Longer out than in

Luke has been out longer than he was in!  That's pretty amazing, since my pregnancy with Luke seemed to last forever.  It probably didn't help that I knew nearly the second I was pregnant, and Luke stayed in for a few extra weeks.  In any case, I remember when he was born, thinking, one day I'll be able to say he's been out longer than he was in.  That day has come!  Really, it was weeks ago, but it's still true now.  Luckily, Luke seems to like this world and all it's curiosities. 

All better!

It took a long time - two stomach bugs for Luke, one for Daddy, one for Mommy, and a cold for Mommy too - but we are finally healthy again after a very long month of being ill.  It seems this has been a very bad winter for being sick.  Not just for us.... Luke's Nana, Uncle Rob, and Aintin have all been sick.  Nearly all Luke's friends have been sick with stomach bugs over the past month.  Everyone I run into says, "I had that; it was awful!" and it just seems to keep cycling around. 

Let's hope for a healthy few months ahead.

Feeling better = more blogging.  That's good, isn't it?!

Baby Sign Language

Over the past three weeks or so, Luke has been using some sign language.  I have been using it since he was about five months old, and within six weeks of using the signs, Luke began to recognize the meaning of some of them.  That was a wonderful thing for us, to say and sign "milk" and see a big smile flash across his chubby little face. 

It has only been in the last few weeks that Luke has begun to actually use the signs himself to communicate with us.  It started with what appeared to be clapping while in his high chair.  (To make matters confusing for me, Luke learned how to clap and ask for "more" in the same week!)  I wondered if he was asking for "more" food.  When I said, "Do you want 'more'?" while using the sign for "more" he smiled and kicked his legs.  This was the first time Luke used a sign to ask for something he wanted or needed.  It was a great moment for both of us!

That weekend, while baking Christmas cookies with our family at Grammy's house, Luke used all three of our most commonly used signs ("milk", "more", and "eat") in sequence, although he was not actually asking for any of those things.  I believe he finally realized that he was capable of using his hands to do the things I have been doing for months, and he was just practicing.  I confirmed by asking him and signing all three signs.  He looked at me and realized I recognized his signs, but he did not smile or get excited, leading me to believe he was simply practicing. 

Over the weeks that followed, Luke has continued to use his signs, although it is somewhat difficult to interpret at times.  I do my best to confirm what he is saying, but we continue nonetheless.  I am now introducing a few new signs, including "potty", "all done", "get down", "bath", and "play".  We shall see how things progress.

Here are a few of the signs Luke can now recognize and/or use himself:

 Milk

 Eat

 More

 Bath

 Water

 Bed or Sleep

Note to self...

I have 537 different things to get done around the house and for the holidays.  However, I have been the worst blogger that ever blogged, and it has been way too long without a post.  So I am committing to all of you (I know there are only FIVE official followers, but far more unofficial "stalker" types - you know who you are!) that I will post about some of the following topics in the next few days.  Promise!

Speaking of followers, if you're not one and you reading this blog, just officially "follow" this blog already!  I like to know my audience.  It would help keep me motivated to blog, choose topics to discuss, and a light-hearted "comment conversation" would be a welcome addition to this blog.

Okay, my topics:

• Giving up cable TV
• Luke using sign language
• Luke's new physical talents, including standing, climbing, and assisted walking
• Meeting with a home birth midwife
• New photos, including Luke's picture with Santa
• Luke's awesome new and varied diet
• Experiencing the holidays as a family of three
• Luke's language development
• Discipline (yes, for a 9-month-old! Obviously we're not using time-outs yet, but we are gently enforcing limits.  More to come...)
• More delicious recipes and the creation of my recipe binder
• (On an entirely different note from the previous bullet) Luke's potty success

I'm sure there are many more things to post, but Luke is close to waking up from his nap, and I just have to get the dishes done.

I feel good back in cyber land.

Dear Gummy Smile...

As that first top tooth finally peeked its way through today, we must bid you adieu.  Your gumminess will certainly be missed.  Going with it is that little baby look, and coming instead is the grin of a toddler.

Thank goodness for breastfeeding!

I spent the better part of last week sick.  It was just a cold, but wow, was it a bad one!  I tried to keep Luke close to me in order to keep him well.  I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but whatever antibodies my body was making to fight off infection and sickness would be passed to Luke through breastmilk.  I was not sure how this would work now that Luke nurses less frequently, but luckily my intuition was right.  He was bit unlike himself for a few hours on Friday, but other than that, this illness passed him by.  Yay for Mother Nature and her miracles!  This is just one reason I am so pleased that we both took so well to breastfeeding. 
  
Of course, this is also a timely understanding.  I was beginning to feel disheartened with our nursing.  Luke is so strong and mobile now, and he likes to grab and claw at me during feedings.  Also, his teeth have made nursing less than pleasant for me.  Getting sick and realizing that Luke probably stayed well because of breastfeeding has renewed my sense of what is right about the experience. What a true miracle of nature! 

Sick Mommy

Today was not an especially good day for Mommy.  She was feeling a little sick, so we did not play as much as we usually do.  I know she was trying hard, but the day got much better when Daddy came home to look after me.  Mommy went back to sleep to get well, and Daddy and I played and went for a walk.  Because Daddy still had work to do, I watched some Sesame Street, which made it feel like a special day to me!  I hope Mommy gets well soon.