11 Months

Can you believe that the next time I write an update like this it will be for Sam's first birthday? I cannot. Not even a little bit. But I'm getting ahead of myself...

Squirmy had a very good 11th month of life. He's a very happy baby, most of the time. He's had some off times, but we're thinking those have mostly been due to the two front teeth that keep threatening to make their way into his mouth - up and down they go, bringing a low grade fever with them as they do. Hopefully they'll pop in for good any day now! He also seems to have highs and lows when it comes to eating - some weeks he eats a ton, others hardly anything at all. I'm trying to be better about not stressing on the weeks he doesn't want to eat, because it all seems to even out in the end. Separation anxiety is a continuing struggle for us.

As far as accomplishments for the month, standing independently is the biggest. He can do it on his own, and sometimes even chooses to, but for the most part he still doesn't prefer it. His balance is incredible, and any adult would be thrilled to stay in the kind of squats that he has mastered for as long as he does. He loves to practice walking, he just won't do it by himself.

Also of note: last week we began the slow process of weaning. He got his first bottle of cow's milk right before our trip to Ohio to test the waters and make sure I didn't need to bring a pump with me. He took it just fine, and I almost cried because my baby boy doesn't need me anymore. As sad as I am to say it, hopefully he's completely weaned by his first birthday.

And that brings us to our monthly lists:
Likes:
-Playing Outside
-Opening and Closing Doors (bring on the childproofing!)
-Putting various items into various containers (sometimes this means a toy into your cereal bowl if you aren't watching!)
-Looking out the sunroof in the car
-Dogs and Cats
-Playing Peek-A-Boo

Dislikes:
-Teething
-Being made to stand on his own when he's not in the mood
-Waking up in unfamiliar places
-Mommy and Daddy leaving him anywhere with anyone

**Sorry if the picture quality is poor, it was taken on a phone but I love it and wanted to include it!

A Little Tired

Yesterday afternoon Sam and I were spending some time in his room. I was in the chair on the computer, he was playing well by himself on the floor. I noticed him just kinda rolling around a bit, not even trying to come get the computer - a very rare occurrence, but I took advantage of my few moments. Two minutes later I look over and find this:

Baby boy had found lovie and paci and put himself to sleep on the floor. He didn't even wake up when I scooped him up into his crib. Poor guy!

What Beautiful Eyes!

As a mom of an adorable little man you get used to strangers talking to you about, and cooing directly to, your baby. Many of the comments we get, I'd say at least once a week, are about Sam's eyes. Usually something like "What bright blue eyes!" or "What beautiful eyes!" or something of the like. I hear it so frequently that I realized recently that I was kinda shoving it off with, "Oh yeah, we get that a lot." I've tried to be better about being thankful for these comments over the past few weeks, because its a very kind compliment and should be appropriately appreciated.

This past week we were complimented on his eyes no fewer than 4 times. I mentioned it to Chris last night and he said, "Yeah I used to get that all the time, too." Really? I mean I've always thought he had great eyes, but I didn't realize I wasn't the only one!

Truth be told I've always been attracted to a man's eyes. God really knew what he was doing by giving me TWO men in my life with great eyes :-)

Children's Museum

This morning our playgroup went to the Children's Museum of Houston. To say that Sam LOVE IT would be an understatement. We spent the morning in the Tot Spot, an area specially designed for children under 3. It was really great to be, along with one other mom and baby, the first ones in the area right at opening this morning.

Sam hit the ground "running" and didn't stop. Seriously, he didn't stop moving for an hour and a half. He opened and closed doors, pushed cars on a track, crawled over squishy mounds, had a tea party, went down a slide, etc. And he didn't stop smiling and giggling the entire time. Even a complete stranger commented on the fact that he'd been smiling the entire time.

We had so much fun that we bought a membership on the way out. I figure it'll be a nice escape from the miserable heat this summer. We didn't get a chance to look around at the "big kid" part of the museum, but I don't think we're quite ready for it yet anyhow. Maybe next time, when its not spring break week, we can check it out!

**Sorry I didn't have my camera! I'll try to take pictures next time.

If A Tree Falls In The Woods...

Oh but ours didn't fall in the woods, and I could definitely hear it! Unfortunately, our huge old ash tree in the front yard was eaten by carpenter ants last summer. The damage had weakened the tree to the point that we feared serious damage to our house if we were to get hit with another hurricane. So we had it cut down before the next storm season is upon us.

Sam was very interested in all the loud noise outside, so we pulled up a chair and let him work on his lunch while they began.

Then later we did some swinging while we watched. It was really pretty cool to watch it all come down. The stump grinder was an awesome machine, but I couldn't get a picture because the wood chips were flying everywhere!












And 5 hours later, our house was a lot more visible from the street. I'm pretty sure we're going to miss the extra shade when we get our first summer electric bill, but it had to be done. Now...what to do with that big empty spot?!

Ten Months

Well, we just tried to weigh him and it doesn't look like our Squirmy gained any weight this month. But he seems to be a half an inch longer (28.5 inches), so apparently he's getting skinnier. Thin or not, he's a happy little kid. He's taken to squealing and talking A LOT. Its pretty entertaining.

Sam's separation anxiety has grown to an intense level. I've been paged to come get him from his new nursery class both times that we've dropped him off there. Bible study drop-off isn't going much better. He does better with babysitters in his own house, but the transition is still hard. I'm hoping that if we keep trying, he start to believe me when I tell him, "Mommy loves you and ALWAYS comes back for you!"

As far as accomplishments go, I'm adding clapping to the list this month. He slipped in there right on ten-month birthday. Just one clap, but it still counts! And the other day he picked up a toy mirror out of his toy box with both hands. He just stood there for several seconds looking at himself, until he realized he wasn't holding a stable item. He could totally do it if he had a little more confidence!

As we approach the end of nursing, he seems to be growing very fond of it once again. He doesn't drink as much as he used to, but he once again finds it a great comfort. That being said, he does like his food. He has this adorable little giggle when he spots the box of crackers, anticipating the yummy taste in his mouth. When he isn't sick he eats a lot...I have no idea where he puts it all.

Likes:
Chocolate
Peek-A-Boo
"Finding" Snacks
Watching the Laundry
Bouncing

Dislikes:
Leaving his Parents
Being Confined
Having Something He Wants Taken Away From Him
Vacuum Cleaner

Sam's New Ride

As of this afternoon, we are the proud new owners of a Mom-Mobile. I think our Chevy Traverse is pretty cool for a family car and because we got a good deal, it comes with a lot of features. Leather seats, sunroof, power liftgate, Bluetooth connectivity, OnStar ("free" for a year), back-up camera, Bose sound system. We didn't get the DVD player, but we plan to add in when Sam gets a little older.

Sam will be very well protected in his new ride with all kinds of airbags all around him. And now I can relax about my constant fear that I will accidentally lock him in the car with the keys inside, because the lovely OnStar people can unlock it for me :-)

But today we also had to say goodbye to a sweet, old friend. My Jeep served me well for 10 years, driving me to high school, Sam home from the hospital, and everything in between. It made more trips to and from Richmond than I can count, and probably did at least 10 college move-ins/outs. It moved with me to Texas, back to Ohio, and back to Texas again. It can attest to my inability to sing. Although it was giving us a few problems towards the end and certainly was not a family car, I was still quite sad to leave it sitting on the lot today. I hope it goes to a loving home - it would be perfect for a teenager, just like it was for the Sivard kids (all of whom drove it for at least a short time).