Tuesday Teachings

This is the post that I had originally planned for last week, before more pressing matters came to light. =) For those of you who read Baby Making 201... I'm sorry for my quick departure. I will probably go back to it sometime soon- definitely sooner than I had originally planned. I just kinda had a breakdown and needed to step away for a little while. When I return, I don't think it will be password protected anymore... but that remains to be seen.

But anyway... today's "lesson" is one that Matt thinks Brody needs to learn soon- and hopefully without feeling its effects full force.

Brody,

You are now nine months old, and you LOVE to explore. Unfortunately, sometimes exploring means climbing, or begging mommy or daddy to pick you up and let you sit with us on chairs or couches. And we think it's sweet- because we think you want to cuddle. Until it becomes completely apparent, that all you really want is to be able to dive off the other side.

So I think it's time you learn about gravity. Really- it's a good thing. Gravity is what keeps us from floating away into space. So you see, it is quite a necessary thing. But gravity also means that if you dive head first off the back of a chair, you're going to make a big boom. A big boom that will scare both you and mommy and daddy. It could even require a trip to the doctor. And that doesn't sound like much fun.

So for now- how about we keep our feet planted on the ground? Because unless you sprout wings (which would be REALLY COOL!) it's going to hurt when you fall.

Love,
Mama

Dreams

I had a dream about Brody last night. He started talking... in full sentences. In fact his first word was "Tanya", followed immediately by "won ping pong." How crazy is that? I'm not sure who Tanya was supposed to be, or why we were playing ping pong, but whatever. It was strange to hear Brody talk- even if it was in a dream.

We think Brody has his first word, though he just says it all the time and not because he wants one or even to repeat us if we say it... so I think it's just a conglomeration of sounds that don't mean anything yet... but it would be a pretty cool first word (well, not as cool as mama, but ya know!) It's hug. And even if he doesn't know what he's saying, it's still awfully darn cute.

And even if he isn't talking- he's definitely getting more communicative. He never shuts up these days. Not crying, just all out screaming babble most of the time. He's also clapping a ton, and even sometimes to show that he's excited.

It's definitely helping me realize that he's growing out of the baby stage and will soon be a full fledged toddler. (I say as I hold back the sobs...)

Sunday Snapshots

Showing off the pearly whites! =)

Tuesday Teachings

I wrote a letter to Brody, but I think I'm going to save it for next week... instead, I will address something more on my mind today.

Brody,

Sometimes things won't immediately go your way. Sometimes it will take time for solutions to come to you, and sometimes you'll have to listen to someone else's ideas. But until all options have been exhausted, please don't give up. Please don't assume something is impossible because answers don't immediately come to you. Yes, sometimes things won't happen as you want them to. Sometimes things will be difficult to come by. But don't give up unless you have exhausted all possibilities, and PLEASE be willing to see that sometimes you can get what you want, but you may have to compromise on how you get there. But that's ok. And it's not worth getting upset about.

Basically- please try to be an optimist. Pessimism wastes so much energy... it's just not worth it!

Love,
Mama

Sunday Snapshots

Stats...

Well, he's not nearly as big as I thought he was... he is squarely in the 70-75th percentiles for height, weight, and head size. He weighs 21 pounds 12 ounces, and is 29 inches tall/long. The doctor is really pleased with how well he is doing... except for talking. She says he's the most vocal non-talker she's ever seen. She's not terribly worried about it, just wants us to encourage him to use words like "up" instead of just putting his arms up to get picked up, and wants us constantly repeating everything we do.

Let's go to the car.
Can you see the car?
Where's the car?
I see the car!
Let's get in the car!
The car goes vrrrrroooommm.

Should we read a book?
Where's the book?
Can you get the book?
Give mama the book.
Let's read the book.
Turn the pages of the book.

I thought I was doing a lot of that- just not in quite the ocd kinda way that she says we should try now.

So there ya go... he's all set for another 3 months.

Sunday Snapshots (formerly known as Silent Sundays)

Hitting close to home...

I'm thankful every day for my little miracle... and I remember all to well feeling like "I would die for that"...

I want my baby back, baby back, baby back...

Remember that commercial? Unfortunately, I don't just want his ribs, I want all of him! =) If you don't read the other site, just to catch you up- Brody spent the night at MeMa & PapPap's last night, and won't be back until later this afternoon. I love that I could have slept in this morning, but unfortunately, I must be rather programmed to getting up, because once 5:45 rolled around, I tossed and turned until I finally got up at 7:30.

Have I mentioned that Brody will be 9 months old tomorrow? He's entering his last "baby" stage and it's kinda making me a bit teary eyed. But I will admit, now that he is crawling around and having more fun with toys and such, I am enjoying this phase a lot more than I was a few weeks ago. I am guessing that he's about 23-24 pounds and 29-30 inches. We'll see how close that is Monday when he goes in for his appointment...

I'm not sure that 9 months ago today, I realized just how much this little boy would change me. I'm not sure I thought that there was any way that I could have realized that time would intensify my love for him, and that never- not one day in his life, no matter how crabby, no matter how difficult- would I take him for granted. I can't hear his cry without my heart breaking too, I can't hear his giggle without instantly becoming happy myself. There is nothing in this world that I want more than for him to be happy. Becoming a parent is truly a humbling experience.

I miss the days when I could sit and rock with him for hours at a time and have him be perfectly content- but I also can't wait to see what happens next.

Tuesday Teachings (Wednesday Edition)

Because I suck, I'm a day late.... and now, because I'm in a rush, I can't think of anything good.... so I guess we'll keep it short & sweet...

Brody,

Don't procrastinate like your mama does!

Love,
Mama

Silent Sundays

Teeth!

So we have a tooth... ok, so you can't see it unless you look really close, but don't get your fingers too close or you'll be sorry! =) There is another one that should be through in the next day or so. Even today Brody is a much happier baby, and I am one relieved mama!

(Oh... and if you haven't checked out this site, please do, leave a comment or email me and I will send the invite!)

Tuesday Teachings

Tuesday Teachings sounds so preachy.. I'm thinking about Tuesday's With Mom, but it loses the alliteration then... any suggestions?

But I digress...

Brody,

I thought about doing a really long, drawn out post about this, and how you should take responsibility for your own actions instead of letting a friend take the fall... but MeMa feels sorry for you and thinks that I'm making you sound like a very bad baby... which in fact you are not... you are just having a few issues right now... like growing, and teething, and a mommy who isn't too fond of you beating her up. Which are all combining to make you a very grumpy little boy some days. (Like yesterday, and today) And she says I just need to take you on more walks... except that on days like yesterday (and today) when I attempt to put you in the stroller, you throw quite the mighty fit and aren't so thrilled with the walking... unless of course there are cars driving by which is quite magical to you. And unless of course it is over 100 degrees outside, because you turn into a child I don't recognize when you get too hot.

So here's today's lesson... while you are certainly a wonderful little boy, and while I definitely need to focus on that when you are screaming for hours on end.... no matter how good intentioned we are, mommy's are not always right. But we always love you, and we always try to do what's best for you... and for awhile now, I will definitely know more than you, so we'll follow what mommy decides, k? (Like when she says that cat food is for cats, not babies, and that it is much better in the bowl than all over the floor...) But I promise that eventually, you will grow up into a wonderful man, and mommy will let you make your own decisions- and she will be happy as long as you are happy...

But she won't be happy if you let your friends take the fall for your boneheaded decisions that turned out badly. K? K.

Love,
MaMa (and if you could get around to learning how to say that, I'd be VERY happy!)

STOP! The Crying....

Is it bad to give the child 10 Popsicles a day? Because that's the only thing that stops the crying- and to be honest, I'm not sure how much more I can take.... PLEASE let the teeth be here soon!

Silent Sundays