and Twelve...bringing us back to One

Yesterday was Isaac's first birthday!

He has grown so much in the past 12 months, it's hard to believe that the picture of the itty bitty newborn that hangs in his room and that little man in jeans sitting on the bed are the same baby. He has changed so much, and the past year has flown by. Even since last month, he is so different!

He still is not walking, but he sure is trying! This kid is FEARLESS. He climbs over stuff and tries to jump off stuff. He tries to swim in the bath. He flops over on his tummy and puts his face into the water and kicks his legs. He gives me heart attacks routinely, every day. He also tries to do somersaults, putting his head down on the ground and trying to flip his body over his head.

He talks, boy, does he talk! My proudest moment thus far is teaching him to say "Daddy did it." Isaac, who broke this plate? "Daddy did it!" Isaac, who pooped his pants? "Daddy did it!" Ah, the joys! He also says "No Mama!" We are working on please and thank you. He waves and says "hi" and "bub bub." He claps and says "yay!" and squeals.

I love seeing his personality come through, more and more. It amazes me how he is his own little person, with favorite toys, his mannerisms, his expressions. He knows that certain things he does are funny, others are not. His growing comprehension blows my mind. I like to watch him figure out new toys and how he can work them. He figured out how to make the recliner rock, and now he loves to sit in it like a big boy and throw himself back against it to make it rock. He loves to push buttons, both literally and figuratively. He has definately begun to test his boundaries.

I think he is done with purees. I am trying to use up the last of them, creatively. He doesn't like to be fed anymore, he wants to do it all himself. I started giving him his own spoon. He can't really use it yet but he does know food goes on the spoon. He eats more and more big boy food everyday. He loves mac and cheese, toast, pancakes, grilled cheese, litte oranges, chicken nuggets, carrots....he's like his daddy and will eat anything. He has been on whole milk for about a month. He loves it! As happy as I am to be done with nursing, I actually miss it. I miss that closeness and bonding time.

And the kitties...he likes to lay down on top of them to cuddle them. If Guiliani wonders into Isaac's room, Isaac will bee line over to him, grab him, and flop down on him. It's cute, like he's hugging them, but they don't really um...find it so affectionate.

My favorite thing?

He still lets me snuggle him. :) I will take every precious snuggling moment I can get. I will drop everything to snuggle because I know it's fleeting.

Eight

I have an eight month old baby boy.

WOW. 8 months already.

Yes, Isaac has hit his 8 month mark. I look back at the past 8 months, even the past month alone, at how much he has changed.

He has teeth! FINALLY THANK YOU GOD. His bottom two front teeth have come in. He still has 2 eruption cysts for a few more. Here's hoping those come in soon!

I took him for his flu shot shot a while back. He didn't even cry. I distracted him by blowing in his face. Anyway, at this appointment he weighed 18 pounds 2 ounces.

And he's mobile! He is balancing on all fours and scooting backwards. Every day I expect to see him shooting forward. I have been baby proofing like crazy...and I may or may not have found Pre.cious Plan.et outlet plugs. He also sits up upsupported and tries his hardest to get into that position by himself. He's just not quite there yet.

His vocabulary has become quite vast, just not in context. He says dada, hi, mamo (I think this is mama. But it comes out maaaaamoooo), and hot. This is my fault. I sing Nelly's Hot in Herre to him when changing him. And I noticed that when I do, he says Hot, Hot, Hot! And I swear that yesterday while Ben and I were both home and he was in his jumperoo, he said "thank you" which sounded like "ank ooo." He blows all kinds of raspberries and also makes a high pitched gurgling noise, a "brrrrrrrrrrrr" of sorts. It's hard to describe. But I hear it in my head and it makes me smile. :)

He uses both hands together and independently. He will pick up things with both hands together and individually, and even something in each hand at the same time. He is trying to figure out how his toys actually work. He loves pushing buttons on things. Whenever I mix his cheerios and puffs together, he separates them out. It is so fun to watch him "work it out" in his mind. He loves animals. He loves "Handy Manny" and starts laughing when we sing the song to him, which he can totally identify. If he isn't paying attention and I start an episode for him, when the music starts he automatically turns his little head and smiles. He also loves Wh.eel of F.ortune. Yep. And I let him watch it. He loves watching the wheel spin and the letters appear. Shut up, it's educational!

We are still breastfeeding exclusively. Eight months down. I really want to make it to 12, but if we get to nine with no problems, I will be happy. At 10 months, I am going to start pumping exclusively....I think. I am just so hesitant to change things that are working for us...also for him to grow up in any way. He is eating solids like a champ. He has definate favorites in squash, peaches, avocados, and peas. He finger feeds himself banana chunks, cheerios, puffs, and yogurt melts. We have started small chicken and carrot chunks, but the texture is throwing him off. He still has his own spoon while he eats and he is sticking it into his food and eventually getting some into his mouth. We are working on the sippy cup. He definately knows what it is, but is not that adept at it yet. He is great at holding his bottle, though.

We need to work on his sleeping habits. He is still waking up at night and I just can't let him cry it out. I have excuses galore, mostly "he's teething and in pain" or "he doesn't feel good" or "we will try it this weekend when we can get more sleep." I know, I know. I just have to bite the bullet. Most times he just needs a little comforting, but others he really is hungry. I just don't know what to do. He occassionally sleeps through the night when he is really tired, but not very often. He is still sleeping in a 4-5 hours chunk when he goes down and then wakes up one or two times after that. He sometimes falls asleep soon after I pick him up, but sometimes not until he has ate a little. He doesn't want to be put down but fusses if I am holding him.

And he still hates pacifiers. Unless he picks it up himself in his playpen. Which, incidently, he doesn't like most time. He likes to be free.

He is still in 6-9 month clothes and size 2-3 diapers (god bless you, Pampers for the inbetween size). We scored alot of Rob.eez on Eb.ay. I love those! And he can't pull them off his feet like socks. But sorry, not paying $30 a pair.

He has such personality now. It becomes more and more evident every day. His preferences stand out, as well as his dislikes. It is so amazing to watch him grow into his own person but so bittersweet. I still can't bring myself to pack up the basinett. I still look at it at night and it twinges at my heart. I know I say this every month, but seriously, where the hell does the time go?

Little Chunker

Isaac finally had his 6 month checkup and shots last Friday. The little chunker weighs in at 16lbs 5oz and measures 27 inches. That is up 4 inches from the 4 month checkup. And up 3 pounds. He's been busy, apparently. Maybe he's sneaking into the fridge for midnight snacks.

He didn't see his normal pediatrician because he was not available until the end of this month. Something about having Isaac's 6 month checkup closer to 7 months didn't quite jive with me, so the Dr. who did his circumcision saw him. It's the same office. And it was my fault for having to reschedule. I was sick. Anyway, she checked his gums and informed me that he has 2 eruption cysts that I have to watch for blood. Gross. And ooooowwwww! Poor little man. His relfexes are good and he is still ahead with his motor skills. We talked about his feeding regimen and diet. She gave the ok to start with little foods like cheerios and those little Graduate puffs (which I gave him, and it is FUN-NY) since he is doing so well.

His shots went as well as shots can be expected. There was screaming. And tears. Oh, and Isaac cried too. :( The nurse let me hold him this time at my request. Isaac HATES having his legs pinned down. I think that makes him more upset than the actual shots. Whenever that arm went across his legs, he got this look of fear on his face I couldn't stand. Holding him made it easier on him, worse for me. And potentially worse for the nurse, because it made my desire to knock her out for making my baby cry even greater. True story.

I don't understand the percentiles. Isaac is in the 25th for weight and 50th for height. BUT, infants are supposed to have doubled their birthweight by 6 months and tripled by one year? I don't get it. Doesn't make alot of sense. Oh well.

Isaac also had his 6 month photos taken. They are wonderful and I am very happy with them. The photographer did exactly what I wanted and then some. I let her take some shots that she wanted. I was happy to oblige after I had my shots. Isaac did really well for an hour and a half. Then, while laying on the hardwood shiny floor trying to reach for Sophie the giraffe and his BFF, he faceplanted and WE WERE DONE. I get a CD of all the images, and will post when I get them. LOVE THEM.

(And yes, I published TWICE IN ONE DAY!!!!! I have been slacking. :) )

Six

How on earth is it possible that Isaac hit 6 months yesterday?! Time is absolutely FLYING by. We took him to the zoo for the first time to celebrate, which warrants its own post to come soon.

The past month has been a big one for my little man. Still no pearly whites to speak of, but man, oh man, are they on their way! We got the clearance to give him motrin, but don't know how it works yet as a certain daddy squirted it all over his sleeper rather than in his pain-filled little mouth. I didn't want to give him more because I didn't know exactly how much actually got in his mouth. We also started the teething tablets (god send!).

He is trying desperately to pull himself into a sitting position. Thanks to our boppy, he is able to sit up pretty well on his own once he is put in that position. He rolls, rolls, ROLLS, but still not in a complete 360 degrees back to back or belly to belly.

Still loves the PP piano, especially now he can play it with his little hands. He loves it so much that I bought him a new little FP rainforest xylophone that he spins to make chimes. LOVES IT. He grabs at toys he likes, and has clear favorites now.

Due to his solid foods, he is becoming a little chunker. :) We have introduced green beans, carrots, avacado, golden beets, bananas, applesauce, sweet potatoes, squash, peas, and plums. He will drink water from time as well, and has moved to a schedule of three meals a day with snacks in between. The little chunker is still in 3-6 month clothes and I think we have about another month in them.

He is not sleeping through the night, but we have moved him back into the crib. He gets a little scared when he wakes up in the crib, and won't go back down in it after eating. This could partly be my fault since I don't wait very long after he falls asleep to put him in. I am trying, but it's hard. I am so tired, and I really love having him sleep with me. I love the cuddles.

My favorite first, by far, happened this Friday night. Ben was holding Isaac and I held out my arms to him....and he REACHED for me!!!! I was so happy, I cried. And then we did it about 4 times after that. The next night he did it again, and then yesterday morning reached for daddy. It gives me so much joy and validation that he wants to be with me. And I am so proud of him for learning this method of communicating what he wants.

And then there is bathtime....what to say but, we have a tsunami splasher on our hands. And he thinks it's hilarious! Ben and I both get drenched when we give him a bath. He's learned to splash with his hands and after we have gotten all clean, we will let him sit up and splash for a bit.

Six Months. Half a year. Wow.

Isaac In the Pool

This holiday weekend was big for my little man! Check him out in his swimmie raft in Friend A's pool! :)

He was a little skeptical at first, but her pool is nice and warm. He was a little too small for the raft, so I had to hold him. Not that I wouldn't anyway, but still. He LOVED it. He kicked his little legs and was shrieking in delight. We had to get out when he started to lick his raft. Bad chlorine.

And he LOVED the fireworks we watched at BIL's house in So.noma. :) He slept through the first half...swimming and partying tires him out. He woke up and was so excited and just stared. Then he'd look over at Daddy and smile, kick his feet, and then watch again.

I love all these firsts. Each one is such a blessing. I love learning what my baby likes and dislikes.

Busy week for us. We are getting ready to head to Oh.io for K's wedding. I have so much to do its insane.

I know this seems a little stupid, but I am worried about Isaac eating jar food. :( We have been making all ours (not the cereal...I am not that dedicated), and I don't know if the taste or consistency will throw him off. I spent a good chunk of time looking at the different kinds in the store yesterday, and to my dismay, I don't think that the kind I am most drawn to is carried in Oh.io, land of the limited organic. We have done green beans, carrots, and golden beets. Sigh. I know I am just being hyper but I can't help it. I am trying to pack light, and I don't know how well the baby food will travel, or how much he will need. He eats between 3-4 ounces a day of his veggies, plus about 4-5 of cereal. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Again, sigh.

And fyi: 9 days left for My Mary Kay for Maddie! :)

Everyone Needs to Wear Sunscreen

Especially in Northern California! It was hot, hot, hot, scorchingly HOT this weekend.

And nothing makes a beastly hot weekend better than a teething baby boy in a house with no AC or screens on the windows for that matter.

Finally, yesterday afternoon when Ben came home from work, we broke down and bought a kiddie pool. And let me say, how they have changed since I had them as a little girl! I remember them being just big ol' round plastic pools. We were lucky if mom sprang for the one with the built in slide. They were like $5. Tar.get had no such pools. And my lord, were there ever a numerous amount of choices! Seriously, it's a paddling pool. My head almost blew up from the stress of the right investment (cause seriously they were all about $25...for a kiddie pool!). Had the hubs not been there, I would have said screw it and bought a huge rubbermaid tub.

We settled on a pool, and stocked up on more box fans. As Isaac snoozed, we set up the pool.

It's nice to know that some things about kiddie pool don't change. For example, you still have to let the sun warm the water. I am not that patient. I dumped about 5 bucketfuls of hot water in it to speed up the process.

At long last, Isaac was awake, slathered in SPF 75 (true story. although I am pretty sure anything over 35 all works the same. maybe it is just peace of mind for mothers to think that their child is covered in an invisble jacket), and in his Ne.mo swimmie diaper. Into the pool he went.

I should have remembered how long it took him to learn to love the bath. He was scared. I am pretty sure the neighbors had the phones in their hands to dial child services. We put him on the bath sling, but he still didn't get it. Finally, Mommy had to climb in the pool with him. In her shorts. But damn, it felt GOOD.

Once I was in the pool with him, he loved it. He splashed and swam around til the it started to cool down (love living 15 minutes from the coast...like free AC at night).

I, however did not put on sunscreen...and I got a little burnt. And PS....I really want the FP Precious Planet Magic Sprinkles pool...and tried hard to feed my addiction....alas, there were no local or online dealers. See how fancy smancy this pool is? And we picked the least extravagant one. True Story. Again, pool manufacturers who supply Tar.get...IT'S A KIDDIE POOL. FANCY NOT NEEDED!

And Friday night marked the first meal of green beans! LOVED IT! and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the BabyCook. LOVE IT! We ate rice cereal and green beans for dinner the past 3 nights. A few more nights of the beans we will move to carrots, I think. :) And let me note, my husband is only brave enough to spoonfeed when I am standing right there.

Five

This time five short months ago, I was happily drugged up to high heavens, slurping down jello...

a few hours, more drugs, and some hefty grunts and pushes later, out popped this critter:



Five months old today. FIVE! It seems like only yesterday, I was typing up a post about turning four months. For that matter wasn't it like last week that I was announcing someone popped out three weeks before his due date? Man, oh man, how the times races by!

The past month has seen so much growth and change, he's like a different baby. If I hadn't been there to witness it all, I would say you were talking about a different child alltogether.

Isaac eats solids like it is his job. He knows that when the high chair is pulled out from the table, and the bib fastened around his neck, it is ON! Here comes the good stuff. He is eating about 2-3 ounces of cereal per sitting teice a day and getting one cereal bottle. We conquered Rice and Oats, and are in the midst of barley. He's not such a fan (don't worry, Daddy...I am sure this is not an indicator that your son will not drink beer), so I am saying screw the barley, green beans here we come! Tomorrow afternoon the BabyCook will make it's debut on my counter and will be filled with organic green goodness. No turning back now!

Given his start on solids, Isaac is moving toward three meals a day with light bottle/boob snacks in between. Sigh....Why am I seeing him eat cheeseburgers as he drives off in his car to head to college all of a sudden?

And he's a mobile man. He still can't quite roll from belly back to belly, but he is really close. And I don't know how, but he can turn himself all around on his play mats. His thighs are monstrous from all the jumperoo action and I am afraid he is going to kick right through the bassinet walls.

Catch that? We are still in the bassinet. And I don't want to talk about otherwise until we are back from our Oh.io wedding trip in 2 weeks (Hear that K? You are getting married in 2 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

He's grabbing toys and chatting up a storm. His preferences are evident more and more everyday. He loves him some snowflakes and ducks (seriously is there a baby einstein with ducks in the snow?), his lama.ze cow, sophie the giraffe, and dancing to "front, back, side to side...front front, back back, side to side." He grabs brother and sister kitty when he can. He chats and squeals up a storm. Bath time is Daddy time, and he loves the water. We introduced bath toys last night and he is rivetted by the Mun.chkin Sq.uirters. He is fascinated by Curious Geroge and I am pretty sure his first word will be mono. Sometimes at night when he is fussing for food, I distinctly hear "Maaaaaaaaaaa-ma." He loves meeting new people and hams it up for the ladies. I'm already defensive of my handsome boy...back off girls, he's mine, all mine! Break his heart and I will hurt you...

And my favorite thing: If I lean close to him he grabs my hair with both hands and pulls my face toward his, and plants wetness all over my cheeks and nose.

He is trying desperately to sit up. When we grab his hands he starts to hoist himself. He let go of one arm and let him balance. Or he lets go because he loves the flop backwards. :) He's getting there.

He's still really small...some 3 month onesies still fit and 3-6 month clothes are still roomy on him. His feet are monstrous. His hair is lighter, and his eyes have remained blue with flecks of green and gold.

Yep, it ws just five short months ago that my life changed forever. Five months ago that I didn't know it was possible to love someone so much and so hard. There is just no phrase that fits. I just love him hardcore, my precious little pumpkin face.

I Want That!!!!!!

We try to eat dinner as a family, but it has been hard since Isaac joined our dinner party. :) Of course, he always gets fed first and most times that means Ben eats while I feed the baby boy. Ever since he has been big enough, we have been sitting him at the dinner table with us in his high chair (when possible...sometimes it's just not.). And lately, he has been eyeing our spoon and forkfuls of food and practically drooling over Mommy delish cooking (true story). One morning while nursing on the boppy, a certain little man went as far to grab my oatmeal laden spoon and pull it toward his little mouth.

After this, I decided to give the cereal off a spoon a whirl...all the signs of being ready were there...and boy, was he ever ready! We have been doing it for about a week, and it is going AWESOME! Isaac took to the spoon like a fish to water, no problems. As soon as he goes in the high chair with a big ol bib on, he knows something good is coming his way! He recognizes the spoonful of cereal at the beginning of the feeding, and before I know it, his little mouth is wide open and saliva is dripping down his face in anticipation. :) He is however, a messy eater, like his Daddy.

His eating repetoire now goes a little like this: big breakfast of both sides of the milk factory, mid-morning snack of about 3-4 ounces, lunchtime rice cereal 4 oz. bottle or 2 oz.rice cereal from spoon, afternoon snack of 4 ounces, dinner of both sides of milk factory, before bedtime oatmeal cereal bottle.