Moms worry about their children. It is no secret, but when it comes to development the emails we receive about what to expect and what our children should be doing is sometimes enough to tie you into knots. They have a disclaimer that each child is different. Surely this is true and we see it every day, so why do these expectations about progress keep us up at night?
For me it began recently when I realized Brenton is not babbling with consonants. At 6 months many babies are stringing together mamamamas and dadadadas and bababas. Baby B is 7 months and although he is verbal he is not babbling in this way.
I spoke with my husband about my concern about his language development and since he cares for Brenton during the day he began some additional exercises to spurn his progress. We implemented some baby sign language as well. He loves the sign for happy baby. After all he is one happy baby. We speak to him directly and read to him frequently and have since birth. Still no babbling.
He squeals with delight and smiles and laughs in ways that melt my heart. He also babbles with vowel sounds. This should be enough, but in the days of increased diagnosis of autism and learning disabilities I find myself jumping to the worst case scenarios. Just as I get myself into this dark and scary place my son will do something new. He can stand up and hold onto the table now.
It is incredible how this unrelated task can make me feel better about his development. Perhaps he is just putting his focus into the physical endeavors. Regardless I have a happy baby and that should be enough. I wish I could definitively say that I will not have these moments of concern again; however, I cannot make such a bold statement and I can only claim that these mom worries come from a place of deep love for my child and a hope for a relatively easy and happy existence.
I rest assured that I take joy in his milestones that he has reached and he has surprised me with meeting some ahead of schedule. Clearly he does things in his own time. My husband reminds me I will one day look back and long for the days when he was unable to speak. I laugh and think about my own mother who probably wished for that during my belligerent teen years.
Secretly I continue to repeat over and over to my beautiful baby B….mamamamama. It is my shameless plug to say my “name” first. This will inevitably lead to his first word being dada, but I can live with that as long as he remains my happy baby.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Road Trip: Oriental, NC
After a five hour drive from Charlotte we rolled into the very tiny town of Oriental, North Carolina. This is where my parents have decided to retire. They have lived there for 5 years now building their dream home on a lot with a water view. It is pretty perfect and they love it.
It hit me as we pulled into the driveway the last time I was here the baby that was in the backseat would soon be six months old was only 7 weeks gestation. It is amazing how quickly the time goes by. I was so excited to show him his grandparents home.
He was instantly more at ease in the house than he was in the hotel. He knew this place somehow. I think he could feel this was his grandparents home. He knows them well after all they can never stay away from us too long and for that we are grateful.
The next two days were spent lounging and relaxing after our busy time in Charlotte. It was a welcome relief to just be calm and quiet. The baby was back to a regular bedtime and even taking naps. This was a vacation!
Baby B had the chance to meet some of my parents dear friends. He also went for a ride on the Applecrate my father’s monk 36! We went to New Bern and had lunch at Persimmon on the water. He went to the Trawl Door and also the Toucan. He was all about town and he did so well.
He turned 6 months old while he was in Oriental and I truly enjoy that this milestone was reached at his grandparents home wearing his Oriental, NC onesie! The half year is a special one although I marked each monthiversary thus far. He is so miraculous at this age. Sitting and smiling and grabbing and giggling while his eyes shine. We have been through so much already and the journey is just beginning.
After a fabulously relaxing visit we were back on the road for the 8 hour trip back home. After 4 stops we arrived at 5pm. It was a wonderful trip, but so good to be home.
We put the baby in his jumperoo and he jumped and jumped and jumped. We should have brought that rather than the pack and play in retrospect, but traveling with a baby is a live and learn experience really just like any other day with a baby. We did it. We all survived baby’s first road trip!!!
It hit me as we pulled into the driveway the last time I was here the baby that was in the backseat would soon be six months old was only 7 weeks gestation. It is amazing how quickly the time goes by. I was so excited to show him his grandparents home.
He was instantly more at ease in the house than he was in the hotel. He knew this place somehow. I think he could feel this was his grandparents home. He knows them well after all they can never stay away from us too long and for that we are grateful.
The next two days were spent lounging and relaxing after our busy time in Charlotte. It was a welcome relief to just be calm and quiet. The baby was back to a regular bedtime and even taking naps. This was a vacation!
Baby B had the chance to meet some of my parents dear friends. He also went for a ride on the Applecrate my father’s monk 36! We went to New Bern and had lunch at Persimmon on the water. He went to the Trawl Door and also the Toucan. He was all about town and he did so well.
He turned 6 months old while he was in Oriental and I truly enjoy that this milestone was reached at his grandparents home wearing his Oriental, NC onesie! The half year is a special one although I marked each monthiversary thus far. He is so miraculous at this age. Sitting and smiling and grabbing and giggling while his eyes shine. We have been through so much already and the journey is just beginning.
After a fabulously relaxing visit we were back on the road for the 8 hour trip back home. After 4 stops we arrived at 5pm. It was a wonderful trip, but so good to be home.
We put the baby in his jumperoo and he jumped and jumped and jumped. We should have brought that rather than the pack and play in retrospect, but traveling with a baby is a live and learn experience really just like any other day with a baby. We did it. We all survived baby’s first road trip!!!
Ritzy Baby
A few weeks ago my little man went on his first road trip. Just a few days shy of 6 months old we hit the road for Charlotte NC. I was working for 3 days and we determined it would be a good time to bring the family to my company’s hub and then swing over to my parents on the coast.
Sunday night we packed up the car with the necessary baby gear and two large suitcases. Included in the extravaganza of baby gear was the following shameless list of items. Stroller, Pack and Play, bouncy seat, and all the toys we could manage to bring that would keep him entertained without taking up to much space. We also of course brought the essentials as well. It just fit!
Once we were on the road Baby B was content. He slept for two hours then woke then we went for another 30 minutes without a place to stop and then he went back to sleep, so we pushed on. My fearless husband behind the wheel making excellent time.
Finally we could go no farther, so we stopped to feed and change the baby and walk him around in the Virginia rest stop that ate our $20 bill in the vending machine! No food for us and it was already past noon. In my hustle and bustle I had forgotten grown up snacks. But as you know if your nursing the baby is always easily fed, so the rest is moot.
Back on the road for another two hours with a sleeping baby. It was time to eat even though he still slept. We stopped at a Hardees and grabbed a quick bite at which point the baby was awake and whamming so changed him and we put the bouncy seat in the front of the car and I made it to the back to entertain his brain and feed him a bottle.
Another two hours had passed of me shaking rattles and toys and feeding a bottle in between. Then another stop to feed and change baby B. He was happy most of the trip save a few bouts of crying that lasted between 5 and 15 minutes. Not bad for a 9 hour trip with 4 stops.
We rolled into the driveway of the Ritz Carlton in Charlotte, NC a little after 7 just as we planned! That’s right me and my blended family at the Ritz. We were met by the valet and the doormen and bellman anxious to assist with the unpacking of our crammed vehicle. We were already a hit with the staff because of the baby and our long journey.
I checked in with the baby while the hubs coordinated the rest. After a quick elevator ride we collapsed onto the king sized bed on the 16th floor and awaited the arrival of our bags. We made it!
The bags arrived and I unpacked us as quickly as possible. I must interject that the pack and play was a fail for this trip. It served only as a changing table and even rarely at that. Any how we ordered some room service and ate while the baby played. He was full of unexpelled energy! Then to bed for all of us. I was road weary and working the next day.
Off to conduct my first training session since returning from maternity leave was a wonderful reunion with coworkers I’d missed. I was a little off my game initially when facilitating, but then it all fell into place. Rolston and the baby were off to the museums, but not before purchasing an $80 belt. That’s right a very expensive packing oversight.
They went all over Charlotte together. A father and a baby in a stroller. The African American museum, the museum of the new South, the Betchler, and even the NASCAR hall of fame. They even stopped on the last day to have lunch with me and my colleagues. Baby B was a star and behaved through the entire meal.
On this final day we ended a little early and as a family we went to the pool at the hotel. Baby B’s first time “swimming”. He was unsure at first and then relaxed into the water and kicked his little legs. He was a natural, enjoying the water just like his parents.
Next was a leisurely meal at my favorite Charlotte restaurant called Harvest Moon. It’s farm to table and I adore it. We sat outside in the warm evening air and the owner came out to meet the baby. She fawned over him and he smiled at her. It was a lovely end to the first leg of our vacation.
We packed up and went to sleep and in the morning called the bellman to assist with all the gear. We packed up and again it all just fit. On our way out of the driveway they called, “Bye Jersey!” and we were off to Oriental, NC to see the grandparents.
Sunday night we packed up the car with the necessary baby gear and two large suitcases. Included in the extravaganza of baby gear was the following shameless list of items. Stroller, Pack and Play, bouncy seat, and all the toys we could manage to bring that would keep him entertained without taking up to much space. We also of course brought the essentials as well. It just fit!
Once we were on the road Baby B was content. He slept for two hours then woke then we went for another 30 minutes without a place to stop and then he went back to sleep, so we pushed on. My fearless husband behind the wheel making excellent time.
Finally we could go no farther, so we stopped to feed and change the baby and walk him around in the Virginia rest stop that ate our $20 bill in the vending machine! No food for us and it was already past noon. In my hustle and bustle I had forgotten grown up snacks. But as you know if your nursing the baby is always easily fed, so the rest is moot.
Back on the road for another two hours with a sleeping baby. It was time to eat even though he still slept. We stopped at a Hardees and grabbed a quick bite at which point the baby was awake and whamming so changed him and we put the bouncy seat in the front of the car and I made it to the back to entertain his brain and feed him a bottle.
Another two hours had passed of me shaking rattles and toys and feeding a bottle in between. Then another stop to feed and change baby B. He was happy most of the trip save a few bouts of crying that lasted between 5 and 15 minutes. Not bad for a 9 hour trip with 4 stops.
We rolled into the driveway of the Ritz Carlton in Charlotte, NC a little after 7 just as we planned! That’s right me and my blended family at the Ritz. We were met by the valet and the doormen and bellman anxious to assist with the unpacking of our crammed vehicle. We were already a hit with the staff because of the baby and our long journey.
I checked in with the baby while the hubs coordinated the rest. After a quick elevator ride we collapsed onto the king sized bed on the 16th floor and awaited the arrival of our bags. We made it!
The bags arrived and I unpacked us as quickly as possible. I must interject that the pack and play was a fail for this trip. It served only as a changing table and even rarely at that. Any how we ordered some room service and ate while the baby played. He was full of unexpelled energy! Then to bed for all of us. I was road weary and working the next day.
Off to conduct my first training session since returning from maternity leave was a wonderful reunion with coworkers I’d missed. I was a little off my game initially when facilitating, but then it all fell into place. Rolston and the baby were off to the museums, but not before purchasing an $80 belt. That’s right a very expensive packing oversight.
They went all over Charlotte together. A father and a baby in a stroller. The African American museum, the museum of the new South, the Betchler, and even the NASCAR hall of fame. They even stopped on the last day to have lunch with me and my colleagues. Baby B was a star and behaved through the entire meal.
On this final day we ended a little early and as a family we went to the pool at the hotel. Baby B’s first time “swimming”. He was unsure at first and then relaxed into the water and kicked his little legs. He was a natural, enjoying the water just like his parents.
Next was a leisurely meal at my favorite Charlotte restaurant called Harvest Moon. It’s farm to table and I adore it. We sat outside in the warm evening air and the owner came out to meet the baby. She fawned over him and he smiled at her. It was a lovely end to the first leg of our vacation.
We packed up and went to sleep and in the morning called the bellman to assist with all the gear. We packed up and again it all just fit. On our way out of the driveway they called, “Bye Jersey!” and we were off to Oriental, NC to see the grandparents.
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