I wanted to participate in the Read-a-thon but couldn’t really ask Jason to do 24 + 6 (recovery sleep time) hours of dad duty so I suggested to my mom that she and my dad might like to come and help out for the weekend and being the awesome grandparents they are, they came.  Gage was having so much fun that he did not even notice that I was taking the day off.  

Jason was never that comfortable with me doing Sundays with Gage and I told him that I would only do it til Gage turned one.  But I’ve heard from so many of you via blog, Facebook, and email that you would like it to continue.  So, I’ve been thinking about it and decided that I’ll continue to feature Gage on the weekends in someway.  Maybe Weekends with Gage?  I’ll try to be little more focused.  Once a month I can do a weekend with books, one with a special baby or mommy issue, one with a special trip we’ve taken, and the last one is open right now.  So, Gage will continue to show his cute face for a while longer, maybe til his next birthday?  I don’t know.  I like having the weekly update.  I’ve been better about documenting firsts here than anywhere else.

Also, I haven’t really addressed his health scare from February (post here).  We weren’t convinced that it wasn’t formula related in some way and have had him on soy  formula since and we have been extremely (too) careful in introducing foods.  In July he spent another night in the hospital after I fed him a cracker with cheese and milk.  So, that’s where we are.  We are not feeding him dairy even though his allergy test was negative.  He has been the picture of health otherwise and I’m hoping that week in February will be the scariest week of his childhood!

I read this post by Constance Marie when we were starting to plan for Gage’s arrival and wanted to do as much organically as possible.  The no VOC paint was the easiest thing to do.  It dried fast and there were not fumes.  I also became convinced that an organic crib was the way to go, but when I started researching them they were expensive.  Jason and I went back and forth on whether to invest in an Amish organic crib and in the end we bought it.  Kids Collection uses organic wood and stain (if you pay more) so that no chemicals will come near your baby when they sleep. Or in Gage’s case, come near his teeth!  This is what Gage works on when mom and dad are sleeping.

 Do you see those teeth marks?!

I also signed up for Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-a-Thon next weekend. I’ve asked my parents to come up and help with Gage for the weekend.  I’d like to see if I can make it the whole 24 hours.  As a newish mom I can get by on a lot less sleep now, but I know I’ll miss that afternoon nap!  If you haven’t already signed up you should. Here’s the link.  I’m sure some of that time will be spent reading to Gage so that he can participate too 🙂

Last week I wrote a post patting myself on the back for having completed the 100 Mile Challenge. That was nothing.   Yesterday, Gage was able to participate in a Grandpa milestone.

My dad had a heart attack and bypass surgery when he was 37.  That’s two years younger than I am now.  I’m not sure he changed much about his lifestyle, still smoked and ate the same stuff, until he was 53.  Then he decided to quit smoking and his doctor said he’d have to keep himself busy.  Well, he did.  In May of 2000 he walked 34 miles and on September 24th he completed his 30,000th mile.  He only remembers about 4 days in those years where he didn’t walk at all, when he had stents put in his heart years ago. I don’t know how many tennis shoes, socks or umbrellas he’s gone through, but let’s just say a lot.

If we do the math that means he averaged over 221 miles per month for 136 months straight.

Gage ‘s Grandpa showed him that it’s never too late to take charge of your health and that completing a goal is often as easy as having a streak of stubbornness.  My dad walked the first half of the momentous mile with my cousin Bill and then drove up here so he could finish the mile with Gage.  Someday soon Gage will be able to take walks with his Grandpa where I’m sure lots of grandfatherly wisdom will be passed on.  He is lucky to have such a great grandfather.

I remember a friend telling me when I first told her I was pregnant that I would get used to the uncomfortable doctor visits and by the time the baby arrived that I would have no shame and wouldn’t care who was looking or poking and prodding or where.  She was mostly right.  And I know that last illusion of privacy, the bathroom, is one that I will probably not get to appreciate again for many years.  But, if someone were to watch me sleep I am sure I would be appalled.  I am a light sleeper, which is great now that Gage is here.  I am never still for very long (I’m guessing) and I  know I snore occasionally (yuck).

Now that we’ve started watching Gage’s video monitor like it’s reality tv I feel a little guilty.  When he wasn’t moving around much it was great to see that he was okay, but now that he’s moving around more I see that he sleeps a lot like his mother. Poor kid. But he’s also bendy like his dad, yay 🙂   A few shots will show you just how much fun it can be to watch him from the comfort of your own bed.  These were taken over the course of one night.

Do you think he’s got the camera figured out?  The video monitor is a wonderful thing for parents but I’ve also come to rely on it and feel nervous when I can’t see him.  What did you all do before monitors?  I think sometimes that I might get a better night’s sleep!

When you are a brand new parent you look at those parenting guides like the law.  They tell you when your baby is supposed to do this or do that and are supposed to be helpful.  Well, they are, at least until your perfect baby is late for one.  Then panic ensues and your husband has to listen to you obsess over every little thing.  And at only a month or two old there isn’t a lot going on so it is easy to put unnecessary pressure on yourself and your baby.

Milestones are important.  At the beginning of each new month I look at the What to Expect book and the Baby 411 book for new tricks Gage should be learning, but I don’t obsess anymore.  Those first three months I drove myself and Jason crazy.  Some milestones he was early for (raising his head, bearing weight on his legs), some he was right on time (sitting up), and others he was late for (smiling).  But somehow if you wait a month or two you’ll find that your baby will do things on his own time.  As my pediatrician told me, “the baby doesn’t read those books.”

All of the obsessing doesn’t make it happen any faster and you lose happy time just enjoying your baby.  Having said all that Gage did reach a very important and scary milestone this week.  He is crawling!  All others to this point pale in comparison to this life changer.  He is fast and I’ll admit that we are a little late in baby proofing the house.  It’s so much fun to watch him cruise around on his own.  See?

But with this freedom comes stressful moments like these…

He falls down.  A lot.  But at least not off this step so far 🙂  Welcome to the crazy train.  I’ve had a lot less time at the computer this week for very good reason !

Thanks for all of the advice on the napping last week.  I confess I have not been very successful this week, but I’m okay with that.