Ramblings...

My baby will be 2 in less than 3 months!! I am dying. I cannot handle this. He's grown inches taller overnight, he's talking nonstop, playing with cars and pirates on his own....I love the growing up but I miss my little baby!!

21 months old!

I fear I have fallen into the "mom fashion pit." Nothing trendy appeals to me. Pumps are not practical, nor do I want to show my midriff...but let's be honest, midriffs should only be acceptable in a few places, restaurants not being one of them! (rant over...)

A certain little boy is in the habit of asking for chocolate every morning. I give him a Kiss or a Peanut Butter cup. I always said I'd never let my kids have so much candy or chocolate, but I can't resist that sweet voice. Some need coffee, he needs chocolate ;)

I've started my Christmas shopping. Who am I kidding?? I started it in August...in hopes of sticking to a budget, but I always get caught up in the season and shop some more. ;)

My heart was completely overwhelmed with the thought of Mary praising God that His promised One had arrived - can you imagine her, looking at her sleeping baby boy and knowing God's promise? Only a few believed it while he was still new. She knew. :)  I was thanking God that my baby is here, and God overwhelmed me with that thought. (Perhaps I'm in the mood for Christmas...ha!)

We have a new puppy. Her face is too cute for us to be frustrated with her for too long about anything...let's hope she keeps that cuteness because, I fear, we've brought home Marley... ;)

Maggie - 8 weeks old

Weaning....by the signs!

You know those people who can always forecast the weather by the signs in nature? My grandparents are those people. I aspire to be one of those people. I would love to know that we will have a wet winter just by the signs! I think it'd make me seem wise.... ;)

I had my first successful experience with "the signs" a few months ago: WEANING!!

Now I, in now way, believe in astrology. But, I believe in the wisdom of those older and more experienced than I. So, I took my family's recommendation to wean my baby boy toddler "by the signs."

Samuel was becoming attached to his bottle. He only took a bottle before his nap and bedtime, but he had become attached to it in order to fall asleep. He's a "sleep training" baby, so he can fall asleep on his own, but the bottle had become his signal for sleep. He was also approaching his 18 month check-up, and I knew his dr would ask about the bottle - so, the week before his appointment, we stopped! ;)

I was told that the last week of June 2013 would be the best week to take away the bottle, cold-turkey, because of "the signs." I had NO IDEA what sign this was, but I figured it was worth a try since my family had previous success with it.

Turns out, the Farmer's Almanac had all the info on these signs. The link to a weaning and potty training schedule is here. (Evidently, these signs can also be used for weaning your livestock, as well. ha.)

It worked! We gave our baby little boy oatmeal (instead of a bottle) before bed and read his usual book. He cried his normal amount before settling down and sleeping through the night, but he never seemed to miss the bottle. (and we haven't missed paying the bill for Nutramigen!) He did cry for his "bah" when he saw one, but once they were out of sight, they were out of mind. We stopped cold-turkey that week, and we've not looked back!

I think I know where I'll turn when it's time for potty training! (eek).

Changes

Sunday night, Samuel wore shoes in a size 1. Monday morning, he needed a 2. No joke. Things are changing so quickly!! This little boy is growing up faster than I like!!

He's now eating solid food. LOVES sweet potatoes! He was crying because I wasn't getting them in his mouth fast enough. He was grabbing my hand and shoving the spoon into his mouth and would pull it out wanting more. Daddy said he'd only eat them with brown sugar and cinnamon - Samuel showed him! Here's hoping for a child who makes healthy choices.

On that note, I've started making his food with our baby bullet. It's my new hobby. I LOVE buying the organic produce and making his food at home. I feel so much better with him eating that than the "organic" baby food I find in the stores that contains lots of other ingredients...aka tuna oil in his pears to add DHA. Hmmm...

I will admit that I buy some jarred baby food to have in case we need it or we're out without his homemade food. Don't judge. :)

Samuel is now grabbing toys - it's so nice to hand him a toy to entertain him and he holds it himself. He's formed an attachment to the blanket in that picture. He eats it, growls at it, nuzzles it, and complains to it. (He's a complainer...he'll moan and groan as long as someone will listen and talk back. ha)

He's also started to put EVERYTHING in his mouth. He's drooling everywhere and chewing on everything - my arm when I'm changing his diaper, my face when he's playing, anyone's fingers who will hold his hand. Is it possible that he's teething at 4 months old??

Josh and I are about to reach a milestone. We may be dicontinuing the use of his breathing monitor. In the past week it's become more of an annoyance than a help because a certain little boy turns circles in his sleep. The monitor comes loose and then alarms, waking us and Samuel. So, I may have to trust in God LOTS these next few weeks until Samuel reaches 6 months old and the risk of SIDS declines.

God gave us this little boy and I have to trust that He'll sustain him. He always can, better than we could ever know how. Isn't that a relief?? :)