A Funny Face!

Climbing and Crawling

We had a nice visit from my Dad and Ginny on Friday. Billy showed off some of his new moves, and later on he got into a razzing contest with Grandpa. And on Sunday while Stu was at a friend's place watching the football game, Billy and I went up to Southcenter mall to meet my mom. We discovered together that there is a library at Southcenter mall; a great place for Grandma Em to play and read with Billy. Later that afternoon we stopped in at Great-Grandma Bitow's for a visit. A great weekend for seeing family.

Monday and Tuesday Billy was a little under the weather. He had a bit of a runny nose and a cough, but most noticeably he lost his appetite and was extra tired. Yesterday he started feeling a lot better, and he was very happy about that. We also noticed yesterday how much his crawling has improved. He is especially motivated by a tower built with his stacking cups, because he loves to knock it over. And he's starting to really love pulling himself up on things: couch, shelves, piano bench, me,...what a big boy! It's fun to watch him wobble, and to see the joy and pride on his face. It's more than fun, it's heartwarming!

Otherwise, we've just been living the routine, which Billy and I both enjoy. We're getting more regular with the timing of meals, naps, and bedtime. Bedtime has moved up to 7-7:30, allowing Stu and I some time together in the evening. And Billy is getting more of his much needed rest. He's a growing boy!!

New Adventures with Sleep

This is an old picture; of the "good old days" when naptimes were somewhat simpler. Billy liked to be in the corner, so he had the comfort of the bumpers around him to help him feel cozy. I layed him down there when he was drowsy, and he might cry a little and roll around a bit, but then he went to sleep, (usually.) Things have changed since then...

We took the bumpers out because I had read that they're a safety hazard once the babies start pulling themselves up. And once we did that it seemed like his crib was a completely new place; he now perks up being put there, and wants to start exploring the place! And especially while he's focused on learning how to crawl, he will immediately roll onto his belly and get up onto his knees; the idea of going to sleep completely disappearing from his mind. It just takes more winding down time after he has satisfied his exploratory nature, and a bit more crying, but he does eventually go to sleep- usually on his belly. When I go in to check on him and/or reassure him, he will sometimes just look up at me with an incredible grin. He's so proud of his new abilities, and it's adorable. I'm still determined that letting him go to sleep on his own is best for everyone involved, but it sure takes a while sometimes. Stu had said to me that he just doesn't understand why taking a nap is met with such resistance, it sounds like bliss to both of us!

We're looking forward to a visit from Grandpa Gil and Grandma Ginny today. We'll attempt going out to dinner with our little noise-maker. Before they arrive I'll try to fit in a shower and a quick clean up around the house, along with a trip out to the market.

Thanks for all the positive feedback regarding the blog!

Happy Birthday Dwight

This blog will be a project for me to keep up with- and I'm not making any promises, but I'll give it a try. Billy has several grandparents out of town, and this will be a nice way for all of you to keep up with your sweet grandson. Aunt Ruthie has a blog about her adventures in Prague, and I've really enjoyed keeping up on her life through the postings she writes. Our blog will likely be slightly less interesting, so I'll compensate by adding adorable pictures of Billy, (worth much more than a thousand words!) Tomorrow is Grandpa Dwight's birthday, and this can hopefully be a gift that keeps on giving, a way to see more pictures and hear more stories about little Bill and our new little family.

Just a few days and Billy will be 9 months old!! He's grown up so much and is constantly amazing us. This week he is just barely starting to crawl. He can make one or two crawl moves before falling down to his belly. And he's also starting to try to pull up onto the couch, and the railing of his crib. It was just last week that the doctor was asking me about these developemental "milestones" and I was saying that he wasn't quite there yet. But I think he'll make it just in time for his 9 month birthday, he just doesn't want to be rushed. I don't really want to rush him either... I know that we're really in for it now!! He'll be in to everything, and aside from that it's just one step further away from being my sweet babe in arms. I cherish the moments pictured above, knowing they won't last forever. But what a blessing those moments are!!