Happy Birthday, Again!

Today Marley is 14 months old, which means that he is One Year adjusted. This won't mean much next year or any year after that. However, development-wise, it's important to think of preemies in terms of their adjusted ages until about age two, when development slows and a couple months age difference becomes negligible.

This is good for me to remember right now as I wait, rather impatiently, for Mars to take his first independent steps. The normal range for full-term babies to walk is 9-15 months, which still gives him plenty of time. He will be re-evaluated by his occupational therapist at the end of March. Hopefully he's walking by then because she'd like to evaluate his gait and make sure everything looks A-okay.

Mind you, I'm really not concerned with his development - I think he's doing great! And I am in no hurry for my baby to grow up, but there will be some major benefits to having a walker:

1. Playing at the park. The swings get really old after a while.
2. Less vacuuming/sweeping. When your child's face is mere inches from the floor for hours each day, he becomes really good at finding every hair, crumb, and speck imaginable.
3. Being able to set him down in public places. Okay, I know there are downsides to this one (think: chasing a runner through a crowded restaurant) but if you saw what he found on the floor of Prost! a few weeks back, you'd want him to walk too.
4. Being able to set him down outdoors. I know he would still get dirty playing outside, but at least he would be able to stay somewhat dry if he didn't have to crawl everywhere.
5. More ways to burn energy. I know crawling must burn lots of calories, but he has SO much energy lately that it just seems like he needs something more.
6. I will finally be able to say "Yes!" when everyone asks me if he's walking yet!

Word of the day: "Car"

Words are just flying out of this kid's mouth. Today we were looking out the window watching cars drive by. Each time one passed, I would say "Car!". Pretty soon Mars caught on and started calling out "Car!" before I could even say it. His favorite word lately is "hot". He makes sure to remind us anytime we're near the stove - "Ot!" - or the fireplace - "Ot!" - or if we've just sat down with a plate of "ot" food.

He hasn't said the word "no" yet. We try really hard not to overuse it, so maybe that's why. My teacher training has me wired to phrase things in the positive ("sit down" instead of "no standing" and "keep food on your plate" rather than "no throwing food", for example). He definitely knows how to tell us he doesn't like something, usually by shaking his head, or pushing it/us away.

On a funny note: I think Marley learned to tell his first joke. Jeff asks, "What does an evil sheep say?" Mars replies, "Bhaaa!"

Blame Jeff

Okay, so I guess I don't need to post a picture or a video every time, but I know that's all you people really want anyway:) When Jeff and I are both home, he's usually doing work on his computer, so I can't use it to upload media. When he isn't here, he usually has the camera with him. Like right now, for instance. This is a perfect time for me to post. Jeff and Marley went to a soccer game and I'm here all alone. But no camera, so no pictures.

Jeff and Mars went on a super long walk today (down through Schmitz Park to the beach, along Alki to Harbor Ave and up the hill to California) where Mars slept almost the entire way. They lunched at Metropolitan Market and then headed over to Hiawatha to play at the park. Since Mars still isn't walking, he can really only go on the swings unless you want a REALLY dirty baby to clean up afterward.

Walking. He's so very close. He cruises along the furniture, climbs onto everything, and can stand with out holding onto anything, but he hasn't taken those first steps yet. We think it will happen any day now.

He is saying a few more words now, but the big leap is in what he can understand. "Go get the ball", "Pick a book to read", "Put on your socks/shoes/hat", "Take off your diaper", and "Put the toy in/on the ___" are just a few of the phrases that elicit an appropriate response. His favorite is to go get the ball and "slam dunk" it in the basket. Perhaps I'll upload a video of this someday.

Is there nothing he can't reach?!?

Mars is determined to get into anything and everything lately! His balance is improving and he can stand on his own pretty well. This allows him to use both hands simultaneously to cause trouble.

Still Here

I don't know why things feel so busy right now. I guess there is a bit of an adjustment period with going back to school. It was so nice being home over break and not having to travel (or do anything, really).

Mars is keeping us quite busy. He crawls so fast now and is into EVERYTHING. He's cruising, too, but still pretty slowly - and he can stand there for a few seconds without holding on to anything before he falls down. He's getting better at falling, but he still gets hurt like 100 times a day. Luckily, he usually recovers fairly quickly.

He still loves his bath, but even more, he loves his shower. He gets to go in the shower with Jeff most week days, and Mars has a BLAST in there!

He's babbling like crazy, now, and even throwing in some actual words. Ma Ma and Da Da are his constant refrain, but doggie, kitty, moo, poo poo, Jada, and ball can also be heard from time to time. He also waves "Bye Bye" now, but not until the person leaving is entirely out of sight:)

Like Father, Like Son

Merry Christmas!

We finally made it out of West Seattle (after a full week!) on
Christmas Day. The rain and warmer temperatures had melted most of the ice and snow, so we had a pretty easy drive. We spent two nights in Steilacoom, and had a very nice time with Jeff's family. Marley says, "Merry Christmas, Everyone!"

Mars and Cousin Cindy had lots of fun playing together.



And Marley is becoming quite the little monkey!


Note: I added a video of Mars after his doctor's appointment to the previous post.