So close to crawling

Life is about to change for us again. We might have to baby-proof a few things.

First Haircut

My Little Helper

Confession time: I have officially experienced my worst parenting moment so far. I "so far" very seriously because I am painfully aware I will have many, many, MANY more to come. Sadly far more upsetting than this one. Looking at the pictures you are probably thinking,"upsetting? what is upsetting? Russell looks so happy and curious!"

Well a couple days before these pictures, I had placed my precious son on my bed in our room while I was getting dressed for the day. I have a small bedroom. I was literally less than 10 feet from him. I was in front of our mirror-not the bathroom mirror but the dresser mirror. I had just told myself, "you know, Russell is rolling so much these days, I should put him on the floor...." Just as I thought that thought the unthinkable happened....

Yup. My sweet boy rolled off our bed. Right. In. Front. Of. My. Eyes!

I gasped. Then screamed. He cried. I cried even harder! I apologized profusely to him. (I offered to call Child Protective Services on his behalf to report myself). The Nurse in me knew he was fine, but the Mommy in me was devastated. Crushed. Physically ill. Russell isn't much of a crier by nature and to see/hear him cry after this was torture. He didn't even have bump or red mark on his body! I think it mostly scared him-and me!

Once I recomposed myself and did an injury assessment we continued on our day. Our relationship has been restored. Russell seems to still trust me as his Mother and caretaker! Good thing-sometimes I wonder if I can be trusted! :)

So now I put him in the laundry basket and fill it with his toys. He isn't crawling yet, but he scoots and stretches to get to where and what he wants. I have caught him with electric cords among other items I don't approve of. So Russell gets to hang in the basket while I shower or am cooking or doing chores around the house. Basically anytime I am not able to devote 100% of my time to his actions. I am totally paranoid now! He seems content for now. I especially like the bottom picture where out big fat cat, Samson is laying on the table where I just folded the CLEAN laundry that was in the laundry basket that is Russell's "jail cell" (as Brian calls it). Guess I better get myself to Target for another laundry basket or two!

The Meeting

Brian and I took Russell to meet this guy yesterday at SantaLand in Macys in downtown Portland. Russell didn't seem too impressed with it all. Actually, what fascinated Russell the most was the red wall with stars painted on it. Yup, a flat wall painted red with stars. Never mind all the characters that had moving parts that sang songs, or the houses that lit up and sparkled or even the train that roared through a pretend city. It was the red wall. Kinda predictable, really. But his parents enjoyed it nonetheless. At least he didn't scream and cry and we got a decent picture! :)

Bottle it up

I can't believe I am posting such "naked" pictures of myself. Meaning no makeup, hair a mess, etc. Oh well. I just wanted to capture this moment.

I had just returned home from work and taken my usual shower to rid myself from the hospital germs. I slipped into my around-the-house-cozy-clothes and fed Russell his afternoon bottle. He was so tired he crashed on my shoulder. He fell asleep-hard. He even left a drool puddle! I thought, "well I better go put him in his crib; I have laundry to do, dinner to make, a house to clean and...." I stopped. I looked at this precious moment and decided to just sit. So we did. For 40 minutes. By our lit up Christmas tree. My heart was so filled, it was bursting. I am so glad I decided to enjoy this moment because this little man is getting very close to crawling. So I know it will only be a matter of time before he is far too busy to snuggle with me. If only I could find a way to bottle this moment and this feeling in time. This is what being a mom is all about for me.

California Visit

In October, I went to California to visit my family. We went to the Pumpkin patch. It has been many years since I have been to a California Pumpkin Patch-I will admit-it was a bit strange-it was 90 degrees and very, very dry. I was in shorts, a tank and flip-flops. Just a bit different from the Hood River trip Brian and I took the previous week!

This is my sister and her son, J.P. The two boy are 9 months apart. Very fun to watch them grow together. Wish we weren't so far apart (geographically). Since Russell was such a great companion on the flight and in the airport (this was my first solo airplane trip without Brian and with Russell), I just might do it again soon!
The two cousins swinging in the park by my parent's house. Russell's first swing ride-ever! He seemed a bit unsure...
All the cousins! (Left to right) J.P., Tucker, EmmaJoe, and Russell. (Notice Russell's head is the "Chief Hog" character. Rather appropriately named!)
Russell cruising in his stroller at the Pumpkin Patch.
This is Russell with his cousin Tucker. Tucker was born (6 "ish") weeks after Russell. He is the son of my dear cousin LauraJane who more like a sister to me than a cousin. For those of you who came to my baby shower, she was the pregnant one who surprised me all the way from California! I just love her!!

7 Months and 2 Teeth

Here is my handsome Russell. As I write this, he is rounding out 7 months old and heading into 8 months. Oh. My. Goodness! When!? I know everyone warned me it goes so quickly, but I didn't believe it. Brian and I love this little boy more than we though possible and very, very thankful for his health. Amazing answer to prayer he is. 'Nough said.