A Few Things

First, I would like to know why my blog is uglier than everyone elses?!?! I know I am new to this whole thing, but I'm not really digging the whole polka-dot / simplicity thing that my blog has going on and if someone would please comment on how I could upgrade to a blog template worthy of admiring, I would really appreciate it. For now, I've gone to this awesome brown one - cool.

Also, Connor is trying to get this forth tooth through any day now, the top left one, so we've been going through an unfortunate fussy/ sleeping less than usual time. He actually wanting to use the pacifier for the first time (which I'm not loving) but at this point I feel like I have to do whatever makes him happy! I love him and if a tiny piece of silicone in him mouth makes him happy and calm, who am I to judge?

On to more important things: I was reading in my "What to Expect the First Year" book that a baby should be able to stack up to 4 blocks by age one. What? Are you kidding? This basically shoved my mommy-confidence down to ground zero for a couple of reasons:
One, I didn't even have blocks for Connor to be playing with!! What kind of mom am I? We have an activity table, balls, rattles, etc.... but no blocks?? I basically set my child up for failure by not even GIVING him blocks to play with - how in the WORLD will he be able to stack 4 blocks in one month!?!?! AHHHH! Needless to say, we made an immediate trip to Target and bought some blocks, stacking cups, etc... and have been working on this ever since. Kind of like Olympic training - but for our one year check-up.
Two, Connor pretty much only knows how to tear things down, not build them up. (Does this mean I'm a bad mom? - internal dialogue) He LOVES to throw things on the floor - enjoying the loud crash and the attention he can command. He LOVES emptying drawers and destroying organization to shelves and anything within his reach. But building or stacking something? This is a laughable idea at this point.

I can just see us at our 12 month doctor check up - they ask:

Is he pulling up on things?
YES.
Is he "cruising" around on tables, furniture, etc?
YES.
Is he pointing to things and eating solid foods three times daily?
YES.
Finally, and most importantly, is he stacking 4 blocks on top of each other?
NO.
Devastating.
We will be working on this for the next couple of weeks. I'll let you know how it goes.


So, I may not be raising the next Einstein, but there is no one elses diaper I would rather be changing, and every day I feel like Connor and I build a stronger bond. Today, we ate at QDoba at the Summit and we had the best time! I am already dreading the day when I have to send him off to pre-school :( Until then, we'll keep having fun! :)