baby pool.

9 month check-up.

Nathaniel had his 9 month check-up today, and, as always, he's growing wonderfully! He weighs 19 lb and 10 oz, and he's 28.5 inches long; he's in the 30th percentile for his weight, and the 70th for his length. We saw one of the physician's assistants today, rather than our regular pediatrican. She was very happy with his growth and development, although Nate wasn't so happy with her. As I've mentioned, we've started seeing some stranger anxiety recently, although it's never been more than a little fussing. On the other hand, most strangers are not looking into his ears, poking his belly, and manually rotating his hips!

Nate was all smiles when we arrived at the office, and, although he was a little suspicious of the nurse, he allowed her to measure him. While we waited for the doctor, Nathaniel enjoyed looking at himself in the mirror. When the PA arrived, he smiled at her. When she checked his eyes and ears, he thought she was playing a game. When she listened to his heart, he was more interested in taking the stethoscope than in her. When I laid him on the examining table, and she started feeling his abdomen, he was not happy. When she turned him over on his belly, we had a meltdown! (Thankfully, he was not due for any vaccinations today!) In true Nathaniel fashion, as soon as I scooped him off of the table, he stopped crying and grinned at the PA! Overall, it wasn't a terrible appointment today, but I'm not sure that I'm looking forward to the 1 year check-up, involving strangers and shots!

Baby.

"A baby is a small member of the family that makes love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, the bank-roll smaller, the home happier, the clothes shabbier, the past forgotten and the future worth living for."
-Unknown

9 months.

Nathaniel is nine months today! And, to celebrate, he popped another tooth through, then said his very first word!! My boy is growing up so quickly...! Our nine month check-up is next week, so I'll update with his length and weight then.

Like any 9-month-old, Nathaniel loves to play! He loves his toys, and is finally big enough to play with some of the heavier ones that he couldn't hold when he was tiny. He will pick up anything and turn it over and over in his hands to investigate. He'll pound things together and off of the floor to hear the sound, and he'll give anything a good bite! He loves his vibrating teethers, and he knows which end to bite. He's very good at working the pop-up toy, and he knows how to make his little driving set work. He likes anything that makes noises, and he loves to knock over block towers! One of his favorite activities is ripping up the ad inserts from the newspaper--inexpensive, and loads of fun! He also loves to play with Mommy's cell phone, the remote control, and even the real phone. His favorite game is peek-a-boo, and he'll cover his face with anything that he can grab, just to wait for someone to say, "Where's Nathaniel...?!"

Nate loves to "talk" and squeal and laugh! He's been saying "mama" forever when he's babbling or crying, but he actually repeated it back to me today! Three times! Granted, he was eating a barley teething biscuit, and probably thinks that "mama" means "yummy" or something, but it still counts!

We've been trying to give Nate lots of tummy time lately, so that he has an opportunity to learn to crawl. As always, he hates tummy time! Nevertheless, he's doing very well! He pops his bottom up in the air, and he pushes his chest up off of the floor.....but he just needs to get both going at the same time! For a few days, I thought that he was going to scoot around on his belly, but he seems to have decided that that isn't the way to go--and, for the sake of his laundry, I'm glad! We're working on crawling, but, I have to admit, I'm appreciating my little guy being non-mobile! That being said, Eric and I really need to get on the ball with this whole baby-proofing business; the cabinet locks in a package on the counter aren't doing much good!

As of today, Nathaniel has eight teeth--four on top, and four on bottom. Now that these eight are through, I've got my fingers crossed that we'll get a break from teething for a while! Even though he's not super fussy when they're coming in, I know that they do bother him, especially when he's (we're) trying to sleep.

Nate's newest favorite activity/toys are his toes! I think that our recent warm weather and bare feet have given his a renewed interest in his feet! He loves to grab them, stick them in his mouth, and, best of all, get tickled!

Nathaniel is the most loving baby, even though he's a wiggle worm! He loves his mommy, daddy, and doggy--and often wants to cuddle for a minute or two between play sessions! He give great big, open-mouthed kisses--very wet, but oh so sweet! He is always smiley, especially when he wakes up in the mornings. He has recently started to have some stranger anxiety, but nothing too troublesome. He's fussed when I've dropped him off in the nursery for the past few Sundays, but he's calmed down before I've even walked out each time. We've had no major meltdowns to break my own heart...yet!

I am still nursing Nathaniel several times a day, and he usually eats three meals of solids. He has a fruit and/or yogurt or oatmeal for breakfast, some sort of finger food (which he feeds himself) for lunch, and a vegetable for supper. He's tasted small bits of meat a few times, but doesn't seem to care for the texture. I'm planning to start incorporating more meats into his diet soon. Other than the meats, he hasn't encountered any foods that he doesn't like! He's eaten a huge variety of fruits and vegetables, and I hope that he continues to enjoy them as he grows up! Some of his favorites right now are blueberries, pears, green beans, and peas.

Odds and Ends.

According to Blogger, it's only been 4 days since I've posted.....but, for some reason, it feels like much longer. Maybe it's because we're finally over the sickness slump, so our days have been much more active!

As luck would have it, since we've been feeling better, the weather has been dreary, but that's okay. We've stayed busy with toys and chores. You know, folding laundry isn't so bad when I have a little helper!

I've been trying to get us outside for at least one walk daily, and that seems to make everybody happier. And, our nightly thunderstorms make for some cozy sleep!

Nathaniel is almost 9 months old, and that means that he will have soon lived outside of me for longer than he lived in my belly! Craziness. I cannot believe what a miracle he is--he's gone from nothing to so big--so quickly!

We explored a (new-to-us, but not-so-new) produce market in our area this past weekend. And, I am smitten! We got loads of fruits and veggies, and the quality is much better than the supermarket. Speaking of better, so is the price! I am excited to be giving Nathaniel fresher produce, and very happy that I can buy more without the fear of it going bad in three days. Nate quite enjoyed his avocado this afternoon...

Hope you're having a wonderfully goofy day!!

The Cold.

Life around here has been lazy and fussy this week. All three of us have been battling a nasty headcold, and there's not much energy left to do other things. (Nathaniel seems to have found the energy to cut two more teeth, which means that he has not been a happy camper.) We've taken a few sunshiney walks, but even more long naps! We've gone through two almost-full boxes of kleenex (so far!), an entire pitcher of orange juice, and countless frozen, fruity smoothies. We've heated up the already-too-warm house with steamy showers, and we haven't had a really good night's rest in days.
But, despite the pounding pressure radiating from my sinuses, I've had a good few days. They haven't been crazy or memorable, but they've been real. And, sometimes reality is what we need, even when it comes in the form of snot and 2 AM crying. Motherhood isn't just about the smell of a new baby or the pride of a little one's accomplishments; it's about real life. And, real life involves scrapes and bruises and headcolds. They're not the memorable "ups", but they're there. And, they're not all that bad. We've gotten loads of cuddle time and hugs this week that I wouldn't trade for the world. And, those big, wet, open-mouthed kisses? Pure bliss! (Even when accompanied by a little snot!)
The weather has been heavenly--sunshine and 70 degrees with a slight breeze blowing through the lush, green canopy that enveloped our house overnight. And, when I'm awake at 5 AM because my nose is too stuffy and the sheets are too confining, there is nothing better than a cool breeze through an open window and the sound of the birds awakening. Sometimes I forget what it feels like to wake up on my own, so it's nice to remember--even when it's because I'm feeling cruddy. And, although I love waking up to that toothy grin, it's so nice to watch him sleeping cuddled up against me. And, when he giggles in his sleep? Oh, my heart could just burst!
So, while I'm chugging water and popping vitamin C capsules, I have to admit that this cold hasn't really been the worst thing in the world. (Don't tell my husband; I'm still working on convincing him that it is!) Trust me, we could all do without it, and I'm eagerly awaiting the day that I don't fill an entire wastebasket with tissues, but we're okay. We're chugging along, staying close to home, and cuddling extra. Doesn't get any better than that....well, minus the snot, but I'll take what I can get!

Wordless Wednesday.

Mother's Day.

I love being a mother. Being his mother.

All that I really wanted to do for Mother's Day was spend time with my precious family. Sure, we spend lots of weekends together, but this one was different. This was a special day to remind us of our mothers and our babies. I am lucky enough to have a wonderful mother who I am proud to call Mom! I am so happy that she taught me how to be a mom, and I am so glad that her mom taught her to be a mom!

My very first Mother's Day started out with a card and a new book from my little man. Eric had taken him to pick out the card, and he LOVED it! He chose one that had a picture of goofy baby inside whose head was on a little spring, causing it to wiggle every time the card was moved. Nate loved playing with it, and I loved receiving a card that he actually picked out!

After my boys made me a delicious breakfast, we went to church and heard a wonderful sermon about a husband's role in marriage. (I can't wait to hear next week's sermon about wives!)
After church, we went to lunch with my parents and brother. Then, we spent the rest of our evening at home, resting and enjoying each other. It was a wonderful first Mother's Day!

And, Nathaniel and I have already started scheming up Father's Day ideas!
{...though I'm not sure we'll be able to beat that card!}

"Do you want a boy or a girl?"

Long before I ever got pregnant (and possibly before I was married), I planned to have two kids. One boy, and one girl--in that order. The boy would be a protective older brother to whom his little sister would look up to, and she would be the sweet baby of the family whom her brother adored. Okay, so maybe that last part was just a bunch of nonsense (I have two brothers, and I know how siblings work...), but I really did want a boy and a girl. And, obviously, the boy is supposed to be older (every storybook and television show says so, right?!).

Then, I got pregnant. And, I assumed that I was having a girl. Why? I have no idea; it just never occurred to me that I might have a boy. For weeks on end, I thought about Baby Girl and everything that I'd do with her. I imagined fluffy pink dresses and flowered headbands, tea parties and baby dolls, ballet recitals and lipgloss. I scoured scored lists of baby names, and I came up with a list of about 25 girl names that I liked. When my husband mentioned that we might have a boy, I tossed about 3 boy names onto the list and subsequently ignored him.

As I approached the 20 week mark, I began to realize the sobering facts. Babies come in two genders, and I had a 50/50 shot of getting either one. And, I had no control over the matter (I like to be in control...). The more that I thought about it, the more I got nervous. Should we find out the sex? Should we wait? (We'd already told family that we were going to wait!) Eventually, the day before my big ultrasound, I told my husband that I absolutely did want to know the sex. I told him that it was because I wanted to decorate the nursery.....but really it was because I was scared that I'd get excited for Baby Girl, then be disappointed if Baby Boy popped out!

Before the tech started my ultrasound, she asked me if we wanted to know the sex. I said yes, and she told me that she'd wait until she was through with the measurements/important stuff, then she'd invite my husband into the room, and she'd reveal the sex to us together. Then, she slipped and referred to my baby as "he" while we talked. She covered it by admitting that she had a little boy, and often referred to all babies as "he" in utero. Since I knew in my heart that my baby was a girl, I believed her and didn't give it a second thought. Then, when the big moment came, my palms were sweating and my heart racing--and I heard the words, "...and, right there are his little boy parts!" I was stunned. I was not disappointed or mad, but I was shocked. When we got home, I looked closely at all of the pictures to make sure she hadn't been mistaken. She wasn't. Obvously, I had been. Weren't pregnant mommies supposed to have some sixth sense for baby gender?!
I tossed out my list of girl names and started thinking in blue. I think it took several days for it to really sink in that we were having a boy, and during that time, I felt terrible. Why was it that I'd been so convinced that we would have a girl? Did I not want a boy?! What kind of a mother would that make me? I thought about little boys and toy cars, little league and wrestling, superheroes and drumsets. And, suddenly, it hit me; I was scared to have a little boy! I was scared because I don't know about boy stuff! I know all about girls' toys and interests, but I don't have the faintest idea what boys {over the age of 4} like! Sure, I have two younger brothers, but I don't know what they did all afternoon in the backyard. All I know is that they came in for dinner covered in dirt and grime. And, they collected bugs.
"What if he goesn't like me because I'm a girl?" I asked my husband, one nervous evening.
"He'll like you. Little boys love their mommies, even when girls are yucky," he replied calmly. And, since he should know, I believed him. I remembered my "baby boy first" plan, and I began to get excited for our son, rather than "our baby."
We decided to keep the sex of the baby a secret from everyone else until he was born. And so, on a daily basis, I was asked, "Do you want a boy or a girl?" Throughout 9 months of pregnancy, I never found an answer to that question that I liked. If I answered with one gender, the inevitable comeback was, "What if you have {the other sex}?" Well, I'll love him/her anyway. But, is that the way that I want to talk about my baby? "Oh, yeah, I wanted a girl, but I guess I'll love you since you're what I got!" Sounds a bit harsh to me. But, as hypocritical as it might sound, I am glad that we found out the sex. Of course I would have loved Nathaniel from Day 1, whether I had known or not, but I think it might have taken a little longer for me to bond if I had expected a girl.

At first, I wasn't expecting a boy, but the more that I thought about it, the more I wanted him to be HIM! I got excited for football parties and matchbox cars, clip-on ties and baby blue, frogs and grass stained knees. I thought about little boys that I'd worked with, and I realized that the majority of my "favorites" had been boys. By the time that Nate was born, I would have been sorely disappointed to have a baby girl. Plus, she would have been wearing an awful lot of blue in 0-3 sizes!

My feelings about having a boy now? I love it! {Obviously.} I wouldn't trade my son for anything! Sure, frilly dresses are cute, but nothing beats my little man looking dapper in a tiny polo shirt and plaid shorts! I've overcome my fear of "little boy interests" because I've realized that this is my little boy! If he's all about dinosaurs and tee ball...well, I'll learn all about dinosaurs and tee ball too! (Who's to guarantee that imaginary Baby Girl wouldn't have been into dinosaurs and tee ball?!)

I know that having a son will teach me many things throughout the years, and I'll probably have to adapt more than once. But, lately, I've been thinking about how extra-glad I am to have a boy. We're in this big, scary world to raise our children to be men and women of God, and, while I have no concrete plans or promises, I suspect that boys are easier. Noisier and rowdier, and probably more mischevious--but less bombarded with destructive self-image issues by the world. Is it easier to be a boy? To raise one? I don't know; I was never a boy growing up, and I may be totally wrong. But, as a mother, I am glad to know that my baby will not face all of the issues that I faced in high school and college. And, while I'm sure he'll be confronted with others, we'll keep our fingers crossed that Eric knows what to do! =)
I know that raising a child is not easy, male or female. I don't plan to ignore challenges that arise because my child is a boy, nor do I expect a challenge-free childhood. And, since I still think that fluffy dresses are adorable and tea parties are fun, I would love to have a daughter someday. But, if God has a house full of boys in store for me, I'll be thrilled! {What could be better than a brother/best friend for Nate?!} On the other hand, if our little one is an only child forever, I think I'll be okay with that too. {He's already loved enough for twenty babies!} I love being a mommy to my baby boy, and I can't wait to find out what adventures I'll have as a mommy of a little boy!

Wordless Wednesday.

Flash Mob.

Ever heard of a flash mob? (If not, try Google, and you'll find loads of videos!) This one is made up of all pregnant mommies-to-be (and one daddy-to-be) for a GREAT cause! So much fun!!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBIOzyOT1gI

Ergo Sport Carrier.

As you probably remember, both Nathaniel and I have been long-time fans of the Moby wrap. But, while he still fits within the weight range, a bigger Nate has recently not been happy to be wrapped because it is so confining. And, though it was fine for autumn and early spring walks, I'm pretty sure that the Moby will be way too hot to wear during the summer. We've been walking with the stroller, but I do prefer to baby-wear--especially when I'm the only one walking with Nate and the dog.
So, after some research, I decided to get an Ergo sport carrier. The Ergo is supposed to be one of the most comfortable carriers on the market for both the wearer and the baby. One of the other reasons that the Ergo attracted me was its versatility; it can be worn on the front, back, or hip. Since we've had our Ergo (only Saturday), I've really enjoyed using it! It is more comfortable than the Moby now that Nathaniel is bigger, as it distibutes his weight more evenly. And, I don't think that we will be nearly as hot. He seems happy in it, which is important to me, as I wasn't sure how he would react to facing me in the front-carry. I haven't quite mastered getting him onto my back alone yet, but we'll keep practicing (as long as Eric will spot us!).

Another reason that the Ergo is "better" is because of its ergonomic design. See how his little tush is totally resting in the carrier? That means that his weight is evenly distributed like he's sitting, rather than being concentrated on his crotch (many carriers "hang" babies by their crotch area). Obviously, an even weight distribution is better for his hips and spine--and I'm sure that it's more comfortable too!

News.

"Mixed emotions. Glad one threat is removed but concerned about retaliation. As a Christian, hard to celebrate a death. Praying.”
KLOVE Radio DJ
Kelli

I think that the above "tweet" pretty much sums up my own feelings about our president's announcement last night...

As always, our entire family appreciates prayers for my brother, Tim, stationed in Afghanistan right now.