An Unexpected Beginning: Back to the Real World

For a long Labor Day weekend, we took a long overdue trip Kansas to visit Matt's family. We were supposed to go last summer before LJ was born, but I was on bed rest, so we never got out there. We were so excited to have a week together, as we haven't had that much time since last Christmas! My fears of flying with LJ were put to rest when he did awesome on the plane. I was worried he would scream the whole way or poop when the fasten seatbelt sign was on, or throw up all over me or someone else...you know, the usual. He did great. He has a hard time sitting still these days, but the plane wasn't full so even though we didn't buy LJ his own seat, he got one anyway. Not that he sat in it for long, but it gave us a little extra space. I did find myself watching the clock though because I knew that the entertainment would run out after awhile.

LJ loved seeing his grandma and grandpa, and his cousins, and aunts and uncles, and Matt's best friend and his family. He loves people and doesn't fuss when he gets passed around. We also discovered that he really loves beards! He didn't meet a beard he didn't like, and he met quite a few! He didn't, however, have quite his usual cheerful personality, but I think it was just because his schedule was off, he had been sick for almost 2 weeks before we left, and he is getting some more teeth. Overall, we couldn't have asked for more! His face when we walked back in the door at home was priceless though...he just grinned. He was so excited to see his puppies, he almost jumped out of my arms. He just smiled at all the toys in his playroom, and he looked at every light/fan in the house like he was happy to be back. I guess he will take after his mom and dad-we love to travel on occasion, but there is nothing quite like home either! He proceeded to sleep 19 of the next 24 hours. I think he is back on track now.

LJ has discovered a few new things that put a smile on his face...beards, potato salad, tomatoes, cows, match box cars to name a few. His cousins gave LJ a matchbox car when we saw them, and it's funny how little boys just know what to do with a car. Later, we went to a friends house and their boys pulled out a box of cars. The look on his face was of pure excitement.

LJ has learned to pull up on things...and it has become all he wants to do. We went through a period of sleepless nights because he would pull up in his crib and not know how to get back down, so he would scream for rescuing. We also realized that if we took the night light out of his room so he couldn't see, he gave up on trying to get out a little bit more quickly. He spends his days standing at the baby gate petting his puppies, to the couch, to the train table, to the jumparoo, and back. He is so proud of himself!

LJ says hi, dada, and mama (when he wants to...he now thinks it is funny to say dada when I say mama, and he has only been saying mama when he wants something). He is still drinking quite a bit of formula, so we need to start coming up with a plan to start weaning him off that soon. I think we have decided almond milk will be the substitute because I have cooked with it, and he has done well. However, we also have to do another milk test next week...fingers crossed!

Every day is something new. I am having a difficult time realizing that he will be 1 in a little over 2 weeks! Time has flown, and we have loved every minute of being parents.

Grandma and Grandpa took us all to the zoo...LJ was a perfect little cub!

Petting the sheep and goats with Daddy.

He is going to have his Dad's musical talent!

Climbing on Daddy is more fun than listening to the story these days!

Giggles

LJ and cousin Sam wrestling with grandpa.

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Midnight party! LJ got his legs stuck in the rungs of the crib trying to reach his giraffe he always has to sleep with...taking matters into his own hands!