Whoops! Another First!

Kellen did a face plant this morning. He was just crawling along, when...whoops! It's his first bloody, fat lip. Very upsetting for both of us. Good thing it happened at mom's group, so we had lots of help in dealing with it. I know its just the first of many more to come. Guess, I'm glad this first is over with. Not sure why its so exciting that I had to post about it, but it was a big deal this morning. Decided not to take a picture, some firsts just don't need to be remembered.

A Whole New World...

Kellen is on the go. He has been crawling all over the house today. No more whining at me to move him or reach a toy for him. He is so happy to be independent today. It's seems like its a whole new world to him. He's having more fun playing with everything. A bit of a new world for me. He hasn't gotten into anything yet...but I've been thinking about how I can't set him down in the middle of the floor and run the compost out or have a shower. He's tried to eat my plants a couple of times today already. He crawled over to the computer and tried to turn it off just now. Oh, well, it's a fun step in Kellen's life...

Spider Man Sleeps

Here's my spider man, ready to save the world... as long as I help him walk to where he needs to go! He's starting to walk along a few things. No sign of interest in crawling, no matter how much I beg and plead.
Some people have asked me how he's sleeping since I last posted about sleep. I haven't updated, because it changes so fast, I'm never sure what to say. I have learned to trust my senses. I'm glad I did all the reading I did, because it definately gave me ideas and some direction. However, in the end it's never as clear as some authors make it sound. I tried the gradual, no cry approach, but that was 2 steps forward, 2 steps back... When I felt he was ready to sleep better at night, because he was napping really well and going to sleep on his own, I tried letting him cry it out at night again, and this time it worked! He cried for 45 minutes at midnight. Slept until 4, when I quickly nursed him and put him right back down. I heard him stir at 6, but he actually went back to sleep on his own! He didn't get up till 8!!! I was a believer. The next night he woke again at midnight, only cried for 2 minutes and repeated another perfect night!

Of course, that didn't last. He went back to his old patterns. It got bad again when we went away for 4 nights. I guess I should have expected it. I spent a week bouncing him to sleep for naps and at his night time wakenings. I couldn't get anything done. He'd wake up as soon as I set him down. Travelling just really messed him up again.

Anyhow, last week one night I thought I should try the cry it out again thing, it didn't work. I gave up after 1.5 hours. I really worked on trying to get him to nap well and go to sleep on his own at nap time. Last night I thought he seemed more content in his crib and decided it was time again to let him cry. Last night was definately better, but he still woke up too many times. So, I've decided there really can't be any miracle cures. I do lots of the recommended stuff. But, I try to mostly pay attention to him and his patterns, and just help him sleep where I can. Getting him to bed in his window of opportunity ("I'm slowing down...but not to the point of I'm rubbing my eyes" stage) is the biggest thing that seems to help. I think he likes sleeping in his new spider man suit too!

Anyhow, now that I've probably lost most readers, I'm sure there are a few (Sarina!) who are interested to learn from my experience. Any other sleep advice, moms?

Baths, Napkins and Cookies

For all the faithful readers out there of Kellen's life here's a few pictures to keep you updated. I won't say much as I have a cup of coffee and a book waiting (Life of Pi, which I am very much enjoying, Mary!)


Looking pretty cool with Grandma's cloth napkin on his head! (Until he realized it was there and ripped it off. Not a big fan of hats.)
Kellen seemed to think bath time in the bowl at Grandpa Bill's and Grandma Mary's was pretty fun!
Watching Mommy's cookies bake was very exciting! Kellen wants to stand ALL THE TIME. It keeps me prisoner since he's not too good at it yet.

Spinning

Here's a post that is not about Kellen! I just completed my third spin class for this week already tonight. Yes, it's a new obsession. Our instructor is awesome. I wasn't sure whether or not to believe him when he said we burn 600-800 calories in an hour session (although when we first started he said we probably were just doing 400-500 since we weren't in good enough shape yet). So, I did a little research tonight and was surprised to learn it was true. But, it's not all about the calories. As my instructor says, my heart is thanking me every night. And it is so nice to get out of the house and even away from Kellen (though I do miss him).

Kellen's First Halloween

Better late then never. Halloween seems long gone, but here's the pics of the cutest clown. The young trick-or-treaters told me so. We didn't go out, too cold for this clown. We had a busy night with very close to 200 trick-or-treaters, maybe we should have gone out and turned off the lights for a bit!

Life

Sometimes life seems too real because things hurt too much. Or I suppose I could say it seems too unreal, because I really still cannot understand that Gordon is not here with us. I want to meet him and to know him. I ache for Jenn and John. I think of you constantly, Jenn & John. Thank you for the strength and peace that you show during such a difficult time. You have inspired me with your faithfulness and trust in our Heavenly Father.