12-14 months

I'm a little behind on writing about this last month and what Seth has been doing. He is now almost 14 months! The last two months have been quite the whirlwind in Seth's life. Nothing catastrophic, but so many new things.

The orthotist finally gave Seth the clear the last week of December that Seth no longer needs to wear the helmet. Yay! It is like we have this new little baby in our home. A little tow-headed blonde baby boy is toddling around our home now.

That's another realization I've had over the last month. Seth is a toddler now! Since Christmas, Seth has been an official walker. When he turned 13 months, he graduated from having to crawl over to a steady item to pull himself back up and walk on his way to using his own legs and arms. Now, he'll bend over and place his hands on the ground and bounce!

Seth points at everything! It's fun to try to figure out what he's trying to tell us. Okay - sometimes it can be frustrating too, because there have been times when we're just not getting it so Seth will get frustrated that he can't communicate. So, we do a lot of, "Show me, Seth. Is this what you want?"

He picks up on new things. Now that it's gotten warmer and the moon has been in the night sky, I've taken Seth out on the driveway and shown him the moon. It was so fun to be a part of person's new experience with something. I took Seth out onto the driveway one evening when the moon was out. We stood there and I pointed up in the sky to the moon and said, "Seth, that is the moon. Do you see it? It's high in the sky and it shines so bright!" We went out onto the driveway the next few things to look at the moon. Seth knew to look up in the sky and point to the moon. Now, when we're reading books and come across the moon, he points to it. I love seeing how he connects things in his world.

Seth loves nursery rhymes. I play "Wee Willie Winkie" on his Kindermusik CD. He stops what he's doing, looks up like he's just on the edge of his seat waiting for the sound effects in the song and squats at the "upstairs, downstairs in his nightgown".

He LOVES books! Right now, his favorites is the nursey rhyme book, the Minnesota Twins book, the Creation book. Seth will go into his room, sit down in the middle of his room and flip through his books. Some of my most favorite moments are times during the day when we snuggle in the fuzzy brown blanket in his nursery rocker and just read. He likes to flip the pages, so we don't always linger long in the books.

One day at the end of his afternoon nap, Seth was found in his crib flipping through a book that he had grabbed from the bookshelf by his bed!

Seth also has quite the opinion on what he should have. When he wants something, he'll cry for it! I can't believe how my sweet, little non-resistant little boy has changed to a little baby boy who is quite determined to have something he wants (whether we want him to have it or not). Here comes the part where we delicately balance the development of his will. Ha! We are teaching Seth how to share by showing him how to give Mommy or Daddy something that they ask for. It's rewarding to see when Seth obeys and listens to commands.

Right now, Seth still takes two naps each day: a 1-hr morning nap and then a 2-hour afternoon nap. He goes to bed around 7pm. He has 10-11 teeth. We can always tell when he's teething because he drools a lot and he has more restless sleep.

Trial Run

We had a big weekend. It was the first time that we spent the weekend at my parent's home. We're trying to help Seth feel comfortable sleeping in a bed that's not his own while Jason and I are gone in February.

The plan was that Seth and I would spend Friday night at my parent's house so Seth could get a feel for sleeping over in the "grandchildren's" room at their house. I was to stay over on Friday night, so I could put Seth down to bed and be there for him when he woke up. Then, we'd spend the whole day at my parent's, during naps and all mealtimes. Seth would spend Saturday night with just my parents. My wonderful husband was home repainting our living room and hallway.

I have to admit that I was really nervous about the whole thing. I worried that Seth would protest at sleeping in the pack and play at night or that he'd wake up in the middle of the night terrified and confused at where he was.

I tell ya what. I worry way too much about stuff.

While Seth was initially scared at being in a pack and play in "his" bedroom on Friday, I sat with him until he fell asleep in my arms (okay, I loved this because Seth moves so much during the day, that I love these cuddle moments!). It took about 40 minutes for him to get to sleep. Then....he was out, for the rest of the night! He didn't make a peep until at 7am Saturday morning. My mom, Seth and I had a leisurely morning in our jammies and ate Belgian waffles. Seth packed half of a banana and 1 1/2 waffles somewhere in his body.

After lounging around in our jammies and playing with (i.e. patting) Sunny, Seth took
an hour nap in his pack and play. We went to a used children's clothing store and found some nice shirts for Seth, plus an adorable Old Navy coorderoy jacket for next fall. In the afternoon, I had a baby shower to go to so mom and Seth went back to their house for lunch and an attempt at putting Seth down for a nap. It was an attempt. He just rolled around and cuddled with his blankie for an hour.

I came back to my parent's house to hang out a little bit before leaving Seth at my parent's house for the night. THE BIG TRIAL. Jason came over, dropped some church clothes for Seth and then we gleefully left Seth with my parents for the night. We went out to dinner and a "I spent $10 on that?" movie. It was kind of hard to really let go of my mommy mind of constantly caring for Seth, knowing that he was being fully cared for by my more than capable parents. Jason and I got back home and stomped through the house and talked loudly since Seth wasn't there....oh, and wistfully stood at Seth's open door wondering how our little buddy was doing at Grandpa and Grandma's house.

Seth was doing fabulous. He went to sleep for my parents and didn't wake up at all. Yay - success!! I feel so much better going for a week away and leaving Seth with my parents and Joyce.

When we went to pick Seth up at my parent's church the next morning, Seth just started crying when he saw me. I think he just didn't realize that he missed his parents until he saw us. :)

On some other notes, I'm capturing some stories about Seth so I'll remember them....

Seth has become more attached to his nighttime and nap blankie. On his own, he's walked out of his room holding his blanket in both hands out in front him - so much that he's nearly tripped himself! Seth has even gone into his room, pulled his blankie from his crib and laid down on the floor with his thumb in his mouth. Translate: naptime!

Over the months, we've been diligent reading books to Seth, whether it was before naptime, before bedtime or just when Seth seemed to want to slow down a little. When Seth was little, like 4-5 months and we'd read a book to him, he would bat his hands and arms on the pages of the books. Now, we say, "Seth, would you like to read a book?" and he'll walk to his room, pick out a book and bring it to us! It's so fun to see him so excited over something that seems so adult.

Seth is also really into pointing at things. When we wake Seth up in the morning and we open his bedroom door, he points to the hallway light and we let him turn the light on. Jason says, "WHere is mommy?" Seth points to me. Or, if I say, "Seth, can you find Daddy?" He goes to where Jason is.

It's been a fun month!

Toddler or no?

I cannot even keep track of all the little things that make up Seth's unfolding world as a toddler. In fact, I was surprised to learn at Seth's 1 year appointment that his first 1-year molar had popped in. It boggles my mind of all the things Seth is learning and picking up on a daily basis. So, this is just a mish-mash of little stories that reflect his budding personality, his will and what happens in the day of a 1-year toddler.

We put new ceiling lights in our entryway, hallways and family room last weekend. Seth wasn't around when Jason was putting them in, but he immediately noticed the new lights when we came in the room. He still points at the new lights.

Seth does so much pointing. He points and we say, "Show me. What do you want to see?" We also made progress during mealtime. Just a week ago, Seth would whine for something he wanted. I showed Seth how to point at what he wanted instead of us guessing and now he just points at what he wants. We're still working on the sign language "Please" and "More".

Seth has been more expressive with waving and blowing kisses. It's so cute. We're not sure who taught Seth how to blow kisses - he just sort of started!

A week ago, Seth and I visited my girlfriends at Caribou. Seth was flirting with one of my friends - shy-ly dipping his head, batting his eyelashes and smiling at her. It's so funny to see him flirt!

The other night, we gave Seth a bath. We were all in the bathroom and Jason started squirting me with one of Seth's squirt balls. Seth got a kick out of me squealing and getting soaked. He laughed and laughed. But then he got really concerned because I was screaming. I think he thought I was getting hurt. We stopped that really quickly!

These are the best days of my life - being a family with Jason and Seth. We have such a good time. THere is always so much laughter in our home. What's funny is that I can tell when Seth is really laughing at something because he honestly thinks its funny.

Seth is new to walking. It seems like every day he is experimenting with his new walking ability. I get a kick out of Seth's little walk. He sticks his chest out and he toddles on his legs, with his arms up in the arm. It is soooo cute! Seth has moved on to walking from one room to the next room - all without stopping, dropping to his knees or tripping. It's like something pops into his mind, so he takes off walking to go get it.

These legs were made for walking

....and that's what Seth has figured out these last few days. He went from a half-walker/half-crawler to a walker. It was just last week when he would walk in a straight direction across the room about 7 steps.

Now, Seth walks down the hall into our bedroom. He turns one direction, then another. He walks in circles around the dining room wall. He walks and with one hand holding something to support himself, he bends down to pick up a toy. He does more walking than crawling. I think it's official. Seth's a walker!

It's bittersweet to see Seth grow so fast. I said to Jason tonight, "How is Seth walking? Wasn't he just 1 month old yesterday???"






We had such a fun New Year's weekend. I had Friday off and with the rainy, sleet snow-mix, we just stayed inside and played. Jason and I ordered delivery chinese food from our favorite place. After Seth went to bed, we played Five Crowns and Skip-Bo, while watching the Dick Clark New Year's show and funniest home videos. It was low-key, but we had a good time!

On Saturday, we slept in until 7:15am (yawn!) and later that day, Jason's mom and my parents came over in the afternoon to visit (i.e. play with Seth!) and have appetizers. We played games ater Seth went to bed and snacked on yummy treats. I resolved that those treats were the last I would have for a long time!

After church on Sunday, we played for a little bit. Seth had a ball in the church nursery. He does fine being handed over to the nursery workers. We were able to go to a church service because ABF was canceled. It's been a long time since we were in a church service just the two of us.

When we got home from church at 10:45am, I thought for sure Seth would be tired and begging for a nap. Nope! We gave him a snack of pears and peas. He gobbled them up and then we played a little until Seth went down for a 2.5 hr nap.

Seth is such a hoot when he plays. He is in CONSTANT motion. He's learned how to dunk the basketball in the 18 inch high basketball hoop. He is learning to bring us something when we ask. He also is trying to put two separate MegaBlocks together.

Seth is also a big chatterbox. He will talk and jibber/jabber about something. He hasn't said "Mama" or "Dadda" yet, but he does say, "Ba!" towards his ball and "Da!" to his yellow duck.

I still pinch myself sometimes to grasp that Jason and I have a son!

The week of Christmas

When the week of Christmas, I get giddy like I'm sure so many people do. It's probably my favorite week of the year for several reasons: 1) traffic to work and back home each day is so light, 2) the Christmas music is full force, 3) there are lots of goodies around the office, 4) people are generally cheery, 5) I get days off from work, and 6) most importantly, I get to spend those days with my husband and son!

Having survived Seth’s big 1-year birthday party on Sunday, we were ready for the Christmas week. We got what seemed like the 1,000th snowstorm this season so far on Monday. On Monday and Tuesday evenings after Seth went to bed, we wrapped the last of the presents and I made my chocolate rum balls, all while we watched Christmas movies.

Dave and Carrie got into town on Wednesday night and stayed with Joyce, so we had them over on Thursday afternoon so we could visit and have dinner together. Seth a.d.o.r.e.d his Aunt Carrie, flirting with and smiling at her. They bestowed a puppy Pillow Pet that Seth LOVES! He lays his head down on the pillow and squeals. It’s so so so soft. After the little mister went to bed, we played card games and watched the movie Eat, Pray, Love. Eh. It was okay – but that’s coming from the girl who fell asleep for the middle half hour of the movie and occasionally woke up, making points about the movie so as to appear she didn’t actually fall asleep in the movie again (“Is that a baby elephant?” or “This music would make a great soundtrack”).

Jason and I started a family Christmas tradition a few years ago. We go to the Original Pancake House for a big breakfast on Christmas Eve morning. It’s our special go-to breakfast place when we feel like spending a little extra money on breakfast. They have good German pancakes! We each ordered pancakes and Jason had a yummy baked omelet. Seth has a hollow leg at breakfast time and manages to pack the food in. He had two pancakes, eggs and milk. This was even after his nursing in the morning! He is a child after my own heart. Seth did really well in his highchair at the restaurant and he loved looking around at the servers and hostesses that passed him. He seemed to keep one eye on our server at all times, as though he knew she was the one bringing the food – ha!

Another Christmas tradition is staying over at Joyce’s on Christmas Eve. After Seth’s morning nap that ended a tad early, we packed up our entire house for the one night and headed to Joyce’s to spend Christmas Eve with Joyce, Dave and Carrie. We hunkered down in the cozy family room and played games, while we tried to get Seth to take an afternoon nap. He was so wired with all the activity of being with everyone that he didn’t take a good nap.

Nonetheless, we dressed up in our Christmas finery and went to a 4 o’cock Christmas Eve service at a church nearby us that Joyce attended not too long ago. We didn’t go to our church just because it was kind of a drive and we wanted to maximize our time together.

It's been a while since Seth has sat in a church service with us, so we weren't sure how it would go - especially since the scooter didn't have an afternoon nap. When the pastor called for all the little kids to come up to the front to listen to a Christmas story, I jumped up and nearly ran to the front with Seth. Okay - he's only one and doesn't get that this is story time, but I have always wanted to bring our child up to the front to listen to the Christmas story. Thank goodness the story was only 2 minutes - ha! After a minute, Seth wanted to crawl around and I wouldn't let him. Back at our seats, Seth pointed and waved his hands to the Christmas music. He made it all the way up to the message but he got fussy because we wouldn't let him crawl around, so Jason took Seth out in the hall to walk around a bit.

After church, we went back to Joyce's and feasted on yummy appetizers. We all hung out downstairs, got in our Christmas jammies and then exchanged gifts. We let Seth touch the Christmas tree and he was very gentle with it. He liked the shiny Christmas boxes and got a kick out of the gold garland. Seth was blessed with some wonderful toys that are perfect for his age!

We had such a fun time with Joyce, Dave and Carrie. Family time is so treasured. It was fun to experience Christmas through the eyes of a one-year old!

Christmas baby

This is such a beautiful video. When I gave birth to our baby boy a year ago just a week before Christmas, I felt like I was going through what Mary, the mother of Jesus went through when she gave birth to her son. The awe and heightened emotion of giving birth. The momentum of labor resulting in the quietness and precious moments of a newborn baby boy.

Only...not really. Because she gave birth to Jesus, Emmanueal, God with us, the Lord Most High. And, she didn't know the big impact of how we'd celebrate His birth and make it a holiday over 2,000 years later. And, she had the added pressure of how to care for this Holy baby, who just so happened to be one-third of the Holy Trinity. So, I guess I can't really identify with her by saying that we both had Christmas babies.

Yet...yet. I can still share in the moments that we both probably experienced as a brand-new mother, holding our new babies and the wonder of seeing God's newest creation.

I remember driving Seth home from the hospital after he was born. We made a stop at Jason's office to pick up some paperwork so Jason could work from home the next couple of weeks. I sat in the car with Seth while Jason was inside. This song came on the radio. I started crying over the words "You're here, I'm holding you so near...." because that's exactly how I felt holding our new baby boy, whom we waited for over 9 months for. The baby that I waited my whole life to have and he was finally here.....

Every time I hear the song, it brings me back to the moment when they first brought Seth to me after I delivered him. He was swaddled in a blanket with a blue hat. Seth was so alert and he would not take his eyes off me as though he had been waiting as long as I had to meet his parents. Besides my wedding to Jason, the best moment in my life.