Swing, Swing, Swing!

Liam got a new swing and tried it out for the first time this weekend! What do you think? Was it a hit?

Liam has become pretty active. He army crawls/lunges all around the house. So, we started baby proofing this weekend.

Baby gate is in place!

While I was trying to get video of the Liam version of crawling, he pulled up for the first time (earlier that day I thought he was trying to pull up in his crib, guess I was right).

This weekend and last we cheered on the Steelers to another amazing victory! We're off to the Super Bowl!

And as if crawling, pulling up and teething were not enough... we're also trying to teach Liam to self soothe at night (we are in there 2-4x a night lately). If it's the 4 hour mark, we'll go in and Orajel him, give him some pain reliever medication and soothe him, but any other time he has to fuss it out. We don't let it go too far, but we do let him cry for a bit.

So far he is doing really well and we haven't had any major melt downs (yet). Truly is the hardest thing Kevin and I have ever had to do. But, Liam has continued to prove that he can indeed put himself to sleep (although he'd prefer mama or daddy rocking him). He has put himself to sleep a couple of times during the night and even put himself back to sleep today during a nap. We're VERY proud of our big boy!

Liam's also experiencing some separation anxiety. He wants to be in mama's arms A LOT lately. Seems like he got really independent there for a while, then regressed a bit. I am sure it is completely normal (so far, everything seems to change as soon as Kevin and I figure it out). So mama does a lot more cuddling/love/TLC BUT sometimes mama has to be the meanie and force Liam to soothe/entertain himself (hey I have to eat and go potty!). It's been VERY tiring for mama, but again... I am sure it's just a phase. With coffee for energy and super glue for my eye lids, I'm sure we'll get through it. HA! Half-kidding!

Recently, Liam has started throwing temper tantrums when he has something and you take it away or tell him "no". Computers, cell phones, cameras, cords, etc. are not  safe around this guy... and you better be willing to fight the battle if you take it away from him. He will throw a HUGE fit! YIKES! Guess we'll be working that out when he's a bit older.

I've also been guilty of comparing Liam to other babies lately as I am so worried that I must be out of shape or something must be wrong with me... he completely exhausts me, to the point where I feel dead at the end of the day (and remember, I'm a teacher who is used to chasing after twenty+ kids a day!). I have noticed that he does indeed have a bit more energy than most kiddos his same age, so I am doing my best to channel it as much as possible for a baby. I am told by friends that it may be the boy in him (but I am thinking it must be the KEVIN in him). HA!

This weekend, Liam had his first teething biscuit (loves them) and cereal puff (could take it or leave it). He started green beans last weekend, which definitely go down better than peas (offer him peas and he will move his head around, spit them back out at you and gag himself... eventually he'll throw them up) but you can tell he is partial to fruit or butternut squash and sweet potatoes. So far mama has made him: peas, g.beans, squash, sweet potatoes, banana, apple, pears. We increased his food intake to 3x a day (previously he was getting lunch and dinner, now he gets breakfast). As of now his menu is:

Bfast: Oatmeal w/ a fruit for taste

Lunch: Fruit (lately pears or apples or both mixed together)

Dinner: Vegetable (squash, peas, gbeans or sweet potatoes mixed or just one)

Liam loves the mesh feeders that you freeze fruit in (must feel so good on those gums). We call them his popsicles. So far he's had bananas and mango in them (and he loves them both). He was NOT a fan of the ice cube mama put in there when she ran out of fruit. HA!

Until next time... lots of love from Liam!