My Oh My...

What a difference 5 months makes. This picture was taken last week.



This was taken about 5 months ago. Off the top of my head I will say Addie is 3 weeks, and about 7 pounds here.

Teething Troubles

We've had a really rough week due to teething. I use the collective pronoun "we" because the teething process has truly affected the whole family. Of course I know that the turmoil that has been inflicted on Nathan and I is nothing compared to what Addie is experiencing. I would gladly take her pain as my own, but unfortunately that is not how things work.

Addie has had the classic teething symptoms (e.g., drooling, gnawing on everything) for a while now. At the beginning of last week she started having major sleep issues. This was odd because Addie has been a pretty decent sleeper since birth. A few days later she wouldn't allow me to put her down, so I just carried her everywhere. Then her gums were super inflamed. At this point I realized that teething must be the cause of all the problems. Parenting books and the Internet confirmed that teething can cause major sleep disruptions in some babies.

We have found very little relief in "normal" teething remedies such as teething rings and Tylenol. We did find homeopathic teething tablets at the drugstore which have really done wonders for us. The first night she took them she slept 6 straight hours! She is also nursing about double what she was a week ago. I think nursing provides her the most comfort. I am thankful that she is not a baby who quits nursing during teething because she is so small.

After all this we have no teeth to show for the pain. We keep hoping that one has popped up every time she wakes up, but no such luck for her. Keep your fingers crossed that she gets a tooth out soon for everyone's sake. Also, Nathan really wants to see one before he leaves on Thursday.   

The Bailout

The word bailout has recently become a fixture in the vernacular of the American people. This past weekend we got to experience a bailout firsthand. Hopefully the Farley Bailout, as we will call it, will make you laugh. Anyways, here goes...

Friday 3:30 p.m. 

Nathan lets Jake out back to do his "business" in the fenced (see pictures below) in backyard. In the meantime Nate goes inside to check on something he is downloading.

3:37 p.m.

Nate goes to bring Jake back in , and realizes that he is no longer in the backyard. Nathan walks up and down the streets in our neighborhood looking for Jake. 

5:00 p.m.

Nathan gets in the Xterra, and drives around for 30 minutes looking for Jake. We have at this point realized that Jake doesn't have his collar on with his address and phone number.  He even went so far to ask the guy in the wheelchair that goes up and down the street (whom he almost hit a few months back on accident) if he had seen a crazy lab causing trouble on the streets.

7:00 p.m.

We lament Jake's crazy antics, but we're actually really worried about him. In the past when he's run off he was usually gone for about 3 hours. We hope he will find his way home soon.

10:22 p.m.

Lauren gets in the Xterra to look for Jake. I drove all around the neighborhood, and I even stopped 2 teenage boys playing football in the street to ask if they had seen a yellow lab. Once again, no luck.

11:45 p.m.

Nathan and I go to bed worried sick about Jake. Needless to say we really don't sleep all that well.

Saturday 8:00 a.m.

We look up the number for the SPCA, which we find out is still closed. Then we find the number for Animal Control, and they are open! They have Jake in custody! We are SOOOO relieved. Jake's running off was such a negative experience until the animal control officer said, "It will be $17.50 to bail him out, oh and you need proof of his rabies shot." Once the officer said the word bailout, Nathan and I laughed uncontrollably. I mean, how many people have to bail their dog out of "jail"?. Well....now you know someone who has!

Here's what we've been up to...

Well, it has been a really long time since we've updated the blog. As I probably mentioned earlier, I hate blogging without photographs. It does seem quite elementary to have to have pictures to illustrate my words. I guess that's what happens when a majority of the books I read have illustrations. Just don't get too upset if I also start rhyming (just kidding...I will abstain from rhyming)

Anyway, many of these pictures are from our trip to Virginia in September without Nathan. We have A LOT of pictures, so it might take me a few days to catch up on all of the blogs. I've decided to work my way from the oldest pictures to the most recent, so please be patient.

We celebrated when Addie was finally big enough for her exersaucer. Believe me she really is more happy about it than she looks. She is all smiles until Mom breaks out the camera.

Unfortunately Addie loves Jake a lot more than Jake loves Addie. This is a bit odd because Jake has always desired constant undying attention, which I am sure Addie will give him. Who knew Jake would be so selective with his desire for affection? Hopefully he will grow out of his snobbish behavior soon.

Addie and Daddy at the Burville Cider Mill. The Burville Cider Mill definitely has the best apple cider in Northern New York. Nathan and I frequent the mill quite a bit in the Fall. I'm fairly certain that Addie will grow to love the place too.

Addie was lucky enough to be in Virginia for Aunt Heather's confirmation. After the service she went back to Grandma and Grandpa's and got to meet several family members for the first time. She was a trooper even though she didn't take a single nap. This is Addie with her great grandparents.

Addie in church with Grandma

Addie can't decide if she wants her shirt in her mouth or the toy. Oh the dilemmas of a 4 month old

Addie loves spending time with her Nana

They wanted to go on tour with the Dead. Addie cried when I told her she was a little too late for that one.