Lost my creativity

For a good title, sorry.  But I wanted to put up a post, because I rarely get anything up during the week.

Jayden is moving his feet more and more, all while holding on to things, but moving nonetheless.  He actually sidled along the couch for a foot or two and walked with his walker toy (thanks Auntie Ellen!) for a little bit today.  Of course I didn't get any of it on camera or video - I was the spotter so it was hard to be the photographer at the same time.  But I do have a couple videos from yesterday and a picture or two.

Jayden has discovered the joy of snowball making recently.  He takes anything that he can ball up - a paper towel, a tissue (unused, don't worry), a pair of socks, anything - and passes it back and forth between his hands, quickly and forcefully.  It looks like he's making a snowball.  I'm not sure what he thinks he's doing, but he enjoys it.  And it has convinced me that I will be bringing a handful of paper towels on the airplane next week!

Jayden was helping me sweep yesterday; I am definitely buying him a child-sized broom as soon as he's able to walk around.  I can't wait!

He pulls himself up pretty much anywhere now.  It's a whole new level of baby proofing.  He doesn't really go for the third shelf, but I'm sure he will soon so we'll have to move the non-Jayden toys.  It's hard to tell from a still picture, but he's almost picking up the foot closest to the camera here.  

Just a quick note

We did have a good Sunday - I ran some errands and then chased Jayden around the house for about five hours, went for a jog with Jayden and Jasmine in 95 degree heat (in hindsight maybe not the best idea), and went swimming with Jayden.  No pictures because it was just me and Jayden most of the day and it takes all of my effort to keep up with him.  Plus, my camera isn't fast enough to capture him half the time!

I had to work today, so Jayden had to go to Julia's for a few hours.  It was fine - basically he had lunch and a short nap there.  We were home by 1:30 or so, which was about what I expected.

Two funny things have happened recently:
First, Jayden attempts to crawl with things in his hands.  It's hilarious.  When he puts balls in his hands, he does this kind of military crawl on his forearms.  I haven't been able to capture this on camera, but hopefully I'll get it soon.  Today he found some papers to hold on to while crawling.  He was relatively successful, except that the papers were slippery and he kept taking a "step" with his hand and slipping onto his stomach. He didn't bump his face, though, and didn't get frustrated, so it was mostly just entertaining for me.

The other funny thing is related: earlier today he found a tissue and was crawling around with it in his hand.  At one point a small piece was torn off the tissue.  Jayden noticed the small piece and kept trying to reconnect it to the big piece of tissue.  It was hilarious; he must have tried four or five times to "reconnect" the two pieces, but finally moved on.  So cute.

Oh and one last thing.  Jayden stood up today on his own.  He'd been standing up to get up stairs, but today he was sitting at the ottoman and just pulled himself up to a standing position.  And he keeps going into a downward dog-type pose, with his legs straight and his arms on the ground.  He's still pretty shaky on two legs without something or someone to hold on to, but I think it's not long until he tries it on his own.  And then we're in trouble times fifteen million.

We are now officially in trouble

Because Jayden decided he can climb stairs now.  Awesome.  It's super cute.  The first time it took him about 10 minutes to get one leg up.  

This is what Jayden looked like on Friday when he was trying to stand up and move - he was a little wobbly and kept his legs far apart.

But by the end of the day today he did it in about 4.5 seconds.  He's been working really hard over the past four or five days at straightening his legs out and pushing up.  But he is proof that hard work does pay off.   

This is the very first time ever that he climbed up a stair.  And I managed to capture it on video.  Amazing!  So it didn't really take 10 minutes, but it took a little while.  Later on, which I didn't get on video, he did it almost automatically.

Today we went to my friend Shilpa's daughter's birthday at the children's museum that we love going to together.  It was so cute - and Jayden had so much fun.  I can't wait until we can go again in October; who knows, maybe he'll be walking by then!

Once again, Jayden loves the bark pit aka "the farm."  

Since he's now moving, he crawled up one side of the bridge.  Then he got to the top and wasn't sure how he was going to get down the other side.  He finally figured out if he went down at an angle it was a whole lot easier.  Such a smart kid!

Jayden is definitely getting over a cold - his nose is runny, he's got a cough I can hear in his chest sometimes - it makes me so sad.  His fever finally broke Wednesday morning (thank goodness), but he still hasn't been 100%.  He's been pretty tired - Friday night he slept a little more than 11 hours which is pretty incredibly for him - but not lethargic or anything.  We're hoping tomorrow can be a relaxed day, a lot of football of course, maybe a little swimming and probably multiple laps around the living room chasing the baby.  Woo hoo!  

I am just thankful that the third week of the month is over.  Besides Jayden's achievements, the highlight was definitely seeing the Endeavor.  It traveled all over California on Friday, including over Disney California Adventure, which meant that I got to see it!  The picture does not do it justice, but it's proof nonetheless.  The plane was HUGE, and it was amazing to see the space shuttle on top of the 747.  The pilots flying that plane had the best job ever that day.

The white blob in the middle of the sky, above the cloud, is the  plane and the space shuttle.

I wish Jayden were old enough to see it.  If so, I would've picked him up from daycare and ran (aka drove as fast as I could) to California Adventure to see it.  But, since the Endeavor will be at a museum in LA for the foreseeable future, as soon as he's old enough to appreciate it we'll take a trip up there to see it.  Such a cool opportunity for him (and for us)!

Fun with Grandmas and other family

This is mostly just pictures.  We were Hotel Ferrin/Wallace this weekend, with Enid, William, Barb and Ellen all staying with us.  It was definitely a full house, but it was a lot of fun.  And I would never have been ready for the party if Barb, Ellen and Enid hadn't helped - thank goodness for the three of them!

Both Grandmas took every opportunity to jump on the floor and watch Jayden while I ran around like a crazy person.  I was so proud of him - he was much less scared than before and much more sociable.  He smiled at Enid, let her hold him and even had a giggle-fest with her this morning before she left.  It makes it such a better visit for everyone when he gets used to his Grandmas.

Just a few fun pictures:

A few pictures from the party I forgot to post in the last one: Gavin trying to kiss Jayden and Jayden rejecting it.  Later on Jayden would try to kiss back but Gavin was way too fast for Jayden!

Goodbye Auntie Ellen!  I'm not going to smile for anything if I can help it.

Grandma, thanks for keeping me company on the most ridiculously hot day EVER!

Turns out my favorite new toy is the fly swatter!  I learned I can  swat Jasmine with it.  Although when I do that, it seems like Jasmine always gets up and runs away - funny.

Grandma showing Jayden a video of her and him on William's phone.  Jayden is obsessed with cell phones, so  he'd stare at that thing for hours if we let him!

Poor baby had to get FOUR shots today at his one year appointment.  Needless to say he was not happy later.  In fact, he was so unhappy he felt the need to hold one toy in each hand throughout dinner, meaning I had to feed him just about everything.

Grandma Barb is super talented - this is Jayden's homemade birthday cake - so great, and with no cake decorating tool thingy.

Another one of Grandma Barb and Jayden during the birthday party.

Today was Jayden's one year check-up.  He is officially 31-3/8" tall/long, which is in the 90 to 95th percentile.  Crazy mom that I am, I was mostly disappointed that he dropped from the 97th to the 90-95th percentile in length/height.  I decided it just means he's due for a growth spurt (lucky us!).  He weighs 22 pounds, 2 ounces, which is in the 40th percentile.  The doctor was very happy with his progress, rebounding back from the 25th percentile disaster that was four months.
His head circumference is 48 centemeters; I have no idea what percentile that is, but it seems big.

Finally, with those four shots that Jayden got today came a whole bunch of fussiness.  He had a 102 degree fever when he was going to bed.  I gave him some medicine and I am going to go take his temperature before I go to bed.  So long as it's stable or dropping, we'll be fine.  If it's gone up, well, expect a report on our trip to urgent care on tomorrow's blog!  I'm anticipating that he'll be fine, that the fever is just a result of the shots and that it'll break tonight or tomorrow.  But I'm not going to like leaving him at daycare if he still has a fever.  Ugh.  Think positive (cool) thoughts for Jayden, please.

Captain Jayden's Par-tay!

Thanks to everyone who came to the party on Saturday or who sent or is sending their love and time capsule items.  Funny enough, not all that many people participated in the time capsule project.  But, we did get some great things - memories from my mom and sister, a picture of Carmen's favorite client, Von Miller, doing the Tebow during the Monday Night Football game last week and a 2012 facts/almanac.  I know a few more things are on their way - if anyone else decides they want to contribute, feel free.  Contrary to popular belief, I'm not going to actually bury this thing - it's just going to live in the garage or Jayden's closet or something until he's older.  And no, I have no idea how old he'll be when he gets to open this - I'm hoping 16 or 18 - but he has to be old enough to care, so we'll just see.

Practicing walking before the party.  Over the past few days Jayden has taken one or two very small, very supported steps.  But he's showing signs of wanting to be on two feet.  Our doctor today predicted he'd be walking in the next month.  We'll see - so far all of our doctor's predictions have been wrong!

Holding tight to Daddy in the swimming pool.

Kian is keeping a close eye on Jayden in the car.  The minute Jayden exits the vehicle, Kian is ready to take over!

The blue box on the shelf is the time capsule.  Everything else is just decorations.

My decoration, and also part of my contribution to the time capsule: a picture of every month that he has been alive.  So amazing to think that a year ago he fit on our little forearms.  

Getting comforted by Grandma during the party - at one of the (many) times things became overwhelming.

Daddy handed off a soaking wet Jayden to Mama in the middle of the party.  Mama didn't mind holding Jayden but would've appreciated a "he's soaking wet!" warning.

Just after Jayden took a giant two-handed bite of chocolate cupcake and just before he took the whole thing and chucked it on the floor.  Who knew, the kid doesn't like chocolate!

The party was a lot of fun, but I swear I am never doing that again.  I am exhausted, my back still hurts and I barely remember the day (and no, I was not really drinking - I think I fit in two cups of sangria over the course of eight hours).  The best part was that I loved how many people came to celebrate Jayden and to congratulate Carmen and me on surviving the first year.  Jayden is such a sweet boy and it was so great to see him interacting with all of the other children, whether it was taking one of his toys back from Shreya or pushing Gavin away when Gavin tried to kiss Jayden.  It was so fun to have such controlled chaos in our house.

So, here's to year one in the books.  My weekly email came this week and instead of "Your baby this week" it said "Your toddler this week."  It freaked me out.  But if you consider toddler-hood to start when they reach one, well then, yes, we have a toddler in the house.

Year One, in the books

I totally intended to post yesterday, but just couldn't get online last night with everything else going on at work and at home.

For those of you not on Facebook, here's what I posted at 10:31 am yesterday (9/12/12):
Exactly one year ago right now my life changed dramatically. Happy FIRST Birthday to the sweetest little baby I know. I get choked up just thinking about all the amazing things you are going to do, the incredible things you are going to learn and the wonderful little boy you are becoming. Jayden, you are my world and I love you.

I tried so hard to get a good one year picture of Jayden, but he just wasn't going to let me succeed yesterday.  So, here are a few that turned out well but weren't really what I was looking for:

On the move, as is usual these days

Hi Mama.  Did you really think I'd hold up your sign for you?  Silly Mama.

Okay, if you get Daddy involved, then maybe I'll smile at you and leave the sign alone.  Thanks for understanding.

The Woman (borrowed post)

But this time it is not written by me.  There's this blog called The Honest Toddler.  I may have mentioned it before, but it is hilarious.  It is written from the perspective of a toddler and discusses things like what types of paper are the best to eat, a giveaway of lasagna, who should be allowed to sleep in the "big bed" and when, etc.  It's great.  I pretty much crack up every day I read it.  BUT, recently I saw a post from there that actually was very touching.  It talks about the toddler's perspective with his/her mother.  So of course I transfer that to Jayden and me.  Instead of me telling you about it, I'm just going to let you read it:

The Woman

I write today with a heavy heart. It has recently come to my attention that the woman and I are indeed, not the same person. She is one, and I am another. This news has not been easy to come to terms with and I’m still not sure if I believe it.

Before my birth we operated as a single organism; pulsing and growing together. Her breaths sustained me, her emotions coursed through my nervous system and I could literally feel the state of her heart. Her heart. The drumbeat of my soul that to this day I still hear echoing in my body louder than my own footsteps. In those days we sang to each other a song so perfect and harmonious.

I am at a loss with what to do with the information that she can walk in one direction and I in another. Sometimes it gives me an adrenaline rush; the thrill, the risk, the excitement of being an independent being as I run away while hearing her frantic voice calling. Other times I feel lost as I look around see that she’s not by my side. At those times, a panic rises in me so urgent that I lose control and all sense of time and space.

Before I came to the knowledge of our separate wills, we were one. I didn’t know who was in control of who- it didn’t matter- but it was as if her limbs were an extension of mine, a fully symbiotic and fluid relationship. We still have those moments but I feel shattered when our agendas collide, or worse, directly oppose each other. It’s as if I’m telling my leg to walk and it remains planted in the Earth. I scream at it to obey, but my flesh betrays me. Rage and confusion then take me in their arms and throw me out of this world into a place I don’t like to go often. At the end I’m tired, hiccuping, and drenched in my own tears.

Every con has its pro. Being able to resist her, stand myself planted as firmly as an oak as her wishes fall onto my deaf ears fills me with a sense of me. The autonomy I get a taste of has proven itself an addicting nectar.

This is the line I walk daily. We’re one, but we’re two. One, but two. It is the two I find so indigestible right now. It sits in my mouth like a bite of food too big for me to work with…even if it tastes new and good I don’t know if I can risk choking on the very idea that one day I might run so far that I can’t find my way back to her.

So today I will cling. The collar of her shirt will remain in my fist, my face pressed against the skin of her chest as I inhale the first scent that wafted into my nose when I was still floating within her. “Don’t leave me,” my spirit whispers to hers as I try to melt back inside and remember the song we used to sing.

Today I want to be one.

http://thehonesttoddler.com/the-woman/

Although this post is sentimental, most of the blog is funny.  You have to check it out: http://thehonesttoddler.com/.  Mom, this is the post that Sue Anderson was talking about - I shared this on facebook last week I think.  Funny thing was when I shared it I said something about how I can already see/feel Jayden pushing away from me somewhat.  And one of my friends commented, saying something like "umm, Leigh, isn't your child one?!?"  And yes, he is only one.  And yes, he's not completely pushing away.  But it's the little things like, I can hold him for about five minutes (sometimes less) before he pushes off my chest and tries to get to the floor.  We used to be able to hold him forever and we had to figure out how to put him down.  Now instead of figuring out how to do things one-handed, we have to figure out how to do things while he's motoring in circles around the couch like a madman (in chase of Jasmine, most likely).  It's all exciting, positive developments, but it's change.  And nobody likes change.  Right?

I have an almost one year old in my house

And that's such a weird thing to say.  But also so exciting.  In two short days our little baby will be one - 12 months - 365 days - I could count the hours but I don't think I want to.

We've had a good last week or so.  It's been hectic, but it always is.  This weekend was busy - or I guess Saturday was busy.  Today was the first day of the NFL season so it could only be busy before 10 am.  With four guests coming over the next five days, we have a lot to get together.  But I think we're mostly done and it we actually feel pretty good about it.

Jayden has been crawling like crazy.  He still falters every once in a while, but he is also super fast.  His number one destination downstairs is Jasmine's food/water bowl.  I believe that he thinks anything with water in it was made for him to splash in.  It's a nice idea, but not totally true.  Jayden also is falling in love with Jasmine more and more every day.  He's figured out how to pat her and hug her.  It's kind of amazing.

Hugging.

Not sure what this is - all I know is Jayden tried to lay down with Jasmine and Jasmine put her paw on his head.  It was hilarious.  And then we had to rescue Jayden's little head from Jasmine's giant paw.

We had our one year photo shoot with Ana yesterday and it was fun.  We went to a park this time, to get a little variety, and Carmen and I were in some of the pictures.  Ana already posted two of the pictures on facebook, so for those of you that don't have facebook here's the sneak preview:

Jayden is not used to grass since our backyard sucks so much.  So he wouldn't put his feet down in the grass for very long!

Jayden still won't pull up to his feet, but he is really good at kneeling.  Luckily lots of things in our house are kneeling height for him.  He kneels at the hearth, at our ottoman, at the couch, at the blue chair in the family room, at the swing in his room that I use for storage, at the bookshelves full of his toys in his room - basically at everything.  Every once in a while he starts to push up with one of his legs, but never gets farther than that. Hopefully this progress is enough to convince our pediatrician that we do not need to go see a physical therapist.  I don't know why a doctor would ever say such a thing to mom, let alone a first time mom, but luckily Jayden has started moving and is developing muscles and courage.

I read an article today that discussed the non-academic part of education that's so important, the courage and strength and persistence that children develop from trying things on their own.  Jayden is a little young to push him in this direction entirely - he still needs support and comfort and assistance so that he can develop the confidence to try new things on his own - but I try to let him struggle with things for a few minutes before jumping in.  And if I do need to help, I try to do just that, to help, not do it all for him.  Who knows if these things are really that big of a deal, but I really love the idea that I am developing this brave, strong, confident little boy who will try new things but be careful at the same time.  I just hope I'm doing it right!

Today we tried something new:

Jayden in a box!  (funny enough, he actually loved this, for at least 15 minutes until his toys started getting stuck and he couldn't move around enough)

Today we also suffered through some serious teething.  I think his upper fangs are really pushing through his gums, causing him all kinds of pain.  He was incredibly fussy, and would just cry out for no reason every once in a while.  I should have guessed, because when we got back from the photo shoot last night, this is what he was doing:

For 5 or 10 minutes he kept sticking his tongue and running it along the bottom of his mouth.  It was hilarious.  

He's asleep now, but has already woken up once since I put him down.  We'll see how the rest of the night goes - we hope for the best but expect the worst!

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

It has been a good long weekend.  As always, I had some challenges, and they were probably exacerbated by the fact that we're starting the weaning process.  Overall, it will be a good thing, and I think Jayden is getting close to ready (he's pretty much done nursing during the day - it's the mornings and evenings that are going to be the most difficult).  For me, though, I have to get used to not cuddling with him four or five times a day.  In the long run, it will give me some amazing freedom and him some more independence.  It's perfect timing for him, because Jayden is already exerting his independence.  He loves being picked up by Carmen or by me - but after a little bit, maybe a minute or less, he decides he wants down and starts pushing away.  He loves his newfound ability to move and explore.

And he learns so quickly - he has already figured out what we mean when we tell him "no."  And he listens.  Sometimes he'll try again, but it seems pretty clear he's not testing us, he's just exploring what is possible.

Friday night I was home alone while Carmen had a fantasy football draft.  The most exciting thing that happened is that Jayden started to push up to standing.  He didn't quite make it, but he made the effort, which was amazing:

That truck in the background is his favorite toy as of now.  It was a gift from my elementary school friend's mom at my baby shower on Bainbridge - it's all recycled materials, environmentally friendly, baby safe, etc.   And it's the perfect size for Jayden!

Jayden's crawling has improved by leaps and bounds and he is often in motion now.

We've had a bunch of chores/errands to run to prepare for four visitors in about a week - we're excited to have everyone come, but it sure is a lot of work preparing!  Unfortunately for Jayden, that means more time in a stroller - but fortunately for Jayden it also means new experiences, for instance, his first popsicle!

Don't worry people - all organic fruit, no added sugar.  It seemed like it was a hit - his teeth have been hurting like crazy lately, so I figured something cold might be good for him.

Yesterday (Sunday), we had lunch with Carmen's friends Alex and Troy and then went to Troy's house for a minute to hang out in the sun.  Jayden was ridiculously shy at lunch, practically hiding under the table whenever Troy looked at him.  I didn't get a picture of that, but it was hilarious (and frustrating, considering how hard I worked to try to avoid stranger anxiety - it just shows nature over nurture in this particular instance).  Jayden napped for most of the visit at Troy's house, but woke up in time to see all the boats before we left:

Relaxing in the shade post-nap.

Family photo on the dock,

Checking out the view of the boats.  Life is very serious.

Uncle Troy is scary.  He tried to scoop me up with a paddle.  And I froze.  And then started crying.  And Mama and Daddy just laughed!  Not cool.

Most importantly, we discovered this weekend that the Jordans that Carmen gave me for Valentine's Day last year fit him!

Mama, I wasn't doing anything.  I definitely wasn't touching something I'm not supposed to touch...

On his way to his truck.  Crawling with Jordans on, even Child size 4, is not the easiest thing in the world.

 It is amazing that today is September 3rd.  A year ago today I was getting ready to go on leave, trying my best to get my work in order so that my co-worker wasn't totally screwed for the 3-1/2 months I was gone. And praying I didn't go into labor over labor day weekend, since I knew my doctor was out of town.  The past year has gone so slow and so fast, depending on what minute you ask me.  The end result, though, is that we have a charming, curious, thoughtful, serious and silly little boy who is learning new things every single day.

Grandmas, Jayden can't wait to show you both his new moves!