The Daily Hammond

Doodlebug is 9 months old!

2008-12-01T15:06:00.000-08:00

Our little boy is not so little anymore. Ok, it might be too early to say that but man has he grown. He's crawling, pulling up and balancing with no hands. He is just about to take off running we think. If he continues at the rate he is going, he'll be walking by Christmas for sure.

Here's Pierce at his 9 month picture session at Kiddie Kandids. We think they came out so cute, but we are a little biased.

Week 39 (photos) - 9 months old

2008-11-28T14:52:00.000-08:00

Week 37 (photos)

2008-11-14T21:57:00.000-08:00

Catching up :-(

2008-11-11T15:06:00.000-08:00

I feel like a bad mom. It has been quite a while since I've posted anything on our blog. Things have been absolutely out of control recently and at times I feel like I can't maintain my focus.

Life has handed us more than just lemons lately...I guess when it rains it pours. (Anybody else have another cliche handy?) But as always, Pierce has become the glue that keeps our family together and he is the hope of a much brighter future to come.

I promise that within the next week I will be caught up on all of the images some fun posts. (A special thanks to Pierce's cousin Bella for this wonderful picture.)

Week 35 (photos)

2008-10-31T22:03:00.000-07:00

Week 34 (photos)

2008-10-24T15:03:00.000-07:00

Rough and Tumble

2008-10-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

Pierce is pulling up onto things on his own and he walks assisted. Soon we will be quite literally chasing him around the house. As he learns to balance and move around he's going to be getting quite a few bruises, bumps and scrapes. As parents, Charles and I can't help but want to shield him and always be there to catch him so he doesn't hurt himself. I know he has to learn and part of that is falling and picking himself back up. But its so difficult and when he gets those little bruises and scrapes, I can't help but feel guilty...like I've done something wrong. Those of you who are parents understand what I'm talking about. On the flip side, he's such a tough boy. The cat bit him the other day when he tried to crawl over her. It was just a warning bite and she didn't break the skin or anything. Pierce was a bit startled but he never cried.

Week 33 (photos)

2008-10-17T14:57:00.000-07:00

Week 32 (photos)

2008-10-10T17:28:00.000-07:00

Week 31 (photos)

2008-10-03T15:26:00.000-07:00

When life hands you lemons, spend time with your Doodlebug!

2008-09-26T07:15:00.000-07:00

Before Pierce, the saying for me went something like this:

"When life hands you lemons, make lemonade and throw it in the face of all who stand in your way so that their eyes burn and they..."

Ok, you get the point. Well, there is a reason why children are the biggest joys and blessings in life. They become your reset button. When things get tough all over they can make it all better. Even on the days when I wish I could just crawl in a hole and sleep, I cannot because of Pierce. He keeps me going whether I like it or not and forces me take time to enjoy him.

We went for a walk together last night. He did not make a sound and just took everything in. I found that odd because sometimes all he does is babble. I feel as if one day soon, on one of our many walks to come in life, that he's just gonna start talking and never stop. :-)

After our walk, I took him to the park by our house so he could swing. His little 7 month old frame is almost completely swallowed by the swing but we made it work. He really enjoyed it. And all that had happened yesterday, this week, this past month was forgotten.

I love you Doodlebug! - Love, Mom

Week 30 (photos)

2008-09-26T06:53:00.000-07:00

Week 29 (photos)

2008-09-19T08:41:00.000-07:00

Pierce is Crawly-Man!

2008-09-14T08:14:00.000-07:00

Oh boy...and it starts. Our Doodlebug has morphed into Crawly-Man (or Creepy-Man) and now its game on. Its amazing how fast he moves. Just yesterday I was washing bottles and looked into the living room where he was playing on the floor. He had crawled off of his blanket over to one of the dogs' bones, had it in his hand and was about to put it in his mouth! Everything slowed down for me as I dropped what I was doing and ran saying, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooo!" Whew...I made it just in time. Boy that was close. For the next few years, I'm sure he will keep us on our toes.

Stay tuned to future episodes of Crawly-Man!

Week 28 (photos)

2008-09-12T12:18:00.000-07:00

Our Doodlebug is 6 months old...can't believe it.

2008-09-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that Pierce is 6 months old already. It seems like just yesterday I was waddling around in my comfy yoga pants and maternity tops. :-) I miss the pants, but not the pounds. I'm happy to say that I'm back in my old clothes again. Wohoo!

As for Pierce, everyday he does something new. He's just about to crawl. He gets up on his hands and knees and rocks back and forth. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't just take off here in the next couple of weeks. Boy once he does we'll really have to watch out.

Just the other day, he was playing on the floor and "creeped" over to where Koki was laying and tried to chew on her! Yuk!!! I couldn't move fast enough. You should have seen the look on his face when he got a mouth full of fur. Anybody who knows Koki knows that couldn't taste good.

Week 27 (photos) - 6 Months Old!!!

2008-09-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

It's Game Day! Hook'em!

2008-08-30T10:30:00.000-07:00

Many of you will not believe this, but it is true. Here's Pierce getting ready to watch his first UT football game (see the Horns running in the stadium on the TV). While trying to capture the moment on my iPhone for blogging purposes, he threw up the DOUBLE HOOK'EM! When I saw the picture pop up and then quickly disappear, I thought "Did I just see that"? I checked the picture and sure enough there they were in all their burnt orange glory...not one, but two Hook'em signs! I couldn't believe it.

Coincidence? I think not! Hook'em Horns! :-D

Week 26 (Photos)

2008-08-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

The Donato's, Pierce's Godparents

2008-08-24T12:51:00.000-07:00

We finally got a chance to ask Jack & Steph Donato if they would be Pierces' Godparents should anything happen to us. And they said Yes! We were thrilled and we couldn't think of two better people to be a positive influence for our child. It was a decision that we took very seriously. We really wanted our child to be looked after in a loving, Christian home and for that there was only one choice....The Donato's.

I worked with Stephanie back in the day and she was also my roommate in college. We quickly became friends and have kept in touch even though she and her husband Jack moved to the Dallas area.

Here Steph is with Pierce and her youngest son Ryan. Does this make them Godbrothers? LOL

Week 25 (photos)

2008-08-22T09:49:00.000-07:00

In the immortal words of Socrates, "I ate what?"

2008-08-17T09:37:00.000-07:00

Our Doodlebug, is back on cereal...woohoo! He had to take a break from solid food because something was making his tummy upset. This is good because he's drinking me dry and I can barely keep up it seems. I do have frozen reserves but I've been tapping into them lately which has me concerned. My goal is to continue to pump so that he has breast milk for 9 months, which will fall right around Thanksgiving. I really do not want to be carrying my pump around or pumping for that matter at Christmas time when we go to Kentucky. We'll have plenty to carry on the Doodlebug's first big trip.

Anyways, here Pierce is while eating his cereal. We have to hold his hands at times because they go straight into his mouth and he makes a huge mess. He doesn't seem to mind as long as the food keeps coming!

Week 24 (photos)

2008-08-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Week 23 (photos)

2008-08-08T09:42:00.000-07:00

Lost Pines Family Vacation

2008-08-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

Here Pierce is with Grand Daddy Ron in the lazy river at Lost Pines Hyatt Resort in Bastrop. For the past 3 years, my mom and dad have treated the family to a nice getaway of some kind. The first one we went on was the Disney Cruise. The past two years we went to this Lost Pines Resort.

It is very, very nice and very generous of them to take the whole family. The guys play golf and they have a spa there, but for me its just nice to float around the lazy river. This August the temperatures were well over 100 degrees and the pool hit the spot. Thanks Mom & Dad!

Week 22 (photos)

2008-08-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

Yum...Prunes!

2008-07-27T14:55:00.000-07:00

Our happy "bug" has had trouble going to the bathroom this past week. It had been over 3 days with no poopy diapers and so we were getting a little concerned. I called the pediatrician and they said to give him baby apple juice and maybe try some stage 1 foods like apples, pears or prunes. So, knowing their reputation, we decided prunes should do the trick (and, yes,they worked).

I was a little worried that he wouldn't like them, but he did just fine. Of course he got more on his bib and face than he did in his mouth. Guess we'd better get used to that, huh?

Week 21 (photos)

2008-07-25T14:25:00.000-07:00

Week 20 (photos)

2008-07-18T14:22:00.000-07:00

Week 19 (photos)

2008-07-11T21:00:00.000-07:00

Doodlebug Jibber-Jabber

2008-07-09T22:10:00.000-07:00

Our happy boy is starting to talk...sort of.

4th of July - Doodlebug Goes Swimming

2008-07-06T14:19:00.000-07:00

We had such a nice time this 4th of July . We went out to my parent's house on Friday intending to only stay the day and ended up staying thru Sunday! It was great to be able to unplug and just relax.

As you can see from the Week 18 photos, Pierce was able to get some 1-on-1 time with many family members such as Nana Marie, Big Sis Darion, Aunt Jeannie and Aunt Carrie.

Pierce had a great time and spent the whole weekend without fuss. He's such a happy, pleasant baby. We are very blessed.

Week 18 (photos)

2008-07-04T14:17:00.000-07:00

Its all in a name...

2008-07-02T18:00:00.000-07:00

Pierce Gray Eugene Hammond...sounds like a mouthful, huh? Our little boy has quite a name and a lot to live up to. He's proudly named from various family members. We'll start at the beginning...

Pierce - My grandmother's maiden name was Pierce (Emma Jean Hunt). However we call her Sweetie, a name given to her by my brother. She truly personifies the word and from my understanding, that temperament is a trait of the Pierce side of the family.

Gray - We get this name from Charles Clifford Gray (my husband Charles' grandfather). He passed a couple of years ago but he really made an impression on everyone he came in contact with. I can testify to that and I only knew him for a very short period of time. As sheriff of Deming, New Mexico, he was an amazing man and an amazing roll model to all.

Eugene - Ok, ok...I know. This one may seem a bit cruel and unusual, but this one was a must. Eugene is my dad's middle name (Ron Eugene Hunt). He is actually named after his grandfather on the Pierce side as well. Since there is a definite possibility that this will be my only child, I had to squeeze Eugene in there somewhere. I promise though, that we will reserve the name's use only for when Mr. Pierce is in SERIOUS TROUBLE!

And so you have Pierce Gray Eugene Hammond. If we would have had a little girl we would have named her Emma Grayce Hammond.

A Star Is Born?

2008-07-01T22:12:00.000-07:00

Just what kind of star are we talking about here? ;-)

And no...we didn't pose him that way. He is always putting his hands behind his head. We decorated his bathroom in frogs and the "fig leaf" frog is actually a shower thing that sticks to the tile.

This is one of those photos we'll get to pull out when he has his girlfriends over to the house. But for now, its just too cute for any word other than "Ribbit!"

Week 17 (photos)

2008-06-27T10:16:00.000-07:00

Week 16 (photos)

2008-06-20T14:43:00.000-07:00

Week 15 (photos)

2008-06-13T15:00:00.000-07:00

First week of daycare :-(

2008-06-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

Ah...alas the day has come and Pierce has been put into daycare. We found a great in-home provider that, as it ends up, I actually went to high school with. She is close to us and we also have a friend and co-worker whose child is also there, so that makes me feel even better. He will be there part time for 2 weeks and then begin going full-time.

Well, Pierce has had a hard time this week. He is not used to other kids being around and has had a hard time taking naps. Typical Hunt mentality...he has to be going all of the time and has not time to stop and nap. I know that this isn't a Hammond trait because sleep is considered very valuable for that side of the family. He's also had to "cry it out" because Melissa at daycare has to put him down every so often. Poor baby! When I picked him up he was crying and it hurt my heart so bad. He would do these little sad sighs that just KILLED ME!

So, me being the "fixer" that I am, I got on craigslist and found a Jumperoo to take over there. Its different than the one we have at home, but better suited for the daycare place because it breaks down easily for storage. Pierce just loves to bounce as I'm sure you've seen on the blog pictures. Hopefully this will help free Melissa's hands up so she can attend to the other kids she has and Pierce can be entertained at the same time. Cry it out? Psh!!!

NOTE: Here Pierce is with Melissa at 5 months old. He has adjusted well and he seems to love her.

Week 14 (photos)

2008-06-06T11:11:00.001-07:00

Week 13 (photos)

2008-05-30T11:07:00.000-07:00

Tickle the Ivories

2008-05-26T13:55:00.000-07:00

Charles was out and about and bought this Discovery Kids piano for just $1. It has a key missing but Pierce doesn't seem to mind. We can change the sounds, play different beats or rhythms, and it has some drum sampling buttons too! He just loves it. Here he is tickling those ivories while sitting in his bumbo seat. The tray makes the perfect platform for the keyboard. Roll over Beethoven...here comes Pierce!

Week 12 (photos)

2008-05-23T13:46:00.000-07:00

More Cow Bell!

2008-05-17T13:30:00.000-07:00

Pierce is hanging out with Dad and playing the drums! He's getting to be more dexterous all of the time. I don't have to tell you how delighted Charles was with Pierce holding the drum sticks. Of course he did need a little bit of help actually hitting the drums but he had a death grip on those sticks! Awww...our little drummer boy.

Week 11 (photos)

2008-05-16T13:35:00.000-07:00

Sleep when he sleeps?!?

2008-05-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

With our schedules finally getting ironed out and both of us returning to work, we needed a little help babysitting Pierce. Grandmommy Phyllis was more than happy to help us out. Here they are napping the afternoon away. At first I was unsure if this really counted as babysitting, but then I remembered the new mom mantra "sleep when he sleeps". Grandmommy must take that mantra very seriously. Aren't they sweet?

Week 10 (photos)

2008-05-09T11:09:00.000-07:00

Bouncy! Bouncy!

2008-05-08T11:14:00.000-07:00

Pierce is getting stronger and stronger everyday. His Aunt Cheryl and Uncle David sent him this Rainforest Jumperoo and he just loves it. He's actually not heavy enough yet to reach the floor so we put two seat cushions below it and brought the floor to him. Although his attention span is not supposed to be greater than 5 minutes or so, he will sit in this and bounce around for 15-20 minutes! It makes jungle animal noises and plays cute little songs that are activated with his movement. You can tell he's getting tired when the music stops for periods of time. With toys like this he'll be walking in no time!

Bisabuela Rosa

2008-05-04T08:14:00.000-07:00

Pierce took his first road trip this weekend to meet his bisabuela Rosa (great grandmother) in Waco. The trip to Waco went rather well. Pierce slept most of the time and was in a rather good mood when we got there. The trip back was a different story. He had been in the car seat a total of about 4 hours that day as we drove around from place to place and the last 15 minutes of our trip he had had enough. Poor little guy. Once we got home we played, took a bath, read a book and put him to bed. Obviously worn out, he slept for 5 hours straight.

Here Pierce is with Great Grandma Rosa. She definitely had the touch. Within 20 minutes of being in her arms he passed out.

2 Month Checkup

2008-05-02T13:03:00.000-07:00

Pierce went for his 2 month checkup yesterday. They weighed and measured him and he also got 2 vaccinations. We'll start with the good stuff...He was 11 lbs and 14 oz which put him in the 53rd percentile. He was 23.5 inches long, putting him in the 70th percentile. And, his head was 16.4 cm around putting him in the 90th percentile! Holy moly!

Now for the bad stuff...his shots. The Rotovirus vaccine was oral so it wasn't that bad (although the nurse said it tasted like paper... yuk!) The DTaP shot was painful to watch. The needle looked HUGE compared to his little thigh. He did pretty well and only cried for a second. He was smiling shortly after. In this picture he's sitting with Dad waiting for his shot.

Week 9 (photos)

2008-05-02T11:07:00.000-07:00

Dr. Sears Alternative Vaccine Schedule

2008-05-01T23:00:00.000-07:00

With all of the talk of vaccines causing autism and whatnot I thought I'd post this alternative vaccine schedule by Dr. Sears for other parents. He spaces the vaccine's out throughout their youth so that they aren't getting too much medicine at one time. The MMR shot is probably one of the most dangerous and criticized culprits of autism, but this schedule divides them up at 1, 2, and 3 years old.

The months with an * are shots-only visits b/c most doctors don't do well-baby appts those months. I'm leaving the Flu shot out of this schedule b/c there are footnotes that basically say to start it with 2 doses between 6-12 months during flu season, then get one each year through age 5.

Please use this list as a tool to discuss vaccinating with your pediatrician.

Dr. Sear's Alternative Vaccine Schedule

2 months: DTaP, Rotavirus
3 months*: Pc, HIB
4 months: DTaP, Rotavirus
5 months*: Pc, HIB
6 months: DTaP, Rotavirus
7 months*: Pc, HIB
9 months: Polio (IPV)
12 months: Mumps, Polio (IPV) (See 3rd UPDATE)
15 months: Pc, HIB
18 months: DTaP, Chickenpox
2 years: Rubella, Polio (IPV) (See 3rd UPDATE)
2 1/2 years*: Hep B, Hep A (start Hep B at birth if any close relatives or caregivers have Hep B)
3 years: Hep B, Measles (See 3rd UPDATE)
3 1/2 years*: Hep B, Hep A
4 years: DTaP, Polio (IPV)
5 years: MMR
6 years: Chickenpox
12 years: Tdap, HPV
12 years, 2 months*: HPV
13 years: HPV, Meningococcal (once Meningococcal vaccine is approved for age 2, Dr. Sears will move it there and delay Hep B by 6 months)

A NOTE FROM ME: The MMR vaccines are no longer split up into 3 different shots. As a result I have chosen to wait until my son is over 3 to get the MMR shot. He has to have 2 MMR vaccinations before starting public school so I will wait as long as possible. However, if there is an outbreak in my area of any of the 3 diseases, I will consider vaccinating him immediately. - Shari

****UPDATED ****
It was brought to my attention by an anonymous reader (thank you) that the IPV vaccine is actually included in the above....it is the Polio vaccine. I confirmed with my own research. However, I am leaving this other alternative vaccine schedule recommended from a different author and pediatrician. This is just another option for concerned parents. This schedule is based on Dr. Stephanie Cave's What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations .

Here is her schedule:

Hep B
Delay until the year before starting school, although we may consider starting the series as early as two and half if we are considering preschool at the time.

Hib
4 mo, 6 mo, 8 mo, 17 mo

IPV (Polio)
4 mo, 6 mo, 8 mo, 17 mo (booster at 4 years)

DtaP
5 mo, 7 mo, 9 mo, 15 or 18 mo (booster at 4 years)

Pneumococcal (PREVNAR) one dose at age 2

Varicela (Varivax)
Age four, if at all

MMR
Mumps – 15 mo
Rubella – 27 mo
Measles – 39 mo
Booster – age 5

****UPDATED ****
I ran across this article and decided to post it. It is about a father's struggle with vaccinations and how his decisions effected the way he chose to vaccinate his two sons. He did a year's worth of research and this article is part of his result. "To vaccinate or not to vaccinate is the parental question of our time."

****UPDATED ****3rd UPDATE****
Merck is no longer making the MMR shots separately. As a result, personally, I am putting of the MMR shot until my son enters kindergarten. I am doing this because I think this is what is best for my son in my situation. Hopefully in the next 4 years they will have more answers and I can make a more informed decision. As for right now, this is what I've decided to do and my doctor is supportive. You, as a parent, must make your own decision on when you will get the MMR. I hope this helps - Shari

Grandmommy's Little Love

2008-05-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

Here Pierce is with his Grandmommy Phyllis. She comes over all the time to see him and gives him tons of attention. It's going to be hard to keep her from spoiling this little guy down the road. But, I guess that's what grandparents are for, huh?

He just smiles and smiles at her. He also coos and makes pterodactyl noises. She smiles back at him and says "You're Grandmommy's Little Love!"

Baby Bjorn

2008-04-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

Pierce loves to ride around with his dad in the Baby Bjorn carrier. Some good friends of ours, Tonia & Brad that live in CA, got this for us! Thanks guys!!! It rocks. It fits him like a glove and he can now hold his head up and look forward to take on the world. Watch out world...here Pierce comes!

8 Weeks Old

2008-04-29T12:05:00.000-07:00

Pierce is now 8 weeks old. Here he is with his Granddaddy Ron this past Sunday. He's really getting big and he's starting to push up and trying to stand. I'm sure it will be no time until he's running around getting into lots of trouble. Honestly, I can't wait!

A Little Razzle-Dazzle

2008-04-28T12:36:00.000-07:00

Pierce is getting to be more interactive each day. He's learning to grasp things and starting to put things in his mouth (when he can find it...sometimes he bonks himself on the head). He enjoys playing after eating his breakfast each morning. Here he is playing with some of his rattles. This picture makes me smile.

Week 8 (photos)

2008-04-25T10:28:00.000-07:00

Pierce's first blog...

2008-04-22T12:06:00.000-07:00

We figured we'd better start blogging before returning to work. Pierce is now 2 months old. We can't believe how quickly the time has gone by.

Here's the baby boy in the first moment of his birth. What an amazing blessing. He was 6 lbs 14 oz and 19 inches long. At his 2 week checkup he was 21 inches long so we think they didn't stretch him out completely when they measured him.

Week 7 (photos)

2008-04-18T10:26:00.000-07:00

Week 6 (photos)

2008-04-11T10:24:00.000-07:00

Week 5 (photos)

2008-04-04T10:22:00.000-07:00

Week 4 (photos)

2008-03-28T10:20:00.000-07:00

Week 3 (photos)

2008-03-21T10:17:00.000-07:00

Week 2 (photos)

2008-03-14T10:13:00.000-07:00

Week 1 (photos)

2008-03-07T10:01:00.000-08:00

The Birth (photos)

2008-02-29T09:46:00.000-08:00