Time Marching On

Robin continues to be a boy wonder. There are times when I'm frustrated and it doesn't seem like he's learning anything, but keeping a list of things I want to post helps me to see how much he's really accomplishing.

He totally cracked me up a few days ago. He had some toilet paper tubes he'd intercepted from being tossed in the boring old recycling a few days prior, and while I was sitting at my computer, he came into the room with one of the tubes over his hand. He handed me another one, and when I took it, he pressed his fingers together to make his hand as narrow as possible, and inserted his second hand into the second tube! He just wanted my help getting the second one on! He's starting to play in more imaginative ways, which is so cool!

Robin is an old pro at walking now. He can even go backwards! He looks like he's warily backing away from something every time he does it, which is funny. He is also trying to walk down steps instead of backing down them--which is a big danger right now. We have to stay very close to him and hold his hands while he tries, because if we don't, he could easily pitch headfirst down the stairs (yikes!)

When I take him for walks through our neighborhood now, he usually walks for at least part of the way. I usually bring the stroller along to help once he gets tired. He can go a pretty impressive distance; though, of course, he stops to look at/play with things along the way. I took him out in his wagon for the first time yesterday, although I made the mistake of going too far for his first time in something new. It started out great, with him riding in the wagon. Then he wanted to walk do he did that for a fair distance, but then he started wanting to go in the street or back the way we had come, and I finally had to put him back in the wagon--which he no longer wanted to do. Eventually I gave up on trying to keep him happy and just went as fast as I could back toward home. Add to everything the fact that it was cold, and I had a very cranky (okay, hysterical!) baby on my hands by the time we got home. Note to self: when doing something new, keep the initial attempt short! Today, though, we went for a short walk, just around the block, without any vehicle to pull/push him in. He made it about ¾ of the way before needing to be carried! (And he might've made it farther if the final stretch hadn't been uphill! Perhaps I'll go left instead of right next time.)

Robin can now get himself onto the seat of his truck by himself, and walk it across the room! He can also get himself into his rocking chair and rock by himself! Gross motor skills! His aunt gave him a Little People farm set for Christmas, and I have seen him place one of the little people into the tractor a few times now: spatial awareness and fine motor skills!

He's been fascinated by zippers for a long time now (No, Robin, you shouldn't unzip people's pants!!!) but today I was totally amazed: when I got him out of his crib to start the day, he had unzipped his sleep sack (wearable blanket) about ¾ of the way! I guess he was ready to get out of bed and get his day started!

Robin's still not really talking, although "Mama" definitely means "Mama" now--he'll say it as he comes looking for me! And one thing that is very nice is he's finally started doing the signs for "more" and "all done." After he finishes eating the food I give him, I tell him I think he's all done, but I'll give him more if he tells me he wants it. If he doesn't do anything, then I'll repeat "all done" and clean him up. Occasionally he'll sign "more" and I'll give him a bit more food, and occasionally he'll sign "all done," so I know he's ready. I'm SO glad he's figured those out! ("More" still technically means "food" to him, but at least we're making progress.)

The result of pasta for dinner and a cookie with black frosting for dessert.

Robin likes to have control when he eats (I know it's best to avoid power struggles, but sometimes meals turn into them these days) so a few weeks ago I handed over the reigns of his cup.

I used to use an open-top cup and just offer it to him between every few bites, but now I just fill up the sippy cup at the beginning of the day, leave it on his tray, and put it back in the fridge between meals. It took him a while to really get the hang of it (he used to put it in his mouth but wouldn't lift it up to get the fluid to the spout) but now he's doing very well, and I think he's drinking more, too. He was practicing drinking from and open-top cup by himself yesterday too--in the bathtub. And by that, I mean he was filling up a cup with bathwater, putting it to his mouth, and drinking some of the water as he poured the rest on his face. Oh my....

I flipped his carseat around to face forward last week. "They" say it's safer to keep him rear-facing until he reaches the maximum rear-facing weight of his seat, but he was running out of leg room and I thought he'd enjoy facing forward, being able to see what was going on, and not having the sun in his eyes whenever I drive north. He seemed a bit overwhelmed the first time or two, but now he seems to like it.

Holidays

Here are some holiday photos for your enjoyment.

We had a very busy Christmas day. First thing in the morning, we had Dean's parents, grandmother, and siblings over for our gift exchange. It was faster than was ideal, but we got through everything with plenty of time.

Dean's Uncle Don and Aunt Mary arrived in Denver Christmas morning, and they came to our place straight from the airport. Dean's Uncle Rohn came over too. Shortly after their arrival, my parents, grandmother, and Aunt Barbara arrived too, and we finished getting the food ready.

Then came dinner, by which time Robin was exhausted, ate a little, started making a fuss, and took his nap. He was the primary reason we wanted to host--so we could have him on his home turf. While he slept we finished eating, cleaned up, had some dessert, and enjoyed each others' company.

Shortly after Robin woke up, Don and Mary needed to leave to visit some other family, and the rest of Dean's family left after a bit.

Then we exchanged gifts with my family and had some more food.

After my family left, we did presents one more time--the stuff to each other, and the things that came in the mail.

It was a big day, and Robin got overwhelmed at times, but he definately enjoyed himself, and he's enjoying playing with all his new toys.

My Uncle John flew out the day after Christmas, so we spent several of the next days visiting with all of my extended family.

Robin is going through a difficult period right now--for all of us. I don't quite know what's up, but it's probably a combination of teething, frustration at lack of communication skills, the desire to do things himself and in his own way, learning that there are limits, other growing pains, and probably other elements to which I am totally clueless. We both often end up in tears, and I'm learning quite a bit about patience and perseverence. We're hoping that Banshee Baby will soon recede, but until he does, we're getting by.

Robin seems to be in no hurry to talk. He stopped saying night-night right around when he started walking, and hasn't replaced it with any new words. Currently he's just doing Mama and Dada, and still babbling a lot.

He has become quite a master at walking. Shortly before Christmas he mastered getting to his feet without aid, and he no longer needs to have his arms up to balance. He's quite fast now, too.

His appetite these days is gargantuan. I'm amazed such a little person can eat so much and not be getting pudgy--but he's not. If this is a precursor to how much he'll eat when he's a teenager, we'll be having to take out a second mortgage in about 12 years. Mealtimes are getting interesting. He's showing preferences for some foods over other, where he used to pretty much eat anything I put in front of him. I've learned (after a few screamfests) to keep his main dish out of sight until he's finished his fruits and/or veggies (which he still eats, but he's getting selective.) He's also preferring to feed himself more and more, so most of his foods are now put into his plastic bowls and suctioned to the tray. This is nice because it allows me more freedom to eat my own food, but it doesn't work with soups, oatmeal, yogurt, or anything else that must be eaten with a spoon if we want more of it to go in him than on him. We're frequently having to tell him not to drop food on the floor, too. His chewing capacity is still limited with only 7 teeth, so he still can't have tough foods, many raw veggies, etc.

Robin's comprehension is growing quite a bit. The other day, he came into the kitchen and had only one sock on. I asked him where his sock was, and he left the room. I followed (and kept asking "where's your sock?",) and he led me to his room, where he opened his hamper and sure enough, his other sock was inside. The he pulled it out and held it out to me. So he knew that socks go in the hamper, he understood what I asked him, and he remembered where he'd put it!

He's also starting to understand the toilet. I'll set him on it whenever I catch him in time, and lately if I ask him if he's going, he'll walk to the bathroom and reach for the door handle. Granted, we're usually too late, but I'm very glad he's made the association to begin with. We're on our way!

We went to Zoo Lights the day before it closed. Robin did really well, and seemed to enjoy all the lit-up animals.

That's most of our news. We're just waiting for the neighborhood to thaw. I need the sidewalks clear so I can take him for walks in his new wagon from Grandma Sue and Poppa, and I need the park to thaw so I can let him run around and climb and play.

Have a great 2010 everybody

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas!

Well okay, it's been looking like Christmas for a while.  Usually I don't do two posts in a day, but I wanted to get all this stuff up before Christmas is actually here.

Robin saw Santa at the beginning of December.  He didn't actually cry when we sat him on Santa's lap, but he kept reaching and lunging for us, so we decided to sit in Santa's sleigh and hold him ourselves.

Robin also sent a letter to Santa through Macy's department store.  They donate money to some charity (can't remember which) for every letter that goes through them.

I finally finished Robin's Christmas stocking this month.  I only started about a week before he was born--didn't take a while or anything!  I promptly went out and purchased another stocking kit, so I can start on the stocking for Robin's younger sibling.  I figure if all I have to do once baby #2 eventually arrives is personalize it and put all the pieces together, I have a fighting chance of finishing it by their first Christmas.

Mom, what gives?  There's nothing in here!

We went to Longmont's holiday parade with my parents.  Everybody bundled up and we watched all the lighted floats and marching bands go by.  I kept saying that the kids in the marching bands couldn't possibly be old enough to be in high school--boy how time changes perspectives!

Robin is learning about the best gift of all:  PACKING PEANUTS!!!!!

He even tried to eat one.  They're the biodegradable ones, so they dissolve in water (or saliva.)  Yech!

Our friends Ward and Jessica had their annual Gingerbread Party this past weekend.  We left Robin with Dean's parents (it was nice to get away for a while) and had a blast.  We made our most ambitious creation yet:  the U.S.S. Enterprise. 

It is attacking the Romulan mining ship, which is destroying the planet Vulcan (the red ball.) 

It was definately good that we left Robin at home, because instead of creating this masterpiece, we would've spent the afternoon chasing him around and keeping him from eating all the candy.

We're all getting ready for the big day!

Some Thanksgiving pics just in time for Christmas!

So here they are, Thanksgiving photos right as Christmas is upon us.  And it's such a busy time of year!

Robin enjoyed his second Thanksgiving, which was the first in which he was able to partake in the meal.  Yum!  Robin is probably the only one who didn't overeat, as he hasn't quite reached that cognitive level yet.  It was awesome to be able to let him eat what we did, and he definately enjoyed the wide variety of food.

Some pictures of our big long table and everybody at it.  This was at Dean's parents' house.  Virginia, Dan, Audra, Del, Cyndy, Jackie, and Kathy.

Dean, Robin, Eileen, Jim, Miles, Howard, and Sue

Dean, Robin, and I went over earlier in the day, and Robin (sort of) took a nap in his grandparents' bedroom.  Then everybody else arrived, and we socialized for a while before the big meal.

After the meal, we took some time to allow ourselves to digest.  Uncle Howard had a nasty surprise for us--chocolate covered pizza.  They had leftover chocolate from the dessert they prepared, so

Howard wanted to dip some leftover pizza in it and they asked if we were brave enough to try the mystery treat.  It was pretty gross--not a combination that I would care to have together again.  Apparently it was

payback for the Thanksgiving-Feast-Flavored-Sodas from Jones' Soda that we served four years ago when we hosted Thanksgiving.  I don't know why he's sore--we were upfront about the sodas, and only poured small tastes for everybody and besides, it's a talking point to this day.  But I told him that if he wants to start a vendetta, he'd better watch himself next year!

After the chocolate pizza taste left our mouths and it got later, we went back to the table for dessert.  We always have so much food, that even small pieces of each dessert equals a huge amount of sugar.  Nobody was hungry for dinner later on.  Then it was time for Robin's second nap, so the three of us took off.  A little bit later, my parents and the Cochrans came over to our house and played some Beatles Rockband.  Robin had awakend by that point, so Mom fed him some dinner and played with him.  A fun time was had by all (despite the pizza.)