Pillow Fights

My husband has recently learned that our son loves to have pillow fights! Granted, my son just turned 1 and cannot "fight" back, but he has some of his biggest belly laughs ever during these special moments with my husband. He plays on a big bed so the "knockouts" have a soft landing, and Micah just keeps coming back for more. It's hilarious to watch!
Last night as I was getting ready to leave the house, I heard them playing in the other room...then I heard a loud thump, followed by a second or two of silence, followed by "that can't be good" and then came the crying.
As much as this game has been fun and full of laughter (and seemingly safe) my immediate thought was that my husband accidentally knocked Micah off the bed. Bad thought, I know, but that's all I could think had happened. I ran into the other room to a crying baby reaching out for me. Matt said he was off the bed and was walking pretty fast towards some shelves nearby when he slipped and he thought he hit his forehead on the shelves. It wasn't long before we saw the blood coming out of his mouth though, and quickly realized it wasn't his head. Poor guy got a little bit of gum, a little lip, and cheek. Gum and lip were creating the blood and cheek was red and turning into a bruise. He cried hard for a bit, Dad felt horrible of course, but a little juice and yogurt quickly cured all woes...
Here's a look at the red/bruising cheek and bloody shirt shortly after.

And the next day, a little showing of the bruise and slightly puffy lip. His gums up top are a little red, but seems as though everything is where it should be...

Weaning Process

Don't know much about this personally, since I haven't had to deal with it...but I am continually amazed by my son and how easily he has made transitions in his life!
Now, not everything is easy. Like he is getting more aware of not being in his crib for naps/sleeping if we are out or he is at my mom's house or a sitter's house...places he used to sleep fine at, but is now beginning to struggle. But otherwise, I would have to say I have had it pretty easy whenever we have tried to transition from one thing to another.
When he was about 4 months old, he went from the bassinet to his crib in one night. Granted, he had been taking naps in his crib already, but his first nap in his crib was no big deal either!
Micah LOVED being swaddled at night, and sometimes for naps. This really calmed him, helped him to sleep, and was a very nice and easy solution for us if sleeping was ever an issue. But he was getting too big and too strong to stay swaddled at night and would wake up whenever he would get an arm out, so we decided it was time to try normal sleeping. And he was fine. First night. No problems. As if it had never been any different for him!
Against all things we had read, we started using bottles within the first week of birth. Micah never had a problem eating, whether it was nursing with me or taking a bottle of my milk, as long as it was warm and it was milk, he was content. And when my supply started to deplete and I started supplementing with formula...no problem there either! And then when it was all bottles and all formula...nope, just another day in the life of Micah!
When I started not even worrying about warming up the formula I was afraid he might revolt against it. Not sure why, he hadn't revolted against anything else. And he didn't here either. Then I allowed plenty of time to help him transition from formula to straight milk, but he didn't need it. Within 3 days of started the transition and helping him use his new sippy cups for milk, he was done with formula and done with bottles. His decision. Easy decision. Another easy transition.
And most recently, the pacifier. I have never worried about it too much. I could always tell he wasn't totally dependent on it, but if it was around he would grab it and suck on it and go about his business. I think he just liked having something in his mouth, because if it wasn't around, he would find something else to carry around in his mouth. He did always have it for sleeping at night and for naps, but it would often end up in the crib or on the floor at some point during his sleep. But when he turned a year, I decided we would just use it for naps and at night for sleeping. I wasn't sure how this would go...it had been a year and he was becoming much more aware of when things were missing...It has been one week and by about the fifth day he would take it out of his mouth at the end of his nap or in the morning and hand it to me for me to put in the new spot by the bed, waiting for the next nap...how amazing! No crying, no fighting it, no nothing.
I love my little angel! I know #2 may not be the easy and I may still not know what to do if transitions are hard since I haven't really had to deal with them, but for now, I am continually amazed by my son and his adaptability!

First Haircut!

Micah got his first haircut!

(before)

(trying to figure out what is going on)

(don't clip my ears, dad!)

(toys help with distraction)

(end product. much thinner and shorter in the back, as opposed to the mullet that was beginning to form)

(almost could have sent these to "locks of love")

To cake or not to cake...

I vowed not to have a birthday party, not to have birthday cake...after all, how much does a baby turning 1 really know what is going on? and why does he need cake? and why are all the people watching him my adult friends? and did he ask for a party? and on and on the questions roll in my head...the one thing I might enjoy about it? looking at pictures later of him with icing on his face. But do I have to put the icing there? does he even know what to do with it?
Questions, questions, questions...
Some people have no questions at all, they just know this is the only time their kid will turn 1 and they want to make it a big celebration in honor of that. And that's okay, it just hasn't been my thought process...
But I caved. I had a "party." We had 6 people, 2 of which were my parents. We had a "cake" and that is in quotes because it was a baby-friendly version of a carrot cake. We opened a few presents (and I say we here because he had no idea what to do, and really had no desire to rip the wrapping) and then played with some of them. He eventually enjoyed the cake. He pushed the box of diapers away, but he enjoyed the rest of the presents. He had fun with his 2 "younger" friends, the only kids he really seems to recognize and enjoy.

But he didn't nap good. And he didn't go to bed good. And he didn't sleep good. And he wasn't happy to wake up the next day. And he didn't want to be around other people the next day. And he wasn't consoled by food the next day. All things that he is normally great with on any given normal day.
And all of this is all the more reason why I didn't want to have a party...it threw him off schedule just enough to make the rest of the day, the night, and most of the next day next to unbearable for him (and a little unbearable for me).
Oh well, at least I have pictures of him learning to eat cake!

He's Smarter Than I Think...

The little guy turns 1 on Sat.
Crazzzzzy!
He is walking (as long as he wants to do it and we don't try to get him to), clapping, pointing, teething, eating, sleeping, playing, dancing, all the normal things for a 1 year old, right? I don't know. This is my first.
He is also very smart and learning to tell us things through motions, mainly pointing. I am not totally sure when or where he picked it up, but every time I get him out of his crib now he immediately points to the light switch (he likes to turn the light off) then points out the door, then to another room he might want to go into, or sometimes down the stairs. Then either into the living room (this morning first thing he wanted to do was read, so he took me straight to the books, picked one out and sat down with daddy while I got some breakfast ready!) or the kitchen if he is hungry. It's a fun game, I just don't want it to get out of hand, as in a demanding sort of way!
So the smart part. He starts to climb the stairs. I go get him and say we are not going upstairs now. He starts to fuss and then gets as close to a temper tantrum as I have seen him get, which is to cry and then lay down on the floor and continue crying as I walk away and let him deal. This is what he did today when I did not take him upstairs. He eventually (still crying) made his way back to me, held up his arms (for me to pick him up) and then started pointing to the stairs again. I told him if we went upstairs then he was going to take a nap. I really didn't think he was ready since he already took one 3-hour nap and had only been awake less than 2 hours at this point...but he kept pointing, so I obliged. I took him upstairs and he immediately put his head down on my shoulder. I put him in the crib and he grabbed his blanket and I haven't heard from him since...guess he knew what he needed more than me! I just need to listen better (and sooner) next time so we don't have to go through the tantrum stage...

Around the Block

Things can be exciting and scary at the same time, right?
Like my son learning to walk!
A couple of weeks ago we started "tricking" him into standing on his own. Like holding him from the back and then letting go of him once he seemed to have all control...he didn't necessarily realize that he was standing...but when/if he did he would immediately sit. He also did this to himself on occasion as well when he would be standing by holding onto something, but then get distracted with his hands, let go of what was helping him to stand, and continue playing with what was in his hands...thus, standing all on his own.
About a week ago we tried to take it one step further (haha, no pun intended) by getting him to take steps once he realized he was standing. Last Saturday he took his very first steps all by himself. All two of them. Since then, he has taken 2-3 steps each a few more times! My boy is growing up so fast! I know very soon I will wish that we hadn't taught him this so early......
He has also gotten very good at walking by just holding onto one hand (and he is much better if it is his left hand that is holding on) and is good when we each hold one hand. So, today we took him for his first real walk around the block. The hardest part??? Getting shoes on his feet! The boy scrunches up his toes! So, yes, he is wearing socks with sandals since sandals were all we could get on him!
Exciting!
And scary!

All Boy

I am definitely okay with my son playing with dirt, and getting dirty, and being a boy... not sure that I want him to eat it, but play with/in it...I am okay with that.
When I first put him outside, he stayed pretty much in the same spot: on the sidewalk in the midst of a few leaves. Then we added some balls. Then he began to be more comfortable with exploring the whole yard...after we had had about 3 straight days of rain!

First Attempts with Food

We recently tried not only sitting down and actually eating a meal together with 10 month Micah, but we also tried giving him much of the food to feed himself! Great experience for all, I think. A little more clean-up, but a lot more enjoyment through the process!!

Snack Time

Micah is really enjoying food! All sorts, and I am SO glad he has not been a real picky eater!
One of my favorite things to watch over the past month or so has been Micah learning to feed himself. No utensils yet! But the art of learning how to grab something with his fingers and then get it in his mouth. Entertaining, eye opening, and at times (when there is other stuff he can get his fingers around but shouldn't be eating) dangerous!
Here he is examining the snacks he has been given. Trying it out in his hand.
Concentrating really hard on getting it just right in between his fingers...and as you can see, the left hand is in a fist, which likely means he has already gotten one in that hand.
Deciding on the left hand, he approaches the mouth, very successfully...
Then switches hands and eats one with the right hand while the left hand is getting ready for the next bite. He has learned early on how to be more efficient with two hands!
This on appears it did not quite make it in the mouth. There seems to be one in the finger area and one stuck lower on the palm...but he seems to be determined to still get them in the mouth!
OK! That seems to be the look here! Got some in, sucking for a bit, and resting my hands. This is hard work!
But then there is a bit of frustration upon realizing that they are all gone.

And so goes snack time...

Contained

I like finding multiple uses for things. I have these green bins, and was so excited when I decided it would be great to collect Micah's toys downstairs so we have somewhere to keep them that is handy and also looks decent.
But we have recently found another use for the container.

A place to contain Micah....and his toys!


That look is total contentment. Or maybe serious concentration...

Some Favorites

Micah has some definite favorites right now in life! He is 9 months old now and his personality, as well as likes and dislikes, are really shining through...

This bike is an absolute must! If it is in the room while he is trying to eat, forget it! the bike wins, no matter how hungry he may have seemed before eating!! he can sit on it pretty good, though we do surround it with big pillows for softer falls...because they do happen! It talks and sings and says numbers and letters and makes funny sounds, and he loves it!!

He also loves standing. On anything! and the bike is one of the things he doesn't sit on for too long before realizing it might be more fun to stand on. He stays pretty steady, has gotten pretty good at safe dismounts, and I think he might think he is THE man here!!
The open onsie is due to the fact that he is NOT at all thrilled about diaper changes, especially if he is not otherwise occupied during it, and even worse if he has done a #2! So, sometimes we don't completely finish the process of getting clothes fully snapped back on. Sometimes it's just easier to let him get back to playing and not worry about the clothes (also why he often ends up wearing just a diaper around the house!).


I think it could only get better than this if he was standing too!! He loves the bike and he loves this brown outfit. It is soft and furry, and if it were a blanket, I think he might take it with him everywhere. We normally use it more like a blanket, but sometimes it is fun to put it on him and watch the smiles stay big!! He can be in the middle of a bad cry and just can't help but smile if this gets rubbed up against his face. There's not much like seeing the joy it brings him to have this touching his skin!!
Thanks to the friends who gave us the bike and the outfit! We are oh so grateful for the memories we will have because of them!!

First Bruise

It's not a terrible one.
It's not real obvious unless you know it's there.
But I know it's there and I know he did it in my presence, so I am reminded that I am at fault. Or that he is all boy and it's about time he got a bruise...
He was playing with a table, and even though he is very small for his age, he is bigger than the table. He wanted to pull himself up, and instead he pulled the table down. Fell back and hit his head and the (metal) table landed on his face. Poor guy! I felt horrible and he screamed...but eventually he stopped and he forgave me for my lack of catching the table before it left it's mark. It's not too too bad, but it's there. His first real bruise.

Time for a Change!

A few times recently I have gotten Micah out of his bed from a nap to find him sitting up, looking out, waiting patiently for someone to come get him. I found him this way twice yesterday! I knew it was only a matter of time before he would decide to stand, and had been saying we needed to move the bed down before it started.
Well, he beat us to it. I didn't get a picture of him actually standing since Matt went to get him and called me up fast to see him. He was facing the side of the crib where the door is, so even though this is the tallest part of the crib, this is the side he was standing along, barely reaching his little hands over the top. But he was standing. So we immediately moved the bed down. We'll see how long it takes for him to start trying to get out....
Here is a picture of him on the side, after we moved the bed down...we sat him in the bed and he immediately crawled to the edge and stood! Our little boy is growing up fast!!

Poor Baby Boy!

The little guy is going through a lot right now...and I feel so bad for him!

He got his first two bottom teeth when he was around 4 months, but now he has some coming through on the top and bottom! The top definitely looks painful, and the way he clamps his mouth shut when I try to look or put orajel on tells me it really does hurt him. He is strong though, and overall (basing on stories I have heard from others with teething babies) he is handling it great! He is still sleeping great, maybe sleeping away the pain, and for this I am VERY thankful!

I knew from when he got his first 2 teeth that he becomes extra clingy when going through the process. Just wants someone close, close enough to touch if he is not being held. I am OK with this because for the most part, he is not normally like this, and if this is the worst of it, I am OK with holding and comforting him through the pain.

What makes this clingy part a little worse, though, is that he is 8 months old and in his "stranger anxiety" stage. He is OK if we are not around for a few minutes, then he will stop crying and begin to just want to be with the person he was left with. So, clingy from teeth and from stranger anxiety, on top of us leaving him with other people more recently due to work and volleyball practices and games. I think in the long run, it will be very good for him to be around others and get used to different environments, etc. but for right now, all the pain (teeth, being left, new people) is compounded...

Pint-size Piano Player

There's some intense concentration going on here.

But there's also some fun being had, as noted by the smile and dimple!

New Milestones for the Little Guy

A beautiful growing boy, with a beautiful smile, two big (and sharp) teeth, a cute dimple, and lots of life! Think he is definitely going to have mom's eyes, hazel it is.
Micah has learned how to eat quite well. He loves food. He has also learned it is very hard to keep food in his mouth while simultaneously sneezing!
Micah has become very active and much more aware of his toys. This has led to him being very excited to play, while at the same time too tired to even keep his head up. This is what I find when it starts to get a little too quiet in the other room...
Micah is becoming quite the mobile little creature. And he is learning his "what? i'm innocent!" face.
One of Micah's newest discoveries is shoes. He has no fear of feet or shoes. He loves to touch and eat both, so watch out down below.
Micah is learning to read. And seems to be thoroughly enjoying it.
As Micah has become more mobile, he is showing us the things in our house that we need to "baby-proof" or at least be careful of. This is a new favorite.
As you can tell by the licking that followed. Mmmmm, Will Ferrell tastes good...
This is the face that might be seem when Micah is not getting what he wants. And he has a very good grip, as you might notice here. Watch out for those claws!
He is changing everyday, and we are loving every moment of it!

Mobile and Mischievous!

Micah is getting very mobile. He has a great army crawl! He is also very quickly showing us where and what we are going to need to baby proof. NOW!
Gotta go get some proofing done.

Afraid of Baby Einstein

Micah has seen the whole video before.
Numerous times.
He got scared today.
Really scared.
There are a couple of parts where they are playing "peek-a-boo" and a little stuffed animal pops up out of a basket. That's all it does.
Micah started crying. A really scared cry as he looked around the room to find me and reach he hands out for comfort. He did it each time the little animal popped up. I finally got him to settle back down and sit by himself to finish the video. Didn't know it did the same thing later in the video with a different animal. Oops! Same reaction!
Poor little guy!
Cute, though, too.

The Edge of the Seat

We decided to talk a walk the other evening...and we're off...
Look at how tall he is sitting. No leaning back for this one, gotta get the full view!

As I look back at the picture above, I realize I might get this sort of look again later in life: "Mom. Seriously. Can we keep going? Can you stop taking my picture already!" HAHA
This is just cute. This is how he was pretty much the whole time. On the edge of his seat. Waiting for something spectacular to happen. Sitting forward. Hands up to hold on because of possible bad drivers! Looking at everything! He really does enjoy being outside!

Cute and Cuddly

Micah picked up the sniffles this week. He is almost 7 months, so it's about time. May have been the warm water and then cold air at the Y for swim lessons. May have been someone he's been around. May be that our AC broke so our air is not circulating as well...Whatever is was, he's got them. It's really pitiful, but kinda cute at the same time.
The hardest part? Keeping the snot from constantly resting between his nose and lips. The next hardest part? getting the nose plunger up the nostrils! He keeps opening his mouth. As if he thinks I am trying to give him food?

It has made him want me more. Made him want to cuddle more. He has fallen asleep twice on me today and once lying next to me with his arm wrapped around my neck! Can't get much better than that! Lying head to head with his arm around me as I listen to his breathing (his sort of breathing since it is hard to breathe through his nose) get heavier and heavier.
He finally seemed asleep enough that I was able to pull away without him noticing...he is just too adorable!