15 Month Mile Marker

Ashton all of the sudden I am looking at a tiny toddler. There is no way the baby is already fifteen months old! I watch as you constantly learn more of the world. I observe you as you meet new challenges and find your own solutions. You are developing at a rapid rate. A rate I feel is so quick I am only getting a glimpse.

It is mile marker 15 months…

You walk up and down stairs. We only have three steps in the house, but you have decided it appropriate to walk up and down the wood steps. I feel my heart stop with each upward lift of your right leg. You balance and bring your left up to meet your right foot. You repeat this two more times until you reach the level you are headed.

Mama is your favorite word. Everyone is Mama. I know you know I am THE Mama. You being the smart little cookie that you have figured out that all will turn to you direction when you say it.

You are learning to communicate. If you want something you will say, “Mama” and point to your desire. Today you stood in the kitchen. You saw a box of chocolate cookies on the counter. You repeated “Mama!” with a point and a loud scream. I could not stop laughing. This point and scream has occurred again and again. I know I need to redirect you, but these first few days let me giggle and give it to you.

You are able to say “nye-nye” and at bedtime you smack your lips to kiss everyone. As we head into the hall you wave until we get into your room. You love to kiss. You smack for kisses throughout the day.

When I come to get you after a nap or a nights rest you make me smile as I hear your sweet little voice, “Hi!” echo in the room. You smile and wait to be picked up. You rarely are waiting standing at the crib rail. You like to be picked up from your back. You just hang out cooing and visiting with yourself until we get you.

Your teeth are coming in one-by-one. You have four teeth with one more on the way.

I love that you are still in 6-9 month shirts and 9 month pants. You are my little guy. I ask others if it is just me or if you are petite. Measuring against your best friends, the Adam’s boys, you my dear will always be on the ‘smaller’ side.

You have an appreciation for dance and music. You hear a tune and clap and wiggle. You will let me hold you in my arms and swirl and whirl around the room until I say no more. You will then scream for more. I am old becoming way to dizzy, so this one I don’t give on!

Chicken is a favorite dish and you are enjoying ice cream. Ice cream is a favorite over anything else sweet. You have started to venture out trying new items on the menu. I am thankful we have always offered you two what we are eating. You are pickier than Kaden, but slowly you are coming around. This could be from a recent bottle ban. You are forced to branch out! At any rate whatever the reason I won’t question it.

Hurting Hearts

Kaden: "My heart hurts, Mama."
Me: "Oh, no! It does? What is wrong?"
Kaden: "I miss my G.G." Starts to whine.
Kaden: "She coming soon?"

Timing couldn't be better. Yes, son, GG is coming for you very soon. Once again her timing in impeccable. According to Daddy, you have been asking for her a lot this week. It should be a nice sleep-over. Have fun!

Little conversations of your heart hurting just so happen to melt mine.

Cheers With Tears

Ashton-

I can say with a mother’s heart that I am both proud and sad. You have really surprised me. I am proud my baby transitioned well into the world of only table food. I am selfish in my sadness. My heart aches to see my baby turn toddler; and at the same time it yearns to watch you grow.

You moved forward with little fight. I under estimated you. I thought weaning would be horrendous. You know what you want and give up little. I thought we would fight you tooth and nail. This was not the case. You were cranky. Who wouldn’t be? You were giving up not only comfort, but many parent-given habits. You were brave to leave behind the security and safety a bottle represented to you in a world that is still strange. All in all, the days passed quickly and the moments of want were not long lasting.

Okay, you have been bribed with cookies and McDonalds.

Day five and the cookies are gone. I even stopped trips to McD’s. Your meals are full of table food and water flows through a sippy cup. You eat and eat as though we have starved you the last fifteen months of life. You are still learning what ‘hunger’ is and that food, not a bottle, will allow the feeling to subside.

You my child are full of surprise. When I think I have you figured out you change the beat. I thank you for giving this tired worn out Mom a break. I won’t lie. I needed the transition to be easy. I was starting to be my own witness as to why parents with multiple children become broken down! I exhausted myself through the thoughts of assumption. And there was absolutely to work my brain up into bottle withdrawal frenzy.

Once again, I have been taught a lesson by my son. The stages of life will come, but how it is handled is a constant unknown. It doesn’t matter how well you know the person. We don’t know (even for ourselves) if we will handle all the challenge and unknowns of life with the skill of grace until we are confronted. Thank you for this reminder. I under estimated the grace you hold even at this young age.

Enjoy the deliciousness of life. Life has countless tastes, smells, textures both good and bad all leading to new and different experiences. Food is symbolic of all of these gifts. It is unique in that you may choose to share or relish in it alone. Food is a language spoken anywhere. It can be a celebration or sobering. It is good for the soul and growth in body, mind and experience.

Whatever your taste find bliss, Bon Appetite.

Name Game

I asked Kaden: "What is your name?" He replies: "KK Aam Wawin, silly Mama. You Mommy Wawin. Who is Wobert name, Mommy?" "Robert Molner." He asks: "Wobert Morler? Oh!" He continues: "Who Dave name, Mommy? Daddy name wawin wawin Daddy."

Nose

Kade: Mama, Gwady (Glady) has a black nose!
Me: Yes she does! (pointing to mine) What color nose does mama have?
Kade: A big nose
Me: No. What color is MY nose?
Kade: A bery (very) big nose?

Sweet Little Copy Cat

Kaden grabs my face: Mama I am so proud of you.
Me: You are why?
Kaden: Silly, I just love you so much.

I guess he listens to me more than I realize... both lines sound oh so familiar.

Big Weekend

Big weekend: Gymboree Music Class, New play structure, 1st train (MAX) ride, Saturday Market with Ta-Ta, Sesame Street Live and Jones family dinner. Kade won't rememember how exciting his weekend was, but one day I will remind him.

I will remind him how cool we once were...