Eleven Month Update

Blog redesign! Why? Because I caved and got a Formspring (http://www.formspring.me/natalie7s19), and I linked it to my blog, and I had to make it nice and bright around here juuust in case I get more traffic!

Anyway, Declan is officially eleven months and one day old. And he is getting so freaking smart. Just earlier, I was opening the bathroom door (which we keep closed because Bruce is a total trash-hound so the garbage is in there) and carrying Declan (because God knows he has to go everywhere Mommy goes) and he reached out and knocked on the door and said, "Dadadada!" He must have seen me knock on the door while Aaron is showering (captive audiences are the best!) one too many times.

He loves to make motorboat sounds with his lips, he can take up to (but not more than) five steps by himself, he eats all day long, and he's still crazy about bathtime.

His nose scab fell off today :)

Still working on planning his party. I have given up the ordering-super-cute-themed-decorations idea, because it was just going to cost too much money. I'll try and con Aaron into going to a party store sometime, so that I don't have to resort to Walmart paper plates.

Also, family that's reading this, will you put Aaron and me in the name draw for Christmas, and let me know when you draw names? And can we (you) do it kinda soonish? Because there's not that many paychecks before Christmas. Yikes!

More importantly, the new season of House premieres tonight.

Addendum

Nevermind about the presents. Turns out I misunderstood - Aaron actually wanted to drive an hour to Toys R Us in Des Moines to get gift IDEAS. So we go through the whole store, I'm thinking we're here to buy stuff, then Aaron's like, "Ready to go?" It was confusing and a little frustrating. But honestly, I think I want to order him stuff online. Because I was sorely disappointed in the selection of age-appropriate toys at the store.

BUT!

THE BIG NEWS!

THE REASON I AM POSTING TWICE IN ONE DAY!

Declan is walking!

I've seen him standing on his own a few different times today. So tonight, I was sitting on the floor, he was standing at the toy chest, and I held out my hands... he took three steps! I was thinking it was a fluke, so I tried putting him a few steps away, and he did it again! And again! It's so exciting. He's not too steady, and I think five or so steps is his max right now, but it is coming!

The Presence of Presents

Today we're going birthday present shopping for Declan. Yes, we know it's a month away. However, with our crazy schedules, we're not sure if we'll have another full day to make the trip to Toys R Us and back.

So our only definite buy (in my head, anyway) is a little picnic table. I remember loving mine. Other ideas include a play kitchen, play food, shopping cart, puzzles, books, a toy laptop, and musical instruments. We'll see.

On one hand, I can't wait for his birthday. I can't wait to make a cake, see his face when he opens presents, and celebrate with friends and family. On the other hand, I am really struggling with the idea of not having a BABY anymore.

I am already feeling like I have a little kid. Yesterday he fell down on the sidewalk and scraped his nose. Babies don't scrape their noses. Toddlers scrape their noses. Anyway, he looks silly.

We're On?

Okay, we have the internet again. I hope it lasts this time. It should, since we're paying for it ourselves.

Declan is almost 11 months old now! I am busy planning his first birthday, and I think I've finally settled on a plan: After I get off of work (2 pm), we'll meet up with family and friends at the local pumpkin patch, which has hayrides and stuff, then for dinner we're reserving a room at a pizza place and we'll have pizza, cake, and presents.

In the meantime, we're enjoying our baby while he's still a baby and not a toddler (which will be very soon!) He has four big ol' teeth, he babbles all the time, and when he's not babbling, he's eating. I swear, it's like he has the body and brain of a baby and the stomach of a teenager. Tonight for dinner he ate like 25 mini ravioli, half an apple (diced), and he's on his 3rd graham cracker with no signs of stopping.

Declan is starting to bite us for fun. I don't know what to do, because he doesn't understand discipline at all. Any tips would be great. I've tried yelling (not at him, just like, "OW! That hurts!"), ignoring him, picking him up and putting him on the other side of the room...

Anyway, more later. I forgot how to blog without rambling. If I ever knew how.

A New Era

Since the beginning of college, my life can be divided into very distinct eras.

August 28, 2007 - October 28, 2008: The Party Era

October 28, 2008 - February 4, 2009: The Dating Aaron Era

February 4 - May 22, 2009: The Secretly Pregnant at College Era

May 22 - October 19, 2009: The Waiting for Declan Era

October 19, 2009 - April 30, 2010: The New Mom in Austin Era

April 30 - August 14, 2010: The Cut Off from the World in Iowa Era

August 14 - Present: The Re-Connected Era!

The neighbors gave us their wireless password so we have rejoined the modern world. I am so excited to start blogging again, to share pictures, to keep in touch better... Even the little things like Mapquesting directions, comparison shopping for baby items, and reading the news!

I was able to get online here and there, but with a baby to entertain and / or keep an eye on, I couldn't do much more than check my Facebook and my email. If he was in a really good mood, I might have gotten so ambitious as to Skype someone. But blogging? Posting on forums? Playing games? No way.

And now, I can wait until Declan is napping, or playing independently. No packing up the diaper bag, no walks through the scorching heat, no sitting awkwardly in a public place trying to keep Declan from yelling while I try to connect to unreliable public networks.

Yay!

Long-story-short update:

Declan is almost 10 months old (on the 19th).

He's crawling, clapping, waving bye-bye, saying Mama, Dada, dancing, eating table food, drinking from straws and sippy cups, and cruising around on all of the furniture and walls.

He's had his first haircut, his first busted lip, his first taste of dog food, and his first round of antibiotics.

He even sent his first text message, when Mommy wasn't watching.

He has two teeth (bottom ones) and one on the way (top one, days or hours from busting through the gum).

He loves goldfish, yogurt, macaroni, lima beans, banana, and chicken fingers.

He's in 18 month size clothes and weighs about 25 lbs.

His eyes are almost totally brown, but these still a bit of green, in the right light.

In family news,

I am working full time as a nurse's aide at a local nursing home. I walk 1.5 miles to work at 4:30 every morning except Saturday and Sunday, which are now my favorite days of the week.

Aaron is working 3 pm to 2 am at a factory making wheels. We see each other for less than an hour a day on weekdays.

BUT

We are making good money, paying our bills, and saving up for birthdays and Christmas (when we will be making our big trip to Texas!)

AND

We are thrilled to not have to put Declan in daycare. And honestly, as hard as my job is, it's been really beneficial for me to be forced to be a "real" person - one who gets dressed, showers regularly, and interacts with other adults on a daily basis.

ALSO

We have a dog named Bruce. He's a 1.5 year old Springer Spaniel. He's hyper and jittery and always underfoot, but he's also great with Declan and a generally good boy. I s'pose we'll keep him.

So that's that! I hope from here on out you'll be getting regular updates and pictures from me. Crossing my fingers that the neighbors don't move before we do!

Mommy Tip #6,291

If you're taking the baby in the bath with you, do not expect to get clean. Especially do not expect to shave your legs.

You will be sorely disappointed.

6 Months