Flexibility 101, as taught by my 1 year old

With my cold leftover pizza on my left, coffee on my right and my son snoozing across the hall at grandmas house- I am sitting down and get to work.

Most likely I'm making notes, things like looking out for a package to arrive today. Appointments to be scheduled for Daniel and myself. Planning what needs to be done this week outside the house- and how leaving the house coincides with the weather and if it's worth the effort of bringing my baby outside at all. Do I need to go to the fruit stand? If I go, bring the overdue library books and pay the $3.30 fine.

Because when he comes back from grandmas, I'll be on the floor with him, letting him climb me like a jungle gym, putting on some music or the news to play in the background and fill the quiet. I'll bring the heater from his room and place it beyond the baby gate, to heat the floor and keep our feet warm since my feet are always cold when on the floor so I'm sure his are too. I'll bring out some blocks and his loud musical walker and then try to sneak in the kitchen to put things away or cut some pears to snack on. Then Danny will realize that I snuck into the dreaded kitchen out of his grasp. He'll bang on the baby gate with whatever toy he's carrying around, much like a prisoner with a tin cup and he'll let me know that I did not have his blessing to do something without him.

I'll give him the love and attention he demands, usually a cuddle on the couch with Cheerios, until he scoots down and toddles off to play again. Then I cut up the pear, pour something to drink, and go to the bathroom. Of course, out of his eyesight. If he sees, he acts as though he thinks that the bathroom is eating me alive. He'll stand at the overturned coffee table and yell, imploring me to show my face. I dread the day that he learns how to move this barricade aside because that will be the beginning of the end of solo bathroom breaks. I will never pee alone again.

He's a very tenacious baby. But then again I'm the same way. I want things to go my way and plan on the future, and here he is teaching me to put him before myself. Motherhood has taught me a lot, but I'm always relearning how to yield to others through his demands. And I'm so thankful that this important lesson is being taught by such a cute professor, through an immersion course designed to teach me to be flexible after all.

So tell me...
What lessons have you been learning lately?
Did you find yourself with an unexpectedly cute professor?

                 
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Neglecting my Blog Baby

Before I had my son Daniel, this blog was my baby. Outside my relationship with Christ and my husband, The Newest Vazquez is where I focused all my creative energy and time, trying to raise this blog up to something that could, eventually, connect me with others around the world (and sure, be a possible source of income).

Well, I dropped my baby a long time ago. 

I picked it up a few times after Daniel was born, but at this point I haven't even looked at it in half a year. Mostly because I was ashamed of all the work I invested in it, only to let it slowly die. But it still exists, and while I have toyed with the idea of starting another from scratch, it saddens me that all the posts, photos and work I've invested would be lost and displaced. I love everything I've written, and want to keep it all in one place, even if it means it's combined in with a new kind of concept. I want to revive my blog baby.

I don't think that concept here (as it exists in Jan 2017) fits me anymore. I've outgrown it. In this phase of life, I am less interested in exploring NYC, traveling and writing about my "learning" how to be married (though I still am, marriage is hard sometimes). I'm no longer a newlywed trying to keep my pregnancies viable, still shell-shocked at living in a busy city after my country upbringing.

I've made an astounding switch to a MOM.

 I finally- for possibly the first time in my life- feel in control of my choices, location, and I care little about creating structured and topical posts on here. Life for me right now is full of sweet, stressful and rewarding moments of insight..... so I likely won't be doing any more of the highly formatted, researched and planned topics like I have in the past. 

No more "5 Tips to Great Posture" or "Coney Island Polar Bears". Even "First Week as "Mom"' requires a more effort than I am able to invest at this point in life- so while I love those posts, things will be much more casual and conversational.

An overhaul is in the works, I hope to see you soon!

So tell me... 

Is anyone still reading this?

Are you ready to hear some big news? Come back in a few days!

Daniel at 5 Months

Daniel at 5 months old is very different that him even a few weeks ago. I look at the photos taken when he was 3 months and 4 months old and can't even believe the change. Yep, I forgot to write a 4 month update.

He's been a little ham for a while now, laughing and smiling at anyone who gives him a smile, and this month it seems like he's become a little people-pleaser. When he wakes up is when he is happiest, often waking up instead of crying with an "AH!" or babbling until he decides that he wants company and gets worked up. He also has learned how to laugh this month, or the very beginning of it where he makes the "huh-huh" sound.

And he has found his feet! And, they are his favorite toy, not counting the attention of anyone around him. Since pants sometimes keep his legs down and make it harder to get them up, the minute they are off his feet are in his hands. Other times, like when I put him down to bed or when he is nursing he will sneak his left foot up and try to grab it. Which is hilarious, but not exactly helpful at those times.

He has learned that tummy time is not the enemy, and can actually be enjoyed... but still not for very long. And all the conditions have to be right, such as no tummy problems, intriguing toys, I have to be there and engaging him. But, this from a month ago is a huge improvement. He used to scream when on his tummy for more than a few seconds.

He's still getting mixed reviews as to who he resembles more. He has gone back and forth, but since birth he has started to get some more of my features. He has a lighter version of his fathers color and also has his fathers mouth- but has my eyes, nose and eyebrows. His eyes started out grey but are now hazel like mine. I'm betting they will settle on brown as he ages. And he has one eye different than the other, like his father.

Let's talk about his teeth. They still haven't popped out, despite him crying out about them for months now. Perhaps he's just touchy about mouth pain and being a 'big baby' but a two month old should never have to teethe, in my opinion. He likely has learned to handle it better but I did notice that this month was a lot easier, perhaps they took some time off of coming in or he might have learned how to handle the pain better. He is still putting everything in his mouth, and he gets really angry when he can't- the photo above is a perfect example. He get so frustrated and upset that this oball won't go in his mouth. But it's hilarious to watch his try to get it in there :)

While Daniel's favorite time of they day is when he wakes up and we play (or perhaps at mealtime?)- mine is when we leave the house for a stroll.

And finally, the weather is cooperating and he can actually leave the stroller and look around. Until it warmed up, I had his carseat covered and he generally napped. When he woke up he would soon after get upset about being strapped in, and we'd have to go home.

Now that it's warmer, I can walk to the park, and when he wakes up actually take him out, play with him, nurse him and even change a diaper if needed.


When he gets sleepy I can just put him back in the stroller and cover him with his sunshade and he'll fall asleep in a few minutes. If I'm being honest, this is the only way I can help him fall asleep consistently without crying. Ok, sometimes with crying, but usually a nice stroll will help him drift off after 5 or 10 minutes of being drowsy.

 Since I'm on the topic of sleep, I'll just say that I appear to be he favorite place to snooze, especially when away from home. He doesn't cosleep with us and does sleep in his crib... until he wakes and it's daylight (anytime after 5:30am). At which point he comes in bed with me and Tom moves to the couch. He was at 2 months old sleeping through the night (which means more than 6 hours straight) but hasn't since. We occasionally get a 5 or 6 hour stretch, but most of the time he sleeps at night for 2 hours. Naptime varies, but can be anywhere from 30 minutes up to 2 hours. It really depends on the day and if he's overtired because of fighting naps.

                 
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Exercises for Babies!

One thing that I enjoy (and Daniel loves!) is the baby exercises we do every day. These are some simple moves that have a few different benefits. They calm a potentially fussy baby, relieve some gas, strengthen his neck, leg and arm musciles and aim to teach him to roll, crawl and balance. Plus, he absolutely loves them!

Leg Strength and Gas Relief

RunRunRun! (or Bicycle).

This is usually where we start, especially if he's being fussy and we want to make him smile. Taking an ankle in each hand, we help him "run". He might keep his legs locked at first, so you can lift tap his knees and they will usually bend. Then "runrunrun!" 

Eat Your Toes

It's exactly what it sounds like. After running, we bring his legs together and by the calves guide his feet to his mouth. Babies are so flexible, so this is something that he'll do on his own eventually anyway. But, in addition to giving him a bit of exercise, it is Very Effective at producing a toot. And, when you get a toot every time you bring his feet up to his mouth, it's quite hilarious.

Kick-Kick!

With his feet back down on the bed, tap the bottoms and make him kick or stomp up and down on your hands. This is another crowd pleaser, as he loves it and smiles like crazy, which pleases us to no end. 

Sitting Up

Sit-Ups

Honestly, these are sit ups. You hold his hands in your hands, and help slowly pull himself up into a sitting position. You can either hold it for a few seconds, do a few more sit-ups the same way... or have him try his hand at balancing himself. You will likely have to help him balance by holding his hands, but we've found that he's gotten increasingly better at holding his frame by himself for a few seconds to a half minute.  

Rolling and Crawling
-I don't know if this is common, but our son has very strong legs but hasn't even attempted to roll yet. He outright hates tummytime, but that's mostly our fault because we didn't want to anger him more during the colic days and ignored it for a spell. But, the next exercise kind of tricks him onto his tummy, and helps him learn how to crawl and propel himself forward.

Jab-Jab

While on his back, take each forearm in your hands and act as though he is in a boxing match. Gently doing this will help him roll back and forth along his back, and at a certain point you take one arm and roll him over, keeping his arms up in front of his head (so he is now in the crawling position).

At this point, if he isn't like ours and hasn't figured out that he is on his tummy against his will, you put his hands up in front of his face, and then put your hands behind his tucked in legs. Encourage him to push against your hands by tapping the bottoms of his feet. He should push them out, and therefore propel himself forward. 

Whatever you do, be sure you are gentle and err or the side of caution. 
Take the exercises slow and the strengths and weaknesses of your baby into consideration. And of course you can take these to your babies doctor and ask what they would recommend or change for your baby.

So tell me...
Did you have an exercise regimen for you baby?
Are there any other 'moves' that you would recommend?

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Here's what I wrote for the letter "E" in 2014:
Entertaining Guests

I have always admired people who throw extravagant dinner parties. Creating a beautiful menu, with the plates matching the tablecloth, and everyone having a grand old time.

Not always reality, am I right?... Click the link to read the rest...

This post was brought to you by the A-Z Challenge:

                 
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Baby Shower Advice (From a New Mom)

You get a lot of advice given when you are pregnant... sometimes too much advice or even unwanted advice. But the one time you are likely hoping to get a lot of good, practical advice is during your baby shower.

Since I only had my baby a few months ago, I've said "I wish I knew that" more than a handful of times. So when I received an invite to an upcoming baby shower, I started thinking about what I would write in the card. I'm sure a simple "congrats, can't wait to meet him!" would be appreciated, but I decided that it would be fun to list some of the things I've found to be true in these first few months.

I remember that I actually went up to several people at my baby shower(s) and asked for any tips they might have. Since that they had all exhausted their bank of anecdotes and tips in the months prior, it was funny that they were coming up empty by the time I was asking for it.

Tips for the First Few Months

-Don't stock up on diapers, you might have a fast grower.
-Have photos taken of you and Richard with your son- not just of him alone.
-Wait to buy any baby clothes until he needs them as you will likely be gifted a lot of 0-3 and 3-6 month clothes.
-Every two weeks will be different. Your baby will grow and learn new skills so quickly.
-Don't listen to other people's birth "horror stories" and if they start telling one kindly ask them to stop.
-Make sure there is some specific daddy-baby activity such as reading at night, playing before work or even nighttime diaper changes.
-Expect to use diaper rash cream a lot (in underarms, his neck, behind knees even) if he becomes a chubby little guy.
-Utilize the experts around you- family, friends and church family. There is someone who can help or has gone through it!

And most importantly... remember that regardless of how clueless you might feel as a new mom- your baby will ADORE you. He will be completely over-the-moon, in love with you.

So tell me...
Which piece of advice do you agree (or disagree) with?
What would you add?
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Here's what I wrote for the letter "B" in 2014:
Bad Habits

I have an unconscious habit of biting my lip, which Tom hates. When nervous, I pick at my cuticles. When falling asleep, I tend to fidget and move around. I also have a stubborn streak, which... Click the link to read the rest...

This post was brought to you by the A-Z Challenge:

                 
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Asking for Help

One of my biggest fears is having to asking for help from others. I've always tried to be self-sufficient, so when I married into my husband's family I quickly found that this was a family all about involvement and "how can I help?"... which is not what I was used to at all.

Ever since the colic days, I've realized how needy I am and how blessed I am with the family I married into. When Daniel reached the height of his shrieking and was crying until he was purple, I spent nearly all day with my mother in law, which consisted of us passing him back and forth so the other could take a rest from trying to console him.

And up to that point, I had been trying to do everything all on my own, without bringing him over for much more than a hour or so to visit. When he started to act less and less like a sweet sleepy newborn (as the colic set in) I tried to bring him only when they would 'enjoy' him. Of course when he started to slip into the screaming and crying, I realized that I needed help and that I would have to suck it up and ask for it.

During the colicky days, my formerly relaxed baby required constant walking around, swaying and trying to soothe him. Or else he would scream his little head off. When he turned 3 weeks old, all of his daytime naps stopped... which meant that all my sleep also stopped. I asked my mother in law if she could watch him for a few hours, and she happily accepted. Thank God for her, because without her help, I'm not sure how I would have functioned. I would have been sleep-deprived, in a disastrous house with no time to even think straight.

Since my in laws live in the same apartment building as us, it felt like I could easily be asking for too much help and possibly imposing. But my husband reminded me that I have been receiving help from her in the same way that she received help from her mother in law and sister in law when she had her two babies. And to quit overthinking it.

This entire parenting experience has been very humbling. 

So tell me...

When you had children, did you find yourself asking for help?

Are you a independent person, or embrace assistance?

Were you blessed by a great family of in-laws, or did you go through this experience solo?
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Here's what I wrote for the letter "A" in 2014:
April Fools

Growing up, I was basically an only child. My parents were both married before each other, and had kids with their first spouses. When they got married and had me, I was the only kid I knew for a large chunk of my childhood. Needless to say I did my fair share of pranking my poor mother... Click the link to read the rest...

This post was brought to you by the A-Z Challenge:

                 
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Daniel at 3 Months

Daniel turned 3 months old this morning, at 4:39am. So this morning we sat down and struck up an agreement with him that he can learn, walk talk and all those things, but he can't keep growing. He has to stay this size forever. Which is 25 1/4 inches long, and 15 lbs and 11 oz.

This month he's been working on using his hands to grab things he wants, block or swipe at objects when he's unhappy with them and has been putting them in his mouth constantly. His feet have been used to kick toys, the air and people. I've been assaulted with his razor nails (that I swear grow an inch overnight) and currently have 4 large scratches on my chest from a hungry baby that woke at 5 this morning, frantic for some food.

He's learned how to smile not just because he's happy, but because he wants to entertain others and get us to smile. Of course I spend most of my day trying to extract smiles from him, but it's time well spent. He's very good at answering a smile for a smile, and has started to do other things like smirk, huh-yuk (laughing soon, maybe?) and howling like a coyote. WoooOoo!

We've gotten into a routine, one that starts with him sleeping in his nursery and then around 7am when he wakes up, coming into bed with mom. Of course, sometimes dad hasn't yet woken and I get photos like this, of Daniel trying to wake dad with his cooing.

We've been blessed with some amazing weather this month, and have taken several walks around to nearby parks. Daniel always sleeps through them (and generally sleeps for an hour or more after coming home), so we go whenever possible.

Staring at that baby in the mirror has been a real thing this month. He seems to understand that this baby moves when he moves and Daniel has great fun provoking this baby to bounce around or scream along with him. Trying to understand just how that other baby in the mirror got there and looks just like him. It's been a busy month.

And lets not forget to mention that he is teething. I've no clue what to look for but his doctor after feeling around inside his mouth said 'yep, I feel some buds coming up!'. Wish I had thought to ask where and what to look for, because the only thing that seems different is his gums are less gummy, he's gnawing on his hand and seems miserable and pulls at his face and ear. Poor guy.  I'm excited to see what new things he'll learn this month, but don't want him to grow up any more.
I'm guessing that's a common thing for moms to say. 
                 
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