No way am I going to keep up with a monthly post about Crawford, but he does have a lot going on in his little life these days that I want to remember:
He has 5 new teeth coming in. That's right, FIVE. Nightmare city. The fourth bottom one was first to breath through, then his lateral incisors on the top. So, yeah, he looks like a vampire. The middle two on the top are taking FOR.EV.ER. He has only been up in the middle of the night once, and though that was brutal, I can't complain since he's generally been sleeping really well through all of this. There are definitely days when he is so sad, and I can tell it's because he's in pain and that is really not cool. Those days he gets medicine :)
He can't decide about going to one nap. Last weekend I had almost certainly decided he was ready for 1 nap a day. I was dreading it, but I bit the bullet and went with it. Sunday he took one nap and it was fine. Monday through Friday? And ever since? Two perfectly normal (9:30-11ish and 2-4ish) naps every day. Just as soon as I think I know something he throws me a curve ball. Though this time, I'm super thankful! I need those two nap times!
He is obsessed with his lovies, walking up the stairs, throwing balls, the flag on the front of our house, saying "gaghie" (which sometimes means doggie or daddy) and "light", turning on and off the light switches, and Harley (still).
He is very testy. When he is happy, he is ALL smiles and giggles, but some days he just wakes up on the wrong side of the bed and nothing seems to go his way. I leave the room, he cries. He finishes his banana (current obsession), he cries. I try to get him to drink milk, he cries (I'm giving up on that, by the way). A toy rolls under the couch... you get the picture.
He is considering the possibility of walking. He's started standing without holding on to anything more regularly, and today (3/25) he took a step two times! I know it isn't much, but I think he'll make more progress once he starts to gain some confidence. I'm glad I had low expectations for him to be walking, because it definitely is slow going for this guy.
He really is a joy! This season is challenging me in new ways (what do I do to find new ways to entertain/teach/occupy him? how can I make sure he's eating all the things he ought to? WHY won't he stop pulling on that lamp?! will it ever warm up so we can go outside? what fun things can we do outside other than swing or go for a walk? will I ever pee in solitude again? etc.), but I love that at the day's end, I have all kinds of funny stories and sweet memories that I know I'll cherish forever (as long as I write them down somewhere so I'll remember them...).
Ashley and Chase are now Chattanooga (well, Hixson) residents! We helped - David helped, C and I supervised, mostly - move them in last weekend, and they've had projects going on all week to get the house in tip top shape.
He was his boss at Gordon Biersch, and now they are just good friends.
Dan got his broker's license and David got his realtor's license so they could start Realty Zone together and do real estate on the side.
They are always scheming and planning a new adventure, though usually nothing comes of their big ideas.
Dan's family has flipped a handful of houses over the years, so that's something David has wanted to do with him.
They found this little gem a couple months ago, bid on it through an auction and started work right away.
It's actually a fabulous house.
1,800 square feet. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and an office
1/4 of a mile from our house it a big perk too!
David and Dan have been spending Saturdays (6am-3ish) and one evening a week over there working, and I cannot wait to show the after pics! It is a whole new house!
As grumpy as I have been to be a single parent half of every weekend, I am so proud of David for learning new things, utilizing his skills and working super hard to support our family!
I had this whole blog post written in my head at about 4:30 this morning when I couldn't sleep. Now that Crawford is down for a nap (not asleep, mind you) and I have time to put my thoughts on paper internet, they have all fled my brain.
This week has been crummy. The stomach bug was pretty horrible, and I had a hard time kicking it. I took a nap every time Crawford did, never made our bed (because I was surely going to get back in it multiple times a day) and didn't cook a thing. I knew I was 100% better when I woke up this morning because I made my daily to do list! I don't get anything done if I don't have a list, so I keep one going all week long.
Blogging was obviously on my to do list, because it never happens anymore.
This whole parenting thing is no joke. Months 0-12 of Crawford's little life really weren't that hard. He was a great sleeper and eater and an overall happy baby. Yeah, there's some big time life adjustments that take place when you have your first baby, but all things considered it was easy. All of a sudden, he/it is hard. He's still a total joy and a happy kid, but keeping up with him is much more demanding than it used to be. I was facetiming with my brother recently and he was so stressed out just watching me chase/reprimand/play with/protect Crawford slash deal with the dog slash actually have a conversation (obviously that was the element that took a backseat. Sorry G!). But, I forget that it's a little nutty sometimes because it is just our normal. Hayden stayed with us a few weekends ago and Lynn told me she went home exhausted. Ha! She even slept in and took a nap! Apparently she told Lynn "Mom, Crawford isn't easy anymore!" It's true.
I was talking to some friends the other day about how thankful I am that the Lord brings change in our children gradually. I am so thankful for that. You have time to adjust and grow and change alongside that little nugget that makes you want to pull your hair out. Speaking of pulling my hair out, Crawford likes to play in the fireplace. We swept all the rocks (that he liked to try to eat) out, so now he just grabs the screen and puts his toys inside. Really, it's no big deal if the thing isn't on, but if it was... well, disaster obviously. So we teach him he can't touch it ever. But, he does every day. And after a warning (and trust me, he knows he's doing something he's not supposed to), he has to sit in time out (read: on the couch, with me making him not go anywhere, with no toys). It is almost always torture. We barely make it one minute. I want so badly for him to learn right from wrong and how to obey. So, we'll keep trying and being consistent yadda yadda.
I want him to learn his colors and animal sounds and how to praise Jesus (seriously people, pictures of your kids praising Jesus on Instagram? I die.). I am anxious to see results of the things I work hard to teach him all day long, but I know this is a season of patience-growing. I tell him about 14 times a day to be patient (when the kid is hungry, he wants food NOW), but the Lord is stirring the same reminder in my heart each day.
After this trying week of sickness and one half-day of normalcy, I realize how much better and easier life is when he/He has my attention. When I put my stupid phone down and get on the floor and play with him. When I utilize the time I have designated for quiet, Bible-reading, prayer time. When I include him/Him in what I'm doing, rather than just tell him no. When I make toys out of empty boxes and laugh and play withhim. And you know what? I LOVE that. That kid is so much fun, and seriously hilarious. It is MY joy to spend every day with him (and Him).
And now, for a few videos. Because my kid is awesome:
So real life right now. He LOVES to walk with the walker and blows bubbles all.the.time.
This video cracks me up. I left the room for a minute and came back to find him throwing the balls out one by one. I think he would have kept going until they were all gone. So much fun!
