a little ditty.....

Not Naptime

"People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one."

                                          - Leo Burke

It's been a bit of a dark time around here. OK - I exaggerate a bit.  I haven't posted over this past week because we had a napping issue.  Jack not wanting to nap went from bad to worse and mommy's mood went downhill.  He was getting up in the middle of the night, struggling to sooth himself for his morning nap and an afternoon nap was non-existent. We tried everything and read several books.  In the end, we decided to be patient and deal.  And guess what? Patience always seems to win out in the end.

Since Jackson turned 6 months old a few weeks ago, he is developing like crazy.  He began eating solids, he's rolling over, he started swim class, etc. etc.  We think he just had a hard time adjusting to all these new things and just couldn't work out the sleep thing, too.  Last night, he slept a solid 11 hours and he went down for his morning nap without a hitch.  It is amazing how much happier everyone in the house is when Mr. Jack sleeps well - I think the dogs are happier!  Welcome to the happy house!

Wow, Napping Sucks!

Who knew we were such terrible mommies?!? We actually have the nerve trying to make Jack nap during the day!! Apparently, Mr. Jackson is getting a bit older now and he has things to do and places to go.  There will be no napping!

We have been struggling to get Jack on a regular napping schedule in his crib.  Previously, I would put him in his swing for a long morning nap and in the afternoon, he would take one or two cat naps (30 to 60 minutes) in various locations like the stroller, swing or my arms.  Over the past two weeks, his napping was all over the board so we decided to seize the opportunity to get him napping in his crib.  He started off strong last weekend and it's gradually gone downhill.  Not to mention, we started a remodel of the basement on Tuesday and it sounds like the house is going to come down any second.  Demolition is a bitch!  Today, there were jackhammers across the street in a new loft development, the cleaning lady was vacuuming, and the crazy contractors were sledgehammering and power sawing the basement.  Jack was a very unhappy boy.

He quietly sleeps now after an hour of crying, choking, sweating and convulsions.  Why? Because mommy caved and got the swing out.  A few minutes of nap time was needed by 4:00 pm this afternoon for everyone's sanity.

Project Rollover: Accomplished

After a week of intense training, Mr. Jackson is rolling over.  He has performed this feat several times over the past two days but the official Rollover Declaration was made this morning.  Jack decided to sleep a little late. I went to his door and peeked in to see if he was awake. He was on his stomach, up on his arms and looking through the slats at me!! Extremely cute! Melinda was still home and I had to call her upstairs so she could witness our son's cuteness. So it's official - at 6 months and 11 days - Jack can rollover!

Everyone in the Pool!

Today was Jack's first swim class!!  We are taking a parent/infant swim class at Lakeshore Athletic Club on Tuesday afternoons.  And let me just say, it went swimmingly!! He is in a class with three little boys and they all range between 6 and 9 months.  I really need to get a photo of these guys because you have to see them in their little swim trunks.  You could just eat up these little guppies! 

It was Jack's first time in a swimming pool and he was pretty intrigued by it.  He initially had a mixed look of fascination and terror - like it was the BIGGGGGGEST bathtub he had ever seen! He then started to warm up and get into the activities. Now, swim class for 6 to 12 month olds is not that intense.  It's basically a lot of games, songs and splashing around.  He had fun laying on a kick board, floating around and kicking his feet. His favorite activity seemed to be sitting on the edge of the pool and "jumping" in.  Essentially, you hold your baby on the edge of the pool and get them to reach out to you to jump in.  I was a bit worried about him falling backward because you're down in the pool holding a slippery, writhing tot in your hands and there is a very hard cement floor in back of them. My worst fear came true for one of the other moms and her boy fell backward and smacked his head.  "Was the baby OK, Uncle Lar?" "Yes, Tommy, the baby was just fine!" (Anyone remember "Animal Stories" and Larry Lujack?!?!). No blood and even no tears.  Jack also accidentally put his face in the water and lived to tell about it.  He was a bit flustered and sputtering but not upset. All and all, it was a very successful first swim class for Jackson. 

But let me say that the worst part of the class was for the mommies - and I'm not even talking about getting in to a swim suit (overweight and pale after a long Chicago winter? not a pretty site...).  Have you ever thought out the logistics of getting into a swimming pool holding an infant?! The options, as laid out by the instructor, were: 1) Sitting on the edge of the pool and sliding in; or 2) climbing down the ladder while holding the infant.  She also begrudgingly offered a third option of holding the baby while you got in.  Guess what? I took the third option.  Let me see.... sliding in and possibly removing a layer of skin from your body or the baby's?  Or climbing down a metal ladder, with concrete all around, using one arm, and balancing a squirming baby in the other?  Hmmm...I think I'll let someone hold my little guy, thank you.  With that said, when class was over, the instructor climbed out of the pool pretty quickly and left. Myself and the other three moms remaining in the pool looked blankly at each other, trying to hide the terror on our faces and keep the facade of cool yuppie mom.  "How do we get out?", we silently smiled to each other.  We all made our way to the ladder and I let each mom go up the ladder before me so I could analyze their techniques.  In a nutshell, there is no safe or graceful way to do it.  It was one of the scariest things I've ever done with Jack. I also forgot to mention that I hurt my knee last month and it is still very sore and weak.  We made it out safely but I think the swim moms need to ban together and come up with a team plan to get the babies out safely or kindly ask our instructor to stick around and help us.      

Rollover Beethovan

Nope. Not going to do it.  Jack doesn't want to rollover. He has the desire to be mobile but just doesn't want to roll to get there.  When he's on his tummy, he tries to crawl.  When you stand him up, he tries to walk.  But put him on his back or tummy, tempt him with all kind of goodies, and he won't rollover to get them. 

So we've started Project Rollover.  A strict regimine of rolling over calestenics performed several times a day sychronized to a Sousa march.  Front to back, back to front, hip and shoulder stretches. This is slightly different from "Project Runway" since we will not force him to design and sew a cocktail dress for Nicky Hilton in 12 hours or bid him "Auf Wiedersehen!" if Nina Garcia and Michael Kors wonder what he was thinking with those embellishments! OK - I digress and exaggerate a bit. That is a whole other entry on that show! No regimen - just trying to intice him, get him use to the movements and show him the joys of rolling over.

Now, once he starts to rollover, we will regret it almost immediately.  A new sense of mobility in a curious baby is oh so great for the baby but not so great for the mommy. I think we are doing quite well at the "mommy game" if we recognize this inevitable fact before it happens. But it still fun to hope for things for your child before you fully understand the implications.  That's called being a parent.

Hoop Dreams

"Any American boy can be a basketball star if he grows up, up, up. "

                                                                - Bill Vaughn

Last week, Jackson had his six month check-up. Part of the fun for us is the weight and length measurements.  Jack weighed in at 17 lbs., 3 ounces - the 50th percentile - and measured 27 3/4 inches - the 90th percentile!!  Ohhhh yeaaah!! Mama's gots her a basketball player!!

OK - now I'm not completely delusional.  I know this means very little when it comes to his future height but a gal can hope, right?  You see, I'm not exactly the tallest mom on the block. Or in the neighborhood. Or in my precinct.  I am 4'11'' on a good day.  According to my calculations, Jackson should be taller than me by his 3rd birthday.

Melinda and I love to watch basketball.  Actually, she played basketball into college so the kid has to be a natural, right?  My brother is rooting for baseball which isn't a bad sport but for me, boring as hell to watch.  Football has more excitement but a bit violent, especially when it's your kid playing.  And hockey?  Hockey is one step away from the WWF.  Hockey - aggression, checking, blood, punching - just for the hell of it. Uh, no thank you.

So basketball it is! Not that we really have much say in it.  You can only influence, prod, and cajole so much.

On a side note, go Lady Blue Demons!! I attended DePaul and it's the first time the women's basketball team has made it into the Sweet 16 in the school's history. You go girls!!