Eight is Great

Noah is 8 months old, and I feel the baby-days slipping through my fingers. I went back and looked at Willow's post from when she reached the 8 month marker, and enjoyed reading about what she was like two years ago.

Two years ago! How time is flying.

You might also enjoy 'comparing' Noah and Willow after reading this post. Read about Willow at 8 months here: Eight is Enough

They are actually strikingly similar in looks and development at 8 months old. The only thing Noah is not doing now, what Willow was doing at 8 months, is trying to climb ON TOP of the couch. As far as I am aware, he has yet to attempt that feat for himself. But that's probably because Willow will hand him what he is reaching for.

Up until yesterday, he also wasn't standing up in his crib. Which meant he wasn't reaching his toothbrush, tooth paste, or the wipey container. Willow had been making huge messes with those items by the time she was 8 months. Well, as of yesterday, Noah has continued the tradition of making messes in his bed during nap times. So now I have to hide these items while he's supposed to be sleeping. It really isn't smart to put the changing table next to the crib. You'd think we would have rearranged the furniture by now.

Things I love about Noah at 8 months...

• He's so chunky, thick, and tubby! Although it breaks my back to lug around a 24 pound baby, at least I get to burn some extra calories in the process. He's so huggable with all his rolls! As Willow says, while squeezing Noah's fat legs, "Noah is squishy-squishy!" 
• He's so happy! With an even temperament, and a propensity to smile at just about anyone or anything, it's amazing how content this little guy constantly is. I cannot get enough of his cabbage-patch-baby-doll face, his delightful smiles, and myriad styles of laughing. He thinks many things are funny, especially his sister and dad. 
• He's so cuddly! Enough said.
• He's so mobile! Gone are the days of the 'butterfly-stroke-crawl'. He's full-on crawling and into everything. At least he hasn't discovered how to open cupboards yet. Not looking forward to that skill being developed. He's pulling himself up on everything--growing some more muscle mass along the way. He's cruising around the furniture, and determined to follow us wherever we go. 
• He's eager and curious! Noah wants desperately to play with Willow's more advanced toys (who wants baby toys, anyway?), or to get into the trash can, or the wires and cords, or technology. He wants to eat whatever we are eating--and I'm constantly telling Willow to not give him food. On a side note, I also have to save Noah's food from Willow--who thinks she should be able to eat the baby food that is just for him. 
• He's so excited! When Adam comes home, he's ecstatic. He flails about, waving his arms and kicking his legs, grinning like a little fool--ust waitng to be noticed. He usually is pretty silent though, and waits until Willow is finished shrieking and yelling and talking in her own excited way. Second born issues are real. 
• He's mischievous! He's already learning and enjoying his role of 'little brother' which he was born to fill. Willow can't stand water on her face during bath time. He makes sure she is repeatedly splashed in the face during their short baths. He pulls her hair, gnaws on her face, and breaks her toys. He puts up with a lot of crap from the sister too. Sometimes, I feel like I'm watching some strange version of mine and Adam's lives on replay. Of course, we were not each other's siblings, but I think it's funny when Willow is bossy to Noah and orders him around. Adam is appalled and runs to Noah's rescue frequently. Adam is Noah's advocate in many ways. 

He's also teething again. The fifth tooth recently popped through, and he has probably three more close to surfacing. He's been waking up so often at night, I am more sleep deprived now than I was during his newborn days. Sometimes he wakes up as many as 8 times. I think he's in pain from teething, and also crawling around in his sleep and waking himself up that way too. It's been an exhausting life, lately.

I love this face, so wondefully and completely.

Willow cannot stand it when I take 'milestone' pictuers of Noah. She HAS to get in on the action. We actually fought quite a lot during Noah's little picture session. It was a debacle.

Noah also learned how to give kisses this month! It's so precious to be the recipient of his little kisses.

I think these pictures of Noah in his stroller with his sunglasses are hilarious. But maybe that's just me....

Noah is eating a variety of food now. I'm making most of his baby food the old fashioned way, which makes me feel a tiny bit proud. Yet another thing that China has taught me to do.

If you would like to pray for Noah, please lift up his nightly sleeping habits. I've literally tried EVERYTHING, and NOTHING is breaking the cycle. I'm praying too; I don't believe anything will change the course except for divine intervention. Also, pray for energy and patience on my part.
You can also lift up Noah's upcoming surgery. We don't know when it will be or who will be the surgeon, at this point. So we are asking the Lord for guidance and wisdom as we seek out His plan for Noah's hand. In any case, we believe the surgery will be sometime this year.

Thank you friends.
Noah sends you a slobbery kiss!

1 & 2

Noah turned 2 months yesterday, and I'm finally getting around to his 1 month milestone post. Might as well throw in his 2 month post too. Actually, it's late, and I'm trying to make sleep more of a priority. Let's just let the pictures do the talking. Sorry, Noah. But sleep deprivation has really started to take its toll after 9 weeks of caring for you + the sleepless nights I experienced in the last month of pregnancy.

You are so cute. We love you. 

Just Now

It took Willow 90 minutes to fall asleep. She is used to waking up every morning, nursing, playing like a pro, nursing for a second time, and then taking a nap out of pure exhaustion. Now that I'm trying to restrain from that mid-morning nursing session, nap time has been terrible. I know she's tired, she knows she's tired, but she refuses to cooperate. So, she plays in her crib. I hear her crawling around, playing with her sleep toys, standing at the railing screaming for me, playing some more, crying a little, laughing a little, jumping a lot. And  on and on it goes. This morning it was extending so long (this going to sleep process), so I went in a couple times to hold her and sing a song. That didn't help. So I destained the carpet. Something I've been meaning to do forever. I keep putting it off because I have to make my own remover, and somehow that seems like a lot of work. But it's not.

______________________________________________
Homemade Stain Remover 
1 Tbsp of clear dish washing soap
1 Tbsp of vinegar
2 C. of warm water

Mix the solution and then use it to scrub out the carpet stains. Use a white cloth with the vinegar solution to blot out the stains, then use cold water to sponge out the solution.
_______________________________________________

I removed about fifty little stains while waiting for Willow to fall asleep. We get so many stains on our small 2x3 meter carpeting because when we have students or friends over we have to eat in the living room (our table only seats four, and it's usually where the food is set out). Plus, since Willow arrived, she stains have multiplied ten-fold. Her sippy cups spill on the carpet almost daily. I don't know WHY since they are supposed to be spill proof.

Anyway, does anyone have any tips for weaning a baby? I've read all there is to read. I know she's ready to start the process. She just resists her naps so much now. "If I don't need breastmilk, I don't need naps" is her new motto.

My Korean Grandmother used to tell the story of how she weaned my dad. It used to be that babies nursed for extended amounts of time in Korea. I'm not sure if they still do that, but I know that extended nursing is very popular across the world, and used to be more popular in America (once upon a time). Now, people are shocked if you're still nursing after 6 months, since all the popular baby books says that's when the 'nutrients' stop. Without getting into that issue and all that it implies, my dad nursed until he was around three years old (according to my Grandma). South Korea is a small country, and it was still recovering from war--so nursing as long as possible was practical. Cows, therefore milk, were just uncommon.

The only way she could get him to stop was by taping her nipples with red electrical tap. My dad, with his "little emperor's" complex that is so common in boys of Asian families, used to just walk up to my Grandma and lift her shirt when he wanted to nurse. When he saw the big red x's, he was so traumatized that he was instantly weaned.

Ok, maybe I've exaggerated parts, and my dad is thinking, "What in the heck?!"
But I promise, that's what Harmonee told me on several occasions.

One Year

Willow Rose Johnson 

July 8, 2011 

7 lbs. 7 oz. 

20 inches 

A long overdue post about Willow's development--now that's she almost 13 months and all--life has been busy! 

These are the perfect pictures to express our quintessential Willow.
Diva. Spoiled. Sweet. Camera-Ready. 

I also realize that this is more of a record for me than anyone else. I wont be offended if you skim through and just look at the pictures. I look forward to looking back at my online journal/scrap book in the future years and reminiscing about the little Willow. 

Physically: 

• Walking much more confidently now--which means she is trying her best to run. Still trips on uneven surfaces and sometimes loses her balance. 
• Still a climber 
• Feet were measured as 'extra wide' 
• Teething --at least four coming in the bottom (which makes 12 teeth altogether!) 
• Fine motor development improving as she dismantles and destroys more possessions every day. Trying to put these skills towards creation and puzzles. 
• Very clingy at times; if I try to put her down, she wraps her legs around my calves and clings on desperately. She is impossible to put down in moments like these--like, literally impossible. 
• An avid dancer. If she hears music, she dances. If we sing a song, she dances. If I hum while nursing her, she dances. If we say, "Willow, dance!", she dances. She dances in her diaper, she dances on tables, she dances while we're holding her. 
• Likes to spin and walk backwards. 

Emotionally:

• Mostly happy, although she is a growing expert at throwing fits. 
• Fights sleep with an increasingly strong will. This girl has energy to spare, and she desires to prove it. 
• Silly to a fault; loves to play crazy/silly games that make her laugh
• Thinks the world revolves around her; is happiest when she is the center of everyone's attention; most upset when she feels unacknowledged. She has been known to take the iPad out of my hands, set it aside, and sit in my lap--as if to say, "pay attention to me, mom". 
• Obsessed with other babies/toddlers/children. If we are walking and see another small person, she demands to go over and see them. She is not opposed to kissing strangers if they are under thirty pounds. 
• Attached to her white bunny toy. She clutches that thing with a death grip while she sleeps, and likes to stroke her face with it when she's awake. When we get her after naps or in the morning, she is still holding onto her bunny. 

Personality: 

• She is becoming very social. She's not exactly bubbly around large crowds or strangers (or even people she knows), but she isn't scared either. She is not afraid of going up to strangers to have some sort of social interaction. It must be the China in her. 
• Showing signs of bravery already. 
• Though she does not often exhibit fear, and is very social, I think she might be something of an introvert. For months, I've noticed that she is an observer. She likes to take it all in. If you show her how to do something, sometimes she can follow those same steps after observing the action. It's a little shocking! 
• Definitely a daddy's girl---she loves to play with Adam a lot and has a very strong sense of loyalty to him. In fact, if he plays with other kids, she screams in jealous protest. It's ok if he plays with others, as long as he is holding her and including her in the action. 
• Still likes to cuddle at night. She often ends up in our bed for early morning snuggles. She is so sweet and affectionate, lots of kisses in the morning. 

Intellectually: 

• What can I say? I may be 100% biased, but I think she's brilliant. 
• Likes to bring books over to me to read to her. She had a growing attention span for reading books with me and by herself before our vacation. We took a little break from reading everyday while we were in America....so she is sort of rediscovering that activity now. 
• Understands many phrases and words--I love to see her comprehension at work! Some of the words she comprehends (I know she understands based on her reactions and/or obedience): 
• want to go outside? (gets shoes, looks towards the door, or climbs into her stroller) 
• what does a dog/puppy say? (pants like a dog and scrunches up her nose--just learned this during our time at the farm and I think it's priceless)
• bite, eat, drink 
• don't/no/stop  
• want to eat? (if yes, she gets in the nursing position...lol) 
• give it to mommy (sometimes complies) 
• want to read a book? (brings a book over) 
• where is your baby/cat/kitty/bunny? (goes to retrieve said toy) 
• give __________ a kiss/hug (usually follows the direction, especially if it is a toy) 
• clap your hands! 
• clap your feet! 
• clap your baby's feet/hands! 
• comprehends and plays games like 'this little piggy' and 'peekaboo' 
• be nice (stops being rough, and sometimes gives a hug/kiss) 
• come here
• don't eat that/bu neng chi 
• don't open that 
• open/close 
• go get daddy! (this is a great way to pass her on to Adam) 
• I'm going to tickle you!/Tickle daddy! 
• I'm going to get you! (she runs away) 
• do you want some? (the answer is always yes--she loves food) 
• pick it up/go get that 
• mommy help you? 
• mer (mandarin word that means to bow---she bows) 
• zai jian (waves goodbye) 
• bye bye (waves goodbye) 
• So, she is understanding a lot more (the things above are just what I can think of off the top of my head)--but not communicating in words yet. She does express what she wants by grunts/squeals/whines, babbling, and pointing. 
• Above all, she is very focused and busy. She always has something to do, and if she wants to learn how to do something, she will do it. I guess that's the combination of being determined and observant working together. 

Fine Dining: 

• Favorites still include steamed green beans, eggs, and shredded cheese. She has also found that chocolate, iced tea, and cake is good. Uh oh. 
• Ate cake, blueberry coffee cake, ice cream, cheese cake and other yummies for the first time
• Also ate sweet corn for the first time and enjoyed it! 

Spiritually: 

• All I can say is, what a little soul in need of a Redeemer. Already exhibiting signs of the Fall, as she runs away to hide and do her dirty deeds of disobedience. Even today, I heard her run away--when I found her, she had snagged a box of markers and was attempting to draw on herself again. She knows something is 'no'---so she hides. Or, she throws an ugly fit. She's looking for where the boundaries lie, and it's a constant fight to be consistent. That was probably the hardest part of being on vacation in America--with so many loving care givers it's hard to strike a balance. Let's just say, she got away with a lot, and now she's experiencing reality as those boundaries are reinstated. Oof. I need patience, because it's tiring going over "don't open the cabinets" for the millionth time. 
• I see her trying to figure out what we are doing before we eat our meals. Why are we closing our eyes and bowing our heads? Can't wait till she starts to understand. 

Linguistically: 

• Babbles almost incessantly--especially when she is not busy focusing on a task or observing an action. I love her babbling! Lots of different sounds and combination coming forth these days and she experiments with phrasing. 
• Says, 'mama' and 'dada', and maybe something akin to 'baby' (bay-bah) 
• Can scream really, really, really, really loud
• Although I look forward to the day when her jabbering transforms into actual words and phrases, I will miss her little baby voice. It is the sweetest thing to hear, and I get to hear it all day long! :) 

Likes: 

• Sesame Street 
• iPad, touch screen phones, technology, remotes, lap tops 
• Important things such as passports (ah!), money, wallets, credit cards, breakables, and other valuables like jewelry and techy stuff. 
• Dogs and cats, which are probably the same thing in her mind since she does the panting-scrunching-up-her-nose-thing for both of them. 
• Sweets (trying to limit these things, but she is cunning) 
• Attention 

Dislikes: 

• Mashed potatoes 
• Car Seats 
• Being hot 
• Flying 
• Napping 
• Taking baths (not again! grrr...) 

New Adventures: 

• Went to Lincoln Park Zoo 
• Took tractor, four-wheeler, and gator/rhino rides 
• Kissed a dog 
• Experienced a kiddie pool 

Past Times and Entertainment: 

• Making messes
• Being silly 
• Playing outside 
• Going for walks 
• Meeting new people 

Moments: 

• Chasing her shadow when the sun was setting 
• Dancing in the tractor cab during her first ride 
• Yelling as the plane took off, her voice getting louder and higher in pitch as the plane rose in elevation. Too funny! 
• Being obsessed with the dogs! She would make the panting sound the second I took her out of her crib in the morning. She would stand by the sliding door trying to catch a glimpse of them---she was determined! 
• Playing with ice cubes until they melted 
• Chasing a sea gull, relentlessly--and without fear

Schedule (when not impeded by jet lag): 

• 6 or 6:30.......wake-up 
• nurse, change diaper, play 
• eat breakfast of cereal, fruit, and yogurt 
• 9 or 9:30.....morning nap 
• 10:30 or 11....wake-up 
• nurse, change diaper, play 
• play outside, go for a walk, or talk on skype 
• errands or chores with mom 
• eat lunch of left overs or something simple 
• 1:00 or 2:00.....afternoon nap 
• 3:00 or 3:30.....wake up 
• nurse, change diaper, play 
• 6:00....dinner 
• 7:00....bed time (jammies, brush teeth, maybe a bath, and nurse) 

Life Verse: 

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of teh Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."
Psalm 1:1-3

Dear Willow,

 I can't believe that you've been around for one year! You've changed our lives so much, and I'm thankful for that fact every moment of every day. We can't imagine our lives without you anymore, and it's been an incredible privilege to watch you grow and learn. I can't believe how tall you are, how sweet and sensitive you are, and how silly you are becoming. You are a marvelous creation, made in the Image of our Rock and Redeemer. I hope for many blessings in your life and trust Him with all the rest. I pray that you would see Him in us, and that you would turn to Him at a young age. I also hope that you will forgive us when we make mistakes, knowing that we aren't perfect. We love you so much, but please know that there is Someone else who loves you so completely, unconditionally, and perfectly. When others fail you--yes, even your parents--He will not. I pray that you will never wither under trials, but that you will be like a tree planted by waters. Be refreshed.

your loving Momsy and Popsicle.