Liam - Week 52

 Date/Week: December 22nd; week 52

Milestones: Our Little Boy is 1! First Holiday Open House on Dec 18th. No longer Baby Liam - Baby Benjamin was born on Dec 16th (Liam's first male cousin). 2nd haircut. Featured prominently in this year's Christmas letter (to be published to the family blog shortly).

Developmental Progress:  He hums/sings 'Jingle Bells'. Continues to take a few steps on his own. Drinks from sippy cup as easily as the bottle. Loves to 'read' his own books.

Energy level: I'm a little frazzled at the moment...

Exercise: only walking - putting together my fitness programme for 2012 though!

Thoughts and Feelings? I cannot believe that Liam is 1. It has been such a busy year. And even this week - with the Open House, Student Event at work, turning in the dissertation proposal, Liam's b-day, Christmas - it's been crazy. I am glad to have captured so much of it and am so very grateful to have had the opportunity to see Liam's journey from this vantage point!

What I am looking forward to: Christmas is coming!

Newborn

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

10 months

11 months

12 months

1 year card

Liam - Week 50

Date/Week: December 7th; week 50

Milestones: 1st Christmas Fair; now has a walker; 1st time away from me for more than one night

Developmental Progress:  He is able to navigate his walker - turn, push it backwards, etc. Getting better at 'patting' the dogs

Energy level: I went from frantic before flying on Monday to a few restless nights due to being in a strange place... but I am a bit more relaxed than usual

Exercise: Dance class on Saturday was good. Looking at what activities will make up my workout programme for 2012 - I need to look at getting back my endurance

Thoughts and Feelings? I miss my family. I speak to Aidan (and Liam) nightly and each morning. I am enjoying the intellectual aspect of this conference but it is tough to be apart from Liam for my first time. He isn't eating his solids and is clingy so he is missing me too. This is a tough first for me...

What I am looking forward to: Going home...

Liam - Week 49

Date/Week: November 30th; week 49

Milestones: 2nd time receiving antibiotics for ear infections :(  Preparing for his first Christmas concert (which I will miss) 

Developmental Progress:  He has done a few steps on his own but is still not comfortable with walking unaided. Give him something to push though and he goes all over the place; He has discovered that he can crawl faster if he puts whatever he is holding in his mouth

Energy level: Hectic week - I cannot wait for some time off to spend at home doing nothing (once Christmas is over...)

Exercise: Danced at Fort Hamilton on Monday (but also have been told that I have plantar fasciitis on my left foot... sigh)

Thoughts and Feelings? We purchased our tree this past weekend and are starting to get into decorating now that we're into Advent. I am looking forward to catching up with friends and family during the holiday season. I am also excited to see what Liam makes of everything - the lights, the tree, the music. 

What I am looking forward to: Our Open is on December 18, followed by Liam's birthday on the 22nd - it should be a great week of celebrations leading up to Christmas!

Liam - Week 48

Date/Week: November 23rd; week 48

Milestones: He's 11 months old! He's the oldest in his baby class. We received his first class picture (he looks like he is 3!)

Developmental Progress:  He will go over to his book storage cube, pull it out, pull out a book (usually Thomas the Tank Engine), sit down and flip through it. He's still talking up a storm.

Energy level: I caught Liam's cold... which he still has!

Exercise: none this week...

Thoughts and Feelings? We're getting into the holiday season and it is going to be busy. And sadly, I'll miss his Christmas concert because I'll be away on business. It really sucks.


Need to start thinking about what to do for the little man's 1st birthday.

What I am looking forward to: Some sleep!

Liam - Week 47

Date/Week: November 16th; week 47

Milestones: Attended first Remembrance Day Parade; first time having pink eye :( ; first Christmas Party; Loves soup and yogurt! Purchased Liam's first Christmas stocking - and he picked it out!

Developmental Progress:  Walks pretty well if you hold one of his hands; Walks around the house pushing his music desk in front of him; Starting to use 2-syllable babble (we looked up his favorite babble word 'daden' in a language translator and it means 'actions' in Dutch); Will go up to other kids and 'talk' to them.

Energy level: Both Aidan and I are in training this week and both of us have homework at night. We're both running on empty at the moment.

Exercise: Good dance class on Saturday but did not get to perform on Monday since I was at the doctor's office with Liam.

Thoughts and Feelings? I hate it when Liam is sick. i now know what it feels like to be helpless to make him better. You just have to comfort him through it. Liam's pink eye because of a simple cold, aggravated by an ear infection and him rubbing his eyes. Amazingly, even though you can see that his ears are bothering him (and his eyes look awful), he is still in good spirits. I am also so very grateful to our parents who have each taken him during the full day since we're stuck in training. I do not know how we would survive without them at the moment.

On another note, I have to submit my dissertation proposal by December 19th! Looks like I should be able to start data collection in January. This is so exciting!

What I am looking forward to: Christmas music and decorating!

Liam - Week 46

Date/Week: November 9th; week 46

Milestones: 2nd Tooth has erupted; First Flu Shot; slept through the night a few nights in a row (it didn't continue though...); first time in a mei tai carrier; first paternal family dinner at our house

Developmental Progress:  He can point to a few items when you say the name (fan, clock, daddy, mummy, owl (sticker on the window); tries to feed himself with the spoon; drinking out of a cup results in more liquid in his mouth and less down his front; he eats just about anything i he feeds himself

Energy level: I have had a good week. Sunday was a bit tough but that was because it was such a busy day!

Exercise: Got to meet with my coach and run yesterday at lunchtime. It felt good!

Thoughts and Feelings? I thought October was hectic! I find myself wishing for some down time and when I get a Saturday morning or such I end up filling it up. That said, when things do slow down a bit, I feel more able to tackle them. And what must be tackled at the moment... the Christmas shopping list (I never again want to be suck shopping in November -- it's too stressful).


As I look to 2012, I know I must start working on my budget. The 2011 budget was interesting but 2012 will be more austere since I want to finish this degree, perhaps start another and deal with the apartment, paying off credit cards, student loans and save more once that's done. I need to be focused to create a realistic budget in the coming weeks.

What I am looking forward to: Holiday preparations - the pudding has been made and the Open House invitations go out next week!

Liam - Week 45

Date/Week: November 2nd; week 45

Milestones: First Hallowe'en (and he won his first costume contest!); 12-18 month clothing now fills his dresser drawers; Drinks water with meals

Developmental Progress:  He's pointing and asking 'da'? He's getting closer to walking on his own but is still uncertain and usually sits immediately. He loves to boogie to music. Now that we have his toys in canvas boxes in the den, he empties them and of ten stands his animals on their feet. He enjoys trying to figure out mirrors. Peek-a-boo puts him into a fit of laughter - especially i he's the one hiding his face with a blanket or clothing. When he wants me he will follow me around saying 'mum-mum'. 

Energy level: Busy week meant running got delayed again... something has to give! Energy has been ok but it would be nice to have more and for it to be more consistent!

Exercise: Still trying to work something out - there just aren't enough hours in a day!

Thoughts and Feelings? November's calendar is packed and I assume December may be the same. I say I want things to slow down or normalise but realise that until I'm 'done' with school, that will not be the case. I do wonder what the future will bring and lately what I will be when I 'grow up'. Sometimes it is fun and sometimes not so much.


2012 is coming fast and I will admit that it intrigues me. I do not know what excitement a 2012 graduation will bring. Will I start another degree next fall. Will we expand our family. Will the economy begin to turn around. Will I take on a teaching job part-time after graduation. What will Liam's 2nd year be like? So many things to ponder!

What I am looking forward to: Holiday preparations - I already am craving Christmas music and decorating...