Men...

Eric was helping me out since I had my hands full. I sat down in the arm chair with Micah wrapped up in his favorite blanket. He was overtired and just sobbing so pitifully. As soon as he settled in to nurse, he was half asleep already, and Eric moved around the room, switching off all the lights.

"Could you lower the crib rail for me, too?" I can't reach the mattress with it raised, not when I'm holding my little guy to my chest to keep him warm during the "transfer." I instantly realized Eric had never done this, and I wondered how long it would take him to figure it out. He fidgeted with the top, finally just pushed on it and it lowered.

"It says 'PUSH' right there on the bottom in huge letters."

Glancing at the rail again, he said, "I don't read instructions."

"Even when it's just ONE WORD?"

"Yeah?"

Oh my goodness.... [needless to say, I laughed pretty hard at that one.]

Look at this cutie: I crocheted an adorable little Santa hat. It's for sale! I'm going to add it to my Etsy store.

The little guy got his first taste of snow today, too... literally!

7 1/2 Months Old and Driving Already

Let the Baby Proofing Begin

Over the past few days, my little man has started lifting himself up off the floor and scooting backwards. I'm sure it won't be too long before he finally figures out how to go forward and then we'll all be chasing after him. He already knows how to open cupboard doors and drawers. We're in trouble!



Today he did something that just cracked me up. He was sitting by the window and he squashed a fly with his thumb. You know it's getting cold outside when the flies are moving around so slow that a baby can kill one with his bare hands! Way to go Micah! I think he was trying to pick it up. I'm sure he would have tried to eat it, too, if he was able. Gross!

Today has been really difficult for me. I have been battling this head cold, and today it reached the peak of intensity. My face was throbbing from sinus pressure and all I wanted to do was sleep, but guess what.... mommies don't get a day off! Fortunately, a Motrin made the sinus pressure bearable. I have a lot of catching up to do now with my Pregnancy blog and laundry, now that I'm coming out of my coma. I really hate colds. I haven't had one in over a year. Yuck!

My husband really helped me out today, though. He did the grocery shopping for me!! Wow, he did a great job, too! He got everything we needed  (for the rest of the month, probably) and a little extra for about $105. Hmm... maybe he should do the shopping all the time. He is really good at finding deals!

I need to add more movies to my Netflix cue. Any suggestions?

Lucky Seven

The kiddo turned seven months old yesterday. The biggest change I've noticed is his sudden focus on everything around him. His eyes have been opened up to a whole new world around him, full of items he's not allowed to touch and places he's not able to get to. The latter has been the driving force behind his frustrated attempts to crawl, walk, or otherwise move around the room. He can push himself backwards and turn, dive from sitting on his bottom to "crawling position" but he doesn't get much farther than that. Our 7-Month photo shoot was a little trickier than months past; he was more interested in the grass than smiling at me.

I can't believe that the most intense day of my life is seven months behind me already. Time sped up after I finished college, but now days feel like blinks. From 7am-7pm, my life is nonstop. Then I breath, blog, (sometimes read or crochet) and go to bed. I love the afternoons when Micah decides that all he wants to do is snuggle up next to me for two hours and sleep. I rest, read, catch up on my shows, and I feel refreshed afterward. I'm going to enjoy this season, because I know I won't have that luxury forever. Life is simple with one child.

Boo!

My Little "Soapasaurus"

That's what it says on Micah's bathrobe. I haven't used these much until lately. I've found they are a great way to keep him warm while I put his baby lotion on after a bath. Tonight he wore his robe for a while because his pajamas were still in the dryer. I just bought him a new pair (size 12 months!!) and they have monsters on them. They are his first pair of jammies that are not one piece with footies. They should fit him a little longer. I'm hoping so.

Micah is changing so much every week, I thought I'd write down some current "facts" about him before I forget.

• He could care less about solid foods. He still prefers breastmilk and will only eat about a tablespoon of baby food on any given day, if that.
• He has been sitting up on his own for a few weeks, but he still requires some type of "crash pad" behind him for those times when he feels like arching his back all of a sudden!
• He has one tiny little tooth - the bottom right one.
• He loves the blanket that I crocheted for him while I was pregnant. I love this.
• His favorite toy is his food bowl.
• He likes to be carried on my hip, facing in. (That's a big change from before, when he only wanted to be carried in front of me, facing out.)
• He loves to grab our faces.
• He giggles when you say "bloop bloop" or make a popping sound with your lips.
• He loves taking baths!
• He no longer cries when he's wet, which means now we have to actually check.
• He likes to fall asleep with a blanket over his head (don't worry, his blankie is "holey")
• He screams a lot when he is laughing and playing. It's very high pitched and loud!
• He likes to chew on wet washcloths. 
• He can push himself up on his arms all the way and roll over both ways, as well as turn around on his belly.
• He thinks trees are funny... and laughs at them when the wind blows.
• He always wants to hold my fingers when he's tired.
• He grunts as he's falling asleep.
• He loves wearing his snowsuit: it always puts him to sleep.
• He is fascinated by books and enjoys opening and closing them over and over.
• He loves taking naps next to me on the couch while I watch TV.
• He loves hugs and kisses!
• He loves dogs!
  

Creative Play

I've gotten bored of the same baby toys and games, day in and day out. Today I was on a mission to do something "new" with Micah. I pulled out a cookie sheet and filled it with just enough warm water to cover the bottom. Then I laid that on top of a beach towel on the kitchen floor. I put a handful of bath toys on the cookie sheet and let him loose! It was so funny to watch him spend the first ten minutes staring into the water. He would place his hands in the water for a few moments and then take them back out. Periodically he would lower his face to a few inches above the water and stare at the reflection of the kitchen lights. The ripples in the water caused by moving toys around really caught his attention. We played for quite a while! He didn't even make that much of a mess, either!

What are some creative games you've played with your babies? I'm looking for more ideas!

Another Season

In my last post I mentioned that Micah had no teeth yet. I spoke too soon! Saturday afternoon, I noticed that my fussy little boy had a "split" gum - and in that little opening was a tiny tooth coming through! This morning he was in much better spirits; the hardest part is over. Today I could feel the sharp little point with my finger. Pretty soon it will be big enough for me to take a photo. I can't believe it's happening already! People always tell you how fast children grow, but you never realize how true this is until they sprout right before your eyes.

The temperature around here is dropping fast. I pulled out Micah's snowsuit and we wore it to church this morning. I discovered that he loves it, and it is a surefire way to get him to doze off. He is so snuggly in that thing! We went to a harvest party last night and our little guy didn't end up going to bed until 10pm or so. As a result he was very tired today, and ended up passing out for over three hours this afternoon. For a little boy who usually sleeps 30-40 minutes at a time, this was shocking! I didn't know what to do with myself during that time. I ended up reading an entire magazine while waiting for him to wake up. My house was already clean so basically I had nothing to do but lounge and wait for him to wake up. I guess I can't complain about that!

Our family is going through some big changes right now. We are hoping to move 30-45 minutes north of where we are currently, but the housing market may prevent that. I want to live closer to our parents now that we have a son. He needs to be close to his grandparents! We have also been hit pretty hard by the recession. The increased cost of living combined with me working only part time from home has made things financially tricky. Moving would mean lower expenses, as well, so I'm hoping that works out. But, I know that God has everything under control and he might have something better in mind for us, so I'm keeping an open mind. In the meantime, having our house listed means it has to be spotless 24/7. This is perfect for me - it will force me to make keeping my house clean a habit, something I've been wanting to do for a while. I'm tired of cleaning in spurts and then letting things get messy again. I have found that it's much easier to maintain a spotless house than a "ruffled" one.

I am really looking forward to November. Not only is Thanksgiving in November (my favorite holiday), but my birthday is in November as well. It's not the same as it was when I was a kid, but it's a fun excuse to get together with my family, eat my favorite dinner and indulge in birthday cake.

What a Chunk!

This was taken on September 25th.

This was taken today.

The weight gain in his face (and everywhere else) is crazy! We started solid foods around that time as well... I'm thinking that might have something to do with it.

No teeth yet!

Face of His Father

So this afternoon I was taking pictures of my little man and he was really hamming it up for the camera.

He is really cute. I'm not just saying that because I'm his mama. I know from the very core of my left brain that he is extremely cute. My right brain practically seizes every time he smiles from cute overload.

All of a sudden he whips out this face of shock or horror. I have no idea what was going on in that mind of his, but it exploded all over his face, I happened to catch it on camera, and I proceeded to laugh uncontrollably until moments later when Eric walked in. Of course, upon seeing the photo, he reenacted the face.

This only proves how much our little man looks like Eric. It's amazing. And of course that face makes me laugh just as much when Eric does it.

I captured another "look-alike" moment while Eric ate a bagel and Micah ate a.... binkie. Yeah. I promise you; this was not posed!

One Year Ago

One year ago, I was expecting! It's hard to believe that I am a mother now - and that my baby is six months old already! I can't believe how much I love him. I always knew I would love my children, but I never anticipated that my heart would break every time I picked him up or looked at his sweet little face. I'm so full of joy.

The Peach Fiasco

Part of me is excited to start giving my son solid foods (he'll be six months old on Tuesday) and the other part of me hesitates because it means a lot more food prep, a lot more laundry, and a lot more time in general. Up until now, feeding him has been so easy and convenient. No warming up bottles, no pureeing vegetables, no bibs, not post-lunch bath, no nothing!

Anything with Buttons

When he couldn't figure out how to order pizza, he decided to eat the phone instead.

Cupid (Without the Wings)

I took Micah's five-month portraits yesterday morning in our living room. The first hour of the day is great for lighting... and a happy baby! Someday, when he's a senior, I'll make sure this gets in the yearbook.

Roll Over, Micah!

He is SO CLOSE to rolling all over the house. I watch these attempts with such anticipation and excitement, I feel like I am watching football. Will he make it? Almost! Almost! Awww. Not quite. The funny part is, I know he can do it because he rolled over when I wasn't looking yesterday. I laid him on his back, turned around, and when I looked back he was on his belly. This afternoon he rolled onto his back from his tummy! He didn't just roll: he pulled his legs up underneath him and pushed his butt up in the air like he was doing "down dog" with his face planted on the floor. Then he pushed with his left foot and flipped over onto his back. I was impressed. Watch Micah's acrobatics (and fascination with his new "Cars" book) after the jump.

Being a Parent Hurts Sometimes

While my roast beef, Swiss and horsey sauce sandwich browns in the toaster oven, the timer's steady ticking provides the background music to my somber thoughts.

(I fully intended that to be over-dramatic.)

I realized today that my parents probably didn't enjoy disappointing me. They really did have my best interests at heart when they said no. They did not enjoy seeing me cry about it. No, this is not the first time I have realized this fact, but it is the first time I have really understood it from their end.

My son is evolving before my eyes and I have noticed a subtle shift in his behavior. No longer just an infant, he's displaying wants as well as needs. For example, he was eating my mother-in-law's hair the other day... had a huge clump of it in his mouth. When we took it out of his mouth he tried to grab it again. When she pulled her hair back where he couldn't reach it, he screamed in protest. He threw a fit because we wouldn't let him chew on grandma's hair. Babies need to eat. Babies need to sleep. Babies need their diapers changed. I'm sorry, but babies do not need to suck on hair as opposed to their pacifiers, which clipped on their shirts, are more than available for all their sucking and chewing needs.

This was the context in which I decided it was time to begin sleep training my son.

(Oh my gosh, this horsey sauce is burning a hole through my nose and opening up the floodgates behind my tear ducts!)

The same changes in his little brain that allow him to prefer hair to a pacifier and pitch a fit about it, also allow him to choose to stay awake when he needs to sleep. Over the past few weeks, he has repeatedly made this choice, and he has gotten more and more tired to the point of screaming for no reason. It has become a battle of wills. Parents versus Baby. Play versus Sleep.

Last night I finally gave in to the nagging voice that kept tell me to "be the parent and make him go to bed when he needs to, not when he wants to." I was fully prepared to hear his cries for hours. Except... he only cried for 15 minutes, maybe 20. Tonight he only cried for 18 minutes exactly. He slept. And slept. And slept. If's he's sleeping, he must really need to sleep, which means he hasn't been getting the sleep he needs for several weeks now. No wonder he had such a short little temper - he was always tired like me. Now I'm slapping myself for not recognizing this sooner.

I still don't like hearing him cry, and he protests for a lot longer during the day when I try to get him down for a nap. I think he's just not used to sleeping in his crib during the day and that is what needs to change. I want him to associate his crib with sleeping to the point that just looking at his bed makes him think, "Hmm, I'm kind of tired, I think I'll take a nap."

We'll see about that....

Unconventional

Everyone knows that when a baby falls asleep, you should put him in his crib and either take a nap yourself or do one of the other million things on your list... but I often don't.

I don't know how many more chances I will have to look down and gaze at this tiny face in my arms. I might blink and realize he is fifteen and too big or too cool to fall asleep in my lap. If I don't listen, I might forget what it sounds like to hear these tiny puffs of breath, breath that smells something like sugar or hazelnut. It's no wonder they've named a flower after it. How is it that babies smell so good?

If I lay him in his crib, I would miss the occasional happy sigh, the sleepy smile that flickers across his peaceful face as he dreams (of what, I wonder?). I wouldn't feel his tiny fingers search for a fold of my shirt or my thumb to grasp. I might not catch that first waking glimpse or the grin that follows when he realizes I'm still there.

So even though there are dishes to wash and laundry to fold, I hold my child instead, watching him sleep, whispering a prayer of gratitude.

Thank you, Lord, for this child, this blessing.
Keep him safe and show me how to raise him.
Let him always know how much he is loved.

The Sound Every Mother Lives For

My favorite part of the day involves finding new ways to make Micah laugh. His giggles are often muffled by his fists, which he stuffs in his mouth constantly. Lean in too close, and he'll grab your mouth or nose with his dripping hands, smearing spit all over your face. Does that stop me from planting five hundred kisses on those chubby cheeks of his? Not in a million years!



Yesterday he turned four months old. I can't believe how fast time is flying by. Everyone told me this would happen, but I never understood just how right there were until now. He is so active, so playful, and oh so opinionated! I feel like it was only yesterday that he fit right between my crossed arms. Today his long legs sprawl over my lap and onto the couch. He's wearing 9mo/12mo sleepers. Where he got his height, I have no idea!

He looks so much like my husband, it's scary.

A Visit from the Great Grandparents!

This week my dad's parents drove across the Midwest to visit and meet Micah for the first time. I have to admit I was a little worried in the weeks leading up to their visit. You see, up until about a week ago, Micah was pitching a fit whenever anyone would try to hold him... except for me. He would be fine for a few minutes, then suddenly his eyes would widen and his bottom lip would curl. Tears would brim and in seconds he would go from cooing to screaming at a volume that would likely burst your eardrum if you stood too close.

Then one day, Micah woke up and decided he was no longer a one woman man. Now he is a little charmer, talking and smiling at whoever carries him around... as long as they hold him the way he likes. I mentioned yesterday that it's "his way or the highway," well this especially applies to how he wants to be held. He used to enjoy snuggling with his head tucked into your neck or looking over your shoulder. Now he strongly prefers to be carried facing out with his legs dangling so he can see everything in front of him and wiggle at will.

He can still burst your eardrum if you happen to be nearby when he gets a wet diaper. If he is playing and happy, and then all of a sudden he starts screaming like someone pinched him, chances are he has just wet himself. It is during these moments of near hearing loss that I close my eyes and envision a potty seat sitting upon a golden throne with angels singing hallelujah in the background. I look forward to ditching the diapers for smiley stickers and m&ms and ninja turtle underwear. (Do they still make ninja turtle underwear?)

Anyway, back to the visit from the Great Grandparents... it was a joy to see my granny hold my son, play with him, and rock him to sleep. I am so blessed. Micah has gotten to meet all four of his Great Grandmothers and two of his Great Grandpas. I don't think I ever got to meet any of my great grandparents, even as an infant. Four generations gathered around the patio table to enjoy my dad's amazing beef tenderloin, seven layer salad, cheesy potato casserole, corn on the cob and Sprecher soda on Tuesday night. I really wish we all lived closer together. My Grandparents are heading back home tomorrow morning and it will likely be a very long time before we see them again. If my sister ends up moving in the fall as planned, we're really going to be spread out. We better make the most out of August and September!

Wants to See the World

Micah is developing an interest in his surroundings. No longer content to lay back and nap during car rides (unless he is tired, of course), he leans forward to look out the window or around the vehicle. His reclining infant carrier is not condusive to sitting up, however, so sometimes it takes a small circus to keep him entertained when he is not able to sit up the way he would like to.

It's interesting to see such a strong personality at just four months old. "It's his way or the high way." I can already tell we're going to have our hands full as we train him up to be a well behaved and Godly young man. He is stubborn and spirited. Fortunately, these qualities have the potential to make him a great leader if kept in check and given a proper outlet. He is also very sweet and when he's happy, you can't wipe the smile off his face. Every day I find new ways to get him to laugh. He already loves to roughhouse; he is definitely a boy.

Today I put together his new stroller and we took it for a spin around the neighborhood. What a difference sitting upright makes! He actually enjoyed cruising around for once. Before we used a stroller frame that his infant carrier clicked into - but he would always cry unless he was asleep. I was convinced that it was because it forced him to lay back and I was right! Our neighborhood is still largely undeveloped, so there are plenty of paved roads without traffic - perfect for walks. Built on the side of a hill, this neighborhood really gives your calves a workout! His eyes were wide with curiosity as we walked up and down the hill on the empty road. I pointed out grass, rocks and wildflowers. We spent about 15 minutes outside until he got a little too tired and started whimpering. I'm going to start taking him out every day unless the weather is bad. He really enjoys being outside! What little kid doesn't?