Liam decided to grow up A LOT over the past weekend.
Friday daddy got off of work early, so he joined us for our afternoon outing. We went to the park to show daddy how much fun Liam has on the swings (and of course to drive his car).
Saturday we went to see elephant seals in San Simeon, so he was in the car seat, Ergo, stroller or someone's arms for most of the day. Liam was not too enthusiastic about the seals... he watched them a minute or two and then began his normal people/electronic watching. Ha!
Upon our return, we set Liam on the floor and were shocked to see him crawl away (he didn't take two crawls and fall or just lunge and fall). He was actually crawling! So very amazing. Here's proof in a couple of videos I took Monday:
Friday daddy got off of work early, so he joined us for our afternoon outing. We went to the park to show daddy how much fun Liam has on the swings (and of course to drive his car).
Daddy, Mama & Liam
Over the weekend, I told Kevin I really thought Liam might be trying to pull up in his crib. On Monday, I went into his room after his morning nap (or lack thereof, mama tried cry-it-out when Liam woke up to me setting him down in his crib... more on that later). To my surprise I found him STANDING in the crib, gnawing on the railing. He has continued pulling up in the crib, toy box, people, chairs... basically anything he can get a hold of that will stand still (and even some things that don't... which usually ends up with a spill!). Here's a couple videos I took on Monday of his newest skill:
Also, Liam started eating organic cereal puffs (and is really enjoying them) and he continues to gnaw on teething biscuits. Tomorrow we're going to try yogurt for breakfast. He surprises me that he chews things even though he has no teeth. He acts like he's done this before. Very smart little man. And he has also figured out how to put a spoon from the tray to his mouth. Now, if he could just get the food there without it all falling off. Ha!
The other thing I need to get on video is the smacking of his lips when you're drinking something and holding him. If you have a glass and take a drink, Liam will smack his lips every time you drink. It's too funny. He has a little cup/mug that he prefers over a sippy cup, so when he smacks we give it to him. He LOVES drinking from the big boy cup!
Knock on wood, Liam has been sleeping through the night for about a week now. The past few nights, we haven't heard anything out of him, so if he does wake he is definitely self soothing. We decided about a week ago to let him fuss it out a bit in the middle of the night and apparently it worked, we're getting 11-12 hours of silent and blissful sleep!
Now if only naps were as easy. From the beginning, Liam has not liked being put down awake, so we've always rocked him, held him for about ten minutes or so and then set him down . This has worked like a charm since the day we figured out he is a tummy sleeper. But lately during nap time he wakes up when I set him down and won't go back to sleep. I've been assured that with a little bit of crying he will go to sleep, so I left the room Monday morning to let him sort it out on his own.
After crying over an hour (I went in once, but it just got him more worked up when I left again) I couldn't take it anymore and got him up. I am NOT a cry it out mama and don't know what we're going to do, because I will NEVER do that to my child again. EVER! Any advice from the mama's out there? I am DESPERATE for help and listening. Bedtime, surprisingly is not a problem. I nurse him, then rock him, hold for ten minutes, set him down, sometimes he wakes (mostly he doesn't) but if he wakes, he'll fuss/whine and go to sleep. Then, he'll sleep 11-12 hours. So I'm not sure what is going on with the naps. Any advice, I am all ears.
I have read several books that say if I don't teach Liam to put himself to sleep we will have major problems with him as a toddler and he will have problems as an adult. Kevin insists this is why he has such a hard time going to sleep as an adult?! Is there anyway I can teach my child to put himself to sleep WITHOUT crying it out? Please mama's, help me/my baby out!
Well, I need to get going. I am so exhausted and need some rest. I am constantly chasing after Liam now. He keeps me on my toes! Yesterday, I left to go potty, was gone for maybe a minute and came back to Liam pulling all of his books out of the shelf (books were everywhere!). This is my new life... tiresome, but oh so worth it.
My dearest Liam, mama is so proud of all your progress, but could you slow down a bit? I never expected you to just grow up all in one weekend. I am so proud of you, so worn out and so worried that maybe this is all flying by too fast. Hugs and kisses lil' man!
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