Oh, mom. Stop worrying!

CORRECTION! Because mom's are crazy and when something worries us we tend to not look past it, instead we obsess over it i made a mistake. When i put in the head circumference it was in centimeters (47). I was suppose to convert it to inches. Caleb is perfect. In the 50-75 percentile. Just perfect.



I did a little torturing of myself today. Because isn't that what moms do? We over-think everything and we believe everything we read. I went onto babycenter.com and into the growth Calculator. "I just want to see how Caleb's developing, that's all" I said to myself. I put in all of the necessary information: Ht. 27in. Wt. 18.2 Head Circumference 47. Here are the results:
Ht. - in the 50 to 75 percentile
Wt. - in the 50 to 75 percentile
Head Circumference - above the 95 percentile

That's a pretty big head. So now i'm worried. Will the rest of him ever catch up? Will he be made fun of? Will his head ever be smaller than over 95% of babies his age? UGH GRRRR AHHHHH I wish i'd never done that. I know it's normal for babies to have big heads but now i wonder for how long? I keep telling myself it's ok. He's perfectly healthy and if the size of his head was not normal his doctor would've already said so. I just want my little boy to be happy and perfect. We always notice that his head is a bit big and then there's all that wild hair. I'll be ok. He's perfect exactly the way he is.

Enough worrying. Enjoy these pictures from this morning at school.

Yankees win!!!

While Ernest is not a baseball fan he still roots for the Yankees. I'm a Mets fan and will forever be one but i've decided that all of the awful heartbreak i've suffered as a Mets fan will not be passed on to Caleb. I can't do it. I was at that game the first year they choked. That was the last game of that season when we played the Florida Marlins and Tom Glavine gave up 8 runs in 2 innings. I sat in that upper deck with all the hope in the world praying that on this, our last day, our last chance, we would make it. We were the Amazin's. We were gonna pull through. But after those first two innings and those 8 runs, not only did we not have a chance but the Nationals were winning their game which meant WE. WERE. DONE. So, like i said, i will forever be a Mets fan but i want Caleb to root for a team that doesn't come with so much heartbreak and roller coaster seasons. He will be a Yankee fan. Well, for now, he'll be a Yankee fan. Who knows if he'll even like baseball, or any sport for that matter. He might just like science in which case i don't think there are any teams there or jerseys he can wear. I'll make him a pocket protector and encourage him just as much, but for now here are some pics of my little man sporting his very handsome Yankee cap. To the side like the big kids and also like his namesake.

Caleb, come to the table.

This morning, after i was done explaining to Caleb's teacher when his last bottle was and blah blah blah i turned around and my son, my beautiful, six month old son is sitting at the table, yes, the table, in his little chair playing with some toys. SITTING! UNASSISTED! playing with some toys. One of the teachers had been holding him and she needed to have her hands free so she sat him down. I was shocked. I almost cried. I hope you're all aware that i plan on crying every time he reaches a milestone, and accomplishes something that i had no hand in. Like sitting at this table with the 1 year olds. Yep. The 1 year olds. I've always known my kid never liked his bouncy chair once he could sit up. He really enjoys sitting. But i never imagined he would be sitting at that table by himself. I fought back the tears but it was almost harder to leave this morning because i wanted to stay there, hug and kiss him, and let him know how proud i was of him. I did all these things, but i wanted to do them for much longer. Ahh Daycare. Wonderful, wonderful daycare. They really do take care of those kids and they all seem so happy to be there. Everyday when my mother picks him up she gets a great report about Caleb. He ate all of his food, drank all of his milk and water. Played, slept, etc. etc. Doesn't cry. Knows everyone now. That's my boy. One of the teachers calls him her little lion because of his hair. It does look like his little face is just surrounded by crazy, wild, unkept hair. He's so handsome. I adore him. It's so nice to see him well and healthy again. Now, Ernest caught his cold. Poor Papi. Caleb should share some of his medicine. I wish i had a picture of this morning but i was overwhelmed with pride in him that i didn't even think. More some other time.

Did someone ask for an Easter Bunny?

Well i got one for you. Caleb Carter as the, recuperating from a cold, best looking Easter bunny you've ever seen. I'm biased, i know. but c'mon! And yes, he had a cold. A GOOD ONE! Last Saturday he was very unlike himself. Cuddling and wanting to sleep in people's arms (trust me, he usually can't stand that stuff), so of course we immediately thought something was "off." We watched him for the next couple of days and on Tuesday i came home and saw him sleeping in Ernest's arms and when he put him down in his crib he started to cry. He picked him up again, put him down and the same thing happened. So we checked him. He had a fever, slight, but a fever. This is what i was dreading. So i obsessively took his temperature every 20 minutes and gave him tylenol (not obsessively). The fever came down. PHEW! Then it came back during the night. His little body was so hot and so i gave him a little more tylenol at at 2am it was 100.6. I almost drove us to the emergency room (i can't drive so that's probably what kept us home). I did call the doctor who told me that if his fever goes above 101 then i should take him in but that if it doesn't then i can take him to his pediatrician in the morning. The fever stayed down but at 7:30 it was up again and that's when we got ready and took him in. At the doctor's office he had a fever of 103. HIs doctor was very concerned because he's so young for that kind of a fever. Not unusual in babies, but a concern nonetheless. Doctor checked him, he had a tiny ear infection, his chest, lungs, and nose were congested in the slightest of ways since i took him in so quickly. His doctor was so sweet. He really is a great pediatrician and noticed how different and down Caleb looked from his visit the Saturday before. He's so gentle with him. So since he had a high fever he was given an anti-biotic shot to try and boos his immune system, lower the fever and start fighting the infection and was prescribed liquid anti-bioitics for the next 10 days and a decongestant. So here we are. 7 days later and the little guy has come through it so bravely. What a strong boy. He did have trouble sleeping and eating in the last week but since yesterday he's been back to normal. Eating everything and last night he slept better than he had been. His nose is less congested (thank goodness for humidifiers). Still had a bit of a cough but sounds so much better now. I did notice he's a little hoarse but that's a combination of his sore throat and his constant screaming. He had it so rough for a bit. But on Sunday he was already feeling better and even though we didn't do any big Easter activities we did get to take him out for a bit on Saturday and put on his Easter bunny hat, made by me, with some help from a friend, on Sunday. On another note, he's doing fantastic in Daycare. This morning i dropped him off and he leaned towards one of the teachers so that she can hold him and when i stood at the door saying goodbye to him, he just stared and looked away. Yes, i know. That's what i want. But does it have to make me happy? NO! But at the same time it does. Oh, another thing about the success of daycare. Some of my family came over this past weekend to see Caleb since it'd been months since their last visit and...TUN TUN TUN! Caleb did not cry at all. He smiled and cooed and rolled over, and did all of the things he does. It was great to see the effect Daycare is having on him and his social skills. Makes me feel more comfortable about leaving him every morning. Well, i guess that's it. I will try to do this more often. Caleb's doing so much that it's hard to remember it all. bye.

Oh the places we will go.

Ok, so we've been doing a lot lately. Let's see. We'll go in order. Since the last time i blogged which was about the craziness that ensued at our visit to his Uncle's we went to a friend's baby shower. I was nervous that he would cry the entire time we were there but NOPE. Not once. We trekked into the city on a stormy, rainy Sunday and when we arrived i warned anyone who came close to him not to make a big deal about him. Because, as we're finding out, he's more comfortable making the first move (i truly hope that changes as he gets into his teen years ;). Caleb Carter let everyone hold him. At one point a friend took him away and was showing him around. I couldn't believe it. My mother couldn't believe it. Then i started to look for a reason as to why he didn't behave that way at his Uncle's. Kids, i tell ya. So i deemed that day a successful one. This past Saturday we had a picnic in Central Park. It was the first beautiful weekend and i was not going to let it pass us by. I gathered a couple of friends and Caleb's cousins and we headed to CP for a low-key picnic. Just sandwiches, drinks, and lots of love for Caleb. He was great. He did have his moments cuz CP was packed so i'm sure it was a bit stimulating. I tend to forget that he's a baby and all of this can be a lot. That was successful too especially since he got to spend time with people who so clearly want to stay in his life as he grows up. I love that. The following day we headed to Auntie Violette's for a family Sunday. It was extra special because my mother was going to be there for the first time. Both grandmothers would be in the same room enjoying their grandson. Overall, i think it went well. There was no non-stop crying. He hung out with cousin Marc, had some special time with Grandma Marie. Let Uncle Mez and Auntie Vi kiss him, played ball with cousin Brian and had a beautiful bonding moment with Auntie Val. That was super sweet. After his bottle he and I laid on the rug and Valerie came over and he was talking to her and smiling and even showed he could roll over. They were unable to see that the last time since he was a total mess. Again, he becomes very overwhelmed by people and the love that is so abundantly thrown at him. So sometimes he cried but it was definitely so much more manageable than last time. We just have to pay them a visit more often and then he'll be fine. So those were some outings we had. In terms of developmental accomplishments, he's amazing. Sitting up almost completely unassisted. Learning how to hold his bottle and basically just being a big boy. Eats all his solids. Loves cereal mixed with a bit of fruit (thanks Auntie Val), and loves himself some crazy Yo Gabba Gabba. He's even responding to his favorite episode - Dance - by smiling at some of the sections. It's a adorable. Also, he's now rolling over on both sides. Sleeps basically on his belly since he rolls over at night. Sometimes i'm woken up in the middle of the night simply to turn him on his back because he's too tired to get himself back :). He's still not sleeping through the night but is making progress. He has stopped bouncing like a mad man and is now practicing how to stand up straight. Legs very stiff. He's putting everything and anything in his mouth, including our faces. It's the best to pick him up and he immediately grabs my face and tries to eat it. Soo funny. He's doing great. We're amazing by every move he makes. Ernest was sitting on the floor with him and all he wanted to do was play with his chair. Not sit in it but play with it. So Ernest leaned him against it and he was on his knees trying to climb on it. Picture proof above. As you can see, he's actually standing up, trying to climb on it. Oy. He's also starting to figure out the crawling. He'll be on his belly and move his legs up and down. Picks up his little butt and tries to get his knees under him. It's going to happen really soon. And now for the post of all posts; FIRST DAY OF DAYCARE. What a traumatizing experience - for me. I hoped Ernest would go with me but of course he had to work early and couldn't. I had to prep to do it on my own. I remained calm as i left him in a bouncy chair while i talked to his teacher. My eyes were welling up but i was ok. Then. He. Starts. Crying. His cry. The one that according to him, only I can take away. So i continue to talk to his teacher and now tears are coming. I couldn't stop them and i start crying. His teacher, who is 6 months pregnant has to walk away because i was making her cry and then one of the aides was trying to console me by telling me that it's normal and that he would be ok. He would be well-taken care of. I know he will. It didn't make it any easier. So i calm down and finish talking to his teacher. I noticed he had stopped crying too. Then just as i was leaving, he starts. He was being held by one of the aides and as i peeked around the corner to see him another aide intercepted me and told me to go. That it wouldn't be good for him to see me since i wasn't going to stay with him. so i left. And i cried outside and when i called Ernest and when i called my cousin to tell her how it went. What an awful morning. Well day, really. Then when Ernest calls me after he'd picked him up, he tells me that he found him in a bouncy chair, in a circle with the other infants, watching Barney. Clearly, i had a worst day than he did. So that's how it's been this week. I drop him off. Feel awful cuz it's still hard to leave him. Then at 5 i get a call saying he was so happy. How conflicting. Ernest and I want him to be good without us. However, for me, at least, it's a little painful to hear that he is ok without us. I know he's little and it's the best time for Daycare because he'll adapt quickly but he's my little boy. He's a momma's boy. Sshhh don't tell Ernest. Now that 3 days have past i've done really well. I drop him off, talk to his teacher, then walk over to him and give him a hug, a kiss, and tell him that i love him. He still cries but it was really great to hear today when i went to put him in the swing that he prefers the walker. It made me realize that he is ok. He's being paid attention to and the aides notice what he likes and what makes him comfortable while he's there. So we carry on. I knew this would be hard but never realized the emotional toll it can take. My heart was aching when i left him that first day. Never had i felt anything like that. I'm sure it's not the last time i'll feel it either. I know this was a long one but he keeps us busy and tired and it's impossible to do this everyday. Enjoy.

Oh what a weekend!

Here's the latest:

Saturday we took Caleb to his Uncle's house to see the family. Everyone except one cousin and his grandmother were there. We arrived and Uncle Mes greeted us at the door. Caleb looked at him for a bit then smiled. Here i was thinking it would be a good visit since the last one he spent most of it crying. How wrong i was. As we walked into the house everyone was so happy to see him and guess what? the crying began. It was non-stop. I wanted everyone to enjoy him but Caleb had other plans. I think for me, the greatest thing is to see how many people love him and want to be around him but, and i hope i'm wrong about this, he's just not that kid. So he kept crying. He did have glimpses of normal Caleb - smiling, playing, babbling, sucking on everything, then it would begin again. During dinner Ernest and I just let him cry. He had his cousins with him and was perfectly safe so Ernest and I sat and had dinner. It's really hard for me to let him cry. I did it because it really was too much at that point. It's not like he would calm down if he saw me, no, he wanted me, and only me, to hold him. Usually i'm all for that but not in a situation where it's a family reunion and he's screaming at the top of his lungs. At one point during dinner it was silent. No crying? No way! Isn't it weird that instead of being relieved, i felt worried? Anyhow, i walked to the living room to witness his cousin Marc sitting on the floor with Caleb's legs straddled around his waist and asleep on his chest. I couldn't believe that Marc had done it. It really was a beautiful thing to see. The eldest Pelerin with the baby Pelerin. There are pictures which i will post soon. The quiet only lasted about 10 minutes cuz then it all started again. Well, you can guess the rest of that. Once it was time to leave we put him in his PJs and into the car seat he went. We arrived at home and we put him in his crib till his middle of the night business. Sunday was a different day. It was a beautiful day and mom and I took him to church -by the way, he's really good in church, quiet and actually falls asleep. After we went to have brunch and on the way back we stopped at our little park near our apt. and played for a bit. It was his first time in a park and he had a great time. We were sliding down the slide, and once his dad met us, he was sitting on the little airplane, and playing with the left over snow, and climbing on things - you know? Guy stuff, i guess. We had a blast. Now, it's "let's get cheesy" time. Watching Ernest on the slide with Caleb made me think about how hard my mother had it. She gave us so much with such little help. She had us so close together and was able to raise us well. At that moment i was so grateful for Ernest because i could see what they share and not only is he lucky to have Ernest as his dad but i'm so lucky to have him as my partner. We're a team. Mushy time over. Back to Caleb. So then we went home because his cousin Dana was coming over to spend the night and spend some time with Caleb, but guess what? Yep. He cried! Well, in his defense it was his nap time and i was trying to keep him up so Dana could see him but oh well. So he cried then he went to sleep. I hope Dana wasn't scared off. She even slept in his room and wasn't bothered by him waking up the 3 times in the middle of the night. I've decided that i will take him out more to places where there's lots of people. I've always been doing it but now i really have to do it. I don't like that he cries with people, family or not. So our adventure towards getting acquainted to people and the world continues. Wish us luck. Pictures to come.

Bring on the solids!

Well it's been a couple of days since Caleb started carrots. He seems to be doing ok. In fact Wednesday was the first day and i don't think he even made a face. I guess his non-pickiness about eating comes from his dad and I. We're not picky eaters...well, Ernest is - a tiny bit. Ernest had the honor of feeding him the carrots. We put him in his bouncy chair, where of course he tried to escape from and cried for a bit cuz we strapped him in, and then Ernest fed him. It truly was a moment of realization about how far we've come with him. Going through that C-section together is bonding enough and now we're creating routines and feeding schedules and it's a little astounding. Absolutely, raising a child can be hard on a relationship but i think we get through it and our goal is always Caleb's security and happiness and so... we get through it! Since his new favorite activity is making bubbles and spitting noises, feeding him now is somewhat of a messy adventure. He had carrots from his forehead down his face and all around his mouth. Hilarious! He looked adorable. Of course i took pictures because i must document every tiny little thing he does. So he likes the carrots. We've also started giving him cereal in the morning. So here it is: Cereal in the morning, some water between bottles, his bottle, then my mother arrives and feeds him carrots between his next bottles, then we arrive before his 7pm bottle, give it to him, in bed by 8:30. Since his next bottle would be around midnight, we change him and put cereal in his bottle (i know, i know. I didn't want to put the cereal in his bottle either but we tried to feed him from a bowl and it was a disaster. The night cereal feeding is not so great for him. He screams and squirms, and arches his back and doesn't want it so we put it in the bottle), then he's back to sleep till about 5am. I must mention that the morning cereal is from a bowl cuz he's much happier then. At that point i feed him and try every which way i can to get him back to sleep for at least another hour. It's difficult but at some point he just gives up and falls asleep. I'm hoping that now that he's got a fuller belly he'll sleep through the night. We do enjoy that he goes to bed at 8:30 but if we don't wake him up between 11:30 and 12am to feed him he'll wake up on his own around midnight. So my wish for us is that he'll go to sleep at 8:30 and wake up at 4am or even 3am, That's doable. I can't wait till he goes to bed at 8:30 and doesn't wake up till 7am. Soon. Soon. Next week we try green peas. We'll see how that goes. I forgot to mention, the diapers are becoming quite interesting as well. I think Ernest might become the king of changing diapers in our house as Caleb starts to eat more solids-hehehe. Oh wait! So this morning Caleb and I were trying to stay in bed and he was laying next to me on his back and i turned away to stretch and when i turned back i came face to face with his beautiful little eyes and that gorgeous smile-he had rolled over on his stomach. Now that's the best way to wake up in the morning. Enjoy the pictures.