Let the Wild Rumpus Start

Lettin' Go

In the middle of my pregnancy, news came of lead in toys. 



And it FREAKED ME OUT.  Plastics became my thing to think about when I was pregnant.  What number plastic was right?  What number plastic would KILL MY CHILD?  Or course, this is all in the pregnant zone:  a magical place where you can eat a gallon of salsa in three days and clean every inch of every cabinet in the house (twice) and it's more than acceptable.  A glorious time where you can gain ten pounds of water weight - in your feet alone,  and a place where all you can do is fantasize about your new addition and what the change will do to you. 

I had no idea what would happen.  I couldn't have guessed that worrying about which plastic block he put in his mouth was silly.  Why, in the past week, Liam has eaten (or attempted to eat) the following:

Runaway Bunny
Our cat, Buckley
The knob on the trash cabinet
The plastic ring in the salad spinner
Napkin from Lazy Janes
Mommy's chin
Edge of Ergo Carrier
Pen Cap
Radish Leaves
My Flipflop after a long walk on the bike path
Three Day Old (?)  Puff from under the throw rug
And about a pound of fresh ones
Child safety lock
Edge of John's Academic Film Journal, Velvet Light Trap
Tile floor in his bedroom
Daddy's nose
Stroller Attachment
Costco Coupon Book
Vegetable Strainer
Hinge on the front door
Silicone Funnel
Tag on throw rug

You see, what they don't tell you in many of those parenting books and websites is that at some point, your child will reject toys from the shelf.  Toys R Us or Oompa be damned - I want everything you've got in this house. 

What they don't tell you in those parenting books is that one day, you will supply your child with the napkin from Lazy Janes.  Because it means that you can finish your sentence.  Or maybe even a whole sandwich.  (!!!!!)

I haven't completely given up.  I still prefer wooden toys to plastic and natural home products to chemical ones, and I know I've got a lot to learn, but a couple things I now know for certain:

Distraction



And Improvisation



Are key parenting skills.  

St. Judy's Comet

When my brother and I were little, my Dad would sing songs to us as we went to sleep.  I remember him sitting on the edge of my bed at our first house, on Hope Street.  My brother Dylan's crib was on the other side of the room and we would make each other giggle late into the night. 

Dad would sing many songs.  James Taylor's song Sweet Baby was always a hit, and we would always stretch the last chorus and sing,

"Goodnight you moonlight ladies
Rockabye sweet baby james
Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose
Wont you let me go down in my dreams
And rockabye sweet baby james

And rockabye sweet baby Mommy, and rockabye sweet baby Daddy, and rockabye sweet baby Grandma Nanny..."

We said goodnight to everything, adding a few extra rockabyes to the pillow, my doll, and whatever else we could think of so we could stretch the bedtime for a little bit longer. 

My favorite song was always St. Judy's Comet, by Paul Simon. 

Oo, little sleepy boy
Do you know what time it is?
Well the hour of your bedtime's long been past
And though I know you're fighting it
I can tell when you rub your eyes
You're fading fast, oh fading fast

Won't you run come see St. Judy's Comet
Roll across the skies
And leave a spray of diamonds in its wake
I long to see St. Judy's Comet
Sparkle in your eyes when you awake
Oh, when you wake, wake

Little boy
Won't you lay your body down
Little boy
Won't you close your weary eyes
Ain't nothing flashing but the fireflies

Well I sang it once and I sang it twice
I'm going to sing it three times more
I'm going to stay 'til your resistance
Is overcome
'Cause if I can't sing my boy to sleep
Well it makes your famous daddy look so dumb
look so dumb

Won't you run come see St. Judy's Comet
Roll across the skies
And leave a spray of diamonds in its wake
I long to see St. Judy's Comet
Sparkle in your eyes when you awake
Oh, when you wake, wake

Little boy, little boy
Won't you lay your body down
Little boy, little boy
Won't you close your weary eyes
Ain't nothing flashing but the fireflies

Oo, little sleepy boy
Do you know what time it is?
Well the hour of your bedtime's long been past
And though I know you're fighting it
I can tell when you rub your eyes
You're fading fast, oh fading fast

As a childcare provider, I sang these songs to all of the children that I held over the years.  I rocked many many children to sleep, stroking their hair and dreaming of the day when I too would be a mother and could sing to my sleepy babe.   I thought it would be years before I could rock to sleep, read stories, or play games. 

Last night Liam was restless.  I rocked him and after a silence I found myself humming.  Soon I was singing this song to my sleepy boy.  And after he was long asleep, I was still rocking him.  Still watching my little boy.  Before laying him down, I kissed him in my favorite spot on his temple.  After all of these years, I have my beautiful babe, my Liam, and I have never felt more whole in my life. 

To me, this song is my past and its wonderful memories, and the future with all of its bright days and nights.  I will surely sing this on the foot of Liam's bed while another child giggles with him across the room, and I will surely feel more love with every year. 

Much love, more songs, and more temple kisses later. 

M

Thirty One Weeks

This week we're in Grand Rapids visiting friends and family.  It's been really great seeing everyone:



Uncle Dylan



Grandma Powers



Grandpa Shotwell



Grandpa Powers



Great Aunt Sharon and Second Cousins Max and Jo



Spunky the dog



And our friend's daughter Cosette

Liam had a tough time adjusting to the new people and surrounding.  For the first time he started having separation anxiety and only wanted to be around me.  It is so sweet and strange to be needed like that, to have someone want you only.  Liam has always needed us, but has never been able to express if like this before.  It is adorable and a little annoying at the same time.  Like when Little Man wants Mommy and only Mommy, but Mommy wants a nap because a certain boy wanted to get up and play/eat/cuddle four times a night.  During this time, John and I are remembering that children switch favorites over the years, and that we must be grateful for the extra hugs.  There will be a time in his life when he needs to fly away and I will miss this. 

This week Liam has also been having trouble nursing, not because he isn't hungry, but because he is so distracted.  The world is a fascinating place!  All of the noises, people, and lights draw his attention, so instead of a speedy ten minute nurse it is a twenty minute struggle.  He is also very interested in his new food obsession: 



Puffs!  How cool is that!!!

I found these really great organic, light puff circle that is made from spinach, kale, and broccoli.  Liam hated it when I put it in his mouth, but really took to it when he discovered that they stick to his hand and he can do it on his own.  That's our boy - he has to do it on his own even now. 

Speaking of doing it on his own, John was watching Liam earlier today and watched him for forty minutes as Liam worked on pulling one of John's school notebooks out of the bookshelf. (Note: We will have to move these soon!)  He tugged and tugged at this wire notebook, pulling at the bottom wires for a long time.  Not once did he cry out despite his frustration, he just kept working at it.  Finally he figured out that he could pull at the top wire and get it out.  What a strong, determined boy. 

We love you all.

Much love, more next week

Twenty Three Weeks

This week we went to Grand Rapids.  John surprised us by coming along!  It was so nice to come home and meet little Theodore, spend time with Audrey and Frank, play with Cosette, see Grandpa and Grandpa Powers, and see Uncle Dylan.  John was able to spend time with his parents, relax, and hopefully recharge before his big test in three weeks.

Little man's sleep continued to get worse.  It peaked Friday night when he woke up every two hours and then woke at 6 for the day!  His naps got worse too, within a twelve hour period, he slept two hours.  But in good news, Liam is crawling better and getting his knees down for a faster crawl.  Right now, instead of the army crawl seen in the video, he has an inchworm crawl.  It's so cute to see his butt move up and then stretch out as he scooches forward.

Much love, more next week.

First Time Sledding

Sledding in Grand Rapids with Grandpa Shotwell and Granlie.  Too cute for words.

Christmas and New Years - Weeks Nine and Ten

My friend Audrey observed once that children grow tremendously on vacation.   She thought it was the new sights, sounds, stimulation and people.  I believed her at the time, it made sense, but I had no idea how much Liam would grow and change until this Christmas break in Grand Rapids with our families.

It was unbelievable what Liam learned in those ten days. Many new things took place on what we deemed "the morning floor show" where, after many hours of long sleep, he would be happy and energetic enough to perform his greatest stunts.  During these shows, he  slithered on the floor two and a half feet, and focused on objects while tracing them.  On our last day of vacation he actually grabbed one of his new toys and took it to his mouth. Now he is almost completely supporting his head.

It was great seeing the Shotwells, Powers, Harmons, Fitzgeralds, and many many friends like Ann, Julie, Audrey and Frank,  Megan and Steve, Walter and Neele, Brendan and Nan, and many more.  Some of our close friends have children of their own, and it was nice to see them around each other.

We attended many parties and it was fun to see who I couldn't tear Liam away from! Uncle Dylan was one of these very helpful people, and I was able to enjoy full warm meals for the first time in many weeks!

We were happy to see that Liam could be his usual smiling self in a room of people he didn't know.  At one point during my Dad's party, Liam nodded off in Ann Gerke's arms and slept for an hour!

He met his great Grandmother Feeley over the vacation as well. She seemed very excited to see him.  It was amazing to see the four generations together.

It was a great trip.  When we left on New Year's day, Liam slept all the way home.  We made record time, and when we arrived and placed him in his bassinet for bedtime, we found that he had outgrown it! It's amazing what happens.

We can't wait for next year.  It will be an exciting time, with Liam walking and plucking the ornaments off the tree.  Maybe then we can start some traditions of our own.

Thank you for reading! More next week!

Week 8: Homeboy

This week Liam officially turned 2 months old and we had his well-child doctor's visit. He is 24 inches long and almost 14 lbs! That puts him in the 75th percentile for his age group. He was great during the appointment and very healthy. We feel very fortunate.

I read in a child development book this week that a two month old can sometimes intentionally hold things. Can you believe it??? Our boy is holding a little maraca!

Sheesh. It's like he just came home with a gold medal I'm so proud.

Liam and I have started going to a local Mom and Baby Group. We have a lot really great people and it's good to meet other moms that are as sleep-deprived/deliriously in love as I am. 

We think we figured out where Liam's blond hair comes from. It's a Shotwell trait - my Dad's Dad had it as well as Dad's sisters Nancy and Kim. My brother, Dylan, shown as a spunky three year old below, has it.

Looking at their photos, I can see the same round face, nose, and hair.

Which is wild because if he's anything like Dylan...

...we're in trouble.

Week Five

Liam's First Thanksgiving was a blast. John's parents came into town and were happy to share bathtime and bedtimes again. Liam, of course, got lots of kisses and love. He was the sole entertainment for the week.

John started sticking his tongue out at Liam, and they have turned it into a little game. They go back and forth, and John will poke out his tongue at Liam a few times and Liam will follow. They have played so much that he now associates his tongue poke with John, so sometimes all he has to do is hold him and Liam will start!

 

It is wild that he is this old. It seems like yesterday that we were in the hospital, laying him to bed for the first time. He seems so much bigger than he was the last time the grandparents were all here, and it is amazing to think that six weeks from now he will be in his crib. We are so proud of him. It is bittersweet to see him grow - we can't wait to crawl with him, run, ride a bike, but sad at the same time. I want to hold on to every day, every moment, and remember it forever. On this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for so many things. For family and friends that are so supportive. For everyone around us that loves Liam as much as we do. I am grateful for our health, for our love, and for our boy.

I am glad to have this blog to document these days. Thank you for reading it.

 

 

We Have a Few Special Visitors

Our friend Julie came to stay with us from Wednesday to Sunday this week. We named her Granlie because she is another one of Liam's adoring grandmothers. It was fun spending the day in our pajamas, catching up, and playing with Liam.

Julie was kind enough to buy us this swing. It is the Cadillac of swings with a reclining seat, adjustable speeds, music or nature sounds, and a decorative toile seat!

Audrey, my best friend, was also able to come. She brought her amazing daughter, Cosette, as well. It was so fun to see our children together for the first of many times. We explored Madison as we drove around for naptime, and went to a fabulous little breakfast joint called Lazy Janes. It has the best kid area with toys, books, puzzles, even dress up. Just another reason for everyone to move to Madison!

Audrey's daughter, Cosette Harper. The coolest two year old I know.

Liam's Second Week

 

Liam's second week was a learning experience. My milk didn't come in for six days, and Liam's weight was dipping because of it, so it was a little stressful.  After a few days of a lot of tears on everyone's end, I gave him some formula with a spoon so he wouldn't get too attached to a bottle.  It was great advice and something I will surely remember for future children. Every night, Liam sleeps on my chest like this.  I have to nurse him every hour and a half or so throughout the night and day to make sure that his weight catches up. 

On Friday, I had some medical complications and returned to the ER for a few hours. I was diagnosed with some infections and was fine, but my body was definitely telling me to slow down. However, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise! Nancy, John's Mom, decided to stay with us for another week, and it allowed me a whole week to stay in bed with Liam. It was so special to have her here and to share the first two weeks of his faces, twitches, and quirks. All of the issues resolved themselves, and we were left with a happy little boy who was one pound over his birth weight!

Grandma and Liam