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!!