Naturally Nora, Oh my

We are not doing sugar with peanut until he's at least 2....maybe longer. But for a special occasion, I would do it with this awesome new discovery. Check it out! Naturally Nora

And if you like what you see, go to Gourmet Mom on the Go and enter this awesome contest for a years supply (12 boxes) of natural cake mix and frosting! Awesome.

Another word though, I'm not so sure I'd consider 12 boxes a year supply of cake. But I guess I should. I am trying to lose weight and simplify.

Birthday Report, a bit late...and where did the sleeping go

first nap as a one year old

Peanut turned a year old. It was a wonderful thing to have happen. Aging is inevitable, but now that he's been in our lives for a year (well, longer now, since this post is really past the 13 months point) every day I think, this time last year, you were just starting to see, or just starting to nurse well, or we were all sick. So that's fun. Relations with my relations are improving again, which is also good. Peanut had an amazing birthday party where we crammed something like 24 people into 900 square feet of apartment. J's fam came from MN, and mine from in town. My mom got a great cake for our guests and with my sister made Peanut his own sugar free carrot cake. What an amazing gift!
Now that he's a year, Peanut also seems to be interested in fighting sleep. He's walking up a storm, signing about 10 signs, screaming when he's mad, and mad when we try to get him to sleep. Lately, we suspect that it has something to do with teething. That better be what it is. Or else I'm not sure what to do.

Peanut and Winnie, our dog.

Lately, in blog land, people who I've been following have been getting pg, and it makes me long for those times as well.

This post is all over the place.Peanut and Mommy...that's me.

Oh well. Peanut pics posted for fun. Birthday pics from his awesome and fun party.

Countdown

Today begins the 10 day countdown to the peanut's first birthday. We are having a party on the 21st, but his birthday is the 20th.

I'll admit I'm a bit in awe at the cliche that is this year. The speed of it. The specialness of it. The fact that I had no idea how much I'd love him. Even as the "other mother" i am staunchly protective of, physically attached to, and completely in love with this little guy. I can't even imagine how j must feel. I see him and i just want to take him up into my arms, just like the first time I ever saw him. (back then, i was amazed he was so big too....how did that fit inside my tiny girl?)

Last night I was feeding the peanut yogurt. He was eating cheerios too, off his tray. Then he reached out for me to give him the yogurt bowl. It was close to bath time, so I figured it would be ok. Well that kid used his spoon to scoop up the yogurt and put it in his mouth. Not neatly or anything, but I was impressed. Since I'd be the first to admit that while I grew up with a little one in the house, I don't know much about child development, every time he does something new I think he's the most advanced amazing baby ever.

i suck at blogging

I love my family and my life. I love writing. I love reading blogs, but I'm definitely not one to get out and post very often. Not sure why. It's true that I'm busy, and that I don't want to just shoot off something rushed. But it's also true that I have and take time to read other people's blogs. Am I a reader and not a writer? A Lurker who rarely comments?

I don't know.

I am posting today wondering if anyone reads my blog. If you do, if you are reading this at all, just let me know.

In a non blogging analysis moment, peanut is nearly a year old. I can't believe it. He's walking, signing, putting things together. He kisses and hugs and is amazing.

A tooth

Well, the peanut turned 9 months this week, which is mindblowing to me. I mean, when did that happen? He has had some major events occur over this time as well. He's great at crawling, for one. He finally, after 3 months, got that one (his first) bottom tooth in. He pulls up like crazy. And he's in his big boy car seat, at last. We haven't had the money for it but it was on sale at a.ll.bee baby. We got a GREAT deal.

I don't have much to say. I'm sick with a cold. We are headed out for Thanksgiving to J's sis in the detroit area. The peanut's first train ride, other than the el, which he rode for the first time last weekend, when we went to rally for marriage equality (his first rally too).

See if you can see that tooth.Also for your viewing pleasure, behold the boy who does his own diaper laundry.

Where have I been?

It's been so long since I've posted. Peanut has gone from sitting to scooting backwards and now, almost crawling. It's kind of awe-inspiring how much he learns and how much he changes every day. As i've mentioned, I am the working mom. We spend our time together in the mornings so J can sleep, and so she can ready herself for the day (by getting enough sleep). And then I'm off to work for the day, missing them both, wishing I could be there to see him. We live in Chicago, and my commute is about an hour, no matter how I slice it. It can be less, but it rarely is. Some times J packs peanut in the car and they come get me from work which is awesome.

Right now, J is at a knitting night with the moms she is friends with and I'm at home with peanut, who is asleep. His new bedtime is 7:30. That's the nice thing about daylight savings time. What isn't as nice is the morning at 5:30. But it helps me get to work more on time.

W

Where else have I been?

Apple Orchard

Visit with J's Nephews,

Peanut's first Halloween.

Election 08

Amazed at my crawling, standing, hugging clapping really cute baby.

Sad that he's growing so fast.

Dog training

being a mom.

oh, and crafting.

St. Paul

We have been back from ST. Paul for just about a week now and I've been too busy catching up and getting new tires and other car things to update this page. We had a great time in ST. Paul. It was fun to see peanut so engaged with so many people. He really lit up every room. Jen's mom taught him "high 5" and how to clap, and he actually used the clap on his own to clap for winnie the other day when we told her "yay" for leaving one of the baby's toys alone. He's so smart. He's been getting better at sleeping and moving around. He scoots (slides) backwards on the floor. We're still getting used to feeding him solid foods, but it's happening at least once a day. He likes pears the best.

We also got to meet the peanut's cousin, which was awesome. He was so cute and small, oh, my. I don't remember when peanut was that small. He was fascinated by the wee baby and I can't wait to see them in the future, wrestling and playing.


I also finished another peanut elephant for the new baby. That makes 3. i modified the tail on this one, making a flannel tail sewn on with the machine instead of the original that has a yarn tail sewn on with an upholstery needle.