The Times, They Are a' (Diaper) Changing

Wow. I cannot have possibly shot through 8 months without posting. Seems very strange, but at least I have a little more free time now. Way too many things have gone on since, so  a shortlist rounding out the first year is the best way of slogging through:

WALKING:
Edwin began to try walking the first day he hit 9 months, then decided against it. He took three huge steps in Grandma Carol's living room, right to me. He spent the next week taking a few more steps here and there, but stopped abruptly.  The second week of 10 months he took his first consistent steps and has been running, literally running, as fast as his fat little legs can carry him ever since.



BCT

Bryan graduated from BCT at the end of October. It was rough having only letters to communicate with, but at least we'll have mementos for the future. He's so tanned and lean from the Carolina sun, it's strange.He's in the best health, but the worst sleep of his life, so he's this zombie with great skin. Edwin seemed very happy to see him.

He left for AIT the next day after graduation. We were not very sure when we'd seem him again, though it turns out he graduated AIT in March.

 Ta-Da! He's in there somewhere

Hi Daddy!

 

Halloween

He had his first Halloween. We made him a dragon costume, though he looked more like a Ninja Turtle so that's what I stuck with at times. We missed Trick-or-Treat night, so we had a very delayed costume day for Edwin. I doubt he cared.
                                                        Thanksgiving
He REALLY REALLY likes meat. Like so much, it's scary; I'm at risk of losing a finger sometimes in the path to his many tiny, sharp teeth. Thanksgiving was a field of death for my hands.He feeds himself with a spoon or fork, sometimes even managing to get food into his mouth.

                                                        CHRISTMAS

Christmas was ridiculously as eventful as one would expect. Bryan got to come home from AIT! Edwin played...outside (we did not have much snow) and was a very happy and excitable little bugger.We finally got some snow closer to January.

Oh...and also.......

                     . ........................... We got married :)

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And those are updates through to the first of the year... phew! :)

Happy Birthday, Edwin!

."Happy Birthday To You,

Happy Birthday To You,

Happy Birthday Dear Edwin,

Happy Birthday To You!"

My first baby boy turned one January 30th, 2012. The occasion was marked by streamers, veggies, and sock monkeys. That was the theme in fact...

Annnddd...copious amounts of photos:

                                             Wonderful Cake :P                                             

 I was pretty happy about the spread

...

He loves broccoli..

...

For me?

...

THE CAKE AFTERMATH!

...

It was a wonderfully fun and whimsical party that we'll enjoy photos and videos of for years. Especially the naked baby ones. Sorry Edwin ;)

Month Eight

Most of this month was spent playing in leaf piles and picking pumpkins. Edwin seems determined to
pull up to and eat everything. We start planning his Halloween costume already. Bryan and I toss ideas back and forth. I say a dragon or a Gabba friend (his new favorite show) Bryan think Toby from Labyrinth might be fun, but no one will know who that is without a Sarah and Jareth to accompany him. We won't be here for Trick-or-Treat night though. Bryan will be graduating from BCT October 28th. I'm just excited about the cooler weather. Edwin is so pale, the sun will fry his little head in minutes. His hair isn't much longer or darker, to no one's surprise. Aunt Michelle brings the kids and we all go to the pumpkin patch first on a rainy day, then again with everyone in tow. Her new favorite thing to make is waffles, so we spend one Sunday morning making homemade waffles and keeping Edwin out of the kitchen. That little boy will eat anything and everything. I wonder when he'll finally decide he's tired of this crawling nonsense and walk away. It should be soon.

This sweet face....I feel awful that Bryan is missing many of the 'firsts' but I suppose he'll have the fun of getting him after he's mastered basic coordination.


At the end of the month it gets harder and harder to pick Edwin up, he must be at least 23-24lbs.

Month Seven

Friday August 5th-

Bryan leaves after spending a last few days with us. We have our family photos taken this week, & then he leaves today. He will be leaving for basic on the 16th.

Sunday August 7th-
This week, Edwin has decided to start pulling himself up onto furniture. I guess no one gave him the memo that he is still just barely into 6 months old. He's 'practicing' all the time, & refuses to sit still for any length of time. It's always either him pulling up or crawling very quickly away.

Wednesday August 10th-
Crawling finally evolves from simply pulling himself along with his arms, to full hands & knees coordination. He picks up speed & can galumph from one end of a room to the other in around5-7 seconds. As a side effect, his knees become rougher, and he obtains new bumps & bruises from his rough play.

Tuesday August 16th-
We took him to the Care-A-Van for his first shots since the hospital. There was one other baby, a little girl about his age also getting her shots. It sounds conceited, but in compare to other babies, he really is very alert & intelligent. He seems perfectly fine with the whole business until, of course, he actually gets his shots. Two in his right leg, one in his left. He cries & cries, even though he has a grape lollipop to suck on. He then naps off the 'trauma'.

August 18th-
Although he has been trying a few nonsense syllables, he says "dada" for the first time today. He uses it with increasing enthusiasm, & eventuallybeings "mama" when he's upset. Lucky Bryan gets to be the 'fun' word. I wonder when he'll connect the person to the word

*Being six months almost seven means more solids!*

Favorite Food:

Sweet Potato
Potatoes with Gravy
Sweet Corn Casserole
Popsicles
Sweet Peas
Pears
Cereal with Pear Juice
Apple Raspberry Juice
Pudding
Tartar Sauce
Peanut Butter
Toast

Least Favorite:

Peaches
Green Beans
White Grape Juice
Garden Vegetables

Saturday August 27th-

Aunt Erin gets married, & Edwin is the ring bearer. He wears a bow-tie, shorts & a onesie.

He behaves very well, & is a perfect little gentleman (minus the spit).

Tuesday August 30th-

Edwin is seven months old. He weighs 22 lbs & is 20.2 in long. Bryan is at basic, & we receive his first letters.

Month Six

We spent most of the month at Grandma Pam's, so once more fewer exact dates.
July 14th-
We arrive up north, but with little gas we stay the night at Grandpa Barger's. Edwin enjoys a morning of acoustic guitar & playtime with Grandpa. He swings in a hammock for the first time & we makes plans to go swimming later that week.
July 17th-
We go swimming at the Portage Quarry. It looks scary at first, but actually turns out quite pleasant with lots of slides, & scuba diving.

Most of the rest of the month is spent indoors as the heat becomes steadily more oppressive. We spend the time playing with his new toys from Grandpa, planning out dinners, or taking naps. The teething also becomes worse, & actually interrupts his (& consequently, our) sleep. He stays awake until 12:00-1:00 & then wakes every hour or so. He finally is fully awake by 8:30 each morning. He also has a new trick. He likes to wave his arms like a frantic, fat little cheerleader whenever he is excited or upset.
Aunt Joy & Uncle Brian come to visit, & they bring him new diapers & toys, & a blanket. He & the cats have a tenuous relationship, & Zipper bites him on his arm, though he doesn't cry. There is a small tooth mark for a week after. His crawling abilities get much better, though sometimes it seems he's regressed completely when he refuses to go after toys placed just out of his reach.
We eventually have to go back home for our appointments, but luckily the weather takes a turn for the better toward the very end, cooling off very nicely for the drive home.
Saturday July 31st-
Edwin is 6 months old. He weighs 20.5 lbs, & is 19.7 in.

Month Five

June 2011-
We spent most of the month visiting Bryan's mother up north, so there are no concise dates for very much. Edwin swam in a pool for the first time, to mixed results. He loved the pool, but hated sitting in his inflatable airplane Pam so graciously bought. He still proves to be a water baby as anytime he's in a pool he kicks as though he's a natural swimmer. He also had his first bonfire, and was mystified into a pleasant slumber that first night. Every time thereafter, however, he made a point to stay awake with the 'big people' as long as his little eyes could stand. The summer heat is absolutely abominable for the next week, but eases off when we finally head back south. We enjoy a long walk through the park, some trips out and around randomly, but the fuel prices keep us close to home. He adores swinging in the park, and he wakes daddy up to play as often as possible. They are so adorable together it's practically nauseating. For his first Father's day Bryan gets a drool covered , smushed flower and a loud wakeup from his adoring moist son :)
Tuesday, June 21st-
Edwin begins 'creeping' across the floor. He's learned if he wiggles enough and pulls with his arms he can propel himself toward whatever object he is after at the time. He starts off very tentatively, but soon rockets at items with great gusto and we expect he may crawl full time in the next 2-3 weeks. He manages everything through sheer power it's astounding. He has all new clothing because of his size. He only fits in 6months and up. He has wonderfully chubby legs, but he's also very long so he's not a total square blob. He's so active and strong I marvel at what his future may be.
Tuesday, June 30th-
Edwin is 5 months, 19.5lbs, 28in! Bryan is 21 years, 170-80lbs and 72in! :P

Month Four

Monday, May 2nd -

Edwin has his follow-up hearing appointment with the ENT. I'm nervous about what the results of the re-check in their office will show. The doctor comes back to tell us. He is very cordial and professional, though his first words are " You two don't see much sunlight, do you?"Making a few good natured jokes about the paleness of Edwin and I. He then gives us the news of Edwin's tests:

His ears are fine!

He has no sign of any structural anomalies or even the slightest indication of fluid or waxy build-up. We're due for another check in July.

Sunday, May 8th-
Our First Mother's day. Edwin gives me the best gift: A restful night's sleep!

May 16th-18th
Bryan came on the 15th to a happy, squealing baby excited to see Daddy. The first day went well with the two of them playing all the time, & he ate applesauce, but by nightfall he was very upset. He barely slept, & he cried on & off non-stop for the next 3 days. We're thinking applesauce can wait a few more weeks.

Friday, May 20th-
Visit to OU today. We left very early & arrived home very late. We got to see practically all of our pals, though it was all very crowded for the stroller. Edwin was on his best behavior.

Week of May 29th-

Edwin rolls from his back to his front & back again. He now sleeps on his belly for part of the night. He is teething crazily, spitting & puking on everything we put him in. He slimes people's shirts like it's his job, & giggles much more easily. We're going to take him swimming as soon as the weather gets warmer. Since he loves his bath so much, we hope he'll like swimming just as much.

Monday, May 30th-

Edwin is 4 months old, weighs 17 lbs & is 26.5 in long. (aka the size of a 6 month old!)