Now Entering Parenthood...

So, can I finally just say it? I love being a mom. I’ve had a couple people mention recently that it “looks like you and Tom are having fun” or that motherhood suits me. I don’t know what it is, but yeah… I really am having fun. I mean, sure, I am exhausted perpetually, I can’t get out to see a new movie, and I don’t really remember the last time I had a satisfying exercise session or made a home cooked meal. But… fun, yes, indeed it is.

Speaking of Fun… Time for First Foods
As with everything motherhood related, there is a debate over when you can give your baby solid foods for the first time. Our parents generation was experimenting with rice cereal during the first few weeks of life. Nowadays, you will get a hearty slap on the wrist from the parenting police if you even think about solid foods before 6 months.

Well, Tom and I have been experimenting with first “tastes”, not full out food. But I figure a little flavor on the fingertip isn’t going to hurt anyone. Plus it’s fun to see Simon’s reaction to things other than breast milk. Mashed potatoes = good, garlic lime sauce = bad. Then there is the really odd reaction he had to hummus… pain, confusion, happy, demanding more… repeat.

But, I’ve been holding off at doing actual feedings until I got the thumbs up from the pediatrician, which we got at his 4 month check up this weekend. He can hold his head up like a champion, he’s taking 30 ounces of breast milk a day and sometimes demanding more, and he’s doubled his birth weight. It’s time to get that kid some food!! And I couldn’t have asked for a better Mother’s Day present, I am so excited to cook for my little guy.

From Giggles to Full On Laughter
So Simon has gone from an occasional giggle to an occasional laughing fit. It turns out you just have to act pretty stupid to make it happen :)

It looks like he enjoys fart sounds, and he also enjoys bath time. I like to place him on my tummy so that he can kick his legs in the water. This week he was SO delighted by the sensation that he squealed repeatedly… then he became so delighted by the sound of himself squealing that he tried it louder and louder and louder, until Tom thought our son had gone crazy.

Now Hear This… We Have Roll-over
So, one really awesome thing about our day care is that the younger caretaker (Bailey) has been sending us SMS/MMS updates during the day. I think it’s just because she has become as excited as we have over Simon’s progress. So this week we got an excited text the minute he successfully rolled over from back to front to back again. (time to baby proof the house!!)

Plus, we get a whole bunch of these adorable images of Simon interacting with the other young kids.

So… he’s sleeping anywhere from 7-10 hours straight each night. He laughs, he smiles. We are starting first foods tomorrow. For my very first Mother’s Day, I couldn’t ask for anything more. I’m happy and in love, and looking forward to the summer ahead.