Sorry for the delay

This is a long time coming and I'm sorry for disappearing! With school, work, Charlie, Eric changing jobs, packing and moving I haven't had a spare moment!

Charlie has been needier than usual this week and I think all the changes are the culprit. He just wants to make sure he isn't something that goes away-- or that I'll go away, never to be seen again. At least we moved someplace he's already comfortable with and it's not yet another change. Kids are resilient, sure, but he is still a kid with no means of communication, so when he's stressed all he can do is cling and cry.

He's nearly done teething so that's a blessing; he was growing two or three at a time for a while and it was really hurting him. He's really putting his new teeth to the test because he's eating all sorts of  new foods and loving them all. He's still wearing his teething bracelet and necklace all the time and it's helping. 

He's getting so big! He's running and jumping, dancing and climbing. He's trying so hard to talk and sing! His hands and feet are so little but at the same time so big!

Toddler bed mistep?

We recently dropped Charlie's bed down to the lowest level and thought "why don't we just convert it to the toddler bed setting so he can get used to it?" Like most great ideas, it was better in theory. 

In his crib, Charlie would sleep the whole night; now it seems like everytime he turns over he gets up and can't go back to sleep. He'll get out of bed and go to the door crying or otherwise wander his room.  Plus, he moves around a lot in his sleep and he's fallen off the bed a bunch. 

We're thinking of giving him a week to adjust to the change, monitoring him via the baby camera, and try to help him get acclimated. After a week if things don't start moving in the right direction, then we'll put it back together as a crib.

Although seeing Charlie climb into his bed and hug his bear and pantomime laying down for bed is so sweet, I could totally put up with his night moves. 

Being a mom has taught me #2

That I will have patience beyond my previous understanding.

I did not ever think I would or even could be as patient with anyone as I do with Charlie. Which is great because it definitely spreads to others in my life-- some of whom I can always use more patience for. 

I'm constantly giving Charlie the benefit of a few seconds before I respond so I can remind myself "he's only 1. Do I really expect him to know what he's doing?" It helps me keep in perspective that if I don't like something I've got to teach him and lead by example.

I am part of the foundation for what his life will be based on so I've got to start by teaching him slowly and having infinite patience.