A Day in the Life....

Weekends can be tough.  We cycle Calvin through a number of activities during the day to keep him occupied.  He only lasts about 20 minutes in each station.

First we lay on the floor.  Then we jump...

after that we sit in the bumbo and gnaw on Sofie..

Then we drink coffee with dad...

Calvin's first bike ride

On a separate but hysterical note, Calvin kept putting himself into a forceful banana pose on the floor and yelling.  I think he was trying to crawl and thought putting his arms and legs in the air would work.  He was very frustrated and I couldn't help laughing.

Dear Calvin

Tonight before I went to bed, I snuck into your room to watch you sleep.  There you were, face smooshed in the corner where you crawled after I placed you gently in the middle of your crib.  Tiny arm through the slats, little hand dangling over the edge.  After I checked at least six different ways to ensure you were still breathing, I gazed at your perfect face and my heart nearly exploded with love.

Love, Mom

Calvin Happenins

Here are just a few things Calvin has been up to.

Playing...

Hanging with dad...

Chillin...

Swimming with mom...

Food!

Wow!  It's been a full 14 days since my last post.  Calvin has been up to a lot of different things in the past two weeks.  Including watching us eat.

I've been putting off introducing solids to Calvin's diet.  Chris thinks its because I want to make a big ceremony out of it when he officially turns 6 months.  That's not it at all.  I've been watching him for indications that he is ready to try solids.  (and I'm not in much of a hurry since breastfeeding now comes so easy to both of us.  Why complicate a good thing)

But it has happened.  I've wanted to include Calvin in family meals over the last month so he has the opportunity to watch us and wonder what we are doing.  When we eat dinner before Calvin goes to bed I stick him in the bumbo right on the dining room table so he is participating in dinner too, even though he isn't eating.

Over the past few weeks, he has really shown an interest and even tried to snatch a tortilla chip or two.  So I caved and mixed up a little rice cereal for him.  Not enough for a meal, just enough so he could experience it.

It went well.  He really didn't understand how to swallow it, but he sucked enough of the thin cereal off of my finger that I think he got the idea.

and I think he liked it.  But he also likes this cup...

and he liked the spoon a lot too.

I've yet to try anything else, but I think I'll take advantage of the in season peaches and squash to prep some purees for him.

It doesn't matter

my favorite guys

Every time I see Calvin I am truly happy to see him and it shows.  I smile.  I greet him at the door.  I say nice things.  I give him hug and a kiss.  It doesn't matter if it's 3 in the morning and I'm tired.  It doesn't matter if it's 6 in the morning and I'm still tired.  It doesn't matter if it's 5 in the evening and I've had a rough day at work.  It doesn't matter if it's 6 in the evening on Saturday and I've had a long day of errands, chores, and baby entertaining (ok, it matters a little here).

It simply doesn't matter what my current state is.  He is my baby, I love him, and whatever I am dealing with isn't his fault and I shouldn't take it out on him and, so far, I don't.  Wouldn't it be great if we treated everyone we love this way?

You have a bad day at work and instead of yelling at your partner about something inconsequential, like laundry, you say my day is better because you are here.  Or you take the time to talk to your mom in the evening even though you have a bajillion things to do, because she is important too. Or you smile at the stranger on the street, because smiling is contagious and we should all do it more.

I think part of the problem is that the people in our lives who aren't small are our support system.  If we've had a bad day we want to share.  We just need to develop ways of letting them know what we need without bringing them to our level.   I think I've been better about this recently,  but I'm going to try to keep this in mind as I interact with the people that I love.   Let the people you love know you are delighted to see them and are glad they are around.

So Chris, thank you for the team effort it takes to survive every day.  I love you and can't wait to see you when you get home.  But I'll be even more excited to see you when you walk through the door with this little guy.

Happy Baby

I've got this yoga thing down

Have I mentioned that Calvin has found his feet?  Sometimes it's like nothing else matters...