S M I L E

Just Makes My Day!

Catastrophic

IS ANYONE ELSE BOTHERED BY THE FACT THAT THERE ARE BILLIONS OF TONNES OF OIL JUST POURING OUT INTO THE OCEAN AND IT ISN'T STOPPING?

A Milestone # 2

So 2 months has past already. River is growing like crazy. He had his 2 month immunizations today and they told me he is 12 lbs 5 oz! Wow... He's begun to wear 3-6 months clothes and I don't think I can wait any longer to finish these size 1 diapers before going into size 2 if I don't want to cut the circulation off in his legs! So reflecting on what's new:

Naps in the day time. He sorta did this on his own and taught me because I wasn't paying attention to when he was sleeping. Now he naps in his crib or anywhere and I've kinda figured out when he does this and its become sort of a ... wait for it.... ROUTINE!

Way more tone. In the words of my cousin, "he's not that mushy!" River is pretty much holding his own head up. Its more bobble headed if he's tired. He sits and stands way better (with help of course). Chris told me he was doing sit-ups yesterday.... So ya.. Stronger!

Smiling! At first he gave contorted half smile faces that were almost as cute as the real thing. He's most smiley in the morning and then next is when he has a full happy belly. That gummy grin looking up at me just melts my heart. He's starting to do it more often and to more people. A smiling baby is contagious. How can you not smile back?

Stopped screaming for hours on end at night! I don't know why but from 3 to 7 weeks nights were awful! The "Kolic (gripe water)" was used so often that the phrase "get his juice" became the most commonly used phrase in the house. We managed in shifts. We tried everything. Even a chiropractor. It has been pure bliss to be able to have my little man warmly snuggle into my neck to sleep happily at night.

Growth spurt. Just when he began to sleep close to 5 hours at night this happened. About 7.5 wks he began to eat every 1-2 hrs for almost a week. O well I'll get up to feed every hour if it means he doesn't scream the crazy tortured screams anymore.

Starting to grab onto things. His soother in his mouth, the toys on his baby gym, dad's keys. I don't think he realizes that he's doing it yet though.

Noticing Stuff He watches his mobile, follows you across the room, makes eye contact, stares at lights, the TV, people. If you can't tell I'm excited about every little thing. I already know the next kid, if there is one will not get this enthusiastic detail.

Milestone's for us

We had a garage sale. I had a baby shower for River. I took a camera class to learn a little bit about the fancy camera I bought to capture my little boy. I started boot camp to get back into shape. Chris has been renovating a house we naively thought we'd have plenty of time to deal with when we bought it in the 8th month of my pregnancy. He also finished hardie shakes at the lake! (Thanks babe, and thanks to Harvey to) I've taken River all over the place.. restaurants, friends houses, the movie theater, the mall, even a bar for a steak night fundraiser (all ages don't worry). I dunked his head under water after blowing in his face (o that was terrifying for me), O the places we've been....Fun times in your second month of life my boy. You are such a good baby and I can't stop staring at you....

Quiet Earth

I read this Navajo poem, Quiet Earth, painted on a canvas at a store at the lake this weekend. I really liked it. If everyone lived this way earth would be a very different place I'm sure.

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors...... We are borrowing it from our children"

Here's to taking care of what we have.

New Mom, New Baby

New Mom

I heard the phrase that someone was a "new mom" today and it got me thinking... I am one of those. Not that mom's who have had time elapse since the birth of their first child are any less important. In fact, if having children is anything like being married, where being newlyweds was great, but I must say everything is soooo much better now. Almost 7 years later; a deeper love; a stronger bond; more memories; truly like a fine wine. One place where time is my friend. If having children is like this than being an "old mom" will be even better than being a new mom! But still hearing this today had me reflecting on the term.

Its all about firsts. First trips to Costco :) First smiles. First time sleeping through the night (on grandma P's watch mind you, not even mine.... maybe thats because she's an "old mom" with experience;) First time to Oma & Opa's to be babysat, first time to the swimming pool etc. For each new child there will be these firsts for them, and it will still be a first for me and that child, but for me as a mom trying all these things...it is the first ever for me. A truly "new" experience. Never again will I not know how to work a breast pump, will I want to attend a car seat clinic, a prenatal class so I know what labour is all about, a hospital tour, or chat to all my friends about various diaper brands, or hound them incessantly to describe in better detail the exact feeling of a contraction. I will know. Of course things will still be new, and there will still be lots to discuss and debate, but a lot will be "old" news.

New Baby

Its funny how people react to a new baby. The joy and interest it brings out in people. The stories. The opinions. The love.

A grandpa in line at the grocery store telling of his 9 children. In fact its amazing how many people talk to you about your baby at the grocery store! "O that's a new one!" "I remember when mine were that little!" Little children, "look at the baby mom, why is he sleeping?" "How old is he? 5 weeks? You should be at home in bed! lol" "My daughter/ or insert person there, just had a baby, he/she is blank age..." I love this. Besides the fact that I am an incredibly proud mom, or mommy, (no I don't really like how mommy feels, mom it will be i think?) I love how a baby brings out the best in people. Its a common bond between all people. When I walk around pushing my stroller I often feel like I live in some small town where everyone knows everyone with all the smiles that come my way. Its a beautiful thing!