Updates

Collin is cruising right along to his first birthday. He pulls himself up in a flash, babbles, spits, shrieks, you name it. He loves peek-a-boo and is beginning to imitate us (especially blowing raspberries). He also started daycare a couple days a week and is doing great so far. He's enamored with a little girl named Violet (You can check out photos from our wonderful day care provider's blog here and see Collin in action: http://notmybabyblog.blogspot.com/).

He seems to be going through some separation anxiety stuff and gives me the look of utter betrayal when I hand him off to someone else--even daddy. The kid still has an amazing lung capacity and I can hardly wait for the screaming, flailing tantrums he's bound to have in toddler hood. I'm surprised the Department of Human Services hasn't knocked on our door with the blood curdling shrieks coming from our house, combined with the bruises and scrapes that Collin seems to get on a daily basis during his adventures.

He's also quite the social butterfly. We've been going to some mom groups and he immediately ventures into the crowd of the other babies, touches their faces as if to say hello, squeals with delight, does not hesitate to explore, and is most definitely not the wallflower in the corner. (Note: I was the wallflower in the corner). There is nothing wrong with being shy and I've come to terms with the fact I'll never be comfortable around big groups of people and I am not the type to dive into a conversation... but I can't help to feel a little relief that it seems Collin is gregarious and did not inherit the sense of extreme caution that my parents observed I exhibited at an early age.

Sacrifices

Obviously you have to give up or maybe I should say "trade" many things when you have a child. No more late night bars, no more international jet setting, fancy nights out are rare and dropping in on friends just doesn't happen like it used to. But the hardest thing so far has been giving up our old pal, Murray. Murray is the sweetest fur ball. A beautiful golden chow mix who loved to play with the cats, he'd hang out at our feet and greet us when we came home with tail wagging, tongue out.

He had to sleep in our room and loved to stick his head on our laps. A great guard dog and all around sweetheart. Unfortunately with Collin crawling, Murray the big clumsy lug got overly excited and Mike and I nervously watched every move for fear of an accident. With Collin getting closer to walking, we were facing a few choices. Always lock Murray out and create an attention-starved dog that thought he did something wrong, risk him seriously hurting Collin, or find him a new home with a family (maybe older kids) that would give him the love he deserved.

So this morning, Mike went to Oregon Humane to see if he would be a good "fit" and after passing the behavior test, they kept him to adopt. I hope he doesn't wake up at night and wonder where his humans are. I hope he doesn't cry out too much. I hope he remembers the affection we gave him. Mostly I hope he finds a new home soon.

Goodbye old friend. We will miss you.

Giftapooloza (aka Christmas), a New Year and 9 Months

I've been a little behind in the blogging so here's a consolidated holiday/Collin update.

Our holiday plans were a little off kilter this year thanks to the snow anomaly but Collin still got to spend time with family and get overloaded with gifts. We barely made it to my parents--a fun adventure of Mike pushing the car and sloshing around on icy streets. But once there, we had a good time playing games and gorging ourselves on food (Collin had his first taste of beef in the form of filet mignon, he gobbled it all up).

From Collin's first Christmas

I can't help buying into American consumerism on Christmas. It's not the receiving but honestly the giving I love (though who can honestly say they don't like getting stuff). Memories of my stockings filled to the brim with the coolest toys that my mom would find made me want to repeat the tradition for Collin. Of course he's a little young to appreciate any of it now. The custom wood rattles from Germany held his interest for about a minute before he attempted to eat ribbon or pull the Christmas lights--general rule, if it has sharp edges or can cause possible electrocution, babies will love it.

A sampling of Collin's gifts: blocks, a train, wood stackers, plush dinosaur, bath time squirters, books, things that light up and make noise and blow balls, a wise college investment and of course clothes (he'll be styling until his 3rd birthday). A quick shout out to family: THANK YOU!! I may put a one gift quota on his birthday!










As much as Collin loves his toys that move and make noise, I must say it's nice when he plays with something where I don't have to worry about the batteries running out. I also prefer hearing the clack of wood as opposed to an off-key version of the ABC's. But I'm not one of these moms that refuses to allow her kid to play with Chinese made stuff or shops all organic. For one thing the light up toys maintain his attention and as annoying as they are, having mommy time keeps me sane. Plus, the sticker shock of "all natural" toys is a little ridiculous ($15 for a rattle, $50 for some blocks, really?).

Now onto the new year: Mike and I miraculously scored a babysitter and enjoyed a five-course dinner at Lincoln, one of the "hip" new restaurants in our 'hood. It was pretty good, worth a second try but a little overrated. We were planning on going to a party or doing something to ring in the new year, but ended up back at our house by 1130 (what can I say, we're old). We did stay up until midnight to hear what you'd think is a warzone with all the fireworks and honking.

It's obviously been a life-changing year. We started out 2008 dreaming and anticipating a new little person and ended it a whole lot wiser and also knowing we have much to learn.

Finally a Collin update: my little Fool's baby is 9 months old today. I can't believe in three months. THREE MONTHS. He will be a year old. He is pulling himself up to stand all the time now and occasionally lets go of both his hands in a baby dare. He squeals and makes lots of new sounds: maaa, daa, gaa. He has mastered so many finger foods: little pieces of toast, carrots, apples, pears, chicken. He has to be able to feed himself at every meal and is definitely on his way to becoming an independent little guy. To the contrast, he also seems to be getting some separation anxiety. When someone he isn't too familiar with picks him up he'll look at me with huge eyes like Mom why are you betraying me? He also sometimes does this with people he's very familiar with (including dad!) just because he wants mommy. In a way it's flattering and makes me feel wanted (though I don't know how much of it is the fact that I'm still a food source). It can also be annoying.

I imagine he'll be walking, then running soon. And we'll be chasing. I'm sure the next three months will fly by and soon my baby will be a toddler.