On the Move

Theo is 9 months old. When he was about 7 1/2 months, he started sitting differently, with his right leg tucked behind him.

It worried me a little, because I know that when kids sit in a W formation they can develop hip dysplasia. Yes, Neurotic Nanny strikes again. I corrected him a couple of times, but he kept doing it, so I thought it must mean something. Well don't you know, it did! It meant that he was getting ready for the next step. Crawling! Over the next few weeks, he started being able to get himself up from his tummy position. Weeks ago, If you put him on his back, he'd flip over on his belly and flail around. Then he started doing baby pushups, then he'd sit back on his legs. 

One day I noticed that he didn't flail anymore, he'd just sit up from being on his belly. What an accomplishment! Next, he'd take a few crawling steps, then sit. At first he didn't like to crawl long distances, and he wouldn't crawl over thresholds. 

Now, at 9 months, he's crawling all over the place, and giggling as he goes. His current feat is to crawl to something, grab onto it, and stand. This boy is super strong. He's been putting weight on his legs for months. With the combination of that and baby pushups, he can get himself to a standing position in a matter of seconds. He's not ready to stand up on his own yet, but when he feels secure on the couch, a box, or a pair of grownup knees, he beams. He's practicing cruising; just figuring out that he can let go with one hand, take a step with a foot, then move over. 

This stuff is endlessly fascinating to me. To see the development of a tiny person being able to do things by himself just by practicing, things that we grownups take for granted, is amazing. I feel so blessed to be able to witness his progression. Thank you, RockStar (mom), and SuperChill (dad), for letting me be a part of your family!

It Ain't Easy Bein' Green

I'm amazed at the growth of Mister. It was a big deal when he started getting teeth (he got his on the early side, maybe 3 or 4 months). We oohed and ahhed for weeks. Now that he has a nice little set at 9 months, it doesn't seem like such a huge thing.

 For me, a really big deal was when he started producing boogers. When he was really little, nothing came out of his nose. He just had a nose, no liquid, so snot, nothing. I missed his first cold--it was my day off or something. In retrospect, I'm so glad I missed it; I would have been freaking out.

Somewhere along the way I noticed that he had developed stuff in his nose. Just a little at first, but then enough so that I sometimes had to wipe it away. I was so proud the day that he was blowing air in and out of his mouth and nose, and there came a booger! A real one--stiff, and green. I squealed with delight and took it out. My boy was growing up! Some people may be grossed out by this, but I'm telling you, the human body is amazing. We get snot for a reason (goes and looks up reason)…"It helps filter out pollen, dust, and microorganisms…" (webmd.com). Our boy is prepared for the bigger world! And I'll be right there beside him. With a tissue.

The Wheels on the Bus

We all know that classic song, The Wheels on the Bus. Some of the lyrics are standard:

The wheels on the bus go round and round

The wipers on the bus go swish swish swish

The driver on the bus goes move on back

The doors on the bus go open and shut

The money on the bus goes clink clink clink

(Personally, I think this should be changed, but to what? Tap tap tap in Boston, zing zing zing in New York City?)

The children on the bus go up and down

The baby on the bus goes wah wah wah 

There are some variations. The mommy on the bus might go shh shh shh. 

One musician I know says the mommy on the bus goes I love you, the daddy goes shh shh shh, and the nanny goes sit back down. I like that one.

The other night at a neighborhood sing-a-long I heard one that I'd never heard before. My former boss, the sweetest woman you will ever meet, busted out:

The parents on the bus go that's okay, that's okay, that's okay.

The mom sitting next to me and I looked at each other and I whispered, "That's not what I would say!" We had a good chuckle, then continued singing.

To each his own. It's a fun song, no matter who's riding the bus.

The Brother

Ah, The Brother. We don't call him The Brother anymore. He has all sorts of nicknames, the current favorite being Grayson. Grayson is Theo's alter ego; the one who is awake when he's supposed to be sleeping. The one who bats the spoon away when he's supposed to be eating. The one who bites shoulders. I don't use Grayson so much--somewhere along the line, I started calling him Bup. Bup is naughty and cute at the same time. Theo should be sleeping for 2 hours, but wakes up after 45 minutes-Bup! Buppa! He's so cute, you just can't stay mad.

Little Bup is 8 months old now. Where has the time gone?

Great Idea?

Check out this cool bathroom stall--it was in an airport somewhere. California? In any case, seems like it could be a great thing for moms. Do they have them in the men's bathroom? Hopefully the baby wouldn't get freaked out (or splashed) by the automatic flusher. Hmm, maybe it's not such a good idea. Thoughts?

Nanny Ambivalence

Aurora wants to tell me how she feels, but she lets me down easy. "Alex, I like Mary Poppins and Maria (from The Sound of Music) better than...the nannies in our real lives."

Play Therapy

Aurora was playing with her dolls, and I thought it would be great fun to set up an analyst's office. She didn't agree.