Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Andrew's 8 month update
It has been a while since I've been able to post! I dont know that I will remember everything; it has been busy. Andrew turned 8 months old on May 17th.. he's growing up so fast, but I'm loving this age!
Andrew had been getting around in his own way for a while, but it was May 12th that I realized he wasn't crawling on his tummy anymore, he was actually crawling for real. He is certainly delighted with his newfound ability. I love being able to hear his hands and knees smack the floor as he crawls, or the shuffling sound he makes across carpet.
We have had to move the cat food off the floor since he is so eager to have it. He also chases Flash around laughing the entire time. Yesterday he got Flash's collar from off the floor and was waving it around. Flash of course associates his collar with being allowed outside - so he was trying to figure out how to get it back from Andrew.. it was pretty funny to watch their interactions. Flash is sooo good with him. He lets Andrew chase him, and gently tells Andrew when he's not being nice, and then he gets out of reach when he's had enough. (notice he is eating catfood in the picture below)
I bought a baby gate at a yard sale weeks ago to put at the top of the stairs that go down into the studio, but I can't get it to be tight all the time. I dont trust it. But Andrew has always been fascinated with that doorway and what's down there. Twice this week I have stood at the stairs ready to catch him, but letting him investigate them on his own still. The first time he realized the change in depth.. the second time he was so distracted by Tripod who went running by him that he forgot to look and would have fallen down the stairs if I hadn't been ready to catch him.
He likes to sit and play with the air return vent in the hallway. It doesn't latch properly anymore so it makes a lot of noise when he bangs on it because the bottom of the door is loose. That and he can make interesting sounds by running his fingers down the outside of it.
He is still fascinated with the vacuum cleaner. Today he pushed it back and forth in the hallway for a long time, and eventually moved it into the bathroom. Which, by the way, he loves sitting in the guest bathroom. I dont know if its because he hears his voice echo differently or not, but he loves being in there.
He also likes to sit in front of the bookshelf in his room and pull the books and toys off to play. He is really good and content playing by himself most of the time. But I love watching him.
He loves it when you clink your teeth together, or cluck your tongue.
He likes to scream.. Ted and Andrew will just go back and forth going "Aaaah!" and laughing.
On May 23rd we took him in the pool for the first time. It was over 90 degrees outside that day so the air was still warm even though the sun was close to setting behind the house. He LOVED it! Today it was cooler in the evening so I put a shallow bucket of water on the deck for him. He sat on the outside and splashed his hands in it so much he was soaked from head to toe, and he enjoyed every minute of it. He sure loves the water!
He is making his way out of his 9 month clothes and into 12 month. The four long, slender short-sleeved onesies he has still seem to fit okay, but nothing else in that size does. But several pairs of the 12 month pants we had for him are too small, while one of them is too long! I dont get it! Nothing seems consistent. His jammies are 18 month sized. They are a little long in the torso for him, but the feet are the right size. They should be the perfect size in another month or so the way he is growing. Each month, we stand him in the doorway of his room and use a ruler to mark his height. He grew a good inch and a half at least from 7 months to 8 months!
The other day I went in his room to get him, and I could tell he wanted to try and stand up so I ran to get my camera. He's so cute. Of course, after he got up he was so excited he jumped in his bed and hit his mouth on the side which resulted in a flood of tears. Poor munchkin. Click on the picture to see it larger.
He looks so mischievous in this picture.. it cracks me up:
VIDEOS:
Andrew having fun in his Jumperoo:
Andrew Crawling down the hallway (he can crawl way faster than this):
Andrew Drumming on Papa's drum:
Andrew playing with the toys in his room:
Andrew playing with the vacuum cleaner. (he moved it all the way into the bathroom by himself yesterday and kept going in there to play with it):
Did you know that there are REUSABLE swim diapers out there?! I guess its along the lines of using cloth diapers and being eco friendly and all.. but I didn't even know they existed! I found them in the One Step Ahead catalog I got in the mail. I am loving their stuff!
I'm considering buying Andrew the little baby splash pad. Although.. he can just sit and play in a bucket of water and be happy - its not like he needs the splash pad. And hooking it up to the hose would be a nuisance for me. We'll see. But the swim diapers... now that would be a good investment I think. Lots of fun stuff there. Glad we're not going to the beach this year - I'd have been tempted to buy some of this stuff. Here is their website if you want to see what I'm talking about.
Andrew had been getting around in his own way for a while, but it was May 12th that I realized he wasn't crawling on his tummy anymore, he was actually crawling for real. He is certainly delighted with his newfound ability. I love being able to hear his hands and knees smack the floor as he crawls, or the shuffling sound he makes across carpet.
I bought a baby gate at a yard sale weeks ago to put at the top of the stairs that go down into the studio, but I can't get it to be tight all the time. I dont trust it. But Andrew has always been fascinated with that doorway and what's down there. Twice this week I have stood at the stairs ready to catch him, but letting him investigate them on his own still. The first time he realized the change in depth.. the second time he was so distracted by Tripod who went running by him that he forgot to look and would have fallen down the stairs if I hadn't been ready to catch him.
He likes to sit and play with the air return vent in the hallway. It doesn't latch properly anymore so it makes a lot of noise when he bangs on it because the bottom of the door is loose. That and he can make interesting sounds by running his fingers down the outside of it.
He is still fascinated with the vacuum cleaner. Today he pushed it back and forth in the hallway for a long time, and eventually moved it into the bathroom. Which, by the way, he loves sitting in the guest bathroom. I dont know if its because he hears his voice echo differently or not, but he loves being in there.
He loves it when you clink your teeth together, or cluck your tongue.
He likes to scream.. Ted and Andrew will just go back and forth going "Aaaah!" and laughing.
Ted also started 'running' with Andrew. He'll start him off walking, and then go faster and faster until Andrew is practically galloping across the floor. Its hilarious! He wont do it when I have the camera out, but I'll try to catch it soon. But Andrew LOVES it.. he has such a great laugh too. He makes us so happy.
On May 23rd we took him in the pool for the first time. It was over 90 degrees outside that day so the air was still warm even though the sun was close to setting behind the house. He LOVED it! Today it was cooler in the evening so I put a shallow bucket of water on the deck for him. He sat on the outside and splashed his hands in it so much he was soaked from head to toe, and he enjoyed every minute of it. He sure loves the water!
He is making his way out of his 9 month clothes and into 12 month. The four long, slender short-sleeved onesies he has still seem to fit okay, but nothing else in that size does. But several pairs of the 12 month pants we had for him are too small, while one of them is too long! I dont get it! Nothing seems consistent. His jammies are 18 month sized. They are a little long in the torso for him, but the feet are the right size. They should be the perfect size in another month or so the way he is growing. Each month, we stand him in the doorway of his room and use a ruler to mark his height. He grew a good inch and a half at least from 7 months to 8 months!
The other day I went in his room to get him, and I could tell he wanted to try and stand up so I ran to get my camera. He's so cute. Of course, after he got up he was so excited he jumped in his bed and hit his mouth on the side which resulted in a flood of tears. Poor munchkin. Click on the picture to see it larger.
He looks so mischievous in this picture.. it cracks me up:
VIDEOS:
Andrew having fun in his Jumperoo:
Andrew Crawling down the hallway (he can crawl way faster than this):
Andrew Drumming on Papa's drum:
Andrew playing with the toys in his room:
Andrew playing with the vacuum cleaner. (he moved it all the way into the bathroom by himself yesterday and kept going in there to play with it):
Did you know that there are REUSABLE swim diapers out there?! I guess its along the lines of using cloth diapers and being eco friendly and all.. but I didn't even know they existed! I found them in the One Step Ahead catalog I got in the mail. I am loving their stuff!
I'm considering buying Andrew the little baby splash pad. Although.. he can just sit and play in a bucket of water and be happy - its not like he needs the splash pad. And hooking it up to the hose would be a nuisance for me. We'll see. But the swim diapers... now that would be a good investment I think. Lots of fun stuff there. Glad we're not going to the beach this year - I'd have been tempted to buy some of this stuff. Here is their website if you want to see what I'm talking about.
Friday, May 14, 2010
First Fever
We survived Andrew's first fever episode. He was burning hot last night. At first I thought he was just hot because he'd had a screaming episode while Ted and I took the pool cover off last night. But a couple of hours later he was still hot so I took his temperature and it was 101.3. He hadn't eaten well all day either, and for the first two hours of bedtime he wasn't sleeping soundly. I think it was around 10pm we tried to get him to eat a little more, changed him into more comfy pjs that had been in the washer when we put him to bed, and then sat with him a little bit to make sure he'd settle into sleep. He wasn't rolling around in bed like he usually does, but he was whimpering.
Neither of us got good sleep. I had our fan set to low just to have some background static, but I wanted to make sure I could hear any little whimper Andrew made just in case it sounded off. He cried at 1am but stopped by the time either of us could drag our feet out of bed. Ted went and checked on him and he was still hot, but he was asleep. This morning his temperature was 99.7 at 7:30 when he got up. His body felt okay, but his head felt hot to the touch.
He slowly made his way through a bottle and then I put him in the stroller and went for a walk. He seemed to enjoy it. Afterward I checked his temperature and it finally came down to normal again. Yeay! I'm hoping it's just from teething. Although he did lick the shopping cart handle at Goodwill of all places yesterday.. ick!
Either way, I think he's better. He's tired, and a little clingy.. but I think it will get better. Grandma comes into town later today, so hopefully he'll be agreeable and rested by then.
On a lighter note.. Andrew is moving his way into 12 month clothes. The 9 months are looking a little short now. Some of the 12 month pants are already too short, and some are just right. I picked up a pair of 18 month size jammies at Goodwill yesterday even though they are a style I dislike. They are just a tad too long, but thats better than the toe crushing ones he's been wearing!
I have a video of him jumping in his jumperoo from the other day, but I need to try and catch a nap while he's down. Just thought I'd post on our overnight adventure of anxiety.
Neither of us got good sleep. I had our fan set to low just to have some background static, but I wanted to make sure I could hear any little whimper Andrew made just in case it sounded off. He cried at 1am but stopped by the time either of us could drag our feet out of bed. Ted went and checked on him and he was still hot, but he was asleep. This morning his temperature was 99.7 at 7:30 when he got up. His body felt okay, but his head felt hot to the touch.
He slowly made his way through a bottle and then I put him in the stroller and went for a walk. He seemed to enjoy it. Afterward I checked his temperature and it finally came down to normal again. Yeay! I'm hoping it's just from teething. Although he did lick the shopping cart handle at Goodwill of all places yesterday.. ick!
Either way, I think he's better. He's tired, and a little clingy.. but I think it will get better. Grandma comes into town later today, so hopefully he'll be agreeable and rested by then.
On a lighter note.. Andrew is moving his way into 12 month clothes. The 9 months are looking a little short now. Some of the 12 month pants are already too short, and some are just right. I picked up a pair of 18 month size jammies at Goodwill yesterday even though they are a style I dislike. They are just a tad too long, but thats better than the toe crushing ones he's been wearing!
I have a video of him jumping in his jumperoo from the other day, but I need to try and catch a nap while he's down. Just thought I'd post on our overnight adventure of anxiety.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Ddddadadadaa
Andrew talked almost nonstop this weekend, and probably walked half a mile. He doesn't want to sit, he wants to walk. I bought him a pair of shoes at goodwill for 99 cents and he is putting them to good use. We were 30 minutes too early for the ministry group Saturday so we walked around the hall for that long. We walked around the house at home. Walked all over the hall on Sunday, then walked all over the playground at the park. For some reason, though, he seems to think he should be able to do it on his own or while only holding one hand. Uhm.. yeah.. that doesn't work sweetie.. you still need both hands.
On Sunday during the meeting he got upset sitting on my lap. I want him to learn to stay at the seat, but he is noisy. So Sunday I scooted him onto the floor and let him play with the straps on the bag and some soft toys. He was fine for a good while. Then he wanted up. He started trying to pull himself up by hanging onto my skirt. Well, he lost his grip and fell backward and whacked his head in the back of the seat in front of us. Which led to a huge wail that got everyone's attention.
After the meeting he was trying to climb the stage steps. At one point he got frustrated I guess. He sat back tensed up his while body bringing his shoulders to his ears and bending his arms and clenching his fists and let out a loud "grrrrr". Then tried again. So funny. He was also crawling across the floor to get people's toes and shoes.
In his jibber jabber he is saying Dadadada a lot, with a few Mamama and Nehnehneh. I'd love to know what he thinks he's saying the rest of the time. Its sounds very interesting.
He still likes to cluck his tongue and occasionally blow raspberries on your hand.
He has two more teeth working their way up from the bottom.
Andrew jabbering:
Andrew walking around the house:
On Sunday during the meeting he got upset sitting on my lap. I want him to learn to stay at the seat, but he is noisy. So Sunday I scooted him onto the floor and let him play with the straps on the bag and some soft toys. He was fine for a good while. Then he wanted up. He started trying to pull himself up by hanging onto my skirt. Well, he lost his grip and fell backward and whacked his head in the back of the seat in front of us. Which led to a huge wail that got everyone's attention.
After the meeting he was trying to climb the stage steps. At one point he got frustrated I guess. He sat back tensed up his while body bringing his shoulders to his ears and bending his arms and clenching his fists and let out a loud "grrrrr". Then tried again. So funny. He was also crawling across the floor to get people's toes and shoes.
In his jibber jabber he is saying Dadadada a lot, with a few Mamama and Nehnehneh. I'd love to know what he thinks he's saying the rest of the time. Its sounds very interesting.
He still likes to cluck his tongue and occasionally blow raspberries on your hand.
He has two more teeth working their way up from the bottom.
Andrew jabbering:
Andrew walking around the house:
Friday, May 7, 2010
My Friend - the Vacuum
Andrew is intrigued with the vacuum cleaner. If it is in the room - he stares at nothing else, he wants nothing else. He'll even crawl to it and study it. When it is on, he is cautious but I can even touch him with it and he doesn't get upset.
And this morning when I went in to get him, he looked so funny peering over the bumper. I of course had to try and get a picture.
And this morning when I went in to get him, he looked so funny peering over the bumper. I of course had to try and get a picture.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Walking, Crawling, and playing the piano
Andrew walking in his Jeep.
Crawling:
And his piano skills:
Crawling:
And his piano skills:
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Drop the Mattress!
So yeah, when Ted went in to Andrew's room this morning, Andrew was standing up hanging on to the side of the crib just waiting! That was a fast transition from just sitting up in bed. Although I'm not surprised at all. He's been trying to pull himself up on me for a while and I know he has the strength to.
I forgot these were on the camera. Here is the rubbermaid bin he has been playing in.
Here are some videos. His introduction to a sippy cup, and then three at the park: swinging, sliding, and on the seesaw. He was soooo tired and it was a little cool that day so they're not anything exciting to look at. Another day maybe we'll make it to the park when he's fresh and alert.
Andrew's sippy cup from Amanda Hagler on Vimeo.
Andrew's first time on a swing from Amanda Hagler on Vimeo.
Andrew on the slide from Amanda Hagler on Vimeo.
Andrew on the seesaw from Amanda Hagler on Vimeo.
I forgot these were on the camera. Here is the rubbermaid bin he has been playing in.
Here are some videos. His introduction to a sippy cup, and then three at the park: swinging, sliding, and on the seesaw. He was soooo tired and it was a little cool that day so they're not anything exciting to look at. Another day maybe we'll make it to the park when he's fresh and alert.
Andrew's sippy cup from Amanda Hagler on Vimeo.
Andrew's first time on a swing from Amanda Hagler on Vimeo.
Andrew on the slide from Amanda Hagler on Vimeo.
Andrew on the seesaw from Amanda Hagler on Vimeo.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
It wont be long!
Andrew was awake this morning at 5:45. I'd already been awake off and on for most of the 4am hour and Ted's alarm goes off at 5am. So when Andrew went down for his first morning nap - I was ready to greet my pillow as well. However, when I got up again, I accidentally woke up Andrew by closing his door. And when Nana went in to get him, Andrew was sitting up in his crib!! That was a first. I came running to see. So it looks like soon I'll have to drop his mattress down to a lower level. Can't have him falling out of the crib when he figures out how to stand in it!
I have spent nearly all day cleaning and organizing trying to get ready for a house full on Saturday. Andrew has been great. When I was cleaning the studio, I just sat him on the floor with a Tonka Truck and a construction hat and he played happily. Never budged or tried to crawl or anything. He watched as I vacuumed and didn't cry or fuss when I went in circles around him. He's just been really content playing with toys today.
His latest enjoyment isn't any of his toys, but sitting in a rubbermaid bin! We bought two to do a mini garden on the porch, and we haven't moved them outside yet. But it contains Andrew very well and he is delighted to be in it. Yesterday he was sitting in one and had scootched his bottom all the way to the end so he could sit next to the catfood buffet. I was sitting on the couch doing my studies and keeping an eye on him. He had two fingers in his mouth to suck on. He'd stare at the cat food, glance up at me, look back at the cat food, glance up at me. I know he knew that the cat food was something he should stay out of, and he was watching me to see if I noticed. Then all of a sudden he lunged forward and grabbed a handful of catfood. Of course I lunged from the couch to keep the food out of his mouth as he looked so happy and proud of his accomplishment. He's so funny.
At dinner last night, he fed himself. He'd already had his bottle, but he hates it when you eat in front of him and he's not eating too. So I had him in his high chair next to the dinner table. I'd made homemade Miso Soup and an Asian stirfry with tofu and whole wheat spaghetti noodles. I took one piece of seasoned tofu aside and cut it into pieces and put it on his tray. He fed himself happily. I think only half of it made it to his mouth, but he enjoyed the process. He did a good job too.
He has also gotten better at clucking his tongue. He clucked half way to the hall last night. And he's clucked some today. Such a cutie. He gets a kick out of you when you cluck your tongue, or click your teeth together.
I have spent nearly all day cleaning and organizing trying to get ready for a house full on Saturday. Andrew has been great. When I was cleaning the studio, I just sat him on the floor with a Tonka Truck and a construction hat and he played happily. Never budged or tried to crawl or anything. He watched as I vacuumed and didn't cry or fuss when I went in circles around him. He's just been really content playing with toys today.
His latest enjoyment isn't any of his toys, but sitting in a rubbermaid bin! We bought two to do a mini garden on the porch, and we haven't moved them outside yet. But it contains Andrew very well and he is delighted to be in it. Yesterday he was sitting in one and had scootched his bottom all the way to the end so he could sit next to the catfood buffet. I was sitting on the couch doing my studies and keeping an eye on him. He had two fingers in his mouth to suck on. He'd stare at the cat food, glance up at me, look back at the cat food, glance up at me. I know he knew that the cat food was something he should stay out of, and he was watching me to see if I noticed. Then all of a sudden he lunged forward and grabbed a handful of catfood. Of course I lunged from the couch to keep the food out of his mouth as he looked so happy and proud of his accomplishment. He's so funny.
At dinner last night, he fed himself. He'd already had his bottle, but he hates it when you eat in front of him and he's not eating too. So I had him in his high chair next to the dinner table. I'd made homemade Miso Soup and an Asian stirfry with tofu and whole wheat spaghetti noodles. I took one piece of seasoned tofu aside and cut it into pieces and put it on his tray. He fed himself happily. I think only half of it made it to his mouth, but he enjoyed the process. He did a good job too.
He has also gotten better at clucking his tongue. He clucked half way to the hall last night. And he's clucked some today. Such a cutie. He gets a kick out of you when you cluck your tongue, or click your teeth together.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Update
I really haven't had any time to post here lately but I ought to at least give a quick update while I'm at the computer pumping. I know he slept through the night and we didn't have to get up with him at all 4 nights in a row last week. That was huge for us!! I've been trying to cope with a lot, which of course puts more on Ted too. So both of us getting more sleep was helpful. A couple of nights he did wake us up, but we didnt have to get up and do anything for him. Sunday night he had me up twice but that is probably due to being off his schedule Saturday and Sunday both.
I had two photoshoots and a bridal shower all back to back on Saturday and Ted wanted to go in the ministry without Andrew.. so he was dropped off at a friend's house. He was due for a nap when he left, but didn't go down in all the excitement until late morning and he didnt sleep long. Then Sunday we had to zip through the grocery store and then rush to get ready for meeting so he only had about a 2 minute nap before being woken up to go into the hall. I did get him to sleep mid-meeting but he only slept for 40 minutes at most and he was still tired. So his usual schedule was off again. Hopefully today he'll get back on track and take long naps since that I think is key in him sleeping well at night: not getting overtired during the day, taking good naps, and eating at regular intervals after naps.
I have a crazy week this week since we have a bridal shower at our house Saturday and are expecting 75-80 people to show up. And there is rain in the forecast. So I have my regular work to accomplish, ministry and errands, cleaning my house thoroughly, and making 100+ burgers and hopefully ability to get to the chiropractor at some point as well as detoxing. I'm in a lot of pain from chemical exposures at the shower and meeting over the weekend, its just not convenient to sit and detox. And of course keeping up with pumping every 2-3 hours. It would be nice to get his baby book updated before the shower too. I have a stack of loose pictures to go in it that I dont want to lose or have anything happen to.
Okay, I got interrupted and had to come back. I think I have another reason why Andrew had me up last night. He was trying to help me eat my oatmeal (he's gonna be quite a beggar) and I saw a glimpse of another tooth. I stuck my finger in to check and sure enough - he has tooth #8 on the bottom! One of my clients told me I have an alien child.. They often dont have more than 2 teeth at this age.. nevermind 8!
So.. whats new with Andrew besides the extra tooth?
He has figured out how to deliberately direct his Jeep where he wants to go. And he does a pretty good job with it. I dont remember which day it was, but I was on the couch eating pasta with olive tapenade on it, and a side of spinach and kale. He walked his Jeep from the dining room to the couch smacking his lips the entire way. He was delighted to taste the tiny chunks of olives and tiny pieces of spinach leaves.
He is working on crawling. He doesn't like the effort it takes him, but yesterday he crawled all the way from the edge of the carpet to my feet at the couch. (He definitely has to want what he's after to be willing to crawl and he loves shoes and laces.) Its more like a military tummy crawl, but he's moving. Its not just going in circles anymore. When he does stop and pull his arms off the floor and whine.. Ted realized all you have to say is "Put your arms down.. arms down" and he does.
He can feed himself his cereal puffs pretty well. Just a week ago he was doing well to get one to his mouth, but already he is having better success.
He was clucking his tongue on the way to the Hall yesterday. I haven't heard him do it much, but he evidently has the ability.
He is trying to walk more when you hold him with his feet on the floor. For a while he went through his happy feet stage where he just wanted to dance and tap his feet. Now he's trying to walk. I can even hold just his hands now and he wobbles his way forward.
He's been putting himself to sleep at naps and bedtime. I told my mom and Ted that all I do is get him relaxed, lay him in the crib, and let him talk himself to sleep. If he gets worked up and cries, I pick him up and start over getting him all calm.. but again, lay him in the crib when he's still quite awake. He usually talks or sings for about 15 minutes and then is out. They've both started doing that too and it seems to be working for all of us.
Oh, and three times this week when Ted was trying to burp him, Andrew threw up all over Ted and himself after a very full bottle. Yeah - like two bath towels full of clean up! Shower and bath worthy episodes. Ted I think is becoming more wary of burping Andrew.
He is fascinated by the vacuum cleaner. He likes to sit on it and play with it when its not running, has even crawled across the floor to get to it, but he definitely doesn't like the noise it makes. He is very cautious about it when I pull it into the room.
I can't think of any other details. As usual he's a happy, mostly content little boy eager to take on the world and see what it has to offer him. My friends joke that he'll be taking appliances apart and trying to put them back together by age 3.
I had two photoshoots and a bridal shower all back to back on Saturday and Ted wanted to go in the ministry without Andrew.. so he was dropped off at a friend's house. He was due for a nap when he left, but didn't go down in all the excitement until late morning and he didnt sleep long. Then Sunday we had to zip through the grocery store and then rush to get ready for meeting so he only had about a 2 minute nap before being woken up to go into the hall. I did get him to sleep mid-meeting but he only slept for 40 minutes at most and he was still tired. So his usual schedule was off again. Hopefully today he'll get back on track and take long naps since that I think is key in him sleeping well at night: not getting overtired during the day, taking good naps, and eating at regular intervals after naps.
I have a crazy week this week since we have a bridal shower at our house Saturday and are expecting 75-80 people to show up. And there is rain in the forecast. So I have my regular work to accomplish, ministry and errands, cleaning my house thoroughly, and making 100+ burgers and hopefully ability to get to the chiropractor at some point as well as detoxing. I'm in a lot of pain from chemical exposures at the shower and meeting over the weekend, its just not convenient to sit and detox. And of course keeping up with pumping every 2-3 hours. It would be nice to get his baby book updated before the shower too. I have a stack of loose pictures to go in it that I dont want to lose or have anything happen to.
Okay, I got interrupted and had to come back. I think I have another reason why Andrew had me up last night. He was trying to help me eat my oatmeal (he's gonna be quite a beggar) and I saw a glimpse of another tooth. I stuck my finger in to check and sure enough - he has tooth #8 on the bottom! One of my clients told me I have an alien child.. They often dont have more than 2 teeth at this age.. nevermind 8!
So.. whats new with Andrew besides the extra tooth?
He has figured out how to deliberately direct his Jeep where he wants to go. And he does a pretty good job with it. I dont remember which day it was, but I was on the couch eating pasta with olive tapenade on it, and a side of spinach and kale. He walked his Jeep from the dining room to the couch smacking his lips the entire way. He was delighted to taste the tiny chunks of olives and tiny pieces of spinach leaves.
He is working on crawling. He doesn't like the effort it takes him, but yesterday he crawled all the way from the edge of the carpet to my feet at the couch. (He definitely has to want what he's after to be willing to crawl and he loves shoes and laces.) Its more like a military tummy crawl, but he's moving. Its not just going in circles anymore. When he does stop and pull his arms off the floor and whine.. Ted realized all you have to say is "Put your arms down.. arms down" and he does.
He can feed himself his cereal puffs pretty well. Just a week ago he was doing well to get one to his mouth, but already he is having better success.
He was clucking his tongue on the way to the Hall yesterday. I haven't heard him do it much, but he evidently has the ability.
He is trying to walk more when you hold him with his feet on the floor. For a while he went through his happy feet stage where he just wanted to dance and tap his feet. Now he's trying to walk. I can even hold just his hands now and he wobbles his way forward.
He's been putting himself to sleep at naps and bedtime. I told my mom and Ted that all I do is get him relaxed, lay him in the crib, and let him talk himself to sleep. If he gets worked up and cries, I pick him up and start over getting him all calm.. but again, lay him in the crib when he's still quite awake. He usually talks or sings for about 15 minutes and then is out. They've both started doing that too and it seems to be working for all of us.
Oh, and three times this week when Ted was trying to burp him, Andrew threw up all over Ted and himself after a very full bottle. Yeah - like two bath towels full of clean up! Shower and bath worthy episodes. Ted I think is becoming more wary of burping Andrew.
He is fascinated by the vacuum cleaner. He likes to sit on it and play with it when its not running, has even crawled across the floor to get to it, but he definitely doesn't like the noise it makes. He is very cautious about it when I pull it into the room.
I can't think of any other details. As usual he's a happy, mostly content little boy eager to take on the world and see what it has to offer him. My friends joke that he'll be taking appliances apart and trying to put them back together by age 3.
Monday, April 19, 2010
My Baby Can Read
Seems like he started the Your Baby Can Read dvd set when he was almost 3 months old. I'm not positive. I'd have to go back through the blog or my calendar to look. Anyway, I haven't been regular with his flashcards so he's pretty much only been using the videos. I might pull them out twice a month at the most it seems. But today I pulled them out and wanted to see if he knew any of them. He got 7 out of 7 right!! Ted came in and I said, "Your baby can read!" He wasn't sure if he should believe me. But the look on his face when I proved it was priceless.
These are the words Andrew was asked to read. I would hold up two cards equal distances away and say, "Which card says _____?" He'd look back and forth and look like he was focusing really hard, and then he'd reach up and either tag the card or try to take the card. I mixed them up too - they weren't always on the same side to choose from. I'm still a little in disbelief. Here was his mix, in reverse order of what he was asked:
Chimpanzee vs. Arms Up
Tongue vs. Elephant
Chimpanzee vs. Rattle --> this one took the longest for him to choose between
Diaper vs. Keys
Tiger vs. Nose
I can't remember which word I asked him to select, but he got it right both times. These were the words I started with.
Dog vs. Eyes
Mouth vs. Cats
These are the words Andrew was asked to read. I would hold up two cards equal distances away and say, "Which card says _____?" He'd look back and forth and look like he was focusing really hard, and then he'd reach up and either tag the card or try to take the card. I mixed them up too - they weren't always on the same side to choose from. I'm still a little in disbelief. Here was his mix, in reverse order of what he was asked:
Chimpanzee vs. Arms Up
Tongue vs. Elephant
Chimpanzee vs. Rattle --> this one took the longest for him to choose between
Diaper vs. Keys
Tiger vs. Nose
I can't remember which word I asked him to select, but he got it right both times. These were the words I started with.
Dog vs. Eyes
Mouth vs. Cats
Andrew is 7 months old!
Saturday I had a session at the park at 9am. I told Ted if he was up to it, he could tag along and maybe we could snap a few of us afterward, and also put Andrew on the swing for the first time. He loves it when I pretend his Johnny Jump Up is a swing, so I knew he'd enjoy the park. Unfortunately, by that time he was so beyond tired, he didn't even register what was going on at first. Ted sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to him and got a smile at least. I think he did like it, but not as much as he would have if he'd been rested.
When it came time to do the family shots.. I realized that I forgot an important piece to the Tripod. So, I had to improvise and use a children's chair to prop the camera on so I could take the picture. Terrible angle. It also prevented me from being able to see through the camera for positioning, cropping, and focus. But, it will do. The picture is okay enough. I wish I could redo it, but its a memory still.
When it came time to do the family shots.. I realized that I forgot an important piece to the Tripod. So, I had to improvise and use a children's chair to prop the camera on so I could take the picture. Terrible angle. It also prevented me from being able to see through the camera for positioning, cropping, and focus. But, it will do. The picture is okay enough. I wish I could redo it, but its a memory still.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Playin' in the Pool .. or Tub
Its really a bathtub on loan to us that he has outgrown for baths. I just haven't returned it yet. However, in my search for something that he could use for a pool today.. I thought of this tub and it was perfect. He seemed to enjoy playing in it. He kept trying to eat a tag attached to the bottom, and his toes of course. He finally got tired of sticking his face in the water and playtime was over. I'd like to get him a small baby pool for this summer. Just something to get wet in. He loves splashing in the tub, but it'd be nice to get outside more this summer. Enjoy the pictures. Sorry if you dont like the vintage tone on all of them.. it was more interesting than the regular color to me.
There will be more at Shutterfly.. I'll post the link in the comments when its ready.
There will be more at Shutterfly.. I'll post the link in the comments when its ready.
Pictures on the grass
We have been having beautiful warm weather. I want to be outside even though there isn't much to do out there. I try to walk every morning after Andrew has breakfast. On Tuesday, I decided to get a few shots of him in the grass before our walk. The sun was so bright I could hardly see the camera so I wasn't sure what they looked like until I came in.. I think they turned out alright though. Not perfect, but cute still.
This one was the face he'd make after tasting some icky grass.
This one was the face he'd make after tasting some icky grass.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Two, Four, Six ... Seven?!
We attended our Circuit Assembly over the weekend. It went remarkably well. Andrew loved all the activity and people.. and of course a lot of people loved seeing Andrew, or meeting him for the first time. I dont recall him crying once. He got a little fussy when it was time for his naps, but Nana and Ted both were able to get him to sleep at those times with a little effort. At lunch we put some shoes and sunglasses on him and let him jump around outside - but it got so hot so quickly, that we all nearly melted. I forgot to take any pictures on Saturday, but we managed to get a few on Sunday at least to document his first assembly. (We were too sleep deprived to safely make it to the special assembly day several months ago in Cookeville.)
When we were approaching the last hour of Sundays session... he seemed uncomfortable and wanted to chew on everything and anything. Okay, he wanted to chew on everything anyway.. but he seemed particularly antsy and assumed correctly that he was hungry. I started feeding him some cereal puffs and noticed.. he has another tooth! Tooth number 7 is on the bottom to the left of the two he already has. I was so surprised! And proud, given that he again has not been grouchy or fussy during his teething process. I dont know if it cut through Sunday or an earlier day, but Sunday is when I noticed it.
Here are the pictures I have:
Andrew trying eat daddy's apple during lunch.
And then a couple before going home:
Here are two videos of Andrew laughing. The first was either Friday or Saturday evening. Flash was following me around crying so I started saying in a high voice "Flash and Tripod, Tripod and Flash." Nothing cute sweet or funny, but Ted said Andrew was laughing hard at what he was hearing down the hallway. So I came to them and said it some more and sure enough he was laughing. As usual, Andrew laughs harder when the camera is not out, but its still cute.
The second video was after we got home Sunday. Ted put him on the bed so he could get changed into regular clothes. Ted would duck down by the bed and then jump up and Andrew was laughing really hard. I went and got the camera, but he's not laughing as hard by then.
When we were approaching the last hour of Sundays session... he seemed uncomfortable and wanted to chew on everything and anything. Okay, he wanted to chew on everything anyway.. but he seemed particularly antsy and assumed correctly that he was hungry. I started feeding him some cereal puffs and noticed.. he has another tooth! Tooth number 7 is on the bottom to the left of the two he already has. I was so surprised! And proud, given that he again has not been grouchy or fussy during his teething process. I dont know if it cut through Sunday or an earlier day, but Sunday is when I noticed it.
Here are the pictures I have:
Daddy took a few with his cell phone of mommy and Andrew playing outside at lunchtime:
And then a couple before going home:
Here are two videos of Andrew laughing. The first was either Friday or Saturday evening. Flash was following me around crying so I started saying in a high voice "Flash and Tripod, Tripod and Flash." Nothing cute sweet or funny, but Ted said Andrew was laughing hard at what he was hearing down the hallway. So I came to them and said it some more and sure enough he was laughing. As usual, Andrew laughs harder when the camera is not out, but its still cute.
The second video was after we got home Sunday. Ted put him on the bed so he could get changed into regular clothes. Ted would duck down by the bed and then jump up and Andrew was laughing really hard. I went and got the camera, but he's not laughing as hard by then.
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