Times Two

One of my biggest mom fears is not doing for one child what I did for the other.  Before Christmas I literally made a list of Finley's Christmas mementos to be sure Breaker has the same.  I'm almost a nervous wreck over it.  Life changes when you go from no children to one child, but it changes dramatically when you go from one child to two.

It never fails.  I'm playing baby games with Breaker and catch Finley looking on with those sweet puppy dog eyes.  Thank goodness for the gift of gab.  There is always a way to incorporate her in the moment.  She makes it easy for me, bless her little heart.  She ADORES Breaker.  I'm not saying she doesn't find mischievous ways to divert attention to herself, but if she kisses Breaker once, she kisses him ten times during the day.  I hear her mimic my calming words to him.  She's a caregiver.  . .possibly a nurse one day :)?  

Part of the reason for Bridges Chatter is to chronicle Finley and Breaker's childhood milestones.  That being said it's time to give my little man screen time.

Breaker has grown so much I can no longer hold him and work.  I can lift and do easy chores, but it has to be quick.  He starts to slide right out of my arms.  What's a mom  to do?  I'm up for suggestions.  Maybe the Baby Bjorn?  It's a whole new world to me.  Breaker is wearing clothes now that Finley wore at a year-old (unisex stripe onesies, no worries guys).  His girth is throwing kinks in my bargain shopping as well.  I'm afraid to buy ahead for the next season.

As far as sleeping little man is doing fairly well.  I don't want to jinx myself though.  He's on night three of a regular sleep sack.  Jarrett and I decided it was time to retire the beloved swaddling blanket.  He has his own noise machine now too.  It projects the time onto the ceiling.  Seriously wanting one for our room.  I shouldn't want to know that it's one in the morning and I'm up pacifying my son, but it provides some kind of comfort?  I don't know?  B  likes it.  He's a light man like his mom.  (Mom, Dad and Whit, remember how I used to make you all sleep with that horribly bright hall light blazing through the night?  Bless your hearts.).

Solid foods are progressing well too.  He is getting a homemade veggie Finley did not.  Tomorrow will be his first taste of zucchini.  I'm excited.  It's one of our family faves.  I think mixing it with sweet potatoes should seal the deal.  Dr. Aljabi will be proud of me for trying the spongy green stuff (I think).  He encouraged me to stay away from sweet tasting foods (the ones I gravitate to).

I'm especially tickled tonight because Finley was more interested in the Golden Globes than ever before.  We've tuned in since she was three months old.  She actually watched about thirty minutes of E!'s Red Carpet.  Of course it was under the premise the actors were princesses.

Between Five & Seven

Breaker turned seven months old (chronologically) yesterday!  At our house that means it's time for a "Half" Birthday Party.  The guests of honor can't eat cake yet, but we can :)  Since Breaker's adjusted age is five months-old we thought it was the perfect halfway spot.

Finley started planning his cake last Sunday.  She conceded on the idea of a Minnie Mouse cake, but convinced Breaker purple is for boys too. 

So what's been going on in my little man's life over the past seven months?  Let me think back. . . 

June:  Home to Timmons Street.  I have a feeling life in the step-down nursery was more peaceful than life with Finley.

July:  Nutramigen on the menu. Colic decided to rare its ugly head.  Science diet to the rescue.

August:  QT with Beebe and Emily.  Back to work for me.

September:  First ever football game at Glynn County Stadium.  Go Terrors!

October:  Halloween and a double ear infection.  The "Beast" costume Beebe sewed somehow? still fits.  He gets to wear it to Emily's Cinderella Birthday Party in few weeks.

November:  I literally squeezed him into his special Thanksgiving outfit.  Thank goodness he didn't have to worry about Turkey Day bloat (and that his dad wasn't around while I dressed him).

December:  First trips to Rome and Valdosta.  Whew.  The awesome family time was worth the interruptions in sleep.  Two front teeth eventually pushed through.  Peas and carrots made meal rotation.  Peas=gagging, carrots=orange cheeks.

Hidden Agendas

Where did I get the crazy idea that when the world got back from the holidays my children would take notice?   For the second night in a row I couldn't tell you what I had for dinner, much less what transpired between five o'clock and bed time.  Finley wants Jarrett and me to inhale our meals so she can move on to dessert.  She's expecting some magnificent Christmas baked good or maybe she'll push for a Popsicle with gummies.  Fortunately the baked goods are outtie and she's learning she can have one treat after finishing her food.  Yep, Jarrett's working on that one.  I'm not a fan of the clean your plate club, but we've compromised and Finley has to eat most of her dinner before "treats".

Meanwhile Breaker thinks every night is New Year's Eve.  Party at his crib at three a.m.  He was sleeping through the night (mostly), but has recently developed a new social agenda.  Tonight he has new noise machine.  We're hoping this party rocker holds tight until at least six in the morning. 

2012

Seriously, seriously, I am going to be a better blogger in 2012.  After hearing Brooke Vollaster's closing at church yesterday I've decided that my words for the year are discipline and diligence.  In my personal life I tend to be a procrastinator (not always, but often).  That's why I've chosen these two words.  I want to be "on the ball" for J, Fin and B-man.

The Christmas Season was a blessing.  We were able to travel to Rome and Valdosta and have old school family Christmases.  Rome was a shorter trip than anticipated.  We were there less than twenty-four  hours.  I had such a hard time making the call to come home midday Saturday.  With the challenges and gifts we've received throughout 2011 I was really hoping to get more time with my grandparents.  I wanted to soak up as much of their attention as possible.  Yep, I wanted it to be about me for a few minutes (like any grandchild does).  Breaker and Finley had other ideas.  Breaker couldn't sleep and Finley couldn't handle sugar and ALL of her cousins at the same time (and her Aunt Gail, Uncle Eddie, Savannah, great grandparents, etc.).  She LOVES going to stay at her Aunt Gail's house.  She can't get enough of that sweet, sweet attention from Aunt Gail.  This year Finley understood Mel&Mimi's too.  She wanted to make the jewelry room her new home.  I thought I was going to pass out trying to keep the jewels on display and off of her three-year-old neck, fingers and wrists.

Valdosta was busy, but not quite as wild as Rome.  Finley and Breaker got QT with Aunt Katie and Uncle Sim.  Juju made a fab Christmas Adam dinner and Christmas Eve breakfast.  Finley wasn't sure about pigs-in-a-blanket, but I'm sure Uncle Sim will have her convinced of their goodness eventually :).  Seeing Katie and her precious baby bump was priceless.  It was fun opening presents for Lucy Kate.  Only about three months to go and she'll be here!

Now that I've resigned to be a better blogger I'm having writers block.  I think of things to type throughout the day, but by the time everyone is in bed momma brain has taken over.  I can't remember or articulate much. 

So that's all for now, but there's more to come.  Maybe there's a blogspot app?

Little fighters

On Saturday I was blessed to take Breaker to his first ever NICU Reunion Party in Savannah.  Jarrett had to judge at the Brunswick Stewbilee and we had had such a busy week I had hung up the idea of going, but mom and dad decided to make a last minute trip.  They took B and me along for the ride!

I didn't know what kind of emotions to anticipate feeling.  It was my first trip back to Savannah since leaving with Breaker in June.  I was excited to share his progress with the precious nurses who cared for him, but at the same time felt guilty.  Most of the children at the party looked as if they had made it through prematurity as fighters (like most do).  They had physical and mental obstacles unlike other children, but you wouldn't know it.  God gives his littlest ones amazing confidence, perseverance and grace.

My emotions over Breaker's first NICU reunion are especially heightened because Jarrett and I have friends, Hayley and Whit Dawson, who are currently cheering their little one, Polly, on to recovery.  Polly is two weeks old tomorrow and has quite a challenge in front of her.  That's why I wanted to blog tonight.  Polly needs all of you cheering and praying for her.  Tomorrow the doctors at MCG are going to take her off ECMO and put her on a ventilator.  It's a BIG step for this little lady, but so far she has faced challenges head-on and pushed through.  I have no doubt she'll do the same tomorrow. 

I also have no doubt that one day Polly, Hayley and Whit will be attending an NICU Reunion Party of their own.  So if you will please say a prayer for Baby Polly tonight, tomorrow and whenever she comes to mind it would mean the world.  God has great things in store for this little fightin' lady.

Here are a few of the sciptures that carried me through while we were in Savannah:

For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 91:11

The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.
Psalm 34:7

First Big Boy Bath. . . with sister

Tonight Jarrett and I were anxious, but knew it had to be done.  Breaker had his first "real" bath.  We've been giving him sink/sponge baths.  Now he's in his big boy crib and it's time for him to bathe like a real man.  He loved it, especially the how-to tutorial Finley gave him. 

Main Squeeze-Update

I should be in bed right now because 5a.m. comes way too early for this "not a morning person" person, but I have to give a shout out to my main squeeze J Bridge.  I'm not going to get too mushy.  I've just been thinking about all he has done for me over the past nine years (and especially over the past five months).  Seriously, if he had known that a blind date at Longhorn would turn his life into such a roller coaster he may have run the opposite direction!  Until him it was only mom who found herself on crazy adventures, now it's him too. . .sometimes solo, sometimes with Beebe in tow. 
Since September 29, 2002 Jarrett Bridges has been found himself in the following "situations", mostly because of me:

1.  After driving halfway to Rome mom discovered I had her car keys.  She was in Albany.  Time to turn around.
2.  Jack has used him as a litter box twice.
3.  I have thrown out gum that has accidentally landed on his car twice.
4.  Nursing school.  Need I say more.
5.  Driving around and around in Buckhead.
6.  Preemie Finley.
7.  Premature Rupture of membranes, one month in Savannah, preemie Breaker.
8.  The Turtle Trot and now the Savannah Half Marathon.
9.  Cher and Carrie Underwood in concert.  Jay-Z too.
10. Hunt for Terry the Turkey.
11. Babysitting Eli in the middle of Tropical Storm Tammie.
12. We missed our flight to St. Lucia for our honeymoon.  Where did I take him for the first day of married life?  Lenox Square!

I thought of a few more adventures I've drug Jarrett on, bless his heart.  I've got to keep better track of these happenings.  He deserves a pat on the back!