visit last weekend, the highlight of January by far!

Ashton getting Uncle Brian to make funny faces.

Little man had his first play date. They laid around and involuntarily flailed their arms until my little man got so pooped he had to go take a nap!

In a totally random side note, I finally made a new recipe last night! I’ve been in a real cooking rut lately. I usually try new recipes a lot. But, the evenings can be a gamble so I’ve been looking to quick and easy foods. And, now combine that with having to cook without my loved cheese, it becomes tricky. But, finally, success! A recipe that is uber healthy, tastes completely delicious, different, and surprisingly quick!

I followed the recipe in Martha Stewart Living (Jan ’09) with slight alterations. Here’s how I did it:

Ingredients:

-2 fillets of haddock (can use sea bass or such as well) -10-15 sprigs of cilantro

-1 head of bok choy quartered (or 2 of baby bok) -1/2 red onion sliced thin

-lime juice (maybe I used 3-5 tablespoons?) -Ground ginger (or you can use fresh)

-Garlic finely sliced -2 or 3 tablespoons of olive oil -cracked pepper/sea salt

Preheat oven to 450

Combine lime juice, ginger, garlic and onion in a bowl and mix

Fold about 20 inch piece of parchment paper in half, lay haddock filet and bok choy along crease. Rub fish with olive oil, drizzle a little over bok choy. Salt and pepper to taste. Place onion/lime juice mixture over top. Top with cilantro. Fold parchment paper at crease, make little overlapping folds all the way around fish, clip the end shut with a paperclip.

Bake 10-12 minutes. Parchment paper will puff up a bit, cut top open and enjoy!

Fish en Papillote

So, I am ready for January to be over. Seriously. January is usually about my least favorite month of the year. I’m ready for April showers and May flowers!

Tagged: Ashton, cooking

Chunky Monkey

hollyhkr — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:03:00 +0000

Ashton had his two month check up. The kid is 75th percentile for weight, but only 25th for height and head circumference! He’s 12lbs, 6 oz…which means he has officially gained 5 pounds in two months. Not too shabby.

He also got his first taste of apple juice and water yesterday as he seems to be a bit backed up. I didn’t know I’d ever be hoping for a major poop diaper, but that’s about the excitement for me right now. Just sitting around today, waiting for a poop explosion before I resort to the last tactic the nurse recommended to try which I will not even speak about…come on Ashton, no one wants to resort to the last tactic. He can compete with his dad with the caliber of his farts so I’m hopeful it’s a sign of things to come.

I may actually have something other than baby stuff to actually talk about soon….

Nine weeks old