The absence of posts as of late can be blamed on two things - Sam's feet. The kid has just taken off!
Always the crowd-pleaser, Sam took his very first steps in December with my mom's entire family watching. Since then, he's been adding one or two a day. There was quite a while where he'd only walk between me and Eric.
Now...he's like a little machine. He doesn't even need to use anything to pull himself up anymore. He'll be sitting in the middle of a room and then - pop! - he's up and running. He can already crawl fast enough that I have to actually run to catch him. I can't imagine what him running will be like!
On your mark...get set...
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Taking Time for Family
Okay, I guess there is no way for me to be consistent with the time and content of my posts. I will continue to do the best I can!
Today, Eric, Sam, and I went to Hastings to visit Amy and Tom. Amy was hosting a scrapbooking party where all of us were to make a page with pictures of ourselves for Sean. She is already such a fun mom!
Sam was, of course, exceptional. Tom's mom and grandmother were there and they kept marvelling at how well-behaved Sam is. He happily crawled around, walked a little, looked at the dog's toys, and played with shoes. We were there almost seven hours and he just smiled the whole time. He had a bit of a meltdown on the drive home, though. I think after being good for strangers he has to let his guard down when he knows he's just with Mom and Dad.
More tomorrow...
Today, Eric, Sam, and I went to Hastings to visit Amy and Tom. Amy was hosting a scrapbooking party where all of us were to make a page with pictures of ourselves for Sean. She is already such a fun mom!
Sam was, of course, exceptional. Tom's mom and grandmother were there and they kept marvelling at how well-behaved Sam is. He happily crawled around, walked a little, looked at the dog's toys, and played with shoes. We were there almost seven hours and he just smiled the whole time. He had a bit of a meltdown on the drive home, though. I think after being good for strangers he has to let his guard down when he knows he's just with Mom and Dad.
More tomorrow...
Friday, January 26, 2007
Splish, Splash
When Sam was about four hours old, a nurse came into our room with a little tub of water and taught Eric how to give Sam a bath. After doing all of the work earlier in the day, I loved sitting back and watching Eric try his hand at this baby thing. Eric gently washed Sam’s hands and feet and learned how to wash his already-full head of hair. When Sam was turned over onto his stomach, he gripped the sides of the tub with his little fists and wiggled his legs like a fish.
Eric must have done something right during that first bath, because bathtime continues to be one of the highlights of Sam’s day. Several months ago I stopped trying to make him sit in a baby tub or any type of support system. Sam prefers to sit, free of any constraints, in the middle of the big tub. I have had a fear of water for as long as I can remember, and my kid practically has fins!
Water running out of a tub faucet usually scares babies by the time they are 10 months old. When I turn the faucet on, Sam is right there, reaching forward with his little hand to put it under the stream. He leans as far as he can and gets his knee on the edge of the tub, trying to heave himself in. He never takes his eyes off of the filling tub as I get him out of his clothes.
As soon as he is in the tub, he starts dunking himself under water. I have never seen anything like it – and I certainly have never put his face under water. He braces himself and leans forward…slowly…slowly…until he is face down in the water. Then he sits up, sputtering and laughing, wiping the water out of his eyes. As soon as he is ready, he does it again.
Mommy and Me swimming lessons, here we come!
Eric must have done something right during that first bath, because bathtime continues to be one of the highlights of Sam’s day. Several months ago I stopped trying to make him sit in a baby tub or any type of support system. Sam prefers to sit, free of any constraints, in the middle of the big tub. I have had a fear of water for as long as I can remember, and my kid practically has fins!
Water running out of a tub faucet usually scares babies by the time they are 10 months old. When I turn the faucet on, Sam is right there, reaching forward with his little hand to put it under the stream. He leans as far as he can and gets his knee on the edge of the tub, trying to heave himself in. He never takes his eyes off of the filling tub as I get him out of his clothes.
As soon as he is in the tub, he starts dunking himself under water. I have never seen anything like it – and I certainly have never put his face under water. He braces himself and leans forward…slowly…slowly…until he is face down in the water. Then he sits up, sputtering and laughing, wiping the water out of his eyes. As soon as he is ready, he does it again.
Mommy and Me swimming lessons, here we come!
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Another Day That Got Away
I apologize for today's late post. Sam and I never left the house and we have been busy, busy, busy all day! I have been trying to get some major cleaning done and Sam has been trying to prevent that at all costs. We also had a visit from Eric's sister, Amy, who is due any day now with Sam's cousin Sean!
I will be back with a regular post tomorrow!
I will be back with a regular post tomorrow!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
"I Have Always Depended on the Kindness of Strangers"
It is a secret to no one that Eric and I have our fair share of social anxiety. Before I even got pregnant, I worried about the fear of new people we were going to pass on to our children. In addition, all children go through stages of stranger anxiety; and the majority of Sam’s life has been spent at home, with me. I wouldn’t be surprised if Sam was terrified of new people.
However, Sam is proving time and again that he is his own little person. He LOVES meeting new people! He lights up, smiles, giggles, and basically becomes a child actor every time we leave the house. I have stopped to look at a price at Target and turned back to the cart to find Sam waving merrily at everyone walking by. He believes doctors and nurses are his best friends. He thinks nothing of climbing up and over any adult in any play area. The only exception to his delight in strangers has been meeting Santa Claus. Finding himself on the lap of an alarming-looking old man was cause for panic on Sam’s part.
Last night we had Scott from Source Mortgage over to discuss refinancing our house. Sam didn’t pay much attention to Scott; I kept him busy with snacks and his sippy cup for most of the evening (see yesterday’s post). Eventually Sam toddled over to Scott and smiled up at him. Scott picked him up and set him on his lap. Sam seriously studied Scott’s face for a moment or two, and then leaned forward and offered him an open-mouthed, slobbery kiss. Sam is finicky with his kisses – to date, he has only kissed his stuffed baby, his toy phone, Eric (once), me (twice), and now Scott.
I guess mortgage brokers need love, too.
However, Sam is proving time and again that he is his own little person. He LOVES meeting new people! He lights up, smiles, giggles, and basically becomes a child actor every time we leave the house. I have stopped to look at a price at Target and turned back to the cart to find Sam waving merrily at everyone walking by. He believes doctors and nurses are his best friends. He thinks nothing of climbing up and over any adult in any play area. The only exception to his delight in strangers has been meeting Santa Claus. Finding himself on the lap of an alarming-looking old man was cause for panic on Sam’s part.
Last night we had Scott from Source Mortgage over to discuss refinancing our house. Sam didn’t pay much attention to Scott; I kept him busy with snacks and his sippy cup for most of the evening (see yesterday’s post). Eventually Sam toddled over to Scott and smiled up at him. Scott picked him up and set him on his lap. Sam seriously studied Scott’s face for a moment or two, and then leaned forward and offered him an open-mouthed, slobbery kiss. Sam is finicky with his kisses – to date, he has only kissed his stuffed baby, his toy phone, Eric (once), me (twice), and now Scott.
I guess mortgage brokers need love, too.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Food, Glorious Food
Go to any parenting section of any bookstore and you will find rows and rows of books written to “help” new parents feed their babies. Experts advise impressionable, emotional new moms to exclusively breastfeed and never offer a bottle or pacifier as to avoid “confusion.” Doctors say babies should start solid foods between four and eight months old – that is quite a range.
“Offer vegetables before fruit, or your baby will never want vegetables.”
“Offer fruit before vegetables, or your baby will never enjoy his/her food.”
“Juice provides extra nutrition. Babies need more vitamins.”
“Juice causes cavities and should never be offered to a baby.”
I worried about Sam never learning how to breastfeed, never learning how to drink out of a bottle, never learning how to drink out of a sippy cup, never learning how to feed himself…I never thought about the fact that this was MY kid I was worrying about.
To put it simply, Sam accepts without question anything near his mouth. He was breastfeeding at 10 minutes old. He happily took a pacifier. He was thrilled to take a bottle. I think I could put mud in a bottle and he’d drink it like he was starving.
At four months old, I carefully measured out his cereal and nervously fed him with a spoon. He didn’t even bat an eye. It didn’t matter if it was oatmeal, rice, vegetables, fruit, if it was hot, cold, thick, runny…he just wanted it.
I’m beginning to wonder if he doesn’t have taste buds. Last Thanksgiving, my mom, stepdad, and I excitedly gave him a pickle and waited, cameras poised, for what would certainly be a face of shock at the new taste. I put the pickle in his mouth, and…nothing. He chewed and swallowed and opened his mouth for more.
I’ve given up worrying, measuring, and listening to the “experts.” Today Eric and I had soft-shell tacos for lunch. So did my 11-month old son.
Bon appetit!
“Offer vegetables before fruit, or your baby will never want vegetables.”
“Offer fruit before vegetables, or your baby will never enjoy his/her food.”
“Juice provides extra nutrition. Babies need more vitamins.”
“Juice causes cavities and should never be offered to a baby.”
I worried about Sam never learning how to breastfeed, never learning how to drink out of a bottle, never learning how to drink out of a sippy cup, never learning how to feed himself…I never thought about the fact that this was MY kid I was worrying about.
To put it simply, Sam accepts without question anything near his mouth. He was breastfeeding at 10 minutes old. He happily took a pacifier. He was thrilled to take a bottle. I think I could put mud in a bottle and he’d drink it like he was starving.
At four months old, I carefully measured out his cereal and nervously fed him with a spoon. He didn’t even bat an eye. It didn’t matter if it was oatmeal, rice, vegetables, fruit, if it was hot, cold, thick, runny…he just wanted it.
I’m beginning to wonder if he doesn’t have taste buds. Last Thanksgiving, my mom, stepdad, and I excitedly gave him a pickle and waited, cameras poised, for what would certainly be a face of shock at the new taste. I put the pickle in his mouth, and…nothing. He chewed and swallowed and opened his mouth for more.
I’ve given up worrying, measuring, and listening to the “experts.” Today Eric and I had soft-shell tacos for lunch. So did my 11-month old son.
Bon appetit!
Monday, January 22, 2007
$10,000 Worth of Age-Appropriate Toys
I recently read that the “baby industry” is the most profitable market in the United States. New parents and grandparents are eager to spend any amount of money on the best nursery, clothes, toys, etc. It seems like there is a new study every week that professes a different ball or book is “ideal” for a baby’s development.
Eric and I live on one income and as a result have become very frugal. We have bought very little for Sam. However, Sam has FOUR sets of grandparents and numerous aunts and uncles (related and self-appointed). He has books, blocks, balls, stuffed animals, plastic animals, trucks, sorting toys, puzzles, play dishes, legos, walking toys, toys that light up, toys that move around…it is truly amazing.
One would assume Sam spends a large part of his day playing with his toys, developing all of the skills each one claims to encourage. That is most certainly not the case. The things that give Sam the most joy are the things that were never intended for a baby’s use.
If either of the TV remotes are missing, it can be assumed that Sam has squirreled them away in one of his baby hiding spots. Once he gets his hands on a remote there is no stopping him. He holds it in his right hand and crawls as fast as he can – he doesn’t know where he’s going or how long it will take to get there, but he considers it his chance to be free.
Another one of Sam’s delights is getting his hands on the plunger. I’ve heard him crawl into the bathroom and laugh when he saw it. He loves that it is tall, he loves that he can knock it over, and he loves how Mom comes running when he tries to put it in his mouth. Plungers are a blast.
Just imagine how fascinating the world is through a baby’s eyes! A treadmill is a jungle gym. A pile of shoes is six cars just waiting to be driven. Folded laundry makes a wonderful mess when thrown around. Drink coasters can be moved from the table to the floor and back again for hours.
At least Sam’s toys will make for a very profitable garage sale.
Eric and I live on one income and as a result have become very frugal. We have bought very little for Sam. However, Sam has FOUR sets of grandparents and numerous aunts and uncles (related and self-appointed). He has books, blocks, balls, stuffed animals, plastic animals, trucks, sorting toys, puzzles, play dishes, legos, walking toys, toys that light up, toys that move around…it is truly amazing.
One would assume Sam spends a large part of his day playing with his toys, developing all of the skills each one claims to encourage. That is most certainly not the case. The things that give Sam the most joy are the things that were never intended for a baby’s use.
If either of the TV remotes are missing, it can be assumed that Sam has squirreled them away in one of his baby hiding spots. Once he gets his hands on a remote there is no stopping him. He holds it in his right hand and crawls as fast as he can – he doesn’t know where he’s going or how long it will take to get there, but he considers it his chance to be free.
Another one of Sam’s delights is getting his hands on the plunger. I’ve heard him crawl into the bathroom and laugh when he saw it. He loves that it is tall, he loves that he can knock it over, and he loves how Mom comes running when he tries to put it in his mouth. Plungers are a blast.
Just imagine how fascinating the world is through a baby’s eyes! A treadmill is a jungle gym. A pile of shoes is six cars just waiting to be driven. Folded laundry makes a wonderful mess when thrown around. Drink coasters can be moved from the table to the floor and back again for hours.
At least Sam’s toys will make for a very profitable garage sale.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
The Father, the Son, the Holy Cheerio
This morning Sam and I braved the snowy roads and went to a church that is right in our neighborhood. I've been meaning to check it out since we bought our house - three years ago!
Sam did very well at first. We quietly looked at books, he watched the pastor, he listened to the choir. We went to the 8:45 traditional service, so we were younger than everyone else by about 50 years. Sam got a lot of smiles from the members of the congregation.
He got a little fussy, so I pulled out the big guns - a bowl of Cheerios. He quieted down right away and started to eat them.
This is where it gets weird - I don't know if he was filled with the Spirit or what - but Sam decided to celebrate his Cheerios. He started to pause before eating each one and raise it over his head and let out one, perfect cry of happiness. Have you ever seen someone find something and rejoice by singing "Aaahh!" as one high, vibrato note? That is what Sam was doing. FOR EVERY CHEERIO. Needless to say, I packed up and we had to leave.
Next week I think I'll bring something he doesn't like so much.
Sam did very well at first. We quietly looked at books, he watched the pastor, he listened to the choir. We went to the 8:45 traditional service, so we were younger than everyone else by about 50 years. Sam got a lot of smiles from the members of the congregation.
He got a little fussy, so I pulled out the big guns - a bowl of Cheerios. He quieted down right away and started to eat them.
This is where it gets weird - I don't know if he was filled with the Spirit or what - but Sam decided to celebrate his Cheerios. He started to pause before eating each one and raise it over his head and let out one, perfect cry of happiness. Have you ever seen someone find something and rejoice by singing "Aaahh!" as one high, vibrato note? That is what Sam was doing. FOR EVERY CHEERIO. Needless to say, I packed up and we had to leave.
Next week I think I'll bring something he doesn't like so much.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Who is this little man?
I have been waiting my entire life for Sam. Unlike some of my intelligent, driven, career-oriented friends, I have always known my life's purpose was to be a full-time mom. Sam is a living, breathing, answered prayer.
Even with my certainty that I'm doing exactly what I should be, the day to day aspects of mothering a baby can certainly be challenging. One of the biggest surprises of motherhood has been realizing that Sam is his own person. No matter how much Eric and I teach and guide him, he is a unique child of God.
I had to get accustomed to Sam the newborn, with his tiny, flailing limbs and demanding sleep schedule. Then I got to know Sam the infant, whose little brown eyes never stopped searching his environment for something new. Sam the crawler was so much fun and gave me the opportunity to move everything in my house three feet above the floor. Sam is now taking a few uncertain steps at a time, opening the door to a new chapter of his life.
This morning, Sam and I were in the bathroom getting ready for the day. We were sitting on the floor, facing each other, and I was brushing his eight little teeth. He loves his toothbrush! I gave it to him to hold on to while I left to put the used towels down the laundry chute. When I came back, I found Sam standing completely on his own, in the middle of the bathroom, happily brushing his teeth. The sight of him was such a shock - Sam the little man. One month ago I never could have dreamed I'd find him like that - so independent, so capable.
Just imagine what next month will bring!
Even with my certainty that I'm doing exactly what I should be, the day to day aspects of mothering a baby can certainly be challenging. One of the biggest surprises of motherhood has been realizing that Sam is his own person. No matter how much Eric and I teach and guide him, he is a unique child of God.
I had to get accustomed to Sam the newborn, with his tiny, flailing limbs and demanding sleep schedule. Then I got to know Sam the infant, whose little brown eyes never stopped searching his environment for something new. Sam the crawler was so much fun and gave me the opportunity to move everything in my house three feet above the floor. Sam is now taking a few uncertain steps at a time, opening the door to a new chapter of his life.
This morning, Sam and I were in the bathroom getting ready for the day. We were sitting on the floor, facing each other, and I was brushing his eight little teeth. He loves his toothbrush! I gave it to him to hold on to while I left to put the used towels down the laundry chute. When I came back, I found Sam standing completely on his own, in the middle of the bathroom, happily brushing his teeth. The sight of him was such a shock - Sam the little man. One month ago I never could have dreamed I'd find him like that - so independent, so capable.
Just imagine what next month will bring!
Friday, January 19, 2007
Welcome to Sam's blog!
Hello! Samuel James is nearing his first birthday and is learning new things each and every day. This kid has so many people who love him who can't see him every day, so I decided to start a blog. I will be making an honest effort to post an update every day. What else is naptime for, if not for me to play around on the computer? I will start with my first offical post tomorrow.
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