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!

17 Months

Age: 17 Months

It's nice how your cast matches the chair...we totally planned it, right, buddy?

Height: 31 inches

Weight: 12 kg (26.5 pounds) 

Favorite Activity: You are obsessed with wheels and tires of any kind. We went to school one evening to wear you out...er, play on the playground and you wanted to go see and touch every tire on every car in the parking lot. If something has wheels, you immediately go over and inspect them. Wheels have you fascinated, buddy!

Daddy mowed the lawn one evening. You loved standing at the window waving to him, banging on the window, and shouting "Da!"

Honorable Mentions:  You are a building machine!  You are going to be an engineer just like Daddy and your Uncle.

Sorry, buddy...the camera flash was going crazy.

Least Favorite Activity: You are not a fan of Daddy giving Mama a hug or a kiss. If you catch us, you will screech at your Daddy, rush over, and push him away from me.  Don't worry, buddy! There are enough hugs and kisses to go around! We think you just want Mama hugs/kisses, but it's still pretty funny to watch. Usually, once you've gotten Daddy out of the way, you lift your arms up so you can get hugs and kisses. (I secretly like that you are a Mama's boy...at least for now.)

Milestones: Baby's First ER visit which turned into Baby's First Splint which turned into Baby's First Cast. 

I had just changed into my pajamas and was in the guest room packing my one box for the night. You were walking across the living room and slid on one of your blocks. You fell, which you have done 1,000 times before. You cried as Daddy picked you up and comforted you. I came into the living room and you reached for me (nothing new). We went and changed your diaper and decided not to put your shorts back on. When we finished, we went back into the living room and read books. You cried the whole time. That is NOT like you. Finally, you calmed down some so I put you down so you could go play. That's when we noticed you weren't putting any weight on your right leg. In fact, you refused to put any weight on it. I looked at Daddy, Daddy looked at me, and off we went to the emergency room. We were so worried we forgot to put pants back on you. Sorry, buddy.

Four hours later...

Splint from hip to heel

The next day, we took you to an orthopaedic doctor (and a parent at Mama's work) and you came home with this:

Saddest, cutest cast ever...

They call it a "toddler break" which means they can't see a break on the x-rays, but since your bones are so tiny and flexible it could be broken and they won't know until it starts to heal. Therefore, they treat it like a break. We go back to the doctor in 2 weeks to have more x-rays done and see how your leg is looking. Hopefully, they'll take your cast off and not put another one back on.

I'm somewhat worried about how this will affect your walking development...but judging by how you're getting around with your cast, you should bounce back quickly.

New Activity: You have started grabbing our hands (or shirts) and pulling us where you want us to go. Where you want us to go is generally to the kitchen so you can eat or play. You love the kitchen. I swear, I'm going to sell all your toys and just let you play with the water bottles and pots in the kitchen.

Your shirt says, "Sorry ladies, Mommy says No Dating!"

Words: ham, done, pull, door, kitty, cheese, sad, nose, "Hi kitty!" "Oh dear!"  "Oh my!" "Hot dog!" maybe an I love you...your speech is getting clearer every day. Or maybe we're just getting fluent in Wombat!

Signs: Somehow, you have morphed "more" and "eat" into one sign. You sign "eat" while saying "more." It's hilarious but since we know you, we know what you mean and let it slide.

Yum, Mama!  Where has this rhubarb grape compote been all my life?! 

Sleep: The following conversation sums up your sleep fairly often this month:

Daddy: "So, he had a little dance party this morning at 4. You we're pretty out of it so I didn't bother you."

Me: "I was awake..."

Daddy: "You were!? You weren't moving much so I figured you were asleep."

Me: "I was afraid if I moved too much, you'd make me get up!"

Hehehe.... Less 4am dance parties, ok buddy?

Best Moment: One evening, we were sitting in the chair reading books, when all of a sudden you reached your hand toward my face. Generally, that is when you try to put your fingers in my mouth or yank my glasses off. But this time, you reached over, gently tapped my nose, and said, "Nose!" You can't find your nose, but you are an expert at finding mine and Daddy's.

So this thing dips the eggs in the dye, huh Mama?  Interesting...

Worst Moment: We have hit full on temper tantrums. Whoa, buddy. You have your Mama's temper. Luckily, you rarely show your temper unless we have you in a situation where you are having fun and then we have to either 1. Make you stop having fun before you're ready (the playground, playing at the soccer game and we wouldn't let you go steal the soccer balls the teams were using to warm up) or 2. Make you leave before you're good and ready. Daddy and I work hard together to not give in and we're hoping this will pass quickly.

"Hi kitty!"

Favorite Foods: Anything! I swear you act like we're starving you. You must have a hollow leg. You are a big fan of the organic fruit/veggie pouches that I found at the grocery store. Anything in a pouch you like these days! Pouch fruit and ham. Heaven knows you love ham.

Eating: Your favorite sign is eat. All you want to do is eat. I hope it's a growth spurt because I'm almost nostalgic for your picky toddler eating days!

"Look kitty, Easter grass!"

Teeth: Maybe we're done until 2 year molars? I hope, I hope.

Oh and this!

Can we just talk for a second about how incredibly smart you are!? I'm constantly surprised by what you are doing, what you can do, and what you know. While watching an episode of Super Why, Red was sounding out the word "stairs." When she got to the "T," you immediately replied "T!" When she asked what letter that was.

You continue to love letters. I found a board book I purchased way back when I was in college that has letters and sliding panels. Well, that book made me just about the coolest Mama ever. Mother of the Year...right here. Right now, you know 14 letters pretty consistently and 4 are still kind of shaky. Pretty impressive for 17 months old! (At least I think so!)

At the orthopaedic office, your doctor was fascinated by the fact that we were teaching you to sign.  "Is he hard of hearing?" He asked. Nope! We're just giving you one more way to communicate with us.  We think you're pretty cool...but it's always fun when you impress other people, too.

Last Night

So last night, this happened:

I have to say, buddy. You were a trooper for the 4 hours we waited in the ER. You smiled, you laughed, you only cried when you touched your hurt leg. Daddy is going to call one of the parents at my school today, who also happens to be an orthopaedic doctor/surgeon. He texted him last night and he said to have his secretary work you in today.

I think there's a tiny blue cast in your future, buddy.

Helping!

You have become quite the little helper. You are growing so quickly and while I love it, but it makes me sad. Where has my tiny baby gone?

P.S. Chairs are not for climbing, buddy. No matter what the other kids tell you.

16 Month Update

Age: 16 Months

Favorite Activity: You love letters. You can consistently identify P, D, T, V, C, E, O, B, and N. You love any of your toys that have letters on them. You will spend a significant amount of time playing with your letter blocks and your letter magnets. Often, you point to letters/words when you want me to read them. This happens at home and in public. You love letters and books and learning...that makes my Mama heart happy.

"Find the A."

Honorable Mentions:  You also love your cars/trucks. You make car noises and roll them along any reasonably flat surface you can find (including Mama).

Least Favorite Activity: Diaper changes are still at the bottom of your list, but I'll add diaper changes in public bathrooms as your least favorite activity. We usually avoid changes in public bathrooms because you get so upset. However, when we travel it can't be avoided. I will say you don't scream like you do when we have to leave a place/activity before you're ready. No, you just cry pathetically until it's over. It breaks my heart.

Milestones: Houston, we have a climber! And can I mention the letter identification again!? Your intelligence constantly amazes and terrifies me. You are going to keep Daddy and I on our toes. We also got our first iPads this month. You're already working them like a pro. You see how to do something once and that's it. You've got it.

Almost got it!

New Activity: Climbing. Sigh.

Proud of yourself, aren't you buddy?

Words: You're beginning to put two word phrases together. My favorite is, "Oh dear!" 

Signs: You haven't learned any new signs (mainly because we haven't taught you any new ones), but you're putting signs together with words which is adorable. You often sign "more" and say eat when you want more to eat. Oh! I think you're picking up "bath," after I signed it to you a few times.

Sleep: Generally, you continue to be a good sleeper. Your naps range anywhere from 45 minutes ( which makes for a very long day) to 3 hours (generally when you're sick or catching up on sleep). Two hours seems to be your standard nap length.

Hey, Mom!  Look, someone left something in here...

Best Moment: You have started giving spontaneous kisses to me. I must admit, while they're a bit drooly, I love them. Wombat kisses are wonderful!

Worst Moment: You have been sick with a stomach bug twice this month. I can handle getting thrown up on, but when you are so sick and lethargic, it breaks my heart.

Left: Pre-illness, Right: During illness
The eyes break my heart...

Favorite Foods: You love your veggies! I think peas are your current favorite.

Eating: You usually love to eat. Sometimes you display picky toddler tendencies (eh hem, broccoli), but for the most part, you are a good eater.

Teeth: I think you have one more tooth (which is coming in now) and your two year molars left. Hooray! Almost done!