Who is that baby?

You guessed it! The MONKEY!!!!! He loves playing with the baby in the mirror. He is constantly looking on the other side to find him. I can not believe is going to be 1 next week. This year has flown by. We have so many things to be grateful for, and yet one thing to be so sad about that it still occupies mt thoughts on a daily basis. I am so pleased to have blessings like Monkey and my husband in my life right now. This year has been HARD. I would prefer to not repeat events in this year. I am working on not being overwhelmed by anxiety on a daily basis.

On a positive note one of my dads came to visit. He was here for a month and we had a fabulous time. (I have 2 - long story) We'll call this one Sixbangr since he like to drag race. He met my mom when I was about 2 and after they got married, he adopted me. They were unable to make the marriage work, and divorced when I was about 5. He continued in the role of my father. I think most men would have walked away from the situation, but I learned loyalty and family values from my dad. He was my rock when my mom was a wreck. He has always been there for me. One year the transmission went out on my car when I was living in Reno. My dad and grandpa hauled a jeep from Denver, loaded with care packages, and took my car back to Denver to overhaul. (That is just one of many examples) Not many dads do that. Not many people do that.

So I digress - I mean to just post a quick blurb about Monkey, but I always do that. I am missing my daddy today. I know he reads my blog, so I thought I would give him a little sneak attack tribute.

Can you believe

This little rock star is almost 1? It seems like just overnight he added a ton of skills. He can stand, say bye-bye, ball, dada, mamma, and duck. (I am desperately hoping that is what he is saying - we all know about my husband's potty mouth)

He loves to eat, but still prefer his baby food. He will longingly gaze at you while you eat, however if you offer him anything he puts it in your mouth after he tastes it. YUM! Still no teeth - but I can see the bottom two getting ready to poke through any day now. He is such a giggly baby, and that makes the sleepless nights easier. Yes, our sweet Monkey has yet to spend an entire night in his crib.

He is such a treasure, and combined with delicate flower, I am really starting to question having another baby. I really thought I did, but then when I think about going through another baby year I become apprehensive. I also know we can provide for two children well, three would slim the opportunities we could offer.

If you have more than one child, what was the deciding point? If you have more than two, do you ever feel stretched (emotionally and financially)

I would be eager to hear what you have to say. Now I have a birthday party to plan!

Sleepy Monkey

Monkey has been terribly sick. It's difficult to determine if he is going for dying seal or miserable kitten. It depends on where Mommy is. He also has been doing a passable duck but I digress.

We are in our third month of trying to convince him that his room is not evil nor does his crib burn him when he touches it. I have been unable to find 600 thread count sheets while I try to make his room feel just like Mommy and Daddy's room.

It just figures - last night I worked until midnight and had to get up to be back at 5:30am (yeah the glamour - I know you are jealous) - so of course I didn't get any sleep. Monkey decided that would be the perfect night to sleep almost the whole night through!
He stole my pillow too.
I'm not bitter at all.

A Thousand Word Thursday

I'm lazy - I know - but this face needs the masses!

Want to see others? (Not of Monkey, but other great pics, follow the button)

Dear Dear Monkey

Dear Monkey -

Happy 8 month birthday!
It seems like just yesterday we were taking your six week pictures.

My goodness time is just whizzing by us. You are becoming quite the little man.
You are crawling everywhere and are obsessed with standing up. You do rounds endlessly in your baby jail (yes it does remind me a little bit of a prison yard) and you absolutely refuse to lie down in your crib. You hate to sleep. I can only hope that one day you will realize that 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep makes Mommy and Daddy very happy.
We are thankful that you really are a delight when you are awake. Your happy smiles and giggles make my day.

For some bizarre reason you find the word blue hilarious. It also makes you perfectly content to suck on my chin and pull my hair. I find this gross but I let you do it because I am a sucker for our little monkey.
I am so excited for your first Christmas. I know that you just like to try to eat the ornaments. Big Brother thinks it's great that you hated Santa (proven here), but I can only hope you will grown to love him!
You aren't talking yet, but I can tell you want too! We have endless conversations just by blowing raspberries at one another.
You still love to eat. Bananas and yogurt continue to be your favorite. You love to feed yourself your crackers too. (Mommy loves cracker time too, because it gives us time to eat dinner.)
I could go on about how much I love you, but Mommy doesn't want to embarrass you! Just know that we think you are the perfect baby no matter what!

Love Mommy

Caged Monkey

I know for a fact he will hold these against me later! And yes, some babies have a comfort blanket, my child has a comfort sock. His older brother continues to VERY concerned.

Monkey Fever

Oh it was bound to happen. I nursed for as long as possible to give the best antigens and they finally ran out. ( I know that isn't how it works) Monkey had his first fever yesterday, 102.7. YIKES! Mommy panic set in. Delicate Flower hardly ever gets sick and given he hasn't been a baby for 13 years I have forgotten all the skills. Monkey was eating fine (if he had turned away from a meal we would be at emergency.) He was still giggling, but was a little less active than normal. He certainly was less monkeyish. We went to the Dr. today and indeed he has a sinus infection. No ear infection thankfully. So we are home sick today.
The boys (my cats) are thrilled.

I feel this is good practice for my future role of SAHM. If we have another baby I am so applying for this job. I know - it's probably easy the first day. For those of you that are SAHM, do you love it? Would you trade it? Do you plan on going back to work when your little ones are older? What was the deciding factor to stay home?

Little Man

Dear Monkey - you are 7 months old today! You are still the happiest tax day surprise I ever received. (Of course we knew you were coming by then) You are now almost 20 lbs and 26". You aren't quite crawling, but you have taken a couple crawls. You can creep FAST though. Your blue eyes are turning a lovely shade of green (just like your Nana.) You eat like a champ and have been sleeping in your own room in your own bed for a month now. You have been sleeping at night for a week now (knocking on wood.) Your favorite food is still banana, but you seem to love anything with a berry and yogurt. (What am I kidding you love all food pretty much) You love to make raspberry noises, watch football with Daddy, and snuggle with Mommy. I can still make you giggle when I sing songs about poop and do dances. (Mommy can't wait to tell your first date about "Poop, There it is" and shaking our tailfeather.) Big brother is very concerned that I do this - see he is already watching out for you! You just started saying Mama, but only when you are unhappy! You truly are a delight to everyone. Your smile lights up any room and we are so blessed. I love you sweet C!

Precious Monkey and Religion

We went to the Farmer's Market on Saturday morning and they had a couple pumpkin patches. I couldn't resist some photo ops of Monkey and the pumpkins.




During the drive over to downtown, (Ironically the location of the Farmer's market in Dallas), my husband and I were talking about church. Lately I have been thinking that church might be a good place for us to make some "family" friends, and also I think it is important for Monkey to be exposed. I also see so many people take so much comfort in their faith and I wonder if some exploration would be beneficial to me as well. I have to tell you, my faith is very slim right now. I would be hard pressed to explain with any confidence what I do believe in. I am still at a loss as to where to even start as it seems out requirements are pretty specific-
"Honey, I think we should look into church"
"I agree, I want Monkey to go to Sunday school"
"I don't want it to be all hell fire and brimstone though"
"What about Lutheran, it's like Catholic light"
"Ummm, maybe. I guess I would need to read up on it"
"I want to go early though. I want to be home in time for football"
"Ok - so like a 10 am service?"
"I was thinking 8:50"
"Really - you honestly think we can find a service that starts at 8:50? It isn't enough that we need to find a church that isn't overly religious, is non preachy, and now we need service to start at 8:50 to accommodate football"

Jeez! Any assistance would greatly be appreciated!

Monkey 1, Mommy 0

Monkey did sleep last night for the first time in his crib. He woke up at 3. Did we let him cry it out? Yes, for 12 minutes. I justified the bottle by telling myself that it would be too much trauma to have him sleep in the new bed and take away his late night bottle. I didn't want him to associate anything bad with the new bed and think it was the reason his tummy was being allowed to go slightly below empty! He is sleeping well tonight, I am newly determined!

Monkey goes to bed!

These are pictures of Monkey in his co-sleeper. Last night he spent what we hope is the last night in our room. I will miss him, but I know it's time for all of us to try and get some sleep. And given my hearty guy is teetering on the edge of 18/19 lbs I know it is time to say good buy to night time feedings. He has started on solids and cereal and really is only waking up for some snuggles.
I do love the night time snuggles though. That's my quiet sweet mommy baby time. But I am embracing him growing older. I think we are taking it at the right pace. And if you can't tell from the picture - he is quickly growing out of room in his co-sleeper and almost able to crawl out of it, so there are safety reasons involved as well. And I must admit, I need some snuggles with my husband.
I will see how it goes, either way I will have something to write about next week!