These hands.

Peek-a-boo

When I was in sixth grade I was in a show called "Working." There wasn't a main story line, only scenes, songs, and dances portraying different occupations. For some reason I was chosen to be the retired doctor (Funny, now I've married a doctor-to-be!) and I was given a long monologue discussing what I had done throughout my career. One of the teachers at my school, Mr. Daum, wrote the script and it was all about what my hands had done. I'd birthed babies, held people as they were passing away, cared for young children: all important and impactful moments. I would repeatedly say, "These hands," all throughout it. I cannot remember the long monologue now, but somewhere I do have the script.

Now that Ian is completely engrossed with his hands, the saying keeps coming back to me. In his thirteen weeks of age there's not much he can say that his hands did, so it's a bit comical, really. "These hands have flailed wildly and by happenstance have grabbed my toy or knocked down the blocks." "These hands have held me up as I've pushed my neck and head into the air." "These hands have wrapped themselves around my parents' fingers as they play with me." "I've watched the shadows of these hands dance across my cradle, when the light's shining just right."

Like boy, like pup.
Leif decided to hop into Ian's spot soon after I moved him. 

But one day we'll know the story of his hands better. We'll know what talents he has, what sports he enjoys playing (if any), and what impact he'll make in this world. We'll be on the sidelines cheering him on, crying the tears, feeling the woes, laughing at the jokes, and walking this life with him. ***Cue teary-eyed mother over here.***

Right now Ian really doesn't need any toys. His hands completely suffice. He'll lie surrounded by toys and choose only to suck on or hold his own hands. Soon I know this will change, but for right now it's enjoyable to observe.

Although he has no clue that they are a part of his body, his feet have also been fun to watch (for us) these days. When he lies on his back, he spends much of the time attempting to match the soles of his feet together. He doesn't actually look to see if he's doing it, his feet just constantly are trying to match each other. A yoga pose, I believe.

The best time to "chat" with Ian tends to be when he is lying on the diaper-changing pad. He's right at eye level and loves to coo back and forth. It makes changing diapers quite enjoyable, actually. He's always content to be lying down on these pads. He likes to be changed! Who would have thought that he'd like to have a clean, dry diaper?!

For a while there he did not seem to mind being placed somewhere while I ran to the bathroom, made a quick breakfast, or some other short task. Recently, he has started to really mind if I leave him for any period of time. He knows too well!

He continues to enjoy airplane, giving me smiles, some giggles, and cascades of drool as we play. The yoga DVD I mentioned before has exercises that you can do during airplane to help strengthen the non-existent abs after a baby is born. I want to get into more of a routine of actually doing it. But I do pieces here and there throughout the day.

Ian loves bath time! He kicks and kicks the water and breathes in deeply when we pour any amount of water over his body. It normally takes a few minutes to get excited, but then he is all jittery. It's a blast.

He also loves it when I sing, "What does the Ian say?" And then proceed to make up a bunch of random sounds. This morning he was full of smiles and his mild giggles over this game. So fun.

I cannot say this enough- he is one VERY active boy. He wants to move all of the time and he wants to see absolutely everything. This makes it very hard for him to start the process of falling asleep for nap times and bed time. He often has to let off some steam by moving a lot and crying a bit before falling asleep, no matter how early I start the process of putting him down. It can be quite wearing and draining to put him down. We're both figuring it out together.

In the carriers he only wants to be facing outward if he is awake and inward if he is asleep. I read an article this week that gave me some "mom guilt" in talking about how babies should be worn facing their caregiver because their spines are developing and it is best for them to face inward. In talking with Jim and a friend, I'm feeling better about the fact that I am following his lead and his personality. He is getting to observe and learn about everything around him. His spine will be fine. He is held the correct way every time I hold him, rock him, and soothe him... which is almost all day.

Hehe.

There's so much information out there, each holding different opinions. It's easy to get lost and forget to rely on my intuition. All babies are different. Breathe. He's a happy baby. Thank you to Jim, Jessica and Joi for talking me through this stuff!!!

Other than visiting family for the holidays next week, we're home and all together now for the rest of the year! No more boards. No more tough rotations. Whew. It feels good. Jim's pretty psyched about it, too. Ian? Well, he has no clue ;)

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

A HUGE THANK YOU to Jessica, Andrew, Esther, and Evangeline for hosting us in Bristol, Tennessee! Esther, the three year old, gave up her room for us and "Baby Ian" and we were so grateful. Thank you for the wonderful meals, conversations, babysitting Ian for the first time, ventures to the park and around Bristol, and taking us to the lights on the Bristol Speedway (our first time at a real racetrack)! You were incredibly gracious hosts and blessed us by your generosity and kindness. We look forward to the next time we are together!

Did you hear? I turned three months old this week. No joke.

Happy three months, Ian Forrester!

You love: your hands, sucking on our knuckles and toys we hold near your mouth, smiling at us, bath time, "airplane" rides, walks and strolls outside, looking at everything, and moving as much as you can.  

We're looking forward to celebrating your first Christmas with you next week!

Handsome lad.

We love you, love you.