First Christmas

And, as anticipated, the most popular item was (drum roll please....) - the BOXES!  Yep, typical kid, likes the boxes better than the toys. Fortunately he's started getting into the toys, but only because I've put the boxes in the recycle bin :)  

It's a good reminder sometimes that we do not need "stuff" to find fun.  I remember when a large box and a marker was all the toys I needed for fun. John and I have been trying to scale back on "things" focus, and it's kind of neat to see that we arrive on this earth without a need for electronics or fancy toys that require batteries. 

Night terrors again

We had another episode last night - only lasted for about 5 minutes this time, but he woke up from it shaken and disoriented.  The Christmas tree lights seemed to soothe him.  Poor thing.

Extreme Nursing! Or How To Get Milk To Come Out of Your Nose

Ever since JJ has been able to sit up successfully on his own, he's started trying new positions for nursing.  He'll twist and turn and try anything to get a new angle on things.  Currently I've been nursing him laying down on my side (easier to keep distractions to a minimum for Mr. Bright and Shiney moment) so his latest trick is to stand ON HIS HEAD while he nurses. Sort of like a downward dog yoga position with a face plant on the breast.  The other day he was doing this and sits up, smacking his lips, pleased as peach and I see - I am not making this up - milk coming out of his nose.  And I didn't even have to tell him a joke :)

Signed "up"

Whoohoo!  JJ signed up!  He wanted out of his high chair and he looked at John and pointed up!  Hooray!  We have communication!

Spoon!!!

All children have a favorite toy, right?  For some it's a little blanket or a love worn teddy bear.  Maybe even a stuffed frog or a doll.  What is JJ special treasured object that he clutches to his chest and will not give up for anything?  A large wooden kitchen spoon with a blue rubber handle.  The thing is almost as long as he his and he waves around like a knight with his sword.  What a funny kid.  I guess I watched too much "Tick" when I was pregnant :)

Night terrors

You wake to your baby screaming.  He's terrified - you can hear it in the high pitched wail, see it in his staring eyes that can't see you, feel it in the tension of his little body as he thrashes trying to get away from whatever demons pursue him.  You can't wake him - his eyes are open but he doesn't recognize anything or anyone and he screams so hard it makes him choke and cough.  Tear stream down his face and there's nothing nothing nothing you can do.  This is what it is like when your child has night terrors, more properly called "confusional arousal". JJ has had these episodes about once or twice a month since he was around 3 or 4 months old.  Usually they only last about 5 minutes, and at first we thought it was just a bad dream.  Last night though he had an episode that lasted 15 minutes - which is a life time for a helpless parent.  I hope he never has another one.

Let's get ready to RUMBLE!

In this corner, wieghing in at a little over 18 pounds of wirey muscle we have JJ "the greased monkey" Baker.  And in this corner, wieghing in at, well she's not telling anyone what she's wieghing in at, but suffice it to say it's a lot more than 18 lbs, we have Mommy "I ain't taken no for an answer" Baker.  The stage is set and the diaper table is prepped...Let's get ready to rumble!

The first move is by JJ, taking a quick feint to his left before twisting in an amazing my-spine-is-made-of-rubber-bands move to elude Mommy's patented forearm diaper pin.  But Mommy is ready for him as she whips out a funny face to distract him.  Oh, she's good - that's a professional move right there.  But wait!  Yes...I think...yes, he's grabbed the diaper cream folks! Foreign object in the ring!!

Have I mentioned lately that someone's gotten a bit, um challenging to dress and diaper?

With a triumphant grin and cheese in his ear...

This is motherhood.  JJ squirms and wiggles and finally after fastening what must be the 700th snap on his onsie, I set him down.  On the way he snatches up a cranberry baby leg and with a triumphant, nearly toothless grin that says "ha ha!  see if I don't!" he's crab crawling off with, I now notice, a small piece of cheese nestled precariously in his ear.  

Yep, this is motherhood.

Signed "potty"!!!

We've been practicing signing with JJ for about a month now.  And he signed his first sign today and it was POTTY!  Hooray!  He signed it, we took him, he peed.  How cool is that?!?!