Tag: dear emmett | Baby Doodah!

Happy Thanksgiving & an Update on Emmett?

Posted on November 27 by Jillian416 • 2 Comments

Since there is no greater time to be grateful than Thanksgiving, I decided that I wanted to share an update on Emmett, since he is one of the top people I am MOST thankful for, day after day.

When I originally started my Dear Emmett series, my goal was to capture everything that I could, while Emmett was an infant, and early toddler. It eventually became a big hit and quite a few people looked forward to those updates. Since he’s turned two, his major milestones have slowed a bit, which doesn’t really give me enough to write about every month – however, I don’t want to forget the developments that he IS hitting. So, I decided to started a semi-regular series to track what Emmett is into every few months or so & to update you on his progress. Plus, I love sharing stories about my little!

Every morning when he wakes up I feel like he is doing something new and different that he hasn’t done before, or something that he has done before but is now better at. He amazes me!

He’s been talking for awhile now, but it continues to develop. Back in Sepetember, Emmett and Seamus were on the phone with his grandparents, he was getting bored, so Seamus told him to look out the window. He did, and a few seconds later he turns around to us, and very seriously says, “Oh my gosh!! This moon!” We laughed so hard!! It was just one of those moments that you couldn’t recreate, even if you wanted to.

On that note, he does say oh my gosh and oh my goodness A LOT! That’s the phrase they must use at day care, or maybe I use it a lot (but I feel like I’m a bit more direct with, oh my god), because everything is an oh my goodness. The other day we were sitting on the couch watching TV And his little car fell between the cushions, he looked up at me with wide eyes and said, “Oh my goodness, Momma. My car felld.” I couldn’t help but grab him and cuddle, because he is just TOO cute!

So, yes, he is speaking mostly in full sentences. We don’t always understand everything he’s trying to say, but eventually we can figure it out. We’ll either ask him to point to what he wants, or he’ll repeat the phrase until we get it. It really doesn’t take that many tries. I am MUCH better at translating Emmett, than Seamus is. I have no idea why that is, though.

Halloween was a lot of fun this year! I talked more about it in my post a few weeks back, but Emmett was Flint Lockwood. It was the perfect costume for him, because he hates putting things on his head, and this didn’t require a head piece, just messy hair. And then Seamus found him a tuxedo t-shirt at Kohl’s, so he wore that with jeans and the white lab coat we got him.

We got out to trick or treat, but our first house pretty much brought an end to the fun. When they brought the candy out for Emmett, their dog snuck out, too. Very nice dog, he was just interested in sniffing us and Emmett, but since Emmett isn’t often around dogs, he got startled and very upset. We calmed him down, but that was pretty much it, every house after that he would get scared and say no doggie, no doggie. After about 6 houses or so, I asked if he wanted to go home, he said yes, so we called it a night. No big deal! It was his first Halloween out, there will be plenty more!

Oh man! He is SO into cars and trucks right now and has been for quite some time. It started with trains, and has now progressed into cars and trucks. He has SO many matchbox cars for a 2 year old (don’t worry he’s never left alone with them, because of the small parts). He loves holding them, looking at them and racing them around his track (that’s meant for trains, but works for cars).

I don’t mind him being into matchbox cars, because they’re a pretty cheap prize for him. Lately Wegmans has been having them for 99 cents, so we’ll grab a couple to keep on hand. I’m thinking, if he sticks with the cars, it will be a great reward when it comes to potty training. Which will have to come eventually, but I’m in no rush! We’ll do it when E’s ready.

Emmett’s been going in phases with his night time routine. We always do bath, lotion, PJs, book, bed. But every so often, Emmett will switch and not want a book, and just want his bed. I was really surprised when this started happening because he has always been a cuddler. But, his likes and desires so going to change frequently. An example of this, is that 2 weeks later, he was done going right to bed, but was ready to read again.

Oh yeah! And with his bed time routine, we used to do a cup of milk while we cuddled and read books. I was beginning to worry that he’d never give that crutch up, and I was going to start researching ways to wean from a night time bottle (he wasn’t sleeping with it, just having it before bed). When, low and behold, he didn’t want it any more and hasn’t since.

This kid amazes me with his ability to just wean himself from things. He knows what he does and does not want. It started with breastfeeding, he had no desire to nurse after 14 months. I offered him my boob on a couple different occasions and he whined and pushed away, so we just stopped. Now with his milk at bed time, it was the same thing. It is because of these two situations, that I don’t worry whether he’ll ever give up his binky, or whether he’ll ever be potty trained. He’ll tell me when he’s ready. I trust him.

We have begun letting him watch a bit more TV in the evenings, but ONLY educational. His current favorite is Team UmiZoomi, if you don’t know what it is, it’s a Nickelodian cartoon, with these 2 kids and 1 robot that go around “behind the scenes” and fix things that aren’t working or are causing problems. It’s super cute!! I thought it would be a little advanced for him, but he gets it, based on his answering of their questions that they ask. Previous favorites have been Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Handy Manny, Bob the Builder and Chuck. I would say that Chuck is probably the least educational out of all of them, but he just loves trucks SO much, so we let him watch it on occasion.

So, I’ve obviously never had another child, so I have nothing to compare it to, but Emmett is really smart! He knows all of his colors and can recognized them, he knows most of his shapes and is pretty good at naming them, and is slowly learning his numbers. He’s great at counting when you do it along with him, when he does it alone, he tends to start around 3 and count up. Either way, I was very impressed when I realized he could do this. He also can recognize the letter “E,” and knows it is the first letter of his name, and can also recognized M, for momma, G for grandma and D for daddy, about 80% of the time

Oh! And his memory is exploding! He is beginning to remember things you tell him in the beginning of the day, or even days before. For instance, we went to Trader Joe’s and they gave him stickers, now, every time we go he knows to ask for stickers, and we don’t go there that frequently, maybe once every two weeks. I love it! I just need to be MUCH more careful of what he is promised. haha

WOW! This is long!! I’m going to go ahead and publish anyway, this post is partially to provide my readers with an update on the person that was the inspiration for this blog, but also as a way to remember everything that is going on with him. He’ll love having this later in life and I look forward to reminiscing with him. 🙂

If you’re interested in reading all of the Dear Emmett posts, just click on HERE!

I also want to wish all of my readers a VERY Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope that you ALL have an amazing day and enjoy being surrounding by those that love you most.

Your turn!

What are some of your favorite memories of your two year old child??

How do you celebrate Thanksgiving?

Share in the comments below!

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Filed Under: Emmett, Family

Dear Emmett – 23 Months

Posted on June 23 by Jillian416 • 6 Comments

23 Months!? Seriously!?

I find it really hard to believe, but you’re officially 23 months old! We’re nearing the 2 year mark, and I just don’t know how that is possible.

The very first thing I want to say is that you can count to 10!!!! Yes, seriously! You are not even 2 years old and you can count to 10. And I don’t mean, I say the number and you repeat after me, I mean I say one, you say two, I say three, you say four, ALL the way up to 10. This may be totally normal abilities for a 23 month old, but I’m pretty darn impressed. You went from an adorable little lump to a baby who doesn’t need his momma quite as much any more.

You’re also pretty awesome with your colors. For the most part, when I hold up a crayon, you’re able to name it accurately. There are a few times when you aren’t entirely focused on what we’re doing, that you’ll say the incorrect name, but it’s obvious that you know what you’re doing. Impressive my son!

We’ve had an exciting month, so much going on! We’ve spent a good majority of the month, both on weeknights and weekends, outdoors. No couch potato here! You love being in your own backyard or at the playground. Most recently, you’ve gotten a huge affinity for swinging, so we’ve been making loads of stops to the park down the street so we can oblige you. 🙂

You’re a huge fan of your Aunt Bridget and you got to spend some time with her before she goes off to work at camp for the summer. We all went out for frozen yogurt, you wanted nothing to do with the dish I bought for you and I to share, you only wanted Aunt B’s. I ended up going to get you your OWN bowl, which you still just picked at and wanted Bridget’s. It was pretty funny!

Aunt Bridget also took you out for your first experience splashing in the big puddles on a warm day. When she came out to visit, she took you out and you guys walked around look for puddles to jump in. For the next couple of days after that, all you could talk about is “PUDDLES!” Little Cutie!

Since your birthday is towards the end of July, and we asked your grandma to get you a sandbox as a gift. She sent it to you early so that you could enjoy it before the summer ended. Your daddy filled it up with sand, and I took you in the backyard to see it for the first time. Your reaction was priceless!!

However, the downfall is that you are not a huge fan of touching the sand. It was getting in your shoes, so I figured the solution would be to just take your sandals off, but you refused to touch the sand with your feet, cringing at the feeling. You’re the same way with grass, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. We’ll work on it! In the meantime, you do like dumping water into it, and shoveling it around… You just don’t like touching it. 😉

We also went to our gym’s outdoor pool for the first time. It. Was. AWESOME! The water was so warm, and you were so happy to “jump in” and play with me. You’re still clinging tightly to me, not quite ready to do it on your own, but you’ll get no complaints from me. I get to enjoy holding you and smooching your chubby baby (toddler) cheeks. I’m looking forward to a summer in the pool with you.

We also, in all that we have going on, find a small amount of time for TV. Your show of choice nowadays is this creepy bunny called Harry the Bunny. Each episode is about 5 to 8 minutes long and it’s very simple. But I think that simplicity is why you like it so much, because if I turn it on when we first get home, so that I can change out of work clothes, you are sucked in within moments. Wonder what kind of subliminal messaging is involved… JUST kidding!

Having you as a child continues to be amazing! Watching you grow more and more aware of the world around you, and become more independent is just mind-blowing. I had no idea that having a child could be this moving, I’m so glad I get to experience it all with you!

I love you, my little 23 month old toddler!!

Love,

Mommy

If you’d like to read any of the past Dear Emmett’s, just click here. 🙂

Filed Under: Emmett

Dear Emmett – 22 Months

Posted on May 23 by Jillian416 • 0 Comments

Can you believe it!? This little pip squeak is 22 months old today!

But, believe it or not he is. He lights up my life in every possible way, and I simply cannot imagine my life without him. I’ve been feeling like this blog, named after this cutie, has been lacking a lot of Emmett-centric posts, so I thought I’d write one today.

Since my last update so much has changed! Your vocabulary has blossomed, and I can’t even begin to remember every single word you know. You know the names of so many things, and can ask for what you want with ease. Any time that you’re not sure of the name of something, if we ask you to show us, you have no trouble getting up and pointing out what you want.

And sentences!? They’re no match for you! You can easily put together short sentences, without any trouble. Things like, “Turn off!” or “Emmett’s Shoes” Each new thing you do or say just blows me away. Every time you comprehend something I say, I’m nearly moved to tears with the pride I feel for you. There’s no doubt in my mind that I’m going to be a blubbering mess at every milestone along the way.

Physically, you’re a whirlwind. Bouncing from one thing to the next, hardly slowing down. You enjoy activities like coloring, quite a bit, but they seem to hold your attention for a short while before you’re off onto the next activity. You love legos (which you can say), trucks, cars, animals (monkeys especially), Elmo, Daniel Tiger and being chased. You have a blast sliding down a slide or swinging really REALLY high in a swing. You can spend hours in your bike trailer, as I pull you around the city, and on the rare occasion when we have nothing else going on, you’ll sit and watch a little bit of TV.

You love to move, and I’m not going to try and slow you down. I’m simply going to work hard to keep up!

As soon as we pull in the driveway, the first words out of your mouth on a near daily basis are, “run run run.” You want to go in the backyard and run! And, as much as I’d like to be a lazy bum, I remember how important it is to keep you up and moving, so out we go. We’ve had really great spring, cool and enjoyable. I’ve been trying to make sure we take full advantage.

We also had our second Mother’s Day together. You made me a couple adorable things at day care, a poem and a sweet, I love you card. You sang a little song along with your classmates, and also got to spend the evening with grandma and Aunt Bridget. On the actual day, you and daddy gave me beautifully decorated cards and a gift certificate to get my hair cut. You both spoiled me! I feel very lucky!

You also had a teacher change in your classroom. I like your new teacher, but the transition from who you previously had to the new one, hasn’t been going smoothly. It is obvious to me that your care hasn’t been as top notch, as it previously had been. I’m trying to allow the school time to adjust, but I only want the best for you.

It has been a really fun month! And even though sometimes you are a maniac (in a good way), you still give your dad and I loads of hugs, kisses and cuddles. There is absolutely NO WAY that we could love you more. You’re amazing, and you make each day worth living.

I love you!
Momma

If you are feeling generous and want to support cancer research, donate to my ride. I’m riding for Roswell Park Cancer Institute and their Ride for Roswell. Anything will help me reach my goal, and further advance cancer research. Just click HERE to donate.

Filed Under: Emmett, Family

Dear Emmett – 20 Months

Posted on April 22 by Jillian416 • 2 Comments

**This is a month late, Emmett will be turning 21 months tomorrow, but I wanted to get this posted, despite the delay.**

We are well into April and Emmett celebrated 20 months a few weeks back, however I still wanted to write and get the memories out there.

Oh sweet sweet Emmett, I am beyond shocked that we’ve hit the 20 month mark. You continue to grow and change on a daily basis and are slowly becoming a little boy, and not my tiny baby. Don’t get me wrong, I am thrilled that you are growing so well and developing, I just can’t believe how quickly time continues to go.

Your Yellow Duck School Picture

I love you so deeply, and staring at you while you read or play has become one of my biggest hobbies. You have such a particular way of doing things, and I don’t quite understand what that way is yet, so it’s such fun to just watch you, as you learn. There were several times this month where you’d leave the room we were all in and go to your bedroom, when we would peek in to check on you, you’d be surrounded by your books, with one in hand, flipping through it. Or you would climb into your rocker and read to yourself there. It makes me so happy that you love books so much!

We all went through quite the upheaval this month, we spent the majority of it packing and despite any boredom you may have been experiencing, you were such a good little boy. We had to remind you to stop touching something, or to stop climbing, but overall you were so good considering your life was changing all around you. There were even moments when you would be so interested in what your dad or I were doing, that you’d help. There were several times when I’d be packing a box of your stuff and you’d come over and start handing me things to put in the box. You’re often so helpful!

However, I have to be honest, this month can’t be mentioned without sharing that you had some major meltdowns this month. You’re definitely getting to an age where you want to be independent on some stuff and when your dad or I keep you from expressing that independence (usually because it would harm you), you get very angry. At this point, I still think your tantrums are pretty cute. You stomp your legs, cry very hard and occasionally throw yourself on the ground. It ends pretty quickly, and has yet to happen in public, so right now, when they happen I let them run their course and then give you a hug and explain why you can’t do what you want to do. By then, your anger is usually forgotten. Like I mentioned, your’e a really good boy!

Food-wise, you’re still a great eater on the majority of days. Certain days you won’t like what your dad or I cooked, or you just won’t be in the mood to eat, but overall you’ll try anything we give you, at least once. St. Patrick’s Day fell in this month and you just LOVED corned beef, potatoes and cabbage. You went to town on ALL of it, (you can read about your other favorite foods here).

You’re still loving day care, and actually can say a couple of the other children’s names. It’s so fun to hear you repeat them, and I love that you still enjoy going to day care. It makes taking you so much easier! You adore your teacher, and she’s so kind to you. I will be sad when it comes time for you to move up, but we have a little while, yet.

Hugs and kisses are still your thing, and you give them to your dad and I pretty freely, which makes us endlessly happy. There’s nothing better than when you run around the house say, “Ugg, ugg, ugg.” (That’s how you say hug right now.)

You’ve also learned a ton of new words, but Emmett I’m really sorry, I kept terrible track of which words were new this month. I promise that I’ll start keeping better track, because it will be really fun to read these facts when you’re older.

Well Emmett, I think I’ll hit publish now because I’m a late posting this. I love you so so soooo much, and wish loads and loads of happiness for you!

Love, Mommy!

Filed Under: Emmett

Happy 300th Post to Baby Doodah!

Posted on March 12 by Jillian416 • 2 Comments

I’ve hit a huge milestone, this is my 300th post!

Readers! Can you believe it? We’ve made it 300 posts, I’m so so excited to be celebrating this. I’ve started blogs in the past but they quickly fizzled, but I have found a passion in writing this blog and love every single minute of my time spent here. I also want to thank all of my readers because, writing everyday is more fun, knowing I have a dedicated audience. So…THANKS!

In honor of this momentous occasion, I thought that I’d share some of my favorites from the last 100 posts and also share some of your favorites!

Happy 300th Post Baby Doodah!

I think I’ll start with the most popular posts because many of those were my favorite too.

First up, the most important to me has been my admission to suffering with Binge Eating Disorder. Since coming clean on the blog, I have become more conscious of choices I make with food. I’m in no way “cured” but I am working slowly but surely, to that point.

You can read the posts that I’ve published so far, by clicking here, but start with this one, it’s my original post.

Another recent favorite of mine, and of my readers has been my series on Moving with a Toddler. Just a brief description – We found out that our landlord was selling the house we’re living in, and that we’d need to be out by the end of April. We immediately started looking for a place to live, which spurred me to write about moving with Emmett. Moving as an adult is tough, so adding a toddler into the mix is very different and I wasn’t quite sure how to handle it. I came up with some great tips, though.

You can read my moving with a toddler post, here and my packing with a toddler post, here. There are more to come, as our move continues!

I’m always a sucker for my Dear Emmett posts. If you haven’t read one before, typically I write them monthly, and they’re a letter to Emmett, sharing everything that he did over the past month. Any developments or changes that he’s made, things like that. I love looking back on them already, I can’t imagine what it will be like when he’s 18 and going to college.

Dear Emmett – 15 months, {16, 17 and 18 months}, 19 months

Another fun post was my list of Valentine’s Activities for Toddlers.

I was pretty excited to roll out my new format for my link-up, My Finds Friday! Lasts week’s is still open if you’d like to link-up.

And finally…

My absolute favorite most recent post would have to be, this one. The video still makes me laugh and smile!

Your turn!

I’d love to hear what some of your favorite posts have been from my blog! Share in the comments below!

If you’d like to read my post celebrating 200 posts, check it out here.

Filed Under: All About Me, Family, Food & Recipes

Dear Emmett – {16, 17 and 18 Months}

Posted on January 28 by Jillian416 • 0 Comments

My sweet sweet Emmett, it’s been three months since I sat down and wrote to you.

You’ve grown and changed SO much in the past three months and I cannot wait to share it all with you.

The last time we met up was when you had just turned 15 months, and now you just turned 18 month, a whole year and a half old. It’s amazing how that happens! 😉 Three months ago, you were only say “Hi” and “banana,” now you say all sorts of things like milk, you pump your fist in sign language version of milk, and say “no no no.” You use the “no” sound for milk, snow and to say no, it’s tough to decipher which you want to use, but your dad and I have become pros.

Other favorite words of yours include, sock, cheese, fish, hello, crackers, shoes, momma, dada, up, down, uh oh, oh no, car, truck, night night, blocks, thank you, and mine. I’m probably forgetting some but you do a really good job of communicating, even if you don’t know the word. You’ll point, or nudge and most of the time your dad or I can figure it out.

You still have this obsession with shoes and slippers. Sometimes its your own shoes, but mostly it’s my shoes or slippers. Before you just liked placing them on your hands, but now you try and put them on and walk in them. The other day you sat down, put them on, and trudged across the house and the slipper stayed on. It really made me laugh!

You’re really good at mimicking. This started probably around your 16th month, now you’re a pro. You seem to mimic your daddy the most, which is just about the cutest thing in the world to see. If your dad picks up his yogurt to read the label, so do you. Or if your daddy’s making dinner and drops something and says sh*t, you say “shhhh.” We’ve realized how much more careful we need to be with what we say and do around you. It is pretty darn amazing see how much you grow month to month.

Want to know what else you’re really good at? Following directions! If we ask you to pick something up, or to help clean-up your toys, with a little prompting you jump right in and help. The only time we really struggle, is when we tell you no or ask you not to do something. You have a mind of your own and want to do whatever you want, we manage to figure it out, though. One of the new, most adorable things you do is putting your clothes in the hamper on your own. Your daddy will get you undressed, and then put your clothes in front of you. He tells you it’s time to pick them up and put them in the hamper and you listen, you pick them all up and bundle them in your arms and then walk off to put them where they belong. After you throw everything in, you turn around and start to clap, looking for us to do the same. It’s so so adorable!

Bath time is a blast with you now. You’ve always been one to enjoy the end of the day bath, but now you love to get in and play. You’ll flop on your belly or splash me, but either way, you never ever want to get out. You are also very good at brushing your teeth. You’ll take the toothbrush and move it around (mimicking what you saw your daddy and I do), then after you’re done, you’ll give it to me to go around and do another good scrub. I’m impressed with how well you do with it.

You no longer sit in an infant carseat, and you weigh enough to have it face forward. We switched to a big boy carseat, but it was facing backward. I just wasn’t confident enough that you would be safe forward since you were only 15 months. However, we went to the doctor’s at the end of your 15th month and found out you weigh nearly 30 pounds and the safe zone is like 25 or 26 lbs. We went ahead and made the flip, and you have never been as happy riding in the car. You love, in the mornings, to tell me all about the cars zooming past us.

You had your second Christmas and it was a blast! We spent Christmas Eve at our house, and then woke up Christmas morning and opened gifts together. It was so much fun! You are starting to get the hang of opening gifts, but still need someone to get it going for you. I bet, by the time your second birthday rolls around in July, you will be a pro.

You were enamored with the Christmas tree. We decided to get a real one this year and you just loved that. You loved touching the needles and then pulling your hand away quickly, when they would tickle you. You also loved the beautiful lights, and the pretty ornaments that I hung. It was tough to keep you from pulling the tree, but we managed. 🙂

In the beginning of January, your day care decided that you were ready to be moved up to the next classroom. I’ll be honest, I was really nervous. I didn’t think you were ready, but I was wrong! You have thrived in the new room. You love your teacher and are learning all sorts of new things. It’s obvious that it’s done you well because of how much you’ve changed in the last month, becoming more of a little boy than a baby (but you will still ALWAYS be momma’s baby).

Going along with day care, we had our first parent/teacher conference, with your teacher. I was really excited to meet her one on one, plus I wanted to see all of your art work and hear how you are doing in the classroom. She had only wonderful things to say about you, Emmett! You have met so many of the milestones set for your age, and you continue to soar.

You still love books. You love looking at them on your own, and you love handing them to us to read. You don’t always make it through an entire book before you are off and playing with something else. But the fact that you love the books, even if it only lasts a second, makes me happy.

Oh my goodness! I almost forgot, you got your first haircut. It was a scary experience for you, but you looked really really cute. And overall, you did a great job of sitting still and letting the lady cut your hair.

There are probably many more things that I’m forgetting but this does a pretty good job of rounding up everything that we’ve experienced with you, over the past 3 months, Emmmett. I truly cannot wait to see what else your beautiful life has in store for us!

I love you more than I will ever be able to express.

Filed Under: Family

Dear Emmett – 15 Months

Posted on November 9 by Jillian416 • 0 Comments

Happy 15 months, Emmett!

I love you! Did you know that? I really truly am madly and deeply in love with you. I am so grateful that you are my little boy. I think our biggest news this month is that you completely self-weaned from breastfeeding on Sunday, 9/29/13. You woke up one morning and really resisted latching but eventually you did it, that night you refused, so you got a bottle of Whole milk. The next morning (Sunday) when I tried to put you on your side to nurse, you pushed back and started crying and got VERY upset. I stopped pushing and determined that you had decided you were done and you haven’t had breast milk since.

I had originally set a goal of 18 months in regards to nursing you, with the caveat that if you decided to wean on your own, sooner, I’d go with that. I’m glad you felt safe and secure enough to wean yourself, but I won’t lie, I had a difficult time with it. I had no idea that when you nursed for the last time, that it would BE your last time. I hadn’t relished the moment we had nor did I try and capture any of the memories, because I assumed there would be a next time. I’m definitely not mad or upset with you, it just taught me to begin treating each moment like it could be the last and to enjoy those moments fully. I’m so happy that we had a full 14 months of breastfeeding! You’ve spoken your first word…. “Hi!” I’m sure it’s because your dad and I constantly say it to you, whether we walk into a room or find you looking at us, we’ll say “hi.” It is really adorable to hear! Your second word was your favorite fruit, banana! The first time I heard you say it was amazing! It was amazing that my little boy was learning to speak and associate words with objects. When you say the word, you typically say “nana” and have said the full word 1 time. Your dad or I will repeat what you said, only with the full word, to hammer home what you’re learning. We are SO proud of you! Over the past month you’ve said what seem like other words, like “buh-bye” or sometimes you’ll say “momma” but they are not with any regularity (yet) so I’m not sure if you know what they actually mean yet. Either way, you’re growing so fast! Over the last month you have become so much more aware. When we talk to you, you actually seem to know what we’re saying, if we speak in simple direct sentences. You know what “no” means and will typically stop what you’re doing, even if you go right back into it a second later. 😉 We can also ask you to “come here” or ask if you want “up,” and you understand very well. It’s just amazing watching you progress from little baby to toddler boy. You love making the monkey sound! Anytime we’re watching something on TV and there’s either a picture of a monkey or someone says the word monkey, you start going “oo-oo-oo-ee-ee,” it is so so cute and I just stare at you with a huge smile on my face because you blow me away. You’re also really good at making the cow and doggy sound when prompted, but of course you won’t make any sounds when we see someone new or visit family. Then you get really shy and either hide your face in your dad’s or my shoulder. I don’t mind, I’ll take the snuggle! Oh my goodness! I love this! When you’re getting ready for bed, after you’ve finished your nighttime milk, we have a ritual. I take your bottle and give you your binkie. Then I turn on your sound machine, put your blanket on my shoulder and flip you around to cuddle and rock. Previously, that’s where it would end but now you point towards your stuffed monkey (your “lovey”), once I give him to you, you pull him in close and tuck him under your little chin and then tuck your hand down under your belly. My heart melts every single time this happens and it happens nightly. I LOVE you! You’ve also become really really aware this week. When we talk to you, it seems as though you are starting to understand and sometimes I know you understand because when I ask you a question you’ll respond by shaking your head (no) or you’ll reach for what it is I’m offering you. It’s really neat to see this recognition occur, you’re becoming such a little boy. I can’t exactly put into words what it feels like when talking to you and seeing your recognition but it is such an incredible thing to see.

Fair warning **TMI**

To round out the month we had what your father and I called “poop-pocalypse 2013.” What a mess! It was early in the morning on a weekday, so I was putting my makeup on and your dad was making our breakfast and you were bopping around the kitchen, like you usually do. Your dad finished what he was doing and grabbed you and took you into your bedroom to get your diaper changed, he pulls down your pants and your diaper overflowed out of the leg hole of your diaper and down your leg. I finished what I was doing and came to help your dad clean you up, you’re at the age where you don’t like to have your diaper changed so we almost always have to hand you something to play with, so I handed you your shoe. When I looked closer at the shoe, there was poop ALL OVER IT! And now, since I’d given it to you to play with, it was all over your hands. AHHHHHH! I took the shoe away, cleaned your hands up and then tossed that shoe and it’s pair right in the trash, I just couldn’t bring myself to clean it. We got you all cleaned up and sanitized and then we walk into the kitchen… There were little baby poop-prints all over the kitchen floor. OMG! It was literally everywhere! It was late, we all need to get to work and school, so I quickly sprayed Lysol everywhere and cleaned it up that way. I just couldn’t leave poop-prints on the floor throughout the day. When your dad got home from work that night, he mopped the whole floor, but my goodness that was the biggest mess you’ve ever made. Hopefully that never happens again! Alright baby boy, that’s your 15 month update. I am excited to see what else is in store for us!