5 months and counting

This posting will be a short one. It's Monday and I'm pooped!

5 months of love and joy! Truett's accomplishments

• Rice cereal- He didn't love the regular rice cereal so we've switched to whole grains and he does much better with that. We'll probably start him on pureed veggies soon because I would imagine he's getting bored with the grains and milk.
• He sits up by himself although a little wobbly. We keep the Boppy behind him just in case.
• He's very interactive with his toys. He knows which ones he likes and will reach for them.
• I may be making this up but I really believe his attention span is developing and it's short! He doesn't like to do one thing very long so we're constantly moving him from jumperoo, to his play mat, to his Bumbo, etc.
• He continues to sleep from 8pm to about 5 or 6am when we put him in his swing and he'll go back to sleep 'til 7ish. I'm not sure why he won't stretch to 7am in his crib but I'm not too concerned about it since he's been in there for 9/10 hours already.
• We still give him 6oz. four times a day and have added an iron supplement
• He loves his 'lovees'! I admit that I forced him to nap with them because I think they're cute. But now he loves them.
• His belly laugh is wonderful! And he's starting to have conversations with himself or us, who knows? We're just happy he's communicating with us.
• Speaking of communication, we've started signing with him. Simple words like 'more', 'eat', 'mik'.





My two surfer dudes



Something to grow in to






In case you were wondering what 72 servings of butternut squash looks like



Must love squash

Now that Truett has started eating rice cereal, we're moving into "big people food" mode around the Swain house. The bowls and colored spoons are coming out along w/ EVERY bib we own. We go through at least three a day.  And we've since changed from rice cereal to whole grains, which he likes much better. We've also started to sign the basic words- more, eat, milk, finished. I've watched our friend's son sign to his parents and it really helps with their communication and understanding his needs.

 Jayson was smart enough to plant veggies that we can puree and freeze for when he's ready to move up on the food latter. Below is our journey to the overwhelming amount of butter squash!

Ready for cereal!

All geared up

Umm..nevermind. I'll stick with milk.

Please stop this torture.

4 of 10 squash. Who knew it was so hard to cut into.

It has been a really bad day. The squash received my wrath.



Mom, what is this stuff you're feeding me?



My new name: Sarah "multi-taker" Swain. Feeding T-bug, pureeing food, and cooking some very good BBQ chicken quesadillas.

After all that cooking and gutting, my blender didn't even puree! Our bowl of squash is still awaiting it's fate.

No creative title comes to mind so...

We'll just dive right into the updates!

First, apologies to the grandparents who faithfully watch our blog for pictures and updates. I have no excuse good enough to give.

Second, our child is growing too fast! Since Truett joined our little family, I've tried really hard to enjoy every second and really prioritize my time. Things that can be done after he goes to bed are put off until then (and sometimes to the next day or the next). I realize how quickly time flies and I hate the idea of missing an opportunity to love on him and spend time as a family because I'm doing the dishes or laundry. Who needs clean clothes anyway, right?

Our 4 month check-up was great minus the shots. Truett weighed 13 lbs. 1oz. and was 24 inches long (I think). He's moved into the 25th percentile for both height and weight. This round of shots were much worse than the first. His appointment was on a Friday and all weekend he was cranky, ran a fever, and didn't sleep much. We also had some middle of the night feedings which were rather dramatic. I understood why God designed pregnant women to have to get up in the middle of the night in preparation for their baby but when we've had awesome, sleep through the night, slumber for two months, it was rough!  The doctor was impressed with his communication with us- proud parents already! Since then he's taken off with eating rice cereal, sitting up (although a bit wobbly), baby talk, sleeping on his belly, reaching for things including my hair and necklaces, and his amazing flexibility, which Jayson is pretty jealous of. He's almost got his left foot in his mouth along with everything else he touches.

Normally I wouldn't "blog" about the trails of parenthood because this is a joyful blog but this is personal challenge that I could use your prayers on. We were very fortunate to find a sitter to keep Truett in her home for us since he was 9 weeks old. She was a teacher, I knew her husband through Relay, great kids, Truett loves her, etc. I had a VERY hard time leaving him with someone else who, to be perfectly honest, wasn't me! She didn't know how he liked to be held, or that he likes to sleep in his swing, or soothed with "shushing". I hated the idea that she would see him more than me. But life goes on and the bills still come so I put on my big girl panties and dealt with it. Now that we're all adjusted, she's going back to work and we have to find new childcare. We have secured a spot at a daycare down the road from us that I really like but my major issue with daycare is the teacher to child ratio (1 to 10 per class). I can barely handle my one, how can I expect someone to handle 5. And babies! Babies who need to be held, loved, read to, fed, changed, propped up and re-propped up! So, with all that said we've started the search for a sitter to share with another couple who is expecting their 1st child in August. Here comes the "but"...if we don't take this spot, we may not be able to get back in until he's three! There's a lot to be said for daycares and the development they provide children. I should never be allowed to teach! It's not my calling and bless those who do. So I want him somewhere that he'll get that nurturing. This has been the most stressful decision we have had to make! I worried more about childcare than I did laboring and delivery. If childcare was only as easy as his birth! :)

I've been a single mom for a few days while Jayson's been traveling for work. 9 long days! He's been in Miami but I'm pretty sure he hasn't been living the good life. He misses us too much! Major kudos go out to single parents, military spouses, etc. It's no joke! Thank you to my mom who stepped in to help me over the past few days. Jays- hurry home! We miss you.

On to the real reason we look at baby blogs...PICTURES!

Leighton and Truett first meeting

Taken two seconds prior to falling backwards

New growth chart at Granny Angie and Papa Jay's

Mozart!

I love his smile

Four months young

Today marks 4 months of love and joy with baby Truett.

We've had lots of fun accomplishments over the past month.

• Roly Poly- Truett rolled over last weekend from his back to his belly. He doesn't like being on his belly so I don't know how he's going to learn to crawl! He may just go straight to walking.

1st official roll-over picture

What happens when you can't roll back over

• Belly laughs- The most beautiful sound we've heard! When we tried to get it on video, he got camera shy. We'll keep trying and post it.
Splish splash- We've always loved bath time but Truett's now splashing and kicking while laughing at himself.
New toys- Now that he's big enough, we've been playing in our jumperoo and Johnny Jump Up. He's just now starting to figure out that he's in control of his play. We're still stuffing him in because he doesn't quite fit but he'll get their sooner than we want! Most everything he can hold on to goes to his mouth. And he loves the crinkle-sounding toys.

Pre-stuffing! Sorry Truett

• Now that he's rolling, he sleeps on his side. It makes me a little nervous that he's going to roll into the bumpers on the crib so I took the front one off. The other morning when Jayson went in to get him, he had turned 270 degrees and had his feet propped up on the bummers; just hanging out.
• He's been sucking on his thumb/fingers for the past two weeks or so. I'd rather he suck on his pacey because I can take that away. I can't remove fingers!
• Still going to bed around 8pm and will sleep until 6ish. We put him his swing until 7 or so and that's his 1st feeding time of the day. He's not the greatest napper but I let him sleep where ever he decides to sleep that day. As long as he's sleeping in his crib at night, I don't care where he naps during the day. We've stretching 3 1/2-4 hours between meals and just this week he's gone to 4 feedings a day; 24-28 oz. a day. After our doctor's visit tomorrow, we'll know when to re-introduce rice cereal. We stopped after a few weeks of giving it to him for his reflux because we didn't see a big difference.
• He's finally starting to recognize Harker and follow her around and smile at her. We're excited about the day when he starts climbing on her. When they're in the back seat of the car together, she sits beside his car seat, like a proud big sister and licks his head. Truett is the only person she's ever licked. She nudges Jayson and I for attention but hasn't really licked us. I know she's aware Truett's size and she's always gentle with him. I love it!

A few of our favorite new pictures are below.

We obviously like hats

Remember when I said he tries to put things in his mouth? If he can't bring it to his mouth, he brings his mouth to it.

On the road again...

Another busy weekend for the Swain family!

Truett visited with his great-grandparents this weekend in Pea Ridge and Creswell. This was their first time meeting T-man so it was fun to watch them visit with each other. Truett is the 14th generation of Swains that have lived in America before coming over from England. Pretty cool fact!

Somewhere on our travels we picked up a growth spurt and the beginning of teeth! Bless his heart, he's slept most of the day today and is chewing on everything that will fit in his mouth. This afternoon, I put up his 0-3 month clothes and pulled out his teething rings to put into the fridge. I have a feeling the Adventures of Truett are just beginning!

T-man is still sleeping from 8pm-6:30/7am and guzzles 6 oz. every 3 1/2 hours. He hasn't rolled over all the way yet but we're working on it.  He loves to stand up and gone are the days of him sleeping while we're out to eat or in the car. He wants to be at the table and joining the conversation.

Three of the four Swain men. Missing Papa Jay. Great- Granddaddy Jesse with Jayson and Truett

Great-Granddaddy Jesse and Great-Granny Bill feeding Truett

Drooly baby

Great Granny Lala with Truett. We hope to soon get a picture with Gram Willy who is Truett's great, great grandmother. All 5 generations!

Harker wanted Truett to play so bad!

He's getting stronger every day!

Beach bums, Father's Day, and a new cousin

Wow..what a weekend!

We left Thursday night head for Oak Island. Jayson and I were excited to visit our "home away home" during the summers while in college, Ft. Caswell. We met up with our wonderful friend, Kerry, and finally met her daughter Chloe. We've been playing match-maker with all of these new girls in Truett's life so we'll see just who he ends up with! Maybe it will be Chloe; who knows?!? Between our friends and the church nursery the boy has some very cute options.

So we all finally made it to bed around midnight on Thursday. (This was not the weekend for routine!) Friday we visited our Caswell friends and Southport. I love that little town. An early retirement is calling my name!! We had planned to stay through Saturday evening or Sunday morning but to our surprise Leighton Hope joined the world! (Alex, Jayson's sister, and her husband Trey's daughter) She came a few weeks early but is strong and will hopefully be home within the next few weeks. We love that Truett and Leighton as so close in age and that Alex and Trey get to experience the overwhelming love and joy that comes with having a child.

So...Saturday we took Truett out on the beach. I wouldn't say he "loved" it but it grew on him. After our short beach excursion, we loaded up, drove to Greenville to pick up Harker and headed to Raleigh to meet the newest member of the family.

We celebrated Jayson's 1st Father's Day. And again, it didn't go as planned but hopefully he know how much Truett and I love and appreciate him. One of the greatest gifts I've been given over the past three months is watching Jayson with Truett. I'm so excited to see their relationship as father and son grow over the years. Jayson already surfing trips planned and I know Truett will treasure those times with his dad. I'm so thankful to our Lord for making Jayson the man he is and what he brings to our family.

Now that we're back into the routine of life we're pretty sure we're about to hit another growth spurt and teeth...yikes! He's been a little fussy lately and is sleeping a LOT! We've started stretching Truett's feedings to every 3.5 hours and he's eating 6oz. at a serving.  I'm looking forward to introducing cereal to him soon; mostly for the fun "food on his face" pictures that come along with the green beans and yams. Jayson has squash growing in our garden with Truett's name on it!

He's so close to rolling over from his back to front but just can't get there. We're working on it though so any day now be on the lookout for that post! I just pray he does it with us and not at the sitter's. I'll cry if I miss it! We go to the doctor for his 4 month check up on July 8th. More vaccines...boo!

Enjoy the pictures below

Hanging out on the porch of the Conference Center, Caswell

Friends!



He was pouting!



Add caption

Up on Vespers at Caswell. This was where Jayson and I were married. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Truett in the baby carriage.

Another Southport favorite, The Provision Company

3 months, 5 days, 8 hours and 7 minutes old

So I'm obviously a little late with Truett's three month post but better late than never.

Truett's schedule: (On a normal/ideal day)
7am- Wake up call to mom
It's taking him about 25 minutes to eat verses 45-50 minutes when he was a newborn.
7:30-8ish- He hangs out with me while I'm finishing to get ready. He usually will sit in his bouncy seat on the bathroom counter so he can see himself. We sing songs and play games.  Don't worry, he's strapped in and I put him on the floor when I have to leave the room.
8ish: We leave for the sitter's and he usually falls asleep in the car. For my sake, we'll pretend that he gets to stay w/ me during the day so we'll continue...
Until about 8:30/9 we have Tummy Time and play with our playmate. He's figured out that if kicks the music maker it will continue to play music and light up. Tummy time is hit or miss with him. Sometimes he'll go for 10 to 15 minutes without getting fussy. Other times he'll have none of it. The other morning while I was brushing my teeth, he rolled 1/2 over to his right. I dropped the toothbrush (toothpaste still in my mouth, mind you) and found the nearest camera (on my phone) to capture the moment. I was totally caught by surprise but ever since I've been coaxing him along.

He's also putting it together that when his hand hits something that it moves. You can see his internal wheels rolling about how to make that happen again. The child loves a mirror! He's currently have quite a conversation with the cute boy who looks just like him. I really wish I knew what he was thinking. "Man...this dude is cool"

Back to our schedule- Truett is a cat-napper in the morning and eats again around 10:30. Just this week we've started stretcing him to eat ever three and a half hours verses every three. This means we've dropped our late night feeding but more about that later. Again, we play for a little while but he takes about a two hour nap and eats at 2 and 5:30. He gets another good nap in after his 2pm fedding but not so much after dinner. We're usually going for a walk, out to dinner, errands, etc. so this time frame is sketchy for sleep. Since we just started this new routine, we're figuring out our new bedtime routine. We were feeding at 7pm and he'd stay awake until 8/8:30 but not that he's eating a 5:30 then at 8:30, he may or may not nap in between.

Last week, in the midst if my exhaustion, I suggested we just let him sleep thru his 10pm feeding and see what happens. For a few weeks, we had to wake him to eat at 10 and he wasn't too interested in eating. To our delight he's been sleeping from 8:30ish to 6:30ish ever since. We've increased his bottles to 6oz. and he sucks it dry!

Truett's milestones and firsts:

• Sleeping through the night
• Longer tummy time play while lifting his head
• Discovered his hands and he's getting closer to his feet everyday
• Started his baby babble
• 1/2 rolls
• He can support himself while standing for a few seconds
• Little giggles
• 1st hotel stay
• 1st swim in the pool
• 1st wedding

Today, we went to a friend's pool. We were super excited about playing w/ Truett in the pool but he was a bum and slept most of the time there. When he finally wake up and we got him in, he made it very clear that he had rather be dry and sleeping.




The cutest duck ever!



Seriously, Dad! Get out of my face!

I was waiting for Truett to spit up on his heard

Waiting for Papa Jay and Granny's visit on Saturday

This weekend we're going to Wilmington/Ft. Caswell. Jayson and I met and were married at Caswell so we're excited to take Truett to the Fort and the beach.  Harker will be along for the ride so it should be interesting. Stay tuned!