Friday, January 7, 2011

11 Months.... where does the time go??!

Porter's Monthly Update: 11 Months

Date: January 6, 2011

Weight: 24 lb 3 oz.

Movement:  Um, yeah.  We are in full on walk mode!  He went from his teensy tiny steps last month to practically running in one month.  He is everywhere and he is quick!  He started off rusty turning around, now he is a pro.  He still falls quite a bit, but he walks 99% of the time.  Watch the progress for yourself!


Sleep:  Pretty good.  He is still in bed no later than 7:30.  Most nights a lil before that.  He still has his off nights, but he mostly stays down until 3-5, gets up for a quick bottle or diaper change and he is out till 6:30-7:15.  Still haven't quite got consistently through the night, but I am lucky that my husband is so helpful and understanding at night.  He does most the heavy lifting there!

Porter Loves: WALKING, dancing, peek-a-boo, our garbage can (gross I know), remote controls, cell phones, My Pal Scout (Seriously all parents need to get this), his pirate ship toy, throwing a fit when you take anything away from him, his new chair from Santa and Sophie is becoming a new/old favorite again, Nick Jr. (in VERY limited quantities,it is mostly for him and Neil to sing and giggle to for a few minutes, but he likes the songs)

Food:  He likes what we are eating and taking his own bites off our sandwiches.  He loves these all organic fruit roll up type things made by Cliff Bars for kids (but they are messy so he has to be in diaper only).  Pizza is still a favorite and he is eating more meat.  He seems less shy about textures.  He loves turkey and was very happy with the eats this holiday season.

Mood: Energetic and cranky, but still happy and precious.  He is FULL of personality and energy.  That being said, he has discovered his full range of emotions.  He can whine and cling to us, throw himself on the floor and kicks his feet when he doesn't get his way, let out a blood curdling scream to get our attention, and freak out, I mean FREAK out when you take something away.  But the vast majority of the time, he is still a happy, happy camper. But the times that he is not, we are seeing a full range of Porter's other side!  Sometimes it is cute.  The kid has crying/whining while smiling down pat.

Happy Highlight of the Month

Neil says.... Porter walking!  He started walking right after our last post.  I think Neil secretly thought he would walk by 8 months so this was a big deal! Now Porter will practically run to his Daddy when he walks in the door and they pal around playing with the pups.  His other favorite, drum roll please.... Porter finally saying "mama"! He says it to me, but mama is also lots of other things too.

Linsay Says.... the holidays.  We had Neil's mom here for 15 days and we got to do so much with family. She graciously babysat for us and Neil and I had back to back 4 day weekends so we were around more too.  We went to see Santa, went to Church, had great meals, spend time with Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Grandparents.  Porter was really happy to spend so much time with his whole family.  He is so blessed that so very many people love him so much!

What We Miss

Neil Says......him not being so mischievous. He is into everything.  We are constantly having to re-direct.  And it seems like every time you turn around, it is "where did you get that?", "don't touch that",  " no, that is my work lap top."  It is hard to keep up with the lil guy!

Linsay Says...... Along with walking, we have had to majorly baby proof the house.  He was in the cabinets constantly, which has never been an issue.  So, we put child proof latches on all the cupboards.  He has since lost a lot of interest.  However, the one drawer he can still open... the one at the bottom of the stove.  There is no child safety lock for that! It crushes my toes while cooking (cause don't ya know the coolest spot to hang out when people are cooking, is right at their feet).  So I miss that. Cooking in peace and not having my toes smooshed!

What We are Looking Forward To

Neil Says.... Porter talking (is he nuts?!).  We have been doing some signing, not a ton, but I think Neil can't wait to communicate better with Porter.  Sometimes in Porter's fits,it is something specific that he wants and it will be better when he can communicate that.  And who doesn't want to hear that sweet voice say " love you  Daddy"!  It will be fun to watch that evolve.


Linsay Says.... his first haircut.  Yes, I know his hair is long.  It drives me crazy when it is in his eyes. However, I am part Eastern European and Neil is half Italian and we have a superstition/tradition that it is bad luck to cut a baby's hair before they are one old. So we have held off! Plus, I think after the first cut, they don't look like baby's anymore.  So, it will be bittersweet to see my boy with his big boy 'do! Also, planning his first birthday party! We are gonna keep it mellow.  A friends/family zoo trip and family party.  But still, SO close to being one! Neil is really, really excited for both of those milestones too. 

Porter's 11 Month Pictures

Porter and Santa




I'll take those Santa!


Helping Daddy with his stocking

SO happy to spend time with Uncle Kevin

What Porter woke up to..... spoiled much?!

Daddy got him his first set of golf clubs

Santa brought Porter his own chair

Porter, kicking back with his bottle. What a life!

Helping with house work

This is mine now.

Merry Christmas Mama!

Monday, January 3, 2011

No More Cords! Thanks to My Hubby!

My step father came over last night and walked through what it would take to drill a hole in our wall to hide our cable and TV cords on our newly mounted TV.  Turns out, it is easier than we expected. So we used our day off and went to Lowes, used our gift card ( thanks to Neil's mom) and got the supplies, as well as all the knobs and pulls we need for our kitchen cabinet.  I have to admit, I did doubt my husbands ability to do put holes in our wall,unassisted, but proud of his effort.  Boy was I wrong! Completely wrong! I took a nap and he pretty much had it done.  One extra trip to Home Depot and it is perfect.  I am so proud of him and appreciate the effort he has been giving me around the house.  It makes me so happy and looks so great! What do you think??



BEFORE

Before: Lots 'o Cords!


I didn't think we would resolve it

Behind the TV

He is thinking of adding a doughnut type thing so it is not a gaping hole

The other side.... MUCH neater! Visible from outside.

So much neater!

See how it swivels now?!

AFTER. Much neater.

Buh Bye Cords!

A Semblance of Order

Today is my last day off before I head back to work after back to back 4 day weekends.  I am not looking forward to it to say the least.  My workplace is filled with women.  And many bitter women.  Don't get me wrong, I am all about women, I love powerful, educated, well spoken women. I adore my girlfriends and close women family members.  But, this particular group of women are a throwback to being in high school (and they are all in their 30's and 40's mind you).  It is the most cut throat, gossiping, he said she said (or she said she said, I should say).  My office lacks testosterone, and (generally) the directness that men (usually) bring to an office setting. It is a much easier work environment to have a male female split, instead of either extreme.  I am all about getting it done and have been told I am too "friendly" and too much of a cheer leader,my expectations of cohesion and everyone being supportive and helpful of one and other is unrealistic. Hmmmm, well, I won't change that part of me, I truly believe that  strengths should be celebrated and helpfulness comes back around and actually increases productivity.  No need to be nasty, but hey, that is just me. I graduated high school 10 years ago.

Anyway, these were my thoughts as I woke this morning and enjoyed cuddling with my boy, taking our time with breakfast, getting dressed, making coffee and our morning play time. I (well, my entire family) got our house into somewhat working order.  Curtains hung, pictures up, bed made, re-organization galore, de-cluttering galore, furniture rearranged, TV mounted.  Still lots to do, but lots of progress. And even with the start of my month end close week, looming in the (too) near future, I find myself more peaceful inside.  It is such a relief to come home to semblance of order. I read a blog recently that says before you can commit to any new change, your home must be in order. I am finding that to be true.  When your home is a sanctuary for you and your family, it becomes easier to tackle the outside world that is usually a much tougher place to be.  I am hoping this proves true for me this week.