J. Bird's 1st

Ok, big shocker to anybody that knows me well...I didn't keep a baby book. In my defense I tried, I really looked for a cute, hip baby book and when I couldn't find one that met my incredibly high "cool" factor I decided to buy this fun bright red scrapbook. I should have listened to the voice inside my head that said "you're not a crafty type person, you lack follow-through, and (if I could tell the future) your child will have reflux & won't sleep the first 6 months". Needless to say, the cool red scrapbook has been sitting untouched at the top of the closet with a pair of newborn footprints tucked inside because even on the way to the hospital I thought my inner scrapbooker would eventually come out.

I moved on to trying to keep a journal of daily occurrences. This is not the first time I've attempted this, I've been trying to keep a journal since puberty it usually started after some angst filled teenage drama and ended just as quickly. So I pulled out the journal I was keeping for my precious son to record his every new step. Yup, started it 7/07, last entry dated 11/25/07 and this was after a month long hiatus. The journal, although probably my longest journal, didn't even make it 6 months. Pathetic!

So needless to say, I have built up some Mommy guilt. My son's not even 2 years old and I'm already dreading the day when he asks me about his First_______. Anything, fill in the blank because I'm sure by that time I will remember nothing.

This blog and this entry are my attempt to redeem myself and assuage some of the guilt.

**This post will probably be a work in progress as I attempt to rack my brain about J. Bird's 1st. I'm also consulting the "journal" and my husband's memory to compile the list.

J. Bird's Baby Book

Breastfeed(he will cringe when he reads this in years to come) - 13 months

1st tooth- 4 1/2 months old.

First solid food- 6 months started with rice cereal

Favorite 1st food- I can't say that he had a favorite (consulting journal) by month 7 he was eating butternut squash, carrots, apples, bananas, and oatmeal. The only foods he didn't like at first were yams and the texture of apples.

*Bonus points for making all my own baby food. (the bonus points are for the Mommy guilt I'm working off)

1st time left with someone else other than family- 7/15/08 Church nursey, I cried.

Sitting up unassited- 7-8 months

1st Family vacation- Duck, NC 8/4/07

Weight check- 8/15/07 15lbs. Dr. not too concerned but said they will check again at his 9 month appointment (Ok, so it's sort of funny writing all this stuff after the fact. I can't believe we were ever worried about his weight. You could seriously injure yourself if you pick him up wrong now. I have a friend that's pregnant that peed herself when she picked him up the other day, that's how solid this child is now.)

4 teeth by 9 months

Started Crawling- 9 months

Sitting up from laying down position & started pulling himself up to a standing position- 9/12/07 so 9 months probably not all on this exact day.

Started throwing full-on tantrums while changing his diaper- 9 months (hey it's in the journal)

* Month 9 was a busy month for J. Bird apparently.

1st cold- 10/2/07

By 10/17/07- 7 teeth!!! Babbling, no words. He'll do high 5 with you.

11 months- He's clapping, waving, and signing "more" & "all done" when prompted. Pretty much on all table foods, prefers fruits and cards, just like his mama.

Started Walking- 13 months, took 1st steps while Gram McNelis was here watching him during my surgery.

22 months 10/30/08 Fell down the stairs for the 1st time. Good Mommy!!

To be continued...I promise!