AJ and I had our first professional portraits experience. I’ve been wanting to get some portraits taken of him, and figured him turning 9 months this week would be a good enough reason. Add to the fact that Grandparent’s Day is just around the corner (and they’ve all been begging for more pictures) and off we went. We wound up at Portrait Innovations, which was pretty cool. I really liked their set up, and with a package at 10 bucks, printed on the spot, you cant go wrong.
Unless your baby refuses to smile. For as happy and smiley as AJ is on a regular basis… the people there would have no idea. He fussed, didnt want to be put down, kept crawling off set, totally smacked his head on the floor and started the torturous silent cry, and then completely turned away from the photographer and started crying (with tears!). I totally broke a sweat trying to keep him in place; and I probably acted the craziest I ever have in public trying to get him to laugh.
As soon as we were finished… happy, laughing, cooing baby. Damn you little child!!! Mommy did not bring you here to smile AFTER the photographer gives up.
The funny part (at least I hope Steve finds is humorous) is that I still managed to spend too much money. They sure know how to get ya.
I hope to scan these in sometime soon, so you can see them. And, if you’d like a wallet-sized picture, I’ve got plenty. So make your request known.

AJ is nine months old today! And he’s been home for 8 weeks now.

Dear AJ,
Just in case I forget, as I’m sure the months will blend together… at 9 months old, you were a pro at crawling. But you still prefer to stand up. You cruise across the couch and are just starting to make your way around the excersaucer and play table. You dont fall down as much, you’ve learned to sit on your bottom or put a hand down to catch yourself. You’re eating new foods every couple of days, and would probably eat more if your mom were more adventurous. Your favorites are pears, breakfast cereal with cinnamon and (of course) cheerios. You love when mommy feeds you what she’s eating.
You’re almost 22 pounds, and 29.5 inches. You wear size 12 months. But I wouldnt say you’re chubby. You dont have rolls of fat, your build is very strong and muscular. You have 6 teeth and will probably cut another 2 soon. Your hair is still very thin and straight, but is starting to lay flatter on your head. Just recently, the fold in your right eye has started to come and go, though we’re not sure why.
You’re just beginning to sleep better and we are very thankful. Most days, you wake up cheerful and happy, even if its in the middle of the night. But sometimes you wake up sad, and we arent sure why. Other times you wake up with gas, and that makes you very upset. Right now, you fall asleep in our bed, and then we move you to your crib. You can go the whole night without a bottle, too. I bought you a couple pairs of footsie pajamas and you look super cute in them.
You arent saying any words, but you’re definitely listening to us. You can babble and say “mamama” and “ga!” You just started making a fishy face, but you dont blow raspberries as often. You love when mommy says “duck!” and “what are you doing?!” and “really?!”. They make you laugh. You like when mommy reads books, and you grunt and whine when you want her to read it again. Your favorite book is “Thats Not My Monster.” I think I read it at least 5 times a day.
You arent too interested in TV, but you love to watch Baby Bach. You watch it almost every day. You really like to hear the music and will notice the songs when the play elsewhere. You bop your head to classical music, but dont really notice any other music. Maybe your foster mother played classic music for you. When mommy and daddy watch TV, you like to see “The Spelling Bee” and “So You Think You Can Dance.” But they dont keep your attention very long.
When we’re out and about, you’re very quiet and observant. You just like to take everything in, the place, the people. But you’re also quick to smile. Almost anyone can get a smile out of you.
You make me happier than I’ve ever been in my life. I love you very much. - Mom

You do not know how good it feels for me to finally tell you that AJ’s room has a mural on the wall. For almost a year, I have been anticipating a mural being painted. I knew I wanted something unique in the baby’s room, something that would grow with the child, and something that wasnt a “theme”. And so I asked my friend, and wildly talented artist, Andi to paint a mural. Back when we thought we’d be getting a referral in November, she was scheduled to paint then. I wanted to wait to know if it was a boy or a girl, so that she could paint accordingly. Then November didnt happen, and so I put her on hold (along with so much else) until we finally got the call. Well, we got the call in Andi’s busiest time of year (spring is for art shows, apparently) and though we scheduled her a couple of times, she was unable to do it. And then we had her scheduled for the beginning of July. It seemed like to would work, until we got the call to travel. I didnt want AJ’s room all crazy during his first week home, so we put her on hold again. Then she was scheduled for two weeks ago. And she actually came by to start measuring and taping off the wall. Only to learn (what I had learned years ago with the kitchen stripes from hell, but had blocked out) that the tape was pulling the wall off. So, she suggested we paint a base coat, and helped me pick a lovely green (Lime Granita, Sherman Williams). Her husband Jeff (a house painting genius)  cut in and Rachel came over to paint the walls. We gave it two weeks to cure (who knew?) and then (FINALLY) Andi was able to paint.
And now I have the most beautiful wall EVER. Its so pretty, I want to sleep in there. She did an amazing job, and its better than I could have imagined. And, she says she’s not done! She’s on vacation for a couple of weeks, and will return to do some finishing touches. I cant imagine it being better than it is, but who am I to stand in the way of a true artiste!
Here’s one picture to wet your whistle, you can click on it to see the rest of the set. And please visit Andi’s website to take a look at her other creations. You may even spot part of the inspiration (my favorite of her work) for the mural.

 

I’ve been wanting to blog about this for awhile. I feel the need to share about the products I could not live without, the ones I was wrong about, and the ones that surprised me.
I was surprised by the Jeep Stroller. It was on my registry, in the off chance that someone would want to buy us an umbrella stroller. I had already purchased a used fancy Peg Perego and figured that would be my primary stroller. Boy was I wrong. The Jeep wins. AJ seems to like it better, its easy to use, and easy to store.
I was dead wrong about Wee Blocks. Now, I was serious about these things at first. I thought they were the best idea since sliced bread, and I bought one for each of my friends that had a boy last fall. I know people who have been saved by them, and I might have been too. But the key to changing the diaper of a very squirmy 8 month old is be quick like a bunny, and that does not allow for the proper placement and securing of said block. And so they sit, most often used as a chew toy distraction.
I was also wrong about Butt Paste. Well, not wrong wrong. But its nothing special.
I registered for, and received, A LOT, of receiving blankets. I have not used one. AJ would need a blanket made of lead to keep it on him at night (but that wouldnt be very safe, would it?) and he’s too big/squirmy to swaddle. And so, receiving blankets turned out to be pointless and are taking up a lot of drawer space.

I love this crib sheet. No particular reason, other than its way cute and not pastel. But it is what drove the inspiration for decorating AJ’s room. It makes me happy everytime I see it. Love.
Cheerios. They are a recent addition in our house. I am just amazed by how happy they make AJ. I’m like, dude, its just a cheerio. And he’s smiling ear to ear so his eyes practically disappear and clapping his hands and waving his arms and jumping up and down. For a Cheerio. Perhaps there’s more to them than my adult eyes can see. I hope they make him this happy forever.
And I bow down, worship and adore the people who created the Ergo Baby Carrier. I cant really compare it to much else, since its all we’ve used, but I cant think of anything I would like better. It has saved my life these past 7 weeks. I am forever indebted to the Ergo.

Guess who only woke up only once last night? Hurry, knock on wood! Do something to ensure we do not jinx this and that it happens again tonight. Cause boy was it awesome. He went down a little before 9pm and woke up at 1:45am to down 6 ounces and was back in bed a little after 2am to sleep till 6am. While its not the ideal situation, its way better than what we’ve ever experienced. And so join with me as we praise the heavens! Sleep! Glorious glorious sleep! Thank you God, please let it happen again! (tonight!)