Passover

Last year's Passover was a bit of a blur, as Reed was just a week old!  The first night was on the eve of his bris, and both the Sherwin and Lang grandparents, Rachael, Jeff, and me gathered in our dining room for the most abbreviated seder I've ever seen.  In true Passover fashion, Reed reclined for the meal in his swing, but left early for a nursing session and a nap.  So while last year was Reed's actual first Passover, we all felt a bit more "with it" this year.  We drove up to New Jersey late Friday afternoon and enjoyed a weekend with Bubbe, Zaide, and Aunt Rachael.  Jeff's cousins Shayna and Evan, and Shayna's 3 1/2 year old, Christopher, also came to visit on Saturday, and Reed was enamored with Christopher.  He even followed him up the stairs, learning to climb in about two minutes! 

His best James Dean

He's a stair climber now!

Waving bye bye at nap time

Sharing his paci with Zaide

Reed loved Christopher!

Swinging with Mommy

Reed is 11 Months Old!

Last year at this time, Jeff and I had completed our prenatal classes and taken the tour of Shady Grove Hospital.  The pack 'n play, swing, and bouncers were assembled and waiting in their various rooms.  The nursery was finished, save for his name above the crib.  We were less than a month away from the due date, and given the early arrivals of two of our friends' babies (we love you, Eli and Jack!), we were prepped and ready to go, should our little one make an early appearance as well.  Of course, Reed was anything but early, but it's amazing to think of where we were last March and compare it to our lives today.

We are just amazed that Reed is already 11 months!  He's more fun now than ever before.  More and more of his sweet personality emerges every day, and it's amazing to watch the little wheels in his head turn, as he figures things out and puts things together.  Reed continues to be an observant little guy, watching and taking it in before trying things out.  While quiet and thoughtful at first, Reed is easy with strangers; he'll let anyone hold him, which means he makes friends wherever he goes!

Here are some other things we want to remember about our sweet Reed Alexander at 11 months:

• He's leaning out!  Weighing in at 21 lbs, 11.5 ounces, and 29.75 inches long, Reed is in the 42nd percentile for weight and 58th percentile for height.  Jeff and I aren't surprised, as we've commented recently that he doesn't look as round as in earlier months.  He's wearing all 12-month clothing.  While he still has the adorable chubby cheeks and thighs, he's much leaner all over now.  All that crawling helps!
• Reed's sleep patterns have remained pretty much the same.  He sleeps from approximately 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., with one nap in the morning (usually 9:15 - 10 or 10:30) and a longer one in the afternoon (usually 1:30ish to 3:15 or 3:30).  
• His milk intake has drastically decreased this month.  He still takes around 7 or 8 ounces from me in the morning, but now only has two 6 1/2 ounce bottles during the day, one at around 10:30 and half of one at lunch and the other half at around 4 or 4:30.  He takes between 2 and 4 ounces at bedtime.  
• While his solid intake has increased significantly, Reed is definitely a bit of a finnicky eater.  Some days he eats like a champ, but most of the time he's pretty choosey.  Ground beef, cheese, and yogurt are still sure things, and we can usually count on turkey (deli meat), chicken, and bread going over well.  He also discovered bananas this month and loves eating them straight out of the peel (see video below).  The squeezable fruit purees are better now than the jarred kinds, since spoons can be challenging.  But we're often surprised when he won't even try something before disdainfully throwing it into his highchair seat.  He won't even take a bit of a scrambled egg!
• We've had a bit more luck with water this month, since we finally found a sippy cup that Reed can figure out.  Turns out he can suck through a straw!
• Reed really loves to wave now.  While it's sometimes a delayed reaction, he responds about 90% of the time, and often initiates the action.
• He understands "no" and *usually* minds us when we say it, although it sometimes takes a few tries.  The funny part is that he now shakes his head when we say no.  We're not sure how he made the connection, as we don't think that we shake our heads when we say the word, but he definitely associates "no" with shaking his head.  
• He enjoys "sharing" his food these days, although he also likes the fake-out - he offers a morsel, and then changes his mind and eats it himself!
• Reed learned how to sign "more" - in about two minutes!  Because meal times have been challenging in just getting Reed to eat, we really haven't focused much on sign language.  But just for the fun of it, I tried teaching him "more" last weekend, and he picked it up immediately.  Granted, it looks a lot like a clap, but he definitely knows to associate the movement with the word "more."
• Speaking of clapping, Reed has gotten really into this in the last week or so, especially when playing with his musical toys.  Jeff and I laugh because he has started clapping at points in the songs when we often clap, so it's clear he's really internalizing things.
• He's quite adept at cruising these days, and can move easily along the couch, ottoman, and his crib.  But no steps on his own yet - crawling is just so much easier!
• In addition to regular crawling, every now and then he'll do this funny spider monkey walk/crawl, where he gets on his hands and feet and starts moving forward.  He doesn't do it all the time (it certainly doesn't look very easy!), but we crack up when he starts going.
• No huge leaps on the language front, although he has started copying us when we say "uh oh" and today he even said it on his own after dropping a piece of food.
• More on the mimicking front - he loves to copy me when I make an elongated "k" sound in the back of my throat.  It's a sound he often makes on his own, but he really loves when I do it, and always falls suit with his own version.
• We discovered yesterday that Reed can roll his tongue.  Jeff was pretty excited - apparently not everyone has this oh-so-special skill, but both of his parents can do it, so maybe it's genetic!
• Reed is really into opening and closing doors these days.  Obviously, he can't reach the handles, but he thoroughly enjoys pushing them shut, or pulling them open when they're slightly ajar.
• Mornings are a busy time, since I have to get both Reed and myself ready, but Reed is my little morning buddy.  He loves watching me blow dry my hair (especially when I let my hair fall over his face) and he crawls after me everywhere I go, often pulling up on my leg, just to remind me he's there.  It's a little heartbreaking - I'd rather be playing with him than getting ready for work!
• His favorite toys are his two pianos (which he prefers to both be on at the same time!), his Fisher Price dog, his VTech alphabet train, and his Fisher Price train.  
• Favorite books continue to be All of Baby, Nose to Toes, Goodnight Moon, and the Going to Bed Book. 

Here are some recent pics of our favorite 11-month old!

Having fun at this month's photo shoot!

A solemn moment in between giggles

Playing with his piano (thanks, Jack Spiegel!)

Coming to get you, Mommy!

About to dive off the couch

Reed loves his new house!  Just five weeks until moving day!

Grammy captures sweet Reed in CA

Cuddling with Grandpa at cousin Colin's bar mitzvah

Playing with Daddy at Colin's bar mitzvah brunch

Precious smiles!

Reed's First Haircut!

So, I had every intention of going at least a full year before cutting Reed's hair.  I loved it long and, like so many moms, hated the thought of him getting a big boy haircut.  But it was becoming clearer and clearer with every passing day that the hair needed to be cut - and badly.  The front was always in his eyes, and the sides came well over his ears.  It constantly looked messy and dirty, due to Reed pushing it out of his face or rubbing food in it during meal times.  Jeff was making daily comments about how long Reed's hair was getting (with strong hints that he wanted it cut), so I finally succumbed to practicality and on Sunday we took Reed to The Yellow Balloon, a children's salon in the Kentlands.

Overall, it was a great first haircut!  As usual, Reed was cool as a cucumber, and I have to admit that he looks absolutely adorable with his shorter 'do.  But I have a whole envelope of his sweet baby locks that will go in his baby book and many months of pictures to remember the long hair days!  Here are some pics of the big event, along with a video of the whole cut (be warned - it's eight minutes!).

Pre-cut!

Post-cut - no more bangs!

Reed loved his yellow balloon

 

Reed is 10 Months Old!

This month has been a big one for our little guy!  At his nine-month check-up, I reported to the doctor that Reed was not yet crawling, pulling up, or getting to a sit on his own.  One week later, he was doing all three with ease!  Now Reed is a moving machine - he loves standing up in his crib (and it still cracks me up to walk into his nursery and see him standing in there), pulling up on anything he can, crawling toward Ari, and taking a few steps while holding our hands.  And he still remains our easy-going, sweet-natured boy.  Yesterday some friends babysat him for a few hours while we had the home inspection on our new house (!) and they were just amazed at what a great, easy baby he is.  We know we're lucky!

Without further ado, here are the things we want to remember about our wonderful Reed at ten months:

• At around 21 1/2 pounds and approximately 29 1/2 inches long, the chart I referenced says Reed is in the 49th percentile for weight and 66th for height.  But he's still got those deliciously chubby cheeks, thights, and tummy!
• Sleep patterns have remained the same.  Morning nap from around 9 to 10 a.m., afternoon nap from around 1:45 - 3:30 p.m., and nighttime sleep from 7 p.m. to 6:45/7:00 a.m.  
• Reed takes breastmilk four times a day (6:45/7 a.m., 10/10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.), with just a little sip before bed.  He's taking less and less milk now, down to around 23 ounces a day (from 32).
• He eats three solid meals a day (8:30, noon, and 6:15 p.m.), with a snack in the late afternoon.  He loves protein (ground beef is his favorite, but he likes chicken too), dairy (cheese and yogurt), and bread (Cheerios and bread).  Fruits and veggies are not his faves, but we're usually able to get in one carton a day.  Reed really loves feeding himself and spoon feeding is getting more and more challenging.
• Still no teeth!  Again, no complaints, since I'm still nursing him in the mornings.  
• As I mentioned above, Reed can now get to a sit on his own, crawl, and pull up, as well as cruise a bit and walk with assistance.  But while he's growing in independence in terms of his ability to get around, Reed still really loves to be held and picked up.  He often reaches out for Jeff or me to hold him and is happy to be cuddled.
• He added "na na" to his vocabulary this month.  He alternates between "ma ma", "ba ba" and "da da" as his favorite word.
• Reed is getting better and better with his waving.  While it's still not consistent, he'll wave back about 50% of the time now.  Progress!
• He loves peek-a-boo, both with blankets and on the floor, when we hide behind objects like the ottoman or door.
• His favorite game this month was when I would crawl toward him on the floor, and at the end of the month, he would start crawling toward me before I could get him, meeting me in the middle.  So much fun.  Reed also likes "trying" to crawl away from us on the sofa, but then waiting for us to grab him and swing him back.  Lots of laughs during that game!
• He loves being ticked on his legs while he's in his highchair (see the video below!).
• Reed's favorite toys are his Leap Frog Learn 'N Groove Table, his VTech alphabet train (thanks Bubbe and Zaide!), his dog from Uncle Rob and Aunt Brie, and his elephant ball popper from Aunt Rachael.  He also loves our toys - the remote control is a particular fave!
• His favorite books continue to be All of Baby, Nose to Toes, The Going to Bed Book, and Goodnight, Moon.
• Reed continues to be mesmerized by music.  I've learned that singing to him while changing his diaper ensures that he stays put, instead of trying to crawl off the table!

We're now on the countdown to the big first bithday . . . We can't believe we almost have a 1-year old!  But for now, we'll treasure our precious 10-month old and all the sweetness that he is.

Look at his tums!

Proud of his sign!

And now it's time to get it!

Eurkea!

Our little cruiser

Rockin' out

Ragamuffin!

North Stars

Last week my best friend from college, Lisa Munger, wrote a blog post about her North Stars - the women in her life who have helped shape and guide her into the person she is today.  She encouraged readers to reach out NOW to the people you love, to tell them NOW that you love them and appreciate all they are and have shared with you.  I was inspired.  I have always felt unbelievably lucky to have amazing women in my life who have loved and supported me through my life journey thus far.  While I'm grateful to all of my female friends, there are, of course, some who are MY North Stars.  They are the ones on speed dial.  The ones I instinctively turn to, for different reasons, in times of joy, times of sorrow, times of uncertainty.  I love you, ladies!

Lisa - thank you for teaching me that conflict is not only okay, but healing, cathartic, and ultimately restorative.  Thank you for your authenticity and for your constant quest for self-improvement and self-love.  Thank you for proving to me that soul mates never truly leave each other.

Beth - thank you for providing the inspiration for a beautiful relationship and marriage.  Thank you for your idealism.  Thank you for your empathy and uncanny ability to always say just the right thing at the right time.  B'sherit.

Allyson - thank you for your huge heart, the biggest of anyone I know.  Thank you for your constant love, support, and forgiveness, no matter what I might do or say. 

Maureen - thank you for your thoughtfulness.  Thank you for your quiet, yet constant support, for which there is never a question.  You teach me loyalty and faithfulness.

Rebekah - thank you for your unerring pragmatism.  Thank you for the truth - always the truth - and for listening without judgement.

Aunt Candy - thank you for your passion, and for sharing your passion with me.  Thank you for listening and remembering.  Thank you for always letting me be a part of your life. 

Brie - thank you for your grace, humor, empathy, and kindness.  Thank you for being my role model.  Thank you for loving me and being the sister I always dreamed of.

Aunt Karen - thank you for your prayers (you know the ones!).  Thank you for laughter. Thank you for listening and poring over every detail.  You are my reminder of the depths of love.

And Mom - thank you.  Thank you for being my daily inspiration to be the best woman and mother I can be.  Thank you for the PURE and unconditional love you have given me every day of my life.  You teach me compassion and generosity.  You are my heart and soul. 

Thank you to my North Stars.  You are my constants.  I love you!

SO LATE - Holidays 2011

I am unbelievably late with this blog post, but I wanted to make sure I had record of our wonderful trip to California for the holidays.  We were lucky this year - Hanukkah and Christmas overlapped, so we were able to celebrate both holidays while we were home.  We lit candles every night (thanks Sherwins, for participating so willingly!), and also had a lovely Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Other highlights included a day trip to Malibu and a fun family photo shoot, but the best part for me was watching my family interact and play with Reed.  It breaks my heart that it can't be a more regular occurrence, but I'll take what we can get! 

Here are some of my favorite memories of the trip.

Reed is already a Corvette lover at 8 1/2 months!

Chelsea loved Reed!

Our sweet boy on his first Xmas Eve

Xmas Morning with Uncle Robby

Reed was uncertain about the Santa hat, but he looked so cute!

Special version of Good Night Moon, narrated by Grammy.

Dancing with Grandpa

He couldn't be any cuter!

Enjoying Hanukkah candles with Aunt Brie

Family day in Malibu - the Adamson House

Lunch in Paradise Cove

Proof!

Reed's first trip to the beach!

Kisses for Nana

Papa's little dude

Last night of Hanukkah