We found out that we were having a boy! Wow. That is shocking. Thinking that there was a time as recent as a year ago that a) we didn't have Michael "on the outside" to play with and orient our whole selves towards but b) that there was a time in the pregnancy when we didn't know how to categorize Michael as a boy or a girl. Looking back at the pregnancy, to the very earliest of times, I now only think of him in terms of Michael doing those things.
Like when we couldn't hear the heartbeat with the Doppler device-thingy so we had to get an ultrasound...and when I got an ultrasound we saw the baby, but he was being perfectly still, not budging at all....it scared me! Then Michael Sr made me laugh and the baby woke up and started moving all around only to "look" (have his face toward the ultrasound machine) and then roll over with his back towards us as if to say "stop spying on me! I'm trying to sleep!" Seeing Michael roll over on his tummy every time he is going to sleep is SO MUCH like that moment. It was such a Michael thing to do!
And when we saw him sucking his thumb or just hanging out in there...of course...it was Michael! It was Michael doing those things just the way Michael would do them.
So, now that we know Michael, to imagine that a mere year ago, we weren't sure even what gender he was, let alone what is personality is like is so bizarre. We know him so well, it's hard to imagine a time when he was here, yet unknown. We hadn't even decided on a name on that day...we could have gone with a name other than "Michael." Can you imagine if Michael wasn't his name? I can't. He is a Michael through and through.
Ahh...one year ago, we got just a little bit more form to the mystery that would reveal itself on July 18th. But now, as we are just one week away from his 7th month, Michael is well-known to us, but his little personality keeps unfolding more and more each and everyday. He is just so.much.fun.
Michael has been doing funny things lately. He loves things he shouldn't have...like electrical cords. I've been having a hard time "motivating" him to start crawling. Every few days he'll really roll around, but for the most part, he doesn't travel around the room all that much (like his cousin Peter!). But if there is an electrical cord in sight, like for a lamp or a computer...he wants it. And he wants it bad.
But, he has this crawling thing a little backwards. Instead of getting on his tummy and crawling (like a normal baby....which Jack apparently has established that he may not be), he gets on his back and pushes his feet in the ground and scooches himself along that way.
Today, though, despite many protests to the tune of "Mom, just go get it for me!!" I did let him get his little workout on his own and I did see him at least trying to get on his tummy and move his hips to inch (hmm...more like "millimeter") his way to what he wanted. He didn't get there, in fact, I could be wrong, but he may have moved backwards...but eventually he just rolled on his tummy and found something else that he decided he really wanted more anyway. Really. He wasn't interested in that dumb ol' thing to begin with.
I am noticing that there is an element of frustration in his face. He wants to move. It's sad...like I want to just "make him crawl" but I can't. He has to do it himself...Yet at the same time, it's a promising sign because that's what's going to get him to move. Maybe I'm just reading too much into his face, but when he is on his tummy and propped up on his hands and looking at something he wants, there seems to be this real moment of concentration where he is trying to figure this process all out. He knows how to move his legs, he knows how to move his arms....but pulling it all together and moving in a direction that he intends to move is still just beyond his reach, and he knows it. If I can just stretch this idea a little further, I wonder if he can visualize getting somewhere, but can't actualize it. I don't know. It just seems like the look on his face says, "I'm an agile athelete trapped in a body that I can't operate fully yet!"
And when he finally figures it out....then Mom and Dad will have their hands full, I know. Cherish the days before he is fully mobile!
Other than that, what can I say? He is just a little sweetheart. We're really enjoying him.
His sleep is great! Straight through the night from 7pm to 6:30 am and naps are good, and actually consistently getting better still.
His eating is great (yeah, like anyone was concerned about that) and aside from an decreased tolerance for getting dressed, and penchant for loud shrieks (sometimes he shrieks because his bothered about something, and sometimes he just shrieks...among his less pleasing sounds that he makes....very hard on the ears and when accompanied with a pouty face, it smacks of whiny baby more than I am comfortable with, which automatically makes the "pity meter" plummet) but other than that he is just as pleasant tempered as I could ever hope for, and we just love him, love him to pieces.
Ok...so I promised myself I'd go to bed now, so off I go, but I've got a few more posts brewing...stay tuned!
Ooh. But here are some pictures.
Michael's expression is funny.
Waaaaay too much cute for one photo.
What is Peter doing?
With their cell phones from Grammy and Poppi.
2 comments:
What great imagery, I can see Michael trying to move around on his back.
It is so true, thinking about your family as Michael has always been Michael. Can not imagine anything else. We are so blessed to see and be with that precious little boy you have.
You are all such special gifts to us. We love all the time spent together, the pictures shared and the stories told.
Enjoying the opportunities to share in the growth of your family and all the wonders that are still to come.
We love you so much!
I loved this post.
I am glad you resurrected the "normal baby" video. It's so funny. Those pictures are SO CUTE! Michael's legs look so chubby!
Good to hear the sleep thing is getting better.
It's hard to believe there was a time when we didn't know little Michael. What a joy he has been.
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