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It’s been a while!

Monday, March 16th, 2009

Well, it has been a very long time since we posted anything. The last two months have been very busy for us from a professional and academic standpoint. I have spent the past year heavily focused on finishing my dissertation. The past couple of months have been spent dealing with the whirlwind of things that arise as the dissertation process comes to an end. But, I am happy to report that I expect to graduate with my Phd during the Spring 2009 commencement.

As it relates to Gman things have progressed at a similarly rapid pace. This past weekend, he took his first steps. He and I like to spend several five minute sessions each day working on his walking skills. That entails me propping him against the couch and then sitting on the floor about three feet in front of him offering encouragement and excitement to try and walk toward me. The reason we do it that way is that I am close enough to catch him when he decides to just dive toward me. The best way to describe what he has been doing is just putting his arms above his head like he is going to dive in a pool and then falling toward me like a board falling over. I usually end up catching him just at the furthermost point of my reach. Do that enough times with a 22+lb baby and you won’t want to do more than about 5 minutes at any one time.

Needless to say, over time, he has continued to work hard to move from point A to me at point B. Over the weekend, he took three steps in his progression from the couch to me and was so proud of himself. I can only imagine the mental fortitude it must take for children to keep “getting back on the horse” so to speak.

G can now easily climb up the stairs in the house. We are trying to teach him how to safely navigate the stairs in the event he was on them without supervision - not that we have any intention of letting him on the stairs without supervision. So, he will motor up the steps without much of a thought. He has plenty of work to do before he is able to go down the stairs without tumbling down at terminal velocity.

He is now eating more solid foods. He loves Honey & Nut Cheereos (does anyone know where the nuts are in that stuff?). He loves hummus and fresh green beans but has no love at all for avocado. He tolerates bananas and fish. I try to juice him a fresh apple every couple of days so he can continue to improve his Sippy Cup techniques. He is also starting to learn how to feed himself with a spoon and I must say I am very impressed with his perseverance and technique. At the rate he is going, he will handle utensils better than me in no time. All in all, he is eating great and growing because of it. Last time he went to the doctor he weighed in about 22lbs I think.

Gman has a new tooth that came through a couple weeks ago. The top left tooth that is next to the middle teeth popped through and he seems to be doing great. It likely won’t be long before the top right tooth comes through. At night we brush his teeth with a special baby toothbrush and he just smiles and enjoys himself as we try to protect his teeth from the ills of life.

He is talking more now. He loves to yell for the dog to come around the corner and pay G some attention. G also is mumbling more and has probably already met the criteria for saying dada or mama. But, because we don’t think he yet understands the background for those terms we think his first understandable words are yet to come.

His sleeping routine is still great. He generally sleeps 11 hours at night and 3-4 hours during the day. During the day, he takes two naps beginning at about 9a and then in the afternoon around 2p.

A couple times a week, we give him a “big boy bath” in the bathtub. Well, it is more like a big boy shower with the shower spray nozzle. But, he loves his time in the shower with his shower toys and with his mom and dad cleaning all the nooks and crannies.

Speaking of, G is a very curious little boy. He wants to put his hands on everything and will spend minutes (I guess a lot of time for a baby) looking at something as his brain tries to process how something is used or what it does or how he can use it to his advantage. So, when we take him to Costco or out to dinner, he just loves watching the people and stuff flow by him. He seems to be soaking it all in and enjoying nearly every minute of it.

Below are a ton of pictures taken since January. Hope you enjoy them.