Trying to Remember: Ten Months Old!

His new bathtime game

Elijah is ten months old now, and all of a sudden he seems like a toddler. I went through this phase a few months ago where I really missed my tiny, snuggly, cuddly baby. But let me tell you. I have had a glimpse of toddlerhood and it is a blast. Elijah is paying attention to the world around him. He is curious about everything. He responds to what we say and how we say it. He plays games (which can get annoying- like when he throws his toys out of the bath tub just to watch me throw it back in over and over). He is still eating like a champ. His giggles come easily and frequently now. He is just starting to take interest in books. He can stand unsupported for increasingly long periods of time. It's still just a second or two before he notices that he isn't holding onto anything and either flops onto his butt or slowly lowers himself to the floor. He plays with his toys independently for periods of time, but also with us. Once in a while he actually waves back when we wave to him. His babbling sounds more like toddler-speak every day.

Home sick

We both got sick this month. I was home from work one day, and then the next day Daniel stayed home with Elijah. He was wonderfully cuddly. In fact, we've had quite a few great cuddle moments. I live for those moments. About once a week he is so tired that he falls asleep in my arms during his last bottle. I take full advantage of the situation and rock him and kiss his silky hair. He has continued to get one ear infection after another. Yesterday we took him back to the doctor to follow-up and see if his last infection cleared up. And the doctor diagnosed his sixth ear infection. In less than 6 months. It seems to me that Elijah probably doesn't even know what it feels like not to have an ear infection. My poor baby. And yet, he is still the happiest baby you've ever seen. His teachers and Dr. Jeff comment constantly on how happy he is. So we finally got a referral to an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor which will almost certainly turn into a surgery to have tubes inserted into his ears. My baby has to have surgery. He will be put to sleep. I know it's an extremely common surgery. And it's quick and nearly painless. But still. He has to go under anesthesia! I am really not looking forward to it. But if it will help him to feel better and ensure his hearing is normal, then it's absolutely worth it.

Post-nap cuddles

His sleep continues to get more predictable. He has slept through the night without a sound every single night since about 7 months. It is an incredible relief to know that after 7pm I am off duty completely. And we finally got his naps down to a predictable schedule. His morning nap is 9:30-11am and afternoon nap 1:30 or 2 until 3 or 3:30. Of course, it doesn't always work that well. But when it does happen (which is quite often) he is the happiest, easiest child. I mean not one whine, lots of laughs, playing independently. Easy. And now that he's on a more predictable schedule, it's easier to plan things on the weekend. In the past few weeks we've gone to parties, out shopping, and had friends over. The only downside is that I feel immense pressure to make sure we are home for those nap times. Because if he doesn't get them, he is very whiney and clingy.

First taste of ice cream. He loved it!

My parents were here for July 4th. My brother came too, and he's here to stay. They haven't seen Elijah for months and months. We all had a blast together. I was worried about Elijah's stranger anxiety, but it seems that it has faded. He was a little unsure when my Mom first picked him up, but he didn't cry or anything. And after one day he had no problem being held, fed, changed, bathed, tickled, or entertained by my parents or brother. I was so surprised that Aaron actually asked to hold Elijah. He was very interested in spending time with him. That is fantastic because it will be great having him around now to help out with Elijah. And I think it is so special for a child to have extended family around. Someone besides his parents. I was incredibly anxious about the time they would be here. We had a lot of things planned that weren't extremely baby-friendly. In the first day alone we planned to take him out for dinner right around his bedtime, then take him to a Rockies game, keep him out waaaay past his bedtime, AND for a fireworks show. Of course it went a million times better than my imagination predicted. He played happily in his high chair during dinner, sucked down a bottle in my Mom's arms, and then ate puffs while we finished our meals. At the game he was pretty freaked out every time the crowd cheered really loud (which was a lot- we scored 9 runs that game!). But he didn't scream or have a melt down. He was fine with being passed around between all of us. He didn't go to sleep shortly after his normal bedtime like I predicted. He stayed awake until 9pm! Then gently fell asleep on my Dad's shoulder. We put him in his carseat, covered it with a blanket, and he stayed asleep through the walk past all the crazy partiers to the car, the car ride home, changing into his pajamas, and being put in his crib. The next day I had a major meltdown after trying to cram way too much (packing, grocery shopping etc.) in between his naps. I wanted to leave for Estes Park right when Elijah was ready to go down for his second nap, but I pushed it a little too far and ended up with a hysterical screaming baby in the backseat. I screamed, yelled "I can't take it!" and then Elijah promptly fell asleep. I took a deep breath to calm myself and enjoyed the rest of our trip up to the mountains. Highlights included: Elijah petting a horse, playing mini-golf, visiting the library, eating a ton, going fishing with Grandpa, sleeping really well (including one nap on Mommy's chest!), and spending lots of time chasing Grandpa around on the floor. Elijah was absolutely perfect the whole trip. My worries about him not sleeping well in a strange environment were completely unfounded. He was so worn out from all the activities that he passed out quickly for every nap and bedtime. I think Elijah's grandparents had such a good time that we will be seeing a lot more of them. He laughed hysterically at his Grandpa and snuggled up to Grandma for many bottles.

Elijah's first Rockies game!

The family

Elijah and Uncle Aaron

Our cabin: Maplewood

Taking a nap on Mommy- a very rare event

That reminds me: Elijah is completely on formula now. Weaning was surprisingly easy and a bit quicker than I expected. He has had no problems switching over. Every time I get to go to bed without pumping, or go to lunch without pumping, or walk to my car without lugging the pump with me, I feel so happy. I'm really glad I stuck with it, but I'm also really glad to be done. Once in a while I have a little twinge of guilt, but overall it's been just fine. In a couple of short months he will be drinking milk and formula will be a distant memory.