Author: Marci

Theo had his 6-month check-up yesterday. A few days later than planned. I had to reschedule his appt last week because Mama wasn’t feeling so hot. I’m glad it turned out that way because Jay was able to be there yesterday.

He weighs 17 lbs, 10 oz (51% percentile) and is 28.1 in (92% percentile). He is a tall boy! About 2 lbs and 2 in in 2 months. He had his last installment of the oral rotavirus vaccine and he had another installment of the Pentacel (meningitis) vaccine. He wasn’t as calm as usual on the table. I think mostly because he was tired and didn’t get a full meal before we got there. He was looking at the doctor like, “who in the world are and you and why do I need to be laying on this table!” He was clinging to me like a dryer sheet clings on laundry day. I have to admit I enjoyed it because it was the first time he has done this. He wanted Mama. He is so completely with it now, it’s just really exciting. No more baby just laying there smiling and cooing. He is developing quite the personality and certainly the where-with-all to determine what he wants and doesn’t want. A willfull little guy. We just might be in for it.

He is developing perfectly and it makes us over-the-moon happy. He transfers a toy from one hand to the other, sitting up on his own (almost without toppling over each time), and eating his feet lots. He is “talking” a lot, too. Loud squeals and testing out different pitches and tones. Some very loud. He is so wonderful.

I just booked our first trip! Theo and I will be flying to Austin, TX in May to visit my oldest and dearest friend, Diane, and her two kiddos, Henry and Eleanor. I can’t wait!!

Untitled from Marci Lieber on Vimeo.

Theo seems to be enjoying his time at Rich’s with baby Mara. It’s great to see him getting to interact a bit with other babies. He smiles when we get there and he sees Rich. Jay and I both feel really comfortable with him over there. It’s a great set up. He went twice last week, and twice this week. Just right. Theo is 6 months now. We visit the doctor on Monday so many more updates to come. He is doing all sorts of new things… almost sitting up on his own, grabbing everything in sight (lamps and the bath faucet, to name a couple), pulling toys towards him, sticking everything in his mouth with more coordination that I’ve seen, and trying very hard to sit up from a laying down position.

I love this one below… Theo’s saying, “what do you think you’re doing lady?”

Today was a big day. Today marks the first time we have left Theo for an entire day with anyone other than family. He has spent a few hours here in there with family – both at our place and in Cleveland. He spent New Year’s Eve over night at my Dad’s house. Our friends, Lalena and Dan, watched him one night for a few hours. He spent the past two days with Jay’s Dad while Jay and I were working. But, today, I packed a few of his favorite toys, diapers and burt’s bee’s powder, a change of clothes, a blanket, burp cloth, bottles, and his rock n’ play sleeper and walked over to Rich’s house. I found Rich through the neighborhood parents listserv, Prospect Heights Parents. I coincidentally know him from Social Work school. He has a daughter, Mara, who is one month younger than Theo. He stays home with her 5 days a week. Jay was called for a job this whole week, and for next week, too. So, for the first time we actually needed to scramble for child care. I have been meeting parents in the neighborhood – Rich being one of them – who are interested in having a flexible nanny share type situation with us. This situation will 1.) defray the insane cost of child care and 2.) give us the flexibility that we need. Child care from trusted people on an as need basis. Luckily, we have found a few families nearby open to this situation and I have been meeting them. Anyhow, today was our first day.

And, here are the pictures I got at work today of Theo’s first day with Rich and Mara. I could absolutely just cry 🙂 he looks so happy! (We will, of course, ignore the fact that she is wearing a Buffalo Bills sweatshirt)

My sister and niece, Camryn, came into town this past weekend. Theo loves his Cami-cakes. More sweet photos to come.

Untitled from Marci Lieber on Vimeo.

I took Theo down to the big playground that is a couple blocks away from our place today. This playground will be so much fun when he is bigger. It is huge and has so many toys and jungle gyms to play on. It also has water fountain/sprinkler-type things for the kids to play in during the summer. It was super packed today because we finally had a nice day, plus it was after school time. Anyhow, I put Theo in one of the enclosed baby swings for the first time! He was pretty tired and therefore showed little interest in the swing. Instead he just stared like he does when he’s sleepy. I was excited, though. Picture shows his charismatic response 😉 The other picture is from this morning in the exersaucer. This is pretty much the first thing he does each day… well, after laying in bed with me to nurse and play. He just presses the buttons and twirls whatever he can on it. He squeals in delight. He is such a happy baby. So much smiling and giggling. It makes me happy. He is more and more aware as each day passes. He seems to know his name. Or at least he turns when he hears us talking to him. He smiles when I get home from work. He loves to grab my hair and any part of my face. I think he is developing quite the sense of humor.

Untitled from Marci Lieber on Vimeo.

C’mon, really??

http://loriborgman.blogspot.com/2007/03/night-nurse-defeats-purpose-of.html

While I definitely recognize how fortunate we have been with Theo, I can’t believe how much I have been hearing lately about night nurses. Don’t get me wrong, sleep is great, and I have certainly been guilty of being irritated and frustrated at times when Theo would wake up in the middle of the night, or when I have to figure out what is bothering him in order to make him more comfortable. But excuse if I’m wrong, isn’t that what defines parenting? I am fearful of the first time Theo really gets sick, or has night wakings from teething, and maybe I’ll wish I had a night nurse then (if that were even an option financially and it would still be in theory) …but for now I’ll continue to appreciate that I am able and competent and that I have a completely supportive partner who is by my side in this parenting business. In good times, and in bad.