Each age with Thumper brings its own discoveries and challenges, its own rhythm that shapes our days. The stages slide into each other, they overlap so subtly that it takes me a while to notice. And then it will hit me all at once, how very differently weÂ’re passing our time now than we did just a couple of weeks earlier.
I had one of those realizations this afternoon. Thumper used to stay stubbornly awake until 10:30 or 11pm each night, then sleep in until 9am or so. He would nap from around 12 to 2, then from around 5 to 6ish. Anything we wanted to do outside the house—errands or playdates or the playground—were best done in that window between the two naps.
Lately, though, he’s started going to sleep earlier—between 9 and 9:30. So now he’s waking up between 7 and 8am, and napping from around 10 to 12. But he still holds off on that afternoon nap until between 4 and 5. We’ve got this bigger window of time to get out into the world now.
Today we woke up at 7:30, played for a bit, had some breakfast (mmm cinnamon raisin Ezekiel bread and banana!), nursed and took a little nap from 10 to 12. At twelve we got ourselves dressed (okay, I got us both dressed) in outside-going clothes, we had some lunch (mmmm Dr Praegers spinach pancake and leftover quinoa), and headed out in the stroller (with the sling tucked into the carry basket, because you never know when heÂ’s going to want to cuddle close for a few minutes and help push the stroller instead of ride). We ran some errands, including having his fat little feet fitted for his first real shoes (blue sandals!). Then off we rolled to the tot lot to play with the other toddlers, then we rolled home, got an ice coffee for me and shared an oatmeal cookie. A nice long nurse and then he napped for two hours. He woke up at seven and had dinner (mmmm… Amy’s Organic cheeseless roasted veggie pizza and steamed broccoli! Because Mama didn’t feel like cooking!) and a bath and then Billy came home. Some cuddling with Daddy and then off to bed at 9:30. And now he and Billy are both asleep and IÂ’m blogging.
It seems totally natural, even inevitable. This is our schedule, this is the rhythm of our days. But two weeks ago our days had a totally different rhythm. And two weeks before that, different. Etc. Now that weÂ’re both used to the stroller (okay, now that IÂ’m used to the stroller. He always liked it fine) IÂ’m loving how it allows us to walk farther from home, go places the subway wonÂ’t easily take us, stay out longerÂ… When he wants a break from the stroller, itÂ’s easy to pop him into the sling and the stroller still carries our stuff and we have fun pushing it together. IÂ’m also loving this new, earlier bedtime. It means I can actually get some things done after he goes to sleep without having to do them at midnight. I canÂ’t complain too much, as he gets his night owl tendencies from me, but IÂ’ve always been a bit envious of those moms whose babies naturally go to sleep at 7pm. (The flip side, though, is how early those moms have to wake up. IÂ’d rather have the night owl baby than have to get up at 6 in the morning, thanks.)
Now that he’s cruising so well and getting ready to walk, he wants to get out and explore more. Wants to cruise the platforms and railings at the tot lot, slide down the little slide, flirt with all the moms. We head out in the stroller and we point at the pigeons and talk about the city buses rolling past. We wave to big kids going past us—he LOVES to see big kids. It’s our good-bye to New York summer and we’re having a blast together, the kid and I. And this fall will begin our Portland adventure. We’ll have lots of exploring to do. New playgrounds to check out. New moms to flirt with. Big kids and pigeons to wave to. They DO have pigeons in Portland, right?
PS: We’re going to sign the contract to sell our house tomorrow! The buyers (yep, buyers. yes, I’ve been keeping a secret from you) already signed! And we made an offer on a place in Portland! Woohoo! News! Good news! All shall be revealed after we sign tomorrow.
I still forget that while my boys go through physical growth spurts, they go through developmental ones also. I was one of those moms whose kid went to bed at 7pm. It worked until he was about 2ish. Then it was 5am, baby! Finally at almost 7 (yikes! Did I really type that?)he is sleeping till about 7:30 and his 4 year old brother is now the family rooster at about 5:45/6.
Can’t wait to heard the whole deal about the houses! Yesss!
Posted by: KT
delurking here…
my dd is 15 months and loves big kids and birdies. her ‘schedule’ was much the same as Thumpers until she was about 11 months old. i kinda miss the 2nd nap time. she’s still a night owl… but we get to sleep in until 9 so i’m not complaining too much! it’s always nice to wake up to baby smiles and poking at my nose, dd says hi to Thumper. she keeps pointing and touching his picture saying “baby, baby, baby” and trying to do ‘wa-wa’ on his mouth….wa-wa being mouth noises with your hand 😆
there are pigeons in portland! congratulations on your upcoming move/buy/fall exploration.
Posted by: Jeanie
delurking here…
my dd is 15 months and loves big kids and birdies. her ‘schedule’ was much the same as Thumpers until she was about 11 months old. i kinda miss the 2nd nap time. she’s still a night owl… but we get to sleep in until 9 so i’m not complaining too much! it’s always nice to wake up to baby smiles and poking at my nose, dd says hi to Thumper. she keeps pointing and touching his picture saying “baby, baby, baby” and trying to do ‘wa-wa’ on his mouth….wa-wa being mouth noises with your hand 😆
there are pigeons in portland! congratulations on your upcoming move/buy/fall exploration.
Posted by: Jeanie
I love those moments when you stop, breathe, and realise how your live is at this very moment in time and how natural those rhythms are that have occured without even thinking about it. It’s those moments you will remember, and look back on fondly. You called Thumper a toddler – which of course he is, but what an exciting time for him: frustrating, full of wonder, trying to make sense out of nonsensical things, learning every minute of every day, talking soon, walking and new found freedom, and alongside his joy at the world comes your joy at a new life and what that holds.
Beautiful post.
Posted by: Alison
The next thing you know, he’ll be moving to New York City to become a starving artist. Or something. Hee. XO
Posted by: Norma
And having that contract signed I bet makes it a lot easier to stop and notice all the good change that happens with the little guy.
You sound MUCH better….
Posted by: Juno
how old is he now?
Posted by: pixie
Congrats on the good news with your house(s)! Enjoy those sweet moments with your boy…your days together sound delightful.
Posted by: Beverly
Hooray for boy stories and Good News!
Posted by: Rachel H
I still forget that while my boys go through physical growth spurts, they go through developmental ones also. I was one of those moms whose kid went to bed at 7pm. It worked until he was about 2ish. Then it was 5am, baby! Finally at almost 7 (yikes! Did I really type that?)he is sleeping till about 7:30 and his 4 year old brother is now the family rooster at about 5:45/6.
Can’t wait to heard the whole deal about the houses! Yesss!
Posted by: KT
delurking here…
my dd is 15 months and loves big kids and birdies. her ‘schedule’ was much the same as Thumpers until she was about 11 months old. i kinda miss the 2nd nap time. she’s still a night owl… but we get to sleep in until 9 so i’m not complaining too much! it’s always nice to wake up to baby smiles and poking at my nose, dd says hi to Thumper. she keeps pointing and touching his picture saying “baby, baby, baby” and trying to do ‘wa-wa’ on his mouth….wa-wa being mouth noises with your hand 😆
there are pigeons in portland! congratulations on your upcoming move/buy/fall exploration.
Posted by: Jeanie
delurking here…
my dd is 15 months and loves big kids and birdies. her ‘schedule’ was much the same as Thumpers until she was about 11 months old. i kinda miss the 2nd nap time. she’s still a night owl… but we get to sleep in until 9 so i’m not complaining too much! it’s always nice to wake up to baby smiles and poking at my nose, dd says hi to Thumper. she keeps pointing and touching his picture saying “baby, baby, baby” and trying to do ‘wa-wa’ on his mouth….wa-wa being mouth noises with your hand 😆
there are pigeons in portland! congratulations on your upcoming move/buy/fall exploration.
Posted by: Jeanie
I love those moments when you stop, breathe, and realise how your live is at this very moment in time and how natural those rhythms are that have occured without even thinking about it. It’s those moments you will remember, and look back on fondly. You called Thumper a toddler – which of course he is, but what an exciting time for him: frustrating, full of wonder, trying to make sense out of nonsensical things, learning every minute of every day, talking soon, walking and new found freedom, and alongside his joy at the world comes your joy at a new life and what that holds.
Beautiful post.
Posted by: Alison
The next thing you know, he’ll be moving to New York City to become a starving artist. Or something. Hee. XO
Posted by: Norma
And having that contract signed I bet makes it a lot easier to stop and notice all the good change that happens with the little guy.
You sound MUCH better….
Posted by: Juno
how old is he now?
Posted by: pixie
Congrats on the good news with your house(s)! Enjoy those sweet moments with your boy…your days together sound delightful.
Posted by: Beverly
Hooray for boy stories and Good News!
Posted by: Rachel H
Oh, Thumper is getting so big. He looks like a little boy in that picture.
Congratulations on the good news.
As for pigeons- I never fed pigeons as a kid in Portland, but I did feed ducks at Marylhurst park in NE. Those days are some of my favorite childhood memories.
Posted by: Abby
I’ve been having the exact same shift in daily routine with my 4-month-old son. Isn’t it amazing? It’s good to know that things can shift like that, so we can have some time to do other things, but still remain fresh for our little ones.
Congratulations on all the wonderful news. I look forward to reading more about your adventures!
Posted by: Anna
Great news!
Posted by: claudia
Congratulations!
And thanks so much for sharing your stories with us.
PS – I’m SO with you on the night owl child preference!
Posted by: Kim
Fantastic news! I’m so relieved for you.
Posted by: Kristy
I’m getting nostalgic for summer in the city with babies. I loved that time. Sure the routines change so much that they’re almost not routines, but the pace is so nice and slow and everything our babies does is utterly amazing.
I’m glad things are moving forward.
Posted by: Steph
He looks like such a ….kid in that picture.
You know what I mean?
Posted by: Stephanie
Congratulations on the house! I have been in your shoes before and I am so relieved and excited for you. Savor the end of one adventure and the begining of another!! Your son is precious!
Posted by: Audrey
Ah, the Dr. P’s spinach pancake – a staple at our house as well! We’re also big fans of the garden burger. Great finger food.
I’m one of the 7pm – 6am moms and it’s pretty handy. I’m not a fan of getting up at 6, but I have to get up anyway for work, and it’s nice to have that morning time with Blu and Scarlet.
Congrats on the house!!!! HURRAY!!!!
Posted by: melanie
Aw. Look at Thumper standing up in the park. Your baby’s turning into a Real Boy, already.
And, so happy to hear that things are moving on the house front!
Posted by: jodi
Oh, Thumper is getting so big. He looks like a little boy in that picture.
Congratulations on the good news.
As for pigeons- I never fed pigeons as a kid in Portland, but I did feed ducks at Marylhurst park in NE. Those days are some of my favorite childhood memories.
Posted by: Abby
I’ve been having the exact same shift in daily routine with my 4-month-old son. Isn’t it amazing? It’s good to know that things can shift like that, so we can have some time to do other things, but still remain fresh for our little ones.
Congratulations on all the wonderful news. I look forward to reading more about your adventures!
Posted by: Anna
Great news!
Posted by: claudia
Congratulations!
And thanks so much for sharing your stories with us.
PS – I’m SO with you on the night owl child preference!
Posted by: Kim
Fantastic news! I’m so relieved for you.
Posted by: Kristy
I’m getting nostalgic for summer in the city with babies. I loved that time. Sure the routines change so much that they’re almost not routines, but the pace is so nice and slow and everything our babies does is utterly amazing.
I’m glad things are moving forward.
Posted by: Steph
He looks like such a ….kid in that picture.
You know what I mean?
Posted by: Stephanie
Congratulations on the house! I have been in your shoes before and I am so relieved and excited for you. Savor the end of one adventure and the begining of another!! Your son is precious!
Posted by: Audrey
Ah, the Dr. P’s spinach pancake – a staple at our house as well! We’re also big fans of the garden burger. Great finger food.
I’m one of the 7pm – 6am moms and it’s pretty handy. I’m not a fan of getting up at 6, but I have to get up anyway for work, and it’s nice to have that morning time with Blu and Scarlet.
Congrats on the house!!!! HURRAY!!!!
Posted by: melanie
Aw. Look at Thumper standing up in the park. Your baby’s turning into a Real Boy, already.
And, so happy to hear that things are moving on the house front!
Posted by: jodi
just let me know when the wagon train pulls up! can’t wait to squish on Thumper! 🙂
keeping the positives out there (you know what i mean).
Posted by: shannon in oregon
Wow, what a great routine (well, it’s mostly the nap schedule I covet. Our 8-month old naps for maybe 2 hours a day, if we’re lucky). You’re right, though, kids are rather amorphously rigid in their routines.
Congratulations on the home sale and purchase. I do believe the west coast has pigeons, but they are sadly without lightning bugs.
Posted by: Jenni
Yep, Oregon has pigeons but no fireflies. And we have lots and lots of ducks and canada geese. Plenty of birds to feed, in plenty of wonderful green parks.
Posted by: TheBon
That’s great news about the house! Congrats. Funny how the little ones just have these major developmental shifts in their schedules and it suddenly occurs to you that something is quite different!
Posted by: Kathode Ray Tube
Congrats in advance! Fingers crossed.
Posted by: Sil
Great news about the house–congrats!! Thanks also for sharing your daily routine with Thumper. I have been reading too much depressing chick lit lately, and I needed to read something about the good side of motherhood. Not that I expect to be a mom anytime soon, but still. Thanks.
Posted by: Sneaksleep
Congrats on the house deal! Can’t wait to hear the details.
As for Thumper, enjoy the window. The shift you’re experiencing will continue to morph into just one nap, and the transition can be a tricky one. (I know: you know this, you can handle this, you don’t need to hear this, but mothers tend to be a group bursting with unsolicited comments, what can i say?)
Posted by: jessie
He is such a big boy, playing peek-a-boo around the tree. What wonderful memories you’ll have of this summer in NY.
Posted by: Toni K.
We’re rather partial to Dr. P’s broccoli pancakes. The kids love the sweet potato variety as well.
I’m SO GLAD the house stuff is all taken care of, at least on this end. So now that I’m done being happy for you, can i start being sad that you’re leaving?
Posted by: regina
Wow! Congrats!
Posted by: melly
just let me know when the wagon train pulls up! can’t wait to squish on Thumper! 🙂
keeping the positives out there (you know what i mean).
Posted by: shannon in oregon
Wow, what a great routine (well, it’s mostly the nap schedule I covet. Our 8-month old naps for maybe 2 hours a day, if we’re lucky). You’re right, though, kids are rather amorphously rigid in their routines.
Congratulations on the home sale and purchase. I do believe the west coast has pigeons, but they are sadly without lightning bugs.
Posted by: Jenni
Yep, Oregon has pigeons but no fireflies. And we have lots and lots of ducks and canada geese. Plenty of birds to feed, in plenty of wonderful green parks.
Posted by: TheBon
That’s great news about the house! Congrats. Funny how the little ones just have these major developmental shifts in their schedules and it suddenly occurs to you that something is quite different!
Posted by: Kathode Ray Tube
Congrats in advance! Fingers crossed.
Posted by: Sil
Great news about the house–congrats!! Thanks also for sharing your daily routine with Thumper. I have been reading too much depressing chick lit lately, and I needed to read something about the good side of motherhood. Not that I expect to be a mom anytime soon, but still. Thanks.
Posted by: Sneaksleep
Congrats on the house deal! Can’t wait to hear the details.
As for Thumper, enjoy the window. The shift you’re experiencing will continue to morph into just one nap, and the transition can be a tricky one. (I know: you know this, you can handle this, you don’t need to hear this, but mothers tend to be a group bursting with unsolicited comments, what can i say?)
Posted by: jessie
He is such a big boy, playing peek-a-boo around the tree. What wonderful memories you’ll have of this summer in NY.
Posted by: Toni K.
We’re rather partial to Dr. P’s broccoli pancakes. The kids love the sweet potato variety as well.
I’m SO GLAD the house stuff is all taken care of, at least on this end. So now that I’m done being happy for you, can i start being sad that you’re leaving?
Posted by: regina
Wow! Congrats!
Posted by: melly
This is such a great post in its own right, and also makes me feel better (on a doubt-filled day) about our quest for child #2. Thanks for sharing Thumper’s journey with us, and congrats on house stuff!
PS–Ezekiel bread == YUM. Especially with cream cheese (something to look forward to about the post-nursing time when you can have dairy again).
Posted by: Amy
Yaaaaaaaaaaay! Congrats on the houses! I’ve been thinking about your family and your move… we’re shooting for October, as long as there are no health problems with myself or the baby (who will be about a month old by then). It feels like the momentum of others in similar situations will help us get going as well. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
Posted by: Susan
i love hearing about your rhythms…it is so different with these little people around. i was dying a few weeks ago, now i feel a little bit more capable (ahhh, good napping), and it is neat to see what our future might hold as these beans get older. funny, the differences already, we have early sleepers, but then this mama has always been a 5 a.m. person. congrats on your sale and it sounds like you are having a fairytale farewell to n.y. (ever heard the pogues song ‘fairytale of new york’, totally irrelevant to your post but i thought of it for some reason). i know portland will be ready to welcome you into its autumnal arms (really great time to be there, that was our first full season when we moved). luck to you and the fam. smiles.
Posted by: mames
Yes, there are pigeons. But even better are the Steller’s Jays (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steller%27s_Jay). They are very social, bossy and noisy! But you put out peanuts for them and they go bonkers and will even come to an open door to LOUDLY tell you that the peanuts are gone.
They are a hoot.
Wait ’til he gets to see his first bald eagle!
Posted by: Laurie
Thank doG! My feet were starting to get tires from all the dancing. The sweetest thing that is Thumper was so worth it. Amazing how quickly they grow!
Posted by: Ande
Yay! Congratulations. And enjoy your good-bye New York summer with the ever-so-handsome Thumper! Can’t wait to hear more.:)
Posted by: no-blog-rachel
Congratulations! I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Posted by: knittripps
YAYYYYY! (on the house front) AWWWWW! (on the Thumper front) I can well imagine that he flirts with the moms. What a cutie.
Posted by: Lizbon
What a darling little boy you have!
Congrats on the house news. Can’t wait to hear more about it!
Posted by: Anna
Bah, pigeons – we have crows! Great gangs of raucous black feathered beasties, more beautiful, more intelligent, and less “flying rat” than pigeons. They raise babies in the trees on our block and the little ones sound like choruses of squeaky chew toys. If Thumper likes them half as much as my cat does they’ll be good for hours of entertainment.
Looking forward to having you out here – congratulations on clinching the sale!
Posted by: Sarah
This is such a great post in its own right, and also makes me feel better (on a doubt-filled day) about our quest for child #2. Thanks for sharing Thumper’s journey with us, and congrats on house stuff!
PS–Ezekiel bread == YUM. Especially with cream cheese (something to look forward to about the post-nursing time when you can have dairy again).
Posted by: Amy
Yaaaaaaaaaaay! Congrats on the houses! I’ve been thinking about your family and your move… we’re shooting for October, as long as there are no health problems with myself or the baby (who will be about a month old by then). It feels like the momentum of others in similar situations will help us get going as well. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
Posted by: Susan
i love hearing about your rhythms…it is so different with these little people around. i was dying a few weeks ago, now i feel a little bit more capable (ahhh, good napping), and it is neat to see what our future might hold as these beans get older. funny, the differences already, we have early sleepers, but then this mama has always been a 5 a.m. person. congrats on your sale and it sounds like you are having a fairytale farewell to n.y. (ever heard the pogues song ‘fairytale of new york’, totally irrelevant to your post but i thought of it for some reason). i know portland will be ready to welcome you into its autumnal arms (really great time to be there, that was our first full season when we moved). luck to you and the fam. smiles.
Posted by: mames
Yes, there are pigeons. But even better are the Steller’s Jays (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steller%27s_Jay). They are very social, bossy and noisy! But you put out peanuts for them and they go bonkers and will even come to an open door to LOUDLY tell you that the peanuts are gone.
They are a hoot.
Wait ’til he gets to see his first bald eagle!
Posted by: Laurie
Thank doG! My feet were starting to get tires from all the dancing. The sweetest thing that is Thumper was so worth it. Amazing how quickly they grow!
Posted by: Ande
Yay! Congratulations. And enjoy your good-bye New York summer with the ever-so-handsome Thumper! Can’t wait to hear more.:)
Posted by: no-blog-rachel
Congratulations! I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Posted by: knittripps
YAYYYYY! (on the house front) AWWWWW! (on the Thumper front) I can well imagine that he flirts with the moms. What a cutie.
Posted by: Lizbon
What a darling little boy you have!
Congrats on the house news. Can’t wait to hear more about it!
Posted by: Anna
Bah, pigeons – we have crows! Great gangs of raucous black feathered beasties, more beautiful, more intelligent, and less “flying rat” than pigeons. They raise babies in the trees on our block and the little ones sound like choruses of squeaky chew toys. If Thumper likes them half as much as my cat does they’ll be good for hours of entertainment.
Looking forward to having you out here – congratulations on clinching the sale!
Posted by: Sarah
Such a sweet post, made even sweeter by the postscript! At first it was thrilling reliving the Brooklyn to Portland move vicariously, but then it just got nerve-wracking. Congratulations! Looking forward to meeting you in the fall. Bring real bagels!
Posted by: Helen
Woo-woo! A contract. Go Saint Joe!
Posted by: anina
Woo-woo! A contract. Go Saint Joe!
Posted by: anina
Such a sweet post, made even sweeter by the postscript! At first it was thrilling reliving the Brooklyn to Portland move vicariously, but then it just got nerve-wracking. Congratulations! Looking forward to meeting you in the fall. Bring real bagels!
Posted by: Helen
Woo-woo! A contract. Go Saint Joe!
Posted by: anina
Woo-woo! A contract. Go Saint Joe!
Posted by: anina