Battle of the Wills

It has reached the point for both Eoin and I where he needs to nap in his crib. We did get him doing this a little way back but he never put himself to sleep. But today I reached a point where I recognized that I needed some time to myself whether it be to cook dinner or do admin stuff or even read a book and also Eoin needs to learn to put himself to sleep. He also wants to sleep on his front which he can't do if he is on me for naptime. So as much as I don't want to admit that my baby is growing up into a little boy it is time to cut the cord of baby sleeping on mommy.

So for Eoin's first nap this morning I gave him a cuddle and settled him down in his crib. He was good and did not cry but played for about 30 minutes. Then I could hear him clapping and doing all the things that normally gets a positive response from us. Seeing as I had prepared dinner in that time I went in and gave him another cuddle during which he fell asleep and then I put him back in his crib and he slept for an hour.

I have just put Eoin down for his second nap and this is where the battle of the wills came into it. Eoin was so tired. He had walked to the park, played with his friends for two hours and then walked most of the way home again. Once we got him he had some milk and I gave him a cuddle and put him down. Well he cried and cried (well it was only about 5 mins!). I was watching him through a slightly open door (he couldn't see me). Bless him he was so tired. He started rocking himself to sleep and then ended up in a seated position. He started to fall asleep while sitting up. I could see his little head dropping down and jerking back up. The whole time I am holding myself back from going in and at the same time trying to will Eoin to lie down because I could see what was going to happen. And sure enough it did; eventually he fell forward and banged his head slightly on the crib which of course woke him up again. So in I went and gave him a cuddle and put him back into his crib awake and now about five minutes later (and about 15 minutes from originally putting him down) he is asleep. And he achieved it all on his own. Now I have to keep this up and not undo one day of good progress.

First Halloween Party

Eoin and I went to Auntie Katie's work Halloween party this afternoon. There was a pumpkin carving contest and lots of yummy pizza. Eoin thought that an office environment was so much fun. Lots of computers, printers and photocopiers to play with!
As ever Eoin charmed everyone and flirted with all the girls. And Auntie Katie heard him say Katie for the first time - well it sounds more like 'atie' but it's getting there.
Eoin dressed up as a parrot - he was super good in the outfit as long as the head wasn't up. Thank you Amy for such a cute outfit!

Ten best toys for the first year....

1. Sophie the Giraffe - the best teething toy around!
2. Fisher Price Piano
3. Ladybug Maracas
4. Haba Ball Track Roll N Roll
5. Peek a boo Pacific Play tents tunnel
6. Haba Dream Meadow Playmat
7. Usborne Touchy Feely books
8. Tiny Love Baby Wind Chimes
9. Gertie Balls
10. and balloons!

Top 10 parent friendly websites.....

Here are my top websites that have made my life easier over the last year and/or sites where I just love their products.

1. Diapers.com
2. Amazon.com
3. Tiny Soles - great selection of kids shoes.
4. Via Toy Boxes
5. Shutterfly
6. Gymboree - there sales are the best!
7. Oompa Toys
8. Moolka Toys
9. Boden USA
10. DayOne Center

Ten must haves for the first year.

As Eoin is napping and Andy is watching soccer I thought I'd see if I could come up with my ten must haves for the first year of baby's life. These are all things that we love, that Eoin has loved and things that have made our life easier over the last year.

So in no particular order here is the Pomianowski Must Have First Year List!

1. Boppy Pillow
2. Born Free Bottles and Sippy Cups
3. Swaddle Design blankets
4. Stokke Stroller - expensive but so worth every penny!
5.Pediped shoes
6.Putumayo Kids cds
7. Kohlr Baby - super cozy sleepsacks and crib sheets!
8. Curls hair products - saves a lot of tears every morning.

and most importantly

9.Blankee and
10.Avent Pacifiers - Eoin will not sleep without these items and his blankee doubles as a teething toy too.

Birthday Party.

We had a wonderful noisy birthday party for Eoin today. Five of his little friends came with their Mommy's and Daddy's. There was lots of cake and cream and Auntie Katie outdid herself with a great chocolate cake with green and yellow icing for Eoin. Eoin stunned us all by grabbing the lit candle on his cake with his hand and not even crying. We did think it was out of reach but we keep forgetting how tall and big Eoin is! We took Eoin's T Shirt off in preparation for the cake eating but most of it ended up on Mommy or the floor.
Thanks to everyone for coming and making Eoin's first birthday such a great time.

Up Up and away

Well twelve balloons didn't get the little man to float away!

Hello Anthony!

Our friend Anthony posted a video of him waving on his blog so we thought we'd get Eoin to wave hello back.

Becoming a toddler

So Eoin has become a toddler and one year old! He had his one year check up today and passed with flying colors. Eoin is 32 inches long and has stayed at 27 lbs and his head is 47 cm. (For you guys back home that's 12.219 kg and 2ft 8inches or 81.28 cm.)
So that puts him on 98 percentile for height and for the first time in a long time he has dropped below the 95 percentile for weight and is now on the 93 percentile. He head remains on the 75 percentile.

His visit with the doctors was ok - we love our doctor and he only got two shots today as we are spacing out his shots but he also had to have a blood test and that made him cry. He sat on my knee and was very good. I started to sing Twinkle Twinkle to him thinking it might help him but in all honesty it was more to help me and distract me from seeing our little guy in pain! Even though Eoin has only had two shots (mumps and HIB) he is starting to run a temp again but much lower than previous vacation times and we don't have the angry red swollen legs or the constant crying.

The biggest change this month obviously is that Eoin is now walking. He can walk about a block to the park and is darting all over the house. Touch wood though he has yet to show any interest in climbing on things.

In the last couple of days Eoin's top teeth have finally broken through and there are two more not far behind.

We've started to transition Eoin from formula to milk so right now he gets half and half although the milk is making him really constipated. Our doctor has suggested trying a lower fat milk though prune juice is helping for now. Eoin is now drinking his milk from a sippy cup rather than a bottle nipple. We use Born Free bottles and just love that the sippy cup spouts fit in the bottles so we don't have to spend a fortune replacing all the bottles with a sippy cup.

Eoin really is beginning to express himself both verbally and physically in showing his emotions. Now that he is walking if we try and get him to go somewhere he doesn't want to he'll just sit down and not budge and there are also the beginnings of tantrums. On the flip side Eoin is very affectionate and loves to give kisses. He has also started to be 'shy' when he meets someone new. He gives them a little smile and then buries his head in my shoulder.

He has developed a fascination with wind chimes and knows every house around us that has one. Eoin is also fascinated by airplanes and helicopters and always stops and looks for it in the sky when he hears one.

Eoin still loves music and has a couple of favorite songs that he likes to dance too. He still plays his piano and recorder and now he has drums and musical bells.

Being parents is great and we can't get over how quickly the last year has gone by. I wish we could slow it down a little but we just have to enjoy ever minute and be present in the moments good and bad. I wonder what we'll be typing this time next year!

Birthday cake

Birthday dinner

We all went out for a birthday dinner last night. Auntie Katie brought Eoin three huge balloons which kept him entertained for most of the meal. Once he had finished dinner he wanted out of the high chair and he toddled around the restaurant chatting and making friends with all the staff.

Eoin had German sausage, cabbage and mashed potatoes for his dinner and then a huge slice of chocolate cake (pictures coming later). I don't think he knew what to make of the candle or the singing but the chocolate frosting was yummy and ended up all over him!

The birthday celebrations will continue on Saturday with a small party but today is taken up with doctors and shots. Speaking of which I really should go and wake the little man up (yes he is still asleep at 8.30am!) so that we can get going. More photos later.

Presents presents and more presents!

Happy Birthday Eoin!

Thank you everyone for sending Eoin so many great presents! We love them all. We'll post again tomorrow with a little more detail on Eoin's birthday and also his one year check up which is tomorrow. We're off for a birthday dinner tonight and a little toast to Eoin and Amy!

It was the night before...

.....Eoin's birthday and all was quiet and still in the house. The little man is asleep and we have made his new play tent and wrapped his presents up. These are only a few of the wonderful gifts he has received from friends and family. He has already had his tricycle which is a huge hit and his Lego man from the Argalls. Eoin loves to take the hat off the the Lego man and put it on his head or Mommy's head. And Eoin has been playing tons with his bath book from his friend Andrew.
We can't wait to see the little man's face tomorrow but it is also a little bitter sweet acknowledging that our baby is growing up. I have to admit to shedding a tear or two today. Eoin has just grown so much in the last two weeks. He has gone from baby to toddler, he is taking loads and now he is about to turn one. Oh well I guess I can always tease him (like my Mum did to us) and tell him 'he will always be my baby'. And I also have to remember to breath and realize that our dream has com true. We have an amazing little boy who is just a huge ray of sunshine. We don't want to enjoy every second and not miss any of the wonder of being a parent!

Who needs toys...

This is what Eoin has been playing with all day - the cardboard roll from inside the wrapping paper.

a year of family.....

a year of funny faces....

Halloween sneak peak

Here is Eoin practicing to be a big scary dinosaur for Halloween. He is also going to dress as a parrot and his Auntie Katie is going to be a pirate at her work party.

a year of friendships...

a year of food....

a year of my favorite toys.....

a year of sleeping......

the first year....

As Eoin's birthday grows closer and closer we find ourselves wondering where the year went and what our lives were like before Amy blessed us with Eoin. It has been the most incredible year and we wouldn't change a single thing. Open adoption is wondrous and we are blessed to have had a great first year. We love Eoin so much and he has brought such joy our lives. Everyone tells Eoin that he is lucky to have found us but you know what we are the lucky ones to have such an amazing and happy little boy fill our hearts and home with such joy and love!!!

Walking

This weekend saw the transformation of Eoin from baby to toddler and as the days have passed he is walking more and more. He can now walk across a room and the park and he is so proud of himself! He is still a little wobbly especially in the mornings and when he is tired but we think that he will be a full on walking little boy by his first birthday on Wednesday.

Don't mess with us.....

Ok so I'm really not sure
1.why I am posting this photo
and
2. how Eric managed to get us both looking so mean at the same time.

Oh well you have to laugh at yourself every now and again, now don't you!

Gap

So over the last couple of months we have been approached in the streets of Palo Alto by two kids modeling agents asking if we would consider getting Eoin into kids modeling. We really didn't think much of it but lots of people and friends keep telling us Eoin would be perfect. So while we really don't want to be the next Lynn Spears or Dina Lohan we thought we might just add Eoin's picture to the hundreds being sent in for the Gap casting call.
We used the picture here and now we just wait and see. At least this way were not committed to anything big and if we get anywhere it will be a good way to see if Eoin takes to it or not (but I'm still dubious about the whole thing!).

Fun with Daddy

Eoin loves his Daddy and hangs out with hm as much as he can. Here they are together looking at rabbits, sharing their first piggy back ride and a little picture showing why I am rarely in a photo (cause I'm always behind the camera!).

Pumpkin Patch and Maze

Today we went to Arata's Pumpkin Farm with our friends the Demers. It's a great farm in Half Moon Bay and the guys there really know how to build a maze. Everyone had so much fun working our way around the maze. Jordan helped us a lot and took Eoin on the kiddy train which he was so excited about. We also had fun petting the animals,picking pumpkins and generally getting into the autumnal feel of things.
Eoin walked around a lot of it which surprised us because he only just started taking a few steps independently but I guess being distracted really helped. Eoin climbed over pumpkins and hay bails and looked liked a real country boy. He even found himself an Eoin sized pumpkin.

No more monkeys.....

Tricycle

We gave Eoin his birthday present from Uncle Joe and Martina early - he loves his tricycle!!!! He screamed when we took him off it. He needs to grow a couple more inches and then he will be able to pedal but for now Eoin just loves the fact that he has wheels and a bell (we're going to get him the foot rest that goes over the pedals so there'll be no stopping him).

Rody the Horse

Eoin has really taken to playing on his Rody the Horse. He will spend ages bouncing on him. Now all that is left is to teach him how to get off!

Ribs

I just had to post these pictures of Eoin digging into a pork rib (sorry about quality - taken on my blackberry). His Daddy was never so proud of him as last night seeing him tuck into some good ribs! Bless him he only has two teeth but he still managed to pull the meat off!

And the bad parenting award goes to......

us!!!! So we went out for a stroll yesterday in a local town to try and stretch our legs and get some fresh air. We came across a small kids shoe store and thought we would pop in and see what their selection is like.
Eoin is just about walking and so we thought we should think about getting something a little more supportive than pedipeds (which we love). He will walk a good block as long as he is pushing something but he hasn't really taken more than two steps on his own.
The wonderful girls at the store asked what size foot Eoin had and we told them a 5. They looked at him and said oh he's not walking properly yet and he's nearly 2? I quickly corrected them and said no he is only 11 months but huge! So they wanted to measure his foot and it quickly turned out that his shoe size was a 6 extra wide. How did his feet grow a whole size in a month! Not only that but it looks like Eoin had been keeping his toes curled under when his shoes where on because there wasn't enough space. We felt so bad.
So now Eoin is kitted out with a wonderful pair of shoes (that are actually 6.5 so he has some wiggle space) that are machine washable (ingenious) and guess what within a couple of hours of wearing them he took three steps independently. Maybe just maybe he'll be walking by his first birthday.

Sleepsacks

Many of you have been asking us about the sleepsack that Eoin sleeps in (the photo is an old one but he has been using the summer weight sleep sack all through the summer too). Well they are by a great Canadian company called Kohlr Baby. We first discovered this brand at Day One here in Palo Alto and we fell in love with the tag bag plus the fact that the company is eco friendly. Now we order directly from the company themselves as there is greater choice. We love the fact that they are a little bigger than most sacks we've found and with a big growing boy that is great. We've just ordered again for the winter and we decided to get some crib sheets too in ultra soft and cozy fleece. We're hoping that this might solve the problem of Eoin waking up as soon as he hits the cold cotton sheets. Hope you guys enjoy them as much as we have.

Light and Shadows

This week Eoin has been ill. He woke up on Sunday night with a fever of 103 which rose to 104.2 on Monday. Off we went to the doctors who said he had a virus. So we have been discovering new games and interesting things inside over the last few days. Yesterday we played with a mirror and bouncing the light of the mirror onto the wall. It kept Eoin captivated for ages. I'm glad to say that Eoin is almost back to normal. Still a little clingy and fragile but I think he is probably up for a play date in the park this afternoon with all his little friends.