Turning 2

Christian turns 2 in 13 days...Can't believe it in some ways. Though when I look at him, he hardly looks like the baby he was, especially since last week when Dan took him to get his first haircut. His long locks had been irritating him. He'd shove them out of his face and grunt almost. We admitted that we were just letting him have wild hair for our own sakes and not thinking about how he felt. Obviously the cut was overdue. The haircut salon/barber was like a small amusement park/toy store. The chairs were shaped like cars, each one had a TV in front of them and the child was able to choose what movie s/he wanted to watch. He chose Robots - not that he knew what that was. He loved the car chair and didn't really mind the cut. Dan brought him to my work after to show it off. When he arrived he said, 'Show momma haircut!' I was thrilled to see him, and not really sad about the rite of passage. It makes him look taller and it also makes it a lot easier to put on hats, bibs, coats, etc.

I wanted to write some Christian-isms again but they always seem to fly out of my brain the moment I open up this blog...He can repeat anything you say for the most part and the meaning of things is more and more clear to him. My mom came back from visiting my brother, sister-in-law, and baby niece in Germany. She brought back an original Steiff bear for CPK. He was sitting on my bed, on a pillow with his back against the wall, hugging and cuddling with it, saying, 'Aw.' He then held it up in his hands as if to examine it and said, 'It's so cute!' repeatedly. I laughed so hard. Yes, it is cute, and so is my son:) (At least I think so!)

Perhaps next on the CPK agenda is finishing cutting his 2-year old molars (please soon!) and preparing for baby #2!

Yep - we are expecting a second child around August 12th. We'll probably find out the sex around Easter time. We'll keep you updated...

As Christian says, 'baa bye! mommadaddymomma'

He's WALKING!

I TOTALLY FORGOT TO POST THIS! DUH!

He's walking!!!

Christian finally let go last week. He's been what Dan calls a bi-ped for over a week now. He's so cute! My dad calls him little Frankenstein - the way he holds out his arms. I think he looks more like Mr. Smithers.

He's pretty good on his feet. In the morning when he's cranky he cries when he falls or trips or isn't as agile. But then as he gets going, he is more confident.

Last night when I came home, he walked himself to the door to greet me. (Even Dan doesn't always do that:)!)

He's also saying hello (especially when he plays with our cell phones) and shoes.

OH - and he's covering his mouth with the back of his hand and doing a sort of intermittent call (kinda like Indians in old movies). Super cute!

Temper temper...

Christian has a temper! We played tug of war over my Better Homes and Gardens magazine earlier today and he was MAD that I won. I think he paid me back for not taking a morning nap. Instead, he talked and kicked the side of the crib, and knocked over boxes filled with clothes, which were stacked adjacent to the crib. He showed me!

(He's sleeping now...)

He's talking a lot more. Dan and I may possibly agree that his first word is dog, but don't know if dada was supposed to count. He's great with words that start with D, e.g. dog = da; dad = dada; down = ddaaao; done = dun. No mama yet. One day!

When he wants some more or something he sticks out his arm and waves it as if he's saying 'do my bidding.' His fingers are down and he waves away from himself. It's pretty funny. I'm trying to get him to say m's, for obvious reasons, and so try to have him mimic 'more please.' He said mm mmm once but it sounded like his yum yum that he hums.

At any rate - I think I can say that the kid is talking!

Back to the temper - when we don't go to the swings during our walk - arching of back and screaming; when I don't hand him my cell phone to chew and drop - crying like I've put him in a straight jacket.

And also defiance! When I say no to his dumping of food on the floor - a smile! The imp! So we've started to choose our 'no's' wisely.

He's already playing us!

1st Birthday

We celebrated Christian's first birthday this past Saturday. Both sets of grandparents were able to come witness him eat cake and ice cream (though my parents have sneaked him ice cream and Dan's parents have sneaked him frosting). But he enjoyed being the center of attention - having the birthday song sung a couple of times. The night's winners included the balloons we gave him, blocks my mom gifted, and a card that sung the eensy weensy spider when opened. He loved the ice cream and cake. One funny highlight - the onesie he was wearing was a bit too big around the chest area so when we stripped him and put him in the tub we found a ton of cake in his diaper!

We can't believe he's one, in some ways. We visited the doctor this morning for his 12 month appointment. He's a bit underweight, so we will have to work on his table food ingestion!! Moving toward full weaning as well - whole milk, no bottles. I'm relieved that I'll be weaning myself from the breast pump, but there's also a sadness too that comes with weaning. Still, we are proud to have survived and to have him survive:) We are not experts by any means - just survivors. We have so much to learn. I guess maybe having another kid would allow us more confidence in some ways. But I cannot even think about that right now!

Well- on to toddler hood. If any of you have advice, we'd love to hear it!

ear infection & 3rd chapter

Monday Christian was droopy and scalding hot. Dan took him in to the doctor and found him to have an ear infection. He's been on amoxicillan all week, as well as infant motrin. Overall he's been a real trooper, but it's been difficult to keep him happy the whole day. To make it worse Dan and I were both sick. But on the plus side, I was able to stay home with Christian 1 1/2 days. I actually felt like a mom! We hung out and watched PBS Kids. Christian was very cuddly and clingy - kind of sweet. He's definitely on the mend though not 100%. Now his skin is a little blotchy, which we are watching.

On the plus plus side, Dan finished his 3rd chapter! So we are rejoicing that we've reached this milestone:)

Another one to look for - this Sunday Christian will be 11 months. We are already looking forward to presenting him with his first birthday cake in a month. I'm looking forward to him drinking cow's milk, which will encourage further weaning (pumping at work is a little old by now).

OH I almost forgot. Christian's 'talking' is getting exciting. He now stands at the gate in the doorway and says 'dad, dada?' almost like he's saying 'hello? are you there?' It's SO cute.

dogsitting and other adventures

we are in the 'burbs dogsitting for my parents. it's a nice respite - well in a way. christian doesn't sleep nearl as well and he wakes up earlier than usual (4:50am today). and we are tied to the house in order to feed the dog every 12 hours - he's diabetic. but there is more than 2000 square feet, cable, and laundry services:)

christian has made some strides in the last week - literally cruising along the furniture, squatting to pick up something then standing up again. he now waves - well he bends his fingers down in a goodbye type of wave. he does it when he's laying down, waking up, when he's in the high chair waiting for his sippy cup... it's very cute. i

what isn't so cute is his inability to fall asleep on his own for his naps. well, it probably isn't an inability but a willful determination not to sleep. we go through the nap routine, place him in the crib - he immediately stomps his feet, says 'no, no, no, no, no,' gets up screams, etc. we've tried various sleep philosophies. they all stink! we are hoping that our wills are stronger, but it's hard to listen to crying for so many hours a day.

to end - i just can't believe he's almost 1! we are looking forward to his continual development, especially talking. but trying to enjoy where's he's at as well (though seriously, fall asleep and stay that way for at least an hour!)

pray for us! and for some sleep...

Christian's leeps and bounds

Christian is growing up! :) I mean it seems like everyday he is learning something new. Last Friday he clapped and hid behind his blanket to peek a boo at me. In one day! And other the weekend he signed 'all done' when he was done eating. He's pulling up and almost cruising. I love to watch him discover the room he plays in and the toys I set up around it. He hits his little cars and chases after them. He's pretty content to play by himself - well that is if you are still in the same room. Otherwise it's freak out time. He's definitely going through some separation anxiety issues, to his father's frustration. I like that he needs me - I just wish I was there more for him!! Such is life right now. Another milestone - he's exerting his will! He's testing boundaries. He smiles when we say no! Already! Only 10 months. Egad!

HE'S CRAWLING!

This morning I was updating Christian's "Firsts" Calendar Baby book while sitting on the couch. He was on the floor skooting and rock n rolling, playing with his toys. Suddenly, he noticed my light blue cup sitting on the floor by my seat. Previously, he would reach his arm, then army crawl, then roll over to grab the object he wanted. But not any more! He, like a newborn coat, awkwardly crawled toward the cup! I was so excited I let him tip it over on the carpet.

So we are now in the 'baby is mobile' stage. He already fell on his face twice this morning, so I'm sure we will have to be vigilant and also baby proof more than we have.

Just an update in between the Christmas card posts.

Rolling over and other milestones

I thought I'd get back to blogging, not that I ever did it very faithfully or well. But I hope to use the space to 'talk through' parenting issues, problems, epiphanies, whatever. I'm not sure of another way to introduce since I'm not sure of what it will contain. So I'll just begin...

Christian Peter was born to Dan and I on March 8th. He's almost 5 months now and getting cuter by the day. Yesterday he began to move! While supervising his tummy time, he tottered over from front to back (pictures forthcoming). Later, I left him on a blanket on the floor as I ran to the bathroom or kitchen or somewhere - when I returned he was on his tummy!! (no pictures forthcoming:))

I'm just amazed sometimes that he's a person and that he moves and babbles! I can't believe he's ours, at least to raise. Other times, I just want him to grow up already and move out! (Mainly when he won't fall asleep.) But how patient we must be.

Well, that's it for now. I hope to become more eloquent and purposeful. I just wanted to get it started...