NC Bucket List

Growing up, Daddy and I were lucky enough to be exposed to a lot of really cool experiences.  European adventures, World Cup games, multiple museum and zoo trips...we were truly blessed.  We want you to see and experience as much as possible, Wombat.  We have made no secret of the fact that we do not plan on living in North Carolina forever.  I'm sure it is a wonderful state and there are a lot of beautiful places that we have seen, however, this is not the kind of place we want to raise our son.

Therefore, I've been compiling a North Carolina Bucket List.  It's a list of attractions/activities I would like to do as a family before we move (in no particular order).  We may not get to them all, but it will be fun to try!

The Wombat's North Carolina Bucket List

1. North Carolina Zoo (Asheboro)
2. NC Aquariums (Fort Fisher, Pine Knoll Shores, Roanoke Island, and Jennette's Pier)
3. Marbles (Raleigh)
4. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (Raleigh)
5. SciWorks (Winston-Salem)
6. Greensboro Science Center (Greensboro)
7. The Biltmore (Asheville)
8. Apple picking in the mountains (Asheville area)
9. Children's Museum and Science Center (Rocky Mount)
10. Discovery Place (Charlotte)
11. Port Discover (Elizabeth City)
12. USS North Carolina (Wilmington)
13. Shackleford Island (Beaufort)
14. NC Lighthouses (Outer Banks)
15. ...Camp?  But in cabins, not tents!  Mama doesn't camp in tents.

So. Much. Trouble.

Month 10

Age:  10 Months

Favorite activity:  You love being around people.  You like watching them, you like them watching you.  If you're being social, you're happy.

Honorable mentions:  You are a hair's breath away from walking.  We see you getting braver and braver.  Daddy will let go of you while you're standing and you'll stand there for several seconds...until you realize you're unassisted and then you sit down/grab onto something quickly.  Crawling is all well and good, but you're dying to walk.  You push toys that aren't meant to be pushed just to practice more.

Least favorite activity:  Diaper changes and naps.  Diaper changes continue to be a screaming, screeching, wrestling match with a wild animal.  We just try to get finished as quickly as possible.  

Milestones:  Two days ago, you started signing "more."  It's so cool to know you understand!  For 10 months, we've been having one-sided conversations with you and hoping you understand.  Seeing glimmers of understanding are exciting!  You're learning so quickly.

Oh, and then these was this...

Words:  We have a first word!  One morning, I was getting my breakfast around and you crawled over to the baby gate to watch (you often watch me get breakfast going).  As I walked back to the closet, out of sight, I heard, "Ma ma ma!"  Your daddy and I looked at each other in shock.  "Does that count!?"  I asked Daddy.  "I don't know!  We always said if he could do it again, we'd count it."  Daddy replied.  When I picked you up to say goodbye, I got several distinct "Ma! Ma! Ma!"s.  You even smacked Daddy's hand away when he went to take you from me.  Everyone is shocked that you said Mama before Dada.  Mama, however, is thrilled.  

Oh, we also think you say "baby," "hi," and "mee-at" (meow/cat).

Sleep:  Lately, you've been fighting your afternoon nap.  Today, you were up from 11:30 this morning until your bedtime at 7.  I fear our days of two naps are coming to an end.  However, you are putting yourself to sleep consistently each night so we will get by on one nap a day.

I need more toys, Mama...

Best Moment:  One word: Mama.

Worst Moment:  Honestly, I can't think of a worst moment this month.  Maybe my memory is getting shorter or maybe things are getting easier or maybe I just love every single second I get to spend with you.

Eating:  You are now eating breakfast (fruit & grain; i.e. apples and oatmeal), lunch (veggies), and dinner (protein and veggies).  On the horizon, we are going to start transitioning you from the bottle to a cup, but I'm not 100% sure how to go about it.  Oh, and you learning this (TODAY!)

"I can explain..."

Teeth:  No new ones poking through, but I think I'm seeing some white on your bottom gum.  As Daddy said today, "here we go again!"

Month 9

** So, I thought I had posted this weeks ago...I came in to start Month 10 and it's still set to draft!  Whoops! **

Age: 9 Months

Weight:  21 pounds, 7 ounces (75th percentile)

Height: 29 inches (75th percentile)

Favorite activity:  Cruising!  Remember when you learned to crawl and all you wanted to do was crawl?  Now, all you want to do is stand and walk around (holding on to something of course).

Honorable mentions:  You love waving.  You won't wave on command, but you do enjoy waving to the kitties.  You also love bouncing and dancing.  The music that gets you bouncing varies, but you always look so happy when you hear some peppy music.  You're just like your Mama.

Least favorite activity: We're still fighting the diaper change fight.  We've started giving you an old cell phone that we have around the house and that seems to distract you for a while.  For right now, we just move as quickly as possible and pray you don't need a complete outfit change during the day.

Milestones:  You're cruising.  The other day, you walked halfway across the living room holding onto my hands.  It won't be long before we're chasing you as you runaway from us.  I'm excited, but sad.  You're growing and changing so fast!

Words:  Still nothing but chattering.  I love listening to you chatter though.  You're very opinionated.  You must get that from your daddy.  We're getting lots of "ba ba ba ba"-ing.

Sleep:  We finally decided to retrain you to put yourself to sleep.  You were doing SO WELL up until you figured out crawling.  Then between the crawling and our traveling, your sleep fell apart.  We talked to your pediatrician and we're doing what she recommends.  It seems to be working.  The crying breaks my heart but you are sleeping better and that is what is important.

Best Moment:  The other morning you were eating Cheerios and I was showing you the sign for "more" and helping you make the sign just like always and I swear you said "more!" You wouldn't repeat it and I haven't heard it since, but it was very exciting!

Worst Moment:  Leaving to go back to work really stunk.  You did great!  Mama cried all the way to work.

Eating:  You love real food.  Purees are fine if you have to have them, but given the choice you want an actual piece of peach over peach puree.  Also, you do not like Cheerios.  You love puffs, but Cheerios are a definite pass.

Teeth:  5, almost 6!  That isn't helping your sleep either.  Soon, you'll be asking for a steak for dinner.

No Mommy, I'm not feeding the kitty Puffs.

Summer Recap (and Mama gets sappy)

It's been a wild, crazy summer, Wombat.  You've changed so much in such a short time.  My little baby is quickly losing his baby face and looking more like a little boy.  I love watching you grow and change, but it also makes me a little sad.  Forgive me, buddy, for always having a camera in my hand.  For taking your picture 100 times a day which makes you make faces like this:

I just don't want to forget a moment of this time, bud.  You're so neat and I want to remember that forever (especially when you're a teenager and driving me batty).  

And tomorrow, when I leave to go back to work, I know you won't understand what I'm saying.  I know that once I'm gone, you won't miss me and for that, I'm thankful.  I know next year, I'm going to have to explain why Mama is leaving after spending all day, every day with you during the summer.  You may understand and you may not but I hope someday you know that the only reason I leave you is to make your life better.  

Even though, all I want to do is cuddle YOU all day...

The only reason I am able to leave you is because your Daddy is there to take care of you.  You and your Daddy are quite a pair.  Two peas in a pod if I must say so myself.  I know he's going to teach you silly things down the line, but I also know he's going to teach you how to be a good man.  A kind man.  A thoughtful man.  No mother could ask for more than a great father for her son and I have that.

Last thing, Little One.  I promise that Daddy will buy you a car when you turn 16 if you wait and take your first steps when we're both there.  I know you're going to have a lot of firsts in your life, but that is a big one for me and I want to be there to see it.  So please, don't start running after a kitty while I'm at work.  Save it for the evening.  Daddy has strict instructions to pretend to be surprised should you start walking while I'm at work.  Keep his secret, buddy, because if Mama isn't happy - NOBODY is happy.

Every night, we read a story before you go to sleep.  One of my favorites is called I Love You So...  I hope you always remember how the book ends.

"I love you.

How much?

SO much.

How much is 'so'?

Way, way more than you know."

Way, way more than you know, buddy.  Way, way more.

Shake it!

Mama and Wombat's Summer of Fun is winding down quickly.  It's definitely been one of the best summers on record, if for no other reason then spending my days with this adorable face.

I love my job and I love the people I work with, but I'm really going to miss silly little things like this:

Video Updates

Because things are just to busy to write long paragraphs....

Evidently, feeding the kitties treats is hysterical.

And we're spinning, and spinning, and spinning.

Take `em off, take `em off, take `em off!

New and improved crawling style...I think he's trying to walk with his left leg.

Spider Man, Spider Man, does whatever a Spider Man can...