Before and After

I used to spend alot of time perusing decorating blogs, and one of the really common posts is a before/after post. The popular blogs "host" a before and after day usually about once a month, and other bloggers "link up" their before and after posts, such as a dresser makeover, or even a whole kitchen remodel. I happened on one such post a few weeks ago, and had a quick moment of feeling disappointed, because seriously the last time I did one of those projects was SO long ago. My before/after post would be quite different...
Life before Caleb, though it was only 9-ish months ago, is such a blur in some ways! I wonder often how I filled my time, and why I always felt so busy! Granted, I was working full instead of part time but still! I get about the same amount done in a day now, and yet most of my time is filled with chasing after/entertaining a very small, very fast, very cute little person. However,  I was glancing at some Christmas pictures from last year the other day, and noticed that there are definately some differences in some areas of our lifestyle. This was our living room a few weeks before the Bubs was born:

And the kitchen area:

And you know, it pretty much stayed that way. I have *ahem* a slight twinge of OCD, and so (though he's not as quick to admit it;) does Garrett. So it was never difficult for us to keep things pretty much picked up all the time. The day after my third nightshift every week, I would deep clean the house. All in one day. Every week. Seriously, I liked it that way--we both did! I used to groccery shop once every 2 weeks, get all that we needed, and if I thought of a random errand while I was out, I could meander over and finish that up. I could "plan" my meals pretty much when I wanted and eat in peace. And now, the living room "After":

and the kitchen area:

This was taken just now, just after a serious playtime, breakfast, and more playtime. And you know, it pretty much stays that way until bedtime. Its pointless to put away all his toys during nap, because his first order of buisness is to dump over his basket and start again when he wakes! So, this is how my OCD must live. Before Garrett gets home, I pick up somewhat, and then we pick up after Caleb goes to sleep...but then we start again the next day. There is NO WAY I can clean the whole house in one day anymore, so I do a little each day. Which, to some people means that a part of the house is clean every day...but to my OCD it means that the OTHER parts of the house are NOT clean most days. Now I carefully plan when I can rush out to the store between naps/feedings, leaving a messy house, coming back to a messy house, and more days than not, forgetting to eat either breakfast or lunch...alot of people told me that my life will forever be split into "before kids" and "after kids" and oh how right they were...

Oh but wait, I forgot one part of the "After" picture:

...and seriously that sweet face makes ALL the difference! Every mess, every sticky finger print on our nice tan couches, every task left undone because I had to stop and discipline, or just stop to play, is so, so totally worth it. And so, even though I wouldn't have a before/after project to contribute to a popular blogger's monthly party, because I haven't had time to do a real decorating project since December...I choose the "After", every time.

9 Months Old!

Wow! 9 Months!

STATS:
Length: Still 29in...nearing more the 60-70th percentile
Weight: 17lbs 14oz...still on the 10th percentile curve that he hit around 5 months. According to his pediatrician, its common for babies to dip on the curve at about 9 months and stay low til about a year, because of increased activity. Our little mover, however, dropped down at 5 months because thats when he started crawling!

New Skills:
* Standing!

Caleb can stand with no help for at least 10-15 seconds! I think it really would be longer, but really he's only ever STILL for that long! Then he wants to go get something or see something, so he drops down to crawl. He is rediculously fast at crawling now, so I think his first step will be a totally inadvertant thing -- he won't take a step towards something or someone because he wants to GET there...if he did he would just crawl (if that makes sense!).

* New Sounds:

Baba, motor boat sound (which he uses when he pushes toys around like a car, but we're not sure if he means to make that sound for that reason), Nana (this either means "no" or "food/banana" because he uses it when he doesnt want to sleep or when he wants food NOW), Mama, Dada (still not specifying Garrett or I, though he says "Mama" most often when he's sad....not sure if thats sweet or sad).

* New Name: Houdini

(yes he got in there himself...)

Two examples:
1. One night when I was working Garrett found Caleb on the other side of the "child proof" gate...seriously. When he found him, Caleb just grinned up at him and then went into turbo mode, trying to scramble up the stairs before Garrett could grab him -- totally knew he wasn't supposed to be there! I was inclined to think it was left open by mistake until a few days later (see example 2;). We think that he was holding onto the bars and bouncing and just "bounced" the gate up and open-- crazy.

2. Just a few days later Caleb was in his bouncer just outside the bathroom while I was taking a shower (up til now this has been HOW I've been able to shower, since during his 40 min naps I have a meeellion other things I want to get done). I heard him make a frustrated noise and drop his toy. Then, about 30 seconds later I heard the pitter pat of little hands on the tile and a sweet, smiley, mischevious face peeked around the door...I almost screamed out loud! I still cannot figure out how he got out! The bouncer was upright still. I put him back in to see if he would do it again, but nope. I am thanking God that he did not break his little neck!!

*Imitating!
Caleb is just starting to imitate --which is SO fun! Garrett taught him to clap one day, and now he does it all the time! He looooves "patty-cake"

* 2 more teeth!
Yay! He won't have to be Daracula for Halloween! (just kidding) Caleb's top middle teeth finally came in:)

Well, we are 2/3 of the way to a YEAR old...seriously I can't believe it. In some ways I am very ready for Caleb to hit the 1 year mark. Mainly, I am ready to be done with the nursing thing.  I am ready to be able to sleep in (really, just once!) for the first time since before he was born, I am ready to be able to go overnight somewhere with Garrett, or even out to dinner without having to think about pumping and all that fun stuff (not to mention pumping at work - no fun!) Totally don't regret doing it and, Lord willing, I will nurse all of our kids. However, there were (and still are) times that I have to go over and over the medical and financial benefits of nursing in my head, just to convince myself I did the right thing:)

BUT, Caleb is growing and changing at warp speed, and sometimes I really wish I had a "slow down" button! Part of me can't wait to hear him put words together, but the other part knows I will miss his sweet babbling. Part of me can't wait to see him take his first steps, but the other part wants to hold on to the cute, crawling, scrambling baby! I think right now I will go hug the sweet face that just woke up and, for now, enjoy the moment:)