Snow on snow

I never really understood that line in 'In the Bleak Midwinter', being from temperate N Ireland, but boy has New England been an educator.

We had another 6 inches this week, and then lots of rain, and then some freezing temperatures so we went from snow to slush to sheet ice. Poor old Stephen (back recovered) was out shovelling for a long time on Wednesday.

We took Samuel out for some 'family fun' in the snow and even propped him up in a snow bank. As you can see from the pictures he was unimpressed with the experience. Before grandparents everywhere protest, no child was harmed in the taking of the picture. He was well wrapped up and waterproofed.

On Friday we took a particularly icy walk (the snow boots came in handy) and Samuel promptly fell asleep. Isn't it amazing the positions babies can sleep in!

A Milestone..

So firstly apologies as I know I haven't posted anything for a while. I have lots of pictures waiting to be posted so bear with me and I will try and get them up this week. Rather than doing them in order though I need to go straight to todays footage as we have reached A Milestone (capitals for effect.)





Samuel has been moving a lot more lately, and his little feet move constantly, usually accompanied by a serious expression, actually Caroline it looks a lot like your 'running man' dance move! I'll try and capture it for you sometime.





Anyway, today he was playing on his mat, his new favourite pastime and I got some great footage of him rolling over on to his side (and then getting his legs tangled in comical fashion!) See for yourself in clip 1. I thought that was as good as it got and then... just as Stephen walked in the door he managed to flip himself all the way over on to his belly. He stayed there looking shocked for a while (after all belly down is not his favourite position) and then promptly did a face plant into the floor. He is a stoical little chap though and was unperturbed by this. Stephen and I put him back on to his back and waited with the camera for it to happen again, see clip 2.





I never realised how proud I could feel of something so small. It feels like the most defining milestone he has passed yet, smiles just became gradually less gassy and the neck got slowly stronger. This was a watershed, one minute he couldn't turn over, and the next he could. What a boy! The sky's the limit for this kid I think.

Clip One

Clip Two

A not so manic Monday

Today was a good day. Much as I love people and being out and about, I also love a day at home. It is great to wake up and know that you can spend the day working down the 'to do' list, it must be the control freak in me.

So today Samuel and I cleaned, napped, did washing, spat up, pureed carrots and pears, made muesli, chewed on fingers, and had some tummy time. I'll leave it up to you to guess who did what.

The fruits (and vegetables) of my labour.

Tummy time, once hated, has become slightly more successful since we added a rolled up towel under his arms. This helps him stay upright a little longer, and distracts him from his fingers which he always wants to put in his mouth. He still only last for about 10 minutes before the fingers are in and the head is down but still, it's an improvement! Maybe someday he'll roll over, like the books say, but I think he might just lie around until he's ready to crawl. I'm beginning to learn he will do it all in his own sweet time!

Up and happy

All tired out and in need of a thumb suck

Tickle time

One of the fun things about the stage Samuel is at now (5 months!) is that he loves to be played with. He adores any sort of interaction and is actually pretty good company as he chatters back when you talk to him. He also laughs a lot, and there is nothing quite like a baby laugh.



He has an especially tickly neck, so here he is with Daddy taking advantage of that.



Try and ignore;

1. That Stephen has his hood up (it was cold)

2. That the video ends with a bit of husbandly instruction.



Enjoy!

Also, I have endeavoured to add a comments feature, so I think you can now add your comments when you view. It'll help me to know if anyone is actually reading any of this!

Talky Samuel

I thought it was about time or we had another video of Samuel. This one is for die hard fans only as not much happens! He is very vocal these days so I thought I would try and capture it on camera. As you can see at the end, the line between talking and shouting is a fine one and easily crossed.

All things weather related

T S Eliot you are wrong, January is officially the cruellest month. The weather for the last few weeks has been bitter. If it's not snowing then that's because it's just too cold to snow. I think back fondly to N Ireland where anything below 5c was cold. Here we registered -20 and then some! (On a side note- I realise Maine temperatures knock the socks of these stats. MA is positively balmy in comparison)

Anyway, this weather has led to some fun times. I have enjoyed doing (some) of the shovelling. Last winter pregnancy meant my lovely husband did it all. Actually he probably would have this year too except he hurt his back so i stepped in. For the record, he was so emasculated his wife was shovelling instead of him that he couldn't come outside to take the photo in case he was spotted by a church member. That's why I am a mere dot!

The cold temperatures have also meant Samuel gets to wear his LL Bean snow suit. He likes it for it's fuzzyness but is quickly frustrated by it when he realises he can't suck his thumb (his new favourite pasttime.) I have attached a photo from last Saturday when the two of us took and walk. Unfortunately I can't go far with him in the sling these days as he is over SEVENTEEN pounds. And if i hurt my back there is noone left to do the shovelling....

Train up a child......

Andrew and Maureen, this one is for you.

It's never too early.

Weaning- Phase 2

So today was the day to leave only grains behind and move on to root vegetables. I dutifully boiled and pureed a butternut squash and we attempted that (mixed with a little milk) at lunchtime. Initially it went down ok, but soon panic set in as he thought maybe the new food meant no bottle. We had to abandon solids, as a meltdown was approaching fast, and we returned to it once he had drunk his fill.

All in all it was pretty successful, tomorrow we may try carrot. I figure maybe I'll only ever feed him orange food and then if i dress him only in orange stains won't be a problem.

I tried to get a picture of him in mid meltdown, but as soon as a camera appears he calms down, hence he just looks slightly perturbed in the photos!

Like father like son..

We had a relaxing day off on Friday, the highlight of which was a lazy afternoon by the fire. As you can see Samuel is developing some Witmer habits. He enjoyed hanging out on the floor in front of the fire just like his Dad.

He has also developed a love of rather weighty theology books. Not sure who he gets that from.

..

Fashionista or Faux pas?

As you may have noticed from my previous posts, Samuel's hair is growing pretty fast. He has endured the 'male pattern baldness' stage and has now moved into a much more up to date style. Yes, if you look closely you will see that my child most definitely has one of those ultra trendy spiked styles! You know the kind, hair going in all sorts of different directions (see picture above). And even better, he spends no time at all styling it in the mornings, it's all natural!

Of course right now he's cutting edge, putting all other 4 month olds in Pepperell to shame. My concern is what will happen in a few years time. Surely that style can't stay around forever? What if 2010 is the year of the crew-cut, or the mullet, or even the swoop? If that happens we could have issues. That swirl at the front definitely isn't going anywhere. I guess he'll just have to be an individual.

Picky Eater?

Just in case the photos didn't bring you close enough to the action, here's a short clip of lunchtime in the Witmer household. As you can see Samuel loves the dining experience although I'm not sure he's ready to eat out yet!

Feeding time at the Zoo

So this last week Samuel has made the move from purely liquid to semi solid food. Well, i say made the transition, in reality we are still hovering over the divide. The first taste went ok, given on my (clean) finger, but I'm not sure if much actually stayed in. He would roll it around his mouth for a few seconds, then notice me watching, then smile, at which point it all came oozing out again. After a few spoonfuls he was done and ready for his fist instead.

Still the books inform me it just needs to be a fun experience right now and he doesn't actually need the nutrition till he's older. Hopefully by then we'll have mastered the art. Next stop is pureed vegetable..... I may have to strip him for that one.

Success!

The Blog begins...

Well, I've been talking about it for a while and have finally decided to make it happen, I've set up a blog. This is primarily a way to keep friends and family up to date with Samuel's growth and development. It seems easier than sending huge photo emails to all interested parties. Now all I have to do is learn how to post photos.

Hope this helps you to feel a little more involved Mum...