Signing On

Well little Rowan and I are starting another new adventure. Sign language. He has done so well with the elimination communication, I figure we might as well try this too! He doesn't quite have the dexterity with his hands yet, but I figure if we start doing it now, by the time he has it he *might* give it a go! We have picked out a handful of signs, and are going to start with those, and slowly add more. Here is what we are starting with: milk, mama, papa, bed/sleep, potty and more. Once we get used to using those we will add more! I am pretty excited about it, because Rowan is such a smart little man, and he loves it when I count to him using my fingers, and so far he seems to enjoy the signing, smiling whenever I do it. So here goes  to another adventure with our smart little man!

Diaper Free

So I recently read the book Diaper Free by Ingrid Bauer, and it has sent me off on another wonderful journey with my little Rowan Pants. Her book is all about Elimination Communication, or Natural Infant Hygiene as it is also known, which is connecting with your baby on yet another deeper level, like breastfeeding on demand, but helping your baby relieve themselves in a way that doesn't make them sit in it. Its great!  You basically learn a whole new set of cues from your baby, just like when they are tired, or hungry, but this time it is when they have to go pee or poop! We started off a little shaky, Rowan I think getting frustrated and rather confused, but now a week into it, it is great! We got him a little potty a couple of days ago, and he used it 5 times today, which is 5 less dirty diapers! I still have him in diapers all day, sometimes we let him go without, but we are working towards being diaper free at some point. I know it may sound crazy to some, but its amazing how well it works! They really do let you know when they have to go, and you just have to tune in to those cues along with the other ones you already are observing. It is really pretty exciting :) And he loves it too! He gets so excited when he goes potty in his, or in the toilet (his potty seat can attach to it) and its great! I still am amazed, but it really makes sense, so I guess that's all that really matters! Till next time! :)

Happy Birthday To Me!

Well this past Friday was my 24th birthday, and I must say, it was one of the best birthdays I've had in a while. Not to say that my past birthdays weren't good, because they were, I suppose every year feels like its that much better than the last. It was especially fun because I got to spend it with my family, and this year I have a family all of my own! Sean, Rowan and I went to town, and did some shopping. Then we went and picked out my birthday present - a new rocking/reclining chair to nurse in! It is made out of the memory foam material so it is super soft and cushy, and I am in love. My old rocker was a hand-me-down that had much of its life crushed out of it by the time I received it, so this brand new one is like sitting on a cloud! Then we all went to my moms, and we made pizza. My mom and Jim got me a wonderful pizza stone, peel and cutter, and now I am on a pizza making craze! It is so much fun, so good, and such an easy great dinner! All in all it was a wonderful day, and it makes me look forward to next years!

Laughter

The other evening, I was cooking dinner when I heard Sean yelling at me to come outside. I ran out, wondering what was wrong. But nothing was wrong, everything was amazingly right. Sean was playing with Fritzy, our doberman, out in the yard. He had Rowan with him, and Rowan loved it. He was laughing, the first time he had ever laughed like a big little person, and it was amazing, music to my ears. I of course dashed back inside to pick up the video camera, and was able to get a bit of this new joy on film for us to remember for ever. We hadn't been able to get him to do it again, but today, two nights later, we get Fritzy playing again, and Rowan started laughing again. It is beautiful, amazing and wonderful all at once. :) I hope you enjoy!