Most of you know I have a history of lower back problems. I have diligently been working on strengthening my core this year in an effort to minimize the chances of an “episode.” Unfortunately I fear lately I was a bit over zealous and managed to overdo it. Needless to say, I strained my lower back and ended up in another one of those all too familiar incapacitated states. After three days of trying to ignore it and hoping it would heal on its own, I finally broke down and went to the ER. I was in SO. MUCH. PAIN. While I am still ironing out the style and degree of my efforts to remedy this cycle, in the meantime I was prescribed a fabulous cocktail of painkillers, and restricted to no lifting objects above ten pounds for two weeks. Brody weighs 27 lbs.
So with this diagnosis, Beau and both Grandmas stepped up to help out. I was confined to a reclined position most of last week, and honestly, bored. The meds made me sleepy and much of that week is a blur for me. However, because the Grandmas were in charge of Brody’s nap schedule, he learned how to nap without nursing! Although I technically was not supposed to lift him for another week, I was feeling so much better from all the rest and came back to caring for him full-time again last week. So now my little big boy is no longer nursing to nap, and I am a happy sad mama thoroughly amazed at how quickly things change for a rapidly developing toddler.
The best part of this stage in Brody’s life is watching his emerging personality. His latest obsessions leave us giggling at how silly and nonsensicle they are. For example, Brody is completely enamored with chairs. It’s a hilarious sight to witness the moment his eyes land on a chair and his tunnel vision ensues. Upon discovery, he immediately moves in his regular drunken-sailor stammer to the chair and begins the redundant (but somehow entertaining) process of pushing the chair over, then picking it back up, then pushing it over, then picking it back up…etc. Occasionally after the chair has hit the ground, he likes to climb onto the back of the chair and bounce up and down while squealing at his success.
Another odd obsession Brody has taken a liking to is clothes. In particular, Beau’s shirts. He absolutely loves to take Dada’s shirt from the hamper and walk around shaking it up and down while singing in delight. I can’t quite wrap my brain around this obsession of his. The chairs I get: he likes the sound of the chairs hitting the ground; the pride that comes with knocking over such a big object; he finds contentment in the routine of the process. But the clothes? I just don’t get it. Nonetheless, it’s absolutely adorable and somehow keeps him entertained for a ridiculously long time.
Now, Beau and I are NOT two people who ever outwardly seek the opportunity to dance. Ever. Neither are we the type of people to randomly dance around the house, not together, not alone. It’s just not us. But within the last three weeks, Brody has started dancing on his own and it is beyond delightful. I am completely amazed by the fact that this is something that was seemingly organic in its discovery and fruition. One day, with music on in the background, I noticed Brody stop what he was doing, and start bending his chubby little legs and bouncing to the rhythm of the song. What cracks Beau and I up is his taste in music. He won’t stop and dance to just anything, but if certain songs come on, he can’t help himself! His latest favorites are “California Girls” by Katy Perry, and “Not Afraid” by Eminem.
Brody is not yet speaking coherently but his babbling is insurmountable. He understands most of what we say to him, but we have yet to get him to speak back. Most people tell us not to stress about this and to in fact enjoy it because once he starts talking, we will miss the days when he didn’t talk. We are excited to hear him voice his feelings simply because it’s another way for us to get to know him better. Unfortunately I think his best known word from us is “no.” Anytime he starts doing something he knows he’s not supposed to do (i.e. pushing buttons on the television, playing with the computer, etc.), just as quickly as he starts the forbidden task, he also starts to shake his head “no.” It’s wonderfully cute, especially when I notice him doing it when he’s not aware I’m watching, but it also kind of makes me sad to think that he is so accustomed to hearing it from us. I initially didn’t want to teach him “no” and was going to seek out a detach and distract method of discipline, but unfortunately our son is the MOST tenacious, persistent little bugger. There is no doubt if there is something Brody wants, he will go to all lengths to get it.
With every little step away from babyhood and into toddlerville, my heart breaks and swells with pride all together. I am so excited to see the little man Brody is becoming and eager to learn more about him as his sweet little personality continues to emerge. However, as we part from all things baby, I can’t help but dwell on how quickly it all went by and I often start thinking about how easily remedied my yearning for more babyhood can be. In due time…
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