Staycation

It's about to end. Well, I guess it ended yesterday when Bill went back to work, but I don't have to work until tomorrow! It's been wonderful, lazy mornings at home with the whole family around. Not that I sleep in anymore, but I can still be somewhat lazy! You would think that with Bill's every-other-week work schedule, we'd feel like we're on vacation all the time, but it just doesn't work out that way. By the end of a 7 day run as single mom I'm exhausted and have put off a lot of 'to dos' for the week that Bill's home. He babysits three of those days while I'm at work, and then we both try to squeeze in some personal time, so somehow we still don't feel like we get a lot of quality time together those weeks.

We did manage to get some projects done around the house last week which was nice, but I still have some in mind. We got a new bed/headboard for Christmas (it's been on my list since we got married almost 10 years ago!) so I'll post a picture of that once the bedroom is all tidied up. I want to makeover our office a bit too. Some day.

I've been seeing a lot of this face lately. I don't know... is it skeptical? Thoughtful? Observant/cautious? My brother nicknamed him 'Skeptical Sammy' or Serious Sammy. I love this face to death!

I'm not worthy

Of having a blog... I am so terrible about updates, I know. Honestly, getting on the computer at the end of they day (or during Sam's nap(s)) is often the last thing I want to do. I guess I would rather be lazy and read my book, watch my shows, or I have too much housework to catch up on to justify sitting down. I think it's a true sign of being an introvert - when I have time to myself I just want to tune out and turn off the phone, computer, etc. I love to read all my friends' blogs, I guess I'm just not a blogger. It feels like a chore sometimes.

Anyway, I did want to capture some memories of Sam's first Christmas. I can't believe it's already over! Makes me so sad. We spent Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas day with the Finnertys, as we usually do. Sam soaked up all the attention, it was so fun to watch him interact with his aunts, uncle, cousins, and grandparents. He actually seemed to have fun opening presents too (with our help of course). He pretty much has a new wardrobe for the 12-18 month period (they make some pretty stinkin' cute boys clothes these days) and he got a few new toys, which was a relief because the toy pile is already too big at our house.

This Christmas, for some reason, has been rough for a lot of good friends and acquaintances. Along with that, sharing the experience with Sam made me appreciate it that much more. The best part was just being with family and enjoying our precious time together.

Tonight we are staying in - Bill has to work all weekend and Sam goes to bed pretty early anyway so we'll snuggle in for some family time. Our lives have truly changed, but Sam is such a blessing. Happy 2012!



Having fun with Dad


Sam with Aunt Kate


With his new teddy bear and giraffe slippers.

Sam, Sammy, Sammer pants

is 8 months old! (And there are at least 3-4 other nicknames for him, in true Finnerty tradition) I haven't really taken time to reflect on or record all the changes since my last post, oh... about 2 months ago.

Let's see...what can I say about my beautiful boy? I love him more than I can express. Observant, cautious, curious, sensitive, sweet Sam. In the last few months, he has started eating 'solids' and is definitely enjoying food these days. His favorite thing so far is mashed banana. He also eats a boatload of puffs each day, which is so great because I can set him up in his highchair in the kitchen and dole out the puffs while I go about cooking, doing dishes, etc. Ah... little bits of freedom are so nice! I'm still nursing him, but he's a pretty quick eater, actually more of a 'snacker' now except for first thing in the morning and right before bed. I'm supplementing with formula now though, just so I know he's getting enough. I feel like I'm not able to keep up with his appetite anymore. He doesn't have any teeth yet but I can feel the bottom two, just slightly, and think they might emerge soon.

He loves his routine - gets up around the same time each day and goes to bed fairly early because he's not a great napper in the afternoon. He loves his bath and is ready for bed after that each night, like clockwork. He's turned into a pretty good sleeper, only waking once to eat after about 9-10 hours, then he'll go back to sleep for a few more hours. I never thought we would get here!

The days I'm home with him we usually play in the morning, go out for a long walk with the dog, and then try to get out somewhere in the afternoon, either play dates or errands. He loves to ride in the front of the Bjorn and take in all the sights, or try to get strangers' attention. He squawks just to hear his own voice - it's pretty funny, but ear-piercing sometimes. He's getting to the point now where he doesn't want to sit, just stand (while I hold him up) or lean against something. He can't crawl but is getting better about being on his tummy & pushing up. I make him 'work out' each day. :)

He is pure joy, and making him giggle is the best feeling in the world. I wish I could bottle it (that, and snuggling). I'm so excited for him to experience his first Thanksgiving and Christmas this year! I'm hosting my family tomorrow (Bill has to work from 2-midnight... boo!) so am a little stressed about pulling everything together, but I hope I can still enjoy the whole experience. Hopefully I'll be a little better about blogging through the holiday season, documenting all the firsts! For now I need to go get my kitchen ready for the madness tomorrow.








Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

He keeps growing

Sam is already half way through his first year. I don't want him to grow up and yet I can't wait to see the little boy he will become. He loves each new experience. He's really enjoying 'solid' food so far, is almost sitting up, rolling over half way, and experimenting with new sounds every day. Poor baby has his first cold this week so keeps making this dry cough/scratchy throat sound. He's had a rough couple of days with the cold + 6 month shots.

6 month stats - he weighs 15 lb, 8 oz and is 27 inches long. Lean and mean! I need to fatten this boy up. It really does bother me that he doesn't weigh more; I wish he was one of those chubby babies. But he is perfectly healthy and the dr. doesn't seem concerned, so I guess I should get over it. Here he is on the swing at a new playground by our house. He didn't even fill up half the seat!

Just doing some window shopping

Think I'll take one of these



I would make some style changes, but still. What would your dream house look like?

P.S. I know this is an odd transition from yesterday's post, but we all like to day dream. :)

Guest Post: Sarah from Ask 5 for 5

Guest Blogger: Sarah Lenssen from #Ask5for5

Family photos by Mike Fiechtner Photography



Thank you Fur Factor and nearly 150 other bloggers from around the world for allowing me to share a story with you today, during Social Media Week.



A hungry child in East Africa can't wait. Her hunger consumes her while we decide if we'll respond and save her life. In Somalia, children are stumbling along for days, even weeks, on dangerous roads and with empty stomachs in search of food and water. Their crops failed for the third year in a row. All their animals died. They lost everything. Thousands are dying along the road before they find help in refugee camps. 



At my house, when my three children are hungry, they wait minutes for food, maybe an hour if dinner is approaching. Children affected by the food crisis in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia aren't so lucky. Did you know that the worst drought in 60 years is ravaging whole countries right now, as you read this? Famine, a term not used lightly, has been declared in Somalia. This is the world's first famine in 20 years.12.4 million people are in need of emergency assistance and over 29,000 children have died in the last three months alone. A child is dying every 5 minutes. It it estimated that 750,000 people could die before this famine is over. Take a moment and let that settle in.



The media plays a major role in disasters. They have the power to draw the attention of society to respond--or not. Unfortunately, this horrific disaster has become merely a footnote in most national media outlets. News of the U.S. national debt squabble and the latest celebrity's baby bump dominate headlines. That is why I am thrilled that nearly 150 bloggers from all over the world are joining together today to use the power of social media to make their own headlines; to share the urgent need of the almost forgotten with their blog readers. Humans have the capacity to care deeply for those who are suffering, but in a situation like this when the numbers are too huge to grasp and the people so far away, we often feel like the little we can do will be a drop in the ocean, and don't do anything at all.

When news of the famine first hit the news in late July, I selfishly avoided it. I didn't want to read about it or hear about it because I knew I would feel overwhelmed and uncomfortable. I wanted to protect myself. I knew I would need to do something if I knew what was really happening. You see, this food crisis is personal. I have a 4-year-old son and a 1 yr-old daughter who were adopted from Ethiopia and born in regions now affected by the drought. If my children still lived in their home villages, they would be two of the 12.4 million. My children: extremely hungry and malnourished? Gulp. I think any one of us would do anything we could for our hungry child. But would you do something for another mother's hungry child?

My friend and World Vision staffer, Jon Warren, was recently in Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya--the largest refugee camp in the world with over 400,000 people. He told me the story of Isnino Siyat, 22, a mother who walked for 10 days and nights with her husband, 1 yr-old-baby, Suleiman, and 4 yr.-old son Adan Hussein, fleeing the drought in Somalia. When she arrived at Dadaab, she built the family a shelter with borrowed materials while carrying her baby on her back. Even her dress is borrowed. As she sat in the shelter on her second night in camp she told Jon, "I left because of hunger. It is a very horrible drought which finished both our livestock and our farm." The family lost their 5 cows and 10 goats one by one over 3 months, as grazing lands dried up. "We don't have enough food now...our food is finished. I am really worried about the future of my children and myself if the situation continues."

Will you help a child like Baby Suleiman? Ask5for5 is a dream built upon the belief that you will.



That something I knew I would need to do became a campaign called #Ask5for5 to raise awareness and funds for famine and drought victims. The concept is simple, give $5 and ask five of your friends to give $5, and then they each ask five of their friends to give $5 and so on--in nine generations of 5x5x5...we could raise $2.4 Million! In one month, over 750 people have donated over $25,000! I set up a fundraiser at See Your Impact and 100% of the funds will go to World Vision, an organization that has been fighting hunger in the Horn of Africa for decades and will continue long after this famine has ended. Donations can multiply up to 5 times in impact by government grants to
help provide emergency food, clean water, agricultural support,
healthcare, and other vital assistance to children and families suffering in the Horn.



I need you to help me save lives. It's so so simple; here's what you need to do:

1. Donate $5 or more on this page (http://seeyourimpact.org/members/ask5for5)


2. Send an email to your friends and ask them to join us.


3. Share #Ask5for5 on Facebook and Twitter!

I'm looking for another 100 bloggers to share this post on their blogs throughout Social Media Week. Email me at ask5for5@gmail.com if you're interested in participating this week.



A hungry child doesn't wait. She doesn't wait for us to finish the other things on our to-do list, or get to it next month when we might have a little more money to give. She doesn't wait for us to decide if she's important enough to deserve a response. She will only wait as long as her weakened little body will hold on...please respond now and help save her life. Ask 5 for 5.



Thank you on behalf of all of those who will be helped--you are saving lives and changing history.





p.s. Please don't move on to the next website before you donate and email your friends right now. It only takes 5 minutes and just $5, and if you're life is busy like mine, you probably won't get back to it later. Let's not be a generation that ignores hundreds of thousands of starving people, instead let's leave a legacy of compassion. You have the opportunity to save a life today!

 

Sam @ 5 months

My boy is no longer an infant! I feel like I can already see glimpses of the little boy he will become. This month more than ever he seems to be learning/growing so quickly (I'm sure I'll say that every month).

I don't have his stats since he doesn't have a doctor appt this month, but I'm guessing he's around 16+ lbs and at least 26 inches long (that's what he measured at 4 months). I know you can't really predict future height until around 2 years, but this kid has big feet and big hands so I'm guessing he'll be tall like his Dad and Grandpa (Bill's Dad).

He is so curious about the world and very aware of his surroundings, dare I say too aware? We were at my parents' house yesterday and Sam screamed each time my Dad would talk to him or try to hold him. Same thing with my brother. When my mom held him he was perfectly fine, but he knows her since she's at my house on a regular basis. He hasn't seen my Dad or brother for a few weeks. Still, I was a bit shocked. I don't know why they scared him so much, but it seems like maybe he has 'stranger' anxiety already? Even though they're not strangers! He is just a very shy, sensitive little guy and very dependent on familiar surroundings and routine. He is not a fan of going to my mother-in-law's house every other week when I'm at work either, so I chalk it up to his need for predictability/routine. Is it too early to worry about that or do we need to help him learn that new places/people are ok and develop some flexibility?

On the other hand, Sam's 'shy' nature is part of what makes him so sweet. He will flash you a smile but then turn away quickly or bury his head in my shoulder. His favorite thing right now is to just lay down, kick his legs, talk to Mom and Dad (well, gurgle), and practice rolling over. He can't quite do it on purpose yet but has accidentally rolled over quite a bit, and seems to enjoy it! Just like most other 5 month olds, he wants to put everything in his mouth, including my face. He also seems to be very interested in what I'm eating and drinking, so I went ahead and bought him a high chair so he can sit at the table with Bill and I, and practice drinking from (an empty) sippy cup. I think he loves it...sitting with the big kids! Will probably start solids soon, though the pediatrician said we could wait until 6 months. He's a little on the conservative side anyway.



We also started putting him in a jogging stroller facing forward, rather than in his carseat facing us. He loves the new view!



Finally, his favorite new buddy is definitely Addie. He seems to have just noticed her the last few weeks, and thinks she's the funniest thing in the world. She's not a big fan of him pulling her fur or tugging her ears, but she puts up with it. I'm sure they'll be inseparable in the future.