Teething?

We're pretty sure baby James is starting to teeth... maybe. He's way super cranky, won't take good naps, and wants to chew on everything!

Kiddo needed to do his stretches during our 4 month photos. Sure does love his feet these days!

4 Months!

I had to wait until after the big-guy haircut to take the 4 month picture!

3 months has so far been my favorite phase of baby-hood! James is talking, singing (soprano, errr!), rolling over, playing with his feet and hands, holding toys, been somewhat aware of Moose, recognizing me and John, but maybe best of all SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT (Hallelujah!)!

Just about a week ago, I moved him to a 4-hour schedule (thank you Lydia) and he seems to have adjusted really well... it feels like I can get SO much more done with the extra hour between feedings!

It sure does go by fast!

1st Haircut!

James got his first haircut on Monday 1.25! He did so well and now he looks much less....crazy!

Before:

After:

(Not a great picture of Mariea, but she's really great and LOVES James!)

GROCERYSMARTS.COM

Just wanted to share this awesome site! It's very similar to "grocerygame.com", but I prefer this layout and it's FREE (thus saving more $$). AND, this site has Fred Meyer which is really close for me.

I've recently gotten into coupon-ing and I've seen my grocery bills not cut in half, but I get alot more and save at least the same amount I spend. Yay!

So... I don't want to jump the gun, but Mr. Baby Man has slept through the night - all 11.5 hours - 6 of 7 nights this week! Makes me VERY happy, and VERY rested!

And this is Mr. Moose Man - because I needed to put a picture up!

THE MOOSTER OF DISOOSTER!

One of these days...

I will buy this:

Hop on Pop

A few nights ago, we were reading James his new "Hop on Pop" book and noticed a striking similarity with one of the characters!

A little help for my friend Susi

I did extensive online research on turning breech babies for my dear friend Susi. Hope this helps, Sooz! ;-)

<http://pregnancychildbirth.suite101.com/article.cfm/turning_a_breech_baby>


Here are 17 Ways to Turn Your Breech Baby!

Be sure to check with your provider before trying the positions for turning a breech baby to see if there is any reason why you should not use them.

1. Visualizing the baby moving down with the head very deep in your pelvis, several times a day; especially in conjunction with positions and exercises below.

2. Swimming as often as possible. This keeps your body and pelvis loose and relaxed. Do in conjunction with headstand below if you have help.

3. Headstand - with assistance and in a pool frequently as possible.

4. Breech Tilt - begin at 32-35 weeks gestation. Do 3 times daily for 10-15 minutes each time, when you have an empty stomach, and the baby is active. Prop one end of an ironing board securely on a sofa or chair 12 to 18 inches high (or may use slant board). Lie down, bend knees but keep feet flat on board. Relax, breathe deeply, avoid tensing. May also use pillows on a flat surface to raise hips 12-18" above shoulders. Gravity pushes the baby's head into the fundus, tucks it, and baby can then do a somersault to a vertex position.

5. CD/iPod headphones - place them inside mom's pants toward her pubic bone and play classical music for 10 minutes 6-8 times a day.

6. Flashlight - try moving slowly down from the top of the uterus toward your pubic bone while you are in a breech tilt position.

7. Massage - start with your left hand at the bottom of the abdomen and your right hand just above it. Move move your hands clockwise around the right side of your tummy. As your right hand reaches the top of your abdomen, slide the left one over your right and move it down the left side of your tummy. Your left hand leads as you you come full circle, continuing clockwise. Massage gently as you would to apply lotion. Massage for ten minutes or more up to several times each day.

8. Clothespin - place on the small toe of each foot at the outside corner of the toenail; sideways so that the toenail and toepad are stimulated for 30 minutes per day, this is an acupressure point that is a "moving down" point. You can also do this with just finger pressure as you remember to do it.

9. Motion Sickness band - place with the bead four fingerwidths above the inner ankle bone - another acupressure point that is used for stimulation of the uterus. Do not use this point if you are experiencing any pre-term labor.

10. Glass of orange or other juice - follow this with a side-lying position with your hips positioned higher than your feet. Babies move more after a sugar high!

11. Pelvic Tilt- with an ice pack on the top of your tummy on an empty stomach, 10 minutes twice a day. Do this while lying on your back on the floor with knees flexed and feet on the floor with three large pillows placed under your buttocks. Try this in conjunction with headphones and visualization.

12. Cat stretch - start with all fours, then lay your head and chest flat on the floor with your buttocks in the air, as you round your back and return to all fours.

13. Knee-chest position - by kneeling with hips flexed slightly more than 90 degree, but with thighs not pressing against your tummy and your head, shoulders and upper chest are flat on a mattress for 15 minutes every two waking hours for five days.

14. Belly Relaxing followed by Inversion - Partner places a shawl, sheet, towel or rebozo under mom's hips as she lays on the floor. Lift up on the corners of the cloth and shimmy her from side to side moving your hands up and down to wiggle her belly from side to side. These should be very small movements which mom should find very relaxing. Do this for about 5 minutes. Then mother kneels on the stairway landing. Walk your hands down 2 or 3 stairs into an all fours position; have your partner support your shoulders to balance you. Remain in this position for about 5-10 minutes or as long as comfortable. Also do this on an empty stomach.
The following techniques to turn breech babies to vertex involve the assistance of a specialist or medical professional:

15. Acupuncture - find a acupuncturist who is familiar with pregnancy and knows the points to stimulate for turning a breech baby.

16. Webster's Breech Technique - see a Chiropractor who is experienced in this technique.

17. External Version - this can be done in the hospital at about 37 weeks; see an Ob-Gyn for assistance and more information.



Numbers 1 & 3 are my favorites! Happy headstanding my friend!

On a side note. Last night (ok, 4:30 this morning), I was thinking about the day I found out I was pregnant with our little munchkin. Turns out, it was January 8th. Yesterday. One of a handful of days that changed my life forever! Cool, huh?

The James-Bug-Do

Keri's picture of Kenley inspired me to record the phases of the James-Bug-Do!

Before:

After the bath:

I believe a "blow-out" is the correct stylist's term for this:

And this is as flat as it goes. A little bit of mom's hair shine spray and some fancy blow drying tecniques and we get a style that lasts until the next nap time!

He looks like a different kid in each picture!

Dr. visit 1.4.10

James Bug had his 3 month doctor appointment yesterday and got some new stats! At 3 1/2 months:

Weight: 12 lbs, 3 oz (15th percentile)

Height: 24" (35th percentile)

HC: 41 cm

I was really surprised... The night before the appt, John and I put bets on how much we thought he weighed. I said 15 lbs and John thought I was guessing way low (and guessed 15 lbs, 1 oz). I guess we were both off! He's a little too tall and skinny to be a Carruthers, but he will grow into his destined body type! ;-)

01.02.10

Yay! James Bug did 11.5 hours last night! *Almost* to the 12 hour mark!

Need a Smile?

Leavenworth 12.21.09

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

12/21/09

Christmas with Grandma & Grandpa Johnson!

Leavenworth

We spent last week, 12/12-12/19, in Leavenworth! It was so much fun being on vacation with no agenda. We did come back west of the mountains Monday and Wednesday because John had to work the "day job", but I think it was nice to break up the week (after all, it was a WHOLE week in one little Bavarian village!).

We walked the streets, did some shopping, had lunch in Chelan, went to both malls in Wenachee, drove the Plain/Lake Wenachee loop in the snow, and ate out alot. Fun, fun!!

We also drove past this crazy accident IN THE MALL PARKING LOT!!! Someone a little too excited for Christmas shopping!

Pictures

For family pictures we did get to do one favorite:

Find the missing family member:

Meeting Kenley

We finally got to meet the cutest little girl EVER!! Kenley June Ronk

I'm pretty sure they're about the same size despite the 2 month gap! Kenley is a tiny little thing for being 5 months!

And this is my gorgeous sister, Teirsa, with the kids!

My First Christmas

John and I were at Old Navy the other day and saw this cute shirt, but John noticed the tag...




Really? First Christmas for a 2 year old?