First Mother's Day

Last year on Mother's Day I was five months pregnant. Spencer got me a lovely sapphire necklace, which was to be the baby's birthstone. But I was still antsy something would go wrong, so the necklace felt like it could be a jinx. So I made him take it back. Of course all went well, and we did have our September sapphire.

So this was my first Mother's Day. I hear many moms that just want to spend the day relaxing, alone. I just wanted to spend it with my boy. It was a beautiful day with brunch and mimosas at home, a few rides on the new baby swing and bocce in the park.


The day before we went to breakfast and the waitress wished me a Happy Mother's Day as we were leaving. I got a little choked up. No one had ever said that to me before. But Finnegan is such as sweet boy. He's taken to giving me big kisses when I get home from work. There really is nothing better!

But of course, he loves his dad too. Spencer puts a smile on his face like no one else can.

I just wish I had that necklace.

Parents' Day Out

For Spencer's birthday a couple of weeks ago, I got him (us) tickets to the Cubs/Cardinals game in Chicago. Northern Indiana boy is a Cubs fan. Southern Indiana girl is a Cardinals fan. We try to get to a rivalry game once a year. Usually in St. Louis because tickets are cheaper. But we made our first trip to Wrigley Field together.

An April game in Chicago was a gamble, but we lucked out and it was a beautiful day.
But it was a big day not only for the NL Central. It was our first night away from Finnegan since he was born. More than seven months. It's been a long time. Which resulted in lots of rounds of beer and the ultimate luxury of sleeping in. Before Finnegan came along, we loved to travel and be social. It was great to have that back, if only for one day.

Too bad the Cubs won.

Spring is here!

While Finnegan and I would take walks to the park when he was a newborn, it's been a long, cold winter, and we haven't had much of a chance to get outside. But all that's changing with spring finally here. Spencer and I joined a bocce league (sort of like shuffleboard with balls) that is near a little park, so Finn had his first experience on a swing.

In the purchase agreement for the new house, we stipulated that the swing set needed to stay. So we now need to get the baby swing set up, and he can enjoy it every day.

Also new for spring is the super orange stroller. With air-filled tires and suspension system, this is one sweet ride.

And while it's fun to see what plants are coming up at the new house, there are a couple of things I really miss from the old house -- namely my bleeding heart and the lilac bush that took 8 years to bloom. But since we're renting it out, at least I can visit them.

Look Ma, No Hands!

Finnegan's newest trick is pulling himself up -- primarily on his toy box. He gets the biggest kick out of standing -- especially when there's a mirror inside so he can see himself -- the kid is quite the narcissist.


And the cowboy motif of the toy box (it was Spencer's when he was a boy) must be rubbing off because he loves to do tricks once he's pulled himself up. Namely leaning waaaaay back...

....or removing a hand or two (which is when he falls).

Finn's First Nice Day on the Circle

Got the boy out and about two weeks back on one of the few nice days we've had in an otherwise dismal spring. We ran some bank errands downtown and used an old gift certificate for some Bodacious BBQ. Finn was especially taken with the cornbread.

Anyway he was enjoying the walk around the circle squealing at everyone who passed and drawing lots of attention from the ladies. Like father, like son.

The next really nice day will see us visiting the Children's museum to check into this so-called free membership folks have been telling us about since we are neighbors to the museum. Should be great. Dad looks forward to the new Star Wars exhibit.

Six months already

Finnegan's 6-month pediatrician's appointment got lost in the shuffle with the move. But I still love taking him to the doctor. Except for the shots. But he's a trouper and only lets out a squeal before settling down. On to the stats:

6 months:
16 lbs 12 oz (45-50th %)
27 inches (75th %)

Though he's keeping up with the long and skinny, he has bizarrely fat and dimply knees.

He also got his 6-month pictures taken. And he's the sweetest thing.

It looks like he's buttoning his shirt cuffs in this picture. We hope to convince him to do the same for his senior pictures in 17 years!

Changes

Big changes in the past month. The biggest is we're in the new house. Everyone seems to be adjusting well. I thought Finnegan might have trouble, but all he needed was thick curtains on his windows. He has a need for a dark room to sleep. But we have lots more room to spread out. Our goal was to have no more than one baby play item in each room, and so far it's worked.

But Finn has developed tremendously in the past month. Not only has he moved from rolling over to sitting up, he LOVES to stand. He can't pull himself up, but give him a couple fingers and he'll find his way to his feet. And he gets the biggest kick out it. He has found his voice and babbles and squeals constantly. I don't know how we lucked out, but we have one happy baby.

One thing hasn't changed. He still has fabulous blue eyes.

Hats

Not sure where my affection for hats comes from. Always have had a lotta hats. Even before I needed to protect my naked scalp from the sun and elements. Perhaps it came from my mother. Sandy doesn't wear a lot of hats, but she certainly does seem to have quite a few around her crib.
And she seems very happy to share them with Finnegan. The boy can wear a hat. For sure.

Closing Day

So Spencer and I bought a new house today. Well, new to us. It's actually 106 years old. It's in a neighborhood of Indianapolis called Meridian Park that has lots of historic homes.

As charming as it is, standing in the updated kitchen is where I knew this house would be ours and where I started getting choked up about having found "the one." I'd heard that when looking at houses, we'd just know when we found the right one. I didn't really believe it, but it happened.

We'll be moving next weekend. Which is a little bittersweet. Spencer and I have been in our current house for 10 years and it's the only place I've ever lived besides my parents house and dorm rooms. But it's time to move on. It was too small when we moved in. And though Finnegan is tiny, his equipment -- think swing, highchair, play gym, Jumparoo -- take up a lot of space. But we're hoping to hold onto it and rent it out. If you know someone who might be interested, let us know!

Valentine's Day with the Valentines

When I started dating Spencer 10 years ago, there was a lot of pressure celebrating Valentine's Day. I mean, when your last name is the holiday, you feel like you have to go all out. With buying a house in two weeks, we decided to keep this year low key. We spent the afternoon with Finnegan, trying on dad's hat


and making impressions of his tiny foot. Note the gap between his toes. He gets that from his mom.


Our eighth wedding anniversary was in December, and Spencer and I have tried to keep with the giving of "traditional" anniversary materials. Eight years was bronze, so Spencer gave me a kit to make impressions of Finnegan's hand and foot. We finally got to the foot on Valentine's Day. It was a special way to spend the day and one we'll always be able to remember. I hope to make Valentine's Day special for Finnegan, and he enjoys having the last name Valentine on February 14.

Hope you had a chance to flirt with the ones you love!

This boy can sleep anywhere

So Finnegan and I have started a little Sunday afternoon tradition. I wear him in a sling while putting away laundry. We bounce around and sing to a kids CD -- think This Old Man, Say Say O Playmate, Wheels on the Bus. He had too much a few weeks ago and needed to rest.

His dad has a hand in this

As a fan of the Cleveland Browns, Spencer has an affinity for the color orange. Many recent purchases are this color. I get the style I want. Spencer gets the color he wants. See highchair. Stroller to make an appearance in warmer weather.

And it seems to be rubbing off on Finnegan. He apparently LOVES sweet potatoes.
Green beans not so much.