My Inchworm

Since we returned from Disney, Nathan has been much more mobile. He has been rolling for some time now, but only recently has he discovered forward motion. No army crawling yet, but he does this adorable inchworm thing where he sticks his butt way up in the air and then pushes off with his toes.

He loves to move, so I am kissing the little wrist rolls all I can because I am sure they will be melting away pretty soon.

Payback time... Mickey style

...by Danny

This one's for all of my embarrassing moments you so joyfully share with the world. And for the foolish antics I'm sure will one day grace the pages of this blog:

First a preface: Disney is big a part of the Macmanus family tradition. It holds so prominent a place Meghan's heart that she fought back tears as we pulled into the Old Key West resort greeted by the "Welcome Home" sign. Elsah, all her life convinced that she'd get married in Disney world, had to "settle" for a fairytale engagement proposal at Cinderella's castle. Mom Macmanus let her inner "Tink" out of her bottle and Dad Macmanus, the ever-in-control, left his cell phone at the condo (even though he had the coolest "fastpass/wait time checker" app ever on his iphone!)

For my part, I've bestowed the coveted "favorite Disney ride" title on one that's not the fastest, most exciting thrill ride. After all, nothing will change your tastes like an eight month old bundle of squealing joy soaking up every ounce of the kaleidoscope of sights and song that is It's a Small World!

Needless to say, Magic was in the air last week. Meghan was so enchanted she didn't even notice I was taping... until the end!!!




By the way, that was my future brother-in-law Jordan in the background: "king for the day" after miraculously withdrawing the sword from Authur's stone.

what happens when I go to work and leave Nathan in his Daddy's care?

simple:

t-shirts
underwear
jam session.

i love my boys.

warning: this post contains lots of pictures!

I was trying to pick a few of our favorites from Nathan's six month photo shoot. I went into the studio intending to get a bunch of sheets of one pose to send to the grandparents, etc, all for just $9.95! But he is just too darn cute! I'm hoping that the cash he wins after being named Most Adorable Baby Ever will help pay for all the portraits I will probably buy over the next few years.

7 months already!?

I don't know where the past month went. I don't even think I ever posted anything on Nathan's 6 month check-up. Usually, I would be grateful for February to fly by. But not this year. Finally, when I am savouring every minute of every day, every squeal and every diaper change (savouring the change, not the diaper) and every blessed grin, life is blowing past me before I can even sit and glory in it.

So here we are. My baby who is supposed to still be helpless and soggy in my arms is trying to stand on his own. Rather than snuggling close for me to feed him, he is "helping" me with the mashed peas, and when I can't do it fast enough he'll settle for a gnaw on his rubber bib. And tomorrow he has his first job interview.

OK. So he doesn't really.

But he is growing up way too fast. And I just want to sit down and enjoy it for a little while.

So here are some of the things I like to think about:

He likes making all sorts of squeals and vowel sounds. Not too many of the consonants yet but we are getting there. He discovered the "ppp" and "TTTthhh"s about a month ago and seems to be stuck there.

He loves to pet Margot and have his hands licked (followed by a quick rub-down with hand sanitizer--no offense Margot). They cuddle in the mornings, and if I leave him too long and he starts to whine, I'll find him surrounded by all of Margot's toys and a very forlorn big sister.

He is 19 1/2 lbs of pure hunk. He carries it mostly in his cheeks. And thighs. He does about 30 minutes a day in the doorway bouncer to get them trim but so far it isn't helping (thank goodness!).

He loves to eat and has not turned down a single meal. Peas, green beens, avocado, squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, banana, peaches, pears, apples, oatmeal, rice, chicken, yogurt and lentils have all passed the test. So far, it has all been homemade and so far he approves.

He laughs and laughs with tickling and any sort of surprise game. I'll do pretty much anything for a laugh out of him. In fact, I am pretty sure I was being followed by security at Hobby Lobby yesterday.

And my personal favorite: He loves to snuggle into my neck when he starts to get tired. He'll rub his face with his fists, find his thumb and ram his forehead into my clavicle. He'll rest there while I sing to him and then look up at me with his sweet eyes as I lay him in his crib. He gives me one last smile before I leave and let him sing himself to sleep.

should I get permission to post this?

Last weekend we went to Braselton, GA for a urology conference. Danny presented his research while I sat in the hotel room with a sleeping baby. It was really very relaxing--nice to be away from all the responsibilities of home-maker-dom in a warm hotel room (with cable!). Nathan was a gem, going to all the dinners, staying out late and sleeping in a pack'n'play without so much as a wimper. We showed him a good time, too. Nathan got to go swimming for the first time and he loved it! I also took him outlet shopping for some summer clothes for our upcoming trip to Disney.

But my very favorite part of the whole weekend is summed up in this picture. This was not a set-up, I assure you. It's authenticity at it's best. I hope I didn't need to have the stars sign a release for me to post this for the world to see...

Rub-a-dub-dub...

...two men in a tub.

Reason #597 to smile today.

He's not a crier. So I guess I'm not surprised that this is how I find him after virtually every nap. I am convinced he is imagining himself dancing on the ceiling to the sweet baby music he is making for his Maker. Just one more reason to smile.

uh...yeah. we're in the Rockies!

Danny has been back at the hospital for a month and a half following three wonderful months on research. He gets up around 5am (sometimes earlier) and he hasn't come home this week before 11pm. Needless to say, we really needed some time together. Nathan sees the bagger at the grocery store more than Danny, and I think he is starting to wonder.

So last week we flew to Colorado to visit the Macmani (and a Pietz), go skiing and enjoy some much needed time as a family. Big sister Margot had to stay behind this time, but don't feel too sorry for her. She played with her four-legged friends all week and even got to make snow angels in the 5 inches of snow that surprised Augusta.

While we were in Denver, Nathan impressed us all with his newest skill--sitting up. I have mostly the cloth diapers to thank as they provided just enough weight and stability to get him acquainted with this new position. Eliot loved having a new friend, but he couldn't understand why he wouldn't play fetch.





Papa and Boo/Nana/Nini/Mimi/Gramma watched Nathan on Friday so Danny and I could go skiing in the mountains. It was beautiful! Fresh snow and no lift lines. Flying down the mountain felt sooo good. I'll leave out the part about how old it made me feel when my joints started aching and how I almost died...twice. I'll also leave out the part about Danny searching high and low for a fanny pack to wear. I figured the hat he had to wear was enough.



And for Valentine's Day? Danny gave me a Mommy Makeover! A whole day for my mom and me to get a mani-pedi and go shopping for a new purse and shoes. I even got a haircut to complete the transformation. Excuse the facial expression, please. I don't do well with haircuts and was still coping with the loss.





Thank the Lord for a little time off!

187 days of wonderful

It is hard to believe that my sweet boy has been in my arms for 6 months now. Everyone said my life would never be the same, but I never imagined it would be like this. No words can describe how wonderful my life is since he has become a part of it. And each day gets sweeter.

Nathan now:
-Nurses 4 1/2 times a day and eats solids with dinner. He has loved everything he has tried including peas, green beans, butternut squash, sweet potatos, bananas, carrots and brown rice. Almost all of it ends up in his tummy.
-Sleeps 13hrs a night straight and naps 1-2 hours twice a day. And can do it pretty much anywhere.
-Sits up on his own with only the occasional topple. He loves this new perspective on life!
-Laughs and squeals, especially with peek-a-boo games.
-Sucks his thumb more than the pacifier. He loves to have something cloth-y and/or string-like around his thumb for added texture. Hair, drawstrings, pacifier clip ribbon, bibs, shirt sleeves...most anything will do.
-Smiles 98% of the time. Even when he is about to cry, he keeps on smiling.
-Gives [very extra-special people] kisses. They are wet and they are sloppy, but they are the most heart-melting kisses I have ever received (not including Danny's, right?).
-Says "Hey!" when he first sees someone he knows. I thought I was crazy, but it was verified this week by a few key witnesses. I say it counts!

Six months used to seem so far away. But the day is here it is and it is wonderful! Here's to a million more.

her⋅it⋅age

/ˈhɛrɪtɪdʒ/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [her-i-tij]
-noun

1. something inherited at birth, such as personal characteristics, status, and possessions

2. anything that has been transmitted from the past or handed down by tradition

3. the evidence of the past, such as historical sites, buildings, adorable family photos




Four generations of Linn men, Great Papa Abe with Papa John, Papa John with Daddy and now Daddy with Nathan.