18 months

[07.28.10]

It's hard for me to even begin to wrap my head around the fact that my little son is already 18 months old.  This last year and a half has been incredible.  Sure, we have had our ups and downs, just like everyone but honestly, I can say that I have never been happier!  I feel so unbelievably blessed to have the opportunity to be a mother and to spend every day with my son.  He really is my greatest joy... even on days like today when he threw multiple fits and insisted on walking around the mechanic's shop barefoot!  I truly am so grateful to be this little one's momma!

Things to remember about Drake at {eighteen} months:

*  He LOVES the movie Cars and repeatedly asks to watch "show" all day long.

*  He points to Lightening and Mater on his Cars blanket.

*  He has finally notice all of the pictures I have around the house and likes to point to the family when I ask him where each one of them is.

*  He is not the best eater these days.  In the beginning, I remember feeling sorry for parents whose kids didn't eat anything and now I am one of them.  Drake went from being an eating champion to eating next to nothing. (the 27 packs of fruit snacks that Chris lets him have every weekend does not count and most certainly does not help the situation! :)  No... I do not approve of this!)  He still eats the very best for Grammy.

*  He loves the body part game and points to his eyes, ears, nose, mouth, head, tummy, bum, and footies.  We are working on arms, legs and hands but he doesn't seem too interested!  

*  He is beginning to discover that he is a boy!  He can't quite see down there though, because his belly is too big!  He bends over as far as he can in the tub and almost falls over.  It's hilarious.  Luckily that's as far as he's gotten with the interest.  Phew! 

*  He is obsessed with getting in the shower while we are in it.  He doesn't ever want to get in the water he just wants to play with the scrubbies and the squeegee.  

*  Any time you say, "bye-bye, love you," he blows kisses.

*  He is the ultimate daddy's boy and wakes up wanting daddy every morning.  He usually makes the rounds of the house to see if daddy is home.  Kind of sad, but pretty precious too.  I love that he loves his daddy so much.

*  He talks in his sleep and is always saying "go" for some reason.

*  He has learned how to wrestle with the dogs and thinks it's hilarious to chase Tobie around on all fours and rub his head all over him.  Poor Tobie!

*  He has learned how to climb into and out of G & G Weaver's pool and has mastered the slide.  Very scary, might I add.  The kid is fearless when it comes to water.

*  He loves his Winnie the Pooh car at G & G's house.  He wants to play with it all the time and would drag it into the pool if I would let him.

*  He can successfully open any door that has the pull down handles.  Both grandparents have those kind of handles, which is also very scary.  He has absolutely no problem letting himself out whenever he feels like it.

*  He still talks in his gibberish all the time.  He can say all kinds of things but he is definitely not a parrot.  If you ask him to say something, he will completely ignore you.  His vocabulary to date:

I want that one

I do it

I want cheese

I going

I blow it (bubbles)

Is it hot 

(I don't think he knows that its a question.  He just heard me say it once and now says it all the time!)

I did it

Show on

water

hot 

cheese

fishy (sounds like shh shh)

ca ca (cookie or cracker)

go

momma 

dadda

bowing (ball, weird, I know!)

out

uh oh

NO! (of course)

uh uh (no)

uh ha (yes)

book (sounds like gook)

shoes

*  He is obsessed with shoes of any kind really.  He especially loves Chris' shoes and has to bring them to him to put on.  His favorite are Chris' brown work shoes.

* He says "dadda" whenever he sees a Sunroc truck driving around town.

*  He will only "talk" on the phone to daddy.  He will carry on a pretty long gibberish conversation.  It's hysterical to watch!

*  He loves to help with anything.  Carrying laundry, taking his diapers out to the trash, putting things away, etc.  He always wants in on the action.

*  He loves to brush his teeth.  He thinks it's a game and loves to bite my fingers and his little tooth brush.  He also still has the two biggest front teeth EVER!  His "fangs" are finally working their way in. Hopefully they will even things out a bit.

He LOVES watermelon.  He shoves it in his mouth so fast he always chokes at least once per sitting because he tries to swallow too much without chewing.  He then spits out whatever is in his mouth and hands it to me.  Nice!

*  He is a total climber.  He tries to climb on EVERYTHING.  He puts his little leg and foot up on everything to test it out to see if he can make it.  I caught him trying to climb into my bathroom drawer the other day.  Mind you, he can't even see into the drawer so there is absolutely no way he'd be able to get his little footie in there, but he sure tries!

*  He is getting more and more stubborn with each passing day.  He is such a strong willed little boy.  He has been pretty much since day one, but as he gets older, it is definitely more apparent!  He knows exactly what he wants, when he wants it and if you are in his way, watch out!  This stage is a little tough, simply because it is impossible for me to understand everything that he tries to tell me.  If only I spoke gibberish too!  The way he looks at you when he is telling you something in his Drake Talk is priceless.  He knows EXACTLY what he's saying and you can just tell that he expects you to know too.      I think this little man of mine may very well give me a run for my money, but I am grateful for who he is.  Even though he is still so young, I can tell that this boy is going to do great things someday!

Happy {eighteen} months baby son!

Love you to pieces!

  

Nose, head, mouth, eyes...

Ears and bum are also always included in our body part game, but this time he had had enough before I was able to catch them!

Nose is definitely my favorite!

Suggestions please...

Okay all of you northern Utah moms that may happen to read this... I need some suggestions for a pediatrician for Drake.  We are still not quite sure where we will end up, but I am thinking somewhere between Spanish Fork and Draper so I guess it'll be mostly Utah County.  

I LOVE our pediatrician here in STG and plan to still keep seeing him for the well-checks so we can remain patients in case we do come back.  However, I think I probably need someone up there for emergencies.  I'm pretty particular about doctors, given my history, so I would really love if anyone has any suggestions for Docs that you love.    

Thank you, thank you!!

How old are you?

[07.25.10]

I was totally surprised when, after only a few times of showing him, Drake learned how to tell us how old he is!  I was thrilled that I caught this today.  Usually he runs as fast as he can away from my camera and if he is forced to be in the same room as me, he refuses to look my way.  Little stink!  Today however, I managed to catch a few priceless pics.  This little face just melts my heart.  

How 'bout an update??

Disclaimer:  This is extremely long and boring.  Strictly for me and my memories!

For some reason, I have had a hard time lately sitting down to post anything on this lovely little blog.  I have good intentions, and I take loads of pictures to remember every little thing my child does, but I'm just not very good at being consistent.  Shoot... I really need to be better!  Journals aren't worth anything if ya don't write in them, right!?  Anyways... here's the latest and greatest:

[June 24 - June 27]

Drake and I packed up and headed to Springville to spend the weekend with Chris and the rest of the Musso clan.  Mom and dad were heading up to hang with "the Gang" so we decided that it would be a good weekend to play too!  Biggie was a champ in the car and really was a great sport the entire weekend. We pretty much drug him in and out of the car for three days straight with only tiny little cat naps in between destinations.  He made up for his lack of napping at night and slept in until at least ten every morning!  He loves his little closet bedroom at the apartment.  It's always dark in there so he just sleeps and sleeps.  It's lovely!  Overall, the weekend was a tad busy with lots of apartment hunting for Snipes, but it was so fun to be able to spend time with the whole fam.  

[July 2 - July 5]

Even though Biggie and I drove up the weekend before, we decided to head back up last Friday.  We ended up with tickets to Stadium of Fire and figured it was worth another three hour drive.  Friday, while we waited for Chris to finish up at work, we visited the Spanish Fork pool with Jim and Lyndy.  My little fishy loved it! He thought he was pretty cool, crawling around like a little alligator in the kiddie pool.  It was pretty darn cute but I failed to take any pictures.  Dang!  Friday night we made our second trip in one week to The Trolley for some delicious wings!  Umm... love the Trolley!  Biggie was less than delightful at dinner and we had to resort to taking him outside to wander the parking lot.  Nice!  I just love when you know that people are watching you, wondering why your child keeps screeching at you like a dinosaur!  It really is such a lovely new habit he has developed.  My all time favorite is when he tells me "NO!" like an eight year old and follows it with a dinosaur screech.  He spends a lot of time in time out for that one!  

Saturday we slept in, ate lunch at Cheesecake Factory, and grilled some "super gourmet" hot dogs in the park with B & B and Snipers.  It was actually really fun and very 4th of July ish!  I loved it!  B & B were so great, and took Biggie home for us after the park so we didn't have to take him with us to Stadium of Fire.  It was fun to go on a date with my man!  Sunday was slept in again (yay!) and then packedd up and headed home.  Chris had work off on Monday so we thought it would be fun to head home here to STG and spend Monday with Rhys.  We swam and played at the pool all day Monday and had a delicious BBQ that night.  Yet again... another great weekend with my boys and the rest of the fam!

Other random things to remember...

Chris and I have decided that we are most likely going to make the big move away from this lovely desert for a year or so.  It's not completely for sure yet, but I put a sign in my front yard today advertising my house for rent.  I'm not going to lie, it gave me a bit of a stomach ache to actually do it.  We have been talking about it for a few months now because it will make my babe's life SO much easier, but it's been a tough decision and we want to make sure it's the right one.  It's really weird to think about actually leaving, but in a way I'm kind of excited for a change.  Leaving our families behind will be HORRIBLE, but we'll be back all the time so we'll be okay, right?!?  Let's hope! The thought of having to pack up my entire house makes me want to curl up in a bawl and cry, but someone's got to do it.  If only, it wasn't me!  Ahh!!!  Anyways...  Here's hoping that someone fabulous wants to live in my house for a year and take REALLY good care of it.  That's not to much to ask... is it?!?

I am once again, a student.  I know, I know, I should have done this YEARS ago, but life kind of got in the way, not to mention the big "C," and I just didn't feel like I needed to go back until now.  The real kicker though, is that I am pretty much starting over.  Instead of finishing my Accounting degree, I have decided to work on my Pre-reqs for the nursing program.  Crazy, and maybe a little stupid, I know, but i just can't shake the feeling that this is what I need to do.  Being able to stay home and raise my little son has been the greatest blessing and I want to make sure that if I ever do have to go back to work, I have the ability to do something that won't require me to leave him in daycare.  I feel like the options are kind of endless with nursing, so that's my plan.  Funny things is... I really, really hope that I never have to use it! 

I am so dang proud of my man! He has been crazy busy with work, school, and hours upon hours of driving lately.  I am so grateful for all of his hard work and time spent sacrificing so that I can stay home to take care of our son.  He spends so much time doing things that he really doesn't love and never complains.  If you ever happen to read this babe... know that I love you for always and will never, ever forget how much you are doing for us right now!

My baby boy is definitely not a baby anymore!  I have a full blown toddler on my hands!  He is changing and growing up so fast and I have been horrible about writing down all of his new developments.  So, in an effort to catch up a bit, here's what's on my mind tonight:

*  Today he pointed at Mater and Lightening on his blanket.  he's never done that before.

*  Yesterday, he colored on my tile with pencil (phew) for the first time.  Luckily, it erased!

*  Yesterday he also learned how to get the lid off chap stick and highlighters.  I'm in real trouble now!

*  He has added "all done" and "all gone" to his vocabulary.

*  He has had a rough time with baths lately.  He cries every time, which is so not like him.  He acts like there is something wrong with his boy parts.  It's really sad.  I need to talk to the doc about that.

*  He runs with his arms behind him and looks like a little penguin!

*  He wasn't overly impressed with the Aquarium in SLC.  I think he was a tad too young.  He did love splashing in the Stingray water but was scared out of his mind when they flapped up by him!

*  He loves to talk to daddy on the phone and will talk in his gibberish for a good long time.

*  He runs around the house all day saying, "momma, dada, momma, dada."

*  When he's sad about something, he always wants his dad.

*  He loves to watch Cars in the car and point to the screen every time I put him in his car seat.

*  He gives "knuckles" now and has to do it to every person in the room.

*  He blows kisses to his "brothers" every time we leave the house. 

*  He sleeps with a pillow in his bed now.  I don't know why, but it makes me smile every time I see him sleeping on it like a bog boy!

*  He doesn't really like other dogs.

*  He has learned that he can slide off of the couch or chairs facing forward and laughs like crazy every time he does it.

*  He is the biggest whiner when I am around.  Not so much when it's just the two of us at home, but whenever we are somewhere else and I walk in, he immediately turns it one.  Every one else thinks its hilarious.  Me... not so much!

He is obsessed with shoes and insists on bringing Chris and I our shoes if they are laying around the house.  He always brings us the right pair and is not happy unless we put them on right then and there. 

*  He LOVES the splash pads at the parks.

He is so dang fun these days, even with the dinosaur screech and the whining!  I have decided though, that this will probably be the hardest stage for me and for him.  He picks things up so quickly now and knows exactly what he wants but he's not old enough to reason with, which is hard.  Time out happens quite frequently at our house.  Not because he's really naughty, only because I feel like I have to be consistent with the things that I don't want him to do.  Is that bad??  I hate that he screeches at me all day long, so I make him sit in time out for a minute when he does it.  Somedays, I feel like he's getting it, and others, not so much.  Oh well though.  I know he's still so little and maybe I do expect too much from him.  I don't know.  It's hard to know what to do, especially this first time around.  I guess we'll both figure it out!

Not sure why the spacing is weird.  Kind of annoying.  

Water baby

Last week Mr. Big and I ventured down to the Main Street park twice because he absolutely loves it there!  He would be completely happy to stay and play all day long if I would let him.  He cruises around that place like he's eight and couldn't care any less about where I am or what I'm doing!  He does not care about anything else except his rocks and water.  It's pretty comical!

He is obsessed with climbing on top of the rocks and shouting for all to hear.  He also loves to run back and forth by the waterfalls, occasionally stopping to fill a bucket to dump on himself!  It is so nice to have places to go during these hot summer months.  I know this little man gets bored with me at home and having somewhere to take him where he is so happy and content is WONDERFUL!

On our second visit to the park, we were lucky enough to have Emily, Elizabeth and darling Adam join us!  It was so much fun to watch our two boys together.  They are so different in some ways, but exactly alike in others!  It was hilarious to watch them chase their dropped M&M's down the stream.  They were both pretty concerned about retrieving them even though they were soggy and gross! 

Grammy and QE were the supervisors.

What in the world would we do without these two amazing ladies?!

The Musso and Adams crew are extremely lucky to have these two as our mothers!

Love you ladies!!