Letters to my Little Bear-21st Edition

Dear sweet Little Bear,

On July 18th, you were officially TWO AND A HALF!! We were on our family vacation in Grand Lake, Colorado. I am so proud of my two and a half year old. You is the most handsome little guy I know. I don't know what I ever did before you, and I can't image a single day without your big blue eyes. I look forward to those moments when I pick you up, after being away from you for awhile.  Whether it's only been an hour, or for two days...your eyes light up, and you give me the biggest hugs. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, to know how happy you are to see me. Especially when you pat me on the back and say "you're my boy, mom." I'm not really sure what it means, but I love it!

It seems like every time I sit down to write you a letter, I tell you how loving and affectionate you are, and how I hope that never changes. So far, you're still my sweet little cuddle bug. There are lots of hugs and kisses in this house. We still snuggle on the couch every afternoon, and watch a cartoon together before you go to your bed for nap time. You're happy to share your Biggie with me, and don't mind that I squeeze you tight and kiss your head a hundred times over. I ask you if you're always going to be Mommy's cuddle bug, and you tell me "yes." Although sometimes I think I have baby fever, I can't imagine sharing my attention with another sweetie just yet. This age is too fun, and I'm loving all we get to do together. 

I say it all the time, that this is the most fun age....I guess I'm finding out that they are all the most fun! Every milestone brings something new, and we are loving them all. Right now is fun because you are pretty independent. We have conversations with each other, and I can actually understand everything you say! You can tell me what you want and don't want. You help pick out your clothes. You play contently with your cars for hours. You know the names of all our friends and family, and talk about them a lot. You know our routines, and are very easy-going.

{2-1/2 yr pictures taken at our Cabin in Grand Lake, Co:: July 16, 2010}

After a long day of fishing, you took a bath in that BIG bathtub at the cabin, and we got ready to go to town for dinner. Mommy took a few pictures of you on the front porch before we left. The picture above was the FIRST one I snapped when we got outside! There was NO posing involved! I literally said "go lean against that post there," and this is what you did!!! I could not click the shutter fast enough! After that, it was the same-'ol, same-'ol chase you around trying to snap a few, as usual.

Our typical day....

* You wake up around 8:30 or 9am. Sometimes later! (I think you take after Mommy, liking to sleep-in!) Mommy's been staying up very late for the last several months, since that is my work time. So, I usually just sleep until I hear you calling for me. There is nothing better than waking up to your little voice saying "me wakin' up, Mom."

* We eat breakfast together and play. Your favorite breakfast foods: strawberry cereal bars, waffles, cereal

* We get out of the house for errands and activities in the mornings. During the summer, you participated in Wiggles & Giggles, Storytime, Toddler Art, Sensory Art, Swimming and Playgroup.

* We usually get to eat lunch with Daddy on the days he comes home. You're not a great lunch eater, but you are getting better. You usually tell me you want a sandwich and chips.

* Around 1:30pm, we start our snuggle time and watch a short cartoon before your nap.

* You usually nap from 2-5pm, and Mommy gets lots of work done!

* Most of the time, Daddy is home from work when you wake up. Some days you wake up in a good mood, and hope right out of bed to start playing. Other days you wake up more slowly and cranky. You insist I hold you until you're ready to get down and play.

* In the evenings, Mommy does a lot of photo sessions. You can Daddy get to spend some quality time together. If you see me putting on my shoes or changing clothes, you'll say "going mom? take pictures...tiny baby?" You seem to think all I do is take pictures of tiny babies. It so cute the way you say it though, and you gesture with your hands like you're holding a tiny baby!

* If I'm lucky, Daddy will fix dinner while I'm at my session, and then we eat when I get home. Your favorite foods: pizza, hamburgers, broccoli, onions, corn on the cob, asparagus, tomatoes, any fruit, chips & dip, and tacos.

* It's been super hot this summer, so we haven't played outside much, even in the evenings. But, you do help me water the flowers. You are a great little helper.

* We play together in the family room at night. You like to play tag, cars, football and soccer. We have tickle wars, and lots of dance parties! You point to the computer and tell Daddy to "turn music on." Meaning pull up itunes and play "Livin' is a part of Life" by Eric Church. It's your favorite, and WOW you've got some moves :) Daddy won a flip cam from work, so as soon as we get that, I'm going to have to get some video of your awesome dance parties!

* Our bath and bed routine usually starts around 7:30pm

* The bedtime routine has gotten a little long, but I'm not complaining. We go to your room and "rock and read." I let you pick out three books, and we sit in the rocker together and read them. Then I tuck you into bed and read you one more short book. When that's done, I tell you goodnight, and you say "get Daddy." So I send Daddy in to tell you goodnight. Here's where you've lengthened it....After Daddy tells you goodnight, you ask him to rock you for a minute, then you have him "get Mommy." I go back in for the 2nd time, and you stand up in your bed with Biggie in one hand and Tiny Monkey in the other and say "sing song Jesus, Mommy." How can I ever say no to that?!?! Sure, you're stalling going to bed, but it is my favorite part of the whole day! So I rock you, and sing "Jesus Loves Me." Then as soon as I'm on the last line of that song, you look up and say "sing Wagon Wheel." It is adorable, and what two better songs are there? Then I lay you down and close your door, and we don't hear another peep out of you. That's our routine! It takes about 10-15 minutes, which might be a little long, but it's our routine, and if you're going to keep sleeping as well as you do, I don't mind a bit. 

Some things I've written down over the last month:

Out of Barrett's mouth....

"me workin' berry, berry hard"

"bless you Mama" (every time I sneeze, he tells me this. So sweet)

"Daddy go golfin', Josh" (yes, Daddy does a lot of golfing with Josh)

"Move over little bit, Mama"

"I have surprise"...Then he says "give kiss first"....Then he opens his hands and says "ta-daa"

"that vacuum too loud for me play car-cars, Mom"

AND, my all-time favorite...

I think I was in the bathroom getting ready one morning, and he was playing cars at my feet. He tooted, and then looked up at me and said "no firecracker, Mama....me BUTT!" and he laughed, like he knew he was making a funny! We both laughed so hard! 

So, happy 2.5, Little Bear!!! I couldn't possibly love you any more! Everyday brings something new and I look forward to hearing your sweet voice every morning. You're my boy!! I love you, Mommy

24 Months

Happy 2nd Birthday, Little Bear!!

You are TWO! I'm a little sad that I can no longer say my son is 20 months or 23 months.
No need to say 24 months or 26 months...it will just be two. My son is two.

So, here they are...your last monthly monkey shots.

* You wake up somewhere between 7:30-8:30 each morning

* You'll call out "Mama, Mommy, Mom....Maaaaaama" when you're ready for me to come get you. Daddy thinks that's hilarious!

* Your favorite things for breakfast these days are: oatmeal (peach or strawberry) or apple cinnamon pop tarts with cinnamon-sugar on top

* Our mornings are filled with many activities throughout the week:
Monday-this is our day at home, playing with blocks or playdough
Tuesday-PAFT playgroup
Wednesday-Storytime at the library
Thursday-PAFT playgroup
Friday-Toddler Art and Indoor play at the gym

I decided not to enroll you in the KDI program at our church this semester. You had just sort-of adjusted to me leaving you last semester, and then all of the teachers you were used to (college students) weren't able to come back. I just decided to wait until the Fall, and hopefull you'll enjoy it more. We have plenty to do together for now.

*We eat lunch together every day. Most days Daddy is able to come home for lunch, and that always make you happy. This week we went to visit Gigi for lunch at her school. You had fun playing in her classroom

*After lunch it's nap time! You are still a great napper, and for the last several weeks you have been asking me to go night-night! We sit on the couch together and watch a cartoon. After a few minutes, you will usually look up at me and say "night-night, Mama." I love it! You typically sleep from 1-4. Sometimes a little longer, sometimes no quite that long. Your nap time is my work time, so I hope you'll continue to be a great napper for a long time.

*When you get up from your nap, you're always ready for a snack! We play together until Daddy gets home. I'm looking forward to Spring, so we can get outside in the afternoon and go for walks.

*The evenings with Daddy are filled with games, dinner and lots of laughter. Tonight we all sat on the floor together and played ball. You were making Daddy wear your baseball helmet, and roll a mini basketball to you. You would kick it right back. You are going to be a great little soccer player, just like your cousins!

*You love bath time again (there were a few weeks awhile back that you were not a fan). The only part you don't have down is to look up when we wash the shampoo out of your hair. I hardly pour any water on your head, and you cover your eyes and say "owww, owww."

*Bedtime is still a breeze with you. We put on jammies and cuddle on the couch with Daddy until you're ready for bed. Usually around 7:30 or 8, we give night-night kisses and go in to brush your teeth. You like to sit up on the bathroom counter to brush your teeth. I have to let you do it all by yourself for a few minutes. Then I usually take over, and we count to ten while Mommy brushes them for you. After the teeth, you stand up on your little green stool and wash your hands.

Mommy lays you in your bed, and covers you up with your biggie {the name you gave your green and brown minky blanket about a month or two ago}. I read you one book...and then you hold up one finger and say "one more book." So of course I read you one more book. Then I get you a fresh cup of ice water. You have to have the ice in there!

Our days are not too exciting, but that's just the way I like it! You say lots of funny things, and you do lots of funny things.

*I can't even begin to list your new words this month...you pretty much know what everything is, and are using two and three word sentences. *You love to count things. You'll line up your blocks in a row on the floor and count them. Sometimes you'll start with one-two-three, but usually it's six-seven-eight-nine. *You're getting better with your colors, but the one you usually always get right is green or "geen" as you say it. *You recognize the letter {B} anywhere. *You scribble on paper and say "name" like you've just signed your name. You also like to scribble on paper like you're drawing a woof-woof. *You love to dance while playing your new guitar, but you don't like for Mommy to dance! *Your favorite song to sing is "happy birthday" *Next week you go to the doctor for your two year check up and immunizations. We'll find out how much you've grown!

Happy Birthday, Little Bear!! You are the {JOY} of my days! I love you with all my heart!!

Cut the cake & lets eat some more

It makes me think of the good old days
Happy birthday to you
You sure grew out of your baby ways
Happy birthday to you

Second birthday, we wish you many more
Health and wealth and friends by the score
Cut the cake and lets eat some more
Happy birthday to you

I sure am a sucker for getting John McCutcheon songs stuck in my head, huh?!? I think my friend Megan might be responsible for this one...we both enjoy singing this song! And it's just what I sang to Barrett on the morning he turned TWO! We ate birthday pancakes together (seems like just yesterday we were eating {1} pancakes), I sang to him, and he told me "no, Mama." I was excited to make my shaped pancakes this time. I bought a little plastic squeeze bottle at Garden Ridge when were in Tulsa for the girls weekend. I think it was Megan's sister, Erin, that told me this bottle was her secret to easy shapes and letters. It worked great. I'm really looking forward to making my Valentines hearts now! They'll be so much easier and I can make lots of fun colors!

After birthday pancakes, we headed to Megan's for birthday muffins with Norah Kate, Audra and Lydia. Yes, you can have two breakfasts on your birthday! It was so sweet of them to have us over to celebrate Barrett's special day! The muffins were delicious, and Norah Kate's playroom was the perfect spot for the kids to sit together and eat.

After muffins, the kids played. Barrett always loves to play Brent's piano. The singing birthday mouse was also a big hit!

When we got back home that morning, Barrett had a special delivery...birthday balloons and a teddy bear from his Uncle Todd. He felt bad he couldn't make it to the party on Saturday, because he had to work. Barrett has had a ball with those balloons ever since!

These pictures below are actually from Sunday night (the day before his birthday). We knew there would be a lot going on Monday, so we let him open our gifts early. The barn has already gotten a lot of use. He loves to dump out the sack of animals he got from his friend Kennedy and fill the barn with them. The giant coloring book was also a hit. He likes to lay down on the floor, on his belly to color...and he always wants me to lay right beside him.

Barrett was born at 3:25pm on January 18, 2008...so he was sleeping soundly when I paused to remember that day, and the event that changed my life forever.

Monday afternoon, when Barrett got up from his nap, we picked up Mimi and the girls to go play at the park. The weather was beautiful that day!! It felt like Spring, and everyone was out enjoying the weather! Barrett had fun climbing around on the playground, and going down the slides with Kylie and Emily.

Monday evening we met Gigi, Papa, Mimi, Grandma, Kylie and Emily at Gambino's for pizza. Anytime we ask Barrett what he wants for dinner, his answer is always "pizza." We had a room upstairs all to ourselves, and got to visit and eat. Barrett was being a little stink-pot that evening...I think he was still out of it from all the activities from the past few days. As much as he loves pizza, he didn't eat too much of it. BUT he was ready for the cake!
*oops: with all the rush to get the pizza ordered, pick up the cake, and get Barrett around...I forgot my camera! My sister-in-law forgot hers too! Darn!

It was a fabulous day with friends and family! Thank you to everyone that made Barrett's birthday special!

"More, Mama"

It was a wonderfully busy day, Little Bear. We celebrated your second birthday with a party, and all of your friends and family were there. Maybe all that excitement is the reason you're not sleeping well tonight. I put you to bed at 8:30 (a little later than usual), and you have been crying out off and on ever since. You are usually our wonderful little sleeper, so when you do cry out, I check on you to make sure everything is okay. I've been back into your room several times tonight.

You stop crying as soon as I walk through the door. You lay your head back down on the pillow, and tell me "up, Mama" as you tug at your biggie. So I cover you back up, pat your back and stroke your hair. I tell you I love you...to close your eyes and go to sleep, Sweet Angel.

This, was the routine every 30 minutes for a couple hours. 10:45 pm rolled around and you were still not sleeping...a tiny piece of my heart was hoping you would cry out again, so I could go in and rock you. You, my precious Little Bear, will turn two on Monday. So I will cling tight to every chance I have to hold you, and rock you to sleep. There is no better place in all the world, than right there in that rocker, cuddled up with you. Your room so warm and cozy. The only light was a glow from the lamp in the bathroom across the hall.

I held you tight in my arms. Your head against my chest, kissing your forehead. I wrapped you in your biggie and rocked you back and forth...back and forth. Singing softly to you. Mommy can't carry a tune for anything, but you don't care. As soon as I'm done with the song, you tilt your little head back, look at me with those big sparkling eyes, and say..."More, Mama."

Melting my heart into a big 'ol pile of mush.

Without a moment's hesitation, I start to sing again.

Goodnight, Sweet boy! You are sleeping peacefully now...

I hope you know how much I love you. I will hold you, rock you and sing to you as long as you'll let me. You are growing up too fast, and I know one day you won't need me to do that anymore. I would give anything to be able to {bottle up} moments like these. I love you!

23 months

HAPPY 23 MONTHS, LITTLE BEAR!!!!

It's true...you celebrated your 23-month milestone on December 18th.
Only one more month, and our baby boy will be TWO!

FLASHBACK: here you are a year ago at 11 months!

Hold on....let me get a tissue!!!
No really, I'm serious! Where does the time go?!?!

I'm pretty sure I said this last month too, but it really seems like your vocabulary has grown by a thousand words in the past few weeks! It is just amazing to me, when I hear you say a word, and I had no idea you even knew it! I just assume that you should only be saying words that I've taught you. It's crazy to me to hear you say something you've just heard and remembered. The toddler mind is amazing! I can't even try to list the new words you've been saying. You have finally started saying "Ga-ma and Gam-pa" (Grandma & Grandpa) though, and they are thrilled. You've been saying everyone's names for many months, but theirs were just a bit harder to figure out.

Daddy and I are having so much fun watching you experience all the Christmas traditions this year. Last year you were only 11 months, and you didn't really get it all. This year you are enjoying the Christmas lights, the presents, "no-men" (snowmen), and helping Mommy with the Advent Calendar.

Every morning after I get you out of your crib and we come out to the family room, you look at the Christmas tree and say "oh no, Mama." If the lights are turned on, you think something's wrong. So we have to turn them on right away, and leave them on all day. We're both going to miss the beautiful tree after Christmas is over.

You've also developed quite the love (border-line obsession) for a certain Christmas movie...The Polar Express! I DVR'd it one day, thinking you might like to watch a little of it. I had no idea how much you would love it, all because of the choo-choo! You dropped Elmo like a hot potato, and he was quickly replaced with "choo-choo, Mama." We used to cuddle on the couch for a few minutes before your afternoon nap and watch a little Elmo. Now, you demand that we watch "choo-choo" instead.

You favorite question to be asked these days:
"What do you want Ho-Ho to bring you for Christmas, Barrett"?
Your QUICK response: "BIKE"

It's the cutest thing! I sure hope Ho-Ho is working on that bike! I don't want my baby boy to be disappointed on Christmas morning :)

* I love the excitement on your face when you hear a "choo-choo"
* I love the way you try so hard to put on your own socks, shoes, jacket and hat when it's time to go bye-bye
* I love the concentration on your face when you're coloring
* I love that you like to work with paper, zip dry and markers...just like Mommy does
* I love the way you run to the back door when Daddy gets home from work at night. You usually hug his leg and say "hi Dada"
* I love to listen to you count "three, four, five, eight, nine, ten"
* I love that your vocabulary has grown leaps & bounds in the last month
* I love to hear you say "choc milk, mama"

Daddy and I LOVE you very much, Little Bear!
We can't wait for your 2nd Christmas, and to get to celebrate with all our family and friends!

*Mommy just realized last night, that your 2nd birthday is less than a month away...
I'm off to make your invites and get to planning!!

Letters to my Little Bear~20th Edition

Happy 22 months, Little Bear!!!

I've probably said this before, but I really, really mean it now...you are at the most fun age yet!! I am amazed by you every single day. Doing things I had no idea you could do (putting both boots on by yourself, and on the right feet). Saying words I didn't know you even knew! The other night while I was in the kitchen making super, you and Daddy were playing on the floor in the family room. You were coloring, and I heard him ask you "what color is this, Barrett"? Without missing a beat, you answered "purple." I immediately popped my head around the corner to ask Daddy, "was that right"? Sure enough, it was. I told him, I didn't even know that you knew that color/word!

Some new words this month:
snack (this means fruit snacks), teacher, children, rag, pizza, guy, bunny, trash

You're saying so many {new} words every day, I can't even keep up with them! I need to carry a notebook around in my back pocket to write them all down!

You're still not the greatest eater in the world, but I think that's pretty typical for a toddler. I'll just keep putting meals in front of you, and hopefully one of these days you'll start eating a little more of them. There are a few things that you'll clean off your plate: macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, and pizza. You LOVE pizza! We've been enjoying the Monday night "Beat the Clock" special at Gambino's Pizza. You can't beat a $6.00 large pizza! But even better, you can't beat the excitement of your squeals when we bring it home and put it on the table!!

Just last night, Daddy and I were on the couch watching tv and you spilled a little water from your sippy cup on the carpet. You looked at us and said what we thought was "snack." We just looked at you in confusion, and said "it's okay honey, it's just water." Next thing we knew you headed down the hall, and we heard drawers opening and closing. I looked to Daddy and said, what in the world is he doing? Before long, you were headed back in with one of your washcloths from the bathroom drawer. You bent down and cleaned up the water. You had been telling us "rag," not "snack." What a good little boy...every tiny little thing you do makes us proud!

You are a total BOY, and getting more and more independent every day. You love playing with cars and throwing the football. The day I took these, you were playing on the floor with a car that Grandma and Papa got you. I love watching the 'wheels turn' while you're deep in concentration, and playing on your own. As you can see, you love to wear hats too! You put them on yourself, and I love that you were wearing this one backwards on this day :) You've always got one on...even just playing around the house. Either this one, your blue baseball helmet, your cowboy hat, your brown stocking cap, or one of Daddy's ball caps.

What you've been up to:

*You're still going to school (Kid's Day In) at our church every Friday from 9am-1pm, and you're still crying every time I leave you there. It breaks my heart, but I know you only cry for a little while, and then you get to playing. All of the teachers are so sweet, and they let you sit in their lap, and they read to you until you stop crying. I know this, because I watch through the window for a few minutes. I can't leave until I know my baby is okay. I know you love it there, because you talk about "school" all the time. You love to carry around the pictures you've made at school. Last Friday they gave us a picture magnet of all the kids and teachers from Halloween. You carry that thing with you everywhere, pointing out and saying Jackson, Lydia, Addison, Miss Molly, Miss Ellen, etc. Last week, they had to call me because you were extra sad, and they were worried about you. You weren't crying, but they just said you weren't yourself. I came to pick up you early that day. This week, I get to stay and help in your class...so that means you'll be extra ornery!

*On Tuesday mornings (and sometime Thursday mornings), we go to playgroup.

*On Wednesday mornings, we go to story-time at the Library with Mrs. Jo. We read one of your favorite books, "Brown Bear." It melts my heart a little, each time I hear you mumble "brown bear, brown bear, what do you see"...I might be the only one that understand what you're saying, but it's still adorable! This book is where you learned the words teacher and children. Mimi just loves to hear you say children.

*Today, you had your H1N1 vaccination, and you were such a good boy! We were in and out of there in about 5 minutes. We'll go back next month for your second dose.

We are looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday next week. Your Uncle Bobby and Aunt Jenn will be coming home on Wednesday night, and your Uncle Jeff will also be home for the holiday! You haven't seen any of them in a long time. They will be so surprised and what a little man you are! Mommy also celebrates a birthday next week (shh...don't tell anyone that I'm going to be 30)!

We love you more than anything, Little Bear! I can't even imagine our lives without you. You bring us so much joy and laughter. My favorite times are spent cuddling with you, listening to your belly laughs as Daddy tickles you, and your squeals of excitement as we chase you around the house. The other day while Daddy was home for lunch, you were so tired, you fell asleep in my arms on the couch. You haven't really done that since you were a baby. I loved every second of holding you there in the crook of my arm, watching you breathe. I could have held you there for the whole three hours of your afternoon nap, but I put you in your bed when Daddy went back to work! It makes me sad that you're not a baby anymore...but I love watching the little man that you're becoming.

Love you to the moon and back,
Mommy and Daddy

Letters to my Little Bear~19th edition

HAPPY 20 MONTHS, Little Bear!!!

Ahh, those eyes...
and those eyelashes...
they melt me every time!

You insisted that George, you're favorite sleeping buddy, be in the monthly pictures this time!
I think this is by far the {silliest} monthly monkey session we've had! You are a little HAM!

You celebrated your {20 month milestone} during Bluegrass, so I'm a little late posting the pictures! Mommy thought it only appropriate that you have your picture taken in your NEW tie-dye outfit! Daddy and I spent a good chunk of time searching all the tie-dye booths for just the right one! I love the brown, burnt orange and turquoise in this one. Perfect for our Little Bear.

You are spunky and loving all at the same time! A true mix of colors that can go from a happy yellow to a frustrated red, or sad blue in the blink of an eye. Ahh...the joys of toddler-hood! Lucky for us, the majority of the time you're a sweetie.

I wish I would start writing down things that you're doing or saying throughout the month, because once I sit down to write these letters to you, my mind goes to mush.

You love to stack blocks and make towers. You would live outside all day, if we'd let you. You can drink a sippy cup of strawberry milk without taking a single breath. You love your family...saying Mimi, Kylie, Emmy, Gigi, Papa, Emma all day long. You talk on your play phone while we're in the car. You dance to Mommy and Daddy's loud Bluegrass music. You are a pro at feeding yourself with a spoon and fork. You love to walk around in Mommy's shoes. You line your cars up in a straight line when you're playing. You think you can jump really high. You're getting better at telling us what you want. You're still not the best eater in the world. You love bath time. You haven't shown much interest in the potty chair for a few weeks. You can hear a choo-choo before anyone else. When you see Mommy with her camera, you say "cheeeeese." You have a great bedtime routine. Anytime you see Mommy brushing her teeth, you point to your toothbrush, and say "teeth, teeth." You like to drink from a straw. You have to have "ice, ice" in your water. You don't like to have food or dirt on your hands. You enjoy cuddle time on the couch with Mommy before your naps. You love Elmo, and you point him out on your diapers every time I change you.

This outfit reminds me of another picture....
May 2008, 4 months old

We love you bunches, Little Bear!
Mommy & Daddy

Letters to my Little Bear~18th Edition::18 months

Oh my goodness, Little Bear! Here we are celebrating your 18-month milestone already! You are full of so much joy, mischief and sweetness! We celebrated today with donuts from the donut shop. I think this was the first time you tried a glazed donut. You would say "ummm" after each bite! This evening, it was so nice out, we took a walk over to see Aunt Kim, Uncle Todd, Kylie and Emily. I think you had a great 1.5 birthday!!

new words & sounds:
turtle (this is one of my favorite things to hear you say...it's so adorable)
cracker
no (unfortunately, you're using this word way too much!)
nana (banana)
lion...and roars like a lion
neighs like a horse
duck
bean
bee...and you buzz like a bee when you see one in a book
peez (please)

new tricks:
*Kissing on the lips, complete with the *smacking* sound. You love giving kisses. If Mommy gets a kiss, you immediately turn and say "Dada" and have to give Dada a kiss too. Then it's just back and forth, until you get tired of kisses!
*You're still climbing on the dining room table, but Mommy's working on getting you to understand it's a "no-no."
*You put things away in your room or toybox, when asked. You are very good at putting things back right where they go.
*You go and get things out of your dresser drawers, when asked (and also when NOT asked).
*When it's time for milk before bed or nap, you'll go get your blankie out of your bed, come sit on the couch, and wait patiently for your sippy cup of milk. These are some of my favorite times of the day. Before morning and afternoon nap, we sit and snuggle...with all the lights turned off, and the blinds pulled shut. Upon your request...err, handing me the remote and pointing at the TV, we usually watch a little of the Backyardigans. Before bedtime, we get to snuggle on the couch with Daddy while you drink your milk. We usually read some stories together and then you give kisses, we go brush your teeth, and then tuck you in with George and Monkey.
*If Mommy has the front door open during the day, you'll push it closed and then stand on your tippy-toes to turn the lock on the handle. I guess you want to keep us safe.
*You've made up your own sign language for "more please" You hold up both hands and touch the tips of your thumb and index finger together, over and over.
*When you're finished eating at the table, you put your silverware on your plate, and usually your cup too, and push it to the middle of the table and then hold up your hands and say "ahh daa" (all done).
Not so pleasant tricks:
*Temper tantrums are becoming more and more frequent! Although you're a jabber box these days, you're still not able to tell us exactly what you want, and that makes you so frustrated. Unfortunately this causes you to scream, fall on the floor and put on a really good show.
*You've discovered you can scream! It's not high-pitched, just a short, quick squawking noise. It wasn't fun when you were doing it in the car with Gigi and I the other day on the way home from Wichita.
*You like to do things YOUR WAY! Not letting you do something your way (which is usually not the smart/safe way) causes you to go into tantrum mode. Example: you want to drink out of Mommy's big cup with no lid and a straw. That's fine, if you let me help you. But you didn't want me to hold the cup and would scream and hit my hand off the cup when I tried to help. I didn't want you to hurt yourself with the straw or spill the water all down the front of you.

Summer activities:
*On Monday and Wednesday evenings during July, you have Aqua Tots at the pool with lots of your friends...Lydia, Norah Kate, Grant, Kennedy, Corbin, Faith and Ella (to name a few). It's so fun that you get to see these kids at all the different activities we go to. At our last lesson, on Wednesday, we worked on submerging. You went under for the first time and did great. You were really clingy that night, so I wasn't sure if you'd go for the submerging activity. I counted to three, then blew in your face and took you under. You did great! You didn't cry at all...just got a shocked look on your face, wiped your eyes and then laughed!

Daddy goes with us most of the time, if he's home from work. It's fun to have him there, but you usually hollar "dada, dada, dada, dada," and really want to go to the side to see him.

*On Tuesday morning we go to playgroup. Mommy enjoys visiting with all the other mommies, and you love playing with the hundreds of toys they have! Last week, we had a group meeting on {water safety} and they had all kinds of fun water activities set up for the kids. It was a great morning for it, and they had a nice shady spot just outside the resource room. You loved "painting" on the wall with the paintbrush and water.


*Once a week we try to get together with Norah Kate and Lydia for a playdate. Last week we went to Lydia's house for swimming.

schedule:
*Your schedule is still pretty much the same as it's been for the last several months. You wake up around 7-7:30am and immediately demand a cup of chocolate or strawberry milk. You must get that from me...not the "milk" thing, but the demanding something in your belly as soon as you get up. Then you eat breakfast and we play until it's time for your morning nap (usually 9:30-11:30). On days that we have playgroup or other activities away from home, your schedule gets altered a bit, but you're usually pretty good about getting your naps in a little earlier or later. We eat lunch around noon, and then try to play outside, or run errands to get out of the house for a bit. Your afternoon nap is around 2:30-4:30'ish. This month, Mommy has been able to get a LOT of invitation work done during your naps-thank you, Little Bear!! After your afternoon nap we have a snack and wait for Daddy to get home. Then Daddy plays with you while Mommy makes supper. Our evenings are full of all sorts of activities, and then you get a bath , drink your milk, brush your teeth, and head to bed around 8.

Did I mention you still love to climb on and in everything!?!? I caught you trying out one of my photo props the other day.

You were laughing and hamin' it up for the camera...

...and then you suddenly decided you wanted my camera strap! Mommy said no, and you went from happy to royally p-o'd in about two seconds! (sorry, but I had to get just one photography of your tantrum stage) Lucky for me, it doesn't take long for you to be distracted by something else, and get over it.

You were supposed to have your 18-month appointment and shots yesterday, but Dr. had to reschedule. So we'll go at the end of the month. Mommy is anxious to see if you're gaining more weight this time.

Mommy has a big photo shoot planned for your 18-month milestone, but we'll probably have to wait until the first of August to get it done. We're leaving for vacation soon, and then when we get back we'll be busy with your cousins Emma and Lauren here, and Uncle Bobby's wedding! Plus Mommy has four portrait sessions in the next four days. Gigi and I bought you some cute outfits in Wichita this week, just for the pictures...and Daddy and I picked out this new hat for you last night. We're planning to take you out the golf course :)

It's hard to believe your closer to TWO now!! You are growing so fast. We love you more every single day, Sugar! You are the center of our universe, and I don't know what we ever did before you came along.

Love you bunches and bunches, Mommy and Daddy

17 months

HAPPY 17 months, Little Bear!!!

Didn't I JUST write the "16 months" post?!?! Maybe it just seems like yesterday, since I was so late writing it, AND I haven't been posting very often lately!

Yesterday {June 18, 2009} marked another monthly milestone for you. You're growing and changing so much with each one that passes.

I went in to check on you before I went to bed last night...
You looked so peaceful and sweet. I couldn't resist a picture. What a beautiful boy!

Playing with Daddy's hat while I got dressed this morning

In the last month, you've really become a jabber box. Using all kinds of new words, and sometimes just jabbering in your own language. One of your favorite new words: Uh-oh! You are climbing like a monkey too!! You've become a pro and getting on and off the couch. You love to find a toy or book and take it up on the couch. You look like a little man sitting up there "reading" important stuff. Your *new* trick is climbing up on the dining room table! Oh my! The first time it happened (about a week ago), I was in the kitchen getting your lunch ready and realized you were being awfully quiet. So I peeked around the corner to see you up on the table with the salt and pepper shakers in your hands! I can't turn my back on your for a second...because you are FAST! If one of the chairs is out, you'll just pull right up in it and up you go! I've also watched you climb into your booster seat. Yes, little man, I have my hands full with you. You're ALL BOY!!

Last weekend we took a long car ride (5 hours) to visit Aunt Jenn in Scott City. We rode in Papa's car, and you were such a good little traveler. The DVD player helped with that...but it started an obsession with "The Backyardigans." You've never really watched much tv, as I'd rather you play with toys and read...but one day we found a cute "Backyardigans" show on and you loved it. All the singing and dancing had you mesmerized! So, we decided to find a "Backyardigans" dvd for the long trip. Since getting back home, you've started pointing at the tv and whining...and when someone says "Backyardigans" you giggle and smile. What have we done?!?!

Here you are enjoying an episode with Kylie & Emily

While in Scott City, we stayed with Aunt Jenn's mom (Deb) and dad (Mike), and Uncle Bobby came down from Nebraska. They had such a nice house, with plenty of room for all of us. You slept great in our basement room, and had fun playing outside on their back patio. On Saturday, we went to Aunt Jenn's bridal shower. We were only there for about 30 minutes before you decided to get cranky, so we walked back and I put you down for a nap. The long car ride had worn you out.

you loved being outside, playing on the deck steps
and with a tractor Deb brought out for you.

Jenn & Papa

Daddy and Uncle Bobby helping Mike work on his outdoor fireplace
( I want one of these!!)

On Sunday morning, Daddy got up really early (5am) to go with Uncle Bobby and Mike to get coffee, and then to the stockyard to check on cattle. It's his business, and something he gets up every morning to do. After they got back, we all headed out to go visit their ranch. It was too muddy, so we decided to drive around the Scott City lake instead. We were also able to stop by Camp Lakeside. This is where Mommy went to horse camp when she was in 7th or 8th grade. I have such great memories from this camp! So FUN that Aunt Jenn went to the same camp! We had a good time driving by the cabins and stables and reminiscing!!

Jenn & Bobby at the Lake

Daddy & Bobby wrestling...I ask them to stand together for a picture,
and this is what they did! Boys will be boys.

I'm looking forward to another fun month with you, Little Bear!
I Love you to the moon and back, Mommy