24 Months- Happy Birthday Liam!!

An Honest Moment. . . .

There are days when I feel like Liam's been 2 for years, when his infancy seems so far away that I often feel like the past two years have been a big blur. Then there are days when I feel like I deserve a metal for having survived the baby stages and days when I well up with tears over not having appreciated his tininess enough. So goes the every tugging and pulling emotions of motherhood. Constant ups and downs. Times when you don't think you could possibly love anything more to the total opposite emotion of you wanting to pull your hair out when you are tired of him screaming and whining at you which subsequently spins you into reminiscing about the times you were BORED without a child. Then there are the emotions that make you constantly doubt yourself. Is he eating healthy enough, is he learning enough, am I exposing him to enough, does he know already how deeply loved he is? Questions upon questions. Really, am I controlling how this child will develop and how he will learn and love others. As mothers, parents really, we do mold them completely!! Talk about pressure. Once these feelings start welling up inside me, my heart jumps in well the holy spirit and says "Just love him and love ME and the rest will fall into place." And so I continue to love him unconditionally and fall back on the idea that I will never be perfect but I can be perfectly in love with Liam. Oh the journey parents take on. Thank you mom and dad for doing it for me!

Liam news. . . .

Liam is officially 2! I guess I can't keep using his age in months as my blog title anymore. We have had a rough week thus far. Liam caught his first stomach bug. His first sickness really. Nothing more heart wrenching then watching your baby throw up and not being able to fix it for him when he asks "mommy, go way" as he points to his throat. Translation: Make this burning go away in my throat! Rich and I stayed up most of the night getting him settled and well. After 24 hours he bounced right back, but it sure wasn't fun! Then he passed it to mommy! Oh joy! But we are on the mend. Note to self: don't let your child drink a lot after he or she vomits. SIPS of liquid only. Hello!

On Liam's actual birthday we took him to the zoo. We took him on his 1 year birthday and decided to carry on the tradition this year. The pictures above are a comparison of his first year birthday and this year. He really has grown. He liked the zoo too this year. Although the animals didn't interest him as much as pushing his stroller, throwing some mulch around, and playing on the playground. Oh well, there is always next year. We followed up the birthday with dinner with the grandparents. We even Facetimed with Aunt Say Say so she could watch Liam open the present she sent him. A HUGE play tent with balls. Thanks Say Say for the messy toy that takes up my whole living room. :) Meanwhile we are planning his big party for Saturday. It's Toy Story themed and outside at my parents house. We have a big blow up bounce house, corn hole, coloring and chalk stations, and a bonfire for smores. The weather is going to be great so we are excited for him to enjoy a big outside party. I'll be sure to follow up with pictures.

Liam is starting to want to use the potty more and more. I haven't quite dove into it because I want to get Sarah's wedding perfectly planned and over before Liam needs all my attention to go potty. That and the big boy bed are waiting until the holidays. I've had a lot on my plate lately and I don't think I could handle all that right now.

In other news, Liam officially knows all of his colors. Anything you ask him he can tell you exactly what color it is. I'm pretty impressed myself. We need to start working on the ABCs now. It really does pay off to just talk to them constantly and tell them things as you do and see them. They do listen! I'm loving that he is communicating more and more. He can really tell me what he needs although those terrible two moments sure do sneak in. The screaming and fit throwing wow! I just try to stay calm and get him to express what is upsetting him and if all else fails, time out happens. It does work actually. And he says he is sorry and we move on. Learning to discipline is another hard part of mommy hood. But learn as you go and keep loving. I will keep that as my motto through this next year of his life. Nothing is as bad as it seems right?

Bring on the terrible (yet Fun) twos! Happy Birthday to that little piece of my heart that walks outside of my body! I love you Liam!

22 and 23 Months TRANSFORMED

Liam continues to make me smile with how much he absorbs and changes. I do have a really smart kid I'm sure of it :). He's so observant and even now watches us when we are telling a story about him to someone else and makes comments at the end. Below are some of my favorite moments from these past few months. You hate to ever forget them...

Right now Liam Says "hold You" when HE wants to be held.

Tonight 8/25 we took him out of the bath naked and he was brushing his teeth when he said pee pee and we sat him on the toilet. He didn't go, brushed his teeth and again he says pee pee and we put him on and he WENT. He asked and actually went @ only 23 months :). Proud moment! Since then he has continued to want to sit and flush and will occasionally go. He is getting there. I'm not pushing him I just occasionally ask and always have his potty available in the downstairs bath.

Right now he repeats everything we say even my big sighs ughhh. He spilt water on accident I rushed to get a towel and he said UGHHHH with a big sigh because he knew I was going to say it! He mimics everything. We have to watch everything we say including GEEZ and SUCK which I will no longer be saying. TIME TO watch our words!

Liam also grabbed Lulla's tail tonight and said wee wee ;) after which I had to describe that her tail is not a wee wee.

He is definitely starting to play with his people and toys like they are alive. Calling them names like Amy (his new crush @ church) Making them jump and run etc...

He is starting to make sentences. He ran to me in the laundry room and asked for his B (blanket). I told him I was busy and that his blanket was upstairs in his bed and that he needed to go ask his daddy to go to get it ;0) clever right. He ran from the room "Da-yee Day-yee". He ran straight up to Rich and said. "B stairs (pointing to them) up, please". Completely took my command and explained it to Richard. That was so cute.

This past week at church I taught his Sunday school class. There was a little fight between two babies and one ripped a book from another child's hands. Liam went straight up to the little girl who was mean and shook his finger at her and said No No. I hadn't Liam use the word No until then. It was funny. The he raised his hand and rubbed her head after that. I though oh no, is he is going to hit her? No, he rubbed her head almost as if saying "it's ok that you were mean but next time you need to be nice. Since that episode he has seen the little girl and as soon as he saw her he pointed and said MEAN. He was telling me that was the mean little girl. HA! I will have to try and explain to him that she's still nice.

In the past two days everything is prefaced with an "I" and a song. "I clean, I clean" (the kid loves to clean) "I crazy, I crazy" (from Gabba) and we have just taught him "I cute"!

He knows almost all his colors. We practice on M&M's which he calls m's. He can point to each color and tell me what they are.

Update: Our days our mostly filled with outside, garage playing, visiting grandparents, napping, eating, and watching NEMO at the moment. Trying to occupy an almost 2 year old day is TOUGH. I always feel like I may not be doing enough for him but I'm doing my best and that's what is important. Got a few busy months coming up. Consignment sales, his BIG BIRTHDAY, Sarah and Chad coming in town and then the BIG wedding not to mention holidays shortly thereafter! :) Busy Busy. Just glad to take a few minutes and write some memories down!

20 and 21 months!

He's a big boy now. That's the only
way I know how to describe him. Over the past two months we have experienced so many new things. We've been on vacation. He has discovered a plethora of new words and is just such a joy to be with. Over the past two weeks has he really turned his own language into words. He started his baby jabber again and now it is full blown words. It blows me away to hear him out of no where say broccoli or Maggie or face, just the most random words that I've never heard him say are coming out daily. He is learning how to be more independent and for the first time this weekend he played with his friend Maggie alone in her room. They were sharing pretend food and carrying on conversations. Laura and I even caught them hugging and kissing :). It starts early! :) It just so surreal to see the baby become a boy.


He's really gotten into his night routine more and more to. He requests a book after his bath now and before his nap and although it is the SAME book he wants to read, he refuses to go to bed without reading it. As soon as we are done he waves good bye to the book and gives Richard and I each a huge hug, Eskimo kisses and a kiss on the lips, and then asks to get BUP as he calls up into his bed. We sing him our song and then our prayer, he gives us both high fives and off to bed he goes. I've been telling him things in bed right before I walk about about what he has to look forward to the next day. He smiles and repeats it back to me and more often then not in the morning he wakes up remembering what I've told him and asking for it. So smart. In the mornings he has resorted to calling for us each MOM MOM MOM MOMMA, DAD, DADDY repeated times till he realizes we are coming. His whining has slowed down some because he isn't as frustrated as he used to be because he has the ability to tell me a few things now. Yes, my high maintenance child is becoming a little more manageable. I say that with utmost love. He isn't one of those laid back children who will go with the flow. He is a high maintenance never slept well active busy needs attention kind of baby. So now that there's a hint of independence I've feeling more refreshed :).










A few fun thing's he is doing now. . . .

• He is saying AHHHHHH after sitting comfortably or drinking something. Like he is refreshed and replenished.
• He has started using Richard's IPAD for all his games. He uses it like an adult, clicking the home screen button, picking his games out of a folder, and playing the ones he wants then going back to the home screen to pick out another one.
• He loves to Picking out colors. He does great with Yellow, blue and red. And he loves to go into our closets and pick out shirt colors.
  
• He still is into drawing and using his markers and has really taken up play-dough.
• Richard and I starting leaving him with each of our moms two days a week. He really enjoys his time getting spoiled by them and Rich and I enjoy the break.
• He's really into jumping off anything really. He will dance when he hears music and is still obsessed with having a Popsicle here and there.
• He still eats ANYTHING and EVERYTHING and will on most days take at least a 2.5 to 3 hour nap.
  
• His bedtime is around 9 usually and he wakes up like clockwork around 7:15.
• He loves to be scratched and often times asks for he leg, arm, or back to be scratched.
  

I'm attaching a few beach pics from our big vacation. Although it was great to see all the family it was TOUGH with Liam. He was an angel on his first flight though. We left later in the evening and he was great on the plane. I bought a few new treats each flight and he had fun playing with each new toy. Thank goodness it was only an hour flight. As far as him being at the beach it was hard for him to adjust to 13 people, new big twin bed, time in the sun, and just a new schedule period. By about the 4th day he was getting adjusted and settled and then two days later we left. He was really whiney and boy it wasn't much of a vacation but I was thankful to be with those I loved and I have just resorted to knowing that vacation with babies is just relocating with a prettier view! :).



I can't believe we have a big two year old coming up. Looking forward to a toy story themed party (since he LOVES ALL THINGS BUZZ and WOODY) and Sarah's wedding in November, which we are all planning! :) Till next time, and hopefully I'm not behind.

19 Months

Hose Time






















Liam's curls and temper!





Liam is about to turn 20 months next week. 20 months sounds so old. Pretty soon we won't be even counting by months. It seems like I always say this but I'll say it again. He grows a little more everyday. His words are a new everyday. His reactions and his emotions are new. I'm really starting to know him as a little boy and not so much a baby. :( It so strange but I can barley remember him as a baby and that wasn't to far back!

In Liam news, I think we are breaching the terrible twos. Not so much the terrible twos just the I wanna do everything myself twos. He is so independent. I don't have the laid back child that will go anywhere, entertain himself, and just be chill. He is the total opposite! He is learning what he can throw fits now in hopes of getting his way. He has been in time out two times. Cried the entire time :( but understood exactly why he was there.

I asked my 19th month old to not hit mommy when he gets angry and that when he was done in time out he could come say he was sorry and give me a hug. Did I expect him to understand any of that, no but when I told him he could get up the first thing he did was walk right up to me smile and hug my neck!! Tear right! He understands so many things. I feel like he is a little advanced but that could just be because I am biased :). I've figured that time out will be a decent method for me. Until he grasps what he has done fully. Time out before spanking. I am having a hard time when he hits me telling him NO HITTING and then spanking which is hitting him. It seems so contradictory, so we will try time out until he is old enough to feel threatened by a spanking.

Little things come to mind this month. He loves to be outdoors more and more. Loves to pick up the cicadas that have invaded us! YUCK! He loves to play in the water and will play with the hose for hours if I let him. His hair has even started to curl up in heat, which mine does too! So cute and so blond! He really is a very loving boy. Always wants to hug everyone. He will say your name hug your neck and turn to the next person in the room, say their name and hug their neck. He repeats the hugging at least 10 times.

He has become obsessed with Toy Story 1, 2, and 3! We bought him his own Woody that he loves and the second he wakes up he asks for BUUUU which I have found out means Buzz. Just the other morning Richard tried to put him in bed with me when he woke up, he threw a fit and kept pulling my finger saying MOMMA. He wanted me to get up. I always ask him to tell me why he is upset and he looked me dead in the eyes and said WOOO, WOOO, with such intensity. I said do you want to watch Woody. UH HUH with a yes shake of his head! :) He is grasping so many things. I've decided he can understand anything I tell him but he can't communicate what he needs in return. It will be so nice when he can finally get it out. He gets so frustrated some times which leads to those fits I previously mentioned. Patience is really a virtue with a toddler.

For my own record. I've found that explaining everything to even a one year old really helps. Constantly pointing to objects to tell him what they are, explaining what I am doing step by step, telling him I am leaving the room to do a certain task but will return, really does help him understand. He now points to what he wants and doesn't get upset at the things he would have before. It really helps to explain things to them show them things and talk to them. They aren't to young to grasp what you mean.

He is still doing ok with his sleep. He is taking 3-4 hour naps during the day! I know it's awesome! Depending on his nap he sleeps from 9-7:30 or so give or take a 30 minutes. He is still eating really well, everything in site and more often than not will side for his broccoli and green beans over anything else on his plate. He still loves popcycles and the occasional dumb dumb.
Overall his newest behaviors are his fits :) and his way of communicating and believe it or not this age is getting cuter and cuter!

In other news our remodel is almost done. We laid new floors, painted every baseboard, redid our stairs to hardwood completely (WORK), painted the bedroom and a few closests, got some new furniture, and are slowly starting the fun stuff, decorating. I can't tell you how stressed I've been for over a month with my house in shambles. It feels good to have my head above water now. Hoping to get everything decorated and settled this week. Rich and I leave for IKEA tomorrow. A day trip just the two of us! Looking forward to it. Until next month.

A little late....18 months

A few weeks late on this update. It's so hard to keep up with how fast he changes. I think between his age and 2 years old things happen at warp speed.

Liam's last doc appointment went well. I want to note, for myself, that he has all of his teeth. He has had them for about a month. So at 17 months my child has all his teeth. That is until he hits 2 or 3 for those last set of back molars. Can I just say HALLELUJAH. I thought we would never make it through teeth. Especially when he would get 8 at a time! He is 34.25 inches TALL for his age and 26 lbs. He is still taller than all the 2 year olds we know and although he is just as big, you can tell he is lacking that 7 to 8 month coordination that his older friends have. It's quite comical to watch. Jumping, running, climbing, and rolling are all apart of his daily routine. Oh and boo boo's are more and more common as he learns these new found skills he has. IMPROVEMENT: The constant whining has slowed a great deal. He has learned to communicate by pointing, using his words, and dragging me, by the finger to show me what he wants. He's even learned to drag other bi-standards out of manipulation when momma says no :).

His words increase daily. MOMMA still seems to be his favorite word. It seems like a broken record at times but everyone comments on how sweet his little voice is and how sweet it sounds when he says it. His Momma does really come out with heartfelt love!

He is still greatly obsessed with Bubbles, Balloons, and now sugar free POPS as he calls them. He also loves to say ON. Everything needs to be ON. The vacuum, which he uses once a day, the lawn mower, the tv, the computer, the phone. Everything is ON! Some new words are Pop, up, cup, down, blank (blankie), book, look, ttttt (truck), SH (shoes), dog, moon, star, and my new favorite PLEASE. Oh I have been coaching him on that for months and finally I asked him if he wanted something, said "say please" like I always do, and when I looked down at his face he said PLEASSSSE with a tiny lisp. Oh how it melted me. We cheered and clapped for him and he thought he hung the moon! He did a little dance and everything. Wow, he could have had anything he wanted that day. He is great about using it to now too.

He is still eating well this month and rarely turns down any food I give him. He is still sleeping good and usually still takes 1 long nap 2-3 hours a day unless he gets up to early and then he will take two. Momma likes the one LONG stretch of a nap but I can't be picky right? He still uses a bottle to go to sleep with at night. No pacy, no boob, but yes bottle. It's hard to transition a baby you've nursed for 12 months every night before bed. We had to do a bottle since the pacy was obsolete with him but this too will pass and he will grow out of it. I plan on breaking him of the BA BA right after our beach trip. He needs it for our NIGHT flight to NC.

He is hysterical when he puts his finger over his mouth and says SHHHH. Where he got that I'm not sure. He still loves to play peek a boo and will jump up from his crib in the mornings and yell BOO Momma! :) His new favorite outside love is the lawn mower. Anything outside really but Boppa took him for a slow ride in the yard on his lap and now he is hooked on getting at least one ride in on a a pretty day. Ah, the little things and yes, I still find myself doing just about anything to keep him entertained.

Right now our house is a disaster and with Liam it is even that much more difficult. We are pulling up all old flooring, carpet/laminate, and laying beautiful dark flooring. It's amazing how it transforms your house and I've needed a pick-me-up and it's doing the job. I'm having to push aside my inner self, the OCD clean house wife, and look at the final picture. Hopefully when it's all said and done that final picture will come complete with new furniture, new decor, freshly painted baseboards and trim and a whole new look for our house. It's about time!

I wanted to mention the destruction because this week Donna took Liam for the day while I was ripping up carpets and pulling nails upstairs. Although I didn't get to have a day to myself relaxing, I actually did have the first full day EVER to myself. I was so anxious about it at first but it definitely was worth the anxiety. I learned that yes I can have a day to myself and feel ok about it and yes I can feel like my old self! Where have you been old self? Hiding? Ah, Rejuvenation is key! I might just have to try that once a week! :)

This is a busy week in our house, Easter, Sarah and Chad coming, house under construction, and more but I'm thankful too! Thankful for a husband I get to be with daily, a wonderful family that loves me unconditionally, the excitement of my little boys face when he OHHH and AHHH's over the smallest things, friendships, and a savior that died for me, one that has forgive my transgressions! :) Happy Easter!

17 Months

I can't believe I'm already due another blog post. Well what isn't there to say about Liam...so much is changing daily that it is hard for me to keep up. He can just about grasp about anything I tell him to do now. He is getting into anything and everything out of simple curiosity and I'm actually going to have to start coming up with things for him to do maybe some sort of daily activity (craft time, reading time, food time, nap time, outside time) something because this child is getting bored and so is his mother. Sometimes the days DRAG by! It doesn't help when you have one day of 65 degree whether and then a day of 45 degree weather. Outside inside outside inside. I'm ready for hot days of sprinklers and time outside.

Right now Liam is cutting 8 teeth! Yes, I said 8! Four molars and four eye teeth (the worst I hear)! He has had the low grade fever and runny nose thing for a week now. I'm associating it with the teeth. They are no FUN! His nights have been a bit messed up too because of it. 1/4 tsp of dimetapp the doc says for conjestion and some tylenol for fever. The kid has lived on it for a few days! This to shall pass right.

Liam's vocab these days (Momma, dada, boppa, nonna, CeeCee (cindy), Kis (Chris), ouch, UH UH (uh oh), shossss (shoes), Hat, hot, bubble (perfectly), house, ball, tteettt (teeth), brush, STUCK (my fav whenever he is in precarious position), boooonnnnnn (for balloon, his favorite and yes it is drawn out like that), bane (airplane),

He still blows kisses, gives great hugs, kisses on the lips when he FEELS you deserve it, falls asleep in his carseat (never has since infancy), loves to try and jump, is testing me some with hitting for fun, gets his feelings terribly hurt when someone other than mom tells him no, loves to color (boooonnnsss of course), loves to put car keys in the doors to try and open them, did I mention get into EVERYTHING, loves runnning and running naked after his bath, and his newest venture throwing things down the stairs ex: his whole sock drawer one sock at a time! Needless to say I've learned to let go of a lot of my analness, is that a word! If he isn't dying or bleeding right ;)! Life of a stay at home mom!!

I'm posting a few pics of this little guy! ON to next month....my big one and half year old!

In other news Rich opened his real estate office offically, Regal Realty Group!

16 Months

I really feel like this post should be titled discovery. It seems like Liam is discovering something new every day. Something new to get into that is! I guess that is how it is at this stage of life but it's really enjoyable to watch.

Right now he is cutting four molars, two top and two bottom. Still sleeping really well and generally goes to bed between 8:30 and 9. He usually will sleep 12 hours and has cut himself down to one long afternoon nap. I like having the long 2-3 hours break during the day. Although I wouldn't really call it a break. Today I mopped, did two loads of laundry, picked up, emptied dishwasher, paid the bills, did my yoga video, and am actually writing a blog while watching the snow come down like crazy! Squeezed in a lot during nap time today.

Back to Liam, he is really into balloons right now, or BONS as he calls them. He loves to find them in books and draw them. He also is making the cutest elephant noise whenever he sees an elephant or hears the word on TV. It is so cute. He constantly says Momma, which still melts my heart every time. He says it with such love. It really is sweet and I will cherish it now because I know soon enough it won't be said with such sweet sentiment. He still gives me and occasionally others Eskimo kisses but mostly mom :). He also says a new word almost everyday and still loves his blanket, or his BA, for bed :).

Our hiccups are still the bottle for bed time and the nursery situation. I'm not going to stress over either. Liam has never taken the pacifier. He soothes himself to sleep with some juice in his bottle. It was the easiest way for us to transition after a year of nursing. Yes, I know it is a bad habit and bad for teeth etc, but it works and we will slowly ween it off. But after having no sleep for a year, I'm not about to ruin what I've got going. The nursery thing will work itself out too. I have to be down there anyway and am ALWAYS needed do to lack of volunteers and the new baby BOOM. So he will eventually learn that I am down the hall or will be back. I'm learning not to stress so much and just go with what works. My new advice for new moms. Do what feels right and go with what works for you two not necessarily the way everyone else says it needs to be done.

He's growing so fast. I'm sure he is at 25lbs now. He was 23.14 at his last doctor's appointment and is 33 inches tall. He is taller than most 2 year olds we know. I have a feeling when we double his height at 2 he will be breaching 6 feet as an adult. Tall like his daddy! :) We've also got him on a great shot schedule now. I feel more in control. If you look over shot records and timing you will see that babies don't need them all at once and most shots can be put off months or even years. Doctors just like to cram them all in. So we took the two at a time approach and he will be done soon for a while.

Our new outing during the week, usually twice, is to Pump It Up in Mt. Juliet. It is a HUGE warehouse full of blow up kids play areas and he loves it. It is free for children under 2 years old and from 10-12pm is toddler play time. It has been a great way to get his energy out during this snowy winter, and I have gone with a few friends too. Liam always has a great time.

Well that's about it for me and Liam. Richard however, is staring a new real estate brokerage and being backed by a few investors. He's going to have his OWN new office in Mt. Juliet and we are earnestly praying this will be successful and a good move for us a family. Just praying the doors continue to open like they have! It is one exciting new adventure for my hubby.

Till next month........

15 Months

We are almost at the 15 month mark and on to the new year! 2010 was full of life with little man and full of adapting to being parents! Thankful we made it this far, ha!

Liam had his second Christmas last week and he really did enjoy himself. His favorite part was passing out the gifts mainly all to his Boppa. He didn't quite understand why there were so many gifts and was quite overwhelmed with all the toys but we kept him at bay and he behaved well until nap time! Next year I am sure will be quite a different story!

Liam continues to keep on his same schedule. He sleeps 9-7 and takes two naps a day early morning around 10 and late afternoon around 4. I like the predictability. :) He is cutting new teeth, molars I am pretty sure and has recently had runny nose and cough. We have still yet to figure out his eye/eczema allergy. I was thinking it was wheat and Dr. Don said it was was well but without wheat it sill flairs up. I'm hoping to switch pediatricians soon and get this figured out! It's been the most frustrating thing not knowing what is causing the skin under his eyes to flare up. It could be an endless amount of things. Hopefully an update on that soon when we go for his 15 month checkup. Which I need to schedule, man I am terrible! I put it off because I dread the shots :). We put off a couple of his shots so he doesn't get more than two at each visit. I just don't think it's fair to make a child have more than 3 shots at a time. I could hardly handle that. So they had no problem putting them off for me most of them aren't required till the child is 3.

As far as overall health, Liam up until this date has never been sick. I'm not counting the runny nose from teething that we battled with an elevated bed, suction, saline drops, and humidifier as sickness so we've been blessed. But just these past two days we've been battling a cough. Going to call the doc tomorrow but he has no fever and a runny nose. I'm sure it's his teething. I can feel two teeth popping through and I see many more coming. With my luck he will have 5 or 6 at once like the first round. He has had this top and bottom 4 for what seems like month. So I know he's really hurting from new teeth. Hoping it's drainage from teeth. Going to reelevate the bed, pump the humidifier, let him take 1/2 tsp of honey to coat his throat, a steam bath, and last but not least some vicks on his feet with socks :). These are the mommy remedies I've found. We will see how it goes.

Liam still says Momma and Dada all the time but his favorite word is still Boppa. He currently loves "The Fresh Beat Band" on nickjr and any form of music! He loves bubbles and still seems to love Momma the most. He's playing shy again from everyone but has his good and bad social anxiety moments. His most recent act is to make me notice his Boo Boo after he gets hurt and have me inadvertently kiss whatever it is that he hurt :). So sweet. I can tell that within these next few months his vocabulary is going to double. He tries to say so much! :)

Still enjoying mommyhood, more and more the older he gets! Trying to focus on our goals this year and get moving, exercising, growing Richard's new real estate brokerage, writing, and being the best mommy for Liam. All Lord willing that is! :) Happy New Year!

14 Months

So much about Liam is changing. He continues to capture our hearts with his curiousness and delight. There really is nothing like viewing the world through a child's eyes.

Liam continues to get himself on a pretty good schedule. Still eating any and everything three meals a day plus snacks. Sleeping about 10 hours each night and still taking two 1 to 2 hour naps during the day. I like the predictability. It's nice for a change. This past month we have accomplished the unthinkable. Liam now officially goes to bed and takes his naps without being rocked. We literally lay him in bed with his milk or juice, but hey it's still on his own and he goes to sleep without crying. This is a HUGE step for us :). He will talk himself to sleep or play sweetly in his crib and I truly think it is due to routine. I started putting him in his bed before being rocked only at night to tell his "animals" goodnight. He has about 5 in his bed with him. We did that every night just for bed and before too long he would just lay himself back with his milk and blanket. I would sing a few songs to him and slowly leave the room. Then we tried the day naps once he got the night time routine down and he did it without hesitation. Now my son BEGS to go to bed. He starts to get fussy and we ask him "Liam are you ready for bed" to which he shakes his head YES, makes for the stairs, climbs them and reaches with both hands whining to get up in his bed. It's AMAZING for me and Richard to know that yes this child can sleep all night and yes he can put himself to sleep. We worked a year at this no sleep crying thing and it has paid off :). Thankful but in a since sad the rocking is gone.....

Liam also has said Mimi this week and truly understand just about anything I ask him. He really has caught on to MOMMA and says it with such intensity that it melts my heart. I just love hearing it from his lips :).I think he's smarter than the average 14 months old, but I am biased :). Next we have to tackle nursery and getting him to feel comfortable enough there to be left. One feat at a time!

Going to bed on his own has been our big feat this past month. We also put up our Christmas decor only to discover Liam loves the BALLS, as he calls them, on the tree. Our tree has ornaments about halfway up and is empty below. Maybe next year will be a bit better. Just going with the flow on this and not putting out as much this year.

Trying to keep Liam occupied this winter indoors is going to also be difficult. He is into everything and so BUSY! My mom bought him a fisher price small slide that we are keeping inside that he loves but other than that and taking him to stores, I'm out of ideas. He is just at the age where he wants to explore but it's to cold out. Guess he will be bundled up and play outside or we will just be bored and survive till spring.

Life is continuing to pass us by. Another year coming right at our heels. Thankful for this past year and the lesson's I've learned about myself and my family. Praying for new opportunities and doors to be opened and praying for a healthy safe and happy new year for all those I know and love.

13 Months.....

13 Month Update

*Sleeping 10-11 hours at night 8:30 or 9:00 to 7:00-7:30
*Eating any and everything included popsicle's.
*Saying more and more words including Momma, Dada, Boppa, Bye Bye, Booty :), Ball,
*Weighing 22 lbs and 31.25 inches
*Take two naps a day ranging 3 to 4 hours total
*Walking fast paced and completely standing from sitting position
*Reaching for hugs and to be picked up constantly
*Copying momma all the time with cleaning etc.

Quick update. . .

My One Year Old!

Can't believe we made it already to the one year mark. We just celebrated Liam's first birthday this past week and had a great time doing so. Tuesday, his actual birthday, Richard and I took him to the zoo. He had a great time being outside and especially enjoyed the playground area for babies of his size :). I think we will definitely be getting a membership next year. That night we had both of our parents over for a tiny celebration.

Saturday was his big party. We had about 25 people to Cherry Creek Clubhouse and had a great time. Liam's party was "train" themed and I took the time to make all sorts of banners and small touches with trains. You'll see them below. I bought 50 colored balloons, which were Liam's favorite, had subs fruit rotel and pasta salad, played a a video of Liam's first year that I made and had a great time with friends and family. Even Sarah got to come in and we were thrilled over that! :) Liam behaved perfectly :). It was a special time just as I had imagined it would be. I'm so glad I took the time to prepare and was proud of myself (which I never say) for pulling it off :).

As far as this past month, when I wasn't consumed with planning, Liam hasn't changed to much. Although we swear he is getting more hair but I think we are just telling ourselves that. He has started to express himself more and more with his voice trying to say things, babble if you will. Not to much developmentally has changed in the past month. He is really into putting tops on things and putting small objects behind and inside things. He also mimics certain things I do for ex: this morning I was vacuuming inside the couch cushions and he followed behind me with an attachment doing the same. I can tell he is going to be mommy's helper for sure. He also starting giving real kisses just last night. He pokes his lips out and Richard was thrilled when he got, yes count them FIVE in a row! :)

His sleeping is really improved. I can ALMOST and I say ALMOST count on him to sleep through the night. Ever since I stopped nursing him at night, nursing period, he has slept! WOW, next baby no milk products for me! Weaning has been easy to no issues with me. I'm glad I made it a year but now I know for next time how things will pan out! Back to sleep, a perfect night for him is 8:30-6:30 although he still wakes up and wants to go back down an hour later. His morning he slept 8:30-5:30 back down at 6:30-8:15. Every since I've stopped nursing he has changed. GO FIGURE. My child was allergic to dairy I know it. We are still having trouble wit his "exema" as the dr. calls it under his eyes but when we go in next week I'll ask again. Overall I'm starting to feel a bit more like my old self. More organized, on top of things, even feeling a little inspired lately. IT feels GOOD.

We are loving the new changes each day brings. So thankful to have Richard home with us. So richly blessed. Link to pics of party.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=2119303&id=52701664

11 Months and We have a WALKER!

Already 11 months old! I can't believe he will be a year in less than a few weeks. This past month Liam has completely fallen into his personality. He still is the observer and views his surroundings and those in it to a tee. He is starting to not like it when he gets his way and has now mastered the yes and no head shake to tell me what he wants and doesn't want. He also claps and plays patty cake on command. I often hear him wandering screaming "da da" as he searches for Richard throughout the house. I haven't heard any new words other than his normal jabber but he does know exactly what a ball, an apple, a drum, and a hairbrush are. He even will brush his hair. I must say that he is a smarty :). He entertains everyone with his smile and really is the happiest little guy.

He has become pretty independent too. He still LOVES to retrieve his apple out of the fridge himself and will carry it around effortlessly while taking tiny bites and speaking of bites, he hasn't yet turned down ANYTHING I put in front of him. He loves to EAT ANY AND EVERYTHING, veges and all. I am blessed in that sense and I really think it's because I have always offered him such a variety from the very beginning. My mom did the same with me and my sister and we are the farthest from picky eaters. So I am glad Liam has followed suite.

Right now Liam's favorite toys are his big ball and anything the plays music or he can shake or bang to make music. He has become of fan of himself and what he can do :). He loves to push and throw his ball around effortlessly and bang Boppa's drum. That ball is what got him crawling and actually I think it is what helped him start walking too. Yes, he is a WALKER.

At 11 months 5 days Liam started walking, out of no where. On Wednesday he had been using his ball to stand up with and would stand for 5-10 seconds on his own. We thought that was a big feat. Then on Thursday he stood on his own and took one tiny stumbling step to the floor and boy did I think he was brave then. But then on Friday, I stood him up and asked Richard to grab the video so I could catch him standing and low and behold he WALKED 6 steps or more to me in the living room. We were floored and you can tell my our reactions on video :). We had no clue he would do that. He hadn't even mastered standing on his own. It just happened so fast. So now he is pulling himself up and taking 15-20 steps at a time and walks more independently but still results to the crawl because it gets him where he wants to go faster. I must say it is so cute to watch him toddle around and sway back and forth to keep his balance. :) I'm proud of him although I know this means my life will soon change. I'm just blocking of the areas I don't want him to go and letting him roam.

He also loves to play horsey and will push my back forward grip my shirt and jump asking me to hoist him up and let him ride. He also has gotten into "Love biting"! I am pretty sure it's his mouth bothering him but he won't bite anyone but me. He will squeeze me and then bite me almost out of excitement but I am pretty sure it's because of his teeth and hopefully it won't last long!

I haven't had to face any major disciplining yet. He knows the word no and does get his feelings hurt when I have to use it. He is obsessed with turning over the dogs water bowl. I will catch him within inches and he glances around making sure the coast is clear or else he has a guilty conscious and then he goes for it and dumps it everywhere. He loves to splash and play in it! Man it's a mess but I'm sure it's a stage and positive it is just one of many messes.

Liam has just recently worked into a decent sleeping routine. We had to let him fuss a few nights to put himself back to sleep but he's pushing his wake time to 7 or 7:30 which is awesome. So we are hoping he keeps it up. He still wakes up around 4 occasionally but I'm so used to sleepless nights that it feels routine. I think that has been the hardest part for me is the lack of sleep. Totally makes you feel unlike yourself. But hopefully with this new pattern and him walking more he will sleep better. I can hope right?

I recently took over Nursery Assistant at TDF. I feel like that's where I need to be and where I am most of the time anyway. Liam still has separation anxiety but we are working on it. I figure the more we are there the more he will get used to it so that I can sneak out randomly.

Other than that Liam is the joy of our life. Parenting is one challenge after another but all worth it when he kisses your face and hugs your neck. We recently did some spring cleaning, dejunking, and I am planning Liam's train themed first birthday :). We are excited to be with friends and family, especially Aunt SARAH, and celebrate his day! :) Till next month.


Last Dr Apt at the end of August: 20.1 lbs 30.25 inches long! 85% for height 20% for weight! Like father like son! Oh and we still don't have much of any hair. I looked back at videos of me 4 months older, its uncanny how much he looks like me, than him and I had a Lot of dark hair. So crossing my fingers it starts growing like crazy in the next few months!

10 Months

I can't believe we are only two months away from Liam's first birthday. I always tell people that some days fly by and some pace like snails but when I think about a whole year ago it does seem to have gone fast. The only time I get to sad about it is when I look back at pictures and videos of when he was so small. Jessica had Sophia this past week in the room beside the one Liam was born in. Holding such a small baby definitely brought back memories. Although I get saddened sometimes, it is so exciting to see what he will do next.

Liam is now very mobile. He has yet to walk but can pull up and cruise on just about anything. You will see in the pictures that he has become quite the adventurer. His new favorite word is UP and he will use it often as he heads towards the stairs. He loves to sit on the steps and will be content forever doing just that. He still has the one legged crab crawl as I like to call it, but I'm just waiting for the walking to come any day now. I know he will walk before a year. He tries to stand up on his own often falling on his face and will stand for a few seconds before he decides to sit down. It won't be long before my world is turned upside down with a completely mobile baby.

Right now he is cutting 5 teeth. Poor baby and poor momma! We've had a few rough nights but have survived with some pain killer and a lot of nursing. So thankful I still am able to comfort him when he's hurting. There were a few days there when he wouldn't take a bottle or anything but me. I was thankful then yet again for nursing!Speaking of nursing. He has yet to be sick ONCE, thank GOD! I know it has all to do with nursing, my humidifier each night, plenty of fluids all day, and care. We are thankful. He is going to his next doctor appointment in two weeks. We are a little behind on schedule.

So when he's done cutting these 5 teeth, he will have 7 teeth. He hasn't needed those teeth to eat though. He is eating just about anything soft I put in front of him. He will eat anything! Vegetables he seems to LOVE! We aren't seeing any signs of pickiness at all and are thankful so far.

His words now consist of "da da" "UP" "ba ba" and I think we are even adding BOPPA! He only will mumble MA MA when he is really upset. But hopefully it comes soon.

He is developing his personality more everyday and just this morning discovered he could clap :). We've been patty caking all day :). I think right now he has my personality with a bit of Richard. He is pretty laid back and sensitive and is very quiet and observant. He always has been. He is a sweet baby boy!

He loves to play in the refrigerator, dishwasher, cabinets, stairs and anything he can get into! We play choo choo in the laundry basket and he now loves for daddy to chase him. I pray I can remember all these times.

Our problem areas are still revolving around SLEEP. By sleep I mean lack there of on some nights and problems napping without needing to be nursed. He recently has refused the pacifier, maybe because of his teeth, but it sure is difficult to get him to nap now without it. Where he used to be able to be held with his paci, now he screams. So we are working on nap time. I have been successful so far today. I just have to be consistent.

I'm also trying to focus on weening. I am really trying to nurse 3 times a day and next month want to cut to just 2 times, morning and bed time and then in his 12th month we will just do night time feedings. The problem is he still wakes up around 4 or 5 am and wants to eat. He nurses and goes back to sleep. SO I am not sure I can drop that feeding until he sleeps a bit better. A good night is 8:30-6:00 without one awakening. We have been thrown off lately with these teeth and him waking up once or twice at night. He wakes up around 6 and wants to go back to sleep an hour later and then takes two more naps during the day. I just wish he'd get more out a night. I just keep telling myself that this too shall pass and I will feel normal again with sleep. A lot of people have told me that after they stopped breast feeding they felt so much better and more like themselves. I am hoping for that. I am ready to definitely feel more like myself. I still feel like I left my brain somewhere else. I feel like so many moms just get this parenting thing like it's nothing and I find myself struggling to keep up, find myself, and find time with Richard without just wanting to sleep. Just seems like I'm surviving right now. Guess that is how it goes most of the time. Praying next baby is a sleeper and when I say next baby, I mean three years away next baby!

Other than surviving :) and loving on my baby life is good. I am thankful. This baby boy is changing daily, I am learning, and I can't wait for the next stages. We are going to the beach again a week from Saturday and hopefully Liam will like it even more now! :) Exited to see what he thinks about sand second go around. Excited to watch my LIAM!

9 Months

It's hard to believe he's 9 months. I probably say that every month but he's only 3 months away from being a year. I must say he's getting to be so much fun. June was a HUGE month for Liam developmentally. He learned to say "da da", which he has decided not to say since, he has learned to sit up from laying down, stand up from sitting down, walk while pulled up, and crawl. His crawl in hilarious. He keeps one leg underneath him and pushes off the with the other. I call it the crab crawl. He is ALWAYS smiling and has only recently been getting clingy right when he gets into a different situation. He adapts pretty well though. We have also started him on people food. He adores green beans. He is still eating oatmeal and fruit for breakfast, but at lunch I try to give him real fruit, lunch meat, crackers, sliced soft vegetables and maybe a sweet potato baby food every now and then. He does great with eating tiny bits of what I eat. I never thought he'd be doing it so early but he is and hasn't had trouble yet. He still isn't sleeping all night. One night he will sleep all night and the next he will wake up randomly around 3 or 4. He has gotten into a pattern of sleeping till 7 though, which is nice and he does take two naps a day, a long morning nap and late afternoon nap. He's pretty by the books right now. Just developing his personality. He's thrown a few fits when he doesn't get his way but I've started saying NO NO and he immediately stops and looks a me funny. It's hard not to smile. He sure does love his Mimi. He squeels for her everytime he sees her. We took him to the beach at the end of June. He loves water of any kind and did great. The first thing he did was put sand to his mouth, of coarse, but he quickly realized that wasn't for him! Other than that he is a happy baby. We are still exclusively nursing and go for our 9 month checkup next week. I think he's around 20 lbs now and as long as ever. I've got a precious sweet baby. His demeanor is much better than I expected and he is always happy. Here's to another month!!

8 Month Update....

Liam turned 8 months old this past week. It was a busy week with mine and dad's birthday too but I had to post an update on Liam because he has changed so much. In one week he decided to belly crawl or scoot if you will, pull up and stand on his own, and say his first word, "da da"! Of course Richard was ecstatic that that was his first but I wasn't surprised because I constantly would say "da da" to Liam repeatedly. We are working on momma too :)! It is just so sweet! He wants to get into everything and at this point is just frustrated that he can't get to where he wants to go. He only belly crawls when he desperately wants too so he gets easily frustrated. I just know that as soon as he moves he will be gone and life will drastically change. He loves to be outside more and more. I've bought him a swimming pool and swing that we hung from mom's tree. He loves it and has even fallen asleep in it. Just today he decided to put his face down in the water. He seems to love the water which I am glad of. He is still nursing about 4 times a day. Morning two times after breakfast and after lunch and then at night. He is still eating stage 2 baby food but I'm looking to slowly giving him more people food in the next few months. He is just changing daily. Loving to see all he can see and share in everything. We go back to the doctor at 9 months to get a checkup and next Friday we head out to Memphis for our first road trip and then to NC to the beach for a week! Hoping that goes well with baby in the car for a long time, but we will survive. Well that's just a quick update on baby boy. :) Oh and for my own notes, I'm officially back to womanhood :( my period came back this past week.

7th Months....

Liam is developing his personality. He is such an observer and boy is he getting to the point where he wants to move so badly! Everything he sees he grunts at. It's a grunt of frustration and intent. He desperately wants to get to things but has yet to figure out how. People have told me to enjoy him not moving but I really want him too. He will be such a happier baby when he can be somewhat independent. He is still wanting Momma and has a bit of stranger anxiety. We broke our second tooth through this week. He has done great on his sleeping. His pattern had been to wake me up every three hours. After ruling out eating to much for gas, not eating enough, teeth, spoiling, and or everything else we just decided that it was either all of the above or a stage. He now is taking two naps a day. One mid morning for an hour and a half and another the same late afternoon. He is still going to bed around 8:30 and he wakes up in between 6-7 for his first feeding and will usually go back to sleep. We started him on a few puffs this week. He has done ok with chewing. It's funny watching him but we will slowly introduce that. He has also loved having oranges and apples in his mesh chewie. I must admit that I'm nervous about anything that might choke him but we are working on that. He's doing great at sitting up. Gets a little wobbly still but otherwise is doing great. He will get up on all fours and rock back and forth with means to crawl but succumbs to his belly. He can rotate 360 degrees though and can roll with a vengeance! :) He is getting so big! No words yet unless you count "hi". Which I swear will always be his first word after he woke up at 4:00 a.m. to his glowworm and said HI outloud! :) I will count it at least!

Things are going well. I'm starting to contemplate when to stop nursing. I just don't know that I'm producing enough but I want to keep the one year goal in mind. I've lost so much weight. I almost feel like I look sickly. Hopefully going to gain some back after the nursing stops. I'm tired still but who's not when they are a mother. It's definitely getting easier, but it's an adjustment that's for sure. I was telling Deb Mynster today that I can't wait to get back some pep in my step and start doing things that I used to love to do. I must admit that at times you feel like you lose yourself in so many ways. But it's worth it when you see his face! I'll find me eventually until then I'll just keep loving on this boy and living by my motto "one day at a time"!

Remember this....

Well I actually have five minutes to myself. Long enough to sit and type. I must admit though that my mind is elsewhere. Isn't it always elsewhere when you have a baby! My mind is already passed washing my face and teeth and is sound asleep in bed. It's funny how I still feel like after I put Liam to bed I need to go to bed myself because I am still never sure what to expect at night. The past week he has done great. He has gotten into this awakening habit once a night for me to roll him to his side. He gets stuck on his belly and doesn't cry for me once I flip him over and he goes right back to sleep but I will be glad when he stops that. Lugging myself up 16 stairs, and yes I count to keep me awake, is hard when you were sleeping oh so good! So here I am distracted thinking about bed but I wanted to mainly post an update. Liam has his first tooth in. I can't remember if I blogged that or not but Motrin, Homeopathic teething tablets, and gripe water have been great. He's done well once it initially broke through but I am dreading a mouth full of these things! He also is trying to reach and move on his belly. Maybe crawling soon. Everyone says oh you want them to not be mobile because then you are exhausted. Well I'm already exhausted and am ready for him to be a little more independent. So I've decided that I'm going to enjoy each stage. I wanted to also write down a few things that I have really used, loved, and needed during his first 6 months.

*Onsies, onsies, and more onsies.
*Long pants/shorts with elastic waists comfort!
*Zip up pj's especially when they are little and you change them at night you can't see those buttons for anything!
*PLENTY of burp rags and bibs. Enough for the first few months of endless spit up which goes away at about month 5 and then bibs for food.
*Mesh netting food holders that Liam has loved for frozen fruits and ice especially while teething
*Boppy for nursing/not supporting him while he sits
*Plastic spoons/bowels/now sippy cups
*bouncy seat/although he doesn't use it now it saved us for 6 months
*johnny jumper/he still loves it
*Saucer
*NUK pacifiers only ones that he loved
*GAS drops/prune juice for constipation
*Bathtub for him/ still in it sitting up!
*Cooler holder to go for babyfood/juice

Those are just to name a few for my record mainly! I also posted one of his new pics from his 6 month shoot! Well update at 7 months! :) Hopefully a first word and maybe a crawl! GOODNIGHT!

6 Month Checkup

All is well after baby boy's 6 month and 1 week checkup. He is doing great. And just in the past two days has really mastered sitting up! :) It's so cute how in tune with the world he is. Everything and everyone he passes is an opportunity to touch, smile, and interact. He weighs 15.14 lbs and has only gained 2 lbs since his last visit. He is in the 22% for his weight and 75% for his height! Tall and skinny, yes!! He is doing great she says and looks perfectly healthy! We can introduce puffs and more solid like food once I am more confident in him sitting up alone. His laugh continues to melt me. Just for my notes, Liam is having 4 tbs of rice cereal in the mornings with a fruit (Gerber First foods). He has a vegetable at lunch and rice cereal again 4tbs at night with a half a fruit. We are keeping a good schedule as far as three meals a day goes and he loves frozen bananas in his mesh net food holder. He nurses still about 5 times a day. Hoping he drops the 5 am feeding soon! Ever since we let him scream through his midnight awakenings he has slept until his early morning feeding. As painful as that was, it worked! Yes these are all random thoughts and notes but I want to remember all I can for the next one! :)

6 Months

Liam has changed so much from month 5 to month 6. I am starting to love this stage. I've decided I am not so much a newborn person as I am this age. I love that he is starting to interact. This month he has started on rice cereal and baby food. We have slowly worked into a morning cereal with a fruit, a vegetable for lunch, and rice cereal and a fruit again for dinner. I must say it's hard to know what to do about introducing baby food but he loves it. He did go through a stage where he would wake up a lot at night. It was probably due to the new food and because he is a little, well a lot, spoiled. He loves to be held and rocked to sleep. So we are working on that too this month. Putting him down awake. He will slowly get it. If there is one thing I have learned it is to follow the ques of your baby. You will learn his or her personality and likes and dislikes even this early on and you just do your best.

Liam is the most smiley baby. I have been told that about him since he was born but he truly is. He smiles at almost everything and anybody 24/7. His dimples make everyone melt including me. He is also starting to giggle out loud and oh how sweet it is. He hasn't sat up yet, but is almost there. He does although roll completely and sleeps on his belly at night now. It seems like he wakes up a different baby every morning. Richard and I always ask him every morning if he grew up during the night. He is just such a joy. His sleeping patterns are getting better. He is sleeping from 8:30 to about 6:30 now and that is great. He wakes up every once and a while but such is life. We will get there.

More and more I've realized that just when you have them figured out they go through another stage and change on you again. It truly is trial and error day by day and that is frustrating but rewarding. Richard and I are head over heels and can't wait for his next stage!

Into his 5th month....

Well Liam is changing daily. Truly his attitude and personality are changing day to day. I can't believe I can love something so much. He loves to look and absorb everything around him. He recently been grabbing faces and trying to grab and put anything and everything in his mouth. He is still enjoying rice cereal with a touch of apple juice and is talking and laughing more and more. He smiles at everyone. I love this stage he is in. He is still a little leery of men if he is fussy but then again we don't get out much. He loves using his legs and walking from one person to another, with help of coarse. He is starting to suck his thumb here and there and has recently had to cry himself to sleep bc he is a little on the spoiled side. It was heart wrenching for me to listen to him cry but he has to learn to put himself to sleep if he wakes up without mom at his side. So we are learning and growing. I'm learning daily how to handle this new role. It's hard but rewarding! We are dedicating him on Sunday.