It's Walking Time Baby!

The little monkey is desperately trying to walk. He took 4 steps in a row this weekend ( I missed them on camera, I tried but he moved to quick). Since that day he has taken about 2 steps everyday and is getting better with his balance everyday. He can stand alone with no support for about 30 seconds now, even while holding onto a toy. It's so neat to see him try to learn this new skill. Although, I know I'm really going to miss the days of him staying put, which even now are few and far between.

He's growing so fast and I almost want to shrink wrap him to keep him this size. I can put him in my food saver and preserve him. It's not that I want another little baby anytime soon, but I do like the phase he is in now. He's just so cute and I can see what everyone meant when they told me to relish in every moment because it goes so fast. I can only imagine what my parents are thinking, to them it probably seems like just yesterday they were watching me take my first steps.

It's true, time does fly when you're having fun.

Blogosphere, welcome to 2009!!

Well, the holiday season is officially over and wow did it go by fast. The Monkey and I had a great time with my parents. He got an entire toy store that is being shipped back to our house. Most of it he didn't appreciate right now- the boxes and paper were his absolute favorites. But he will grow into most of his new toys and hopefully mom and dad won't be stir crazy by that point because absolutely EVERYTHING he has plays some ridiculous jingle...but it's for the Monkey, so we will have to endure. The amazing thing is the Monkey slept sooo well while we were gone. He even slept alone for a few nights. It was truly remarkable. I thought wow, all I need to do is live with my parents to get my son to sleep by himself...NOT, we'll have to come up with something else. But as soon as we got back, he went back to his old habits and cried bloody murder, every time I left the room. Oh well, that's one of my resolutions for the year, so we will work on it.

My mom and I surprisingly had a wonderful time together. No fighting or bickering at all, which is a milestone for us. My dad was great and really has taken well to the whole grandfather bit. (My mom too!) She bought all these shirts that say "when mom says no... call 1-800-Grandma!"

My husband was happy to see us return although his work load has kept him pretty busy in this new year.

And I am back at work and trying to get back in the groove and adjust myself back to east coast time.

Classes start today. I got all my books yesterday and I am ready to start a productive semester as a graduate student. *I did see a misguided student in the bookstore yesterday get arrested for trying to steal 10 textbooks and a book bag from the bookstore- not a good way to start the semester or the year.*

All in all, I feel good about this year coming up. I have big plans and I hope things just get a bit smoother and less stressful than 2008 ended up being. Now if I could only get my period... I would be perfect. Always been irregular, so I'm not all that concerned-but the hubby and I were a little reckless last month and there's always the chance. Hell, the monkey is a prime example of a true SURPRISE! Afraid to take a pee test, because that's just not the shocking confirmation of reality that I am seeking this week- at all. Talk about no stress...maybe next year.

Hoilday Travels

Well, tomorrow I'm off to my parents in Vegas for a week with the monkey. My husband won't be going with us because he wants to stay with his mother, nephews and niece for their first Christmas in Florida. However, that means that he will miss his son's first Christmas. I'm not upset really, Monkey doesn't really understand it anyway. Besides I have NEVER spent a holiday away from my parents- and they don't get to see my son very often so we did the math and it was more economical for me to travel there on frequent flier miles versus my parents buying two tickets to come here, which is always expensive due to our small airport.

I don't know if I told you this but my mother and I have a very contentious relationship. She is very opinionated and likes to be extremely involved in my life. I am an only child, so all of her interests, care and worries are rolled into me- and it can make for a very stressful situation. Especially since I am VERY independent almost to a fault and HATE to ask for help with anything. I like to do it on my own if at all possible. My mother on the other hand tends to treat me like I'm still in high school- in need of a curfew and an allowance (she asks all the time how much money we are spending and what we spend it on, etc.), which has the tendency to drive me NUTS. My father is the complete opposite and just lets me handle my own things without any grief or interference. He just likes to know I'm alive and well and really doesn't care about the particulars, he definitely doesn't want to argue about them.

My parents haven't seen my son since August, so they should be happy to see how much he's grown. I am a little disappointed that my husband won't be there, but it's just a week and he's not really big on holidays anyways. He's not a scrooge, but he doesn't treat it like it's a massive extravaganza either.

So, I'm going to visit and hopefully a yelling match will not breakout. She says that she has a surprise for me/something to tell me for when I get there. It's probably going to be a membership to Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig because she is a total weight Nazi- and thinks I have been over weight for too long since the baby. I do have an extra 20lbs. to lose, but her pestering me about it everyday is not working. "How's your weight coming?" are words I've grown to despise.

I probably won't be blogging much during my visit- and will start fresh upon my return.
Happy Holidays- and a Joyous New Year.

Monkey, Welcome to Month 8

To my darling little Chunky Monkey,

Today you enter you eighth month with us, and I have to say the moment is bitter sweet for Mommy. The joy I feel to see you grow up cannot be denied, although, I can't help but to feel sad that you are growing so fast and soon these precious infant moments will be gone. Everyday you delight your father and I with your ability to make us laugh. Now, you are coming into your own and your personality is beginning to shine through and what a joyous boy you are. You are always happy and are a big ball of energy. Your inquisitive nature is overwhelming and you are definitely a product of your father, complete with his persistence and stubborn nature. It is no secret to those that know me that you were a surprise to us, and I was somewhat ambivalent at the prospect of being a mom. I didn't know if I had what it took to be a good mother and I honestly was scared that I didn't have the patience to learn. But you sweet boy have offered me the greatest gift and showed me that you are truly the most spectacular thing I have ever accomplished. Everyday I thank God that I was given the gift of being your mom and I look forward to being apart of the rest of your life. So, thank you chunky monkey for taking this journey with me.

Here are few things mommy has learned about you over these 8 months:

Nicknames: Man-Man, Chunky [Monkey] and Sumo.

Milestones: Two teeth, Cruising- you love to cruise back and forth of the couch, can hold your own bottle, a crawling machine, and loves to talk-mommy just wishes she knew what you were saying.

Likes: remote controls, prunes, squash, blowing bubbles with your mouth, being free to explore, playing rough with Daddy, and bath time/water, music, and standing (you'd rather stand than sit).

Dislikes: Being confined, getting your diaper changed, putting clothes on (you love to be the naked baby), rice cereal, taking naps/ going to sleep period- you act like you are going to miss something, sleeping alone- something we really have to work on...Mommy and Daddy like to be alone sometimes.

So here's to you Monkey- a truly wonderful little man.

Monkey Scared Me

My son(monkey) scarred me real bad this weekend. On Thursday night, his father picked him up early from his mothers because she said he wasn't feeling well. I got home and took his temp and it was 102.9 *scary* He has never been sick before so, I really didn't know what I should do. My first instinct was to go immediately to urgent care, but I calmed down and called the doctor on call that evening. She called back a 1/2 hour later and I explained his symptoms- the previous week he had some congestion and a runny nose, and the day before my MIL said he had a case of diarrhea(TMI), and now this fever. He was still pretty happy, not as much energy, but not irritable or anything. The Dr. told me that I should just give him some Tylenol to reduce the fever, watch him and give him fluids so he doesn't dehydrate. I asked her when I should worry, at what temp.? *And this is when I got a bit upset* The Dr. then laughs at me...yes, no need to read it again, she laughed at me. and said, what are you worried about brain damage and seizures or something? I said well, honestly, yes. What's a dangerous temperature for a 7 month old. She then chuckled again- as if I went to medical school or something and proceeded to tell me that an infant who is neurologically sound will not let his temperature raise to a level that is dangerous to his health. But if you think it will help**the gall of this women, I wouldn't have asked if I didn't think it would help**a dangerous temp would be around 108-109, and we generally like to see the baby if he gets a temp of 104-105 *good thing I asked because he was basically one degree away from that range*. She said there was no need for me to go out and sit in the ER, because there's really nothing they can do- his body is just trying to fight off an infection. If it doesn't get better within 2-3 days, bring him in to be looked at.

So, I hungup with Dr. Unsympathetic and watched the little monkey very closely, taking his temp every hour and making sure he got plenty of fluids and rest. I took Friday off and his temp teetered around 101-102, still scared. On Saturday morning he was still at about 101- and I was all set to take him in, but he seemed to have a little more energy, so I thought I would give it until about noon, and to my relief, by about 11:30 he was down to 99 and by 2:30 he was back at a cool 98. I was so relieved. His energy came back and he was back to banging on the couch cushions. For my first bought with a sick baby, I think I faired pretty well.
After almost 8 months (on 12/17), I still have never had to clean up any vomit- my child has NEVER thrown up, not even a little spit up when he was really little. Once it goes in, the food only comes out the other end, so I think I'm pretty lucky in that respect.

Monkey Update

The little monkey has outgrown his crib. We have to lower the mattress so he does not go careening to the floor. It's so amazing to me that just 7 months ago he was this little bundle that barely moved or made a sound. Now, he wouldn't sit still save his life and is a babbling machine. I watched him last night roll and tumble around on the couch and I was just struck by how much and how fast he has grown. He wants to walk and talk so bad- it's almost bitter sweet how fast the time is going, ALMOST makes me want to have another one. But only almost.

The little monkey

My son is growing so fast, and when I have just posted something so negative about one part of my life, I would also like to post something extremely joyful about my son, who always brings a smile to my face. He is now pulling up on things and able to cruise around. Last nigh he was feeling very adventurous and held on to the coffee table with just one hand while he held a toy in the other. He was bopping around and laughing feel oh so good about his new accomplishment, until he overdid it a bit and crashed to the floor on his butt- it was so very cute. He picked himself right back up and tried it again, making note to use a little less enthusiasm when holding on with one hand (he's such a bright little guy). He will be walking before I know it.

I am just enjoying seeing the world through his eyes, I know this period won't last long, so I'm trying to cherish every little milestone with him. Although the whole teething thing is something I won't be sad to see go bye-bye.