ending and beginning

Got my first pair of longies done. I haven't blocked them yet, but think I did a good job for it being my first knitting project. I had planned on doing a scarf and block first, but got to impatient and wanted to dive right into longies. I cast on a hat to match using the Ky Baby Ear Cozy Hat pattern. I hope to have it done tonight.

first steps!

Yep, last night Milo took his first steps. Patrick and I both got to see the look of shock, excitement, and surprise on the others face. We both said did that really just happen? Exciting stuff happening here!

a little help from a friend

After our sleepless night on Wednesday I asked a friend, who has a similiar parenting style and a little girl Milo's age, what was working for them. We cosleep and crying it out isn't an option we'll consider, so I wanted advice from someone with a similiar view. Thanks Aimee!

We decided to start Milo's bedtime routine earlier and have Patrick try to get Milo to sleep without me. We really didn't know what to expect. It took about 45 minutes, but Milo settled down and went to sleep without mama nursing him to sleep for the first time last night. After Patrick left for work I stayed up another hour knitting before going to bed. Milo and I both slept great the rest of the night.

sleep, not so much

In the last few weeks Milo has decided sleep isn't that important. He has been falling asleep just fine at his normal bedtime, but wakes after an hour or so ready to go. Being the only one at night to parent him back to sleep can be a bit exhausting. Thankfully when Patrick gets home from work in the morning he has been taking Milo to play while I get a bit of sleep.

As I type this at 1:15am, my adorable little boy is trying to help type by pounding on the keyboard.

saturday afternoon at the apple orchard

We spent Saturday afternoon picking apples at Brookdale orchard. The weather was perfect--we love fall time. A perfect way to spend an afternoon.

that's hot

Patrick is amazing. What is hotter than a man who will crochet or knit to put a smile on his wifes face.

Patrick's first pair of crochet longies using tunisian stitch.

Um, where did my baby go?

So toddler like now...

scowl

Milo has discovered how to scowl. It is hilarious to watch him scrunch up his face and furrow is brows. I tried my best to capture it today.

on the needles

This is my first real knitting project - pair of longies (pants used as a diaper cover) for Milo.

discovery

Milo has discovered he can walk along and go from one piece of furniture to the next. He seemed quite happy with himself when he discovered that going from couch to end table means being able to touch new things he hasn't been able to reach before.

He mimicks sounds a lot now. It is neat to say something to him and a few seconds later have him trying to say it back.

He seems so big now. I definately see little boy instead of baby more and more each day. It is hard for me to believe I will be the mother of a one year old in less than two months!

still tv free

Except for the occassional DVD we have been a TV free household for nearly 5 months! It is amazing what you can do when the TV isn't distracting you.

Before we had kids we agreed that we would always have a TV free week during the week of Earth Day once we had kids. When Earth Day came around last spring (and we had a kid) we intended to do our first TV free week. The week before Patrick said lets just get rid of the cable! I was a bit shocked because I am usually the one leading us to a more "crunchy" lifestyle. I guess he's really granola at heart.

So here we are nearly 5 months later doing fine without TV. I know Milo will be better off for it.

http://www.trashyourtv.com/

Now someone call me and tell me what happens on the Grey's premiere!

lots of books

Our bottom shelf of our bookcase is reserved for childrens books--board books, cloth books, and even paper books *gasp*. Yes, I realize the librarians of the world will need a second to recover with thought that our nearly 10 month old has access to paper books. I am sure we will have a few torn or crumpled pages along the way, but we are teaching him to be gentle with the books.

We read and look at books everyday with Milo. It is part of our day and part of his bedtime routine with daddy. He likes to turn the pages and point to things. One of his favorite books at the moment is Pat the Bunny. It is so cute to see him doing the steps on each page.

Milo will often sit at the bookcase, pull his books from the shelf, and look through the pages. Here are a few pictures from this morning of him doing just that.

getting around

It is really neat to see how his crawling keeps changing. He is quite the explorer now. I found him climbing into the bathroom cabinet a few days ago!

first of many...

I am sure. A split lip that is. No real damage done and just a bit of blood and a few tears. Milo was trying to push up onto his feet, he slipped and smacked his face onto the floor. One of his teeth must have cut just inside his lip. You can't even see it today.

I suppose I should get used to things like this with a little boy running around.

more daddy made toys

This is Patrick's latest toy. Such a great job he does.

feeding frenzy

Milo's new favorite food is black beans. He can't get enough.

Many of you know we skipped baby cereal, purees, and spoon feeding and went straight to self feeding chunks and spears of food. Milo's first food was spears of avocado at 8 months. We started slowly introducing other chunks or spears of food he could self feed after that. He is now eating pretty much what we eat. We are delaying wheat, citrus, egg whites, dairy, and nuts a few more months.

Patrick and I feel food at this point is more about exploring taste and texture than nutrition. Self feeding gets a bit messy, but that is why we have a linen closet full of washcloths.

that busy boy

He keeps learning new things!

His latest adventure has been learning to walk along stuff--cruising. He is still a bit unsure, but I am sure he will be going at record pace soon enough. He likes to hold onto our hands and take a walk around whatever room we are in also.

He is learning new sounds all the time. The newest being O and making a cute little O with his lips. When he sees something interesting he points and makes the O with his lips. So funny.

We are going to add the signs for more and done this week. Milo is using the sign for (mama's) milk often and the signs for mommy and daddy sometimes. I am really glad we decided to do signing. I think it will be a great tool.

laboring on labor day

We spent Labor Day fixing the trim and casing aroud the screen door in the front of our house. The ice, snow, and wood did not get along over the winter. We tore down everything, but what was above the door--new wood, a fresh coat of paint and it looks great again!

they make me smile

Patrick and Milo bring such joy to my life everyday.