Constant movement

Constant movement- that's what you are lately. It's pretty unbelievable when I think about the changes in you in the last month or two. Going from sitting, to pulling up, to crawling... wow. You're so strong- it's becoming hard to hold you if you don't want to be held. And changing your diaper or clothes?! Such a struggle! If you're laid on your back, you immediately want to flip over into crawling position. You're just not content to sit still anymore. You always want to be on the move.

You've been sleeping like crap lately. I'm going to say that it's connected to teething, but of course I don't know if that's really true. The last few nights you've been wide awake for extended periods of time during the middle of the night. I feel dangerously tired today. Makes me wish I still drank caffeinated beverages, but I gave them up for you (as long as I'm breastfeeding). This morning, after attempting to feed you (and being bitten by you numerous times), I had to hand you to Daddy so I could walk away and cry. The mixture of being over-tired, and bitten over and over, was just too much. This was the first time that I've ever been driven to tears since you were born. It seems like most other new mothers say that they cried all the time in the early months, but I truly didn't.

Both of your bottom middle teeth are totally through now, and you want to use them all the time. Nursing you has become scary for me, quite frankly. You seem to end every feeding by biting me, really hard, and then pulling. I swear your teeth feel like miniature serrated knives on my nipples. It makes my cry, and you just laugh and laugh. I know you're not trying to hurt me, but the pain is indescribable. I really hope I can get you to stop biting soon... or I don't know how much longer I'll be able to breastfeed you. This makes me sad, and I really don't like to think about it too much. Please stop biting soon, Li Li Monster!

Love you,
Mommy

Crawling

Liam,
You started trying to crawl a couple of weeks ago, but you REALLY got the hang of it a few days ago. You were in the living room, and you saw Chloe (the cat) run into the kitchen. All of a sudden, you bolted after her! It was like you suddenly knew exactly how to crawl at that second, and you crawled all the way across the living room and kitchen clear to the back of the house. You looked like you were so proud of yourself. You're definitely crawling earlier than is "normal."

Also, your first tooth popped through a few days ago. It is on the bottom left, and it is SHARP! I hope to continue to nurse you until you're a year old... so I hope you don't bite me or we'll have to call it quits sooner rather than later. I can tell that your teeth are hurting you- you're back to waking up at least once, if not two or three times, a night. I hope this ends soon. :)

You're amazing, Liam. Seriously, you amaze me everyday. Watching you master your new skills brings me to tears way too often. I love you more than I ever could have imagined.

Mommy

Standing up!

Liam,
You started pulling yourself up about a week ago. I really can't believe it. It's like you turned six months old and then decided that you're a big boy now! I caught you pulled up along the side of your crib. Later in the week you pulled up along the coffee table, and due to me videotaping it rather than making sure you didn't fall... you fell and bumped your chin on the table. You cried for a few seconds and then were ready to go again! You're also trying really hard to crawl. You can move all over the floor, even if the movement isn't all true crawling. Your growth amazes me everyday. I swear that you look different every time I look at you.

Last week, I took Thursday and Friday off from work (between the end of one job and the start of a new one). On Thursday, I picked up your six month pictures. They were fabulous. You're so smiley and happy. People always remark about how happy you look in pictures. You really are the happiest baby ever. On Friday, you and I spent the day together. It was like old times. How I miss those 12 weeks of maternity leave... I wish I could be home with you everyday, but I know that you're having fun at "school" (daycare).

I love you, lil' peanut.
Mommy