Fear

Want to know why I don't have my new iPhone yet? Simply, I'm afraid.

I've been hemming and hawing for the past six weeks about buying one, yet these are the scenarios that have been brewing in my brain.

I'm afraid:

• ...my eyes will pop out of their sockets after seeing the first bill.
• ...I will spend way too much time playing with it. As it is, our phones are a huge attraction to B. Don't need to teach him it's a grown-up's toy he has to have.
• ...I will need/want to have new software for the iBook in order to use all functions of the iPhone properly.
  
• ...I will need/want a new computer for the same reasons. We've been dying for a new computer. After all, the iBook is 5+ years old. Don't need a reason pushing us into that one.
  
• ...I will drop it/break it/lose it or something equally mortifying.
• ...I won't like it or will want my old phone back.
  
• ...I will want out of my cell phone contract sooner than 2 years from now. We all know what life was like before cell phones, but just a few years back, I went without one for an extended period by choice. I liked it. Life seemed less complicated. Also, things happen. What quicker way to trim the fat from your budget than to get rid of a phone? (For those of you saying, "What about an emergency?", I've never needed my cell nor have I been in a situation where someone didn't have a phone I could use.)
  
• ...we'll end up buying two, even though C. likes to keep it simple.
• ...I'll wish I would have stowed that extra money in B.'s college fund or even bought him a fun new toy, or clothes, or saved all the monthly fees for a family vacation.

Does everyone put themselves through this on some level?

Weekend and more

Itching to get up into the mountains lately, I dragged the family up to Echo Lake, outside Idaho Springs, again.

This time, though, B. was on the outside.


One year ago, almost to the day. Some of you said it, but I was crazy to go hiking three-plus weeks before B. was born.



This year, B. happily strapped in the Baby Bjorn.
He still is quite a heavy sack o' potatoes.


My (latest) favorite family photo.


B.'s first encounter with aspen.


I knit him this hat early this year. He's already
growing out of the thing! Time for another.


The photos don't do it justice.


Another of my favorites from the day.


Oops. You can see my shadow in the bottom there.


Last week: B. loves the washing machine. We wash
diapers every other day, and he plops down in front
of the window, mesmerized by the colors and water.


A couple weeks ago: My friend from my old Pueblo job came
back to Colorado to see her family. Her boy M. had fun
showing B. the ropes. But B. didn't dare enter that log!


About a month ago: Keystone, crawling on the velvety smooth
practice green. Very little to get into, but lots of ground to cover.


Hopefully many, many more days like this to come.

Nuff said

I am Super Mom.

Wordless Wednesday

He bites ... and meows

We're starting to see the little temper B. has sometimes. When I take him away from the litter box, or the cat food, or the water dish, or something equally dangerous or disgusting, he usually voices his opinion with a very angry little scream.

Just this week, he brought it to a new level. He bit me. On my chin. HARD. Then he started to giggle.

As far as milestones go, he's getting much more vocal. And daring. He has been standing with assistance for some time, but he's balancing on his own more often. He takes his hands away from any support, then gives me a sly look that just screams, "Look, Ma. No hands." Then he sloooowly squats down to reach the floor. Anything to save a thud onto his adorable butt.

We've been playing Signing Time for him daily, too. As I've said before, he can sign milk, but he also loves "dancing" to the music. I think "cat" will be his next sign.

He plays with his activity table and "meows" when the "K is for kitten" frame pops up. He also echoes our cats when they say something.

He's climbing our stairs with such enthusiasm and gets a twinkle in his eye when he realizes Dad or I am standing three or four steps down for support.

He licks rocks in our back yard. He chews books. He hates being dressed. He loves his baths. He spits out his food and laughs. His hair is getting unruly. He is so much fun, and I have to remember that when he drags me out of bed at 5 a.m. or is headstrong about taking a nap.

He's growing up so fast, I'm already in 1st birthday party planning mode. I'm not going overboard. I want to do a small gettogether with family and a few friends. All I really want is a happy B., a chocolate "smash" cake for just him and a fresh camera battery. Then I'll have a toddler. Sniffle.

P.S. In a funny food moment, I made beets for him this week. I washed, peeled, chopped, boiled and pureed them, along with some carrots I had in the crisper. There was red beet juice everywhere. It looked like a murder scene in the kitchen, and you should have seen the main suspect after chowing down. My hands were still stained from this afternoon of food prep, but he sure does love 'em!

Why does a muscle twitch stop when you look at it?

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Deja vu

I saw the "How's your ASPEN?" truck again tonight on the way home from work.

In fact, it cut me off.

P.S. I also found out where it's from.

Oops

I just stepped on B.'s hand. It was not too hard, but the biggest crocodile tears rolled down his cheeks. He cried (only for about 20 seconds), probably just to let me know it was not cool.

I feel horrible.

Ghost town

I got off work at 1:30 tonight (well, Tuesday morning), and while driving home, I saw a stop light flashing red in all directions. It reminded me of what happens in smaller towns after 10 p.m.

I wish more traffic lights operated this way in Denver after a certain hour. But it doesn't happen this way very often in a big city.

Also on my way home, I spotted a trio of raccoons scurrying across the road from one storm sewer to another, scavenging for some tasty treats. The last one paused long enough to meet my gaze, then lumbered on.

Just one turn down the street, in my townhome complex, I happened upon a staredown. Two little rabbits were parked in front of a speed bump by my mail kiosk, and it took them a few seconds to realize a car was approaching. Just as soon as they noticed I was there, they darted off for safe cover.

I guess this is what happens when I come home even 30 minutes later than planned.

(Now, in my pajamas, curling my hand around a small shot of Sambuca, I'm headed back downstairs to unwind. I'll watch about 20 minutes of Se7en, then retire. Goodnight!)

Update

Since I've been writing posts in my head for over a week, I figured it's time I start to get some down.

First, B. has been making huge strides in the past week.

Just a few nights ago, he began making the sign for milk. It almost looks like he's waving, but he's getting the hang of it. He loves his Signing Time video, and hopefully the signs will just start click soon. I'm convinced he knows how to say cat. He whispers the first half of the word any time he sees Gabby or Booty. "Caaaaa!!!"

He's also catching on to the balance thing. He balances on both feet, standing, for several seconds. This is a big deal for us parents. He did it on the golf course for a long time. Long enough for C. to see him from a distance. Before long, he'll be walking on his own. (He already uses the furniture to maneuver around the living room.)

The latest milestone? He has learned how to clap. Where did he show off his new skill? At the Rockies vs. Astros game Saturday night at Coors Field. The Rockies lost, but B. was happily clapping his hands throughout! What a great fan.

New foods recently sampled have been: Spaghetti, a small taste of yogurt, chicken (not a puree) and ice cream (yes, really). His favorite recent food is still the silver dollar banana pancakes. He gobbles them up!

Thanks for keeping tabs on B.! He'll have his newest incisors before we know it. He's been working on them for a good month now.