So it's Halloween again...

Some of you might remember last year's post and my dislike for Halloween. I have been trying to keep a positive attitude about it this year and it does help to have Walker and his costume to get excited about...it's going to be awesome!!

This Halloween is the one year anniversary of learning about my mom's cancer. It is crazy to think that last year at this time we had just started painting Walker's nursery and I had no idea my mom was sick. But the amazing thing is that she is getting better. We didn't know much about her cancer last year, but she has been such a trooper trying different things and working hard to get better.

We are hoping that under the current treatment that she will show a great improvement and even NED (no evidence of disease...like remission for stage IV).

You can keep up to date about my mom from her blog mylifeline.org/jeanpharr

Here's to hoping for a fun Halloween for everyone this year and starting fun Halloween traditions with my new little family.

Off to Sunny California

The National Play Therapy Conference was in Sacramento, CA last week.  I was excited to go and needed to get some CEU's for my counseling license.  I figured that if I have to get CEU's, the national conference is the place to go because you get to hear the best speakers and meet really awesome play therapists. 

However, going this year meant that I had to bring along my 7 month old and all of his stuff, plus a baby sitter (my awesome mother in-law).  I was both nervous and excited about the trip.  The more I prepared the better I felt about going.  I created our packing list (a full 3 column page) and started to pack the week before.  It is incredible all of the in's and out's that you have to consider when traveling with a baby.  I am pretty sure the hotel, airline, and car rental place knew me by name before we even arrived.

I packed very lightly and shared a suitcase with Walker.  We had our clothes, his bath seat, his johnny jump up, sippy cups, toiletries, and the boppy crammed in there.  We also had a carry on suitcase with food, juice, and items in case our bag got lost or delayed.  Then we had his pack'n play, diaper, and stroller.  It was a hand full.  Luckily, my mother in-law and my friend Temple, who was going with us to the conference, were so helpful.

What it looks like to travel with an infant for a week

I'm sure people around us were thinking "oh great, baby on board" but he did so well

taking a little nap

my arm fell asleep during this nap

Walker did great on the plane.  He proved that he is a total flirt, smiling and "talking" with all the girls on the plane.  By the time we landed and got to the hotel it was 10:30 Arkansas time.  Walker made it all the way to the hotel room before he started to cry.  I consider this a pretty big success considering he usually goes to bed by 8.

Walker and I shared a room and then had a connecting room with Linda and Temple.  This worked out great because it gave us a place to hang out when Walker would nap or go to bed early.  I can't imagine how crowded it would have been if we all would have shared one room.  I was so pleased that Walker slept through the nights and did so great during the trip.

hanging out in the room

bath time with his travel bath seat

getting some cuddles from Nahna (you can see the hallway that leads to the other room.  It was a great set up)

I really enjoyed the conference and spending time learning new things, but it was hard for me to be away from Walker during the day (not to mention I was so ready to be finished with my pumping sessions in the bathroom, yuck).  However, I knew he was in good hands with Linda.  While in Sacramento, we were able to visit Old Sacramento and eat at The Melting Pot.  We also made a trip to Walmart the first day to get diapers and baby food (because it would have taken a whole suitcase for a weeks worth :) ). 

In front of the Capitol building

napping at Starbucks

Had to give daddy some love because we missed him

downtown Sacramento

swimming in the pool

entrance to Old Sacramento (it's a lot like Eureka Springs)

The Arkansas crew

ready to be home

It was a definite experience traveling with a baby to California for 6 days, but a fun time and lots of great memories.  The only bummer to the trip was that Walker picked up his first cold somewhere...I am guessing the airplane...So, when I got home Sunday I was exhausted but unable to get any sleep because little man woke up every 30-45 minutes.  He was pretty sick most of the week and spent almost all day rocking with mom in the rocking chair.  After missing him all week while I attended the conference, these cuddles were fine with me :)  But, now that we have been home a week and he is feeling almost better, the laundry is being done and the house is getting clean...finally...sometimes you just have to prioritize, and when you have a sick baby they do that for you :)

dad was a big help when we got home

7 Months

You turned 7 months on Monday.  We have been having so much fun this last month.  Fall is here, but the weather is still really nice.  We have started back to taking at least one walk a day.  You used to fall asleep in the stroller, but now you just quietly sit and watch all of the things as we go by.  You are still such an easy going kid.  I have taken you to "mom's day out" at Fellowship Church this month and they always comment on how "happy" and "sweet" you are.  They also say that you love to watch them and interact with people more than playing with toys.  If you are anything like your dad, I believe this. 

You ride in the cart now when we go somewhere and try to reach out and grab things.  I have to be careful not to get to close to the corner displays or you will snag something and try to eat it. 

Your favorite toy is a water bottle, empty or full.  I think you love the crinkle sound it makes when you chew on it.  You always smile and giggle when you see me drinking mine.  It's pretty cute.  You sit up by yourself now, but I usually stay close to you or put a pillow around you because sometimes you will see something that you want and just fall over to get it.  You have gotten better at rolling around the room, but are not very close to crawling.  You scoot back sometimes but haven't figured out how to get on all fours yet. 

You don't babble yet, but still make lots of noises and fake coughs.  As long as your first word is "mama", I don't really care when you start to talk :) 

I had to go do some marketing for my business this month for two days.  Dany, your baby sitter, came to watch you from 8:00-5:00.  This was the longest that we were away from each other so far.  You did great and didn't even seem to notice, but it was hard for me.  I am so thankful that I get to stay home with you!!! 

You are doing great on eating your solids still.  Your basic schedule is: 8:00 nurse, 9:00 juice (with Miralax to help your tummy), 10:00 short nap and then play, 12:00 nurse, 1:00 4 oz of baby food, 2:00 nap, 4:00 nurse, 5:30 4 oz of baby food, 7:15 nurse and start bedtime routine, 8:00 asleep.  You have been sleeping from 8a-8p regularly now.  It has been wonderful.  You really seem to prefer to just be placed in your crib and not rocked but I often try to rock you because I love that time :)  Some days you don't nap for long so we work on a 3 hour schedule as opposed to 4, but I try to keep us at feeding every four hours.

I was making your baby foods until just this week.  I stopped because now you are eating a lot of the 'stage 2' foods, which are combinations of things.  It is honestly just easier for me to buy these already mixed together.  We stick to the 'p' foods to help with your digestion so you don't have much variety.  Sorry about that.  I don't ever see a preference for any particular food, so you might not care.  You eat peas, pears, peaches, butternut squash, acorn squash, pumpkin, sweet potato, prunes, apples, and mangos.  You have also tried the puff snacks.  You have this mesh feeder that I will put frozen purees in and let  you suck on while we eat.  This works great during our family dinners.

You are starting to show a preference for me, which I love, but try not to encourage because I want you to be able to enjoy others too.  Sometimes I have to leave the room so that you will calm down and play with other people.  You don't ever really cry, but you have definitely learned how to whine to express yourself this month.