10 Months

Cash will now throw a ball and cheer for himself. He's always been so proud of himself in ways like this and has the best happy face when doing something he loves. He also crawls around with toys in hand and claps when others clap or cheer. Everything's "that" these days. He'll point to something, like a light, and say "that." I'll tell him "light" and he will say "that" again. Standing up on furniture and sitting back down is a breeze now. One of my favorite new developments is he'll pull a book from the shelf, say "that" and try to open it. I'll read it to him and then he chooses another book that he likes.

Bike Cruise'n Baby

He's still a little unsure about the whole thing, he gets his serious face on when in his seat. But, now we are roll'n.

Diaper Free Baby

I learned about Elimination Communication (EC) while I was pregnant listening to a podcast called Pregtastic. So, I bought the book, read it, and thought sure its doable.... Cash came along and I thought what the heck was I thinking there's no time, patience or energy for this.

When Cash was 7 and a half months I met a momma who was starting EC with her girl who is the same age as Cash. I revisited the book still in my pregnancy book pile, and knew that it was worth a try to at least EC part time. I pulled my potty chair that I used when I was a toddler out of the garage, cleaned it up, and sure enough Cash pees or poops in it 90% of the time. The key was just figuring out his elimination habits! 

Since we are saving 37cents on a diaper each time he uses the potty Tucker said we can start Cash's college fund 37 cents at a time. He has crawled to the potty a couple times thus far, I put him on it and he eliminates. I think we will slowly but surely be diaper free. 

9 Months

Cash has made so many developmental leaps in the past month! He has had a growth spurt and went through a developmental leap called a Wonder Week where his little brain learns to sort different things into catagories. It has been a rough month on us all. Right after he turned 8 months he got another cold (I didn't know a nose could run that much) an he broke his second bottom tooth (his right). He crawls every where and his favorite game is catch the cats. He has won a couple of times. Words he now says: dada, kitty cat, hi, truck, duck, yuck, all done, that, dog. He thinks he meows and barks at cats and dogs but it's just a high pitched screech sure to send any animal running. Things he loves: airplanes, boats, walks, his blanket, giving loves, beards, eating eggs (well, eating in general), and picking anything up off the floor to taste (hence the use of the word yuck). Now the summer is full fledged we are at the beach everyday, playing in the sand and water. Luckily, Cash has mommy's skin type and has a beautiful beach baby glow. He truly is my little beach bum.

8 Months

Here are the latest Cash developments:

-says 'dada' and 'kitty cat' clear as day and appropriately. He says 'all done' also but it comes out with the soft o sound followed by 'd.' He also said duck when we repeated it over to him while we were feeding ducks at the park, same with helicopter (ridiculous, I know).
-first tooth just broke the surface (it bothered him, to say the least)
-pushes up from tummy to sitting
-still pushes backwards and rolls to move
-We started Elimination Communication (Diaper Free Baby) just this week. I took out and cleaned up my old potty training chair from when I was a baby (there are really some gems in our garage) and Cash has already peed and pooped in it!
-I discovered that he loves rice cakes. Great distraction at restaurants!

While you were sleeping....

....your crazy
mom was
taking your picture.


I can't help myself.

Happy Mother's Day

It is Mother's Day everyday in my book. I pinch Cash most days just to make sure he's really real.

Life is so sweet and I count the blessings I have been given. 1. 2. 3. husband. baby. my very own family.

7 Months Old

There has always been a spark in Cash's eyes. Everyone, friend or foe, comments on how beautiful his eyes are. Yes, they are beautiful but I think people see that contagious spark by just looking at him. His light has only gotten brighter. Cash sees his world differently now, every toy must be examined, he glances around objects to see what's beyond them, he gives loves and kisses, and genuinely loves certain things in his environment. For example, we read a few books every night before bed and he has his favorites, "Goodnight Moon," "While the World is Sleeping," and "Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny."
He makes every experience sweeter and every day brighter than the last.

Skate or Die

We've taken to Family Fun Fridays by skate boarding at Newport Elementary or our back alley. It's really never too early to teach babies to skate, right? At this point Cash skates better than he sleeps so we're focusing on his interests....

Mommy & Me Swim Lessons

Hooray!
Swim lessons finally!
I used to take our friend's kid to swim lessons at this place and would long (sob uncontrollably and long) for the day when I could take my own child to swim lessons. The mommies and babies were so cute bobbing up and down, singing songs, and twirling round (it was visual torture really). Now I'm that mommy!!! I know it sounds sooooo STUPID but my dreams came true!
Cash was a champ, like always. He was in awe at his surroundings and very overwhelmed at the sights and sounds. It was his first time going under water and floating. I was waiting for the tears when he came up from under water and the water drained out of his nose. But no tears, just a few shocked blinks like, "what the hell did you just do that for?" Curious, calm, collective, smiley, and alert....that's my Cashie pants.

6 Months

Ahhhhh! Half a year! My how time flies....

I revisited my 5 month post and laughed out loud because sleep training was a bust. It didn't happen. It will never happen again. I toughed out another month of nightly zombie walks to his room to rock, hush, and nurse my cuddly little boy. Finally, yes, FINALLY, Cashie is only waking twice a night to nurse and if he does wake in between he will fall back asleep on his own. Can I get a hallelujah?!

Continuing on....he has not gained even an ounce this past month. 19lbs.....I have to say that I think his dairy free life has finally helped my Skinny out, less frequent dirty diapers and no more grumbly tummy. As for developmental achievements, he has learned that if he wants something he can beg for it and if you want to take it away from him once in hand all hell will break loose. Cash loves (loves) sticking his tongue out and has found the relationship between the word 'no' and shaking his head...sometimes he'll do these two actions simultaneously. He has made no effort to crawl and why would he with a mother who can't keep her hands off of him?

The Easter Bunny Came!

Even though we were at grandma and grandpa's the Easter Bunny knew we were not at home. Clever bunny rabbit!