5 months old!

Well, it's time for another update. And as always, I simply cannot believe how much our little one is growing and learning.



Our growing boy: 1 month - 4 months - 5 months
(and yes, I wish I had gotten a newborn, 2 month and 3 month pictures on this mat too, but I was a bit slow on the uptake on how awesome comparison pictures would be).

Over the last month, John has had to deal with a lot of change. He went on his first flight and went back in time when he entered a new country (the USA is 15.5 hours behind Australia). He's had to deal with a totally new environment where nothing is familiar except for mummy, daddy and a few toys and blankets. He's had to get used to sleeping in a portacot which is *a lot* roomier than his tiny little bassinet at home, and get used to not sleeping right next to mummy. He's had to deal with being in a new house, which comes with all different types of noises, and get used to central heating. He's had to meet and get used to new relatives (which love him to bits, so that one's not a biggy), and experience the difference of looking out when riding in the pram instead of facing mum, riding in a different car, feeding in different positions and places, new nappies, new clothes, new bath etc etc. It's a lot of change for such a little one, and so all things considered he's adapting pretty well.

Besides the big trip and change in time zone for John, here are a few more milestones for his 5 month update:

• He's crawling! Not. Got ya, didn't I?  No, he's not crawling yet, but he sure wants to. When he's on his tummy he often lifts his bottom in the air in an attempt to move. He can play with toys that are out in front of him when he is on his tummy. And when you sit across the room and call to him to come to you when he's on his tummy he kicks his legs and arms like crazy. It's the cutest thing ever, and he gets most excited when Daddy calls out to him. He will even push himself along on his tummy if you put your hands on the soles of his feet.

• Last month, John G had just started to learn how to roll. Now you cannot stop him. He rolls onto his back and then back onto his tummy constantly, and can move a full 360 degrees around his playmat using a combination of rolls, half rolls and by lifting his feet to his head to change direction. And he tries his best to roll off the mat, succeeding quite often! He's a real squirmy worm and you have to keep an eye on him. He loves being on his tummy and lifting his head high to see the world around him. So high that his arms are completely stretched. He has really strong neck and back muscles! He is also starting to get abs, and he does little mini crunches when he's lying on my lap and I'm getting ready to nurse. It's hilarious.

• He can't sit up yet, but he still tries. We play a game where he lies down in between my legs, facing me, and I count one, two, three, and then use his arms to pull him into an upright position. He really enjoys it (when he is not tired - when he is tired he hates it). He can sit for a second or two unsupported, but he's not quite there yet. He'll often sag right down so his head is near his toes if I put him in a sitting position and let him go.

• He still loves trying to put things in his mouth. Fingers, toys, teething rings, clothes, my fingers, washcloths, blankets...anything...he even will not let me put the dummy in, he has to do it himself. It takes him a little while but he can eventually get it in. If I do put it in he will take it out immediately and try to reinsert it himself. He's getting better at his hand and eye co-ordination.

• He is starting to chew on things, I'm not sure if he's teething or not (his gums aren't red or anything) but he does love his teething rings. He will also chew on a facewasher when I'm changing him.

• He can reaches his toes and is fascinated by them. He even tries to chew on the toes of his onesies. And if his socks or clothes are off he will stare at his feet and pull on them.

• He has gone up a clothes size from 000 to 00 and I'm noticing that even the 00's are getting a little snug around his legs and bottom.

• He has started waking for night feeds again :( this one has been hard to get used to, especially when jet lagged, but he is still a happy boy and goes straight back to sleep after his night feeds, so all in all it's not too bad.

• He is very interested in what my hands are doing. If he's fussing on his playmat, I just have to clap my hands a few times and he starts grinning from ear to ear. After nursing we sometimes lie there and I make differents shapes with my hands and he'll reach up and grab them and turn them over or just stare at them. He's also interested in when I take a drink. If he's on my lap and I reach for my glass to take a drink he'll swat it or try and stop me from getting it to my mouth. He doesn't do that when I eat food, only when I'm drinking.

• He gets more and more talkative everyday. He will turn his head almost immediately if he hears Daddy talking to him and he has started to play with Dad's facial hair when they are having cuddles too.

• He no longer is wrapped for sleeping - I actually can't remember when we stopped doing this, but he sleeps just fine unwrapped.

NC adventures to date

Can you believe that we have already been in NC for almost 2 weeks! I feel like we have done a lot of sleeping and resting, trying to get over the jet lag and all, but we have managed to do a few things while we have been here:

• We got our eat on. Yep, we haven't even been here 2 weeks and we've eaten Bojangles 3 times. Yum! And even though John G can't eat it yet, I'm sure he enjoyed being there watching us eat! Hubby has also enjoyed having his Diet Dr Pepper and eating sausage pizza (which he claimed was all he was going to eat and drink while we were here).

• Played with new toys and got completely spoilt. When we arrived John G had new toys and clothes waiting thanks to Grandma Keaton. And Grandma has bought him even more toys and clothes since we've been here. He absolutely loves this monkey. When you pull it's tail it plays a lullaby. This particular day I had John on the bed and the monkey was doing it's thing. He was mesmorised by it and was just staring at it. Next thing I know his eyes were closed and he was fast asleep!



We bought this particular toy with us, but we hadn't used it in Adelaide yet. It's a sesame street pram tie. The baby Big Bird squeaks when you squeeze, and cookie monster and elmo rattle. He loves this one too, especially in the car. If he's not staring at cookie monsters googly eyes, he has some part of the toy in his mouth.



You can't tell from this picture but he was trying to play with these two toys and the facewasher all at once. Clip Clop (the horse on the left) has a handle which he has actually hooked over his arm (all by himself), he was holding the monkey in the other hand (don't worry, I was watching him and took the tags off straight after this) and the washcloth was in his mouth. He was happy as Larry.

• Enjoyed our new surroundings. Grandma and Grandpa Keaton's house has some nice big windows which means its really easy for John G to see outside. We have been trying to go out for walks when it is not too cold, but on the days it is, I try and let John see outside for at least some part of the day. He likes to look at the leaves falling from the trees and watch the wind in the branches. It is also my attempt at trying to help him with his jet lag, as apparently sunshine helps get the circadian rhythems back to normal (as well as give you a natural booster thanks to Vitamin D). 

• Spent time with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandpa can make John G laugh by trilling his tongue, and Grandma gives John lots of smootchy smootchies.

• Enjoyed Thanksgiving with the Keaton Clan. John's brother's and sisters and most of their kids came to Grandma and Grandpa's house for thanksgiving. There were more people there than at a Fitton Family dinner (which is saying something). It was fun to meet some of them that I hadn't met before and introduce them to John G. Of course everyone commented on how beautiful he is, and there was a tonne of delicious food which we enjoyed eating. I even made a pavlova to add some Australian flavor to the day.

• Travelled to Raleigh for John G's cousin's wedding reception. He had actually been married in Salt Lake the week before, but they had a 2nd reception in NC the week after which we were able to attend.

Sleeping in the car on the way - this sweet picture belies the 20 minute crying/screaming session we endured at the end of the trip. Poor little guy was overdue for a feed by an hour and a half and had a very wet, very heavy nappy.

The happy couple, Keaton & Lillian, cutting what is arguably the most delicious cake ever (I'm sure some of the frosting inside was peanut butter flavoured). John's niece Ashton (Keaton's sister) made this amazing creation. You can check our her dessert blog here.

John's sister Paula and her oldest son Hayden.

John G with his Great Aunt Linda.

Daddy, John G and Grandma Keaton.

Me and my beautiful boy!

• Made Black Friday* purchases. We waited til the end of the day when we knew the 'crazy' shoppers would be gone. I purchased a new handbag (50% off baby) and John bought a new router for his Dad. I was really happy as I'd been looking for a new handbag at home for weeks and hadn't found anything I liked. The bag is big enough that I can put John G's change mat, a few nappies and wipes so that I don't have to tote around a handbag and a diaper bag.

• Been to church twice. It is super weird not having anything to do (I'm usually pretty busy at church on Sundays thanks to my calling). Apparently in the Elizabeth City ward prams have been banned from the chapel as they were taking up too much space. Luckily John's parents have a capsule (which we use in the car) so John comes into church in that. I am enjoying the comfy rocking recliner in their mother's room - much nicer than the tiny plastic uncomfortable chairs in the one at home...not that I should complain, we are lucky to even have a mother's room at the chapel. I have to admit, I do miss the advocacy for breastfeeding which I have been taking for granted in Australia. So far we have not found any shopping places that have mother's room or places to sit and feed (no even in the international airport in Dallas).

• Took Daddy to the Doctors (poor hubby has bronchitis again).

• Continued to be cute.

In fact, John G is so cute that when we went to the Doctors with Daddy the receptionist said that he was so cute it made her want to have a baby of her own...now that is cute!!!!

* Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States, traditionally the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. On this day, most major retailers open extremely early and offer promotional sales to kick off the holiday shopping season, similar to Boxing Day sales in many Commonwealth Nations. Black Friday is not an official holiday, but many non-retail employers also observe this day as a holiday along with Thanksgiving, giving their employees the day off, thereby increasing the number of potential shoppers. It has routinely been the busiest shopping day of the year since 2005,^[1] although news reports, which at that time were inaccurate,^[2] have described it as the busiest shopping day of the year for a much longer period of time .
The day's name originated in Philadelphia, where it originally was used to describe the heavy and disruptive pedestrian and vehicle traffic which would occur on the day after Thanksgiving.^[4][5] Use of the term started before 1961 and began to see broader use outside Philadelphia around 1975. Later an alternative explanation began to be offered: that "Black Friday" indicates the point at which retailers begin to turn a profit, or are "in the black".^[4][6]
Black Friday shopping is known for attracting aggressive crowds, with annual reports of assaults, shootings, and throngs of people trampling on other shoppers in an attempt to get the best deal on a product before supplies run out.- Thanks Wikipedia!

Up, Up and Away!

This last week our little John Geoffrey became an international traveller. That's right, we took the long trip from Adelaide, Australia to North Carolina, USA. Oh, don't worry, it's only three flights, over 30 travelling hours and a 15.5 hour time zone difference with a four and a half month old in tow...no biggy (yeah right).

John at the Dallas Fortworth Airport with his first passport stamp.

When we first booked the flights I felt nothing but confidence that John Geoffrey would be ok on the flights (my secret plan was to nurse at any sign of fussiness). However, as the time approached for us to leave I did feel more and more apprehensive, especially when I thought of how awkward it was going to be to nurse in those tiny plane seats. It also didn't help that he had a really fussy week before we left, or that I felt physically exhausted from running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to do everything before going.

Waiting for take-off at Adelaide airport

Hanging out with Daddy on the aeroplane

For our flight for Sydney (just under 2 hours) he nursed for take-off, and then pretty much slept the entire time. I didn't try to change his nappy on board, and then promptly forgot about it once we landed. Big mistake. And I'll tell you why - for those of you who know Sydney airport, you will know that there are 3 terminals, and while it's just a short walk between the Domestic terminals, the International terminal is not really in walking distance - especially with three suitcases, 2 carry-ons, a lap-top and a baby. We had actually flown to Sydney on a Jetstar flight, but our remaining travel was with Qantas. Somehow we needed to find our way to the International terminal and recheck ourselves and our bags in. I knew there had to be some sort of Qantas transfer bus, but didn't know where to find it and hence we found ourselves walking up and down the domestic terminal trying to follow signs that didn't make sense. It was truly frustrating and probably the most stressed John and I felt on the whole trip. Finally we had the bright idea to ask the Qantas lady at the baggage area, who told us we could go to the other domestic terminal and check in for our international flight there, they would take our bags and let us transfer to the international terminal on their bus after going through security again. Yipee! However, by this time we had wasted about an hour, add that to the two hour flight, and the time it took to get from home to the airport and John Geoffrey hadn't had his nappy changed in probably 4-5 hours, and he decided to let me know about it, because as we walked to the other domestic terminal I suddenly felt very warm and very wet all down the front of my top. Yep. John Geoffrey had pee'd through his nappy and it was running all down his leg and all onto me. Thank goodness I had followed a friends advice and packed a spare t-shirt in my carry-on - I just wasn't expecting to have to use it so soon!

Anyway, after a change of clothes for me and bub, checking in our luggage and transferring to the international airport we were free to enjoy the beauty of the customs line, more security checks, a quick bite to eat, before all three of us being bomb tested (who knew people travelling with babies were so suspicious!) and then pushing ahead in the boarding line to get priority as people travelling with infants (yes, we were the first ones on board).

Cutest little jet-setter ever!

On the way to Sydney

Asleep about 5 minutes later.

Now this flight, Sydney to Dallas, was the one I was most dreading - 15 hours of straight flying - of which John Geoffrey slept at least 11 hours of. Turns out he is a good traveller! We were actually lucky enough to get a bassinet seat for this flight, which means John had somewhere to lay and play and lay and sleep on the flight. Saving our arms, laps and sanity. You actually cannot book a bassinet seat before flying, you can only request it, and then they give priority to the youngest children when you book in. There were hardly any children on our flight and John was by far the youngest, so we were pretty much a shoo-in.

John only cried badly once on the flight, and that was the first time he woke up in the bassinet after a small nap. After a bit of a cuddle he settled right down. I managed to get a pretty decent sleep on the flight myself and was feeling pretty good by the time we got to Dallas.

Getting through Customs and security again was pretty easy, although again we were selected for bomb testing because we were travelling with an infant.

I have to say, I was really impressed with Dallas. Normally when I come to the US I go through LAX and I was determined not to have to go there again this trip - that place is awful - long queues, rude workers, undergrown tunnels, huge delays, dirty terminals. Dallas on the other hand was clean, quick and friendly. As an example, while we were waiting to go through security there, there was an older woman ahead of us who only had her internet print out of her booking with her, instead of her ticket (she needed to go check in and get a boarding pass printed at one of the automatic kiosks). The lady who was checking ID etc, was so nice to her, and explained the situation to her, called over another airport worker who then actually took the lady over to the kiosk, helped her check in and then took her straight through security so she wouldn't have to queue again. It was so nice to see that there are still people out there willing to help others, they could have so easily been dismissive of her.

We had a fairly long layover at Dallas, and so we had plenty of time to look around, get something to eat and have some play time for John Geoffrey.

Within hours of arriving in the USA I celebrate with pulled pork BBQ sandwiches, coleslaw, waffle fries and root beer (courtesy of Dickey's BBQ Pit at the Dallas Fortworth Airport). Oh yeah.

 

I don't know what it is, but John Geoffrey doesn't really like it when I eat. Eating at the Dallas airport was no exception - he pretty much screamed and carried on like a pork chop. I think he was well and truly over travelling by that time, and was a little worn out by it all. John and I took turns in holding him while the other one ate, and once I had finished I took him for a little walk to calm him down and he fell asleep. Poor little guy.

He didn't much like the flight from Dallas to Norfolk, Virginia either (about 3 hours). He alternated between sleeping and crying for the most part of the flight. Not even nursing would settle him down. I think the air pressure was really getting to him for the landing and I felt bad for him. We did our best to help him, and a few people at the back of the plane mentioned to me that he was so well behaved and they didn't hear him, so that was good (we sure could hear him though).

It was such a relief to know we could nearly stop travelling after getting of that flight - there was only the car ride home which would take about an hour.

John's parents met us at the airport to take us home, and it was so lovely to see them. Grandma Keaton got to hold John Geoffrey for the first time and of course he put on the charm as always :)

And so, we are here, and it feels really good! It is hard to have family on the other side of the world, and not to see them all the time, so I'm so thankful we have this opportunity to spend a good deal of time with John's parents, and to catch up with the rest of the Keaton clan while we are here. As Brenda said on instagram "Let the good times roll!"

Immunisations & Teething

John Geoffrey was so very fussy this last week. He didn't want to nap, he was all over the place with his feeding, he was sooky and wanted to be held a lot. Check out that sooky face (so cute!):

He was chewing on his arms and fists and hands all week. When we went to visit Meredith, his cheeks were so red, and he was so slobbery that I thought that maybe, just maybe he had started teething.

So I gave him the teething ring and he loved it.

But, the truth is, he is not teething. He just had a fussy week. Cute though huh?

John also had his 4 months immunisations last week. I still remember the 2 month ones, and was really not looking forward to it. John came with me this time, and it actually wasn't too bad. Bubs still cried when he got the needles, but he sucked his fingers in between the jabs to soothe himself. He loved the oral immunisation, but got upset when that all ran out. He had some nice cuddles with both mummy and daddy afterwards and settled himself very quickly. Boy am I glad he likes to suck on his own fingers!

"That" kind of a mother

On Sunday, I realised that I have turned into 'that' kind of mother.

You know the kind. The kind that can't talk about anything but their child. The kind that thinks their kids ability to slobber all down their front is national news. The kind that talks publicly about their child's bowel movements. The kind that thinks everyone else finds their son/daughter as adorable as them.

Yes it's true. I noticed it when I was talking to a family member at my parents house and made the mistake of looking into their eyes while talking. They couldn't hide that look of bordem that flashed across their eyes while I droned on and on about John Geoffrey.

So, I'm sorry. I'm sorry to all those mothers I judged before for doing this. I'm sorry for all the conversations I didn't get involved in because I couldn't bear to hear about nappies and loads of laundry and vomit and teething. I'm sorry for not being more patient or interested or kind. I'm sorry. And I get it. Now I get it.

And while I never wanted to be 'that' kind of mother, now that it has happened, I'm not sorry about that bit at all. I'm not sorry that I'm completely delighted by my child or by my life, or that I want to talk about him all the time. I love being a mum and I love my son, and I love all the little milestones and things we are experiencing and learning together.

I'm so very very grateful for the life that I have. It is amazing to think that just a few years ago I had thought that marriage, let alone motherhood, was not going to be part of my plan, even though I wanted it to be. And then the love of my life came along and bam, everything changed. I'm very very lucky and I know it. I love my husband, I love my baby and I'm so very very thankful for them.

And now, if you'll indulge me, I'm going to continue to be that kind of mother :)

Little Link

Last Monday my brother's wife, Elissa gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Lincoln Neal Fitton.

I'm so excited that John Geoffrey has a cousin so close in age and little Link is just so adorable.

We went to the hospital on Monday night to meet the little guy, and seeing that tiny little bundle made me a little nostalgic for my own baby - John looked huge in comparison. It is amazing to see my own little one's growth - Link was 6 pound, 14 ounces, John was 7 pound at birth. Link was 53cm long, John 50cm at birth - so quite similar in size - now look at him!

This may be wishful thinking, but I'm hoping that our boys will become the best of friends, and get into all sorts of mischief together (the good kind).  Best friends are great, but there's something about the bond of family/relatives which is amazing to me.

Elissa's birth experience was a lot tougher than mine and it made me very thankful for the relatively easy experience that I had. I was very lucky. She is an amazing woman and will be a wonderful mother. I'm also very excited for my brother becoming a Daddy, and that we are going to have all these wonderful new experiences at a similar time.

Neal and Lissy let me hold Link quite a bit at the hospital, and again when we visited them last night. It is strange to think he is going to change and grow so much while we are away visiting John's family in the US. He is just the most precious little one, and was already sucking his thumb at the hospital. Can't wait to see what sort of young man this one is going to turn into.

Photo Update - October

Here are some more pictures of John Geoffrey from October:

Enjoying some tummy time on Daddy's lap

Another action shot (kicking his legs like crazy)

We had a warmish night, and when I woke up in the morning, John Geoffrey had managed to kick his blankets off and unwrap himself - cheeky little monkey!

His first trip to school (visiting his cousin Will's classroom)

John and I were proxy grandparents for my nephew's Grandparents Day. As "great-guests" William gave us a tour of his school, listened to me talk about what school was like when I was his age, drew some pictures, and watched him dance with his classmates. It was a freezing day, but really fun.

After Grandparents Day we went back to my brother's place to visit with Aunty Sarah, and cousins Noah and Kai. Kai loves babies and wanted to keep kissing John Geoffrey.

A cute pic of the cousins together.

Noah really wanted me to get a picture of him tickling John.

Happy boy practicing his sitting.

Asleep in his bouncer - we laugh when he has his hands underneath the seat pouch - looks like he has his hands tucked into his pants.

Rolling over by himself

I don't normally do mean things like this, but heck, it was halloween and as John said "There's no Halloween candy in the store, no pumpkins to buy (there are only limited places to get pumpkins and they were all sold out),  no scary movies on TV, we can't go trick or treating (again, not many people do it here, plus I had scheduled a Primary Presidency meeting that night), no Halloween cookies (I hadn't made them yet) and no costume for John Geoffrey".  Had to do something to cheer us up. Sucks being in Australia for an American Holiday.