Cashman: 9 1/2-10 Months

HORRIBLE! I'm horrible at this. In order to catch everyone up on the last several weeks, I should put everything in bullet points. I hope to start updating little by little. That way it won't be too overwhelming for me, or you for that matter!

- Halloween! It was great. Cash wasn't into trick-or-treating, as it was a Sunday night, and Cash always has a hard day on Sundays. He fell asleep sitting up in his wagon! He spent most of the walk in his Grandma's arms. Even though his time as Yoda was very limited, he rocked it.

- What new milestones has Cash reached in the last few weeks, you ask?!? He has quite a few new tricks up his sleeves! One of my favorites is his new trick of waving hello and goodbye. It is ADORABLE! Of course, sometimes we beg and beg for him to show this trick off, and he won't, but then we'll be standing in a checkout line at the grocery store, and he'll wave to the cashier. Last night he waved to Colt across Target which made Daddy swell with pride.

- Cash also loves to DANCE now! He has a music table that we purchased from the Jumpin' Jeans consignment sale. Thanks for the tip, Amanda Olsen! Cash loves it. All of the buttons on the top of the table make some sort of noise or play a song. Cash loves to stick his little booty out and jam out. Sometimes we turn on the music channels on our TV just to watch him dance to the oldies.

- This next trick we are especially proud of...Cash can say 3 words now!!! For the longest time it has just been Mama and Daddy. Over the weekend, his Mammy taught him how to say, "Dog". At first I thought he was just saying "Dada", but there is definitely a distinct difference. Daddy, or "Dada" ends with an "a" (as in apple) sound. Dog sounds just like dog without the "g" sound, and he says it with much enthusiasm. This got me thinking about what other words he can say if I really tried to teach him. Today we worked on "Pass" which is what we call his pacifier. He got the "s" sound, but couldn't, or wouldn't make the "pa" sound. Anyway, I think we're on the verge of a verbal explosion. My mom always said I was very verbal from an early age. Of course. ;)

- Cash is an expert crawler, and quite fast might I add. He loves walking around the edge of the couch and has become pretty good at standing, holding on with one hand, or even using just his back or belly for support. He can walk with his walker. I think with a little bit more confidence, he'll be walking soon.

- Lately he has developed the bad habit of throwing temper tantrums. They are always when he's really tired, BUT that is no excuse. He still gets corrected. I think he has my fiery personality. Haha!

- Sometimes when he's throwing these temper tantrums, I'll correct him, and I give him this look where I drop my head down and look at him intensely with my eyes. Colt has always teased me about this look because apparently I always give it to people when they are doing something I don't agree with. Cash has caught on to this, and now gives me the same look back after I do it to him. It is HILARIOUS, and so hard to continue looking sternly at him when he does it. Its very obvious because he drops his head down very low, and very abruptly. Now he does it back and forth with people for fun. I guess I'm going to have to come up with a different "scary, stern look".

- Cash ate his first Gerber toddler meal last night. It was the second attempt at giving him one of these meals, and the first time he wanted nothing to do with it. Last night he enjoyed the chunks of chicken, pasta wheels, and peas. He didn't eat the whole thing, but he ate a lot more than I thought he would. I suppose when the first toddler meal is prefaced the day before by homemade pot roast at Mammy's house that was cut up for him, it makes the transition easier. He sure did love that pot roast. Its so strange to see him eating real bites of food. He is really into wanting to hold the spoon now, so I let him with my guidance.

- I'm starting to think about weaning him from breastfeeding. First I have to find out how many times a day I'm nursing him! I'm kind of a feed on demand mom so I don't really know how much I feed him. We don't have set feeding times. When he's hungry, I know, and I feed him. Usually I feed him before he actually gets hungry. I know its "bad" but I also comfort nurse before nap time, bedtime, if he's fussy etc. This doesn't bother me though. Everyone said that I would have problems with various parenting choices that we've made (IE. letting him sleep in our bed so long, letting him stay up late with us, feeding him solids to early, letting him have a pacifier right after he was born etc. etc. etc.). We chose to do our own thing, and so far, thankfully, it has worked out for us. Plus, I like breastfeeding! It doesn't bother me one bit. My mom let all of us wean ourselves. I was done at 18 months, my sister at 12, and I think my brother was between 12 and 18. I ain't worried. :)

- I guess I'm really into "quotations" for this post.

- I suppose I should go. Thanksgiving is tomorrow and there is much to do before then. I have to clean up my house, as we are having family over for dessert tomorrow evening. I'm going to attempt to make a peach pie! Such a daunting task. I am BEYOND, BEYOND, BEYOND excited for Cash to experience the holiday season. Oh the pictures I will take! These next few weeks will be super busy for us. Thanksgiving tomorrow, my birthday is November 30th (the big 25!), Buddy's birthday is the 9th of December, my parents' anniversary on the 19th, Daddy's birthday on the 21st, Christmas Eve, and Christmas, Grandma Dee's birthday on Christmas Day, Sharon's birthday on the 30th, New Year's Eve, Cash's first birthday on January 13th, my sister's birthday on the 14th, and my mom's birthday on the 23rd of February. Busy, busy, busy!

Like I said, I will try to update more often. Thanks for reading! "Bye". ;)

Cash's First Go-Round

Today, Colt, Cash and I dropped by the Jumpin' Jeans baby consignment sale. We got some really cool toys for Cash. I love letting Cash try out new toys and seeing what he likes. Its almost a given that if it makes noise, lights up, or has bright colors, he'll like it. We got a table that he can stand up at, and learn about music, a ball that he can chase around that lights up and plays songs, and a drum toy. We planned on wrapping them up for Christmas, but we couldn't resist watching him play with it now. I think we will have more fun on Christmas morning than he will!

Colt had to play at the Don Cesar tonight, so Cash and I were on our own. My car was in the shop, so my sister came to pick us up after she got off of work, and take us to Clearwater to see my family. We haven't hung out, just the original five of us (+ baby), in a long time, and it was nice to remember what being the "older sister" felt like. We went to dinner at Crispers, and then headed down to Octoberfest in Oldsmar. It was 1/2 carnival rides, and 1/2 shops and booths. Cash got to see some traditional German dancing! He couldn't have cared less about the dancers, but he liked the music. He loved looking at the lights on the carnival rides, and games. It was sensory overload! My dad dunked the clown at the dunk tank with the first dollar! Those clowns freak me out. I hate when they say..."Water..." in their low, sinister voices. All I can think of is, "IT" by Stephen King, and then I remember why I had to shower with the shower curtain open for several years...ok and maybe occasionally in present times. Cash rode his first amusement park ride tonight! It was, of course, the merry-go-round. When we first got on the ride, he was smiling and so excited to even be sitting on the plastic horse. When the ride started moving, he lost his mind. He was squealing with excitement. He kept looking at me like, "Isn't this great!" My family got some pictures on their cell phones. I'll post them below. I think the merry-go-round made his night, and mine. Its PATHETIC, but I almost cried while we were on that ride. What has happened to me?!? I'm NOT a crier! I guess that is what having a sweet baby boy will do to a Mama. Its amazing how happy it makes me to see him experience something for the first time. He was so excited, and happy on that brown, plastic horse. When he first got on, he had no idea what was in store for him. Everything was new, and the excitement was so genuine. I love seeing him genuinely surprised! After that, I made a "no-more-ride-rule" until Daddy was with us. We are planning on going to the State Fair so Cash can ride some more rides...and Mama can eat a funnel cake! Yum!

After the festival we all piled back into my Dad's truck and headed back to their house. I changed Cashman into his Thomas the Tank Engine pajamas, and we hung out for a while longer before my parents drove me back home. What good folks I have to drive me back to my house (40 minutes away) and then have to drive back to their house. I would like to think its because they love me, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Cash has something to do with it. Ah well, who can blame them!

Now Cashman is in bed, and Colt and I get to watch our shows! Mama and Daddy alone time! BOW-CHICA-WOW-WOW! Just kidding. :)

(Disregard that Cash's head looks super weird in this picture, I don't know why it does-HAHA!)

A sappy thought at 1am...

I always imagined that being a wife and mother would be great. I never imagined it would be this rewarding or fulfilling, or that it would make me this happy. Its a million times better than I ever imagined. That is all for tonight. :)

The first picture we ever took together.

The first baby we ever made together (or in general-HAHA!). :)

BEWARE OF DOG

The best thing about our neighborhood is that you can't throw a rock without hitting a home occupied by Christians. I love that. Its such a secure feeling to know you have friends all around you, who are right there if you need them. Just off the top of my head, I can think of 5 families that go to our church that live in our neighborhood and dozens more that attend other churches in the area.

My feelings of security were temporarily interrupted this week when we heard about a series of break-ins. My in-laws live a few streets over from us, and were informed that there was an attempted break-in on their neighbor's house. Apparently they went to the grocery store around noon, and when they came back their front door had some damage from where the criminals tried to kick it in. Scary stuff! What took me by surprise was that it was in the middle of the day, at a house that was clearly seen from the street. I prayed about it, and decided I wouldn't let it bother me.

But it did bother me. Today, Colt and I made a trip to Lowes. We bought a chain for our door, some window locks, and lastly, the most cheesy security measure...a BEWARE OF DOG sign for our fence. Its amazing what having a baby that sleeps all the way across the house from you will lead you to do. We also have an ADT system, dog that's a light sleeper, and a video monitor in the baby's room. I think we're pretty well taken care of. In all seriousness, I know that all I can do is pray about it. God has protected me for the last 24 (almost 25) years from people that may want to do me harm, and I pray that he'll continue to do that for me and my family. These little extra security precautions don't hurt though!

In other news, Cash has been doing REALLY well with sleeping in his crib. He doesn't really cry at all anymore when I put him down, and he's been sleeping for 11-12 hours at a time. Love it!

Well I better go. Colt got home a little bit ago, and its time to watch our shows, and hang out! Couldn't have gotten luckier in the husband department. ;)

Bible Class and Family Vacation!

Right now, I am enjoying a lovely cup of STRONG coffee that Colt made, watching a ridiculous Lifetime movie and listening to my child scream bloody murder in the other room. Yep, Cash has decided to boycott napping. Well, napping in his crib to be more specific. If he is in my arms, or in the car, its no problemo. It was to be expected I guess, because my mom said I never wanted to nap when I was little. Still to this day, I can go on very little sleep. I think his sleep schedule is thrown off a little bit from our mini-vacation. He is a once a day napper, but he sleeps about 12 hours a night, usually waking up once or twice if at all. I hate listening to him cry himself to sleep for nap time, but its the only way he'll learn.

This week started out with Cash's first time in Bible class on Sunday morning. He loved it! I got rave reviews of his good behavior from Ms. Lynda! He didn't cry at all, and sat listening to the teacher and touching the arm of his classmate, Deacon. Such a sweetheart! I have to say, I was choking back tears the whole time. I know it sounds weird, but its just another milestone proving that my baby is growing up too fast. He looked so cute in those little bucket seats.

Monday and Tuesday were spent at the Don CeSar Hotel on St. Pete Beach. Colt has been playing there, and really loves that gig. Its a gorgeous hotel! Cash loved swimming in the pool and the Gulf! He sat in the sand, running his feet through it, and grabbing handfuls to pour on his legs. Of course...adorable. Beach vacations are definitely different with a baby. The whole point of going to the beach is to relax. Relaxation is almost impossible with a cruiser who likes to crawl and pull up on everything. Instead of beach chairs, they gave us a really cool canopy bed with canvas sheets on the side, right on the beach. We put a bunch of Cash's toys on the bed, and laid around and watched him play. I didn't get much sun, but it was fun to see him discover a new landscape! Its funny how my beach priorities changed from getting a good tan to preventing my son from swallowing sand.

This should be an ad for Target Wipes :)

Well I guess that's it for now. I'll leave you with a video of this weird thing that Cash has been doing with his tounge. Its pretty hilarious! Thanks for reading!

A Friday in the Fall

It has been too nice outside not to enjoy the beautiful fall weather. What did we do today you ask? We went to the DMV. Ok, so its not really enjoying the fall weather, but its a favorite hangout for Colt and I. We discovered the entertainment value when we were applying for our marriage license several years ago. Since then, we look forward to every opportunity to visit. Its the best place to people watch. Today was Cash's first trip. We were served by a lovely lady named Ruth. Of course she was enamoured with Cash's good looks and charm. At the end of our visit, he left her something so as never to forget him. He barfed on her desk. Not a lot, but just enough to let her know he cared. I love running errands with Colt and Cash.

After a few more errands we went to Chick-Fila for lunch. Cash ate a french fry which the throughly enjoyed. He learned how to drink from a straw on Wednesday and ever since then he whines for a chance to try out his new trick when he sees an opportunity.

Now, Colt is playing, so Cash and I are at home, fresh from a grocery trip to Target. Cash got a swim shirt for our first family vacation to the Don Cesar on Monday and Tuesday. It looks super cute on him.

I'll let him jump in his jumparoo for a few more minutes, only because I love listening to him talk to himself with an occasional, "Mama" and "Dada" thrown in. I wonder what he's saying about us. All good things I hope.

UPDATE: Crib Sleeping

Last night (10/5/10), Cash slept through the night in his crib! He didn't even wake up once! We are so proud of him...and well rested!