Thomas's birthday week

I've only recently made a big deal of birthdays. Like, in the past couple of years. I try to do something small every day of the week for Matt and so I thought I'd pass that on to Thomas instead of dwelling on the fact that my baby isn't a baby any longer.... I didn't take a picture every day like I had intended BUT we did do something special every day though some days were smaller than others. 

On Monday, Thomas, Matt, and I spent the evening and swung and swung on the swing outside our house. Thomas LOVES the swing and the weather was perfect. 

On Tuesday, Thomas and I went for a walk around the neighborhood early in the morning. You know, before it got smoking hot.

On Wednesday, Thomas's actual birthday, we went swimming! And playing in the neighborhood playground. Thomas tried to swing his alligator but the alligator face planted pretty early one. He loved it. Thomas loved it, not the alligator.

On Thursday, Thomas and I went to the library! He is way too fond of sitting at the base of a bookcase and pulling all the books off so I didn't let him just roam free. We did get one of his favorite books - Llama Llama Red Pajama. 

On Friday, we went golfing with Matt! Well, not exactly. We went to the driving range. I don't think Thomas and I could handle actually golfing with Matt. Thomas isn't one to sit still for long. 

On Saturday, we had Thomas's birthday party!! Details and pictures to come!!

Twelve Months!

It's incredibly hard to believe that TWELVE MONTHS have passed since this little guy was born. It seems like just yesterday that I was calling the message service for my doctor to start the delivery process. I can't say that the last twelve months, or even the last 30 days, have been absolute happiness, but I can say that I've never been happier. Never been this sleep-deprived, this confused, this disorganized, but never this happy. Month 12 was full of smiles and play-time. Thomas is "finally" getting to the stage where he can play and play and play. And laugh, and laugh, and laugh. Oh gracious, that kid can laugh. He cracks himself up all the time. I wish I had a camera on him constantly to record his precious giggles so I can replay them when he's up all night crying or when he gets mad when I won't let him play with a plastic bag. Instead, I'll just have to replay them in my head and remind myself that he laughs more than he cries and he smiles way more than he pouts. 

Thomas weighs   20 pounds and 11 ounces and is 29.5 inches long. He wears a size 3 diaper but is about to move up to size 4s. He is too big for Carter's brand 12 month clothes, but most 12-18 clothes fit him just right or a touch too big. He wears a size 4 shoe but let's be honest, I don't put shoes on him much. He can crawl faster than I can walk. He's cruising all day long. As of May 6, he wasn't really showing any interest in walking but as of the date of the post, I bet he'll be walking within a month. His favorite book is I Love You Through and Through. He sings with me when I sing Row, Row, Row Your Boat and the ABCs. His current favorite toy is a little Indian girl figurine from a London bus set that Kat and Jeff got him for Christmas. There are about 5 figurines - the driver, the steward, an elderly English couple, and the Indian girl. He throws the others away to get to the girl. Then, he promptly sticks her head in his mouth and continues playing. Kind of like a lollipop. It's odd.... 

He babbles and sings like he will forget how if he stops for a second. When he stops, I know he's up to no good. He loves opening and closing doors. If he's on one side of the door and I am on the other, he'll knock on the door in response to my knocking on the door. For hours. 

Happy first year, Thomas! I'm so excited to see what the next year brings! 

Discovering Giselle's paws... 

At the NOLA aquarium 

At the aquarium. 

Playing racecar in an empty diaper box

Side note: "Racecar" is a palindrome.

Eleven months!!

Only one picture because the uploader is being weird and if I wait too much longer to post this update, he'll be a year...

I know. He's starting college tomorrow. 

Month Eleven was a month of firsts!! First major injury (his little mouth is just fine! The bruising has faded and his bottom and tooth teeth line up just right), first haircut, first Easter egg hunt, first softball game, first half-marathon, man! March was a very busy month for T-baby.

He's still in size 3 diapers, but he's busting out of his 12-month clothes. Carter's brand at least, most other brands fit him with a little room to grow. He's about 29 inches tall. He crawls and cruises and generally moves as fast as he can wherever he desires to go. He loves hats more than anything else in the world (except for maybe his pacifier). He adored the Easter bunny and got a little upset when he had to leave it. He is an expert egg hunter and will scurry to get an egg as fast as the other eggs in his hands will let him go. His favorite book these days is I Love You Through and Through. His favorite song is Jesus Loves Me and is his cue to close his little eyes and go to sleep. He takes two naps a day and will "sleep" from 7 p.m. until about 6 a.m. usually waking up at least twice. He opens and closes drawers and cabinets like his mission in life is to open and close drawers and cabinets. He can pull up on things that are smaller than he is and won't hesitate to use whatever is around him to do so. Thomas understands the words 'no' and 'Thomas.' When he hears either, he'll turn and look, smile, then get back to whatever he was doing - usually playing in the dog's water bowl.

Oh, and my favorite thing, when Matt gets home from work, Thomas crawls to the door as fast as he can while shrieking. Once there, he tries to climb up Matt's legs until Matt picks him up. His hilarious. And makes me tear up every. single. time.

Going through the big D!

And this time, I DO mean Dallas!!! 

Last weekend, Marla and I ran another HALF MARATHON!! Like, 13.1 miles. Though, the GPS on my phone said it was more like 13.5 miles. Seriously. Get it together, Rock and Roll Series. 

Matt, Thomas, and I flew into to Dallas from Nola. Marla drove and we all met up at hotel Friday night. We put Thomas straight to bed and then pigged out on burgers, fries, and overpriced cocktails. After that, no one slept. Thomas cried and screamed and cried. I felt so bad for Marla. Like, awful. I warned her, but it was even worse than I expected it to be. There were at least two occasions that I just sat up in bed and rocked him. Ever tried to rock without a rocking chair? It takes some serious core muscles. That I don't have. No kidding, my abs were sore when I "woke up" on Saturday. About 5 a.m. Thomas got up for the day. We went to the bathroom and watched Daniel Tiger so Matt and Marla could sleep. It was awful. Awful.  

Saturday morning, we went to the expo to get our running stuff. The convention center was connected to the hotel so we didn't even have to pay any more to park.... While at the expo, we watched a video showing the course. It lied. The hills didn't even register with me. They should have. Oh. My. Goodness. Then, Matt, Thomas, and I went to a fancy mall so Marla could get some sleep. We bought some super cute clothes for Thomas, I got a few tops, and we ogled a pink diamond at Tiffany's until the security guard asked us to step away from the display. 

Outside the expo. Thomas is the dot on the i! 

Saturday evening, we met up with Luke and his GF, Kadie, for dinner. We had a quick dinner while Thomas threw a fit. I took him back to the room early so I could give him a bath and put him down for bed. I had him all ready for bed and pretty much asleep until I realized that I had forgotten to give him supper. It's funny what being awake for a million hours can do to one's mental processes. After I fed him and got him back asleep, we all went to sleep. At like 8:00 p.m. I didn't hear anyone complain. Thomas slept better but not great on Saturday night. Marla got up at 5:00 a.m. on Sunday and I didn't even hear her. I slept like a rock when I slept. We got up, had breakfast, and prepared for the run. We had been worried about rain but decided that the rain was over and we were going to just go like it would be dry. Luckily for us, the rain HAD ended. Maybe I should say that it was lucky for the 25,000 other people there that the rain had ended because my running gear wouldn't hide much if it was soaking wet. 

About 7, we headed down to the start line which was just outside our hotel. Matt and Thomas came with us to see us off. They actually stayed in the corral for several minutes after the race began. I kept worrying that overeager runners were going to plow over them but it didn't happen and they were able to escape the barricades safely before we actually got to the start line. 

Family photo!! 

We're ready!! 

He doesn't sleep at night, but sleeps in the middle of 25K people. Sure... 

On one bridge while looking at another bridge... 

I stopped for a selfie. I was over running by mile 2. 

Neither did I. A marathon wasn't an option with this run. Signfail. 

I ran passed this billboard and would have stopped for a burger if there was one anywhere close. But there wasn't. There was nothing. 

Just under halfway. I literally hated the man standing by that sign. I feel like he could have made it say 15K if he really wanted to. 

The inevitable happened. I stood in line for 5 minutes but in the end, couldn't even close the door. Several miles later, I found an open 7/11. I shouldn't have hydrated.  

There's that bridge again. 

Lemme tell you how I feel about hills. Stupid Dallas. 

I finished. I didn't finish nearly as quickly as I would have liked to, but I finished. Felt like I was going to die afterwards, but I finished. No, I don't have that euphoric feeling and haven't signed up for another one already. But that's okay. I finished. Even with the hills. Stupid Dallas.  There aren't any post-run pictures. I was laid out on the floor trying to talk myself into breathing...

Then, Mar drove us to the airport and we flew back home!! Oh, and I ate the most delicious brisket. I should blog about that brisket.

TEN Months!!

I'm pretty sure that everything has changed from the way it was just a month ago. Thomas can crawl now! When he wants to go somewhere, he is a little speedster! In fact, sometimes I think he crawls faster than I walk. This morning, we were in the living room and he heard Matt talking in the bedroom. Thomas dashed in there faster than I could put my coffee cup down. I'm pretty sure he was just a blur as he darted past me.

He's got four teeth and is eating much better! Still purees. He likes yogurt melts but can only be tricked into eating a puff. We've tried a Cheerio here and there, but no luck. He eats sweet potatoes, butternut and acorn squash, applesauce, and yogurt. He's tried peanut butter and seems to like it. He didn't take to those itty bitty star-shaped pasta though. He HATES carrots. HATES them. Almost as much as he hates avocado.

He wears mostly 12-month clothes but can still fit into some of his 9-monthers. I've taken to putting him in shirts and pants instead of onesies and he looks so much like a little man it kind of breaks my heart. I do put him in some onesies when I want my baby back.

We started the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program on February 18th and are having fun with it!! It gives me extra motivation to read to him. Thomas LOVES books. His favorite right now is actually I Love You Through and Through. I think because of the baby in it. Thomas smiles and laughs when he sees other babies. I get a kick out of showing him baby videos on Youtube, especially if the baby is laughing.

He doesn't really say words but babbles a lot. He knows words though. He responds as well as Giselle when I tell him that his daddy is home. Signing isn't going well. And house-proofing the baby just ain't working at all. He's drawn to Giselle's water and food bowls like a moth to a flame.

He waves and points when he sees someone or something he likes. It's interesting to see who he is most interested in when he go out in public. He wants everything in the counter at Ambrosia bakery. I can't say that I blame him....

And now, pictures!!

Check out his arm.... 

The dilemma of TWO pacifiers (and a mom who doesn't know how to work her camera). 

First beach trip this year! 

Had to lower the crib.... 

Meeting cousin Foster! 

"Reading" like a champ! 

Slightly weird eyes, but happy baby! 

Five things I've learned from being sleep-deprived

I can't tell you the last time I slept for more than 5 hours at a time. Probably before I got pregnant. Seriously. So, about a year and a half. In the past 18 months, I've learned quite a few things about myself. Because I'm SUCH a giving person, I'll share them with you.

1. The most awful thing I've learned is that I can't do math well without sleep. Mental math has always been tough for me, but man, being foggy-headed all the time makes my brain work as well as a TI-83+_with no battery. Thomas eats every three hours. He has since he was born except for the occasional growth spurt or nursing strike. I still have to write the time down so I can remember it and do the math on when he'll be hungry again. It's slightly embarrassing. And more than slightly worrisome.

2. Just because there is a sign and I read it, I may not understand. I find myself triple and quadruple checking restroom signs just to make sure. Even then, I get worried until I'm inside and see the furnishings. I have the same problem with push/pull signs on doors, exit signs on the interstate, and bumper stickers. It's a real problem.

3.  My temper is almost always close to the surface. Let's just say that it's a good thing that I'm not around many people during the day. Poor Matt usually bears the brunt of my rage. Though, I'll admit, I sometimes tell my sweet baby to "get it together, Thomas!" but in a loving tone. Really.

4.  I'm always tired. I haven't gotten used to the lack of sleep yet. I'm pretty certain that there's a tiredness curve. I haven't gotten to the top yet. When does that happen? When will I be used to it? When will I not want to go to bed at 8:00 p.m.? Probably never. I do love to sleep.

5.  I forget things. Things that happened yesterday. Or this morning. Or five minutes ago. I don't remember what I told to whom. Or if I brushed my teeth. Or if I had breakfast. It's sad. I've been trying to do crossword puzzles to help, but I lay them down to take care of something and then can't remember where I put them. This time, the struggle really is real.

Matt and I are working on helping Thomas sleep for longer periods of time. I have full confidence that by the time we all get it mastered, I'll find my book of puzzles and go into the ladies' room without giving a piece of my mind to the restroom attendant who offered to take my coat.

NINE Months!

I think it every time the 6th of the month rolls around, but man, oh man, this time especially. Where has the time gone? Thomas has changed so much in even the past 30 days. He cries now when he gets in trouble or when I tell him that he can't have something. (Sorry, kiddo. I'm never going to let you chew on your daddy's laptop cord.) His face lights up when Matt walks in the door. He doesn't just watch the Roomba do its thing now, but chases it around in his walker. He can play by himself for several minutes before even looking up to see what else is going on. Sometimes, at night, if I'm really lucky, he'll sleep for more than three hours at a time. He's old enough to miss me when I'm gone. I never thought it would happen, but it has. I don't get a "daddy smile and wiggle," but I get a "come and pick me up now look." He only naps twice a day, instead of three times. He eats food! Pureed food, but he eats it! He is all grown up some days and still my baby on others.

He will still curl up in the fetal position when I attack him with the tickle monster. He'll still stare up at me like I hung the moon first thing in the morning when I go pick him up out of his bed. He still wants to sit in my lap to read books instead of sitting on the floor. He still wants to hold my hand when he nurses. His eyelashes are still impossibly long. He still giggles and giggles when I "eat" his hands or feet. He's nine months old, but he's still my baby.

He weighs 19 pounds and 5 ounces. He's 28 inches long. He wears size 3 diapers and 9-12 month clothes. Nine month pants are really too short for him now. With this spring weather, he's been wearing shorts lately!!

He has eaten peas, butternut squash, and sweet potato. He hasn't mastered a sippy cup, but will drink water out of an open cup...

As of his 9-month birthday, he hasn't learned to crawl, but can crawfish like a champ. See below... He doesn't sleep all night long. He still loves being swaddled. Since he isn't rolling around at night, we're leaving him to it. I'm sure that we'll change that soon, but not tonight. My resolve to get him out of the swaddle fluctuates with how tired I am.

Crawfishing! 

Reading in the tub. 

Reaching for his mobile. 

Giving kisses!! He gives them open-mouthed. It's cute and slimy.... 

Look closely at this picture.

 So, let me tell you about that picture just above here. I ran out to get a king cake. I hurriedly brought it in the house and put it on the coffee table that is now used as a barrier between the kitchen and the living room so that Thomas can't "walk" into the living room while I'm tied up in the kitchen. Usually, the coffee table is clean because Thomas is a reacher and a puller. I forgot to move the cake off the table before I put Thomas in his walker. I was washing dishes when I heard the crash. I turned around, saw the scene, laughed, and took a picture. That poor king cake never saw it coming. Ignore the roomba.

It's all smiles and kisses until it isn't. 

Happy Mardi Gras !

 Happy nine months, T-baby!!!!