Our first Camping trip

We had our first camping trip on Friday night with our friends at Wolf River Campground. We had the rustic sites (only a porta potty). We had to pack for the camping trip along with the week vacation in MN so the car was plum full.

We had Joshua sleep in the changing pad next to us. I had him in a zipup sleeper and swaddled in one of those swaddle wrap things. Then another blanket, mittens, and a hat. It got down to 40 degrees that night. I was freezing, because I didn't pack enough for me. Packed enough to clothe Josh like 20 times... Nice.

He did pretty well that night. We did have to go into the car and turn on the lullabye CD to get him to quiet down, we were a bit rowdy at the campsite. We had packed 4 frozen bags of breastmilk so I could have a few beverages too. Unfortunately, we lost 2 of them because evidently the bags were not sealed properly or had opened. But again, these days I can't drink much anyway. 3 beers was enough!

We went to bed at 3am, yeah had no idea it was that late. Then woke up at 6am to feed Josh and pack up for the trek to Brainerd MN. It is a 7 hour drive - which turned into a long 10 hour trip for us. But we made it. Jim and I crashed as soon as we got there. Thank goodness for relatives who are willing to watch our little man and our dog. :)

My 36 hour Retreat

Some of my sorority sisters were heading back up to MTU for a mini getaway weekend. I had mentioned it to Jim back in April and said that if we could swing it, I would really like to go, even if it was just for a night. So Jim said as long as there is enough breastmilk, go right ahead.

Now here is where I brag about my hubby - he is a natural at being a dad. Really patient and just good at it. So I really didn't have that anxious feeling of leaving Josh with him. Instead I was wondering how much I would miss him.

Well I pumped like crazy to stockpile for this getaway and had enough for 2 nights. So I left Friday at noon and made the 4 hour drive to Houghton. I met up with the 7 other gals and we had a blast! We hit up the Ambassador for fishbowls, hit the DT, and then the Dog House. I even had a couple Pickled Eggs! Yum! It wasn't too late of an evening... we were all back in the hotel by 1am. But it was enough for me! I definitely can't hang like I used too!

The next day I called home to see how the night had gone with Jim. His repsonse was, "He's been up since 6am, I dropped the dog off at daycare and haven't got a thing done". I laughed. Sounds like the normal routine. He said it was fine and to have fun. So I spent the rest of the day up in Houghton... So nice to relax and have some good quality girl time. I got back on the road at 5 pm and made it home Saturday night around 9:30pm.

Whey didn't I stay another night - I missed Josh, knew that the headache I had from the Friday night adventure would only be made worse with another night in Houghton, and finally was looking forward to having an entire Sunday with Jim/Josh/and Hilo.

That headache didn't go away until Monday. Yeah definitely can't hang anymore!

Top Ranking Baby Items

If I had to make a top 10 list of my favorite baby items... the Baby Bjorn would be definitely towards the top. I love it because I can securely hold Joshua either facing out or facing in while still managing to do some household chores. Joshua loves it because he can either watch what I am doing or snuggle in and get a nap. LOVE IT!

And some other favorites...

• The Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe Stroller/carseat
• The Boppy - had to get another one so I could have one on each floor
• The Rainforest Bouncer - Josh loves it... and the music makes Jim and I think we are in the Jungle during dinner - ha ha!
• The Baby Einstein Lullaby Classics CD - I swear it has a subliminal message in there that gets him to instantly calm down
• The portable swing - fantastic when I need a shower
• The Symphony In Motion - Zoo Mobile - Again Josh Loves it...

Bathtime with Joshua

In the first few weeks, Josh would just SCREAM during bathtime. We tried putting wash cloths on him, having the tub empty, the tub full, running water... nothing seemed to work. Then we found the sprayer. He loves it! This along with keeping the tub full so it is up to his belly when he sits in it seems to make him relax and enjoy the tub time.

And this has now become a Jim and Josh activity. I am officially on camera duty. Which is just fine for me.

He is getting so animated now! And his smile is so darn cute... always starts as a smirk on one side... then goes to a big wide mouth grin!

Surprising my dad..

This weekend Jim went to Indiana for the Grand Prix Formula 1 race. This is his annual Father's Day tradition. Joshua is a little too young to partake in the male bonding so we went to MN to surprise my dad. My girlfriend Tatum was heading to visit her family and so she offered to drive us. So we loaded up her truck that morning - Hilo, Josh, and I. I can't believe how much I packed for just a 3 day weekend. I had no idea what would be needed and what wouldn't. But better to be safe than sorry.

We got there early on Thursday and had time to relax before the surprise. It couldn't have worked any more perfect. Josh was asleep in his carseat so we put him right by the door. Then Hilo layed down right in front of him.

My dad was definitely surprised. He had no idea! Thanks everyone for keeping it a secret!

Friday we surprised my grandparents for lunch. Josh got to meet his only surving Great Grandpa, my Grandpa Roger. He also was able to finally meet his Great Grandma Donna and Great Great Granny Leona. They were very suprised and glad we came for lunch. They will take any one on one time they can get!!!

Friday night my sister and her husband hosted a cookout. Some of the Walsh side came so they were able to meet Josh. It was nice to enjoy the night outside as it had finally cooled off enough. Josh did very well and even held his bottle for the first time all by himself! ha ha!

Saturday we had a lot of visitors at my parents house to meet Josh. And then we went to my cousin Mike's graduation party. Josh got to meet all the relatives on my mom's side. He was never ever put down the entire weekend!

Sunday we went to Church and then to breakfast for Father's Day. Joshua did very well again. Tatum came to pick us up around 12pm and we made the trek home. What a great weekend.

Jim had a blast in Indiana with his family and the race went well this year. It was hot but still fun. Can't wait for Joshua to start going with him.

My first Mohawk!

The rest of this week Jim's mom has stayed in town to help out. It was fantastic. She helped with Joshua, Hilo, and the housework. Which means I get some more rest. Definitely needed and appreciated.

So mommy and me... on Monday. Again a good one. I showed up on time. And this week we had a "Cranial Sacral Therapist". I looked it up to make sure I had it right. Basically it is a therapist that massages the bones in the skull, spine and pelvis. The woman talked about why "Every baby" should be seen and that the world would be much happier if everyone had seen one after birth. She checked out Joshua and said that he had a "crick" in his neck and that is why he always tilts his head to one side. And why he feeds better on one side than the other. Still skeptical of the whole thing. But later in the class she was talking about why babies spit up and that it is likely the mom's diet that is the problem. She went on to say that Sugar is horrible for babies - all types. Sugars in anything should be avoided, cake, sugar on cereal, raw sugar, everything. Me - being a smart#$$ said - so we really have to avoid spicy foods for the entire time too - really?? She looked right at me and goes in a very serious scolding tone, "You chose to become a mom, it is time for you to make a sacrifice". And that is when I packed up and walked out. Cranial Sacral Bologna...

We know Josh doesn't do well with spicy foods... and maybe dairy. So we are going to try limiting them and see how it goes. He just gets so gassy... But sugar... it would be pretty difficult to avoid all sugar. CRAZY Lady that is what I say.

Grandpa and Grandma Kirkwood Visit

This weekend Grandma and Grandpa Kirkwood came for a visit. They haven't seen Josh since when we were in the hospital - so they were excited to see how much he has grown. And they think he is starting to show some more Walsh characterics... Yeah!

It was Jay and Cindy's 35 year anniversary - Congratulations and thanks for spending it with us! It was very nice outside this weekend so we took a few walks and sat outside as much as possible. The guys continued to work on the second floor bathroom while Cindy and I watched Josh. I even got another nap in! It was so nice to have them in town! Hilo got some extra attention which was very much appreciated!

Sunday I ran for the first time since September. I had sciatic nerve pains really early in the pregnancy - so long walks and running was out of the picture while I was pregnant. But today I decided to give it a try. It was surprisingly not as hard as I thought it was going to be. I ran a lot slower than usual... but I still was running. I went on my usual 3 mile loop and walked only a few times. About 2 hours after the run... I hurt! ha ha!

Mini Photo Shoot

Today - I wanted to try and get a good photo for an announcement. I was hoping to have a friends relative do professional photos... but unfortunately he was on vacation. So I tried. And I succeeded.

Joshua likes white noise. Hairdryers, Fans, Running water, Vacuums... they all work and I have used them all. Today the hairdryer and the fan made the photo shoot possible. He is SO DANG CUTE!!!!

Notice the progression. I think I took 70 pictures in that hour. He was calm and cooperative... then not happy - so the hairdryer was plugged in... then look at how peaceful he was... it was priceless!

I went to shutterfly to put the announcement together. It turned out pretty cute I think. The internet rocks! It is so nice to be able to share the photos so easily...

Plus - I couldn't post these until the announcement went out... and we know how long snail mail can take - or hand delivery for some of you! Ha ha!

Happy 1 Month B-day Joshua!

Joshua is officially 1 month old. And he is starting to smile more and more. It is so much fun - although we still believe it is gas... Ha ha! Jim and I were talking about the last months events... Here is what has changed in our daily routines...

Before Josh:

• I get up around 5:30am and head to the health center where I workout until 7am... shower and get ready for work. Arrive there around 8am.
• Jim gets up at 6:30am, lets the dog out and feeds him, and gets to work at 7am.
• Jim and I work till 5pm
• Get home around 5:30pm - Jim makes dinner... I go through mail, do some laundry or cleaning, and play with Hilo.
• 6 pm - dinner and watch the Simpsons or Scrubs
• Either go to our various sports activities or do some house project
• I am in bed around 10 pm and Jimbo is in bed around 11 pm
• Sleep soundly through the night - getting a solid 7 hours of sleep

Now with Josh:

• Josh wakes us up anywhere between 5:30-6:30 am to eat/diaper change/ and begin play time.
• Jim still gets Hilo fed and out before heading to work at 7am
• I am up with Joshua for most of the morning and it usually involves a walk with Hilo, more eating/diaper changes/ and me hopefully getting a shower and ready for the day. (I love the Baby Bjorn and the swing!) He eats about every 2 hours in the morning.
• I try to eat around 11 am when he seems to want a nap.
• He usually eats at 1 and 4 pm in the afeternoon and we both get a nap on the couch between 2-4 pm. Then we watch Ellen at 4pm. I know. Exciting.
• Jim comes home at 5... Hilo gets more play time. We have dinner at some point and either take turns holding/entertaining Josh while we eat or have him in the Rainforest Bouncer and can eat together. You never know...
• The evening is us taking turns holding him and me feeding him at least 2 more times before we put him to bed around 9 pm.
• We know we should go to bed - but this is the first time all day where we know he is sound asleep. So I try to get to email or some household chores and so does Jim.
• Then Mr. Josh wakes up to eat at 1am, 3 am, and 5am to eat and get a diaper change.
• So we get about 5 hours of napping in at night...

They say little ones change your life... and they do. But it is a GREAT change - although I am exhausted - I wouldn't change it for anything.

The mommy and me clique

So today I went to the Mommy and Me class at the other hospital... I showed up late because I thought it started at 1:30 pm when it really started at 1pm. I walked into the room and it was jam packed with at least 20 moms. I didn't recognize anyone... such an awkward feeling. I finally grabbed a chair and a girl from the last Thursdays group recognized me and called me over. So we sat and gabbeda bout our camping plans for the summer. Joshua was completely zonked out in his carseat in the stroller. Wasn't about to move him...

This class wasn't the warmest. There were moms with kids of all ages and everyone was in little circles with the people they knew. I had heard about this... could this be my first experience with mommy cliques?

As for Joshua - he weighed in at 9lbs 13 oz today. The "Chunky Monkey" continues...

Time to catch up...

So I am going to attempt to get you all caught up with the last 3 weeks... So stay tuned as the next few posts will get you to today's date - the 20th!

Joshua has grown significantly this month. Well - at least kept pace with the previous month. This particular weekend we had our first "Little Sunday" since Joshua was born. We used to go to church, then to breakfast, then to Home Depot, Menards, and others "if there was time". So we planned ahead and brought a bottle along knowing Joshua would get hungry during breakfast. Church went great... everyone oogled over him. Then breakfast, he definitely was a hit among the over 65 crowd. And the bottle worked great. I am so thankful for breast pumps... make it so easy.

Then to Home Depot. We ended up going to two different ones along with Menards. We pulled him in and out of the car in the infant seat and he slept right through most of it. But we under estimated how much work it was to run errands with him. Like where to put everything we just bought when the carseat is in the middle... But alas - leave 2 engineers to figure it out!

And the second bathroom remodeling project was underway!