Busybody

I’m writing this post as: 1. I procrastinate doing things on my GIANT, self perpetuating  to-do list and 2. I wait for the DVR to record enough of the show Intervention that I can fast forward through the commercials. If I wait until about 16 minutes after, I can FF through all of the commercials. That is lazy TV watching right there.

Ashton reached another sorta’ milestone today. He wasn’t exactly saying his first word, or rolling over (which I am W A I T I N G not-so-patiently for) but nonetheless something to give him a big round of encouragement for.

Yep, he is now sucking his toe. Hey, that is BIG stuff when you stay at home with a baby all day. I mean, WOW and NEAT and OOOHHH DO IT AGAIN! And, he is doing something that I cannot do. There is something to be said for that.

Last week this time, we were recovering from a whirlwind trip to visit Grandma in PA. It was the first time Ashton has stayed in a hotel and the second time we’ve been in the car for a long trip. We hauled him around EVERYWHERE for four days and he did so well. My chest puffs out with pride at how incredibly well he did. I don’t  know if I’ll ever get this lucky again. He slept in the hotel room! J and I tried to keep his nightly routine as consistent as possible. We put him to bed in his pack and play and spent the remainder of the evenings sitting with our laptops in the dark and quiet hotel room. We even had a “romantic” sushi and beer dinner by flashlight on the bed. It was like being a little kid again and reading a book under the sheets with a flashlight when it’s past your bedtime.

Now that it’s mostly spring in NC, we’ve been out on walks! In sunshine! Out of doors! Visiting with live people! I am talking to adults more than once every couple weeks! And, still working on regaining social skills.

And, although most outings go very well and are mostly uneventful, we do have a few that go kinda like this:

Hey there, happy birthday… sorry I’m screaming in your face. But I am pissed, tired, having a bad hair day, and so many strangers…..

This little man is starting to show more personality every day. He is my little buddy and I’m loving every minute of it. J usually puts him to bed at night, but tonight I did it. This evening, I put him down in his crib after feeding him and he looked right up at me and smiled. A big, toothless, unspoiled grin. That is the best feeling in the world. It’s like he was satisfied with his day and ready to rest for our next big day together again tomorrow.

Snow, cereal, and silliness

This is how we started March in North Carolina. Whhaaaat???? It was like a cruel joke. March is the month when the dogwoods and cherry trees bloom, when the tulips come out of the ground, sixty degree days begin to prevail, and daylight savings time makes it really start to feel like the winter hibernation is over. Thankfully, in NC, snow like this only lasts for a day or two and then melts into a distant memory.  

 

The same week as the snow, Ashton tried cereal for the first time. He seemed so interested and it did not surprise us a bit that he took it whole heartedly.

Well, cereal is now on temporary hold. Let’s just say that, uh, well…things got a little backed up if you know what I mean. We went to the pediatrician for his four month well-child visit and decided to just wait until around five months and start him on a few stage one foods. I can see now why I’m always reading other mom’s blogs that talk about the beginning of weaning. I can empathize now with the statements “they grow so fast” and “enjoy it while you can” and all of it! Sniff..sniff….

Little man is still 75th percentile for weight at a solid 15 lbs, 10 oz. Chunkers! He’s a whopping 20th percentile for height measuring in at 24″ and perfectly mid range for head circumference at 50th percentile. He’s in this awkward stage of not many 3 month size clothes fit,  some 6 month fit perfectly  (some don’t), pants are too long but a big snug in the waist, don’t really know what to dress him in during this transition into warmer weather phase. 

And, much to my delight, he has turned into a regular ol’ Tickle Me Ashton Doll. The kid is just cracking up on a daily basis now.