Chillin' with Dylan

1st Birthday

2009-02-19T19:19:00.001-08:00

Today Dylan woke up happy and talking up a storm, he must of known new things were on the horizon. I sang happy birthday to him as soon as I walked through the door, and we proceeded with our usual morning routine - I turn off his noise machine, open his curtains and the blinds and then pick him up and share our morning cuddle. He gives the best hugs these days - really knows how to squeeze! Then we share our special time, and once done nursing we go to the kitchen for waffles and yogurt. A quick hello to the "doggie" on the way and our day begins. Once Chris was up we had some coffee and took a few photos of our birthday boy. We reminisced about this time last year and how we never knew the depth of our love, our happiness. When Chris left for work we waved him bye-bye from the door like we always do and then played for about an hour, mostly Dylan pushed around a laundry basket from one side of the house to the other, I filmed a bit for prosperity sake. About 10 am it was nap time and he slept for almost 2 hrs, when he woke up we went and met Chris for lunch at Luna de Noche where Dylan thoroughly enjoyed himself lapping up refried beans and Spanish rice, clearly I need to offer this on his "menu". We had a wonderful lunch, and then went in to see some of Chris' coworkers and Dylan proceeded to charm everyone's pants off! He smiled at everyone and then walked down the hall holding his Daddy's hand. We left and went to the party store to get some goodies for Saturday then back home for some more milk and a cat nap while drinking! Dinner was broccoli pancakes, cornbread and peas with some yogurt for dessert. All in all it was a fantastic day, and we will look forward to the BIG celebration on Saturday with all of our family and friends.

364 days old

2009-02-18T21:10:00.000-08:00

Well, my baby turns one tomorrow at 12:56 pm it will be official. Everyone tells you how fast it goes by, but you really have no idea until you blink and a year has passed. What an amazing year it has been. I am going to write more tomorrow, tonight it's late, and I have way too much on my mind to make sense of right now! One more peak at my sweet angel sleeping before I go to bed and wake up with a 1 year old!

Books, not just for eating anymore!

2009-01-23T19:44:00.000-08:00

Tonight we had a breakthrough during bedtime. As we sat in Dylan's chair and cuddled up with our gnawed up copy of Goodnight Moon something spectacular happened. Dylan sat in my lap and pointed at the pictures on the pages, and before I knew it I had finished reading him the book. No grabbing the book and biting it, no trying to constantly turn the book over, no knocking the book on the floor and scooting it around, just quiet attention. I was so surprised by his reaction I read it again. Same thing! He listened to me and pointed at the pages and talked to me, almost mimicking what I was saying. It was so fun! I was just talking to some mommy friends this morning at MOPS about how I was looking forward to the time when he would be able to just sit in my lap and allow me to read to him. It happened. I guess this means it's time to expand our little library, not much need to have a lot of books when all they are used for is chewing!

Happy reading!

Favorite Passtimes

2009-01-06T13:19:00.000-08:00

Well even with the plethora of new toys he received for Christmas, Dylan still loves to open the entertainment center doors and pull out all the DVD's, he also enjoys the remote controls as well as any other non-kid friendly object there is. As a matter of fact if there were 2 identical cell phones laying around and one was actually a kid's toy in disguise he would honestly go for the "Real" one! It's like they have radar or something for things they aren't suppose to play with. Amazing! He does like his Radio Flyer walker/wagon and his Leap Frog piano. Above all he really just enjoys pushing things around the floor - puzzle pieces, rubber duckie, his wagon, a shoe, the remote, a dvd, shoot he even tried to scoot the Leap Frog piano around the room. Sometimes he will scoot one toy and then push another toy with it. For example he got a corn popper from his Aunt E and he will be busy pushing that along the floor until he sees said object number two which he then will push with the corn popper. It's hysterical. In addition he loves to open the bottom drawer of his changing table (where all the toys are) and take everything out. Not really to play with, you see the game in itself is just taking objects out! (Note - he hasn't mastered the whole putting them back technique, I hear that takes a while, sometimes not until they are like 30 or something! ha-ha)

New Years Day

2009-01-01T18:49:00.001-08:00

Today Dylan, Roxy and I went for a run and then detoured to the playground to swing for a bit. This evening we got to visit with some friends Melissa, Greg and Reese and Neda, Ed and Ava. It was so fun to see the girls, both about 16 months now. Dylan had a good time playing with them and it was nice to see Melissa and Neda and catch up. Time goes by too fast, it's nice to have good friends to be able to enjoy it with!

New Years Eve

2008-12-31T19:34:00.000-08:00

Today Dylan & I went to Plano to visit Grandmommy and Granddaddy. Actually the boys hung out while us girls went to the Coach outlet to splurge on some super cute purses courtesy of my Coach-loving Mother in Law! She turned me onto Coach about 10 years ago and I have to say I still carry the "original" one she bought as a Christmas gift the first year Chris and I were married. Anyway my sister in law met us and we all had a fun time browsing through the store, we would just walk around with 2-3 purses on our arms until we felt the need to let one go, and then we would try the "feel" of the next one. Anyone who has ever purse-shopped knows what I mean. Meanwhile GrandDaddy B and Dylan were hanging at the house having a grand ol' time. I do believe he never once stopped, and I know they will both sleep well tongiht! We left around 4:00 and he promtly fell asleep in the car and remained asleep for about an hour, not even budging when I moved his carseat inside.

Chris got home around 5:30 and we had some fun at dinner. Dylan has really found his voice lately and enjoys telling us all about his thoughts on sweet potatoes, veggie burgers and such. He will get real wide-eyed and then hold his food in the air high above his head and look at it and then talk to us for several minutes. It is quite adorable, he certainly has a lot to say about it all. We took some video and he must of gone on for about 10 minutes straight. Can't wait to watch it back!

Chris & I had our traditional surf and turf New Year's dinner with steak and lobster tail - delicious! Now for some champagne and possibly some Wii, if we can figure out how to use it!

This year comes to an end with happiness in my heart, and a new definition for the word LOVE now that I am a mom. Our son brings us more joy than we ever thought possible. My heart sometimes feels as if it will just explode. I am looking forward to 2009 and all it has to bring our little family. Perhaps maybe even a brother or sister for Dylan! Peace and love to all! xoxo

Dylan's first Christmas

2008-12-25T21:23:00.000-08:00

What an amazing day! It was a long one, but so worth it. We are so blessed to have spent the day with all of our family. We started the morning at our house and Dylan opened some really cool musical instruments from Santa and some Melissa and Doug puzzles from me & his Daddy. We had a fun time jamming out with the music and then he pushed a puzzle piece around the floor for a bit, all the while stopping to taste the paper and boxes at any and all opportunities. Then it was nap time and Chris and I exchanged gifts and got ready to go over to Gram and Poppy's first then to Grandmommy & Granddaddy's. We had a lovely brunch with Gram and Poppy and then opened some gifts from them and then the rest of the family came over Uncle Matt & Aunt Heather with cousins Emma and Kira, then Uncle Mike and Aunt Betty arrived with cousin Thomas. It was a whirlwind of gift giving, paper flying, laughing, hugging, kissing and thanking. Some gifts include 2 leap from toys one that hooks up to the TV and one that's a piano, some clothes, a tranitional push, pull, walker, and so much more. Then it was off to Grandmommy and Granddaddy's to see Uncle Nick and Aunt Elizabeth who had very special news to share...a cousin is due in July! It was so exciting and we are so happy for them. Dylan got a really cool radio flyer old school wagon/push pull transition toy which is going to have him walking in no time flat! Dylan also got a popcorn popper and some wooden blocks. Dinner was prime rib and yorkshire pudding, and it was fantastic! Dylan managed to stay up and sat with us through dinner and was a perfect little gentlemen, entrtaining us all talking and laughing! He only had one nap this morning and it didn't phase him at all, he was happy and smiling and let everyone hold him and hug him all day long. He fell asleep around 8:30 and even when we woke him up to leave around 10:30 and he just woke up with a smile and didn't even complain. He's such a great little guy. When I got home I noticed Chris had downloaded some photos to our digital frame, and I was overwhelmed with emotion. I just am so happy, and love this child so much, and love my husband and our families, and really feel so blessed with the abundance of joy and love in our lives. It was an amazing first Christmas for Dylan, and an amazing first Christmas as parents. Chris and I are in for some fun times ahead!

Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T20:49:00.000-08:00

Today Dylan spent the day with his Daddy while I went to yoga and then ran some very last minute errands. Note to self: do NOT wait until the last minute next year, start shopping in August, or lat least right after Thanksgiving. Anyway they had a great time and it was so nice for Dylan to be able to spend the day with his Dad. We had dinner, bathed and put Dylan in his Christmas jammies and all cuddled up in his room and Chris read "The Night Before Christmas". It was a nice night, and now we are wrapping gifts like crazy. Tomorrow will be a very busy day with a start time of around 5:30 am, if only little guy could sleep "in" until 6 or 6:30. Something about waking up when the clock says 5am doesn't seem right. I am so excited to spend the day with him and Chris and our new little family. We will go over to both Grandparent's houses too and Dylan will see Aunts, Uncles and cousins. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Going to see the BIG man!

2008-12-23T11:25:00.000-08:00

Well we are finally going to see Santa this afternoon. Dylan is napping right now, but when he wakes up we are taking a family trip to the mall to see the Big Man himself. Santa is in such high demand you actually have to show up at 9am to get your number then they call numbers throughout the day. I am #103 so most likely they will call us around 3:30. Wow, who knew?!?! Apparently Santa has been at this mall for 20 years and is very busy these days. I am looking forward to seeing Dylan's face no matter what the expression is, it will for sure be priceless. The holiday season definitely has renewed joy and wonderment now that I have a child. I have always loved this time of year, but I can honestly say nothing compares to the new thrill it takes on with my own child.

The Sign for Cereal

2008-12-21T17:37:00.000-08:00

This morning when I was giving Dylan his cereal he made the sign for "cereal". We are teaching him basic sign language and this is one of the signs we use many times a day so it doesn't surprise me that he knows the sign. Chris thinks that he might just do that sign for any type of finger food since it mimics the pincher grasp, but either way it's communicating which is so neat!

A clap of the hands for Daddy

2008-12-21T17:30:00.000-08:00

Chris was helping Dylan out with dinner tonight and right smack in the middle of a bite he clapped his hands together 2 times. We starting clapping too, but I think we scared him, because he didn't do it again. He did look pretty proud of himself though. It seems like he's learning something new every day. I love this age, what a fun time of exploration and discovery!

It was cold again today, 34 outside after being 74 yesterday, this has been the weirdest week of weather, we started out hot, then got cold, then snow and ice, then weird misty fog, then hot again, now back to cold. They say if you don't like the Texas weather just stick around, it will change!

Grandmommy Lee bought Dylan the cutest Christmas pajamas from the Children's Place. One has snowmen, penguins, and polar bears on it, the other he wore today is a Christmas plaid. Chris and I decided it was a great day to stay in his warm jammies all day, he looked so cute like a mini candy cane.

Waving to mommy

2008-12-20T20:34:00.000-08:00

Dylan had his weekly playdate with Grandmommy Lee and Granddaddy Bob on Weds last week, and when I got home he was cruisin' the entertainment center and he looked right at me and waved! It was a bit like an arm-flapping excited movement, but I had just gotten home and was saying Hi to him and waving myself so I know it was a "legitimate" wave. Today they were over again and when they left we walked outside and he waved bye bye to them. Oh it's amazing how cool these moments are. I had no idea I would get this excited over such little things. It's communicating though, and it's a blast to be able to communicate with my son.

Trying hard to be a Blogger

2008-12-01T19:46:00.000-08:00

I feel like I should of started this a year ago! Oh well, I actually like the idea of it, I just feel a bit overwhelmed right now trying to figure it all out. I don't have the patience (or time) to sit and read a "How to" blog on blogging, so therefore I will just blog and hope that I can learn as I go. When deciding on a blog name I really liked "notablogger" but alas it was taken as were other options: momnextdoor, chillinwithdylan, mommy2dylan, just among a few I thought sounded a bit more clever than the ol' Thrashfamily standby. But it gets the job done, and that's what we are, The Thrash Family!

Praying hard for sweet baby Hazel

2008-12-01T18:44:00.000-08:00

I met Hazel's mom (Amanda) online where mommies of Feb 08 babies come together and talk about everything. As a matter of fact she and Dylan share the same birthday. There are a lot of us on that board who share a really strong bond.

Hazel was admitted to the hospital on Nov 25 when they discovered she had a foreign object lodged in her throat. It turned out to be a small, disc shaped battery that had been there for 6 days. Extensive damage to her esophagus occurred due to the battery acid and she is currently in a drug induced coma.

I can't even begin to express how sad I am and how sorry I am that this happened to poor Hazel. Luckily her mama is strong and brave and an amazing woman.

Please say a prayer or send some healthy energy to Hazel and the entire Donovan family. They are on day 6 of seeing their daughter in ICU, unconscious and on a ventilator.

Just a side note - the Dr's said this happens frequently, and most often due to those batteries in the musical greeting cards. So please do not send those to anyone who has small children.

Get better soon sweet Hazel, we are sending you all our love, blessings, healing prayers and energy. For more information you can check out Amanda's blog: Hazel is in the eye of the beholder.

Sleeping through the night

2008-11-14T07:58:00.000-08:00

Well just shy of 9 months old my son has decided to sleep through the night. It wasn't a struggle or fight either, it just happened (as soon as I quit nursing him to sleep)!

I had heard before eat, play, sleep, but Dylan wasn't really into that schedule when he was younger, and to be honest I loved nursing him to sleep at night. We would bathe and then put on his jammies and then settle into the rocking chair and rock and nurse until he fell into what I can only imagine was the most peaceful, calm, gratifying sleep. Only problem was when he would wake during a sleep cycle in the middle of the night (usually around 2 am) he was in shock. "Wait a minute, this isn't where I fell asleep, I was in my mommy's arms, being rocked and enjoying a wonderfully peaceful meal...WAAAAAAAA!!!!"

So now we nurse in the living room before bed and he gets sleepy, but doesn't fall asleep until AFTER he is put down in his crib. So no more shock to the system when he happens to wake in the night, he is able to just settle himself and go right back to sleep.

What a perfect little buddy! We are so lucky!