milestone of milestones

Even as I type this I can hardly believe it. Last night, Sunday May 18th, my son slept soundly from 7pm to 6am, straight through, for the ... first ....time ....ever. I woke up this morning so happy, and yet feeling like I must still be in some strange dream state. But no, thank you God no, it was TRUE.

My acceptance speech:
It has been such a long time coming and such a hard road to get to this point, but I would like to thank everyone who has supported us in getting us here. We surely would have fallen much to pieces a million times over without all of you. We have no expectations for tonight or even tomorrow night, but we are optimistic and are going to try our best for a repeat performance some time in the near future. To all our fans, we love you and would like to dedicate this award to you.

Thank you and GOOD NIGHT!

The standoff

Now truly, honestly THIS is the post that years from now my son is going to read and say, "Ma, really? You had to tell the world about that?" But I can't help it, I'm elated.

I'm elated about crap. Not a general theoretical reference, but actual crap.

We've had somewhat of a blockage here in our house the last few days. We started cereal last week, and while its been fun I couldn't help but notice the effect its played on my son's GI tract. "Iron Fortified" it says on the box but it fails to also promote that it will make you child's little bum the baby equivalent of Fort Knox. I was starting to get concerned.

In chatting with other mom friends I knew there were such remedies as adding a little prune juice to his bottle, and even more extreme... glycerin suppositories. In just thinking about it I decided that if we had to go the suppository route that it was definitely a daddy job (which of course he emphatically disagreed with.)

However, miracles of miracles this morning, just hours before I planned to call his pediatrician, we all got some relief. I noticed Henry's tell-tale red face grunting and wah-lah! I was actually happy to find the single nastiest, thickest paste of crappy diaper. Even Jim, who often claims whatever diaper he is stuck with is the absolute worst to date, agree this one took the cake.

I can only imagine what we are going to see when we start real food. Good lord.

A relatively unhurried shower

Everyday somewhere around mid-morning I decide its REALLY time that I shower. Not only do I have that yucky, unshowered feeling but the simple act of bathing prevents me from feeling like a total shut-in especially now as the winter months descend upon our little homestead.

Its funny how something that I once took so for granted is now something I actively prioritize and feel is important to be done daily for me to stay a sane mommy.

Anyways, typically what I'll do is change Henry, feed him and put him the safest place I can think of: his crib. Sometimes I'll take his monitor with me into the bathroom, but I find this to only cause more anxiety for me as I'm already showering at the speed of light. Its not like I can dart out of the stream of water, head full of shampoo when Henry starts to cry so in some ways ignorance is bliss. I get the deed done as quickly as possible so that I can reunite with my little man.

As a result of the lack of monitor, typically I'll turn off the water only to hear him wailing for me. I swear I must scare the crap out of him when I race into his room with a towel piled high on my head because he gives me this wide eyed, terrified look like, "What is that on your head?!"

Anyways, while it might not be as significant as walking or sitting up we did hit a milestone today - Henry entertained himself in his crib while I showered. Its a big deal people. Seriously. When I turned off the water, I near had a heart attack because I didn't hear him. I raced into his room only to find him happily staring at the walls of his crib, hardly a care for me. I was elated and devastated at the same time - my little boy suddenly doesn't rely on me for all of his amusement. Somehow the walls have replaced me.