I'm a monkey!

Simon lived through his first Halloween.  We went to Toys R Us in the afternoon and unfortunately didn't find any toys but did find an awesome monkey bib.  Then we went home to get ready for the big event.  Simon made a very fine monkey.  The weather was even cool enough that he didn't sweat too bad in his fuzzy suit. We didn't have that problem in Michigan usually.

We went to Trunk or Treat at church and wandered around there.  Simon collected a Tootsie Roll and a glow stick.  Trick or treating will be much more fun when he understands a bit more and actually gets to eat the candy.  We saw some cousins and an aunt and uncle.  Then it was off to Grandma and Grandpa's house where they had a very special treat of peaches. 

Today we celebrated the actual Halloween by going to church and not napping all day even though we took a walk in the stroller.  Here's hoping we get some sleep tonight.

I has a toof!

Simulation.  Not the actual tooth.

This morning Simon was chewing on my hand when I felt something sharp.  I poked around with my finger and sure enough, I found a tiny point of a tooth peeking out from his lower gums.  My dear boy is growing up.  Maybe now he can stop being grumpy.  He has started sleeping better lately.  Last night he slept 8 hours straight.  I can deal with that.

I really has a Mommy

Gratuitous Simon Photo

Last night about a half hour after Simon went to bed he woke up with a horribly loud shriek and then started crying.  I went in and tried to soothe him for a few seconds without waking him up but he'd have none of it and let out another shriek.  I picked him up right away and he immediately quieted down.  I have to say it was just about the first time I've felt like an honest to goodness Mommy.  I had flash-forwards to nights when he'll have bad dreams and Mommy will be there to let him know everything will be alright.  It wasn't a big deal but it was a very sweet moment for me.  He's growing up so fast.  He really feels like a little boy to me when I hold him rather than a baby.

I Has a Crunchy Mama

Yesterday I had a pretty crunchy mama moment.  I was making Simon some baby food: organic applesauce, while wearing him in the Moby.  I don't wear him as much as I should but a lot of that is because during the week most of the time I spend with him is busy time; feeding him and/or me, cooking, bathing, etc.  As I found out yesterday, it's pretty hard wearing and doing anything in the kitchen.  Using a knife with his head blocking half my view is not exactly safe, but he was being fussy and dad was cleaning.

We've also started teaching Simon sign language.  I have to admit it's fun learning with him.  The goal is to have him be able to communicate with us in that window between being old enough to sign and old enough to talk.  Plus, right now his mind is a sponge so we may as well take advantage of it.  Someday we hope he'll be the guy in the corner on the news depicting horrible car crashes in sign language.

I'm 4 Months Old!

Four Months Old!

Today was Simon's big 4-month birthday.  To celebrate we had cereal this afternoon.  I was really not feeling too well so I almost didn't do it, but my headache subsided enough to break out my old baby spoon.  We invited Grandma & Grandpa to the party via the webcam.  They miss him and I thought it might be a good way to include them in at least this one milestone.

We set up the laptop and camcorder on a tripod to capture the event.  Mommy got the first try at feeding him.  He ate like a champ.  He even leaned in a bit to get more of the noms.  After mom had a go it was dad's turn.  He ate and ate and ate.  I'm not sure how much of it made it all the way down the hatch, but hopefully most of it did.  Here's a photo of the aftermath:

So Big!

We had a quick trip to the park a couple of weeks ago.

Simon is really starting to reach an age where he's changing quite a bit.  Last weekend he rolled over all by himself while doing tummy time.  I was picking up stuff to throw out and had my back turned for a minute while he did it.  I turn back and he's on his back.  I knew that wasn't how I left him.  So I called the husband out from the bedroom and showed him Simon was on his back.  I'm sure he was thinking "That's quite a trick.  Whatevs."  I stammered out that he had rolled over and I missed it.  So we flipped him on his tummy again and he rolled over for us.  The next day he did it again when I wasn't looking but hasn't done it again since.

He's also getting pretty good at using his hands.  He's all about gnawing on Sophie and he can hold her like a champ.  He still doesn't play with toys a ton, but that will come.  And he can hold his bottle if the mood strikes him.

To celebrate all of this and his big 4-month birthday tomorrow he gets a treat: RICE CEREAL!!!!1!  We're gonna give him his first solids and boy, we're starting with the big exciting one.  As I told the husband, it's one part cereal to 98793874 parts formula.  But hey, we all gotta start somewhere.  I'm sure there will be more on that to come.

I got 2nd place!

The mommy board I frequent is having photo contests and I entered Simon.  Normally I'm not into this sort of thing, but this picture is so darn cute I couldn't resist.  I just feel like showing off a bit.  The gals at church can't get enough of him.  My boy is already charming the ladies.  I know he's charmed me.  I also hear about what doting parents we are.  But come on, how else could we be with such a sweet baby.