We did it! We made it through the first year. I feel a huge sense of relief. Now he can drink cow's milk and eat honey and sleep with a stuffed animal. Praise God for his blessings. I do not know why he chose to bless me with a healthy, joyful, energetic, smart boy...but I am so thankful he did. I do not deserve such grace. My heart is overflowing with thanksgiving.
Will is a little man now. Babbling away, busying himself with toys...working one to the next. His favorite remains the ball-popping dinosaur. And balls in general. Any size, any color. He loves the big beach ball I got for him. He also likes cars and things that move with wheels.
He also loves to be outside. He likes to ride in his wagon or in the bike trailer. He likes to take walks and go to the swings at the park. He loves the splash park and the pool, and even the little baby pool I set up for him in the backyard. He loves to play in the water!
To keep him entertained while I'm making dinner, all I need to do is open the cabinet where we store all the plastic stuff: leftover containers, water bottles, sippy cups. He will go to town in there. He likes to put the caps on and off of the cups and bottles, and he'll pull out the biggest container and push it around the floor like a car. And sometimes, he just wants to cling to my legs which I don't mind either.
He's eating most everything, but temperamentally. I cannot complain. It is funny to see his face when he eats something he doesn't care for. The disgust!
He isn't walking yet, but he's pulling himself up on everything and walking with a push-toy. I don't think it will be long before he's walking on his own.
He still loves Bella--he constantly hugs her and pets her. "Bella" is still his only real word. But Bella and I are old news as soon as Daddy comes home! He gives him a big hug and is always excited to wrestle or play football with Daddy on the living room floor.
It is such an amazing experience being a mom. Every day is an adventure. Every day is better than the one before. I am excited to know that I'm only on the beginning of this journey, and the best is yet to come!
Showing posts with label Will's First Year. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Will's First Year. Show all posts
8.29.2012
7.19.2012
Eleven Months
Will is not a baby anymore! It is amazing how in the last month he has become so communicative and so responsive. He clearly understands much of what I say (including "no") and even though he only has one little high-pitched escalating "uh?" sound, he can use that to communicate exactly what he wants. That little "uh?" can mean "more," or "what is that?" or "I want that" or even "play with me" depending on the circumstances. And he has also become good at scrunching up his face and throwing food to indicate that he is done with a meal. That one we might need to work on a little.
He does have a lot of other babbles using all sorts of consonants and vowels now...and one very consistent word: Bella. Sometimes it sounds like "Bewa" and sometimes it's just "Beh," but when he sees her, he points and says her name. He's working on Mama and Dada...I'm sure they'll come in time! But for now, Bella is his best friend. She has started to enjoy him, too, and she'll even bring him her rope to play tug-of-war. And while she's lying on her bed, Will will come over and give her hugs. He still enjoys pulling her tail but for the most part, they get along famously.
He's eating nearly all finger foods now. He much prefers to feed himself rather than be fed a puree. He's a really good eater. He isn't thrilled about strawberries or avocados, but pretty much everything else I've offered him gets gobbled up. His new favorites this month are watermelon and clementines. He can't get enough.
We enjoyed our first family vacation this month to Kiawah Island with all the Wilsons. It was exhausting, but a good time. Will loved the water and seemed to enjoy the beach more and more as the week went on. It was such a joy for me to watch Will enjoying the beach that I fell in love with as a kid. How wonderful to be able to share that with him.
Traveling was a bit more challenging now that he is crawling everywhere. He's into drawers and doors...crawling has opened up a whole new world for him and he clearly loves the freedom! One of his favorite things is to play Peek-a-Boo by crawling from one end of the ottoman (or kitchen island or large chair) to the other, and peeking out from each side. He also loves playing with balls, throwing them and chasing them. His favorite toy is the dinosaur popper that plays music and bounces balls around in its tummy. Except I often find the balls hidden in the corner of the family room and the popper filled with socks, puzzle pieces, plastic bowls, and toy cars. He loves hearing different noises clacking all around. It is funny, I have to admit! Even though he is active and happy at home, he is still very shy around new people and it takes him a long time to warm up in new environments. It will be interesting to see his personality continue to develop.
At night now, Will isn't falling asleep nursing any more. He finishes nursing and then he lets me cuddle him and rock him for a while before I put him in his crib for the night. With his head on my shoulder I can't help but thank God for Will and for the chance to be his mom. These days go by quickly and I want to soak up every moment. One day I will hardly believe he used to fit in my arms! For now, though, I'm just so happy to have him there.
He does have a lot of other babbles using all sorts of consonants and vowels now...and one very consistent word: Bella. Sometimes it sounds like "Bewa" and sometimes it's just "Beh," but when he sees her, he points and says her name. He's working on Mama and Dada...I'm sure they'll come in time! But for now, Bella is his best friend. She has started to enjoy him, too, and she'll even bring him her rope to play tug-of-war. And while she's lying on her bed, Will will come over and give her hugs. He still enjoys pulling her tail but for the most part, they get along famously.
He's eating nearly all finger foods now. He much prefers to feed himself rather than be fed a puree. He's a really good eater. He isn't thrilled about strawberries or avocados, but pretty much everything else I've offered him gets gobbled up. His new favorites this month are watermelon and clementines. He can't get enough.
We enjoyed our first family vacation this month to Kiawah Island with all the Wilsons. It was exhausting, but a good time. Will loved the water and seemed to enjoy the beach more and more as the week went on. It was such a joy for me to watch Will enjoying the beach that I fell in love with as a kid. How wonderful to be able to share that with him.
Traveling was a bit more challenging now that he is crawling everywhere. He's into drawers and doors...crawling has opened up a whole new world for him and he clearly loves the freedom! One of his favorite things is to play Peek-a-Boo by crawling from one end of the ottoman (or kitchen island or large chair) to the other, and peeking out from each side. He also loves playing with balls, throwing them and chasing them. His favorite toy is the dinosaur popper that plays music and bounces balls around in its tummy. Except I often find the balls hidden in the corner of the family room and the popper filled with socks, puzzle pieces, plastic bowls, and toy cars. He loves hearing different noises clacking all around. It is funny, I have to admit! Even though he is active and happy at home, he is still very shy around new people and it takes him a long time to warm up in new environments. It will be interesting to see his personality continue to develop.
At night now, Will isn't falling asleep nursing any more. He finishes nursing and then he lets me cuddle him and rock him for a while before I put him in his crib for the night. With his head on my shoulder I can't help but thank God for Will and for the chance to be his mom. These days go by quickly and I want to soak up every moment. One day I will hardly believe he used to fit in my arms! For now, though, I'm just so happy to have him there.
6.16.2012
Ten Months
This has been another month of rapid growth and development. One month ago, he was just learning to scoot around...this week he started actually crawling. I can no longer leave him alone to play and expect him to sit nicely on a blanket in the middle of the family room. Oh no. Now that he can move, he'd much rather play on Bella's bed or with the drawers on the end table, or stand up holding on to the ottoman. Time to childproof! Playing is also different because he's into banging on things and throwing things. I think he likes knowing that he can make a noise or cause a reaction.
I'm noticing that he is starting to wean himself, too. He's much more interested in solid foods...any solid foods...than in nursing. He still nurses quickly 4-5 times a day, but he's eating solids like a champ. He will gladly eat purees, but given the choice, he prefers feeding himself. One of his favorite foods seems to be broccoli. He can't get enough. He also likes pears...and of course the Puffs!
Will is much more communicative. He can point to things that he wants. With just a little grunt I can tell what he is asking for. He is waving, too. He knows to wave when I say "hi" or "bye-bye." Of course he doesn't always wave when I ask him to...and he will sometimes wave without prompting just to get our attention. He is also learning to "high-five" and getting pretty good at it!
Will took his first plane ride this month! Corrie and I took him to Virginia for my cousin Brigid's wedding. He did great. I loved being able to introduce him to my Howland family! What a special, memorable weekend.
Since it's been so hot, I've been taking Will to the pool and the splash park near our house. He loves it. I think he will be a water baby. He loves splashing in the water. He loves the baby pool, too. He is learning how to fill up and dump out the little stacking cups I bought for him. He is so content playing with something so simple again and again. His favorite toys are a set of plastic measuring cups and funnels. It doesn't take much to keep him happy!
There is nothing better than Will seeing me and reaching for me, or seeing Alex and leaning out of my arms to give him a hug. He is a wonder.
I'm noticing that he is starting to wean himself, too. He's much more interested in solid foods...any solid foods...than in nursing. He still nurses quickly 4-5 times a day, but he's eating solids like a champ. He will gladly eat purees, but given the choice, he prefers feeding himself. One of his favorite foods seems to be broccoli. He can't get enough. He also likes pears...and of course the Puffs!
Will is much more communicative. He can point to things that he wants. With just a little grunt I can tell what he is asking for. He is waving, too. He knows to wave when I say "hi" or "bye-bye." Of course he doesn't always wave when I ask him to...and he will sometimes wave without prompting just to get our attention. He is also learning to "high-five" and getting pretty good at it!
Will took his first plane ride this month! Corrie and I took him to Virginia for my cousin Brigid's wedding. He did great. I loved being able to introduce him to my Howland family! What a special, memorable weekend.
Since it's been so hot, I've been taking Will to the pool and the splash park near our house. He loves it. I think he will be a water baby. He loves splashing in the water. He loves the baby pool, too. He is learning how to fill up and dump out the little stacking cups I bought for him. He is so content playing with something so simple again and again. His favorite toys are a set of plastic measuring cups and funnels. It doesn't take much to keep him happy!
There is nothing better than Will seeing me and reaching for me, or seeing Alex and leaning out of my arms to give him a hug. He is a wonder.
5.18.2012
Nine Months
The nine months of pregnancy seemed to drag on forever...and yet nine months of motherhood have gone by in a flash. At the nine month mark, I cannot believe how much Will is doing. He is reaching for things, and handing them to me. He is curious about everything. He just wants to touch, taste, chew, bang on, and pull on anything within reach. He's learning to use his voice. He will play Peek-a-Boo. When a blanket is covering his head (or mine), he will pull it off and smile when I say, "peek-a-boo!".
Will is more squirmy. He moves around on the floor like a roly poly. Even though he's not crawling really, he's scooting around on the floor and sort of army crawling backward, until he runs into the couch or the ottoman. He has rhythm! He jumps and moves in time with music. He can stand up while holding onto the side of the ottoman or the couch...or holding onto Alex's or my hands. He loves to be standing! He is also very ticklish. Blowing in his ear or running a toy car up his back elicit screams of laughter.
His two top teeth are in now. He has really handled the teething like a trooper. It looks so painful, but he seems to rarely be bothered. He has started eating table food and Puffs now that he can use that pincer grasp and pick up little objects to feed himself. He loves Puffs (now our saving grace at the nursery!).
We're starting to teach him "no"--certain things cannot be touched or tasted, and certain things hurt (like grabbing Bella's--or our--hair).
He started to reach for me, which melts my heart every time. Someone else can be holding him and he will squirm and reach for me when he sees me. I love knowing that he knows me and loves me! He will, though, let all of his grandparents hold him with glee--no hint of stranger anxiety there. That also warms my hears, knowing that he knows and loves his grandparents!
When people meet Will for the first time or when they haven't seen him in a while, they comment on how serious he is. It's funny because when he is out of his environment or around new people, he is very serious. He isn't sure of what's going on and he wants to check everything out. But once he warms up, he is a lot of fun. He smiles and talks and sings and giggles. And once he gets to know you, he will hug and cuddle you and take your breath away. I get to experience it every day.
Will is more squirmy. He moves around on the floor like a roly poly. Even though he's not crawling really, he's scooting around on the floor and sort of army crawling backward, until he runs into the couch or the ottoman. He has rhythm! He jumps and moves in time with music. He can stand up while holding onto the side of the ottoman or the couch...or holding onto Alex's or my hands. He loves to be standing! He is also very ticklish. Blowing in his ear or running a toy car up his back elicit screams of laughter.
His two top teeth are in now. He has really handled the teething like a trooper. It looks so painful, but he seems to rarely be bothered. He has started eating table food and Puffs now that he can use that pincer grasp and pick up little objects to feed himself. He loves Puffs (now our saving grace at the nursery!).
We're starting to teach him "no"--certain things cannot be touched or tasted, and certain things hurt (like grabbing Bella's--or our--hair).
He started to reach for me, which melts my heart every time. Someone else can be holding him and he will squirm and reach for me when he sees me. I love knowing that he knows me and loves me! He will, though, let all of his grandparents hold him with glee--no hint of stranger anxiety there. That also warms my hears, knowing that he knows and loves his grandparents!
When people meet Will for the first time or when they haven't seen him in a while, they comment on how serious he is. It's funny because when he is out of his environment or around new people, he is very serious. He isn't sure of what's going on and he wants to check everything out. But once he warms up, he is a lot of fun. He smiles and talks and sings and giggles. And once he gets to know you, he will hug and cuddle you and take your breath away. I get to experience it every day.
4.16.2012
Eight Months
The biggest accomplishment of this month was a solo road trip to Dayton--just me and Will. I made it with no trouble, stopping every 3 hours or so to nurse and change diapers. I was so proud of Will on the trip. He was so content to sit in his car seat and play with his toys. He would take them one by one, inspect them, shake them, taste them, chew them, turn them over and around again and again, sometimes throw them, and then go on to the next toy repeating the process. He is so curious about everything! He wants to investigate everything in his path. In the tub, he is now reaching for my shampoo bottles, now that he has realized there is so much more to play with than just his own toys! He is especially drawn to cell phones, computers, remote controls, glasses and jewelry. He thinks everything is a toy. I hate it, but I'm already starting to say "no" to things. I want him to be curious, but he can't eat my keys or rip out chunks of Bella's hair, or hold my mug of hot coffee, or take the cup of water when I'm in the middle of washing his hair. I'm starting to have to be a parent! It stinks!
He is starting a few "pre-crawling" maneuvers, like lunging forward to reach for something and ending up in a lump on the floor. He can scoot around a little bit, but no real crawling yet. He is coordinated in other ways--he's learning to shake various shakers in a very rhythmic way. Impressive. He is also able to bang on things like a drum, and clap two things together. He has learned to hand things to me and I give them back. And he's just starting to be able to roll a ball to me on the floor. Sometimes I'm just amazed at the new things he can do everyday. I hope I am doing all I can to help him develop!
He is getting to be quite vocal. He sings to himself while he's playing, nursing, or riding in the car--it's pretty cute. He's starting to say a lot of "Goos" and "Gahs" and he's even started this funny machine-gun sort of noise. We'll go with it.
He is a joy. It is so amazing to see the joy he brings to his grandparents and our friends who meet him. What a blessing.
3.16.2012
Seven Months
Seven months. I am so blessed.
I keep saying that it just keeps getting better...and it's so true! I am enjoying Will now more than ever. He is a lot of fun. He has developed a sense of humor where little silly faces, voices, tickles, pokes, peek-a-boo games elicit adorable squeals of delight. He has started to give me hugs--he will wrap his arms around my neck and lay his head on my shoulder for several seconds at a time. I will hug him back and thank him for being my "cuddlebug." I need to make sure he always hugs his mother! I love it! I love knowing that he loves me. For a while there, this was a completely one-sided relationship. Now, he's able to return love and it is an amazing feeling. He has a different relationship with Alex, but he is still very attached to him. He looks for Alex before he goes to bed and once when he couldn't find him, he didn't settle down.
Now that he is conscious of this connection with us, he is also now conscious of when we are not around. This month Alex and I had our first overnight away and Will stayed with my parents. He did all right but according to them, he missed us. He cries when I leave him in the nursery at church while I'm at Tuesday morning Bible study. It is so sad, and it is so hard to leave him there when he's crying, but I know he's in good hands, and I want him to learn to be able to leave us, knowing that we'll return.
I have learned this month that there is nothing worse in this world than seeing your baby crying or in pain and there is nothing you can do about it. I will never forget how hard it was to see Will wheeled away in that hospital crib-bed and hear his cry piercing the air long after the crib was out of view. No matter how much physical pain a child experiences, his parents' hearts are hurting more. I never knew this before. I never knew this love for someone who completely depends on me.
Will's surgery this week reminded me of what a blessing it is to have a healthy boy, growing and developing normally. He really has only had one small cold/cough in his whole life. The birthmark removal was something relatively so minor. It was also another reminder of the lesson I first learned early on in my pregnancy. Will is in God's hands. He is in control. I live with an illusion of control in my life, but really, I have none. As my dad says, God can take us home any time he pleases--he doesn't need a surgery to do it. In His grace, Will made it through surgery just fine.
Will, I hope you know that your dad and I love you so much that we trust you to God's hands. We will do everything we can for you, to provide the best life we can for you. We want to provide you with safety, security, love, a good education, and the best medical care money can buy. But above all, we want you to find that true security and indescribable love is found in God. We trust you in His hands.
I keep saying that it just keeps getting better...and it's so true! I am enjoying Will now more than ever. He is a lot of fun. He has developed a sense of humor where little silly faces, voices, tickles, pokes, peek-a-boo games elicit adorable squeals of delight. He has started to give me hugs--he will wrap his arms around my neck and lay his head on my shoulder for several seconds at a time. I will hug him back and thank him for being my "cuddlebug." I need to make sure he always hugs his mother! I love it! I love knowing that he loves me. For a while there, this was a completely one-sided relationship. Now, he's able to return love and it is an amazing feeling. He has a different relationship with Alex, but he is still very attached to him. He looks for Alex before he goes to bed and once when he couldn't find him, he didn't settle down.
Now that he is conscious of this connection with us, he is also now conscious of when we are not around. This month Alex and I had our first overnight away and Will stayed with my parents. He did all right but according to them, he missed us. He cries when I leave him in the nursery at church while I'm at Tuesday morning Bible study. It is so sad, and it is so hard to leave him there when he's crying, but I know he's in good hands, and I want him to learn to be able to leave us, knowing that we'll return.
I have learned this month that there is nothing worse in this world than seeing your baby crying or in pain and there is nothing you can do about it. I will never forget how hard it was to see Will wheeled away in that hospital crib-bed and hear his cry piercing the air long after the crib was out of view. No matter how much physical pain a child experiences, his parents' hearts are hurting more. I never knew this before. I never knew this love for someone who completely depends on me.
Will's surgery this week reminded me of what a blessing it is to have a healthy boy, growing and developing normally. He really has only had one small cold/cough in his whole life. The birthmark removal was something relatively so minor. It was also another reminder of the lesson I first learned early on in my pregnancy. Will is in God's hands. He is in control. I live with an illusion of control in my life, but really, I have none. As my dad says, God can take us home any time he pleases--he doesn't need a surgery to do it. In His grace, Will made it through surgery just fine.
Will, I hope you know that your dad and I love you so much that we trust you to God's hands. We will do everything we can for you, to provide the best life we can for you. We want to provide you with safety, security, love, a good education, and the best medical care money can buy. But above all, we want you to find that true security and indescribable love is found in God. We trust you in His hands.
2.16.2012
Six Months
Wow. What a month. In the last 30 days, Will has grown more than any other month so far.
He's sitting up now. With a Boppy pillow around him he does really well, but even on his own, he can sit up for several minutes without falling over. He is excited now that he can reach his toys and move them from one side to the other.
Speaking of his toys, it's amazing to see the gross motor skills he now possesses. Just a few months ago I was thrilled when he batted at a toy! Now, he's grabbing, sucking, chewing, throwing, shaking them all over the place. He can work the stations in his exersaucer. He can work the spinner and he can press the buttons and pull the toys to make music. He can even press the buttons on the little cell phone toy and hear it talk back to him. He can even reach up and spin the football dangling on his mobile (time for that to go!). It's truly amazing how aware he is and how easily he picks up on how things work. It's fascinating to watch him with his "thinking face" figuring out this big world.
He's rolling over easily now from tummy to back--so easily that the second I lay him on his tummy, he will flip over! (There goes Tummy Time!) Occasionally he'll roll from back to tummy, but he's still working on mastering that one.
We started solid foods. I've bought organic produce, rice, and oatmeal, and made his own little purees. Even though I'm pretty excited about this fresh, flavorful food, Will isn't so sure. He mostly makes disgusted faces and gags when he eats. We've had a little success with bananas and carrots, however, so there is hope!
He has two bottom teeth! They are barely there, but oh, I can feel them. They have just popped through the surface, finally justifying my mama instinct that for a couple weeks now, Will has just been a little "off"--well, no wonder. It looks very painful. I think the top two are right behind, but we'll just have to wait and see.
I am loving getting to know my son as he grows and develops and his personality is being revealed. He is so joyful and loving. It doesn't take much to make him laugh--just a funny noise, a whisper in his ear, a little dance. He plays games with me just for the joy of it. And he is still a cuddlebug, which I love! Often when I'm holding him, he'll hang on my neck, wrapping his little arms around me and resting his head on my shoulder like a big bear hug. I take in those cuddles and hug him back tight. I hope he's never too cool to hug his Mama!
I can't believe how much he's grown in half a year. And I can't believe that in another six months we'll be celebrating his first birthday! In the meantime, I'm just trying to soak it up and take it all in. I love this little guy!
He's sitting up now. With a Boppy pillow around him he does really well, but even on his own, he can sit up for several minutes without falling over. He is excited now that he can reach his toys and move them from one side to the other.
Speaking of his toys, it's amazing to see the gross motor skills he now possesses. Just a few months ago I was thrilled when he batted at a toy! Now, he's grabbing, sucking, chewing, throwing, shaking them all over the place. He can work the stations in his exersaucer. He can work the spinner and he can press the buttons and pull the toys to make music. He can even press the buttons on the little cell phone toy and hear it talk back to him. He can even reach up and spin the football dangling on his mobile (time for that to go!). It's truly amazing how aware he is and how easily he picks up on how things work. It's fascinating to watch him with his "thinking face" figuring out this big world.
He's rolling over easily now from tummy to back--so easily that the second I lay him on his tummy, he will flip over! (There goes Tummy Time!) Occasionally he'll roll from back to tummy, but he's still working on mastering that one.
We started solid foods. I've bought organic produce, rice, and oatmeal, and made his own little purees. Even though I'm pretty excited about this fresh, flavorful food, Will isn't so sure. He mostly makes disgusted faces and gags when he eats. We've had a little success with bananas and carrots, however, so there is hope!
He has two bottom teeth! They are barely there, but oh, I can feel them. They have just popped through the surface, finally justifying my mama instinct that for a couple weeks now, Will has just been a little "off"--well, no wonder. It looks very painful. I think the top two are right behind, but we'll just have to wait and see.
I am loving getting to know my son as he grows and develops and his personality is being revealed. He is so joyful and loving. It doesn't take much to make him laugh--just a funny noise, a whisper in his ear, a little dance. He plays games with me just for the joy of it. And he is still a cuddlebug, which I love! Often when I'm holding him, he'll hang on my neck, wrapping his little arms around me and resting his head on my shoulder like a big bear hug. I take in those cuddles and hug him back tight. I hope he's never too cool to hug his Mama!
I can't believe how much he's grown in half a year. And I can't believe that in another six months we'll be celebrating his first birthday! In the meantime, I'm just trying to soak it up and take it all in. I love this little guy!
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