Lesson #13 There's a First Time for Everything

Liam has a baby book.  There are pages to list all the visitors that came to see him in the hospital or at home that first week, a page for his sleep habits and eating routine, and of course there is a place for his first scraps of hair and his first tooth.  But as thorough as that book is, it doesn't cover everything.  You know, important stuff like the first time at Tanner's or the first snotty nose (not for the weak of heart).

I love the idea of documenting Liam's "firsts" in this blog.  You can put more pictures than you can in the book too :)  So, I raise my perverbial glass to all of my little man's firsts... cheers!

First bath on second day home.  Notice that the cup is not the only "fountain" going on.

First dance.  It was with Aunt Amy to "Landslide" by Stevie Nicks.  This reminded us of Pops and so we cried a little.

First time on a snowboard.  The day he came home from the hospital.  Daddy was so proud.

First road trip to St. Joe for Grandma's Retirement Dinner.  Photo op in Grandma's new rocking chair.

First bottle at two and a half weeks old.  I had mixed emotions- on one hand it was nice to not be the only one who could feed him.  On the other hand, it felt very strange to watch him drinking from afar.

First walk with Daddy in the Baby Bjorn.  Yes, it took us awhile to figure it out.  Doesn't Ryan look cute?

First time at Tanners, 3 weeks old.  He still loves it there- the lights, the tv's, the hot waitress Katie.  He's in love.

First visit to SM West on a day without students at 3 weeks.  Erica Warren, Associate Principal and good friend, snuck in a snuggle.

First visit to SM South the visit Daddy at work at 3 weeks.  Diaper change on the desk became a tradition at South, as Liam seems to always poop when he visits.

First REAL smile caught on camera.  Happy mornings in the bouncy seat made for lots of these in the weeks that would come.  He had been smiling for awhile, but this picture was at about 5 weeks.

First visit to Foo's Fabulous Custard.  We met Shannon and Michael and the boys for Tuesday Foosday, but Liam didn't love it like we do!  He was 7 weeks old.

First Easter in St. Joe at Hope Church.  It was hit and miss with Liam (look at his skinny legs!)

First time as a centerpiece.  A burrito centerpiece.

First visit to doctor to get shots at 2 months old.  He took it like a pro, even though the nurse stuck him several times with a defective needle.  What a sport!

First plane ride... no better reason to get on a plane at 2 and a half months than to attend Aunt Amy and Uncle Michael's wedding in San Francisco (reception in Napa)!

Our rule regarding shorts growing up is that it had to be at least 70 degrees outside first.  Liam's first day to wear shorts was when he was about 2 and 1/2 months old, and it was 71 degrees when this was taken!

I took this picture at Hope Church because it was the first noticeable giggle from Liam.  I love that it was during a very quiet time in church!  Funny little guy.

First visit to SM West with students present.  This is my block 7 class from last year.  They were a Junior AP English class, and are the class of 2012.  They loved him and it was so great to be able to bring him for a visit.  This was on his 3 month birthday.

First time to find his thumb to suck on it.  He never really does suck his thumb... he "hooks" it into his cheek instead.  Sometimes I call him "Captain"  (as in Captain Hook).  He was 3 months, 1 day old.

First time in the Bumbo seat.  He loved it!   Again, abotu 3 months old.

First time "helping" Daddy with the yard work... I see a future full of these kinds of days, but Liam won't just be watching!

First nap without the swaddle.  He lasted 15 minutes.

First time swimming.  We were at Marilyn's pool and on the way there, I was trying to figure out what Liam should call her.  I call her my "Fr-om" (friend and mom).  I am her "Fraughter."  So it was decided, about 15 minutes before this picture was taken... Marilyn is Liam's "Franny" (friend and Granny)!

First time in Daddy's corn fields!  Doesn't he look right at home?!

First time at the zoo with the perfect host- cousin Jeremiah!  Notice the safari hat... he was ready!

First time he rolled from back to tummy was on this cheesy faux bear rug in Breckenridge in late June (4 months old).  He rolled over about 10 times that day, just out of the blue.  He's been sleeping on his tummy ever since.

First professional photo shoot.  Breckenridge, CO at 4 months with our wedding photographer, Robin.

First rock and roll band.  Liam is the lead singer, Dominic on keyboards, Benjamin and Jeremiah wailing on guitar.  Fourth of July, 2011.

First fireworks.  Not a fan.  He wanted to go back inside for band practice.

First time meeting the Tri Delts!  We brought him to Houston before our dinner for Diana being back in town.  He was a flirt!

First bean from our elevated garden.  Yum!

First cereal at 5 month grandparent dinner.  Very exciting.

First haircut the night before his Baptism.  July 30, 2011.

First time on piano, July 31st.  Dominic better watch out... Liam might take over keyboards.

First time at Johnson County Fair.  He went with Mimi and Jenny and LOVED the pigs!

First official play date on 6 month birthday.  He and Grayson Deiter (5 months older) were almost the same height and instant buddies!  Liam even wanted to hug it out.

Awful, but this was his first real cold.  Snot city.  Turned into an ear infection, which was horrible to have to watch him go through.  But the yummy, pink antibiotic worked wonders and he was back to his normal self within a couple of days.

First REAL sitting up with confidence, playing with his "crawl ball".  He was just over 6 months.

First Mum Mum cracker.  He was ambivalent really.

First lipstick face from Aunt Amy.  The first of what should be many in his life, considering all the women who love this little guy.

First attempt to drink a margarita while still under age.  One of many future attempts I predict.  By the way, this was during the first Chiefs game of the season.  The game was awful.  No wonder Mimi was drinking.

First time on the swing in the backyard. September 14- almost 7 months.

And finally, just this evening, Liam attended his first SM West football game.  He saw his buddy, Dr. McLean, tons of my students who have to listen to stories about him every day, and even cheered on the Vikings while in the stands with Mimi and Papa.  It was Grandma's Becky first Vikings football game too!  They lost, by the way.  But we had fun :)

Can't wait to post more "firsts" in the months and years to come!  I guess there IS a first time for everything!  Lesson well learned.