Showing posts with label mr. x. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mr. x. Show all posts
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Handprint
Today as X napped, I was folding laundry. Although I had just cleaned the one glass-topped table we still have from before he was born a little earlier in the day, I glanced over and saw a tiny handprint. It made me smile to know that our house is filled with little reminders of my best boy.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Row Row Row
X can sing! Well, he can chant. The sitter revealed his new trick today when we went to pick him up this afternoon: he sings along to "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."
Row row row row row OAT!
Love.
Row row row row row OAT!
Love.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Growing and Growing
It has been so long since I last posted, I hardly know where to begin. X is growing up so fast, it's hard to believe he was just a baby this time last year! He had just begun rolling over on his own. He wasn't quite sitting up by himself, and certainly wasn't crawling or standing.
Now, he does all of those and more with such ease - it's second nature. He can walk -- no, run -- and climb and open and close doors and talk and brush his teeth. There are so many things he can do!
I am grateful, so grateful, for my smart, funny, strong, sweet, crazy little boy. I will just try to store up the moments we have now as memories to smile about tomorrow, and next month, and next year and in all the years to come.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Trials
X was sick all weekend, and though he was improving last night - his appetite returned, fever went away - he is still clearly not 100%. Since he couldn't go to the sitter today, being fewer than 24 hours throw-up and fever-free, I stayed home.
He has been miserable. Doesn't want to drink water, but also doesn't want to drink his bottle. Doesn't want to eat, but is clearly very hungry. I'm happy to say I managed to get a graham cracker and a container of pureed green beans into him, plus a couple of ounces of fluids. He has also been SCREAMING and crying, because he is obviously just so tired.
But, in between, there are moments of adorableness. After I swept up all of the food he threw onto the floor and put it in the garbage, he wanted to use the broom and help! When I decided to show him how to use crayons, he pulled them out of the box one by one, delighted at the different colors. And so, we now have X's very first work of art:
He has been miserable. Doesn't want to drink water, but also doesn't want to drink his bottle. Doesn't want to eat, but is clearly very hungry. I'm happy to say I managed to get a graham cracker and a container of pureed green beans into him, plus a couple of ounces of fluids. He has also been SCREAMING and crying, because he is obviously just so tired.
But, in between, there are moments of adorableness. After I swept up all of the food he threw onto the floor and put it in the garbage, he wanted to use the broom and help! When I decided to show him how to use crayons, he pulled them out of the box one by one, delighted at the different colors. And so, we now have X's very first work of art:
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Nature Walk
We have the worst yard on the block. Full of roots and big pines and oaks. Right now, the leaves and acorns and pinecones are thick on the ground. No lawn, to speak of. Rocky soil that is a mixture of clay and sand. All on a steep slope. I constantly enter contests to win landscaping services and have tried again and again to get our yard fixed up on HGTV, all to no avail. Our yard is not a very friendly place for a 14-month-old toddler to play.
But, yesterday, walking across our yard from the front door to the curb, and then back again to the backyard, I discovered that our yard is actually perfect for a nature walk with a small boy! It took us about 20 minutes, as X squatted down beside big rocks of various colors and shapes. We picked up and threw acorns. X plucked the flowers off of countless dandelions, leaving a trail of headless stems behind. Twigs and sticks were picked up and examined. Tree bark presented a lesson in texture.
All the while, X was chatting happily in his own language, smiling along.
It might be the worst-looking yard on the block. Certainly it's no place for cartwheels and somersaults, or a round of croquet. But, it was just perfect for a little one's curiosity about the wonderful things we grownups almost always overlook.
But, yesterday, walking across our yard from the front door to the curb, and then back again to the backyard, I discovered that our yard is actually perfect for a nature walk with a small boy! It took us about 20 minutes, as X squatted down beside big rocks of various colors and shapes. We picked up and threw acorns. X plucked the flowers off of countless dandelions, leaving a trail of headless stems behind. Twigs and sticks were picked up and examined. Tree bark presented a lesson in texture.
All the while, X was chatting happily in his own language, smiling along.
It might be the worst-looking yard on the block. Certainly it's no place for cartwheels and somersaults, or a round of croquet. But, it was just perfect for a little one's curiosity about the wonderful things we grownups almost always overlook.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Hair Cut
Curly Locks! curly locks! wilt thou be mine?
Thou shall't not wash dishes, nor yet feed the swine
I gave X his first (minor) hair cut yesterday. His hair is so long, and so curly, and so beautiful that I didn't want to cut it at all until he wanted it cut, but it kept getting in his eyes during mealtimes and subsequently he would get food in his hair at breakfast, lunch and at dinner!
Alas, the haircut day had arrived. I only trimmed the front, though, into little tiny bangs because X kept moving his head! It is pretty much the worst haircut ever. I also almost cried after cutting off even just a few of his curls. He looks sweet, though, like a little old-fashioned boy.
He also looks like Bartholomew Cubbins from the Dr. Seuss story!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Sunbeam
There was a bright sunbeam shining into X's room this morning, the day after Hurricane Irene. We are far enough inland that the storm didn't do much harm to our property -- a few small branches and lots of pinecones and acorns are down all over our yard. The weather is always insultingly glorious after a major storm, isn't it?
X used to love to play in sunbeams. When he was not yet mobile, I would sit him down in a sunbeam and he would smack it with his hands and try to pick it up, and sometimes try to taste it on the floor (yucky!). When he started to crawl, he would go into the front hallway and sit in the sunbeams from the setting sun, and follow them as they climbed the wall. Random bits of sunlight were a delight to pluck at on my shirt, or my arm.
It seems he barely noticed the play of the light on his bedroom floor this morning. He didn't shriek with delight, or try to grab up the glow. He is the sunbeam, now.
X used to love to play in sunbeams. When he was not yet mobile, I would sit him down in a sunbeam and he would smack it with his hands and try to pick it up, and sometimes try to taste it on the floor (yucky!). When he started to crawl, he would go into the front hallway and sit in the sunbeams from the setting sun, and follow them as they climbed the wall. Random bits of sunlight were a delight to pluck at on my shirt, or my arm.
It seems he barely noticed the play of the light on his bedroom floor this morning. He didn't shriek with delight, or try to grab up the glow. He is the sunbeam, now.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
One Year Old
X's birthday was on Tuesday of this week -- one year old already!
I'm sad about the fact that I spent the day at work, which, of course, I regret now. X was a little grumpy grump when I got home due to some major teething pain, so it was pretty anticlimactic.
We had a small celebration last Sunday to do the traditional first birthday cake and presents, with some friends. I made cupcakes from scratch because we suspect X has an egg allergy or sensitivity -- so he's a total hippie kid, having eaten vegan for his first ever cupcake! He seemed mesmerized by the candle and didn't really know what all of the fuss was about (of course!) but he took everything in stride.
The night of his actual birthday, I rocked him to sleep and sat holding him for a while, thinking back over the last year. There were so many transitions, so much that my husband and I had to figure out, so much that X had to learn and master. It's astonishing how much he has grown, and even more amazing that I have been blessed to have been there for each and every day.
Happy birthday, funny boy. I love to watch you grow!
I'm sad about the fact that I spent the day at work, which, of course, I regret now. X was a little grumpy grump when I got home due to some major teething pain, so it was pretty anticlimactic.
We had a small celebration last Sunday to do the traditional first birthday cake and presents, with some friends. I made cupcakes from scratch because we suspect X has an egg allergy or sensitivity -- so he's a total hippie kid, having eaten vegan for his first ever cupcake! He seemed mesmerized by the candle and didn't really know what all of the fuss was about (of course!) but he took everything in stride.
The night of his actual birthday, I rocked him to sleep and sat holding him for a while, thinking back over the last year. There were so many transitions, so much that my husband and I had to figure out, so much that X had to learn and master. It's astonishing how much he has grown, and even more amazing that I have been blessed to have been there for each and every day.
Happy birthday, funny boy. I love to watch you grow!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Big Boy
My X is getting so big -- almost a year old now. He is just about walking, and the proud owner of 3 pearly whites!
I can't believe how quickly it happens. One day, he was a snuggly little worm, content to lie in my arms and sleep. Now, he's all OVER the place, laughing, shrieking, playing with toys, pulling up, pulling things off of tables and counters.
I miss the baby times, but I'm looking forward to everything that's coming up.
My sweet boy -- how I love him!
I can't believe how quickly it happens. One day, he was a snuggly little worm, content to lie in my arms and sleep. Now, he's all OVER the place, laughing, shrieking, playing with toys, pulling up, pulling things off of tables and counters.
I miss the baby times, but I'm looking forward to everything that's coming up.
My sweet boy -- how I love him!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Bloody Lip
Well, he's gone and done it. X had his first bloody injury, and for all I thought it was a doozy, I guess we were lucky.
He was cruising around the kitchen, walking holding on to the cabinets for balance. When he came to "his" drawer, he pulled it out. Because he was starting to get tired, he lost his balance abruptly and sat straight down. I don't know if he banged his chin or his mouth, but he immediately started crying. I picked him up and comforted him, and he stopped crying pretty quickly, but then I noticed the blood.
He had given himself a bloody lip, poor thing. My husband got a baggie of ice, and X sucked on it -- he actually seemed to enjoy it. However, the bleeding took a little while to stop.
X was totally unfazed by the fact that he was bleeding from the mouth. He wanted me to hold his hands so he could practice toddling around some more. I, on the other hand, was too traumatized to be helpful at that point. So, my husband picked him up while I mixed a bottle of formula. It was almost time to start the bedtime routine, which is usually my time with X, but my husband looked after him, and I tried to get myself together. Two days later, and I'm able to sit down and write about it.
The astonishing thing is how QUICKLY it all happened. But, equally fast was X's recovery. The bleeding was nothing. It was the shock of the impact and the initial pain that got him going. He was able to shake it all off much more quickly than I did.
I know it's the first in what will become a long and illustrious history of bumps, bruises, scrapes and cuts. Maybe I'll get tougher, as the injuries happen. It was hard, though, this first time.
He was cruising around the kitchen, walking holding on to the cabinets for balance. When he came to "his" drawer, he pulled it out. Because he was starting to get tired, he lost his balance abruptly and sat straight down. I don't know if he banged his chin or his mouth, but he immediately started crying. I picked him up and comforted him, and he stopped crying pretty quickly, but then I noticed the blood.
He had given himself a bloody lip, poor thing. My husband got a baggie of ice, and X sucked on it -- he actually seemed to enjoy it. However, the bleeding took a little while to stop.
X was totally unfazed by the fact that he was bleeding from the mouth. He wanted me to hold his hands so he could practice toddling around some more. I, on the other hand, was too traumatized to be helpful at that point. So, my husband picked him up while I mixed a bottle of formula. It was almost time to start the bedtime routine, which is usually my time with X, but my husband looked after him, and I tried to get myself together. Two days later, and I'm able to sit down and write about it.
The astonishing thing is how QUICKLY it all happened. But, equally fast was X's recovery. The bleeding was nothing. It was the shock of the impact and the initial pain that got him going. He was able to shake it all off much more quickly than I did.
I know it's the first in what will become a long and illustrious history of bumps, bruises, scrapes and cuts. Maybe I'll get tougher, as the injuries happen. It was hard, though, this first time.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
I Remembered
Today I remembered how X used to growl when he was a teeny tiny baby, whenever he liked something. He would growl while he nursed, and later he would growl at his bottle. When it was time for solids, he would growl at each new food in approval.
His growls have been replaced by so many sounds. His sing-song syllables and rollercoaster lip trills let us know when he is happy or when he really likes something. When he's really excited about something, the raspberries burst forth.
Soon enough he will have some words. He will be able to tell us when he wants more, or when he's all done. He will let us know when he's awake, not by whimpering or crying, but by calling out for us. His "Dadadadadada" will become "Mama" and "Baba" and "Cat" and "NO!"
I can't wait for us to be able to communicate more clearly with words, but I will miss his quirky baby talk, his own language, his own method for getting across his needs and wants, his joys and his grievances. For now I'll just enjoy it while I can.
His growls have been replaced by so many sounds. His sing-song syllables and rollercoaster lip trills let us know when he is happy or when he really likes something. When he's really excited about something, the raspberries burst forth.
Soon enough he will have some words. He will be able to tell us when he wants more, or when he's all done. He will let us know when he's awake, not by whimpering or crying, but by calling out for us. His "Dadadadadada" will become "Mama" and "Baba" and "Cat" and "NO!"
I can't wait for us to be able to communicate more clearly with words, but I will miss his quirky baby talk, his own language, his own method for getting across his needs and wants, his joys and his grievances. For now I'll just enjoy it while I can.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Like A Tame Bear
It has been a crazy couple of days, and bath time was last on the list of all of them! So, by today, as a former co-worker of mine used to say, X smelled like a tame bear.
Friday: Our nephew, who plays for FC Tampa Bay (an NASL soccer league, just a step below the "pros") was in town playing our local team. We met up with him and a teammate for dinner. At a very trendy restaurant. We got out of there at 10:00 p.m.!! X was SUCH a trooper, though. It didn't hurt that there was a pretty young lady sitting at the table adjacent to ours. He just flirted and flirted! So, got home late and no bath for X.
Saturday: Good friends of ours lost their oldest son on Thursday of last week, and it was the first opportunity I had to go and spend time with them. I had X duty, as Daddy was at the soccer game watching our nephew play. It's so hard watching a family you love grieve. We stayed later than I thought we would, got home around 9:30. No bath for X.
Sunday: Father's Day. Some more visiting with our dear friends. Got home at 7:30, but still no bath for X.
Monday: Daddy is sick, X is crabby and tired. Bedtime for everyone at 7:00 p.m. No bath for X.
Tuesday: FINALLY gave the little guy a bath. He is so darn cute when he laughs and splashes. This time he stuck his face in the bubbles and came up looking like Santa Claus! I just adore him, and he loves his bath time.
We have got to work on a more consistent bath routine, especially now that it's hot and sticky weather.
OOOooOoooOOOOoooOo
Friday: Our nephew, who plays for FC Tampa Bay (an NASL soccer league, just a step below the "pros") was in town playing our local team. We met up with him and a teammate for dinner. At a very trendy restaurant. We got out of there at 10:00 p.m.!! X was SUCH a trooper, though. It didn't hurt that there was a pretty young lady sitting at the table adjacent to ours. He just flirted and flirted! So, got home late and no bath for X.
Saturday: Good friends of ours lost their oldest son on Thursday of last week, and it was the first opportunity I had to go and spend time with them. I had X duty, as Daddy was at the soccer game watching our nephew play. It's so hard watching a family you love grieve. We stayed later than I thought we would, got home around 9:30. No bath for X.
Sunday: Father's Day. Some more visiting with our dear friends. Got home at 7:30, but still no bath for X.
Monday: Daddy is sick, X is crabby and tired. Bedtime for everyone at 7:00 p.m. No bath for X.
Tuesday: FINALLY gave the little guy a bath. He is so darn cute when he laughs and splashes. This time he stuck his face in the bubbles and came up looking like Santa Claus! I just adore him, and he loves his bath time.
We have got to work on a more consistent bath routine, especially now that it's hot and sticky weather.
OOOooOoooOOOOoooOo
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Mama and X: Comedy Routines
ACT 1
Mama: Say Ma-Ma!
X: (big grin) DA-DA!
Repeat, about 35 times!
ACT 2
X stands in his playpen, a husher in his mouth and one in his hand. Mama takes the husher in his hand and puts it into her own mouth.
X giggles and pulls Mama's husher out of her mouth. Then, he puts it back in. Giggles, takes it out. Puts it back in. Giggles, takes it out...
I love that my little guy's sense of humor is starting to shine through! It makes my heart light. What a gift.
Mama: Say Ma-Ma!
X: (big grin) DA-DA!
Repeat, about 35 times!
ACT 2
X stands in his playpen, a husher in his mouth and one in his hand. Mama takes the husher in his hand and puts it into her own mouth.
X giggles and pulls Mama's husher out of her mouth. Then, he puts it back in. Giggles, takes it out. Puts it back in. Giggles, takes it out...
I love that my little guy's sense of humor is starting to shine through! It makes my heart light. What a gift.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Sick
X was sick yesterday, with whatever this terrible summertime bug is, that's going around here.
The terrible part of it was that I had partied in the manner of a rock star on Saturday night (Excessive wine drinking coupled with watching Scott Pilgrim vs. The World with my husband. Yeah, that's how I roll these days.). So, when I realized that he was really sick -- when he projectile vomited ALLLLLLL over me -- I was not in the best shape myself to be taking charge of the situation.
My husband and I alternated looking after X and taking naps. I drove to the pharmacy and bought baby electrolyte drink. X would NOT drink more than a couple of ounces. I was too scared to give him formula, but I was worried that he was going to get dehydrated. He just didn't want anything in his poor tummy, though.
He also had a fever, which climbed to 101.5 at its highest, thankfully not high enough to have to go to the pediatrician or urgent care on a Sunday. Poor baby was just burning up, though, most of the day.
And, the worst part of it was that he just obviously felt so crummy. He can't tell us what's wrong yet, so all he could do was cry and whine piteously. It broke my heart, and at one point I was crying with him.
Happily, he is doing much better today -- eating normally, still not crazy about taking a bottle. But, he is his usual cheerful self, and for that I am so grateful.
The terrible part of it was that I had partied in the manner of a rock star on Saturday night (Excessive wine drinking coupled with watching Scott Pilgrim vs. The World with my husband. Yeah, that's how I roll these days.). So, when I realized that he was really sick -- when he projectile vomited ALLLLLLL over me -- I was not in the best shape myself to be taking charge of the situation.
My husband and I alternated looking after X and taking naps. I drove to the pharmacy and bought baby electrolyte drink. X would NOT drink more than a couple of ounces. I was too scared to give him formula, but I was worried that he was going to get dehydrated. He just didn't want anything in his poor tummy, though.
He also had a fever, which climbed to 101.5 at its highest, thankfully not high enough to have to go to the pediatrician or urgent care on a Sunday. Poor baby was just burning up, though, most of the day.
And, the worst part of it was that he just obviously felt so crummy. He can't tell us what's wrong yet, so all he could do was cry and whine piteously. It broke my heart, and at one point I was crying with him.
Happily, he is doing much better today -- eating normally, still not crazy about taking a bottle. But, he is his usual cheerful self, and for that I am so grateful.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Seven Months
X is seven months old today -- more than half a year. Almost a year and a half since we found out he was on his way. I can't believe how quickly time passes.
X discovered today that he can put his toes in his mouth! I've been waiting for this to happen. What a funny sight! I hate feet in the worst way, but I love X's feet. I kiss them and blow raspberries on them. They're so chubby, and his big toes are SO big! They're like insane monkey toes. I swear he tries to pick things up with his feet, just like he does with his hands. That'll be a neat party trick, if it ever comes to pass.
He also did the funniest moon walk move while we were playing in the living room this evening. I was holding him up, in a standing position. Instead of bouncing, like he normally does, he started to pick up his feet. He couldn't figure out how to put them one in front of the other, so he kept putting them back and sliding the other foot.
My husband is a huge, major Michael Jackson fan. I haven't told him about the moon walking yet, but I know he will freak out when I do. One other anecdote here is that X would always "dance" in utero whenever a Michael Jackson song played. Just like his daddy! I don't know if musical fandom can be inherited, but if loving MJ is genetic, I will eat my hat.
Anyway, happy 7 months day, X. Your daddy and I love you so very much!
X discovered today that he can put his toes in his mouth! I've been waiting for this to happen. What a funny sight! I hate feet in the worst way, but I love X's feet. I kiss them and blow raspberries on them. They're so chubby, and his big toes are SO big! They're like insane monkey toes. I swear he tries to pick things up with his feet, just like he does with his hands. That'll be a neat party trick, if it ever comes to pass.
He also did the funniest moon walk move while we were playing in the living room this evening. I was holding him up, in a standing position. Instead of bouncing, like he normally does, he started to pick up his feet. He couldn't figure out how to put them one in front of the other, so he kept putting them back and sliding the other foot.
My husband is a huge, major Michael Jackson fan. I haven't told him about the moon walking yet, but I know he will freak out when I do. One other anecdote here is that X would always "dance" in utero whenever a Michael Jackson song played. Just like his daddy! I don't know if musical fandom can be inherited, but if loving MJ is genetic, I will eat my hat.
Anyway, happy 7 months day, X. Your daddy and I love you so very much!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
His First Cry
His first cry sounded like the cry of a tiny bird. He cried, and cried again, as the midwife checked him over before helping my husband to place him on my chest. I wish I had been able to record that sound! It brings tears to my eyes, recalling it. The midwife asked my husband if he wanted to cut the cord. I nodded at him, and he took the instrument from her. I couldn't take my eyes off of our son. He was so tiny, so warm! And, again, the birdlike cry from his sweet little mouth.