Has Spring Sprung?

March 25, 2009

It has been a long winter here in the deep North of Michigan, with a record snow fall we are definitely ready for some warmer weather.  Today we were lucky to enjoy temps in the high 50's and low 60's which we felt like needed a celebration.  We broke out the radio flyer wagon for a ride around the block.  Liam loves the wagon and smiles the entire time I am pulling him in it.

These are some of the great pics I was able to capture after we put the dogs in the house.  This one is especially funny to me.  He started scrunching up his nose and laughing while we were on vacation and I was excited to get it on film.

I seriously think he is one of the happiest kids ever.  Everywhere we go people comment on how easy going he is and how much he smiles.  I like to think that he takes after his mama :)

Caught!

March 2009

Now that Liam has learned to pull himself up he gets into a lot more stuff.  One of his favorites (besides the toilet, the dog's water bowl, and the garbage can) is the refrigerator.  As you can see he loves to "go shopping" when I get stuff out.  He is so lucky that he is so darned cute!

Nursing Comes to and End

March 14, 2009

When I decided to breastfeed Liam before he was born I always told myself that I would not be one of those crazy people that obsessed about making it work.  I soon found out that you needed to be mildly obsessive to make it work because it was not easy.  Those first couple of weeks were definitely a struggle for both of us but once we got past that we seemed to get into a groove that worked.  

I survived by setting short term goals.  My first goal was 6 weeks, then 3 months, and so on. Every time I was desperate to quit I would tell myself that if in one week I still felt the same way then I would quit (thanks Lindsey for that advice!), but things always worked out and I kept on nursing.  Also please don't think that because I was the one breastfeeding that other people did not play a vital role in my success.  Mike was such a huge support.   So many times I would cry to him that I could not do it anymore and he would give me a pep talk about the women in Africa and that if they could do it so could I.  I also strongly depended on Miriam from Brookwood lactation.  Miriam was a friend of mine from the NIUC who gave me unwavering support even after I moved North.  That poor girl received many phone calls of desperation!  Looking back now it was a road with many ups and downs that are hard to explain but definitely worth it!  

And now one year and three weeks after Liam's birth I have decided that it is time for us to give up nursing.  Part of me wants to rejoice in happiness...freedom!  I can now eat, drink, and be merry when I want.  I can sleep in on the occasional day and hand off breakfast duty to Mike!  I can wear a regular bra that has support for those droopy boobs!  But part of me is so sad...I look back at all those quiet times we had together and know that things will be different. 

I was worried about how Liam would react...I have been slowly weaning him so that we were down to just the morning feeding,  would he even notice?  Oh did he notice!  I stopped the morning of our flight to Florida because we got up so early and it just seemed like a good time. Liam started randomly biting me throughout the week.  He would bite me through my clothes, that was a real struggle.  He also started pulling on the necks of my shirts trying to get in there...kind of embarrassing in public.  Oh and watch out if he saw the girls while I was changing...he would start flapping his arms and squealing in delight.  But now about one week out he has stopped doing all of the above and seems to be fine. 

Looking back it was definitely worth the struggles to nurse him for over a year.  It is nice to have some of my freedom back, I think the best thing is the bra...ahh some support again! Every time I start to miss nursing him I just start thinking about baby number two!

Life's A Beach

March 14-21, 2009

Our big vacation this year was in Sea Grove Beach Florida which is right outside of Destin.  We rented a beach house with the Vicinanzo Family from Birmingham Alabama.  Mike worked with Matt in Alabama and we became close friends with them over our two years there.  The Vicinanzo family consists of 5 children...yup you heard me right I said 5!  Their four youngest came on the trip with ages ranging from  8 weeks to 8 years old, they are probably the best behaved group you will ever meet.  Liam loved the chaos of the house and the constant entertainment they provided.  

Our vacation was exciting to say the least.  The first few days the weather was rainy but we made the best of it spending time at the pool and just relaxing.  Then the plague set in...I am not kidding!  Erin was the first to get sick with flu like symptoms, then their daughter Riley got it, then Mike, and finally Matt.  Liam and I really lucked out and stayed healthy along with Gracie and Brodie.  There was a lot of pooping and puking going on and a whole lot of cleaning. It was a complete mess but we survived and made the best of the time we had left.

The house we rented had a swimming pool which we used everyday.  Liam loved it!

The beach was just a short walk from the house.  Mike, Liam, and I (and usually a Vicinanzo kid or two) went for a walk on the beach every morning, it was so peaceful.  Then every afternoon we would take Liam down to the beach before his nap.  He was not so fond of the beach though.  He hated the sand and would scream anytime it touched him...

He really like just sitting on the blanket playing with his stacking cups. 

and would even practice his crawling...AS long as he did not touch the sand!

We had a great time!  I really wish that we had a few more days to make up for the sick time but all vacation must come to an end.  I love this last picture but for some reason I can't get the darn thing to turn so just turn your head a bit... :)

Motivation in Pacifiers!

March 11, 2009

As you can tell from my previous posts I am worried about Liam and some of his developmental milestones, one of which is pulling up.  Everyday I go into his room after a nap and the little guy is just laying in his crib happy as a clam.  I have never found him sitting up let alone standing.  So today was really the same as any other day, there he was laying on his tummy looking over the bumper at all his pacifiers that he had thrown onto the floor.  Yesterday I started to line them up on the rail of his crib to get him interested in standing with no luck...but today we were lucky!!!!

He looked up at those tempting pacifiers and pulled himself up to his knees (he was laying on his belly) he then seemed satisfied because he could now reach the little buggers.  I needed to run downstairs to get some wipes and this was how I found him!

I cheered so loud and then I started to cry!  I am so happy to finally see some progress,  I can't wait for him to do it again.  After some pictures, and hugs and kisses we called Daddy at work to share the good news.   What an exciting day!  

Who would of guessed that the pacifiers would help him to succeed!

Meijer Garden Butterfly Exhibit

March 7, 2009

Today was a rainy day so we headed to the butterfly exhibit at Meijer Garden.  I was not sure that Liam would be into it or not but overall he enjoyed himself.  He spent most of his time walking around like a big boy, holding onto my finger or pants of course!

The butterflies were beautiful, the colors were amazing.  They were buzzing around everywhere.

One of Liam's new tricks is giving hugs and kisses.  Whenever we tried to get a picture of Liam and I together he would give me a big sloppy kiss.

It was really funny, these pics aren't the most flattering of me but they really captured the moment.

One Year Check Up

March 5, 2009

Today Mike and I headed to see Dr. Kort for Liam's one year appointment and because the poor guy has been sick since Monday.  He started to run a fever on Monday night and it just seems to be sticking around.  He is miserable!  Dr. Kort said that rosiolla is going around so it might be that otherwise if he still has a fever on Monday we go back for lab work and a straight cath to rule out a urinary tract infection (sounds like a blast).  I am praying that he gets better soon.

He weighs 19lbs 12oz, and he is 30 inches long.  This checkup was a great time for me to discuss some concerns I was having about Liam meeting his developmental milestones.   Mike thinks that it was ridiculous and I worry too much but who better to ask than the pediatrician, right?  For example, when he is down on the floor rolling around he never puts himself into a sitting position, but if you sit him up he will sit there until he decides to lay down.   He does not crawl in a traditional manner but army crawls on his forearms, and he does not pull himself up yet.  I told her that it seems like his arm strength is just not there, she tested him and said that he is definitely not the strongest kid ever but not to be concerned and that he was on his own plan.  She also said that if we do not see improvement over the next three months we would investigate further but she thought he was doing fine.  It is just so hard to watch all the other kids in playgroup that are younger than him crawling and even walking already.  I guess I just need to accept that some things are out of my control.  

Besides those worries, Liam is doing great.  He cruises the furniture like a pro moving from room to room and problem solving how to do it without letting go :).  He is super social waving hi and bye to everyone, raising his arms up for so big, washing his hair with his hands when asked, clapping in his own little way,  giving hugs and kisses when asked, and generally just a really happy guy.  We make friends everywhere we go, his smile is contagious!  

Happy Birthday Liam!!!

February 28, 2009

Today Liam turned one!  Can you believe it?  This year has flown by...Liam's birth, the big move to Michigan, Mike's new job....but we made it and it was time for a celebration.  I really had a hard time deciding exactly what to do for his birthday party.  All of our family is in Chicago so originally I thought of having a big bash there but after some research I decided (with some help from Mary Rahman) that something more intimate here in Michigan would be best. Afterwards I am glad that was what I decided, it was perfect.

I started off by decorating the house the night before after Liam went to bed.  This will be a yearly tradition, a friend of mine said that is what they do and I thought it sounded like fun.  So when Liam woke up on his birthday I took him out to show him all the decorations.  He LOVED everything especially the balloons.  He was in paradise.

I made a cake for his party, it was my first try so I had some backups just in case.  The Elmo head turned out great...cakes galore.  Can you ever have too many birthday cakes?

My parents came from Chicago and Mike's dad came from Arizona for the party.  We also had 2 of Liam's little friends from play group along with their families.  It was a great group.  Here is Charlie with his party hat on....oh and the dogs too!

We had a great meal of Chicago style beef sandwiches, corn casserole, homemade potato salad and more.  Hmmm, it was so good.

We opened gifts which was pure chaos.  A lot of family and friends sent gifts from Chicago and beyond so we had quite the chore ahead of us or should I say me because Liam was not really into opening the gifts.  

Then it was off to the best part, of course, the cake!!!  Liam had his own little smash cake.  At first he was not into it and just picked at the frosting. 

 I almost took it away but left it on his tray while I cut cake for everyone else and that was when the party started!  That boy definitely has my sweet tooth!  He had cake everywhere!

Happy Birthday sweet boy!

One Year Ago...

February 28, 2009

As a little girl I always dreamed of being a mother, one year ago today that dream came true and it has far exceeded my expectations.  Liam is a miracle and a blessing that I don't know how we lived without.  

He is my sunshine in the morning, everyday is new and exciting.  Just when you think you know how things go he changes it up a bit, for better and worse.  He can make me smile even at my grumpiest of times, and makes us laugh so hard that we both have side cramps and tears streaming from our eyes. 

Liam has changed our lives forever, who knew how much you could love one little guy.  I see so much of Mike in him...his looks, his charm, and of course his undying love for me!  It has been so exciting this past year to watch him change and grow into a one year old and I am excited to see what the upcoming year will bring.  I still remind myself daily to cherish every moment, good and bad, because I know the time will fly by.  I love you Liam!

Let the Birthday Festivities Begin!

February 26, 2009

So the big day is approaching fast...Liam is turning one!  We are starting to celebrate a little early with our Thursday infant playgroup.  I have made such great friends here in Michigan in such a short amount of time and can't believe how lucky we are.  Liam has some great little friends too...

After I had some play time with the other kids, Mr. Sleepy Head woke up and made an appearance at his own party and we had some cake!  Hmm, I made it and it was yummy!

Getting Into Mischief

February 24, 2009

As Liam gets more mobile he seems to be getting into more mischief.  Today I was on the phone writing down a recipe and he seemed very quite when I looked up he had completely unraveled a spool of tulle!  He had such a pleased look on his face when I asked him what he was doing.

Then the next day I was busy in the kitchen making dinner and he had managed to cruise, transfer and reach his way straight for the bathroom.  What a little rascal!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

February 16, 2009

Today was Mike's birthday, he had already got his big birthday gift...a fancy coffee machine.  Liam bought him something small, a shirt from the television show the office, Mike had a good laugh over it.  Mike and I went out for a quite dinner at The Chop House while Liam played with the babysitter and hit the sack early :)

Happy Valentine's Day

February 14, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day Liam!  Today we celebrated Liam's first Valentines Day.  He is the love of my life (next to Mike of course!).  Grandma Jean sent him this shirt that he has on in the photo and a really cute bib.  Grammy Jill also sent a box full of great toys....I think he might be a little spoiled!  Mommy and Daddy got him a ball...he loves it!

Beep, Beep

February 7, 2009

My parents bought Liam this car for Christmas.  We had to leave it at their house until I came back for another visit because the car was overflowing (surprise, surprise).  

It worked out well though because when I came home at the beginning of February my mom took Liam out in it.  He looked so cute but very serious at times holding onto the steering wheel with both hands!  He started to get the hang of the horn and smiled every time it beeped.

Paella

January 31, 2009

We used to go to a great restaurant in Birmingham called The Prairie Fire Grill, Mike especially loved their paella.  He missed it so much that he recently bought a paella pan and made it himself.  This one was a seafood one.  I loved it but unfortunately Liam could not have any because of the shell fish.