Sunday, July 31, 2011

July 31st 2011 - Cousins come to visit

Lynn and Preson checking out the toy shelf while Liam watches


Today my cousin Colleen came to visit and brought her mama Lynn and her son Preson. Preston is 7.5 months old and was full of smiles and laughs. Liam got to show off some of his toys and he did really well with Preston, I was impressed.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

July 30th 2011 - Beach Ball Pillow



Just having fun playing in the back yard and Liam decided the ball was soft. He is doing this lately where he feels something interesting so he lays his head down on it. If he likes it, the thumb goes in the mouth and he stays there for a few seconds. Then he is off and running again! He has put his head on me, the floor, the cats, the puppy, the grass, a cardboard box, Dan's shoes, the stairs, blankets, clean clothing piles, towels and a step stool so far. Only a few of them got the thumb.

Friday, July 29, 2011

July 29th 2011 - Bouncer



Here I was thinking that perhaps Liam was outgrowing his bouncer and it might be time to put it away. But today we plunked him in it when we needed a few minutes to run around without him underfoot and he had so much fun jumping! I caught an expression that seemed to tell me I better not think about putting this thing away yet!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

July 28th - My new buddy



Liam got his puppy today. Her name is Nymeria, Nym (Nim) for short. Already Liam is being so sweet to her and laughing when he sees her, touching her gently. She is licking his hands and nudging his legs and being sweet.

We have a lot of work ahead of us in potty training her and teaching her and Liam to play nicely together. But there will be a lot of fun. I am glad we got her in summer so the outside time will not be a hardship like it would be trying to potty train her in the rain!

Welcome to the family Nym!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

July 27th - The Handsome Guy



Sometimes I am just totally floored by how handsome my son is. Maybe it is the mom in me thinking he is awesome no matter what, but it really makes me smile to see how well proportioned his face is and how symmetrical and all those things that make people attractive to other people. That is one good looking boy!

Even with some banana bread residue on his face and a scar from the bookcase incident....

July 25th and 26th - Hanging out at home



Liam and his oh so precise finger.



Just hanging around while daddy does a Squish Factor check (our term for how full his diaper is. High or Low squish factor)

Sunday, July 24, 2011

July 22nd - 24th - A trip to the park, and the country.

We went to the park and Liam climbed the stairs to the slide and I helped him turn around so he could go down on his tummy. I thought this would be a safe way to not have him fall down the slide. He turned himself around next time he went up and then tried to climb UP the slide! He really enjoyed the park.



The next day we left early in the morning to head out to Willamina OR and see my friend Bev and our friend Michelle who was up visiting from CA. It was sort of last minute because we only had 24 hour notice that Michelle was going to be coming by. Liam enjoyed the front yard and picking clover flowers.



And then in the morning we had biscuits for breakfast and Liam fed most of an entire one to the dog, Bear. Bear quickly learned that Liam was a good source of food, and hung out with him. To his credit, Bear would NOT take a bite from Liam's hand until Liam was holding to food out to him and had his thumb out of the way. They shared a moment together on the floor before we headed home. It looks kinda like a smell my finger moment, but who can blame Bear when the baby smelled like buttery biscuits.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

July 21, 2011 - Still a baby

With all the walking and growing and being so independent lately it is sometimes hard to remember that my baby is still a baby.

He goes up and down the stairs on his own and pushes away a hand offered to help, he doesn't want to be scooped up and snuggled when he bonks his head, he is learning to be defiant. But he is still my sweet baby when he wants his bottle before bed.



Some day I want to look back on this photo and remember that no matter what, this is my baby boy, this is my sweet smelling fresh from the bath little angel.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

July 20th - Flying Spaghetti Monster!

Liam pays homage to the Flying Spaghetti Monster!



Other than Liam getting to eat Spaghetti, today was pretty un-eventful. Though I did freak myself out by researching the little skin problem that that Dr. said was the bumps on Liam's leg (which is different than the other problem he has... this one seemed minor until I noticed two new spots today). Turns out it is a little scarier than he made it sound and I need to be careful if it really is what he says it is. It is something called molluscum contagiosum. Apparently... according to this guy.

There is no treatment but time and it can spread if not covered and kept from breaking the skin. Though someone online swears by apple cider vinegar in the bath. Sooooo, Liam will be getting a bath every day for a couple weeks and we will see if it makes a difference. Can't hurt if that ISN'T what it is.

Anyways, onto joyful news... we are going berry picking tomorrow! And then possibly making jam afterward or the next day. I am very excited about this!!!!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

July 19th 2011 - The Wild Liambeast

"And here in this cage we seem to have captured the swift moving and playful Liambeast, known for throwing peas, shrieking loudly in glee at various things and being the chaser of house cats everywhere." 




We did some shopping for puppy things today. Liam really enjoyed playing in the kennel. He would crawl into it, shut the door, crawl out of it and then shut the door behind him. At the pet store he saw many dogs and laughed when he saw them. He reached for them and babbled at them. He becomes animated in a way I rarely see when he is just with people, each time he is around a dog. It just told me that getting a dog now is going to be worth the added responsibility.

I know that having a puppy will be a lot of work, it will require training and dedication and patience, but I want the benefits that having a dog will bring. The joy on Liam's face, the playmate, the friend as he grows up. The idea that having a dog from a young age can reduce allergies later in life.

I think the positives will far outweigh the negatives. It will mean more cleaning up after another critter, but I think I can handle it.

I can not wait to have pictures of Liam playing with his little buddy.

Monday, July 18, 2011

July 18th 2011 - Cow Licks

Today was a weird day. Liam is now walking like a pro and has been tearing around all over the place. No need to worry about an exercise plan anymore, I have one! Toddler chasing will be the new fad routine soon.

But in the morning light that came through the window, my son managed to tilt his head to the side and brush it on the couch just enough to make his cow lick stand up like a little fan of ultra fine baby hair. As captured with my iPhone. 



I also spaced on the fact that my camera charger was plugged in to a socket on a switch and the switch was OFF. So no battery. By the time I had the battery charged Liam and I were out the door and going to the Doctors for a mystery rash on his nether regions that was NOT a basic diaper rash. The diagnosis? "I have NO idea what that is!" from TWO doctors. The treatment - anti fungal and anti yeast medications slathered on under a liberal pile of diaper cream. At least he seems totally fine with the whole process and had fun practicing his walking skills in the waiting room while I trailed behind him keeping him from tripping on people, tripping people, licking the windows and trying to poke other babies.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

July 17th, 2011 - The Best Cup Ever



It was a long and difficult search, many sippy cups fell by the wayside in the quest for The One Liam Will Actually Use.

I finally found it after staring at a wall of sippy cups for 10 minutes straight.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you, Liam's SLURPING Cup!

He didn't want to sip, he didn't want to tilt the cup, he wanted a straw!

Saturday, July 16, 2011

July 16th, 2011 - The Pink Balloon




Today we went to the Gresham Art Walk. It was also the same day as the Farmers Market. Liam got to eat blackberries and cherries, cinnamon burst bread and  we walked past a new store that was opening called iCandy. They were still under construction but had some samples outside and some small bags of candy for sale. Liam was given a pink balloon that was a wonderful toy to him. We sat under a canvas shelter during a brief rain storm and watch some performers dance and sing.