nathan james: 8 months

It amazes me how quickly these little babies change right before our eyes!  Trying to take our monthly pictures quickly showed us how much Nathan is "on the move".  Usually I take them alone, but this time I definitely needed Daniel's hand because our little bug wanted to climb, yes climb, all over the chair and attempt to jump off.  

Growing// Nathan is right around 22 pounds, and I think he went through a growth spurt this month because all of a sudden he seems so much bigger to me.  I remember thinking how long it would be until I could throw him up on my hip and walk around because his body was so loose.  Now he fits perfectly on my hip, and loves to hold.  He also cut his first tooth on the bottom!  

Development was huge this month.  Nathan is doing his own variation of crawling, which includes lots of upward dogs and pushing off the floors with his belly to go forward.  I think that rolling is his favorite way to get where he wants to go.  He also is easily moving from sitting to crawling without face planting.  I caught him in the bathtub the other night trying to climb!  Yikes!  A ducky was up on the ledge, and he was so close at getting his leg underneath him to help him reach it.  I about died.  Nathan loves to clap, and he is very close at waving.  Right now it's more like an arm flap, but it's super adorable.  He's also noticing when mama is around and wants to be held more often, so he puts his hands out to be picked up.  I think I'm going to be an enabler parent.  Oh dear!  

Eating & Sleeping// We don't have a picky eater on our hands, which is a huge blessing!  This month we stopped feeding Nathan purees and he is now eating fruits and veggies that are steamed or soft enough while raw.  He wants to feed himself when you're not using a spoon, so eating has become quite messy, which causes me to freak out a tad bit inside.  We tried out oatmeal again and he didn't gag on it like he had previously.  Right now his main diet consists of bananas, avocado, watermelon, sweet potato, apple sauce, zucchini, and carrots.  He's nursing five times a day, and I've surprisingly been able to keep up my supply while working full time.  At nighttime I've noticed my supply is the lowest, which is a newer development, and I'm worried he's not getting enough while causes him to wake up 1-2 times still in the middle of the night.  

This month his sleep was all over the place!  Some nights were great, but a majority of them included lots and lots of screaming in the middle of the night.  At one point I crawled into the crib with him because he just would not fall back asleep.  I'm sure it has to do with his teething, but it has been rough!  His naps are finally become more and more routine, and when he is at home he will sleep for about 45 minutes in the morning and three hours in the afternoon.  Now he goes to a home daycare three days a week, and luckily he's been taking a nice long afternoon nap there as well.  When we are out and about, it's game over.  

Loving// Lately he loves to be held, which has been a bit of a challenge, but I'm learning to soak up this time with him.  He also loves his stroller!  I've noticed in the afternoons he can be a bit fussy, so I'll throw him into the stroller and go for a walk or run.  It works like a charm!  Nathan loves playing peek-a-boo, crawling towards you, taking baths, and having all the attention on him.  His laugh is the cutest thing ever! Nathan loves his daddy and can't get enough of him when he gets thrown way up into the air. 

Loathing// Right now this kid does not like sleeping in his crib, ah!  He will be completely asleep in our arms, and the minute we put him in his crib he wakes up screaming.  I've decided it's okay to rock him to sleep since that's my time with him, but I'm worried bad habits are forming and am not quite sure what to do.  He's also not a fan of getting his face washed off after eating, or when you're taking too long to get his next bit to him.  

10 things on a Friday

1. I caved in and have been listening to Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" over and over again.  Nathan agrees with this song 110% as evidenced by his huge grin when we have a mini dance party in the kitchen to keep him entertained.

2. As much as I swoon over fall, seeing pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks just didn't feel right...it's still 90 degrees and I feel like summer is never going to end!

3. Last night Nathan was introduced to tupperware as toys, and it immediately felt like all was right in the world.

4. I've decided that I need to start driving with a nice smile on my face to combat all the dirty looks everyone gives.  Deep breaths people, you will get to where you need to go.

5. I'm counting down the hours...no minutes...until my hair appointment this afternoon.  The "gray haired" fairy must have decided to bless me since becoming a mom.  Plus, a little self-care sounds like just what the doctor ordered.

6. Fall TV is almost back, and all I need in my life is Modern Family and Scandal.

7. This weekend we have no plans and it feels like a breath of fresh air, although it also makes me feel uneasy inside and I have a feeling we will quickly fill up that space.

8. My grandma was in town this past weekend, and it was so good to be with family.  We found that wine corks are a beautiful teething toy, while under very close supervision.  Gigi brought out all the laughs in Nathan!

9. Family portraits are booked for the fall!  How has this year flown by that quickly?  Now I feel like I need to get my act together and plan a first birthday party...but even just typing that is making me hyperventilate a bit.

10. I'm still on cloud nine from Andrea and Joey's visit last weekend.  Our favorite breakfast spot, relaxing on the beach, it was splendid!

a flood of change

I'm fairly certain that we are in a winter.  Although the degrees keep climbing upwards, and I've worn every skirt and dress in my closet too many times while giving my boots in the corner a longing glance.  Summer ended abruptly, and winter took over our lives without even giving fall a chance.  So many things have changed over the course of these last three weeks, and I keep wondering when we are going to get a breather, a break, a chance to sit back for a moment and take inventory on what is going on.  

I recently changed jobs, and this rocked my world.  I've always wanted to be a reading specialist, and ended up landing the job I so desired for.  After hitting a couple bouts of disappointment I was floored when I got the call.  This meant leaving my small school that I've taught at for the last five years behind.  My heart wished I could do both, but the truth was that I knew the reading specialist position would be a better choice for my family and relieve some stress that comes with teaching.  Everything happened so fast so in a matter of three days, I packed up one room and set up a new one with a new career.  There's been a number of challenges, but along the way there have been bits and pieces of beautiful moments in my new job that help me see this is where God wants me.

Now, let's not forget that we have a baby!  When I went back to work after having Nathan I was able to work three days, and now I'm full-time.  Holy moly!  How on earth do families do it?  My schedule basically involves pumping, cleaning, showering, pumping, driving, more driving, more pumping, emails, diaper changes, pumping, tummy time, nursing, and let's squeeze some sleep in at the end.  I'm quickly learning that I can't do everything I was able to do before, and I'm squeezing in time to cook dinner at night because that's my release.  But I'm desperately in need of some quick and easy recipes that don't make a huge pile of dishes in my sink!  Nighttimes involve putting Nathan to bed and then tackling dishes, packing lunches, preparing bottles and a diaper bag, and figuring out when I'll ever have time to do emails.   Or date my husband!  

Now would also be the perfect time for our little Nathan to be fussy and needy as well, and it just breaks my heart.  Coming home from work to a crying baby sends me into huge "mama guilt" where I think "If I was just home with him then this wouldn't happen".  That is, of course, irrational.  Nevertheless, he's changing and teething and giving us quite a scare along the way.  The other night he woke up with a terrible cry that he had never made before, was grunting, and his breathing was labored.  I cried, Daniel paced back and forth as we called both moms to get opinions, and after much thought we decided to take him to the ER since his breathing was just not right.  Fortunately, his breathing improved while we were there and his fever subsided as well.  They didn't find anything wrong with him, and even though he's returning to his happy self, there's still something that isn't quite right with him and it's been a challenge.  I will mention, though, that his neediness is something I'm soaking in because it isn't very often that he slows down and just lays his head on your chest.  

One day Nathan will be a bit easier, changes will subside, I'll figure out the magic potion to getting everything done while spending time with my family, and we'll go on a date.  Until that day comes, I'm trying to laugh off the little things!