this is what story time with a 3 1/2 month old looks like

part of why i started reading to L was out of desperation admittedly. raising baby has much to do with entertaining baby. especially a baby that doesn't nap for great lengths of time by day. especially a baby that expresses boredom with great passion (read: cries loud & clear with no signs of stopping until his needs are met).

the more i read to L though, the more -i- enjoy it & perhaps, the more he does as well. signs i might be right?... he sits in my lap for decent stretches of time as i read, he looks at the pages more often than not, he flails his arms from time to time & gurgles/babbles at others. i do stop reading when he starts to get too fussy. but, kids, this is only after reading at least four books.

i get into character often, losing myself in the moment, hoping he notices and enjoys story time all the more. i realize each day, more & more how unbelievably fun reading to a child, heck AN INFANT! can be.

and loveys, it's insanely beneficial. read more about that here.

L is checking out his mobile in this photo. damn, he loves that mobile. he eventually refocussed. ;-)
no joke, this book is awesome if you let yourself feeeeel it. read it with rhythm & you'll find yourself longing for the dance floor, baby in tow. i swear.

fixated on fall.

We're well into October, baby L's first fall, and it's making me think, i want him to KNOW true fall. I want him to experience leaves changing colors. Leaves falling. Diving into piles of said leaves. Pumpkin patches! Heck, growing your own pumpkins... jacket weather. Apple picking. Hot apple cider. Hay rides!

Ah, some day... for now, we'll just take him to Oktoberfest, on semi-cool 78 degree evening walks, dress him in a Halloween costume that doesn't make him overheat. Surround him in baby pumpkins and Indian corn imported from some place else... ;-) There will be changing leaves and chilly weather falls for Liam, I vow right now to make that happen, as it did for me as a child. But for now, baby L is the cutest, most fabulous little pumpkin a girl could ask for... What are your fall traditions? How do you immerse yourself in the season? Both here in South Florida and elsewhere. Do tell... In the mean time, Happy Autumn!

my little natural born futboler

yeah, i'm proud.

that's some fancy footwork for a 9-weeker, no? i vow to cultivate this. it all began a few weeks ago when i marveled at how vigorously L kicked his feet while listening to/watching his bach-playing mobile. then, at kindermusik class last friday, his response to miss angela's colorful jingle balls heightened my awareness of his "talent". so, today i found him an infant soccer ball and well, future world cup star is born. yeah, that's right.

vat full of couscous.

thanks to the german, i will be gulping this big bowl of couscous by day this week. one-handed of course. baby L is generally in the other (hand/arm) unless i'm driving of course. live locally and you might see me driving aimlessly about. anyway, the couscous, mix & chill.

in it:

Isreali couscous

(prepare your fave couscous per package)

Cherry tomatoes

Chopped red pepper

Corn

Chopped red onion

Fresh cilantro (sub parsley if you don't dig cilantro)

Chopped carrot

You could...

Add: cubed avocado

(if you plan to eat it the day you make it, just doesn't last for days)

Add: cubed mozzarella

(for extra yum/protein/texture)

gallery as nursery.
so my turn the nursery into an art gallery idea, featuring those i know already love liam and those i know he too will love has become perhaps, one of the BEST ideas i've ever ever had. and kids, i'm an idea factory, no joke.

but, give creative people a theme and a loose color scheme and prepare to be amazed. i'm in love, utter and total, with every single handcrafted piece i've received.
this past weekend i finally got my own mom's creation. completed by her just a couple short months ago, it will forever be my utmost favorite of them all. she crafted it with the most love am positive, but also amidst battling ALS. familiarize yourself with ALS and know, this wasn't the easiest of tasks. and yet it's adorable, unique, amazing.
thank you mom, i love you!
so so much.
and again, thank you to the rest of you that have made Liam's room one-of-kind, and those that continue to work on projects for it. you guys own my heart. and will own his too.