- I stopped trying to track his words this month becuase he picked up so many new ones. Although I have to point out my favorites - "uh oh", and football which sounds just like "butt ball"!!! Makes us laugh EVERY time!
- Started putting a blanket and a couple of stuffed animals in his crib.
- His favorite thing this month - Books.
- Noticably stopped sucking his thumb as much.
- Two or three more teeth popped through - OUCH!
- Started saying Mama and meaning it!! I love this month!
- He will play and talk in his crib when he wakes up in the morning, versus the all out screaming that he used to do.
- Learned how to put a pillow on the floor and that it helps him to climb on to something - wonder what comes after the pillow?
- I saw his first real "memory" this month (outside of recognizing people and things around the house). We went to the Little Gym again after a couple month hiatis - he remebered the routine. When the trash can came out, it was time for balls, followed by bubbles, then music (goodbye song) and then stamps on his feet. I did not prompt him for any of this. He truly remembered what was next, and signed it or tried to say whatever it was.
- Several people that I have spoken with says that this month hehas changed the most in looks and really looks like a little boy now... I am in deinal.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Did Kaedyn sneak a message to John?
I have to wonder if Kaedyn sent a secret message to John sometime during his first birthday party...
She dropped her nap EARLY on during her 3.5 years of life - yes, you read that right, she does not nap and she does not need it.
I believe that John is going to follow in her footsteps. Everyone kept telling me that once we dropped to one nap (around 11 months, yes, 11) that it would slowly get longer and longer... UH...NO! Anything over an hour is a bonus for John. BUT, he does not need it, he very seldom shows his 'crank' late at night or even before nap. He thrives on little sleep during the day. However, he sleeps a solid 12-13 hours at night, sometimes giving us until 9:00am before he joins us. 99.9% of the time, I wake up on my own before being startled by the baby alarm. So, I can not complain!
I KNOW he did not get his information from Brendan, as Brendan naps 3 to 4 hours a day and I have seen the kid wake up at 5:00 at night and STILL go to sleep at 7:30 or so. AMAZING! I honestly hope this carries over for Baby Girl Richards for Brent and Abbey's sake.
I love my little bundle of energy!
She dropped her nap EARLY on during her 3.5 years of life - yes, you read that right, she does not nap and she does not need it.
I believe that John is going to follow in her footsteps. Everyone kept telling me that once we dropped to one nap (around 11 months, yes, 11) that it would slowly get longer and longer... UH...NO! Anything over an hour is a bonus for John. BUT, he does not need it, he very seldom shows his 'crank' late at night or even before nap. He thrives on little sleep during the day. However, he sleeps a solid 12-13 hours at night, sometimes giving us until 9:00am before he joins us. 99.9% of the time, I wake up on my own before being startled by the baby alarm. So, I can not complain!
I KNOW he did not get his information from Brendan, as Brendan naps 3 to 4 hours a day and I have seen the kid wake up at 5:00 at night and STILL go to sleep at 7:30 or so. AMAZING! I honestly hope this carries over for Baby Girl Richards for Brent and Abbey's sake.
I love my little bundle of energy!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Good Times
I get a ton of weekly emails from various websites telling me about what is going on with John's development and changes in his world, etc. On several that have come over the past few months there have been warnings about fits and tantrums and discipline and what not. Even on John's 15 month appointment, our pediatrician suggested that these scary times were coming and were completely normal....
So - I have to assume that John is one of few - but we have had NO discipline issues with him, and no real fits or tantrums (well at least from what I can tell). I write this post while knocking on wood, as I am sure most of you are saying "just wait" :).
He really does listen to us and he stops doing something when we tell him to. We may have to say it twice, or take him away from that activity, but that is it; he moves on with no tears and only sometimes a short-lived scream will squeak out. If he is does get upset about something out of his control (popping a balloon, dogs knocking him down, tripping when he runs, not being able to reach something) it is nothing that a quick hug or distraction will not take care of. I know there are non-believers out there (maybe not readers of this blog, but out there in general), but I really think the sign language has helped. When he is hungry, thirsty or sleepy, he shows me; when he wants more of something, he shows me. I think this cuts down on the screaming because he can communicate in other ways. I wish I would have started it earlier.
So, does it sound like I am bragging? Well, maybe a little, but mainly I write this to count my blessings out loud and to remember these times.
So - I have to assume that John is one of few - but we have had NO discipline issues with him, and no real fits or tantrums (well at least from what I can tell). I write this post while knocking on wood, as I am sure most of you are saying "just wait" :).
He really does listen to us and he stops doing something when we tell him to. We may have to say it twice, or take him away from that activity, but that is it; he moves on with no tears and only sometimes a short-lived scream will squeak out. If he is does get upset about something out of his control (popping a balloon, dogs knocking him down, tripping when he runs, not being able to reach something) it is nothing that a quick hug or distraction will not take care of. I know there are non-believers out there (maybe not readers of this blog, but out there in general), but I really think the sign language has helped. When he is hungry, thirsty or sleepy, he shows me; when he wants more of something, he shows me. I think this cuts down on the screaming because he can communicate in other ways. I wish I would have started it earlier.
So, does it sound like I am bragging? Well, maybe a little, but mainly I write this to count my blessings out loud and to remember these times.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Searching for quick healthy meals
John pretty much eats whatever we eat for meals, with a few exceptions. However, I do not really eat a "healthy" lunch every day, and sometimes our dinners are either too spicy or too hard for him to chew and eat (still working on those back teeth).
So, I am search of some quick healthy meals that can be standbys when needed. Some things I already keep in the pantry for these types times:
- those prepared Gerber "healthy meals"
- beans of some sort - he loves with sour cream or ricotta cheese
- frozen chicken fingers
- grilled cheese sandwiches
- quesadilla
If you guys have any other suggestions - hand 'em over by way of comment! :)
So, I am search of some quick healthy meals that can be standbys when needed. Some things I already keep in the pantry for these types times:
- those prepared Gerber "healthy meals"
- beans of some sort - he loves with sour cream or ricotta cheese
- frozen chicken fingers
- grilled cheese sandwiches
- quesadilla
If you guys have any other suggestions - hand 'em over by way of comment! :)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
16 months
During our 16th month:
- New words: Knee, Buckle, glasses, keys, tickle, bug, spoon, stick, balloon (note: no "L" sounds in any of these)
- Sign language explosion
- (crossing fingers) He still does not throw 'fits' like I read or hear about, and as far as I am concerned does not need time outs. I am not opposed to time outs at this age, but he just does not have any behaviors that warrant them?!?!?!?
- 1 of his back teeth popped through and from what I can tell, 2 are on their way. And there is NO mistaking it this time, as you can see how swollen his gums are, it looks like little marbles are underneath his skin. :(
- Had another little cold this month that lasted a long time, but never got too bad.
- Uses a spoon to a degree, but still far from using it on his own
- At least one time during each meal, he will close his eyes and try to eat or drink blindly?!?!
- FINALLY will let me brush his teeth without a fight
- I stopped pureeing his food
- Went to a size 5 diaper (this is outragous to me, as I remember when Brendan was here and John was a tiny baby, I bought B some size 5 diapers to keep here, and I thought they were HUGE and it was hard to imagine that I would have a baby in size 5 diapers!)
- When he is around other kids, he is very complacent, he just watches them when they cry or scream. He also does not play as hard or intensly as he usually does. He just sort of stands back and takes it all in, he seems sort of private (but not dependent) - he must get this from his Daddy!
- Will play on his own for quite some time while I get chores done around the house (for the most part), but when he is ready for me to play, he is VERY insistent!
- Still cuddles with me for a long time! In fact, as long as there is a favorite PBS show on, he will lay there until I MAKE him get up!
- New words: Knee, Buckle, glasses, keys, tickle, bug, spoon, stick, balloon (note: no "L" sounds in any of these)
- Sign language explosion
- (crossing fingers) He still does not throw 'fits' like I read or hear about, and as far as I am concerned does not need time outs. I am not opposed to time outs at this age, but he just does not have any behaviors that warrant them?!?!?!?
- 1 of his back teeth popped through and from what I can tell, 2 are on their way. And there is NO mistaking it this time, as you can see how swollen his gums are, it looks like little marbles are underneath his skin. :(
- Had another little cold this month that lasted a long time, but never got too bad.
- Uses a spoon to a degree, but still far from using it on his own
- At least one time during each meal, he will close his eyes and try to eat or drink blindly?!?!
- FINALLY will let me brush his teeth without a fight
- I stopped pureeing his food
- Went to a size 5 diaper (this is outragous to me, as I remember when Brendan was here and John was a tiny baby, I bought B some size 5 diapers to keep here, and I thought they were HUGE and it was hard to imagine that I would have a baby in size 5 diapers!)
- When he is around other kids, he is very complacent, he just watches them when they cry or scream. He also does not play as hard or intensly as he usually does. He just sort of stands back and takes it all in, he seems sort of private (but not dependent) - he must get this from his Daddy!
- Will play on his own for quite some time while I get chores done around the house (for the most part), but when he is ready for me to play, he is VERY insistent!
- Still cuddles with me for a long time! In fact, as long as there is a favorite PBS show on, he will lay there until I MAKE him get up!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
John's first "hair cut"
John's hair is long in some places but still filling in on top of his head, so I was putting off the hair cut a long as I could. Well, it seems I gave in. He had a few pieces of hair hanging in his eyes, quite a bit of hair over his ears (Daddy's pet peeve) and the back was starting to resemble a mullet again..so off we went...
Carl said I scared the lady and she did not want to cut it, so she just trimmed a little bit here and there and just charged us for a bang trim! It does not even look like he got a hair cut! I am not sure how to tell them what I want, because I am not sure what I want his hair to look like just yet. I think we should wait until it fills in more and see what it does naturally before giving it a "style". Apparently I am getting my way. :)
Nonetheless, John did great, they had all sorts of distractions and Daddy held a sucker in his mouth (first time) and he was pretty content. It only took all of 2 minutes for our "hair cut".
See pics below.
BEFORE:
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Carl said I scared the lady and she did not want to cut it, so she just trimmed a little bit here and there and just charged us for a bang trim! It does not even look like he got a hair cut! I am not sure how to tell them what I want, because I am not sure what I want his hair to look like just yet. I think we should wait until it fills in more and see what it does naturally before giving it a "style". Apparently I am getting my way. :)
Nonetheless, John did great, they had all sorts of distractions and Daddy held a sucker in his mouth (first time) and he was pretty content. It only took all of 2 minutes for our "hair cut".
See pics below.
BEFORE:
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Thursday, June 11, 2009
"More"
As you can see from the picture, John is signing the word "more". It was not hard to capture this picture as he does this ALL THE TIME! I love it - it really cuts down on frustration, but he does wear it out a bit! :) He signs 'more' about 1000 a times a day, some of which you have NO idea what he wants more of.
He uses it most when he is eating; or if you are doing something fun with him and you stop; or when we finish a book; orwhen his songs from the nursery rhyme cd is over. But there are times that he just walks over to you and starts doing it, or when his plate and cup are full and he is still insisting on more....we are still tryig to decipher.
Nonetheless, I love it and I want him to learn more. I really wish I started working with him sooner; I think the 12 month mark would be good, because they can pick it up pretty easily at that point before the parents get frustrated and quit trying (guilty). I know he is right around the corner from talking, but getting a glimpse of communiating with him is too much fun! If any of you Mom's out there had any other key signs that helped you guys, let me know! He has "all done", "eat" (picture below), "more", "milk" and "sleepy".
>
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Comparison Picture (tag)
I am starting this tag, because I think it will be fun:
The task - post a recent picture of your kids or family and then post one from 1 year ago.
May 24th 2009
May 24th 2008
I am tagging anyone who reads this post that has a blog. If you are reading this and have a blog that I do not know about - please let me know, I am an avid blog stocker! :)
The task - post a recent picture of your kids or family and then post one from 1 year ago.
May 24th 2009
May 24th 2008
I am tagging anyone who reads this post that has a blog. If you are reading this and have a blog that I do not know about - please let me know, I am an avid blog stocker! :)
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Happy Anniversary Carl!
Today marks another anniversary of the start of our marriage - I love you more today than I ever have! I love growing and experiencing parenthood with you; you are our world!
You proposed to me on Valentine's day and we danced to Martina McBride's "Valentine" on our wedding day. The words to that song say it best - you are my valentine all year long! Although they are not my words, I feel them from in the deepest part of my heart....
"If there were no words,
No way to speak
I would still hear you.
If there were no tears
No way to feel inside
I'd still feel for you.
And even if the sun refused to shine
Even in romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart until the end of time.
You're all I need, my love, my valentine.
All of my life
I have been waiting for you.
All you give to me
You've opened my eyes.
And showed my how to love unselfishly.
I've dreamed of this a thousand times before,
But in my dreams I couldn't love you more.
I will give you my heart
Until the end of time.
You're all I need, my love, my valentine."
I love you! (see slide show at the bottom of page for photo memories of the wedding)
You proposed to me on Valentine's day and we danced to Martina McBride's "Valentine" on our wedding day. The words to that song say it best - you are my valentine all year long! Although they are not my words, I feel them from in the deepest part of my heart....
"If there were no words,
No way to speak
I would still hear you.
If there were no tears
No way to feel inside
I'd still feel for you.
And even if the sun refused to shine
Even in romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart until the end of time.
You're all I need, my love, my valentine.
All of my life
I have been waiting for you.
All you give to me
You've opened my eyes.
And showed my how to love unselfishly.
I've dreamed of this a thousand times before,
But in my dreams I couldn't love you more.
I will give you my heart
Until the end of time.
You're all I need, my love, my valentine."
I love you! (see slide show at the bottom of page for photo memories of the wedding)
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