Put Another Nickel In

I swear we didn't do this to him. Harry came up with this all on his own. Yeah, right, you say. A pair of classical musicians for parents and they're NOT pushing him towards music. It is true, I tell you. He has led the way. Harry has always responded well to music, whether it is me singing to him or playing one of his CDs in his room. He will stop and listen and then start dancing. He recently learned the sign for "music" and uses it all the time. It's always been a great tool for calming him and we didn't think too much of it. Until now.

Harry's obsession is centered on Daddy's double bass, which Hubby let him touch at an early age. (Mommy's cello is a forbidden object for now - too delicate.) Hubby is preparing for the upcoming BSO audition and has to put in a lot of practice time. Harry was curious at first, and then started signing for "more music" when Daddy would play. He started letting Hubby actually practice during the day while he played with his toys (or tore down DVDs from the shelf) and when Hubby would stop, Harry would walk over and sign "more." It was cute. Now, it has gone even further.

This morning, Harry woke up around 7:00 and as soon as he got out of bed he ran for Daddy and signed "music" before running to the stairs. I followed him and found him pounding on the practice room door signing "more." I told him "after breakfast" and guess where he went at breakneck speed after his prunes and waffles? Hubby tells me he was able to practice an entire hour (more than I've done in over a year) while Harry alternately played and danced and tore things down off shelves. I think Harry wants Daddy to do well at this audition as much as anyone.

So, you can see why we think he might have a "thing" for music. We are shopping for a toy violin (just try finding a toy cello or bass - impossible!) so he can have his own instrument to "play." As much as we joked about him having to be a lawyer or doctor so he could support his starving artist parents, I'll admit, it is pretty cool to see your passion reflected in your child. Just knowing the whole world he has waiting for him and getting to watch him discover it for himself is pretty amazing.

Yesterday, Harry and Hubby stopped by work to drop off some music I'm lending to the BSO. I took Harry upstairs to see the Tchaikovsky 5th Symphony reading session. As I held him up to the door to peek through the window, I saw his eyes get big and he signed "more music" and started reaching for the door handle, squacking loudly. If they had been playing something other than the slow movement, I would have let him run in to the room and just get lost in the sound. He's too young to understand the quiet that needs to proceed the horn solo, so I had to hold him back. But I understand what it feels like to want "more music" and I look forward to sharing that with him.

Harry Joseph, Fourteen Months Old

Dear Harry,

This post is late, but there is a reason. You have been putting us through sleeping hell for the last five days. After a record breaking night on Monday where you were up until midnight, you went to bed at 9:30 last night and were still asleep this morning when I left at 8:00. I actually got some sleep which means I don't feel like I'm going to die today. Thank you for that.

There are a few reasons that your sleep has been rocky this month. First, you FINALLY have two teeth and two more started peeking out yesterday. Second, you've had a nasty cold since we returned from South Carolina. Third, we set up your big boy room over the weekend. You love your new bed and like to roll around and bounce on it, which does not help you sleep. And fourth, we've begun gentle "mother-led weaning." You no longer get any milkies during the day, so you have been making up for it at night. However, these past few days, that has been letting up. Maybe we are turning a corner?

Some fun firsts this month included your first trip to Mimi & Pop's house in South Carolina. You loved everything from the ceiling fans, to the tile floors, to the ceiling fans, to the glass door, to the porch ,to the ceiling fans, to the ice maker, to the ceiling fans, to the neat toys they had. Did I mention the ceiling fans? You LOVED the ceiling fans. Now, everywhere we go, you point to the fans and make a ffffssssss sound. If they are not turned on, you keep pointing, hoping that they will move on your command.

Another first this month was your first ride on a carousel at Slater Park. You were obsessed with the carousel and would waddle over there whenever I put you down. You danced to the carillon and clapped and generally had a fantastic time. We were there to listen to Daddy play a concert, and you clapped at all the right times, but you were really there for the carousel and the food. We let you taste our fried chicken and you then proceeded to take your own whole piece out of the bag. Same for the chocolate chip cookies. You do love to eat!

This month was long, Harry. Traveling, teething, illness, starting the school year. I felt like I was saying you were "almost 14 months" for a very long time. Even though it seems slow, I know time is really flying by. This morning, I wish I could have pressed pause and stayed snuggled with you and Mu-Mu kitty in your big boy bed. You are turning into a little boy a little more each day and you want to be the "big boy" so much. Baby steps, little one, baby steps.

Love,
Mama

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Harry Joseph, Thirteen Months Old

Dear Harry,

You are officially a walker now. Does this mean you are a toddler instead of a baby? I hate to think that your babyhood went by so quickly! You took your first steps at around 11.5 months, but it took you a good month to use walking as your main mode of transport. Now you think crawling is for chumps. Even if something is a foot away from you, you'll get up and walk to it. You are trying to run, but you don't have enough balance to keep you going. I'm sure that will happen soon enough. It's funny pretty to see you drunkenly walking around the yard. You (and all babies) are so top heavy, that if you look in a certain direction when you're walking, your whole body starts to go that way. When you fall, you just get yourself back up and keep going. We're teaching you to brush off your hands when that happens outside. Otherwise, you'll have dirt and pebbles stuck to them all the time.

The big recurring hurdle around here is still sleep. Oh, Harry. Why won't you sleep? You know that feeling? When you are just mad at the world and you have to rub your eyes every 30 seconds and you start falling down a lot? That means you are tired. That means you should lie down and close your eyes and go to sleep. Sleep is really nice! If you sleep, you'll be able to have more energy (!) for all those things you want to do. You don't seem to be able to stop your body from moving, even when I'm nursing you down on the bed. You have these crazy baby legs that just won't stay still. Plus, you now try to do a headstand while nursing.

I really just don't understand why you fight it so much. It's worse lately and I'm really at the end of my rope. Last night, I had to leave you to cry for 2 minutes so I could get myself together after fighting you for 3 hours. When I went back to you, I got you to sleep in under 5 minutes. I don't like doing that, but I felt I had run out of options. I had been holding out hope that this would let up as your teeth came in, but you still have none and it's been months and months. I don't know how much more of this we have in store or how much more of this I can take. Let's work on it, shall we?

You understand so much now that it is getting easier to communicate with you. You use signs, sounds and pointing to let us know what you want. You say "k-k-k" for kitty, "oof oof" for doggie and "shhh" for fish. Daddy and I are still both "Dada" even though you can say Mama" perfectly well. You just prefer not to say it. You sign "more" for everything you like or want. If you don't get what you want, you protest very loudly. Often, you can be found by following the shrieks. When you get what you want, you are full of happy nonsense sounds. I hope we can record those before you stop making them.

I hope I haven't made you sound too awful. It has been a rough summer. Lots of rain, sleep set-backs and schedule upheaval. You are a challenge sometimes, but the good kind of challenge. The kind that makes you a better person for having met it. I'm kind of looking forward to getting back to our fall routine. I think some structure will be good for all of us. Until then, let's enjoy the last of your second summer by spending lots of time running barefoot through the grass.

Love,
Mama

10 Things I've Learned This Year

1. All the words to "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?"
2. Even though the book,"Charlie Bird" says "Eight excited Eagles play electric bass" both in the text of the story and on the back cover CD listing, the CD says "Eight excited Emus play electric bass."
3. When destroying block towers, explosion sound effects are hilarious. And you must do them Every. Single. Time.
4. Babies know the difference when you remove batteries from cell phones, remotes, laptops, etc.
5. If you wait until after the closing credits on Baby Neptune, you will see the lobster dance.
6. Baby shoes are over priced and overrated.
7. So is jarred baby food - especially when your baby won't eat it.
8. Cloth diapers stink less than the litter box.
9. Three little words - Dye Free Tylenol.
10. What works today may not work tomorrow, or even later today.

Cabin Fever

I feel like this whole summer has either been blazing hot so we can't go outside or pouring rain so we can't go outside. My inner three year old is having a tantrum and yelling at the top of her voice, "I WANNA GO TO THE PARK!!" Seriously, there is only so much we can do inside. I've built elaborate houses made out of blocks, played basketball with our toy bins, read all his books a million times and on and on. Harry is too young for arts and crafts or pretend games, so I'm going crazy. If he's awake and I'm home, he won't let me do anything alone without crying for me. I think we've watched more Baby Neptune than a sane person can stand in one week.

All I can say is that it had better clear up this weekend.

Baby Customer Service

You'll have to speak up. I'm wearing a diaper.
(See this image for cultural reference.)