Simon is 11 months old today — almost a full year and I can’t believe it!
Also, this month’s photos were a HUGE challenge. Simon is nothing like Nora when it comes to taking pictures. Nora would (and still does) sit nicely and pose perfectly every time… not so much with Simon.
I was lucky to get 4 half-way decent photos out of the MANY I took (with Dave’s assistance). I’ll definitely be re-thinking my monthly photo strategy with the next baby!
The past month has been a little rough for us…
For starters, he had his first tumble down the stairs — which was really scary for me but he was totally fine within about 2 minutes.
He also had his first fever. It wasn’t anything major but he sure was miserable — which is extra tough since he HATES to snuggle. All day long, he wanted to be held, but yet, he wanted his freedom to move around. He wouldn’t go in any sort of baby carrier but screamed if I put him down for even a minute. Needless to say, my back was killing me after that week!
Another “fun first” — Simon learned how to throw a temper-tantrum and now regularly sprawls out face-down on the carpet sobbing when he can’t figure something out or when he doesn’t get his way.
Oh… and Simon has officially decided that I’m his all-time favorite person in the world and he really doesn’t love it when I’m not around 🙂 He refuses to take a bottle unless I’m the one feeding him — so although we went the bottle route to give me a little more freedom, I’m starting to feel like I’m right back where I was with Nora. Only this time, I know it will end eventually so I’m not nearly as anxious about it.
Plus, he sleeps really well, which basically negates any other complaint a mother can have… right!?
I think he’s trying to transition from 2 naps to 1… but he can’t quite make it all day with only one nap, so he’s often pretty crabby from about 3:30 – 6:30 when he goes to bed. Poor Dave, he’s basically only around when Simon is fussy and crying.
Yes, I know that NONE of this is anything major, it’s just sad because my happy-go-lucky little boy has been crying A LOT lately and that’s just not like him 🙁
On a more positive note, he has started walking with his walker really well. He scoots all over the house with it, and I’m hoping this means he’ll start walking solo pretty soon.
He’s not a huge fan of snow or getting all his snow gear on, but he does seem to like being pulled in the sled… so a few times a week, we spend 20 minutes getting everyone bundled up, go outside for approximately 15 minutes, and then take another 10 minutes un-bundling everyone back inside again.
I realize this probably sounds insane to anyone living in a warm climate, but for those of you living with snow, you know that it’s worth it for 15 minutes of fresh air (especially if the sun happens to be shining!)
Now that Simon is very mobile, he’s starting to play and interact with Nora a bit more. She is not always so excited about this, but it is fun for me to see them “playing” and having fun together.
Almost every single day, Dave and I talk about how fun it’s going to be once he starts talking… and Nora and Simon can have their own little-people conversations.
As many of you know, Nora is VERY verbal and pretty hilarious with some of the things she says. I can only imagine how much more fun it will be once they can talk with each other (also, I’m selfishly hoping for a break from Nora’s 310 questions every day).
Speaking of Nora, she is quite concerned with party preparations for Simon’s upcoming birthday party.
I asked her what she thought we should do, and she immediately said he should have a “red and blue Thomas the Train party, with a Thomas cake”. She also suggested that she could dress up as the train conductor and push Simon into the party on our Thomas ride-on toy.
Looks like I’ll have a party-planning assistant this time around 🙂
I think Simon will go for that since he loves riding on Thomas.
He also LOVES cars and trucks!
We’ve always had a small container of cars and trucks in our toy bin, but Nora was never interested in playing with them. Simon found that basket a couple weeks ago and hasn’t let the cars out of his sight. He pushes them around everywhere and even pretends that other objects (like cell phones and remote controls) are cars.
He loves his baths in the “sink bathtub” as Nora calls it…
… and in general, he is still WAY WAY WAY more “chill” and relaxed than Nora has ever been.
Here’s hoping next month brings a few more naps and a little less fussiness 🙂
Happy 11 months Simon!
Tammy says
Just wanted to say that i just found your blog yesterday and I love everything on it! Your little guy is adorable! of course so is your daughter! My son Simon is turning 3 on March 8. great name and month to be born! 😉
warm wishes!
Tammy
Andrea says
Thanks Tammy!
It’s not often I hear of another Simon — and with a similar birthday too!
Our Simon is named after his Great Grandpa 🙂
April says
So adorable. Thank you for sharing Simon with all of us, and I would also like to thank you for your honesty. I wish that I would have had a blog like yours to read when my kids were young. I had the same thoughts as you about the first birthday – and it was definitely not “bittersweet ” for me. I miss my kids being younger, but even now, after a lot of time has passed, I still don’t miss the baby stage.
Andrea says
Thanks April — I appreciate that you can understand where I’m coming from! I’m not trying to be a “downer” when I talk about my less-than-head-over-heals feelings for babies; rather, like you, I which I would have been able to accept my feelings as “normal” and not feel like I was a horrible mother for almost 2 years!
Liane says
He is so adorable! You will get through this rough patch. And please don’t stop taking pictures. Your pictures are amazing. When I look back at my 40 yr old photo books at the yellow and faded printed puctures there are huge gaps. How I wish I had kept it up. Teasing here: it’s not like you have to go buy film and then put in in the camera and then not mess it up getting it back out and then taking it to the camera shop since there were no Costcos Walmarts or Walgreens where I grew up. Then you had to put the photos in a book and save the negatives. So you got it easy girl!!!!
I love my iPhone for photos and it’s so cool with photo stream and iCloud … The pictures all magically show up on the computer and on the iPad. Love it!
Andrea says
Thanks Liane! I probably wouldn’t take any pictures if it weren’t for my phone. EVERY single pictures I’ve taken since Nora was born has been on my iPhone — crazy how quick and easy it is 🙂
Erin says
Thanks for sharing! He’s so cute. It was probably about 11 months that my girl Reagan (now 14 months) started her tantrums. yaaaaay 😉
We have the same walker, too. Right after she got that (Christmas), she started getting more confident walking and is all over the place and very proud of herself.
I can’t wait to see Simon’s first bday celebration. So very bittersweet, isn’t it?
Andrea says
Thanks Erin! I’m definitely excited for Simon to be walking… but I don’t think I share your “bittersweet” feeling of the first birthday. My thought process is more like “hallelujah! it didn’t come fast enough!” but that’s just my craziness 🙂
JoAnn C. says
Such a cutie! Thanks for sharing.
Teri says
What a cutie! How do you crop in the month decal to his shirt? That’s a clever way to save on buying the stickers.
Andrea says
Thanks Teri! As for the numbers, I think it would be difficult to explain in a comment.
Basically, I use PicMonkey to edit all my photos. I make the number decals as separate photos and then layer the photos on top of each other. I realize that probably makes no sense if you aren’t used to PicMonkey… but that’s the best I can do as far as explaining it 🙂
Jen says
Poor little dude, and momma. It’s so sad when they’re sick because they can’t tell you what they need/want. Heck, they’re not even sure. I remember both of my (pretty easy, laid-back) babies going through periods in their infanthood when I was like, “Who is this child and where did my chill little babe go?” It usually involved a poorly-times combination of illness, teething, and a growth spurt. One of those things is enough, but combine them and my kids had a really hard time.
They are both adorable babes and I know #3 will be loved and adored by his or her older siblings. Nora will have a tiny army to command!
Andrea says
yes, exactly! I hate it that they can’t just tell me what they want/need!
Paulette Smith says
I totally enjoy all the updates on the kiddos! Simon is adorable. All that sweet baby pudge. 🙂
And Nora is a hoot! I can’t believe the things that come our of her mouth! Thanks for keeping us posted.
Andrea says
Thanks Paulette! Yes and Yes — to the “adorable” and the “hoot” comments. I totally agree 🙂
Emily says
Oh Simon you’re growing so fast!! Love that he’s into cars, trucks and trains. My little guy was the same way about that age. Such a fun change from having two little girls who are baby doll and dress up obsessed. Love your little party planner! That will be so much fun for her to help with all the details and share in the excitement of little brother’s first birthday!! Happy 11 months Simon!!
Lauren says
My daughter (13 months) does the same thing but not just when she’s sick. She wants me to hold her constantly but immediately starts squirming to get down. Then why I put her down, she cries because she wants me to pick her up. So frustrating and exhausting! It sounds like you’re doing a great job! Love your blog