Dear Monster,
You went on your first big trip this last week! You did SO SO SO well! You smiled at everyone, you were calm when we visited people, you continued to sleep through the night the whole week, and you didn't mind that you were put into and taken out of your car seat about a million times throughout the week! Your Daddy and I were so proud. We can't wait to take another trip this summer.
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Hello readers! WE'RE BACK! We are finally back after a week long vacation to our home town and we are spending the day relaxing, doing some laundry, and catching up on some much needed housework. We were a little nervous about this vacation because it would be the longest that Liam was away from his home, the longest we had ever had to pack for with a baby, and it would involve more stimulation than Liam had ever had! So much to think about and prepare for! We over packed, over prepared, and over thought EVERYTHING! We panicked and freaked out then we calmed ourselves down and finally convinced ourselves that we were going to be just fine. Anything that we forgot or anything new that we found out he needed, we could buy. He would be surrounded by people he loves. Everything would be fine. Alright. So we headed out for a 4 hour trip over the mountains!
The first surprise for us on this trip was how well Liam did going over the mountains! We have heard horror stories of children having such a hard time with their ears and tummies that we were on edge the whole way over...just waiting for the bottom to fall out. Liam did AMAZING! He slept the entire time. The only reason we knew he may be a little uncomfortable was that he would make a little sound and bring his hand to his ear while he was sleeping. I'd give him his binky and everything was all better. What an angel! He did this BOTH WAYS! Our little man loves his car seat and he loves to sleep. Even when he wasn't sleeping he was just looking out the window and playing with his vibrating cow that hangs from the handle of his car seat.
The next 6 days were just full of wonderful surprises. Liam continued to sleep through the night the entire trip, even when his Auntie Angela took him into her room for the night so that Sean and I could sleep in the next morning. He woke up with her, ate well, played a little, then went back to sleep. When we visited the beautiful homes of friends and family he would eat, say a hearty hello to everyone, then fall asleep for a while. We got a variety of compliments on how calm and sociable he was. He would always give a little smile, grab facial features, pull hair, talk, then move onto the next person. After each visit we would let out a sigh of relief because throughout every new encounter and at every new place we were just waiting for this to be the time that Liam just lost his mind! It never happened! How is this possible?
During Liam's visits with our friends and family he got to meet and interact with different ages of children and, because of this, his development skyrocketed! He started banging toys against surfaces to find out what kind of noises he could make, he brought his feet to this mouth by himself, he sat up straighter and longer than ever before, he rolled from his tummy to his back on purpose. He just blossomed! We couldn't believe it. We got to watch such big parts of his tiny personality come out and it was such an amazing thing for Sean and I. We were in parenthood heaven!
This trip was a great life stage defining time for Sean and I. We have grown up with most of the people that we visited during this trip. We've been through good times and bad. We've seen them as children, teenagers, adults, boyfriends, girlfriends, wives, and husbands. All of these stages have been so much fun to be a part of but man...parenthood just looks good on everyone! Watching some of our best friends make meals, change diapers, play games, cuddle, and just be parents in general was just awe-inspiring. Sean and I absorbed every itty bitty piece of knowledge that we could from everyone! We observed and learned, and will now wait patiently until it is our turn for the terrible twos, the monster threes, the independent sixes, and (God help us) the horrific teens. We got the opportunity to see so many amazing parents and we hope we will be even half as good as they are. Half as patient, kind, understanding, and flexible. Half as fun-loving, confident, courageous, and open-minded. If we are even just half, we are going to be pretty darn good.
Overall it was just a wonderful trip! It was full of love, kindness, friendship, and family. We can't wait to head back over the mountains for another visit but for now we're gonna curl up in our nook here in Denver, enjoy our little family, and look forward to so many wonderful days to come!
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| Hanging out with Uncle David, looking cool. |
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| Saying hello to Grandma Feuerborn |
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| Big smiles for Grandpa Feuerborn |
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| Loving on Aunt Lory! |
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| First time trying a small amount of Cherry 7Up. He's a pretty big fan. |
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| Meeting Aunt Marjie! |
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| Picking his presents at his GJ Baby Shower |
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| Like father like son. <3 |
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| Meeting Miss Tiffany! |
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| Explaining the facts of life to Jonathan |
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| Crashed out Mom and Monster |
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| Family BBQ day! |
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| Conversing with Auntie Angela |
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| Sharing his rattles |
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| A book before bed |
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| Discovering that his foot CAN reach his mouth! |
"because throughout every new encounter and at every new place we were just waiting for this to be the time that Liam just lost his mind! It never happened! How is this possible?"
ReplyDeleteLiam is a product of his own environment, that would be you and Seany. He reflects who you both are and how you act. Remember I told you he takes his cues from you guys. If you are casual, and relaxed then so is he. You and Seany went through some tough struggles as just a couple, you decided what was important and never looked back. You didn't jump into the children thing first, showed the maturity to wait, and build this awesome foundation upon which Liam now thrives and rests...Give yourself some credit.
"we hope we will be even half as good as they are. Half as patient, kind, understanding, and flexible. Half as fun-loving, confident, courageous, and open-minded. If we are even just half, we are going to be pretty darn good."
Ok, so I will say it again, you are already there...no half anything. I can't imagine a more patient, kind, understanding, and flexible couple considering the hell you have gone through conceiving, carrying, and getting the tiny man here.
Talk about being open-minded....Everything about a normal (term) baby and a normal (term) birth had to be thrown out the window as you welcomed your very tiny, fragile, 2 lb, 7oz little man into your lives. You had no handbook, and everything had to be relearned from scratch. I still am amazed at what you have had to face and deal with regarding the NICU, his development, all the little things that someone like me, took for granted having a normal (term plus!) baby like you
Every single issue, change, milestone, set back, reflux, giggle, development need, oxygen....you have met head-on with an outstanding amount of courage. I am pretty sure that I would not have dealt with these issues well on my own being a single parent, and have had no experiences with anyone that has had preemies...So I felt helpless. But you took to motherhood and Seany to fatherhood with such a fierceness, I was blown away. You both are beyond anything I imagined or hoped for. It has been awesome watching you both grown and learn through trial and error, including the triumphs and set-backs with the tiny man. Through it all, you both have kept your sense of humor, your calmness, and have presented a matter-of-fact environment for Liam. You kept your home as it is, you don't walk around on tippy toe, you and Seany just "live", and little Liam is "living" right along with you.
My wee one....you both are beyond "half". I continue to be in awe of the parents you are, and am anxious to see how that is reflected in tiny man as he grows.
Maybe God is gifting you such a pleasure of a little man, because of all the hell you went through to get him and keep him. Maybe he feels you deserve a break....
I do love the Superman pix of Seany and tiny man, and I LOVE how he is giving Jonathan a piece of his mind. He is such a character, and so expressive.
I am beyond blessed having you as a daughter, and Seany as my son-in-law, and tiny man to make me a GramBug.
Luv your tiny family!