The Day You Tried to Escape

Today, Daddy was working pretty much all day long. Instead of us just hanging around the house staring at each other all day, I decided we should go see Grandma and Grandpa. I mean, these little day trips are part of the reason we moved here, right!? Right!

After you ate breakfast, we loaded up the car and headed for Grandma and Grandpa's house. You were very patient riding in the car and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. We arrived at Grandma and Grandpa's and you had a lot of fun running and playing with your toys. You inhaled the yummy stuffed pork chops that Grandma made for lunch and after playing a little bit more, we sat down to watch your show before your nap.

I took you upstairs for your nap, like we've done dozens of times before. Thus began two and a half hours of chattering, babbling, and general merriment. Of course, I forgot the baby monitor so I sat at the bottom of the steps listening to this. You would get quiet...and then you'd babble...quiet...then babble. I would go up and check on you at regular intervals. Around the two hour mark, you had been quiet for about 15 minutes. "Finally!" I thought and went to the kitchen to help Grandma with dinner. Ten minutes later, I came back and went upstairs to check on you.

I tiptoed to the side of the pack 'n play and saw this:

"Aww...how sweet," I thought "he wrapped himself up in the blanket and fell asleep."

I gently started pulling the blanket form because you wrapped up in a blanket is not safe and  did not find a form. There was no baby in my pack 'n play!! My first thought was one that would cost me a dollar with Grandma. I immediately started looking for you and trying not to think of the stairs you could fall down at any moment.

As I raced into the hall, I noticed the door to the bathroom was open. I clearly remember that door being closed when I left you upstairs.

There you were, sitting in the bathtub and having a wonderful time. How you got into the bathtub, I don't even want to think about. "Wombat!" I exclaimed half relieved, half angry, half laughing. You jumped a mile. Evidently, I scared you.

The only reason this is remotely funny is because you are perfectly fine. I am so thankful for that, because this could have ended horribly. 

I love you, buddy. Please stop giving Mommy a heart attack.

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

19 Months

Age: 19 months **Red chair picture coming...once it's unpacked**

Favorite Activity: Watching the gravel trucks driving down the road at Grandma and Grandpa's house. You would have spent the whole day watching them if you were able.

 You also love to swing. You have your very own swing at our house, Granny and Grabdad's house, and Grandma & Grandpa's house. 

Honorable Mentions:  You are an excellent helper. You love helping Grandma or I push Grandpa's wheelchair. You've only pinched your fingers once, which made me super sad, but you recovered quickly and finished helping push the chair.

Least Favorite Activity: We had to introduce time out this month. At Grandma & Granpa's house you were fascinated with the fan. Fans are a no. A non-negotiable no. We tried our old methods of saying no and redirecting, but you kept going back. I tried swatting your hand. It was not my proudest parenting moment. I hated it...and you just giggled at me. So now, when you touch the fan, I stop whatever I'm doing and sit down in a chair with you on my lap for 1 minute. Oh how you hate it. You loathe being confined. Having to be still for a whole minute is like torture for you. Once you've served your time, I tell you why you had to sit and send you on your way.

It is funny, however, when you start yelling for Grandpa to save you. " Pa! PA!" you shout. Ohhhh, little man, Grandpa can't save you now.

Milestones: You are an expert in climbing up into our chairs and the couch. You even bamboozled Grandma in order to sneak upstairs at her house. You've mastered going up stairs, you have not mastered going down. You are also able to answer questions and follow directions when asked. It's very exciting to Daddy and I when you understand. Even if you don't obey, you understand!

New Activity: Grandma taught you to blow kisses. Now, when it's time for bed, you blow kisses and say "night!" to anyone in the vicinity.

Since you've broken your leg, I involuntarily gasp every time you take a tumble especially on the hardwood floors. Now, when you fall, you pop up and exclaim, "Otay!" before you go toddling off to continue your adventure. I greatly appreciate the reassurance.

Words: "Night, I'm sorry, " just to name a few. However, it's less about words right now and more about sentences and phrases. You also know that a cow says "moo," a horse says "neigh," and a kitty says "meow." You also point out noses, eyes, ears, chins, and mouths on other people. On you, it's a bit more challenging.

Signs: You're using "please" and "more" consistently during meals. 

Sleep:  Sometimes you fight nap time and bedtime. You're just having so. much. fun. Generally we put you to bed around 8 and you're asleep by 9-9:30. Putting you to bed later just prolongs your actual sleep time so we keep your bedtime consistent. I did enjoy our slumber parties while we were at a grandma & Grandpa's and Daddy was packing up the house.

Best Moment: For Memorial Day weekend, Daddy and I went to see my surgeon and then we took you to Myrtle Beach for a couple days. Last year when we went to the beach you were a little over 8 months old. You liked playing in the sand, but you hated the ocean. Hated it. You touch the water, the water does not touch you!

This year, you immediately loved it. We walked into our condo and you raced over to the sliding glass door and exclaimed, "Woooooow! Woooooooow!" over and over again. That moment alone was worth the cost of the trip. You playing on the beach and jumping waves with Daddy and I was just the icing on the cake.

Worst Moment: Nothing horrible or traumatic stands out in my mind. You have been delightful this month.

Favorite Foods: You love your fruits and vegetables. This month it seems like cucumbers are your favorite. Though, you stole Daddy's apple from his plate at Pabera one evening and proceeded to eat at least half of it. All by yourself! 

Now you enjoy eating whole apples all by yourself. I don't leave you unattended with it, but you have a wonderful time while you're eating it.

Eating: You can eat just about anything. You don't eat everything, but you can. If I slip something you don't like onto your high chair tray, you politely hand it back to me or impolitely chuck it on the floor. Manners are a work in progress!

We went for frozen yogurt this month and you love eating your own frozen yogurt with your own spoon. You're getting so big! You are starting to insist on feeding yourself more, which is messy. However, you're getting better!

Teeth: I can see white on the bottom right. I'm pretty sure your 2 year molars are trying to come though.

Oh and this! You make these little "mmmm" noises the entire time you eat. It's hilarious. The more you enjoy what you're eating the louder you "mmm."

Last Day

Wow. It's here, buddy. Our last day in this town. 

The next few weeks are going to be full of changes. Luckily, you weather changes like a pro. We are going to spend some time away from Daddy and I dread how sad that will make you...but it's for a good reason. Daddy will miss us like crazy, but he's going away so that he can take care of us. That's what your Daddy does. He always, always takes care of us. We're lucky to have your daddy. We should tell him that more often.

Personally, I cannot wait to leave. I will miss my job, my workplace, and our friends terribly, but I will not miss this town. In fact, I hope you will not remember this town. 

I'm looking forward to our new adventure. A new house, a new job for Daddy, a new job for Mama, and a new world for you.

However, there will always be a small part of this town with me that I will hold special because it's where we met you. It's where we brought you home from the hospital. It's where you learned to crawl and then walk and then run. I will always remember you standing at the doorway, yelling, "Ma! Ma!" for the first time. 

I have my issues with this town, but at the end of the day, I've loved living here because it brought us to you.

18 Months

Age: 18 Months

Look, Ma!  No cast!

Height: 34.5 inches

Weight: 26 pounds, 11 ounces

Favorite Activity: You love your toy trucks. We went to visit at a friend's house and you spent the evening playing with his trucks. Dinner? Meh, not interested. New baby? Whatever, Mother. No...I would like to sit in my new friend's room and play with his toys.

Shh, Mama...I'm concentrating on my trucks.

Honorable Mentions:  You have a new love of coloring. I found you some chunky washable crayons and a sketch pad at Target and you will sit and color for as long as we'll let you. I see some quality coloring time coming this summer.

Tickling with Daddy...look at that crazy hair.  (Yours, not Daddy's)

Least Favorite Activity: Holding our hands in public. Ohhhhh, how you loathe holding our hands. You rip your hand out of ours and toddle off. If we insist on holding your hand, you go limp. Then it becomes a effort to keep you from whacking your head on the floor. Not cool, man. Not. Cool.

Milestones: You are putting together sentences and phrases at lightning speed. "I go!" And "Hi, Daaaaa!" are two of my favorites.

New Activity: New phrases and definitely understanding what we're telling/asking you. Oh, and you've started climbing up into our laps and clearly demanding, "Elmo!" Sigh. Needless to say, you love your nightly Sesame Street episode.

Your knee is very comfortable, Mama.

Words: I'm going to have to change this one to sentences because, buddy, you are spitting them out right and left. One that makes me giggle is when you make your pooping noise (yes, it's very distinctive), you've now started peeking out from wherever you are and saying, "Bye!" Bye is Wombat code for "I'm done with you, you can go now." Let me just take a moment to assure you that you are fooling no one with this new distraction.

Signs: You are using "help" more now. I think you've realized Daddy and I will bail you out when you start signing help.

Sleep: We think your 2 year molars are coming in so you've had some rough nights. Otherwise, you chatter for a little while before eventually falling asleep.

Best Moment: Cast off day! Watching you run out of the orthopaedic surgeon's office at full speed made my day! I tried taking a picture, but surprise, surprise it was blurry.

Worst Moment: On Daddy's last Saturday of work, I ran to the bathroom. While I was gone, you climbed up on the bin between the chair and the couch. You then climbed into the chair to sit. You were so proud of yourself. As I cleared the gate to come spot you, you decided to slide out of the chair the way you slide off the coffee table...except, you decided to go head first. Once more than half of your body was out of the seat, you went down to the ground fast and bonked your head. Scared the heck out of me AND you. Not cool, buddy. Not cool.

Sorry, Mama...seat's taken.

Favorite Foods: All things pork. You'd follow anyone home if they offered you a slice of ham.

Eating: Listen here, Mr. Picky Pants. I don't want to resort to hiding veggies in your food...but I will. I'm hoping to get you to be more of an adventurous eater when I'm home all the time with you. I'm doubtful, but hopeful. 

Teeth: See sleep. Those 2 year molars must be killer. You're a drooly, snotty mess. Poor baby.

Who me?  Drool?

Oh and this! Mama has been forbidden from cutting your hair. We took you last weekend to get your hair cut one more time before we move and you did great until the last 5 minutes. She quickly finished your bangs and we were on our way. When we got home I noticed that she had missed some pieces in the front. So during your bath, I "trimmed" the long hairs.

Or not. I did a bad. You now have a one inch wide section of hair that is half an inch shorter than the rest. I know it's hair and it will grow, but it makes me kick myself every time I see it. I'm sorry, buddy. Mama's Barber Shop is officially closed.

Naughty, naughty Mama

A Typical Day

Very soon, buddy, our lives are going to change. Daddy and I will essentially switch jobs. Plus, we'll have a new house for you to destroy...er, explore.

I thought, before all this change happens, I would document how I see our days.

6:30-7am: Over the baby monitor, we hear..."ba! Ba! Ma!" or something of that nature. Generally, you wake up happy. Rarely, do you wake up crying unless you are absolutely starving or you've had a leak. 

Daddy gets up and goes in to check on you while you're waking up. (You are my son, you wake up veeeery slowly...and do not bug you until you're ready.) One morning, Daddy went in to get you before you were ready and you batted his hands away, rolled over, and went back to sleep. THAT'S MY BOY!

7:01am: As soon as you get up, Daddy or I change you and then it's breakfast time. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Feed. Me. Now! Daddy or I hand you a cup of milk to calm you while we put a bib on you and buckle you into your seat. I envision you demanding coffee in a similar manner when you're in college. While Daddy feeds you, I take a shower and get ready for work. You generally have some whole milk yogurt, fruit, and some Cheerios. 

7:30am: When I am out of the shower and dressed, I come to the kitchen to pack my lunch, make my breakfast, and get my water for the day. You usually hear me puttering in the kitchen and come to the gate to greet me. Some mornings, you're too busy planing with your trucks to worry about me.

7:45am: it's time for me to leave for work. I ask you for a hug and a kiss before I go. Some days I get one...some days, I get pushed toward the baby gate with a spirited "BYE!!" (You're obviously heartbroken, but trying to be brave for me.)

Fun run shirt...it lies, but it was fun to wear. :)

9:30am: I miss my boys...text Daddy to ask how you are.

11:15am: Lunch time!! Well, for me. I call Dad or Dad calls me and I get to talk to my boys while I eat my lunch.

1:30pm: Text Daddy to see if you're napping. (On the good days, you are.)

4:01pm: I am OUT the door at work. My boys are waiting! 

4:07pm: Arrive home where you drop whatever you are playing with and meet me at the baby gate. 

4:08pm: You demand to be picked up and we talk about your day. Often, Daddy makes dinner while we're catching up. I love cooking...but you will not stand for me being in a separate room.

5:30pm: Dinner! Will he eat meat tonight? What weird veggie did Mama put on my plate? Where's my milk!?

6:00pm: After dinner playtime! Sometimes, we take a family walk.

Father-son 'rassling match...I love your crazy toddler hair.

6:45pm: Every other night, it's bath time. I wash. You splash. A good time is had by all.

7-7:15pm: You come over to me and distinctly demand "Elmo!" Sigh. That red monster is catnip to toddlers.

Once we move, we're going to have to look into your own chair.  You're very active during Sesame Street these days.  It's like trying to cuddle with an acrobat.

8-8:15pm: Bedtime. Sleep sack on, bedtime stories read, day discussed, and songs sung. I love when I turn out your bedroom light, you lay your head on my shoulder, put your arm around my neck, and snuggle in. I could sit like that for hours, buddy.

8:30pm: Minimal trips back to rebink and settle you and you are out.

I can't wait to figure out our new schedule, buddy. It is going to be an adventure.

Cast Off Day?

This morning, we went back to see the doctor this morning and get your leg checked out. The wonderful nurses took your cast off...which you hated. You didn't mind the saw. You most certainly did mind the fact that you couldn't move you leg because they were holding it. Once she took your cast off, you cried. I think it's because you like your cast. You little goofball.

Teeny, tiny cast!

After we got the cast off, they whisked you and Daddy away to take some x-rays of your leg. I had to sit and listen to you cry because only one of us could go with you. Luckily, Daddy brought you back before long. You had huge crocodile tears rolling down your cheek, but you recovered quickly when the nurses came to see you. Such a little ladies' man.

The doctor got your digital x-rays almost immediately and came in to show them to us. You definitely broke your leg. He showed us where your little bone is healing. He ordered a cast for another 2 weeks. They tried giving you a baby boot (which was completely adorable), but your legs were just a little too short. Nuts! It was adorable.

You got a blue cast this time and you're already walking on it. You seemed happy to have your cast back so we decided on a family trip to the children's museum.

Outta the way, Sunday Driver!

I wasn't pushing the siren.  No way.  Not me, Mama.

Little drummer boy...

Oh look, a car....

I also stopped to look for a swimsuit for our beach trip next month. Further proof Mama cannot go unchaperoned into stores that sell baby clothes.

I love getting to spend the day with you!