James Benjamin - 10 Months Old!

James Benjamin is TEN MONTHS OLD!

This boy cracks us up - JB is turning into quite the little character!  So many things make him laugh, and we (mostly me) show no shame in doing whatever silly thing we can to hear it: tickle him, make pig noises, this-little-piggy, "I'm gonna get you", hide-and-seek, etc.  He think it's particularly funny when he's doing something naughty.  If we say, "JB, don't you do it!", he can barely contain himself and laughs so hard.  (I think we're in trouble...)

JB is a little sweetie, too - loves his people and his furry siblings.  If I ask him for a kiss, I get a wide-mouth wet smack on the cheek. Sometimes he will kiss me out of nowhere, even grabbing my face so he can get a good hold of it.  He loves babies, and will act all shy if he sees one. He's fascinated by big kids, and spent a lot of time at the pool and beach just watching them play.  I would say, though, that JB's favorite person right now is JB.  He is obsessed with talking to himself in the mirror.  And giving himself kisses on the mirror.  Sometimes he'll "talk" and then laugh and then "talk" again to his reflection, and I can only assume he's telling himself a very entertaining story. 

He is go, go go - nearly 100mph from the moment he wakes up until he goes to bed. He's bear crawling, pulling up, climbing, pulling things down, taking toilet paper off the roll, knocking everything over, getting in a lap, standing up in a lap, trying to climb on his parents - just moving all the time.  It's exhausting, but also very fun to see him grow up into this inquisitive, busy little boy. 

LITTLE BOY.  This month he's really changed and matured. We're about to exit the baby phase soon, and I'm in total denial - but since he's such a fun little man, it makes me very excited about the toddler phase!

JB's Measurements:

• Weight: 18 lbs (according to our neighbor's scale)

At 10 Months Old, JB...

…Eats 4 liquid meals a day, and 3 solid meals a day (plus snacks if we're trying to distract him.) He's still a good nurser, but our normal 8 minute nursing sessions are extended now that he has to stop and look around every few seconds.  I tried his milk in a sippy cup this month, and JB was clear that will not be tolerated.  Not up in here! He still eats his combo purees like a champ, particularly liking lentils this month.  He's better with the finger foods, too!  Still gags a bit, but getting more confident and adventurous with things like cheese, smoked meat, black beans, and Puffs.

…Sleeps through the night still (yea), and has officially dropped the third nap.  We target 10AM and 2PM for naps, and he's usually in bed between 7 and 7:30PM.  He's up around 6 or 6:30AM (5AM when we were on vacation - have mercy!)

...Wears mostly 9 month clothes, but still comfortably fits in many 6-9 month. He is still in size 3 diapers.

…Loves playing in his blue chair; when you try to "get him"; being upside down; the Touch and Feel Pets book and the Little Fish puppet book; playing hide and seek; admiring himself in the mirror; other babies/kids; removing the safety corners from furniture

…Does not like when people eat in front of him without offering a bite; saline spray up the nose

...Has mixed emotions about the bath.  Loves getting in, hates getting out!

Month 10 Milestones:

• Walked with a push toy
• First swim and beach trip
• 2 more teeth!
• Gives kisses

Month 10 -  double digits!  This boy spends a lot of time smiling, laughing, and moving.  He's so fast that it's hard to keep up with him!

iPhone Photos

(Mama is traveling on his 10 month birthday, but will upload  iPhone pics and add them to the post later.  Yes, I know, MOM FAIL.)

Previous Updates on JB:

• Birth Story
• One Month
• Two Months
• Three Months
• Four Months
• Five Months
• Six Months
• 7 Months
• 8 Months
• 9 Months

Hello from the Beach!

Hello from sunny Florida! From the beautiful waters of Pensacola Beach!  

I am currently relaxing on a massive balcony overlooking this:

And this:

It's a lovely way to spend the morning, and helps in my recovery from yesterday's traumatic trip down (in which JB slept 30 minutes of the 6.5 hour trip, and cried so hard for most of it that he threw up all over the car seat. The only thing that calmed him down was my singing 1990s hits off XM radio, so safe to say that James's nerves are pretty fried, too.)

But we made it! And we're ready to have a BLAST.  The internet is sketchy, so no promises on a blog update while we're here.  (Unless James figures out how to fix it, which he is frantically trying to do. Someone is not in vacation-mode yet... His phone may mysteriously end up on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico before the week is over.) :)

If This Doesn't Melt Your Heart...

Enda has a new best friend - and it's not another furry gal like herself.  Her name is Isabella, she's 6 years old, and these two have developed quite a bond.

Isabella is Nanny Y's daughter, and she comes to our house twice a week during the summer.  This has been a wonderful thing for many reasons:  first, it gives Nanny Y more time with her daughter (which, as a working Mama myself, I realize is super important); second, it has allowed JB time to socialize with another child.  Even though she is older, JB enjoys playing with her, listening to her read, laughing with her, etc.  Third - and maybe the most important - it has shown Enda that not all kiddos are scary.  That some kiddos, in fact, can be your BFF.

Enda has always been a little leery of anyone under 4 feet tall.  Maybe she was chased at the park one too many times as a puppy, but there is definitely fear and trepidation anytime a youngster comes near.  Every youngster but this sweet girl.

Enda follows her around, they lay down and rest together; they play make-believe together (circus - Enda is the lion, I believe); and cuddle all the time.  When they were packing up to leave last Thursday, Enda bolted out of the house, into their car, and refused to leave Isabella's seat.  After everything I've done for that stinkin' dog…..

"I'm sad my BFF left me"

Isabella brought Enda a gift (a new plush toy which she immediately destuffed) and this card.  She told me that the red dog on the right is Enda, and the dog on the left is her.

           

Seriously, if that doesn't touch your heart, you need to check your pulse.  Such sweet friends!

Chevrons Can Change Your Life (For Reals)

You know your life is lacking thrills when you write a comment on a crochet message board that says "this pattern has really changed my life".  It's sad, but true - I've found a great new way to make chevron blankets (which are not that easy to make).  And, obviously, I have no shame when it comes to letting people know.

I've been crocheting since I was 8 years old, after my Mimi patiently taught me one summer.  Since then, I've easily made over a hundred blankets. Maybe even 200.  Now I also make stuffed animals, plus beanies and hats.  The possibilities are really endless with a crochet hook and a Michael's coupon.

Thanks to Pinterest, I have access to hundreds of new techniques, patterns, and old lady followers who Pin the best stuff.  Thanks to this site and this site, some of our Alabama friends are getting this for their baby boy:

Love the chevrons, love the little elephant, hate the colors (I'm more of a burnt orange or orange/navy fan when it comes to these blankets, of course).

I post this today to stay humble, less any of you think that James and I are leading a rockstar life with all our wild parties and such. Crochet message boards, my friends….crochet message boards.

Lupe is 10 Years Old!

Since JB gets a monthly update and Enda gets an annual update, I figured it's about time that our other fur-babies (the forgotten children) received an update.  Guadalupe has hit a rather important milestone this month - TEN YEARS OLD!

I can't believe little miss Lupe and I have been together for a decade, especially because my memory of taking her home is still so vivid.  I grew up with cats and adored them - so much that I spent many hours putting together a lively presentation (with poster board and everything) to convince my parents to adopt a third cat when I was 8 years old.  After they agreed, I checked out a book called "How to Care for Cats" each week from the library, took extensive notes, and built out what I know now is an Standard Operating Procedure. (Obviously I was born to be a consultant.  And a nerdy child.)   Fast forward many years, and I had patiently waited throughout college and grad school until I had a job, an apartment, and could "support" another mouth.  Summer 2004, and my first 8-5 job at TxDOT, gave me the opportunity.  I adopted Lupe from the Town Lake Animal Shelter in Austin, Tx , and took home what I thought to be an 8 week old little kitten.

My only Texas-born child

After days of not eating and crying endlessly, I took her to the vet and realized this little Spout (her given name at the shelter) was only a month old.  A MONTH OLD.  This led to bottle/syringe feeding and me going home each day at lunch to feed, cuddle and nurture the poor gal.  I'm sure it bonded us for life.

I proceeded to drag that cat all over the place with me - from DC to California to Atlanta.  (True story, when my first consulting Partner assigned me to a project in Sacramento for several months, he asked if I'd be willing to stay 2 weeks at a time and get a corporate apartment.  I agreed if I could fly my cat out to live with me.  How totally green - and completely nuts - my first year analyst self must have seemed!)  

"But wasn't I worth it?"

Another true story: Lupe has survived - no joke - 7 full days trapped in the closet without food or water.  My pet sitter found it odd that she didn't see her the entire time we were on vacation, which is why that knucklehead is no longer our pet sitter.  To think we could have lost her still gives me chills.  James says, just like a cockroach, she is a survivor.

"...I'm not gonna give up…"

She has also survived the addition of her kitty sister (who she tolerates), her new daddy (who she hates), her puppy sister (who she despises), and now her human baby brother (who, surprisingly, she likes).  Every time the nursery door opens she rushes in and sits on the ottoman, and even lets JB love on her.  While the other animals run from him, Lupe is the only one who actually goes up to JB for affection.  It's the darndest thing.  

Now days, Lupe spends the majority of her time up in my office, where she can be lazy in peace.  Sometimes she'll get feisty and attack Carmen, usually when I'm on an important call and not on mute.  She has a double-jointed hip that doesn't give her trouble, but makes her seem like a little old lady.  I have to remind myself that she's 10, and not 20.  

Happy birthday to my sweet grey girl.  I can't believe you're 10 years old.  Good news: this is by no means "old" for a cat, and everyone is thrilled you'll likely be with us a while longer.  

Water Baby!

This weekend we took JB swimming for the first time, and safe to say that the kid loved it.  I was not too surprised, as he loves his baths and also enjoyed the kiddy pool.  He's also intent to seek out danger,  and since the pool is about the scariest thing for a parent of course he was drawn to it.

"Where's that Phelps, I'm ready to race…"

Our friends, Kyle and Christina, have a beautiful saltwater pool, and they are always so inviting to friends, family, kiddos, and even the fur babies.  If they didn't live nearly out of state, we'd probably be there more than they would like.  (Just had to get in at least one OTP joke…)

Living the dream...

Enda had a blast splashing around on the shallow end (and even attempted to swim out a few times before one of her parents had to rescue her.)

"Who's ready to dive in and save me?"

But, back to JB:  like I said, he loved the water.  So much that he tried endlessly to get out of our arms.  He tried multiple times to swim away, put his face in the water, go under - all the things his mean ole Mama was not about to let him do.  :)  

"Let me go, Dad, I can do it!"

We didn't bring a baby float with us, which was probably a good thing as I doubt he would have stayed confined.  We did let him play in an adult float with a mesh bottom, although it require both of us to keep our hands on him at all times less he dove over the side (which of course he attempted.)  This is why we have no swimming pictures of him.  It took one of us to hold him and the other person to freak out and say "AAAAAAK, what is he doing, don't let him go under!!!!"    

Fortunately he tired himself out enough to take a nap in the shade.  I could have stayed like this for hours, although JB only needed 35 minutes before he was ready to go again!

Don't get me wrong - we had a blast and I'm very happy he's not afraid of the water, but, WHEW, he's a handful in the water (and on land, for that matter!)  Looking forward to / already nervous about our beach trip coming up next week!

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(I should note that JB was never in any danger, I promise.  I'm being a little dramatic because a day at the pool with a daredevil baby will leave one a bit frazzled.  But, we had complete control of the situation, and would never ever be anything but super diligent with the little guy around the water.)

What's Up? Not Much...

Topics are at a real lull now that we're back to the grind after our fabulous 4th holiday.  There is hope for excitement in the next few weeks: taking JB swimming for the first time this weekend; recreating another TBT photo (get excited!); a music class; a beach vacation.  Lots of fun things!

But, for now, I've got nothing.  Nothing to write about.  So I figured I'd just upload some pictures from the ole iPhone, give you an idea of what's going on with the Sassers, and call it a day.  Lazy, yes.  But it's summer so that's allowed.

Here is some proof that our child likes to eat.  I still make his food, and he's already surpassed his Dad in terms of things he will eat.  This week we tried lentils, and we dig them.

"I'll feed myself now, thank you."

Good to the last drop

JB has become quite the little busy bee lately.  This means that trying to take early calls or late calls (outside of the Nanny's hours) gets dicey.  JB has managed to email gibberish, lock my computer, and close out a WebEx.  Good news is that he loves the computer.  I'm going to keep working with him so that he is skilled in Excel and Visio by 18 months…

"I approve this project, Mama"

"just catching up on some email…"

"I cancelled your meeting, Mama.  Now stop working!"

I forgot to share JB's 4th of July outfit (well, or the one he wore to church during our 4th special).  He was not that excited about it, even though it's PRECIOUS. James says it's because he looks German, not American.  Oh well…

"You embarrass me with these bloomers"

JB is fascinated with the stairs and shoes.  The stairs are - obviously - dangerous and something we try to avoid at the moment.  However, shoes are also a big no-no since JB enjoys licking the soles any chance he gets. Now, I'm by no means a germaphobe Mama, but even I have limits…

"Let me take these upstairs where I can lick them in peace"

Could you keep up with all the randomness?  Did you enjoy the pictures?  Cross your fingers we do something wild and crazy this weekend so I have better posts next week!!  

Oh, and HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND! 

Happy Birthday, America!

What a fantastic 4th of July!  

You'd think with all that time off (Thursday - Sunday) I would have found time to update this blog with the pictures and updates from our Independence Day weekend.  However, we were too busy!!  There was so much going on!!  Plus, I had out my "real" camera (even switched lenses a few times - I was serious about my picture-taking, y'all), so get ready for lots of photos.

Every year that we're in Atlanta on the 4th of July, we watch the Peacthree Road Race (one of the - if not the - largest road races in the US).  It runs right down Peachtree, and we've always managed to live right off Peachtree. PERFECT. Since JB had us up before the sun, we were ready to head that way right as the elite runners were approaching our cross street.

Look who we found!

Our neighbors, who we vicariously live through because they are just so much cooler than we are, hosted a tailgate, sponsored by their company, Furbus.  Our neighbor DJed the event, and managed to get the crowd rocking.

After the race there were naps, snacks, walks (the weather was so pretty and not even humid!), and general laziness.  James fired up the grill, and cousin Katelyn and her friends joined us for lunch/dinner.   JB enjoyed some corn cobs, and enthusiastically shared with Enda.

Sharing is Caring!

That evening, some friends invited us over to their high-rise condo to watch the fireworks.  They have the perfect view. JB's Gia was kind enough to baby-sit so we could enjoy some adult time.

Little did the host know that this was also a SURPRISE birthday party for him.  Happy birthday to both America and Calvin!

From their balcony, we could see fireworks going off in every part of the city.  Not only the organized events in Decatur, Lenox, and Centennial Olympic park, but, thanks to the new law that allows firework sales in GA, the neighborhoods, too!

Well that seems safe...

It was a long night of fireworks and fun and food (and some adult beverages).  We had a great time!

(Don't worry, we Uber-ed home)

The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing, having fun with the little guy, and grilling.  Plus, letting JB check out the baby pool - which was a big hit!  And because I can't pick a favorite picture of him in his little swimsuit, you'll just have to enjoy them all.

"why is she in my pool…"

What a great way to celebrate the holiday.   You can see why it took me a while to get all this uploaded onto the blog. (And maybe why it's a struggle to get back into the swing of work on this Monday!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!