Back Into the Swing of Things

I realize that I've been absent from blogging for quite some time. To say it's been a busy year is an understatement. I have a new job this year as a 2nd and 3rd grade EAL (English as an additional Language) teacher, so I've been trying to get used to my new role and spend as much time with my little family as possible. So far, I am loving my new job. Basically, I support EAL students (kiddos whose first language is not English). This means, I run around all day going from classroom to classroom...but I love being in all of the different classrooms and working with teachers to support these students. I will admit, I miss having my "own" class of students to bond with, but a plus is that I see different students all day.

                                                       

The Chinese just celebrated the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. One of my friends hosted a lovely little moon party full of DIY flower crowns, delicious treats including both moon cakes and macaroons (perfect mix!), and of course...great company. From my understanding, the moon festival was originally celebrated to "give thanks" to the moon and a changing of seasons. Families get together and eat moon cakes which is the special desert of this holiday. The students at our school even got to make their own moon cakes in Chinese class. 

Beautiful Moon Festival party (Brittany even painted us our own full moons!)

My friend, Laura, just made a mini visit to China! I feel so blessed to have had family and friends visit us since we moved to China over 3 years ago. Laura arrived on last weekend and I was able to show her a little bit of China. We ate some yummy Chinese food, got a foot massage, visited a temple, showed her around school and our neighborhood. I'm so very thankful that she could spend time with us! 

Visiting a nearby temple

Sampling tanghulu (candied crabapples)

My favorite noodle place

Sawyer is walking up a storm. He's been walking consistently for a couple of weeks, I'm so proud! I can't believe how quickly he's growing before my eyes. I swear sometimes I look at him and see a little boy...what happened to my baby!? 

 

Two weeks from Friday is our first vacation since being back at school. We have off for a week and we will be traveling to Thailand for a conference in Bangkok and also going to Koh Lanta with some friends. I have been dreaming of mango sticky rice, fruit shakes, and the beach for the last couple of weeks.

Happy hump day! 

Happy Birthday Sawyer!

I can't believe I'm writing your 12 month update. I know that every parent says, "time flies," but it truly does! 

I am so proud of the little person you're becoming and I feel beyond honored and humbled to be your momma. 

There are  definitely a fair share of busy/chaotic days and sleepless nights, but being your mommy is priceless and the most rewarding thing that I've ever done in my life. 

You've taught me so much: patience, flexibility, humor in stressful situations, sacrifice, resourcefulness, and most importantly... love beyond measure. I strive to be the best person and mom that I can be because of you. Thank you for making me a momma and being my sweet baby, Sawyer. 

To celebrate your birthday, we had a camp themed "pre-birthday" party for you at our little cabin and you are so blessed because so many friends and family came to celebrate you. We are so grateful that we have such wonderful people in our life. You got a lot of hugs, kisses, and attention and you loved every second of it. 

I made this little video to remember some important moments of your first year.

Sawyer's First Year from Shanna Callahan on Vimeo.

Height/Weight: 29.5 inches & 24.2 lbs, I am feeling it in my arms ;) 

Eating: You sure know what you like. Lately, you want whatever I'm eating...when we were out to eat at our last dinner in Wisconsin, you stole a sweet potato fry off my plate, sneaky baby! You're eating three meals a day plus a snack here and there. I'm still nursing 2x a day (morning and bedtime) and have tried introducing cows milk at lunch time last week. I don't think your on the milk bandwagon quite yet, but I'm sure you'll get there. Some of your favorites include: shredded cheese (go figure), black beans with garlic powder, chickpeas with garlic powder, turkey, Kirkland 9 grain crackers. Funny story about those crackers. We stuffed like .... 6 packs in our suitcases to bring back to China because you are so obsessed. You did try eggs and peanut butter, with no reaction.. yay! I'm not sure if you're still allergic to yogurt, I'm too afraid to try it again at this point, so I think we'll wait until your a year and a half or so. 

Sleep: You're refusing to sleep at this very moment, ha! I think you've been a trooper with jetlag coming back to China. You've been sleeping through the night like a champ. Sometimes, you've been skipping your afternoon nap and taking one longer A.M. nap, so we'll see if it stays that way. When I put you to sleep, you rest your little head on my shoulder and cuddle me, but sometimes try to wiggle free to jump into your crib (which I think is a good thing?)

Clothes: Still in 12 mo. clothing, but some are getting a little snug... I think we'll be able to get a bit more wear out of the 12 mo. clothing, which is awesome! 

Likes:

• Using your wheely bug to push around the apartment...sometimes you chase the dogs with it too!
• Pushing anything around the house (chairs, laundry baskets, etc.)
• Opening and closing drawers, and tearing everything that was folded so neatly out of the drawers
• Turning on the bathtub faucet, and trying to open the toilet cover to play in the toilet water, YUCK!
• Playing with remotes and phones 
• Waving hello to everyone
• Clapping

Dislikes:

• Being overtired
• Not getting your way
• I'm actually having a hard time with this list because you're such a mellow, easy going little guy! 

New Developments:

• You are taking a few steps on your own back and forth from mommy and daddy
• Clapping on demand
• Waving hi and bye 
• Giving kisses on command (you've been doing this for a while but you're pretty good at it now!)

11 Month Update

Happy 11 months baby boy. I can't believe in less than a month we will officially have a "toddler" on our hands. Where did the year go? I feel like I'll be saying that FOREVER. We celebrated the fourth of July on your 11 month birthday. Last year at this time, we were waiting around in China for you!

Height/Weight: Still not sure on this one, but my guestimate is about 23 lbs? Length, we will measure you today to find out!

Eating: You are still nursing about 4-5 times a day. I am going to try to cut out a feeding or two so we can get it down to 3 times a day, especially because I will be attending a work conference all week next week and it won’t be so easy to nurse you! As far as solids, you are becoming more and more independent and have strong opinions about food. Since we’ve been back to the states, you are a turkey and cheese monster. I can’t believe it since you wanted nothing to do with cheese in China. Breakfast: usually oatmeal with mixed fruit & some cheerios. Oh yes, you are still OBSESSED with cheerios. Lunch: usually tukey and cheese with some applesauce and multigrain crackers or a cheese quesadilla. Dinner: an adaptation of whatever we’re having, or a Peter Rabbit baby pouch if I’m feeling too lazy or if we’re out to eat. You’ve tried raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries since they are so abundant here in America, you’re not quire sure how you feel about them yet.

Sleep: The initial jetlag and teething weren't a fun mx. We had a night owl on our hands for a couple of weeks, but now things have seemed to settle down and you've gotten into a routine of two solid naps a day and sleeping from about 7:00-7:30 with a wake-up or two during the night. I can't complain since when we first arrived, I felt like you woke up every 30 minutes-1 hour... YIKES! 

Clothes: You are still comfortably fitting in your 12 month clothing. Your grandma bought you SO many cute, new clothes, you are a lucky little boy!

Likes:

• Cheerios
• Pushing your Fisher price walker that grandma got you
• Exploring
• The lake (if we go on the dock, you try to wriggle free because you want to go in the water… it’s hilarious)
• Stroller rides
• Being silly
• Being the center of attention
• Eating
• Cuddling before naps/bedtime
• Doors (opening and closing them)

Dislikes:

• Getting your face wiped off
• Bathtime (since we’ve been back, you aren’t a fan of your inflatable ducky bath… but you love baths in China)
• The grass (haha this one makes me giggle. When we put you in the grass for the first time, you scrunched up your face and started crying. If your foot touches the grass, you hold one up like a little flamingo…your daddy and I keep calling you a “city baby” since you’re not used to nature!
• Not getting your way

New Developments:

• Using your walker to walk around the whole house. 
• Last week, you began to wave to everyone and everything. 
• You learned how to put your ball in a hole in your new toy. 
• A couple of more teeth have made an appearance since last month… we had a combination of that mixed with jetlag (thank goodness, we’re past that!)
• Feeding me your food