The Cuteness

I keep meaning to sit and do a bunch of big, long meaningful posts on Christmas, relatives I wish he could meet, cute things he's doing, all the cool developmental stuff going on all of a sudden, etc. However, too much wins out over sitting at the computer (to my dismay). I'd love to sit here and type all day! right now I'm caught up in last minute gift preparation. I have two I'm deep into right now...one for Abbers, the other a surprise for my Mom, and I have 2 more I want to get done for xmas (absolutely no chance of that happening). Not for lack of planning, I started all this back in Oct., they are just taking a long time. For once, I decided to be prepared for xmas...oh yeah and I decided not to make everyone something, and follow the "rules"(I heard a massive sigh of relief to all those cheesey Lisa-gifts.) So in an effort to contribute something to the Stefan file, I present this small post about our cool morning.

After we all decided that we had to get up and go to work/get on with the day, though lazing about in bed was fun, I plopped Stefan down in the living room. He headed straight for his walking toy, but instead of pulling up to walk, he tried throwing his leg over the toy, to drive it. Still not tall enough to accomplish that, but after some assistance, he was on, and we wheeled around to the kitchen. He hopped of himself (so cool since I needed time to get breakfast going), and started the crawl-a-thon, while I unloaded dishes from the washer. We played chase a little, right in between the potatoes going in the pan, before the onions were cut. Then he decided to stay in the living room where the new weeble truck kept him occupied in there for at least 10 minutes (so cool!), before he came back for a ride in the Jonny Jump-up. Breakfast finished as he spun there, happily, and he flew over to the table where he proceeded to not to eat his tomato cereal. I guess I wouldn't have wanted that slop either, but it was worth a try. So I filled his dish with puffs and cheerios and he practiced picking them out with a spoon and throwing them on the table/floor, one by one (so cool!). I was so impressed by his spoon skills...once he's actually desiring food, he'll have mastered the mechanics of getting it to his mouth! Now he sits in my office, occupying himself with the rocking bear and emptying my work bags all over the floor. At least occasionally he's getting to put stuff back "IN", though I don't hold out hope that all my accouterments will make it back into the bag.

All of this is amazingly wonderful because for the past 2 hours I've had to do nothing to entertain the baby!! He's barely whined to be held and he's just having a blast, and so am I!!

"You'll wish he didn't..."

His non-traditional crawl position.

....and again, Yes, I do!! Everyone told me to cherish his first few months, how I'd want them back once the newborness was gone. Nope. First of all, I'm not so much a fan of newborns. I'd love another, but not because I want a newborn. Second, the first 4 months were rife with crying, anxiety and a general overwhelming angst. I don't want any of that back, I don't miss it, I'm glad I barely remember it.

FFW...I started wishing he'd crawl around 6 months. I was warned I'd be sorry and that there was no going back once he did. Perhaps, if he fulfilled my wish and crawled then, or even by 8 months, I'd have wished otherwise. In addition, I was scared that I was about to take on a new form of inconvenient locomotion: having to walk him everywhere, as he was doing that more than figuring out how to crawl. Months 9, 10, and almost 11 passed without success. He held off all the way until Scott's Birthday, November 23rd, making it 11 months and a week that I sported him on my arm through cooking, cleaning, teaching, and every other little thing.  As it is, he doesn't know he's crawling, he can only get into position when he's intending to walk and can't pull up.  Regardless, Boy, can I tell you, I am one happy Mamma now that he can get places on his own!! We're happy he let us get through the Thanksgiving sickness before he went totally mobile, allowing Mom to get the house uber clean yesterday.


Oooh and I think I just got a really clear "Mom"...they only come when he wants something...like now...so I better skidattle!

The Evolution of Stefan Man

Bipedal Movement...Check!

Modern humans are unique in the primate world because of their bipedal movement. That is, they walk on two feet instead of four. The earliest known primates to walk on two feet were Ardipithecus and Australopithecus, who lived anytime between 3.0 and 3.9 million years ago. These species often lived on the fringes of forested areas, gradually moving closer to the wide open grassland plains of Africa. These early hominids will eventually evolve into the modern Homo sapien, or humans. (I hate merely cut and pasting, but in the effort of time, I've gone and done it from an easy to understand location. From Link.)

Note: Stefan started out sitting on the mat playing as he does every morning while I cook breakfast/clean the kitchen. I turned my back to rinse the french press and viola! OK, he didn't WALK there, in this particular picture, as he needs to hold on to things (well Mom, Dad, or the bathtub are the walking assistants in his mind), but I'm impressed with the locomotion. At this point, it happens only occasionally, so it's a pleasant surprise when he's not where I've left him!

Use of Tools...Check!

Using tools has been interpreted as a sign of intelligence, and it has been theorized that tool use may have stimulated certain aspects of human evolution—most notably the continued expansion of the human brain. [I LOVE the brain!]

Paleontology has yet to explain the expansion of this organ over millions of years despite being extremely demanding in terms of energy consumption. The brain of a modern human consumes about 20 watts (400 kilocalories per day), which is one fifth of the energy consumption of a human body. Increased tool use would allow hunting for energy-rich meat products, and would enable processing more energy-rich plant products. Researchers have suggested that early hominids were thus under evolutionary pressure to increase their capacity to create and use tools.^{[51] 
(A little more dense reading at Wikipedia.)}

^{So you have to imagine the actions, but Stefan is using the remote control to pet the cat (one day, I will figure out how to link to video, maybe depending on privacy of sites involved). Poor kitty! He only made contact once, and it was really gentle! We're giving Stefan a hockey stick ASAP...he LOVES using things to do things. Spoons fly cheerios around the table and ultimately onto the floor. Sticks are perfect for outside poking. Cords are just stiff enough to reach and pull off limits coffee table items. So now the radius of Stefan has grown to include what ever grabbing tool he has. OH YEAH..DUH! He now can feed himself (or me) with a spoon, with assistance. Dad took some time off of work to breakfast with us while Stefan ate oatmeal...THE second awesome thing of the morning!! He didn't spit out the solid chunks of food...so psyched! I love when things suddenly click:).}

Dead-ends and Extinct Evolutionary Branches...check!

This one I can paraphrase. Humans are the end of the chain, and we've broken Stefan's mold! I love the little booger, but 2 of exactly him...let's save that for Wonder Woman. Mom, I've got a kid like me (so far). I guess that isn't saying much at 11 months, not like I expect him to keep it clean around here, but he is such a tornado! It's obvious where his play places are in every room from the shredded papers, toys askew, and general chaos. So much so that I'm bothered by the entropy. Although he prefers playing with one toy, the rest of them are strewn about the room after he's "cleared" them out of his way, so he can play with that one specific toy he's in the mood for.

Now He's Down in it

I wasn't going to do a quick post but I just have to now. It's finally time to take a step toward independence. He's been sitting on my office floor emptying a box he shouldn't be into...all over the floor.

 Paper by paper...

 Leave no crayon, paper tube, or photocopy unturned, Monster!

 Now he's moved onto an USB cord (don't go worrying, he's not allowed to play with cords on a regular basis), which he's talking to a whole lot. The best part, he threw such a protest when I went to pick him up. I thought he was getting bored, I was wrong. He wanted to go back on the floor ASAP, where's he's been content for quite some time. FINALLY!!

He's really into a lot these days, as long as it's in his leaning-arm-stretch radius, a ridiculous position, 1 step away from crawling. He's into purses, teacher bags, boxes, pumpkins...you name it!

Back on the Wagon

So like everything in baby land, things happen then they unhappen and rehappen again. Though he's been OK with nursing while I eat milk, he's gotten rather cranky over the past week or 3. I'm going to cut it out again to clear up the cranky, but not totally exclude it, after my system is more free of the casein. We went a little bonkers catching up on lost dairy time.

I wanted posts in here to be beneficial to others who may have babies with milk allergies. There is a wealth of information on the interwebs about it though. I'm sure this blog won't come up in anyone's search. But if you're reading and know someone else who is going through anything like this, then maybe per chance it will help. So at 10 months, Stefan is sensitized to the casein in my milk such that it only causes a little itchiness on his cheeks, solved effectively by medicated cream (prescription from the Pedi.). I think his demeanor is effected, he's so clingy and cranky. But he is a rather clingy child at this point anyway. (A child's behavior isn't who he is, it's "where" they are, developmentally.) In rare cases, like Stef's, in addition to rashes and intestinal stuff, there is Anaphylaxis. The culprit was a little piece of cheese I gave him, since I thought he was over the allergy at that point. I think the cheese was about the size of a finger nail, I couldn't really discern how much was missing from the little piece I put in front of him. Poor kid REALLY liked the good stuff, too! He was sucking it a bit. Then he kinda sat still, like something was up. He rarely projectile vomits, but that was next and I knew it was coming. Then some swelling and hives and his breathing was labored and he was wheezing. This went on probably for a minute and subsided. If it hadn't, I would have been on my way to the Dr's or hospital with him. As the reaction calmed, he only had the rash and I could hear that his air way was a still a bit effected, as he was kind of wheezing still, and his voice was horse. By the end of the day, you wouldn't have known anything happened. So we're back to hardcore label reading, since it's tricky knowing if there is milk in certain things. Whey is also on the no-no list. fortunately, recently companies spell out if there is milk in their products at the end of the ingredient list, along with notification of gluten and soy. However some do not. So I read everything from all of them all the time. Dear Pizza, until we meet again, I bid you adieu...

Now the personal Lisa and Stefan update:
The past week has been a blur...and so too will this one be. A lot of work not done because Stefan was rather cranky (I got to make that up last night and today...nothing like living on the edge...I never know how a class is going to go when I don't get to prepare on my own timeline). Then came Abbstock '10. aka Abbypalooza. Saturday we were her buddies and traveled all around the state, ending up in Madison at Hammonasset beach for the annual Buddy Walk to raise money and awareness for children with Down Syndrome. I wish I had remembered my parasail as I haven't been out in such wind in....who knows.  Stefan was in his baby bunker buggy, I'm not sure how much of the ocean view he actually enjoyed from there. We had a fun time with Abby and family, and extended family, and friends of family and friends!

On Sunday we returned to Abbyville, and arrived very late to her christening. I heard it was wonderful. However we did get to hang out in the secret cozy room with Emily and Penny, Abby's aunt/godmother and 3 week old cousin. I've never seen a newborn smile until Penelope!! She just has this smile about her all the time, it's beautiful:) Then we had some good times at our own private christening, Abby style, on Aunt France's floor. In fact the floor was christened as well...If Melissa would just dress her in clothes she liked the first time, Abby may not feel the need to spit up all over everything! Just sayin'.

Today, back to the work week and demonstration Monday was a bust, but for the two wonderful Mom's and babies I met in class. Luckily, only a couple more scheduled demo days before that whole thing is dropped and I can get back to actually making money for a day's work. Tomorrow will be a marathon, day care teaching in the morning, classes at night, and Wednesday, free demos and classes at night again. Then flute-repairs until 5:00 pm Friday, lessons, more repairs, and hopefully a break sometime next week(?). Here's to hoping Stefan isn't a cranky pants this week because I can't fit that into the schedule!

Time to bust out the Shipyard imperial 4-pack I picked up today...Sean gets the XXXX IPA (racy!), and I'm saving the Smashed Pumpkin for Halloween (OMG best pumpkin beer EVER!). Stout for later(in the week...I do have to go to work tomorrow!) and Barley Wine style for...well right now!

On your mark, get set....

 
"...doesn't really matter who win this race because the just do it again anyway."
~From a child's drawing of a rocket ship race for "Ruler of the Universe Forever and Ever"

 I love this sentiment!! I hate that we're too scared to declare winners and losers in children's sports, classroom games, or where ever else people have taken away "winning" from children to shield the losers. You lost...so what? Know what happens when I lose? I practice harder and make sure my next game (or concert) is up to snuff, and I win. Even if the numbers don't say I win, I ultimately do because I've improved my game or playing. The more I lose, the harder I try, the better I become...jees, ya know what? Seems like I haven't really lost at all. Would the person who is for no winners/losers accept their child bringing home a report card with with no grades because a teacher was afraid to hurt their feelings with a low average? Will that child, when he or she becomes an adult, be able to handle a job where their performance is judged and their pay is effected by their skills? Is it beneficial to set children up to fail as adults by taking away the experience of what to do when you lose; or fair to take away the gratification of winning because you worked really hard to be better than everyone else?

I used to feel bad declaring winners and losers. I totally bought into not hurting people's feelings. So, for example, Freeze Dance...we all dance and freeze, no one is "out". The children hate it! They beg for me to call winners and losers. They try hard not to move...not even to breath or blink when the music stops. They love practicing their inhibitory control! After a while, when no one is called "out", they start to really hate this game that they normally begged to play all class, every class. They want the recognition (children love to be noticed!!). It seems obvious to me, it's not the children who care if they win or lose, it's their adults (what ever adult around them that has chosen to "spare" their feelings).

In my honest opinion, this practice makes a bunch of C students, who don't know how to take losing, and don't improve themselves (and in time our world). But hey, C is good enough to be president, right? And now, before I even go there, I bid you adieu!

PS it turns out Stefan's milk allergy is still there. I think he's less sensitive, so while I can take in some occasional dairy with out noticeable effect, he cannot eat it himself without a very sudden, dangerously violent reaction. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will continue to lessen, and he'll be able to enjoy pizza and ice cream with his friends one day, when he actually cares about diary.

The Twillight Zone

"There is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call The Twilight Zone."

—Rod Serling

 Life is a little crazy around here these days. The first few months of Stefan, there seemed to be a new thing happening every week. Then we hit a plateau after the 7 month Teeth. Nothing major going on, more importantly, nothing new to acclimate to. Then all of a sudden, cool stuff again.

We started last week with some walking. It is so exciting to not physically move his legs! Also easier on mom when we practice walking. He's gotten so much better as the week has gone on and now we're working on speed a little bit. I'm so happy his socks have traction, so we don't need to get into shoes and whenever possible, he is barefoot. Baby (and adult) feet take in information about their surroundings (texture, temperature, if the ground is level, etc), AND Stefan uses his feet to kick and manipulate objects, so I figured I wouldn't glove them up in shoes unless it gets too cold. Most of the time he is very enraptured by his feet, and he forgets to look up, and bumps into things. He LOVES to watch my feet kick leaves, though the ground hasn't been exceptionally dry out here, so he doesn't walking in them so much yet.

Next cool thing is food. I feel so redundant (new movements, food/eating, sleeping, poo...what else is there, right?). We spent a night up in VT with our good friends, Lisa and Jamie. Lovely Lisa is a chef at a place that focuses on feeding women with special dietary needs....sooooooooo we were spoiled with some great non-dairy meals. Stefan was all over most of the food she cooked...eating smaller pieces than he has ever tried to hold, digging the curry (however, the gag reflex was working against him, spitting all his rice out), and though he loved the mashed potato, it still gives him a bit of a rash. He was all up in my food, seeming to really want to get into some solids. HERE is the super way wicked cool part: In preparation to go to Lisa's, I had eaten some bleu cheese earlier in the week, to test Stefan's allergy. No reaction, but I only had a very little. Well, we dove into more dairy in VT (not everything was diary free!), and still no major reaction. So last night, as we stumbled in just before Monday Night Football, Sean and I ordered some pizza, my first since April. So Good (!) and no reactions thus far! I'm so psyched. It seems like some dietary development just finally clicked.

Finally, another very way wicked super cool thing: Stranger Anxiety...or lets say his lack thereof. Now it could have just been the air (one of the cautious kitties were acting differently than anticipated, as well), but Stefan was totally into Lisa, and his new buddy, Jamie. He didn't do his famous "recoil", shared his gooey fingers with Lisa, chilled without me occasionally, and loved playing all his little games with them too. So I'm crossing my fingers, as many babies enter into their "stranger anxieties" around 9 months, that maybe we'll have already gotten over it. One can hope!

On a personal note...my week was total stupidity- like forgetting, missing, losing, lots of extra driving, dead dish washer, etc. Just one of those weeks that makes you want to get out of dodge and head to VT for a vacation. It was punctuated quite nicely with Sean's final Jetta dying in the parking lot of the Auto Zone...which one would argue was quite an advantageous place for it to die. It happened in the same parking lot, with the same problem with a previous Jetta only a couple of years ago. Among many other problems (windows that don't go down, exhaust leaks, electrical problems that made blinkers etc not work, no air cond., some cord snapping in relation to the starter...that was the same thing that went wrong on the last one) his car was so rusted that it couldn't be safely put onto jack stands in our driveway. Repairs were just too much and so the car passed on to it's final resting place in the dump. It's the end of an era (almost) as we only have one Jetta left...the original one, in pieces in the garage, as it has been pillaged to provide the subsequent Jettas with parts. Soon I'll be picking up my new Focus ST (new to me); a sporty 4-door with some very pleasant features.

Harwinton Fair

Sunday was one of our first really blustery, yet sunny days; I think fall has officially fell. Stefan went to the Harwinton fair and hung out with Grandma Janice while I played with the band. Though I missed most of the fair, I had a chance to take him over to some very cute ponies and we ate some french fries together...OK I ate french fries, Stefan threw them on the ground. It's healthier that way. 

I had a great time sitting amongst a bunch of silly semi-pro band-os, sight reading all sorts of crazy music, and watching people (children and adults) dance while we played. My favorite part of the day was playing some tunes for the flying trapeeze artists next to us. They had a few full band "ta-da's" and some Blue Danube while they bicycled across the high wire (in some tricky wind! Pretty impressive). Though they brought their own music, they seemed to be having a better time getting us to play for them. How often does stuff like that happen? It was very cool.

Stefan's favorite part of the day was bumping into Aunt Diane. I saw my mom and Diane saunter off and I figured they'd wander through the vendors or something. Well, it turns out, they went to the rides and Stefan had his first Merry-Go-Round ride!

I think fair season might be over...at least for the big ones out here that we'd be able to make it to, but I'm psyched about bringing him to some next year. Goshen and the Big E (during the week, no weekends!) have our names on them. Maybe we'll catch a hayride or something cool this Halloween!

Well Baby Visit

Today Stefan had his 9 month well baby visit. No shots, just a check up today, though you'd never know from the crying. Dr's visits are a mix of stress and happiness. Usually I'm planning on some battle because I've chosen to do something different than normal. Then I see the Pedi, and he is totally cool with my decisions, gives me advice about them, and I leave happy. Unless my Pedi is not in, but he was there today, so I'm not going there. I was prepared to fight BLW (though he said it is fine, but he didn't know much about it). I also thought Stefan was going to need his iron checked, since he's not consuming iron fortified cereal that much. (Note: babies don't absorb iron supplements readily and breast milk iron is actually designed for absorption.) However, as a part of my fight, I was ready to with that breast milk information- though cautious, since it isn't my first hand experience. Common sense would tell me my milk was sufficient (unless I was iron deficient which I am quite the contrary, from past blood tests), since back in the caveman days, there was no Gerber Stages at the local grocery store, or watering hole. Yet some how, they survived, since we're all here, right? 


The second part of my fight would have been how to get more iron in Stefan's diet without supplements. I found some sites with lists and "recipes" on how to get iron into Baby's diet. We actually tired smashed prunes in cereal earlier this week and he liked it.It turns out, there was no fight, no iron tests until 1 year, and I was uber happy.


The other cool part about Dr. visits is finding how much Stefan has grown with reliable scales! He's only put on a little weight this time: 19 lbs 12 oz and is 29 inches. So the new car seat needs to be had, since ours only goes to 30 inches. I thought I was off the hook for a while due to his weight not reaching the 25 lb. limit. Now you'd think the people who made our seat would have one in the very next size up. Nope. 35lb is the next size up with them, which seems to me to be a HUGE business blunder as we would have stayed with that company. We have another one now. Anyway, that is neither here nor there.


We've had a week of severe ups and downs. Tuesday, frustrating. Wednesday, WONDERFUL! He was a perfect gem in music classes, despite having only one nap. He discovered he could write with his finger in chalk dust on a chalk board- and that it coated his already magical fingers in white. He played on the floor quietly while I taught class for 45 minutes straight. We arrived home late, as we do every Tuesday and Wednesday, and he pretty much goes straight to bed (hence all the unreturned phone calls on Tuesday...sorry, bed time took a LONG time). Wednesday night...out peacefully listening to some cello music my childhood neighbor's mom, Eileen, sent us back in the winter. I suppose it's a little microcosm of "this too shall pass". For almost a week, we cut out the 10pm feeding. Now it's back. I wish the good stuff didn't keep passing! I know it will be back, but it was nice to chill with Sean longer than a couple of hours before I have to tend to the baby and hope I don't pass out for the night while doing so.


Today, we're back to troubled napping, and an overtired, silly baby. It does give me a chance to step back and remember what is important. Stefan getting a nap, or most things when he is truly sad, trumps most everything else (but for a bathroom break and even that is pushed further away). BS (Before Stefan) I thought I'd be sick of him after seeing him 24/7- there are certainly students of mine who I'd feel that way about after only a few hours. Of course, it's never the case. I don't know why he was so hard to go to nap just now...but if I felt as bad as he was seeming to feel, I'd want my mom to sit and cuddle with me also. If UPS hadn't shown up with Sean's new work computer, I'd still be trying to make myself comfortable in the rocking chair (the wood is much too firm for my tender bony bum and I love sitting sideways, however my blood vessels don't. Nothing like a numb back and legs). Yes, did you see that I said IBM actually sent Sean a new work computer...so now he isn't working on something that is over 5 years old, refurbished multiple times, and slower than molasses in January. Kudos for looking out for your employees, jerks...<pleh!> Sorry, sometimes I wish I could tell IBM to "Out source this!", you create a visual.


Tonight I'm off to band rehearsal, almost 3 baby-free hours! I said I don't get sick of him, I didn't say I don't appreciate time away...to drive... by myself... in my car... with my music loud, my windows down, and whatever other not so crazy things I choose to do.

Ans now is the time on Sprockets where we dance...

I'm into random titles. It kinda fits, I'm having a dancing morning. It's either 1. the light after the dark of last night's frustrations 2. finally having a light bulb moment 3. the 1/2 caf. coffee I indulged in, in hopes of stopping a headache (it worked!!).

I say it's all three, actually. I love the refreshing start of a new day after the previous one has been fraught with high expectations that had no chance of ever being met, and the fact that I realize this and can move on. High expectation 1. "Stefan in Kindermusik class will be a quiet joy and he'll do well with someone else while I teach." NOPE! So with the support of my boss, we'll be retrying this next week a little differently. Sorry Meegan, this will mean a little less interaction for you and him at first...but I think if we take it slow and steady, you'll have him for the entire class before the winter. So Stefan is my "doll" (we have a demonstration doll to use a prop), which he did OK with in practice this morning!

High expectation 2. I can't teach in a program and "BE" the person who had been running it for 10 years. Kind of my internal struggle. I think I'm doing my best and I bet it's better than I think. Still I'm great at making assumptions :( and we all know what happens when one assumes...besides it consuming my thoughts ALL last night it makes an a$$ out of U and ME...well not you, I like you!! It's all me:)

High Expectation 3. I CAN keep the house, jobs, outside curb appeal gardening etc. up 100% while having the Yippi-Yuk attached to my side. Actually...I think I CAN, and will accomplish this (before he's in preschool)! I've gotten some tricks down, I think, that at least made today more enjoyable. Stefan and I are getting into a routine...until now, we haven't matched up. Either he hasn't has a schedule, or I haven't, and we've been missing each other. Today it finally clicked! Well so far...

So in the future I'm looking to incorporate more flute practice time (I've started already, it's wonderful), more outside time to work on gardens (curb appeal will have to wait more until next spring). We'll be moving patches, setting up new spaces and getting everything ready for the winter to get a good start on planting for the spring. Those organic veggies are pricey and I'd like to be growing everything here. Also I'm hoping to be able to paint the kitchen and maybe Stefan's room before his first birthday. However when there is already acceptable paint on the walls, it's hard to get motivation!

So if you're still reading my "thinking out loud" thanks! I promise there will be something inspirational here before it snows. Now off to do some work on the Music For Little Hands Blog...there are some great articles about children, brain development, and nutrition, check it and see:)

Simply an update

Not too many deep thoughts for this post. I put him down a while ago for a nap, and he'll probably wake soon. It's easiest not to get involved in anything and plant myself in the room next to his so I can hear him wake. Anyway....

A couple of cool things I think I noticed...one is that he has started communicating more than just throwing "ehhh" back in forth, like a little conversation. Sean noticed that while he was "talking", he was looking at a cup in particular. When Sean gave him the out of reach object, Stefan was thrilled. I think he may have been asking Sean for the cup. There have been a couple of other occurrences like this, I'm just not sure if he's actually realized that he can communicate with sound, or if I just recognized his communication until now. I think it's the former.

He's made laundry folding go faster. I dump the basket in front of him, sit behind him, and he hands me the clothing, piece by piece. If I through in a "Thank You" for every piece, he gets excited and keeps the game going. I think this has drinking game potential, but I'm weary of drinking near the clean laundry!

Another very cool thing is he's making strides with BLW. It is only a small step forward, followed by the two steps back were in now, but we had a great meal where he was totally into feeding himself. He was making choices to try different foods and most of it ended up in his mouth. Since that day (last Wed.) he's returned to only small tastes before he throws the food on the floor. I keep trying daily; once I cut into the veg/fruit, it is kind of destined to be his (and some mine when I demonstrate how to eat it, and finally just consume what he's about to throw on the floor). So I kind of "kill" him with one food until it's gone. Last night we went a little crazy and had a whole spread of mushroom, mango, pepper, onion, and potato. He even got a chance to try some good steak (we grilled a nice cut to perfection, nom nom). I think the potato gave him a bad face rash when he rubbed it all over his cheeks, so we'll have to come back to that one another day. I'm glad he's making choices, mimicking my eating, and I'm not shoving processed yuck baby food at him. I can't even trust my morning OJ to be healthy and fresh, no way I'm trusting those baby food companies to have Stefan's best interests in mind!

My little chutney butt

Here's a little note while I kill time before going to teach and purposefully ignore Stefan on the floor. He's mad to be on his back, but I think it's about time he figured how to get off his back himself. He does roll, but that puts him on his tummy which he hates...another place he should spend more time. So we're practicing independence.

He's been making more progress in solids. I realized today that in addition to taste, temperature, and consistency, the shape/size of the bits he is presented with and how many are also effecting if he tries to eat it. I knew they did, but I thought after he tasted how amazing food is, it wouldn't matter. I've been going a bit too small, he needs something golf ball sized or larger. Though chip-shaped food is recommended for BLW, he's not so down with it. One has only to look at the dining room floor to realize what he likes and doesn't (I'm trying to discourage floor food without success). Yesterday he had fun with a huge hunk of grilled squash and today, a big mushroom. He also tried some of the rice covered in curry sauce I made and was screaming for more (yes screaming, he doesn't mince screams). We've also been practicing using a cup, no sippy top. He eats his solids meals with me, so we just sit at the table together and practice...it gives me something to do besides eat in silence.

Well I better go rescue him, seems he's really pissed off on his belly...cheers!

Brain Flow

I just arrived home from yet another study walk with Stefan (what a perfect fall day by the way...sun wasn't too hot, there was a lot of shade patches, a slight breeze and the scent of pine in the air. A year ago today I think about "where" I was, and this is so much better!)- I take my music class lessons and practice them, sing the songs, deliver the parent education, sing the songs, practice the activities in my head, sing the songs again:) ...I know I've said all this in a previous post.

Have you ever noticed TV jingles and radio songs that are play redundantly drill into your brain like little worms (ear worms I call them). This isn't an accident, those jingle writers know, repeating a catchy tune sells- and is advertising in our heads long after the commercial/show is over. It's always the most annoying ones that stick too, aren't we lucky? Part of why this happens is related to how music uses both sides of the brain. Unfortunately, when I'm walking, I don't have aural access to my songs, which would make them stick so much quicker and better. However, and this is the very cool part, exercise seems to make up for loosing the aural advantage, for me at least. We all learn a little differently, verbal and visual are my stronger methods, so the whole walking reading and listening while driving thing really works for me. This is one of the reason our public education system needs a revamp...too much rote, sitting quietly at a desk reading. That's another post for another blog!

When we move, we are usually using both sides of our brain. To have non-moving thoughts stick better (that is whatever you're trying to learn or memorize), it is best to move while studying them. Stefan's carriage is a great book holder! I also practice songs while doing chores like vacuuming, dishes, etc...usually I'm moving to complete the chores. Aerobic exercise, for a person who is in shape, will keep that extra powerful learning going up to 2 hours after it is completed.

I'm excited for when Stefan is a bit older and can actually do things to learn. Oh I know he is learning all sorts of things from what he is doing now, but I'm referring to those dirt up to your elbows, fun learning situations we'll be having out back in the woods. For now, he's content (and safer) throwing blocks across the room to learn more about gravity, practicing physics while splashing in water, and licking toys to understand them better (he's so discriminating with the licking, it's hilarious).

Groan

Lots of groaning going on today. I think he's reading me a book as I type, actually. Not too much going on with Stefan this week. He came to some Kindermusik demos classes (well one class, everyone else bailed on the other 2). Leslie spent some quality time with him as I taught the class- and they had some great fun playing in water and making noises in the church sanctuary (A FABULOUS practice space, wonderful acoustics).

Yesterday, Mom tore through the house and de-babified it along with some fall reorganization. It's so nice to be rid of much of the clutter that was growing over the summer. Unfortunately that meant not so much "Stefan one on one time", but we had a killer time grocery shopping with Dad. Especially since the store was nearly empty at 6 pm on a week night. We came home with a light up ball and some applesauce (you've loved them both in the last 24 hours!) in our mix of groceries. Mom and Dad finished the day with some wine, meat, cheese, crackers, and football. It was almost like back in the day (1 1/2 years ago:).

Today we're looking at relaxing, and doing the same over the weekend. Last weekend still has everyone's schedule all crazy- well Stefan's and therefore, mine. We typed out Stefan's first computer document, and now I think it's time for some playing (you're being silly, yet demanding with your vocalizations...mad skills!) Later tonight, some brewing with Dad while Mom teaches.

So that's about it. More inspiring posting to come another day

Teeth, Cuckes, Throwing, Oh My

Most days, I love motherhood 100%, despite little frustrations through out the day. I could sit and watch/play with Stefan day after day and never grow bored. Yesterday, however, I could have thrown it out the window...and for part of today, too. I hate the pressure of getting a job done (repair and sometimes teaching) and being torn by baby needs as well. Note: house pressures are easily tossed aside in favor of baby care:) I guess, if my house is a wreck, we don't really care, but I need to keep customers happy, so it is very hard to put the crying teeth-Monster aside in favor of a pay check.

The repairs were finally completed this afternoon, and a great weight lifted. Now, to get the fall schedule straight and I'll be very happy. It stinks being so unsettled every year wondering how much work I'll actually have and it never turns out to be as much as I need. Oh well that is a whole other can of worms. On to the update.

Stefan has the biggest bumps ever on his top gums. I'm hoping something cuts through soon and we're out from under this teething cloud! He refuses to hold any relief (teether etc), and I'm tired of holding them for him... and being covered in ice water along with the floor and furniture. We've tried frozen wash cloths, ice in food bags, water in pacifiers, ice water in bottles, water in cups (this he actually likes, but is high maintenance), frozen bananas, cold carrots, and traditional teethers. Finally today, I think he received a little relief from a cold cucumber which leads me to this afternoon's excitement:

He's "eaten" 3 pieces of cucumber by himself. Eating means he held them in his hand and tasted it repeatedly, but not actually consumed more than a little bit. Hurray BLW!

Finally, the newest trick: Throwing things. It's really hysterical to see, though I choose which emotion to display, as I don't want it to turn into bad habits. So he is allowed to throw Poo (Winnie), and Eeyore during diaper changes and I make all sorts of faces. However, he does NOT get any response besides, "All done" (verbally and in sign), for tossing food on the floor. Then there is throwing toys all around the room...I just ignore it completely. I figure, if he tosses ALL of them, far enough away, he'll HAVE to crawl to get them. He's still completely immobile, but he has motions for the parts of crawling. He can easily get into position on his tummy fast, but doesn't tuck his legs. He has opposing arms and legs moving and can scoot himself at times with help, but again, can't do much with it by himself. So I'm just waiting for all the little parts to fall together on that one.

Today is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life

Well, Monster, Mommy owes you an apology...sorry about that milk I consumed. I was hoping the allergy lessened, but it didn't. It's is just as horrible as ever. Let's add swollen adenoids to the list of bad things that I do to you when I have casein. Basically that means that it is really hard for you to breath, especially at night or when you've been crying. And that means Mom feels really guilty from about 6 pm until the morning. I can't believe I've forgotten to read all the labels already (it was yogurt in masala, I was hoping there wasn't so much yogurt in it). Though, today marks the beginning of me preparing more food at home (again, I've been slacking), not using pre-prepared stuff or eating out any more, except for monthly sushi:) Nom nom nom!

In fact, today, marks the beginning of a couple of things. Last night you slept through the night- no snacky nom noms at all. I can't remember my last "full" night of sleep (6 hours!)...I know I had them during the first trimester- hell, I wanted to sleep all the time then. The achiness of always having to sleep on my side kicked in during the 2nd, and that is about the time I recall having a lot of sleepless nights...so I'm calling it first night's sleep in a year- for everyone!

Another first- holding food and eating it! Or rather, holding teething relief (you still haven't held food really). A teething biscuit was more handy than the ice holder, which you make me hold anyway. It took a few seconds to coordinate hand and mouth, but you accomplished it! Hopefully that skill will transfer over to all food soon. Right now, if you eat it at all, you bring your mouth to the table and try to get it in. Very amusing now, not so hot with the ladies in a few years though. Abby will never want to play babies with you if you keep that up!

And now, why in fact is TODAY the first day of the rest of your life? Drum roll please...
We added bacon to your list of foods you have tried! I'm not sure where the article went, but there is proof that babies don't need to wait until a year to try certain foods. Foods that cause allergies like peanuts and strawberry are on there. Then there are ones that I don't think are there for allergy reasons...like meat...like BACON! Anyway, much like all the other "rules" people swear by, the foods on the not-below-1-year list are being questioned by doctors. Where as it was thought that cereal was a great first food, it shouldn't be the only, and really, probably shouldn't be given all that much- being a carbohydrate with little nutrition. Even the iron contained in it isn't readily absorbed (especially compared to that in breast milk), and other sources of certain nutrients are better for you. Regarding the allergenic food, not eating it won't save you from having an allergy down the road, so we'll just make sure you're not having reactions when we try them. Unfortunately you've missed strawberry season this year! In addition, we need to remind me that "food is fun until age one", repeatedly, as I keep getting needlessly concerned with your eating habits. I honestly don't know what I second, third, 4th, 5th guess everything I do.

But back to bacon...you actually just sucked on a little meaty strip, made your typical "new food-ew" face and I took it away once you started wiping the table with it. It's OK, we'll work on how you should treat bacon in the future. Kinda the same treatment as beer, except if some falls on the floor, you don't HAVE to suck it out of the rug;)

A letter From Stefan

To whom it may concern,
I'm sorry Mom didn't get very much done for you today. The dishes were left on the counter a little longer, the garden only half weeded, only 1 of two flutes repaired, and the office carpet is still only a little cut up instead of removed. My room goes unpainted another day, only one Kindermusik class practiced (though she is really excited about where she practiced that one lesson), and only one chapter of educational reading completed. Lunch was hot dogs instead of something much more healthy and yummy and only the diapers were washed, leaving 2 more loads until who knows when. I do apologize, but we had a lot of business to attend to.

First there was the morning meeting over breakfast. I gave that rice cereal sludge a try, but honestly, how can I ever go back to it after finding my new loves: grilled veggies and lentil soup. There was a rumor of nap time, but I headed that off quickly, reminding Mom that we've been cooped up inside the whole week watching it rain, and it was necessary to take a business trip to the walking path. This is where she practiced Kindermusik, singing me songs as we walked enjoying the scenery. We stopped to chat up a butterfly before returning home.

After a brief nap and a short conference call with Shawny, we supped on grilled red peppers and mushrooms. I can't have hotdogs yet, so I just watched, but one day I will consume their sweet meatiness. Though I think I'll make mine out of bacon...(Abby, give me a call and we'll do lunch!) Mom moved her office outside where we had a meeting with Puff (the tortoise) and discovered a snake skin and very cool a frog. Not the peepers from our walk at the meditation park, who made me giggle when they peeped and hopped into the stagnant lilly pad pond. It was a light brown one with a black stripe under it's eye with smooth wet skin. It almost hopped on my blanket (when she chased it there)! I was then immersed in mint, a great ripping plant, and played with the papery wrappers of the string beans which we've let mature for next year's seeds. I think there was more to do, but honestly, I was tired and it was time for a power nap.

I exercised on Mom while she giggled (I'm not sure why). I pull-ups and squats on her lap and teeth on her collar bones. I nodded my head to and fro just because it made the world look cool. I took some breaks to hug her and lay on her shoulder, before starting the whole routine all over again. We practiced actually walking (not that fake walking stuff from last week) while searching for the Kelder Kat, who discovered a great sleeping place under the folded up play yard. And somewhere in there, we tried to practice counting to 3 and "in and out", but honestly, I have no idea what she was talking about.

So though she missed some dead lines, we had a lot more living lines to meet and all those other things WILL get done...eventually.

Sincerely,
Stefan

Sound of Silence

I have just made the mistake of hopping on the computer to throw up a quick message for Kindermusik parents on FaceBook, which turned into having to post to the Kindermusic Blog, since another teacher popped a quick message up already (gotta spread our messages out ya know), then (here's where it all went awry) I went to baby Pelly's blog, and finally ended up here...because OK, OK I'm procrastinating!! After spending a nice day with Grandma, hanging out relaxing etc, I can't focus on work.

Stefan, you crossed a huge hump last night (there is a point, it all ties together). You were finally able to sit with Grandma and Grandpa (and cousin Pelly, Aunt Melissa and Uncle Matt) without Mommy! And it was fabulous. For the first time, I didn't have to search for you during measures of rest to see where you were being walked. Actually, I was getting better at not searching for you during pieces, as it really screwed up some of my entrances in the past. Who knew I'd completely forget to play the flute, while sitting in a 30 piece band...

Even better, Grandma had a tear free visit. Teething has calmed down for the day, and we all had a great time just playing, taking walks, eating cheerios, and shopping together. Much improved from the picnic of a thousand tears that happened on Sunday.

I tried to tell Melissa that teething hasn't been so bad- despite all day fussing, because compared to colic, it's a breeze! But she doesn't know colic, and Abby has the most precious little cry, so it's all good. (PS this is a random blog entry to get you to her site...My book mark is to pregnancy week 20, and a little out dated:)

And can I say again, as you nap now, happy boy, that I am still amazed that I can put you down, I hear fussing for a bit, but soon you drift off to sleep. I never thought that would happen...well at least I thought it was going to be a couple of years before it did. And there is no exaggeration on that estimate. I still hate to leave you in the crib- trust me I know how you feel taking all these naps when the coolest stuff is probably going on just outside your door (like dish washing and laundry). Rest assured, hanging out with you is usually much cooler than what you're missing. So it is me that should be crying when you go to sleep, not you!

OK Monster, time for Mom to get back to work, and I predict, time for you to wake up so I can't get back to work...or will this be one of those nap straight to bed time nights that I hate...

Good Morning, Friday!

"To Start Press Any Key". Where's the ANY key? I see Esk ["ESC"], Catarl ["CTRL"], and Pig-Up ["PGUP"]. There doesn't seem to be any ANY key. Woo! All this computer hacking is making me thirsty. I think I'll order a TAB." ~Homer

Dear Stefan,
Last night Daddy and I sat watching videos of you on mom's camera (the thing that constantly flashes you in the face)...funny how we put up with that tiny little viewer on the camera while wasting the acreage of the wide screen TV with preseason football. I was playing the vidoes and thinking, "Oh great, I'm one of those parents"...the ones that sit and stare at their children, rewatch videos they JUST took, blather on and on about how great their child is. But in retrospect, I get it now- the unexplainable it. And if that "it" wasn't enough, at the very least, Mom "worked" hard to get you into this world and in the last 8 months, we've invested a lot of time, effort, and wakeful hours to keep you healthy and happy. I DO love watching you play all day, but I'll have to say, I not just watching it because you're cute. Mommy loves observing children, how and what they are playing, what happens when "x" occurs and how the child responds, etc. It's what I've done for ten years with everyone else's children, I'm just so excited to finally do it with my own. AND I admitted to Daddy that I take so many videos of you because one day, we'll miss you being this small and cute, and we'll want to sit and watch anything of you that we can get our hands on.

So this very minute you're grooving on Mommy's lap, with a pen that seems perfect to tap on everything. This is keeping your little paws off the "ctrl" key. You really like to push this key while I scroll with the mouse which causes the browser to zoom out and really is very annoying. But if it isn't that key, it's another one, and I'm sure I'll miss moments like these, some day when were trying to extract information about your day in Jr. high and all you''ll say is, "Fine." For now, many times it's hard to get you to be quiet. You haven't found your indoor voice yet, but you're too cute to have that matter. I think you're anxious to leave this computer and start the day. It seems like a good time to get up, you're pen is now put away on the floor with everything else you've tossed down there. Love and Kisses, Monster!

Love,
Mommy

Milestones Age: 8 months

Happy Day, you're 8 months today, despite wearing 12 month clothes! Enjoy all these monthly celebrations, Monsterino!

You Can:

• look to make sure someone is paying attention to your antics.
• roll all over.
• sit well unassisted.
• go well from sitting to laying.
• rock while enroute to laying on your tummy, crawling is around the corner...yikes!
  
• almost pick up small things with your thumb and finger.
• hold both of your feet in both of your hands and clap or suck your toes (many people wish for this amount of flexibility).
• push up assisted to standing.
• stand and play holding onto surfaces.
• clap objects.
• slap.
• give occasional "5's".
• play for extended time on your tummy, though you still complain.
• Communicate with sound, non-verbally.
  
• follow where I point.
  
• know the words "cat/kitty", "Daddy", and "Mommy" when said to you.
• babble m, n, l, d, and g words. You're starting to put consonants at the end of your vowel sounds, like "add" which will easily become Dad:).
  
• turn lights off, and sometimes on.
• almost drink from a cup.
• make sounds while you inhale.
  
• pounce on your toys.
  
• look for interesting toys, people, or animals when they make noise out of sight.
  
• stand without anyone holding you for a couple of seconds (this is your favorite game now).
  
• still love most your first toys, the jingle rattles! But you also really enjoy paper, paper tubes, bags and boxes.
  
• cough/make other sounds to get others to look at or imitate you.
• show separation anxiety, but I'm never too far away!
• try to use a spoon and tooth brush, though mommy helps with the spoon as it is usually full of food!

*Red developmental actions are more commonly seen closer to 12 months.

With your 2 teeth you eat cereal, banana, peach, broccoli, squash of many varieties, avocado, bread, and cheerios (just got one in your mouth by yourself!) though most days you choose not to, despite my persistence. You have also tasted water, watermelon, pickles, Popsicles, juice and beer, and enjoy every one of them. Mostly you're still drinking milk and you still have that darn allergy (Mommy really wants a slice of pizza!!!).

You have a battery of scientific tests for everything...first you observe, then bend in for a closer look. Next you pick up the object, wave it, tap it, clap it, and lick it, not necessarily in that order. The licking is my favorite part because it isn't just a general suck, but rather a little taste with the tip of your tongue, then you think and make a face based on the taste, and perhaps give another little taste before moving on to the next test.

The Cambridge House was your first "eating out" experience. We were there when you were around 4 months, for a few minutes and you were great. Then, after summer camp, you Dad and I went for appetizers and a beer. Everyone loved you!

You have been taking music classes all summer. First we did some Peek-a-Boo I Love You, which now you're favorite song. Then came Sign and Sing. You still don't sign, but I hope you'll show us some soon! Also, you've been attending all my FVB and Torrington Symphony concerts. They are less fun for you since I'm in the band and not with you and they all occur right at your super fussy bed time.

You take 2 naps a day, on average, some days it's 1, others it's 3...most of which you go down for without much fussing- it's wonderful. After you wake and eat, we play blocks/toys, go swimming, play outside, go for walks on the trail or in parks around here.

A couple of weeks ago, you were hanging with the older kids at summer camp, and you taught classes with Mommy:). When you were sad, the kids would sing to you. When you napped, they tiptoed around the class and whispered. Everyone had fun watching you hold the recorder and suck on the end, or play with cheerios. You were very well behaved the whole two weeks!! Mommy is excited you did so well since we will be teaching Kindermusik together in the fall.

PS I have been compiling all this information for a couple of weeks...it has been a lot. Just when I finish adding information for the day, I shut down the computer, and realize I forgot 3 more things, some of which you weren't even doing when I started writing this. I find it amazing how quickly you change and grow. As I type, you're going through a growth spurt...constantly eating (OMG when will you get my supply up and calm this down!), sleeping weird hours (yesterday an almost 4 hour nap!), and your behavior is on a roller coaster this past week- a good one with mostly ups, actually.