Eli's Christmas

If you've ever hung around downtown Salt Lake, there is a chance you've heard Eli Potash working his cello. He'll appear in front of any venue where there is something going on. He carries around his old cello and plays whatever he's feeling. Sometimes it can be quite lovely, other times, well, let's just say it's how he's feeling at the moment. You can almost always catch him in front of the Broadway Theaters just before a show.

For Christmas this year, three guys in a band decided to do something extra special for Eli.
A simple demonstration of the magic of Christmas.

One Year Older and Wiser

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JW!!! I have been thinking about the events of this day one year ago. Being my first and only child so far, you hold an extra special place in my heart. You have shown me so many firsts. First pregnancy, first labor and delivery, first real experience with NO-SLEEP wackiness, the heartaches of breastfeeding, your first smile, laugh, crawl, babble, food, patty cakes, which you've demonstrated that you can actually "roll it," but now that I have noticed you won't do it, and now your first birthday. I can hardly believe it has been one year! I finally get it when someone says, "Enjoy them now because they grow up too fast." No kidding.

I was recently thinking back to the day you were born. My memory of that day is very vivid. I woke up around 2 am to go to the bathroom, as I had done for many months like clockwork, when GUSH. What a weird sensation. My water had broken and it was not a trickle. I woke up The Dad and told him it was time to go. We were very nervous and excited to meet you. Labor was better than I expected, not that my expectations were high, since I didn't know what was about to happen. I must admit though, as awesome as The Dad was during the whole labor thing, I really just wanted Gramma Nay. Babies needs there mamas sometimes, even when they are all grown up. My only regret was not having her with me. With a few practice pushes you were ready to go. Along came the doctor and just after noon, you were born. I had dreamed you would look like an alien. Well, more like a lemon head. Fortunately you didn't look like a lemon head, you looked JUST LIKE your dad.

You are a real punkin, Dubs. Everywhere we go, people on the street stop to flirt with you. You are generally ambivalent to such gestures and the look on your face easily says, "Get lost." You have become quite the social butterfly at the preschool though. Most days I drop you off and you get a little sad when I leave, but the other day you could not get off my lap fast enough. Your little buddy Henley was there ready to play. I put you down and away the two of you went, crawling as fast as your little hands and legs could move. Your teacher, Miss Maurine, says you follow each other around, pulling all the toys off the shelves and basically just roll and tumble together all day. And when the door to the "big room" opens up, the two of you high tail it out like bandits to be with the big kids. You have not learned yet that you are not quite a "big kid" and can be quite offended when you have to go back with the "infants." You do not understand that this is to protect you from being trampled by the big kids, but you are an adventurous boy and safety is not high on your priority list.

We had your first birthday party a few days ago with almost all of mama's family and a brief visit from Auntie Jen and Ella. I would have to say you were a little underwhelmed with the whole thing. You are still a little young to understand that all the commotion was about YOU. The balloons, gifts, cake, people...all for you. You had your first piece of cake (that I know of, since what happens at Gramma's or Papa's stays at Gramma's or Papa's). You didn't dig in to your cake like I thought you would. You were too concerned about the frosting being stuck to your fingers, leaving us all in stitches as you tried to shake it off.

You have me in stitches everyday, lil' buddy. Watching you learn and grow and begin to understand the world around you this last year has been nothing less than awesome.

The song is Nothing by Steve Foxbury off the album Do Fun Stuff. This album is a compilation of fun children's music from various artists with all the proceeds going to SMS research. You can download the album from iTunes. Dubs and I LOVE it.

The Happiest Place on Earth

JW and I went to the Happiest Place on Earth last week with Papa and Omi, Auntie, Uncle D and Co. We catered the trip to my four year old niece, Noelle, but one might be a little suspect when they see how much fun we were having on this fast paced ride. Can you believe there wasn't a line for this? So we all went twice.

Thanks for 11 Months

Sweet boy, where has the time gone? I blinked my eyes and suddenly you are 11 months old. I know if I actually close my eyes I'll wake up and you'll be 18 and off to college, so I'm trying to keep my eye on you as much as possible. I don't want to miss a thing.


You've spent the better part of the last month advancing your skills in a few choice activities including, walking and standing, eating and talking. You can not walk on your own yet, but this does not stop you from trying. You will be cruising around the furniture and suddenly let go for a moment while you stop to concentrate on something other than your two feet. You are completely unaware of your lack of stability as evidenced by the number of times you fall over and inevitably donk your head on the corner of something hard. The Dad and I usually laugh at your expense, but you know how to pull off the crocodile tears because they get you lots of loves and kisses without fail.


Even though you only have two teeth, you seem to think it's time for corn nuts and hard candy. You don't appreciate the ready-made pureed stuff anymore. You let me know this by spitting it at me. I'm not so sure I'm ready for you to graduate to adult food yet. I was really hoping you would eat Gerber until you were 12 and could fend for yourself. This milestone not only means that I need to figure out how to prepare meals before you go to bed, but that I actually HAVE to plan meals, my least favorite thing in the world. Alas, growing boys need to eat. I will not be a bit surprised if your first words are "What's for dinner?" since The Dad asks this question everyday and you are every bit like The Dad.


Speaking of first words, I think you have figured out that dadada is for "Dad," and "Feed me!" and "Get me out of bed!" and "I love the bath!" This is your word of choice and you use it for most anything. What is really endearing is that you say mama indiscriminately. It sounds more like "mumma," but it is the one word you've reserved just for me and I turn into a gooey mess every time you say it, it's so sweet.


Dear Dubs, not a day goes by that I don't thank the greater powers of the universe for sending you my way. I know you wonder how on earth you got such stupid parents (I know you think this by some of the looks you give me), even so you are such a good boy. We love you so much.

Halleeeeee-luuuuu-jaaah!

Handel's Hallelujah Chorus is an all-time favorite piece of music. I think my love for this piece began as a young girl when I would join my Mom for the annual Utah Symphony Messiah Sing-In at Abravenel Hall. The best part of the chorus is the very end, when there is a brief, or long, pause. I would wait for the silence, inevitably interrupted by some guy's cough, and then end in a grand finale and a roar for the hall when it was over. The older I get the more awesome the song becomes. It moves me to tears almost everytime I hear it and sing it. Who knows why? Maybe it's the words and the exuberance in praise the song invokes.

So when my Mom sent me this link today I was blown away. I wish I were there the day this happened in the middle of a Macy's department store. Instead, I just pretend I was there. I'm pretty sure I would have started singing at the top of my lungs, even though I probably wouldn't have been one of the invited choir members. I probably would have cried too. The experience would have been amazeballs.

Experience it for yourself.

Dinner Time with The Dubster

JW thinks he's pretty funny with his new dinner time antics. This video was shot the other night when I was still a tolerant mother. JW was quite offended when I tried to teach him table manners tonight.

Halloween Rewind

This year was a Halloween first for The Dubster and me...my first Halloween as the mom and his first Halloween as the kid. I was pretty excited about getting in costume. JW thought it was all pretty overrated.

His preschool had a parade with all of the kids in costume. JW in typical fashion wasn't thrilled either way about the whole parade thing, or the costume for that matter. He did get shotgun on what I like to call the "Infant bus."

Do you see the enthusiasm in this kid's face? Yeah, me neither.

He kept looking at me like he was being tortured.

"Are we having fun yet?"

Lucky for JW the preschool planned a fire drill during the parade. However, the school failed to let the fire dept. know it was only a drill, so a slew of fire engines showed up to put out a faux fire. Dubs LOVES the fire truck.


Later that afternoon I took JW to my office Halloween party. I stayed up almost all night making my princess dress to match my li'l dragon. It took me three days to catch up on that lost sleep. Talk about overrated. What was I thinking?! I tried to get G to be our Knight in Shining Armor, but he'd rather die than dress up for Halloween. He'd make a good Stick in the Mud.

Happy Halloween

This little dragon says "roooaaarrrr!"

HaPPy HaLLoween!

10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

10 months! Happy 10th birthday, baby! I do have to say, it's late and I almost didn't post anything, but how could I not? It's tradition. Tradition! One big deal that I failed to mention is this year we celebrated 10/10/10. Get this: on this day, 10/10/10, you were 10 days away from your 10 month birthday. How crazy is that? I should have taken a picture.

Anyway, this month has been eventful. For one, you had a class picture taken. In my stuck-in-1980 mind, I thought this would be a classic blue backdrop school picture. Instead, it was full-on professional with fancy props and stuff. Of course I ordered a packet and when I got it back, I couldn't help but laugh. Can you see why? What is with the white socks with blue stripes? You, on the other hand, are stinkin' cute. {I will insert a picture here after I fix my scanner since I just threw it out the window because it sucks}

You are a rascal. I'll have you know that The Dad and I find ourselves under a table rocking back and forth every time we have to change your diaper or get you dressed. You can not sit still for 30 seconds while we change you. We have to literally pin you down which just makes all of us insane. Hopefully this is just a phase otherwise your parents will need to be institutionalized.

You are cruising around like a mad man these days. You have discovered so many joys in life that seem to be centered around the toilet. First it was the toilet brush. Next the toilet paper and now the toilet bowl. No matter how many times I pulled you away, you bee-line for the toilet brush. Son, this is really gross, especially when I find you playing in the crusty goo at the bottom of the brush holder. Now that I have removed the toilet brush from your reach you have moved on to the TP which is hung on the wall at just the right height for you to get a hold of. You can't just unroll the TP, you also have to eat it too. This can not be good for your colon and you practically bite my finger off when I fish TP out of your mouth. Finally, you have discovered the toilet bowl. You find it entertaining to crawl over to the toilet and stand there while The Dad goes to the bathroom. How endearing, my two boys being boys...until you stick your hand in the toilet bowl!! That's just too gross for words...sigh...

But despite it all, you are a very good baby. I really believe this goodness is just in your DNA and has very little to do with mine or The Dad's awesome parenting. Last weekend we left you for the first time for a weekend at Gramma Nay's house while The Dad and I went to Las Vegas for some adult time. While it was nice to get away, I missed you dearly. I called Gramma a few times to check on you. I tried to be strong, but deep down I was struggling to keep my composure. I know, it's silly. Gramma said you were a perfect boy. She and Grandpa Bear said they enjoyed your company and I believe them.

The Pretty Poppy Giveaway!

You all need to go to The Pretty Poppy to enter to win some really fabulous accessories. I mean really people, who doesn't love to accessorize with some chic vintage earrings, or a personalized charm bracelet? I've seen with my very own eyes their work and it does not disappoint. So get your little patooties over there and enter to win. Or don't, which just increases my chances to win that much more.

9 Months

Hey Shorty, it's your birthday! We're gon' party like it's your birthday! You're such a lucky boy. Know why? Because you get to share your 9 month birthday with your dad's birthday {HAPPY BIRTHDAY G!}. Every month I say how much you suprise me with your tricks because you are always coming up with something new. You are officially on the move and you are entirely capable of following me around the house without my assistance. I never know when you are going to peek around the corner. As if that's not enough you have now taken to standing on your own. You pull yourself up to whatever surface you can get a grip on. This too has it's pros and cons. You are totally awesome at pulling up, but you still need a little practice getting down. On a few occassions I've had to rescue from your crib because you stand up, angry that you have to go to bed, but you get stuck standing there. Eventually I have to rescue you from yourself.

You are almost an expert with the pincer grip too. This has taken an immense amount of practice and you were often so frustrated while trying to eat a Puff because you'd lose it just before it got to your mouth. But as with most things in your life, you are persistent and you keep trying until you get what you want.

Speaking of persistence...as part of your bedtime routine I love to read you a couple of books - classics, like Goodnight Moon and The Bear Snores On. You have a favorite too, which I was a little slow to pick up on. Tonight you were being so crazy while I tried to read you a new book that I had never read to you before. You were so squirmy and kept reaching for the pile of books on the side table. Finally, I picked up That's Not My Dragon and you sat right down, ready to listen. That's the one you wanted. I read it at least 16 times and you never bored of it. Is it even possible for you to have a favorite book at 9 months? I think so.

You hit me pretty hard this month. Not hit, like smack hit, but I was overcome with YOU hit. I am your mother. YOUR MOTHER. You have no idea what a huge responsibility this is. I have so much to teach you and you me. Right now I can't help but soak in every moment of YOU.

The Fair Only Comes Once A Year...Thank Goodness

I took JW to the State Fair today. I thought it would be fun and maybe he would enjoy the animals since he is always so enthralled with Gramma Nay's chickens. I can see now why my parents never took us to the fair. First of all, you either pay big bucks for parking or you park 3 miles away. Have you ever seen where the fair grounds are located? G.H.E.T.T.O. You risk losing your rims if you don't pay for parking {I took the risk and LUCKILY I still had all four tires when I returned to my car}. Second, it costs $9/person to get in. Think about the cost for a family of six! And once you're in, it's more $$$ for cotton candy, hot dogs, unsafe rides, a glimpse at the most gigantic alligator in the world, never mind the endless booths of crap that appeal to every little kid. The one and only time we went to the fair I can remember my mom saying, "We aren't spending ANY money." I bet you can imagine how much fun we had that day.

Fortunately JW is small enough that he is free admission, loves to cruise in the stroller - so he didn't complain once about the 3 mile walk to and from the car; could care less about the rides or the most gigantic alligator in the world and hasn't tried a corn dog to know just how enticing a FOOT LONG corn dog can be. So we looked at animals, art and people. I especiallly loved the lady in the Creative Arts area who had gigantic painted on eye browns. She should have entered herself. I would have given her a blue ribbon. Holy cow! I was impressed. JW could have cared less.

Little lambsy wanted some attention. I gave the little guy a pat on the head. Once again, JW paid no attention.

Zuckerman's famous pig was some serious bacon. Never mind for JW. We strolled through the chicken barn too. JW thought, "Whoopty damn doo. I get to feed Gramma Nay's chickens whenever I want."

Do you see a theme here? I'm glad JW humored me even if he could have cared less. I think we'll do it again next year :)

For the Stalker in You

I don't know if you link from my blog to another in my Blog Stalker list...? If you do, I've moved this list to the bottom of my blog. I kind of want to feel a little less cluttered without actually deleting this list (I'm a hoarder) and besides I use Google Reader to stalk now {highly recommended}, so this list isn't even close to up-to-date for the number of awesome people that I know everything about, but don't really know a thing about. Is that creepy? Hey, takes one to know one {wink wink}.


Stalk this: You know I can't post something without a picture of JW cuteness. This was captured a few months ago at Omi's birthday party. Gotta love the binky chap and the party pooper expression.

While camping in Jackson Hole over the weekend, Bullwinkle Moose decided to wander through our campground while we were eating breakfast. He came frighteningly close to where we were sitting. I don't think I've ever seen the Cushing kids sit so still and silent. After Bullwinkle walked away and we could all breath again, six year old Clara gleefully declared, "That was better than first grade!"

Dubster and His Balloon

While at my sister's house celebrating her little guy's third birthday, JW became fixated on this balloon. His pure excitement and a brief moment of disappointment has been captured right here for the record.

8 Months!

Happy 8 months old birthday, baby boy! You are becoming quite the little boy. I think this is because you have figured out how to crawl and you are certainly on the move. This new found freedom has its pros and cons. While this is still a new endeavor for you, you currently only manuever around the small area you occupy with your toys, however I can tell you are on the verge of discovering that your little arms and legs can get you places. This can be dangerous since you are quite inquisitive and mama hasn't exactly JW-proofed the house.

This month you spent several days on the shores of some body of water - Bear Lake, Island Park Reservoir and a swimming pool. You seem to like the idea of getting in the water, but once you're actually IN the water, you're a little uncertain. If I had to guess I'd say this uncertainty stems from the temperature. You definitely don't enjoy being cold and said lake, reservoir and pool weren't exactly hot springs. I don't blame you for being leary. I didn't exactly jump in myself.
You did like the beach though. The sand was especially entriguing and...tastey? You were somewhat content on the boat too - your first boat ride ever - as long as I didn't get too excited and start yelling {like when Grandpa Ted flipped Auntie EZ off the tube and I laughed and hollered. My excitement freightened you}.

Thank you for being my sweet pea. While you have your cranky pants moments, your schmoos and loves, laughs and drools make my days.

Nature's Harvest

Earlier this spring my mom gave me four tomato plants for my garden. She's given me tomato plants before and as soon as I plant them they disappear. I've always blamed little bunny foo-foo for eating them, but I have a second, even better theory that G has pulled them out of the ground thinking they were weeds.

Anyway, this year I planted the four plants and lo and behold I have tomatoes! Here is one I picked {on accident} a few days ago. A little window-sill sunshine ripened it right up. And I turned it into my favorite summer treat - an open-faced tomato sandwich. Holy cow, that was one awesome piece of fruit. You can't buy that flavor in the grocery store.

In other great news...JW officially has a highchair! Isn't this a beauty? I would guess circa 1987. Totally vintage. I had mentioned to my neighbor that I needed a highchair. I had made a trip to IKEA to get their cheap-o delux set and they were out! Two months on backorder! I guess IKEA underestimated the Utah baby mill. Anyway, when I got home from work last night this was waiting on my porch. What a difference it has already made in my life. JW eats soooo much better now that he's trapped without distractions.

And in case you can't tell from the above photo, there is an awesome heart sewn right into the vinyl. By the shape of it, I wonder if it was an after thought in the Chinese factory, or maybe someone's first day on the job.

Rachel Zoe Round Up

The new season of the Rachel Zoe Project has started. In case you don't know who Rachel Zoe is she dresses celebrities because, you know, they are far too busy to dress themselves. It's ok, I didn't know or care about RZ either until her reality show appeared on my favorite reality channel and I got sucked in to RZ madness. Trust me, it's mad. And ridiculous. And flamboyant. OH the flames!

In case you missed tonight's episode, let me summarize in my best Rachel and Brad quotes possible {to be read in your best Brad voice because even if you don't have a gay entourage, this is how everyone on the show talks. You have to be stressed out too because this shiz is what stresses them out because OMG it's 4 hours before the Globes and OMG, there are MAJOR storm clouds rolling in}:

"What are Cameron, Kate and Jen going to wear to the Globes? Let's go to the Land of Styling. It's so major! Kaufman Franco, Versace, McQueen - a big, delicious present. OMG, there's shoe shortage. How do you pose without a train? It's tricky. OMG is it raining?! It's raining! How can it rain an hour before the Globes!? I mean, what can I do? I mean. This is like an nightmare. OMG, look at Kate! She is so major!"

My Friend Debbie

Please welcome Debbie Downer as my guest blogger.

JW just completed his first week of daycare. He's making a lot of new friends and establishing a routine. He's even brought home a crusty nose and smoker's cough that has spread across the entire family. WHUAW WHUAW.

The Dad is working hard; jet-setting to NYC for important meetings week after week. He promises to be helpful when he gets home then he reminds me of his golf date with his friends all day Saturday. WHUAW WHUAW.

Mama is feeling a little down and a lot lonely. Really just wants to chat with an old friend, but realizes her friend is by appointment only and costs $100/hour. WHUAW WHUAW.

Thirsty

I can't help but imagine this being JW in a couple years. The only difference perhaps is that this kid keeps trying with a smile on his face. JW tends to get frustrated after making several attempts at trying new things that don't go exactly his way - I could see him getting totally pissed off after soaking himself with the hose. Proof that he does have at least one strand of my DNA.



Little Kid Cant Figure Out How To Drink - Watch more Funny Videos

Lucky Number 7

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday dear JW,

Happy birthday to you!

Today you turned 7 months old. June and July are big birthday months in our family and oh boy, what a celebration we've had over the last month. Plenty of BBQs and birthday cake to last until you turn one! One thing I noticed this month is just how lovely our family sings Happy Birthday. I mean, we actually sing on key and harmonize. What a lucky boy you are to be born into such a talented family :)

This month we celebrated your first Independence Day by joining Grandpa Ted and Gramma Kathy in the neighborhood parade and picnic. This pretty much means all the kids who live in, or have ever lived in the neighborhood for generations decorate their bikes, strollers, dogs, whatever with red, white and blue streamers and ribbons then march around the neighborhood.
The coolest part of the whole parade was the big red fire truck that escorted us through the streets. The calendar-worthy firemen even let us check out the fire truck after the parade. You thought that was pretty special. I thought you were going to tumble head first off the bumper.

What wasn't cool about the parade was the guy juggling a couple sticks, which were on fire. He also happened to be walking right next to us when he DROPPED his fire sticks, nearly torching our entire entourage.

This month marks some big milestones for you, my little friend. First, you went to daycare for the first time last week. This was really hard for mama. As if handing you to a perfect stranger who in no way will love you like Gramma Nay loved you wasn't hard enough, the look you gave me as I walked away, a look like, "Wait, are you really going to leave me here?" really put me over the edge. I cried all day. Your dad tried to console me by saying, "Are you sure JW wasn't asking, 'Hey Lady, why are you still here?'" This did not help out matters or make me feel any better. Despite the booger nose and junky cough you now have (because I'm sure you've licked every inch of that viral daycare floor), you appear to be enjoying your new digs. In fact, I think you have a new girlfriend. Her name is Hazel - she is a real cutie pie.

Speaking of a real cutie pie, YOU are a showstopper. Everywhere we go I hear, "That is a cute baby!" "Oh, what a darling baby!" "Wow, that baby is adorable!" Yes, you are adorable. So much so that I have a giant head shot of you on my computer wallpaper at work so I can stare at you all day. What I have also heard is, "Well you know what they say...ugly parents make cute babies." I'm sure the two times I've heard this (yes, twice!) the people saying it were not intentionally trying to be jerks (or maybe they were?). If there is one thing I teach you in life it's going to be how to properly treat a lady. Rule number one is NEVER, directly or indirectly, implied or jokingly tell a lady she is ugly. I don't care if she's the spawn of Quasi Motto and Shrek, you just don't say that. That's almost worse than, "You are fat."

but I digress...

Your second major milestone this month - you have a tooth! While at lunch with Gramma Nay the other day you were sucking on a piece of bread, when lo and behold I noticed (or Gramma claims she saw it first) a little tooth popping through your bottom gum. We were both thrilled. You were more interested in sucking on that piece of bread which I eventually took away after you darn near choked to death).

I'm always amazed at how fast you are growing up. Before I know it, you are going to be crawling. You have been practicing your crawling moves like crazy. You especially like to practice your moves while I try to change your diapers. Or maybe you just like hangin' out.

6 Months

Happy half birthday, JW! You are growing up to be such a big, happy boy. You are rolling around leaps and bounds. You LOVE to be outside. You will lay on a blanket on the lawn or sit in your Exersaucer in the shade for a long time (well, 15 minutes. That's a long time for you). When you tire of all of that, I put you in the Baby Bjorn and we bee-bop around together. The other day I put you in the Baby Bjorn and tried to sweep the sidewalks. You held on for dear life to the broom. This made my chore more difficult, but I know you just wanted to help.

You make me laugh. Your sense of humor is starting to emerge. I was talking on the phone with Auntie the other day {while carrying you around in the Baby Bjorn again...}. Every time I laughed with Auntie, you would let out a little "hehe" courtesy laugh in your manly, grunting sort of way. I'm glad you agree...Auntie is funny.

Dear boy, why have you suddenly become such a pill when it is bed time? You are the best sleeper, but you fight going to bed, even when you are soooo tired. The last few nights I've had to show some tough love. Mama lets you cry, no, SCREAM yourself to sleep. "They" say this teaches you to settle yourself down to go to sleep. Quite frankly, it kills me to do this. I just want to snuggle with you and let you know that I love you SO MUCH, but you get so mad that you're going to bed, that you just hate me. I'm sorry. This is all for your own good, I promise. Hopefully you will soon learn that bed time is glorious and you'll lay down and go right to sleep like the champ you are.

Dang you are cute. Every morning I get you out of bed and eat you up with kisses. This is our ritual. The other morning you surprised me by putting your arms around my neck and nuzzling your slobbery face into my face and you schmooed me. I have bottled up that moment to remember forever, it was so sweet.

You made your inaugural trip to the cabin this month. You were a bit of jerk on the drive. I know, it is kind of a long time for a little guy to sit in the car, but the look on your face when we got inside the cabin was awesome. You were in heaven! While we were there we went with Uncle Daniel and Auntie Elizabeth to Yellowstone National Park. We were hoping to see lots of bears, instead we saw lots of buffalo, elk, and a stupid guy in an orange shirt trying to get frisky with the animals (we were waiting for the dingbat to get gored by a one-ton elk). Don't try to play with the wildlife, OK bud?

You also saw Old Faithful for the first time. You could have cared less about the geyser, but you were pretty impressed with the crowd. You are a people watcher. The crazier the better.

Everyday is a new adventure with you. Pretty soon you'll even be able to sit up all by yourself (you're pretty good at it now, but you still have a rolly-polly bottom and tend to face plant into the carpet).

Dubs, you are growing up too fast. For the millionth time today, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! Muah!

5 Months

My little buddy is 5 months old today!

To celebrate he ate a giant piece of chocolate cake.

OK, I lie. It was actually a giant helping of stage 1 {read: liquid} pears.

He was very pleased.

The other day I was looking at pictures of JW as an infant. I wanted to cuddle with him again as a wee newborn. I could smell the baby lotion through the picture, like a scratch and sniff sticker. For a second I had forgotten how HARD those first weeks were when I was wishing he was not an infant, but a frisky 4 yr old.
Now I try to savor EVERY moment because this kid is in the growing-up-too-fast lane.
I love him.

My Little Buddy

My sister sent me the link to this blog this morning. I've tried to read it all day, but can not get through it without getting completely weepy. This girl had a daughter who passed away a few months ago. Her sweet baby girl was JW's age.

There is something so special about the bond between a mother and her child that is just impossible to express in words. I felt it early on in my pregnancy and it grew exponentially as I could feel JW kicking and rolling as I got a sense of his personality. I remember being so scared about losing him after learning about my abnormal umbilical cord situation. I have never been such a mess as I was for those few days, and that was before I had met him.

JW's presence has completely changed my life. I admit, motherhood didn't come naturally to me. His first several weeks of life were really hard. I think life outside the womb was a bit of shocker for him too. All he wanted was to be swaddled and rocked and warm and to be awake at night and sleep all day. JW had his own agenda and I wasn't following along. He just wanted to eat, but struggled so desperately to latch on. That darn tongue tie messed up everything. Of course he couldn't tell me he wanted or needed all of these things and I spent every minute of my day (and night, it seemed) trying to figure him out. I don't know how many times the two of us just cried together because he wanted something and I didn't know what.

Here we are four months later in full swing. Just as soon as I think I've learned his tricks, he grows up a little more and has moved on to the next item on his agenda. He has reached so many milestones in his short life. He is a serious kid, but there is no shortage of laughs and giggles. He laughs at his own jokes. He laughs while changing his clothes. Itsy Bitsy Spider is downright hilarious.

JW rolled over for the first time on Sunday. Twice. After the first roll I thought it might just be a freak incident, so I put him back on his tummy and sure enough, he did it again! He didn't seem terribly startled by it, just irritated that he had to have tummy time. He has never been much of a fan of tummy time.

Getting a full night sleep was only a memory in his first weeks of life. It wasn't until literally a few days before I went back to work did he start sleeping longer than a three hour stretch. Suddenly one night he slept five hours, then the next night seven, then nine. Now he begs to go to bed by 8:30 PM and this week he has actually slept all night (11 hours!) without needing to be swaddled. I thought he would never grow out of that!

He loves a long ride in his stroller, hanging out in the Bumbo or the exersaucer and being the center of attention. He is the center of my attention. I love this kid and life without him would be so empty.