Monday, November 30, 2009

Late Giving Thanks

I clearly remember last Thanksgiving, sitting on the couch with Chris and Prada watching the parade. My belly was round and I was being kicked by the little guy who had taken up residence inside. The morning was close to perfection, peaceful and loving and comfortable.

This Thanksgiving wasn't quite so peaceful for me since it involved a nine hour drive and a baby who was unable to sleep in a new environment. In the chaos, I also didn't take the time to think about what I was really thankful for this year. So this morning as Milo is happily napping in his crib, I'm taking that time to reclaim the peaceful feeling of a year ago.

I give thanks for my family, for both the little one we are creating here and the one from which I came. They're both special. I especially give thanks for my husband of two years who is my trusted partner in life. I give thanks for our situation that means I have these months to stay home with our little guy and help him grow.

Next year, whatever the circumstances, I will keep in mind the place and spirit of Thanksgiving.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Eight Months

Holy moly we have an actual little person on our hands. One who moves and has opinions on things. One, who I can't wait to fall asleep because, well, he doesn't sleep much, and then when he finally does drift off I miss him.

Even though I ended last month's post promising to get on a schedule, I can't say we are actually there. We're moving that way and most days I pretty much know what to expect, but it's not set in stone yet. Actually I've spent a lot of time this past month sitting in the driveway reading a book and waiting for Milo to wake up. I'm a firm believer in the don't wake a sleeping baby rule and besides when the kid does sleep I figure he needs it.

Milo is also a baby on the move. Not on all fours, mind you, but he has a definite scootch across the room to get items he wants (usually shoes, cell phones or a cat). He gets on all fours and rocks back and forth, but hasn't quite put all the movement together. He is very pleased with his progress; it's fun to watch.
He has all types of babbles which are just adorable. To be honest I'm not sure what they mean and I kind of feel like a bad mother for that. For a week or so I thought he was saying ca ca for kitty. More recently he's getting out H for hi, but this is usually directed at the cat, so again I am not sure what is going on his head. He has da da down, but I haven't noticed this in correlation to Chris. After nursing, Milo usually launches into a long babbling session. I am taking this to mean thank you God for milk, it is so delicious and makes me the happiest baby in the world.

Speaking of happy babies, Milo tends to make friends wherever we go. He smiles and coos at servers, cashiers, random people in line and most of all at cute baby girls. His smile, with still just the two teeth, lightens up a room. People seem to simply love him, but not as much as I do.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

A Different Species

For the last couple of months I've been calling Milo a rabid puppy. While I consider this to be a term of endearment, it's probably not the nicest thing a mom has ever called her son. I call him this because when he gets excited and also happens to be congested he really does sound like a large puppy with foam coming out of the mouth. It's funny, heartbreaking and adorable all at once. Actually now that I think about it, we've had much fewer rabid puppy incidents since we have the at-home nebulizer for coughing or wheezing flare-ups. Huh.

Anyway, our little guy has been showing other puppy-like qualities lately. He is obsessed with his Robeez and not for the fashion of them. I have to hide these little leather shoes from him or he gnaws on them until they are slobbery mess. He's even been put down for a nap with a shoe in hand because he wouldn't let go of it.

Today I looked down to find Milo chewing on the leg of a wooden kitchen chair. Chewing. On the chair.

He also needs to be walked at least once a day or we all go a little nuts.

I'm starting to think my baby boy is at least part puppy.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Currently Reading

If you took a peek at my nightstand these days you would see the latest hot novel (although I did find time to race through The Lost Symbol last month) and back copies of Yoga Journal have been covered up with parenting books. Specifically parenting books on sleeping. I've been getting these out of the library because 1) budget reasons, 2) each one is slightly different but has the same general ideas and 3) I don't want these sitting on a shelf in 5 years reminding me of this phase. Interestingly there is always a waiting list at the library for these types of books. It makes me feel good there are other sleep deprived parents out there who are looking for the magic cure for non-sleeping tots.

One parenting type book, although not about sleeping (I needed a break) that I recently read and really enjoyed was Hungry Monkey. It's written by a SAHD (stay at home dad) who loves to cook and is making it a mission to have his little girl love food as much as he does. Much like Julie and Julia, this book falls into the category of I wish I would have thought of it first, but since I didn't I'm so glad I'm along for the ride. Hungry Monkey was light and entertaining with plenty of intrigue for the foodie. I've come to realize that when writing about one's child, no one is going to think they are quite as special as you yourself do, and this was certainly the case for this book, also. However, Iris (the little girl) does seem cute and is an engaging "character" foil for her gungho cooking father. Plus there are some good recipes I want to try.

Chris didn't get a chance to read it before it was due back at the library, so we may just buy this one. I wouldn't mind having it on the shelf in 5 years as I also hope to have an adventurous eater (who by the grace of God and possibly with the help of Ferber is sleeping through the night).

Sunday, November 1, 2009

My Favorite Things

With Halloween officially being so yesterday, it seems the consumer driven culture is ready for Christmas. There are already holiday ads in the paper and the decorations are in stores. Along with all this comes the music. Although inexplicable to me how a song from The Sound of Music made it's way into the holiday genre, I've already hear A Few of my Favorite Things three times. With all due reverence to girls in blue satin sashes and snowflakes that stay on noses and eye lashes (sounds cold to me), here are some of my favorite things.
  • Coconut Milk Body Lotion from The Body Shop. Made with actual coconut milk, it's like a mini-vacation after each shower (well, when I remember and have time to apply). Plus, it's eco-friendly and not made with parabens and other nasty things.
  • Le Creuset cookware. Colorful and strong, this stuff makes cooking a joy. Plus Milo loves to chew on the silicon spatulas (see the colorful and strong note above).
  • Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. Yes, they're overly sweet, priced above the other drinks, and one has more calories and fat than you need from a beverage; but oh it's like an autumn day in a recycled cardboard cup.
  • Babies in footed pjs. I don't think this needs an explanation.
  • Burt's Bees lip gloss and balm. Love this stuff. Not overly sticky and made without petroleum products so they don't dry out lips.
  • Hand-made wooden toys. Simple lines, made out of a renewable resource rather than obnoxious colored plastic, and knowing where these were created make me happy to hand them to Milo so he can promptly put one his mouth.
  • Freshly laundered 100% cotton sheets. I don't even mind making the bed when it is fresh sheet day.
  • Snowville Milk. This is a suggestion from Chris and I agree it should make the list because it is the only milk we buy now. We have even changed out preferred grocery because one store carries it and the other doesn't. Apart from liking the local aspect of the milk and the fact that it isn't homogenized, it just tastes better.
  • Basic tees from Old Navy. Clearly there is nothing sustainable about this product. I don't want to think about where the cotton comes from or who pieces the material together. The tees are inexpensive and come in a variety of colors and shapes. This jeans and tee shirt girl goes through several a season.

So there is my incomplete list of things that make me feel not so sad after a bee sting or a dog bite. Or after another sleepless night, but that one didn't make the song for some reason. Do you have any favorite things to share?