Summer Fun...goober style

So, we went on a real vacation two years ago.  The Chef was actually able to get off work and we hit Philly for a week for the Fourth of July.  We all had a great time.  The goobers have been bugging us to go back.  Unfortunately, the Chef's job often throws a wrench into our vacation plans, so we didn't get to go last year.  This year, knowing that Baby Goober was coming at the beginning of June, we decided we would do some staycations planned around weeks spent at the aunt's houses, and camp.

On our list of things to do this summer:

-Sesame Place-we went when we went to Philly and all 3 goobers loved it.  I know that Spawn will only tolerate Sesame Place for so long, so we wanted to go again this year.  Bonus is that we decided to invite the Chef's brother and the Princess...She's a Elmo-obsessed 2 year old.  The same age (give or take a few months) from how old Cute Boy was last time we went.  We can't wait to take her.

-Maritime Aquarium- When we went to Philly we hit Adventure Aquarium and the goober loved it.  We went to Mystic Aquarium last summer and same deal.  So we decided to hit this one this year.  We went yesterday and still a hit with the kids.  They have a robotic dinosaur display going on that the boys loved, as well as a clue hunt.  They had to visit certain exhibits to get the letter clues to find out what the oldest animal in the aquarium was (it was the shark).  They also had the usual aquarium displays, a dino dig, a meercat exhibit...the kids really enjoyed themselves.

-Museum of Natural History-  We went when Spawn was little with my parents...Sweet Nut was either a baby, or not born yet.  I can't remember.  But seeing as we have some dino loving boys right now, we figured this would be a good trip.

-Bronx Zoo-  This is a place we visited ALOT when Golden Boy and I were kids.  Having a dad that was born and raised in the Bronx, he liked to take us there alot.  We've been a few times since the kids have been born.  Last year was the first time the Chef and Cute Boy had been, but we left late and didn't get to see everything we wanted to see.  We're asking the Brother and the Princess if they want to go with us again.

-Stepping Stone Museum-This is a kids museum.  We've been to MidHudson Children's Museum and Please Touch Museum and the kids have had a ball, so we're going to give this one a shot too.  We've heard good things about it, so we're hoping it's as fun as people tell us it is.

-Beach-  We've hit the beach at the lake in the park...and we hit Calf Pasture Beach yesterday after the aquarium.  We really liked it with the exception it was a bit rocky...the water was nice and calm, no huge waves, but it made our feet sore after a bit.  The kids and the Chef had a blast in the water though, and Baby Goober and I chilled under the umbrella.  The beach it self was nice and sandy, but once you got to the water line the stones started.  Seems like most of the beaches we've been to in Connecticut are like that though. They had some picnic tables with umbrellas along the edge of the beach, which is where we parked ourselves.  We're going to buy a  beach umbrella though, we want to hit this and some other beaches this summer.

-Visiting the Aunties.-This is actually happening tomorrow. And I think it's the most looked forward too.  Seriously, Sweet Nut and Cute Boy can't wait to leave.  They've been bugging me all week...and we're ot leaving until lunch time.

And here's some pictures from this week:
from the petting zoo at a local store:

Sweet Nut decided that since Baby Goober wasn't sleeping in the crib, that he would.

Baby Goober chilling with Pa at our cousin's graduation party

Baby Goober rocking his first Adidas outfit.  Chef was very happy it finally fit (he loves adidas)

One of his first smiles...they are hard to catch!

Fooling around at the aquarium

Watching the seals (sea lions?  I can't remember which it was) get their lunch

Controlling the dinosaur

Hanging with T-Rex

Dino Dig!

Touching the rays

WE FOUND NEMO!  (They have to do this at every aquarium we go to)

Blue Lobster

On our way to the sharks...

SHARKS!

Goobers at the Beach

Baby goober and I spent most of our time on the towels under the umbrella...

My view:

Baby Goober's opinion of his first beach trip

The Chef and the Big Goobers had a blast in the water though

So what do you have planned for the rest of your summer?

One Month already?

Ok, so this is a bit late...at this point Baby Goober is *almost* 6 weeks old...I'm still not sure where the time has gone...

1 month stats:  10 pounds 8 ounces, 22 inches long.

He's starting to be awake more which we all love.  Ad he's getting more vocal, and it's funny to watch.

One Month Old!

He also celebrated his first federal holiday...

not so excited about it.

And he also went to his first fireworks display.

Spawn and Cute Boy were there too.

Spawn loved them, Cute Boy wasn't sure about them but said after that they were awesome and Baby Goober slept through most of them, but did watch them for a bit.  

Cute Boy also got his first big boy bike.

Gotta love mornings like these where they all go back to sleep after bringing the Chef to work.

Mostly because I can't usually sleep at night, and it means that I get at least an hour or so of sleep, but it's cute too.

This is what happens though when Mommy is sleeping...Spawn and Cute Boy have a photoshoot...with my cell phone.

It's A Iron Man Mystic Force Ranger.  Just in case you couldn't tell.

And this is sometimes the reason I'm up all night.  

But mostly, I'm up just because, and he's sleeping.  But this picture happened during our all nighter the other night...this was at 3:30am...he crashed not long after this.

And we also have explored the beach at the park while the Chef plays soccer.  It's nice because his weekly soccer game starts around dinner time, so we hit the park, and we get the beach almost to ourselves for about an hour until they close it.  Then we have a picnic dinner while he finishes his game.  And then we have exhausted boys who pass out just thinking about their pillows.

So that's what we've been up too.  We're also excited because Sweet Nut comes home from his vacation with his aunt and uncle on Monday...he's been gone for almost 2 weeks...the house hasn't been the same without him.  But he's been having a blast being spoiled by his aunts and hanging out with his cousins.  But he's been missed so we can't wait for him to be home.

We've got alot of doctor appointments this month...physicals for the goobers, plus my 6 week checkup.  Plus we've got some fun things planned.  No vacation this year, but we've got lots of fun stuff within a few hours drive so we're daytripping it this year.  Yay!

Beating up Mommy.

So I'm writing this to get my thoughts out...and hopefully it will help somehow.  Theraputic maybe?

So.  Breastfeeding.  Yep, this is a post on breastfeeding.  You know every mom blogger has at least one, LOL.

I never even attempted it with Spawn.  Or Sweet Nut.  The ex did not want me doing it.  I was ok with the decision with Spawn, because, I was 19...I didn't think much about it.  I wanted to at least try it with Sweet Nut.  But no.

Then the Chef came along and soon after followed Cute Boy.  I told him, scared he would have the same reaction as the ex.  And was totally surprised when he told me to go for it.  So I did.  He latched on like a champ right after he was born.  And for days after.  But I had some complications in the hospital, and had excessive bleeding and clotting.  So my midwife put me back on pitocin, as well as medication by mouth to make my uterus contract.  That night, as I went to nurse Cute Boy, I felt like I was in labor all over again.  So I caved and gave him formula.  When things calmed down, we did a mix of formula and breastfeeding.  Then we found our sweet baby had allergies, and had a problem digesting milk.  I tried the elimination diet, but couldn't do it as much as he needed me too.  So he was put on a special formula that he remained on until he was over a year old (well actually one until he was about 6-7 months, and the other from 7 months until 17 months.)

So when Baby Goober was coming, I knew I wanted to try again.  I knew I could do it, Cute Boy was a champ at it.  So I psyched myself up to do it.  Was ready to go the distance this time around.

Here we are at 3 weeks in and he's had more formula than breastmilk, and I feel like I've failed him.

In the hospital, he refused to latch...well he'd latch, last a few minutes if that, and he'd be off, and done.  I was getting frustrated, so Chef said just to give him the bottle, and we could try at home.  That me being frustrated and angry and tired weren't helping.  So we did.  For the record, I think the fact that he went to the nursery fairly quickly after being born, and was already hours old by the first time we attempted has played a part.  And I'm annoyed and angry at myself for not fighting more to keep him with me.  We had to argue with the nurse even to get him back that night.  He was born at 7:16.  I held him for a few minutes before they took him to clean him up and check him.  They brought him back, and then my midwife asked if I wanted to hold him while she stitched up my tear and I said yes.  The nurse came to take him and the midwife said to leave him and she said something about needing to do something and not wanting me to hold him while she stitched me.  I was slightly out of it (I was pretty tired) but I remember her taking the baby and the midwife just looking at her.  We got him back for a few minutes and she said she needed to take him to the nursery to do something.  So we let him go.  She came back awhile later to bring me to my postpartum room and we asked for the baby...she kind of laughed it off telling us we were exhausted and we needed to rest so just let him stay in the nursery.  I said NO, I wanted him with me at night and if I chose to I'd send him to the nursery later on. She laughed it off like I didn't know what I was talking about.  I said he's not my first, he's my fourth.  I just had him and I've spent maybe a half hour with him total since he was born.  I want my baby and I want him NOW.  We got him back around 9:45 almost 10pm.  Anyways.

We got home and he still continued to not latch.  So I started pumping and supplementing with formula.  Then it turned to formula supplemented with breastmilk.  We still try to breastfeed, but he wants nothing to do with it.

We found out today that he's got thrush.  I've suspected it for a few days now.  I'm wondering how long he's had it and if it's been contributing to our issues.  I guess I'm looking for anything to tell me why I can't get this to work.

It sucks because I know I can't pump enough.  As of right now I get about 2 ounces a session, and he eats 4-5 in a feeding.  I know if I could pump more, I could produce more.  But being home with the boys alone for 10+ hours a day makes it hard to be stuck to a pump for 20 minutes every 2 hours or so.

It sucks because I wanted so bad for this to work this time.  And I can't make it.  I know he's still young enough that we can keep trying...I'm trying not to get discouraged.  We keep trying different things...but I wonder how much longer I can drive myself crazy trying.  And then I wonder if I just give up now, how long will I wonder what if?

Why can't parenting be easy?

6 years ago today...

Sweet Nut-June 2005

Sweet Nut,

   Six years ago today you changed the world.  You made me a mommy of 2.  You made Spawn a big brother for the first time.  And you scared the life out of me.  But that's nothing new.  You continue to do that often. :P

I can honestly say that every day you make us smile.  You definitely bring sunshine into our lives.

Having a "spicy" first Halloween-2005

I'm impressed by you daily.  You have *shined* this year in school.  You love showing Daddy, Papi and me things you have learned.  You love to read to anyone who will listen.  And you love to show how smart you are in math.

One of Mommy's favorite pictures-June 2006

You also adore your brothers.  Most of the time.  You often refer to Spawn or Cute Boy as your "best buddies".  And you just smother Baby Goober with hugs and kisses whenever you can.  And although you were sad that Mommy had to miss your birthday party in school this year, because she went to the hospital to have Landon, you still had a fun time with Daddy.

becoming a big brother for the first time-March 2007

Birthday Party at school-being serious with Daddy

June 2011

There's the real Sweet Nut.

Happy Birthday silly boy!  We Love You!

And then there were six...

The Baby Goober has arrived!

So it's been a bit of a crazy week here, adjusting to having a newborn again, dealing with Goobers, the Chef has a new schedule, etc.

Anyways, here's Baby Goober's birth story.

Tuesday, May 31st, I went in for a regular appointment for my 39 week check-up.  They did a NST (and he semi-cooperated) and checked me.  I was 2cm.  I spoke to my midwife about induction.  I was planning on one since all of the other Goobers had to be evicted.  She said we'd talk about it next week at my 40 week appt and would probably be sometime that week.  I asked if we could just schedule it now because the Chef was getting a new schedule at work and we were trying to figure out who was watching the other Goobers etc.  She said she'd give me a call that day and let me know.

I got a phone call that afternoon telling me to be at the hospital at 7am the next morning.  *SHOCKED*  So I called the Chef, and we scrambled figuring out what to do with the boys between the sitter and the exes, spoke to Chef's boss and got his schedule figured out, ran to the grocery store and got cupcakes and juice boxes for Sweet Nut's birthday party at school the next day, packed the hospital bag, spent time with the Goobers before dropping them off at the sitters that night.  I don't know who had a harder time with the drop off that night, Sweet Nut and Cute Boy or the Chef and me.  

We got to the hospital just before 7am, and had to wait a bit, since it was a full house.  We ended up in a postpartum room where they started us off with everything and the pitocin was started around 8.  There was 3 other inductions and 2 c-sections going on so we had to wait for the c-section to get under way before they moved us to the regular labor and delivery room...that was almost at 10am!  Our midwife came in to check me around 8:15 and the nurse told her that she was having a hard time keeping Baby Goober on the monitor. No surprise to us, since he's been this way EVERY time a monitor was put on!  She broke my water around 8:20 am and put an internal monitor on him.  

Once we made our way back to our labor and delivery room I was able to sit in the rocking chair for a bit.  It was the first time EVER that during a delivery I wasn't made to stay in a bed, so I was very happy.  I spent a good couple hours rocking away the contractions.  They started getting rough, but I was able to deal with them.  Around 12ish, they started getting pretty strong, and I knew I wanted my epidural soon, but a delivery was going on and they had grabbed my nurse to help.  She ran in the room to tell me she'd be back as soon as she could.  Awhile later, she came back and had the midwife come down and check me, and the midwife said I could have my epidural.  They were ready to go with it pretty quick and it worked almost right away.  The Chef caught up on sleep while I tried to relax.  I was comfortable, but couldn't sleep, so I watched some TV.

My mom came in later that afternoon and commented on how "happy" I was.  Drugs are good :D  She left to go get my dad, and grab some dinner.  I remember around 6ish starting to feel pressure, and around 6:40ish it was bad.  They got the midwife in and she checked me and there was some cervix left, but she told me to push through the pressure to see if we could get rid of it.  Just before 7 I started pushing.  At 7:16pm Baby Goober entered the world on June 1st, 2011 weighing in at 8 pounds 5 ounces and 20 inches long.

Spending some time with Mommy

Meeting Papi

All Cleaned Up

My First Morning

Posing with Uncle Golden Boy

Meeting GG (Grest grandma)

Ready to go home

First morning at home

The bigger goobers came home 24 hours after we brought Baby Goober home.  I missed them bunches, but it was nice being able to recooperate a bit at home before the monsters attacked boys came home.

Meeting Spawn

Meeting Sweet Nut

Meeting Cute Boy

First picture of all the goobers (don't mind the mess in the window-I lived on the couch the first day home)

Typical man...passed out on the couch

And his 1 week old picture

So, we've been a little bit preoccupied here to say the least.  Haven't had to many jealousy issues, but we are dealing with trying to be a bit quieter when Baby Goober is sleeping.  Spawn and Sweet Nut are almost done with Kindergarten and 2nd Grade.  They've got 2 weeks left.  We're not doing a vacation this year, but we're going to be taking some day trips.  We're close to lots of fun things like the Bronx Zoo, Six Flags, Philly, etc.  It's also nice because the Chef was able to change his schedule to be working the same amount of hours, but he's home 3 days a week by 4pm, and has one full day off as opposed to only being home by 4 once a week and one day off...he still works until 8pm 3 nights a week, but it's better than 8pm 3 nights a week and 10pm 2 nights a week.  The only thing we all are getting used to is we have to bring him to work at 6am.  But, we can deal with that in exchange for having him home with us more.

I hear some squeaking coming from the swing so I should get ready to feed the little guy soon...he's a good baby so far.  He squeaks before he really cries, but if you ignore the squeaking, he'll show you just how loud he can get :D

Simple Woman's Daybook--May 4th

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...

It's dark...and a bit chilly.  Although the trees are getting their leaves and the flowers are starting to bloom.

I am thinking...

That I should go to bed soon instead of writing a blog post and eating orange wedges with Cute Boy.

I am thankful for...

hearing the giggles and splashes coming out of my bathroom a little while ago when Sweet Nut and Cute Boy were taking a bath under the Chef's supervision.

From the learning rooms...

Today it's the bathroom and the Chef is teaching Sweet Nut and Cute Boy how to say the parts of the body in Spanish.  

From the kitchen...

S'mores.  And orange wedges.  But those s'mores sure did hit the spot before.

I am wearing...

Shoes that are holey.  I figure I've got 4 weeks give or take left...I'm not going to buy new sneakers yet...I'm hoping that after Baby Goober comes my feet return to something that resembles feet...and fits into shoes.

I am creating...

a slideshow...a blanket...a "nursery"...a baby goober

I am going...

to bed soon.  I hope.

I am reading...

nothing at the moment...I actually need to get some new books.

I am hoping...

that Baby Goober gets head down sometime in the next 2 weeks.

I am hearing...

the Lakers/Dallas game...and the leapfrog English/Spanish radio

Around the house...

I'm wanting to deep clean.  I need new magic erasers.  I need the Chef to assemble the new vacuum.  I need to finish putting up the decorations on the "nursery wall" in our bedroom.

One of my favorite things...

feeling Baby Goober move.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

work...dinner with the parents for their 25th anniversary...

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Cute Boy with one of his Easter Eggs he painted all by himself.


Check out The Simple Woman's Daybook to do your own daybook.

Happy Easter from the Goobers!

Cute Boy showing off his handiwork.

Spawn acting like his crazy self.

Sweet Nut hard at work.

Easter goodies waiting for the Goobers this morning.




Happy Easter from all of us in the Goober House!!!!