No, I am not officially alone because Luke is with me, but these two days (yesterday and today) have been quite lonely. Chris is in Chicago for work, and I am home alone with Luke both days and the night in between - caring full-time for him and working full-time! This would not be quite so difficult if I were not working, but I am in the midst of wrapping things up at work and making sure open cases are transferred to someone for follow-up. Add to that all Luke's care, housework, and one of the most difficult nights ever, and that's a recipe for more than just loneliness.
Now that my venting session is over, I promise more pictures very soon. Even if he's hard work, he's darn cute! Gotta show the cute photos!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Becoming an Older Baby
There are many things happening to our little boy now that indicate he is growing up and becoming more of an older, independent baby. It is both wonderful and a bit sad to watch this happen. It is difficult to put into words, because I love this stage of babyhood, but I also miss my tiny little baby who was so utterly reliant on me.
For months now, Luke has thoroughly enjoyed his mornings. It has been a time for play, pleasant chatter, and general happiness. He also sits up on his own (often teetering over after a minute or so, if left without Mommy's support), and reaches out with his hands to play with his toys. He smiles and laughs at things now, not just people. He has a little basket of toys just for him, maybe 8 or 9, mostly beloved items that we often find strewn across our living room floor, which is a sure sign of his growing older.
Luke now eats food besides Mommy milk, and he loves his solid food, although it definitely isn't always solid! So far, he's had bananas, peaches, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes. We will be examining avocado this week, to introduce something green amongst the orange-tinted food he's been enjoying.
Another development has been Luke's incessant desire to stand. He would stand all day if he could! He can stand quite well-balanced by firmly gripping my thumbs. When he does, he looks around happily with a grin of pride, and I praise him like crazy. He's also attempted a funny kind of crawl that involves all parts of his body except his head, which he keeps planted to the ground like a weight. However, he can move quite successfully using his current maneuver. One day last week, I placed him at one end of the living room carpet, and he made it all the way to the other end in just a couple minutes.
He's also experiencing some slight reservations when around new people or people he doesn't see too often. This is only just beginning, so we're hoping he doesn't dive too deep into a Mommy-only mentality.
And so, this is my older baby, who was once so tiny and unable to do any of the things I have highlighted in this post. I love this little boy!
For months now, Luke has thoroughly enjoyed his mornings. It has been a time for play, pleasant chatter, and general happiness. He also sits up on his own (often teetering over after a minute or so, if left without Mommy's support), and reaches out with his hands to play with his toys. He smiles and laughs at things now, not just people. He has a little basket of toys just for him, maybe 8 or 9, mostly beloved items that we often find strewn across our living room floor, which is a sure sign of his growing older.
Luke now eats food besides Mommy milk, and he loves his solid food, although it definitely isn't always solid! So far, he's had bananas, peaches, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes. We will be examining avocado this week, to introduce something green amongst the orange-tinted food he's been enjoying.
Another development has been Luke's incessant desire to stand. He would stand all day if he could! He can stand quite well-balanced by firmly gripping my thumbs. When he does, he looks around happily with a grin of pride, and I praise him like crazy. He's also attempted a funny kind of crawl that involves all parts of his body except his head, which he keeps planted to the ground like a weight. However, he can move quite successfully using his current maneuver. One day last week, I placed him at one end of the living room carpet, and he made it all the way to the other end in just a couple minutes.
He's also experiencing some slight reservations when around new people or people he doesn't see too often. This is only just beginning, so we're hoping he doesn't dive too deep into a Mommy-only mentality.
And so, this is my older baby, who was once so tiny and unable to do any of the things I have highlighted in this post. I love this little boy!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
SAHM, I am
I always see these funny "words" on message boards, and I usually have to look them up. DH is one I just can't use myself. Since I never find myself calling him "dear husband" ever, I can't get past using it in writing. SAHM, on the otherhand, is easier to use, and it stands for stay-at-home-mom. Yes! I will be a full-time mommy to Luke in just three short weeks! I am so excited!
After a summer of trying to negotiate a part-time position at my school, Chris and I carefully examined our situation, both financial and familial. We determined that if I did not get my part-time position, that I would resign and become a stay-at-home-mom. As you might guess, I did not get the part-time option. I handed in my notice last Friday. I gave one month's notice, ample time to hire and train another person to perform my role, especially if they hire from within our school.
We are blessed to have the ability for me to stay home and focus fully on Luke and our home. I am so extremely thankful to have the opportunity to opt out of the working world for these few years while Luke (and perhaps other, currently nonexistent) are young.
That said, we won't be living in quite the same way anymore. We will trim out the excess in our budget, and pinch pennies in order to make this work, but both Chris and I believe we are making the right decision for our family. iPhones and manicures are nice, but I wouldn't trade time with Luke for them.
And so there you have it. I am a stay-at-home mom, well, soon-to-be. And I hope very soon I'll be saying, "I do like it, SAHM I am!"
After a summer of trying to negotiate a part-time position at my school, Chris and I carefully examined our situation, both financial and familial. We determined that if I did not get my part-time position, that I would resign and become a stay-at-home-mom. As you might guess, I did not get the part-time option. I handed in my notice last Friday. I gave one month's notice, ample time to hire and train another person to perform my role, especially if they hire from within our school.
We are blessed to have the ability for me to stay home and focus fully on Luke and our home. I am so extremely thankful to have the opportunity to opt out of the working world for these few years while Luke (and perhaps other, currently nonexistent) are young.
That said, we won't be living in quite the same way anymore. We will trim out the excess in our budget, and pinch pennies in order to make this work, but both Chris and I believe we are making the right decision for our family. iPhones and manicures are nice, but I wouldn't trade time with Luke for them.
And so there you have it. I am a stay-at-home mom, well, soon-to-be. And I hope very soon I'll be saying, "I do like it, SAHM I am!"
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Similac
So, I was happily playing with Luke when a loud knock at the door startled us this afternoon. It was our mail carrier with a package. The package was addressed to me with my address listed, but I was thoroughly confused. It was a package of Similac baby formula. I never ordered any such package, and I said so to the mailman. He said he delivers loads of them, and he thinks they are free "gifts" from the company.
Hmmm... nice try, Similac, but we're doing just fine with breast milk, thank you. And very smart ploy, by the way, to supply new moms with just enough "free" formula to reduce their milk supply so they will eventually need to buy your product. Smart, but your trick isn't going to work on me.
Isn't that crazy?!
Hmmm... nice try, Similac, but we're doing just fine with breast milk, thank you. And very smart ploy, by the way, to supply new moms with just enough "free" formula to reduce their milk supply so they will eventually need to buy your product. Smart, but your trick isn't going to work on me.
Isn't that crazy?!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
First Night in the Crib
How could I have forgotten to post the big news?!
Luke spent his first night in his crib in his own bedroom. It helped that his babysitter Laura put him there, and Mommy and Daddy didn't come home until 1:30 AM, but in any case, Luke stayed there from about 10 PM until 4 AM. Yippee!
Perhaps I should also mention that he hasn't spent the night in there since then. Naps? Oh yes, he takes many naps in his crib, but we've yet to do the overnight thing again. We both really like having him in our room, as we know his noises so well. Listening on the monitor is just not the same for us since we've gotten used to having the real thing right there.
Luke spent his first night in his crib in his own bedroom. It helped that his babysitter Laura put him there, and Mommy and Daddy didn't come home until 1:30 AM, but in any case, Luke stayed there from about 10 PM until 4 AM. Yippee!
Perhaps I should also mention that he hasn't spent the night in there since then. Naps? Oh yes, he takes many naps in his crib, but we've yet to do the overnight thing again. We both really like having him in our room, as we know his noises so well. Listening on the monitor is just not the same for us since we've gotten used to having the real thing right there.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Fun Photos
While this photo was taken a while ago, it was the very first time Ozzy decided to get close to Luke. Very cute!
He's an intellectual.
This photo speaks for itself.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Luke's First Dip
Father's Day 2010 marked Luke's first official dip in a pool. Aunt Carol's pool, to be precise.
We are not sure how Luke felt about this experience. We believe he was both tired and hungry during his first swim, which we believe accounts for his fussiness. We are going to try swimming again soon.
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