Right on track

This past weekend was a nice mix of quiet time, productive activities, friends and family. Friday night Dad and I made pizza and hung with B - who is cutting teeth and didn't nap all day...it was a touch-and-go evening. Saturday we cleaned out the master closet in preparation to put our house on the market then went to a surprise anniversary party for one of our best friend's parents. Sunday I packed for my 10 day trip to LA and my dad, sister and brother-in-law came over to watch football.

While at dinner Saturday night I was chatting with a BFF about her New Year's resolutions. On that list was the resolution to stop comparing her 10-month-old son to other children and not obsessing over his developmental progression.

Technologically advanced?

We have all been there. From the moment they are born you wait for the first poop, wet diaper, smile, laugh, etc. You read the development books, download the accompanying apps, consult with your pediatrician, ask your parents for reference and interrogate friends with babies remotely comparable in age. And then there is social media...

We had several walkers that really helped him learn to walk.

It's hard not to focus all your attention on this with the research indicating that 1 in 200 children are autistic...or wait, is it 1 in 90 now?! I can't keep up. And I did and do all of this. It took me a while to realize that the precious creature I birthed is fine and, honestly, not particularly exceptional. 

He sat up by himself at around 7 months, crawled a little after 9 months, walked about two weeks after his first birthday. I cannot understand a single thing he says besides Mama and Dada. He prefers french fries, chicken fingers and fish sticks to grilled chicken, veggies and fruits. He has an attitude, he has hit me in the face (and laughed), he likes to throw things and whines incessantly if he doesn't get his way.

Sometimes the pacifier and blanket have to brought out before nap/bed time.

Now for the typical mommy-blogger wrap up...I love him, can't imagine life without him, and he has changed my world for the better. DUH, he is my child. I carried him for 37 weeks, bore him without the help of drugs, milked myself like a cow for his nutritional benefit and think about him at every waking moment.

Just loading up the spoon with oatmeal.

And he is normal and I couldn't ask for more. So like my friend I am going to make an effort to relax and let him progress at his own pace. We will see how I do when he brings home his first report card, starts playing sports, or takes up a musical instrument.

Or forget the spoon, the oatmeal tastes better on my fingers!

Welcome to Baby Season

I have read multiple articles about how life has different seasons. That could not be more true and right now we are at the height of baby season! In just the past year there have been six babies born within our immediate group of friends. Outside of that, I can think of at least seven more. Football Saturdays went from all-out tailgate parties in Auburn to a more mild "get-together" at a friend's house within a 10 mile radius. Packing 60 beers for a tailgate used to be commonplace, now a bottle of wine and a 12 pack is more than sufficient. 

I wouldn't trade these times for any. We have an amazing group of friends; Dad and I are lucky to have their unwavering support and welcomed advice. I think we would agree that parenthood has been different than we expected and things haven't always gone the way we intended. 

"Whatever works" is commonly heard at gatherings and judgement is strictly forbidden.

(L to R) Weston's Dad, B's Dad, Walker's Dad, Brady's Dad and Michael (wife and baby TBD).

B watching the Auburn game with Rebecca and Aunt Mantha.

B and Aunt Kristen at the Orny Cocktail Party.

Mom and B after the Iron Bowl - WAR EAGLE!

The Luck of the Irish

Wishing you always...
Walls for the wind,
A roof for the rain, 
A warm cup of tea by the fire,
Laughter to cheer you, 
Those you love near you, 
And all that your heart may desire.

This was a morning text from Brenda, one of my parent's best friends and my second mother. 

Happy St. Patty's Day. May your day be touched by a bit of Irish luck, brightened by a song in your heart and warmed by the smiles of the people you love! 

Now on to the daily cuteness that is our Mr. B. We had a great weekend celebrating the birth of baby Weston and pretending our last name is O'Seal! 

Visiting Baby Weston at St. Vincent's Birmingham.

Whiskey tasting at the 34th Annual St. Patty's Day celebration for the Bham Irish Cultural Society.

Dad and B looking cute in their green at Avondale Brewery.

Mom and B at Cahaba Brewery during Dad's ride in Tour de Brewers.