Welcome to the world Maggie!

(Okay, so I am a little behind, but things are slowing down around here...lots more to come)

My niece Marguerite Jewel Richards was born on August 5 at 12:00 PM weighing in at 9 pounds 15 ounces and 21.5 inches long. She is PRECIOUS! She goes by Maggie. Welcome to this world Maggie, it is a miracle and a pleasure to have yo in our lives! My wish for you this early in life is that you follow your big brothers lead and you become an incredible sleeper for your mommy and daddy!

I love you and miss you already!

baby number 2?

I know some of you just freaked out when reading the title of this post and your computer could not load fast enough! :)

But, no there is no news of a 2nd baby in this Jones family.

However, I did want to post about my thoughts on a family expansion.

New babies are all around us right now - CONGRATS to the Keiths and welcoming Claire Elise into this world on the 25th!!; we are still in waiting for baby girl Richards to join us anyday; Cousin Janna is expecting #3; I met Tina's new baby girl Paelyn a few weeks ago; Linsday S. just announced on her blog that they are expecting #2; The Reyes are now 26 weeks along with 2nd baby girl Reyes; Lisa and Eric are expecting baby girl #2; and a friend from work will go on materinity leave in October; and lastly there are a couple of friends and family that I sure hope are thinking about having a baby (hint, hint) :)

I always thought that we (or at least one of us) would feel "ready" to start trying for a second baby. And maybe that day will still come, but not so far. I really expected this feeling to come about once I was around new babies again...wrong.

I am in no hurry by any means, but I do like the idea of John and his sibiling to be close in age. The question I keep asking myself -What does "close" mean? Close enough that they will be best buddies and share friends? I think we may have already passed this threshold. Close enough to enjoy the same activities? Sharing toys, similar sports, same movies, etc. Or just close enough that they would be in the same school at the same time for at least a year (elementary, middle school, high school).

Then of course there is the argument of having them farther apart - more one on one time with baby #2 because John would be in preschool/school; only one in college at a time (assuming a 4 year degree, which is a big assumption); spreading out the cost of cars/insurance; John being able to help out more with the baby and have that protective "big brother" feeling; etc.

And having baby #2 for us will not be a game time decision, as I have to make an appointment to see my Dr. (which could take a month) before we could get past our defense! :)

Anyway - there is really no conclusion to this post, just wanted to remember these thoughts.

Two words

Something I forgot to mention on the 17 month blog -

This past month was the first time that John started to put 2 words together. Mainly it is "more _____" (balls, water, etc.) or "bye bye _____" (water, bowls, rock, light, Ba'ee, Ka'ee, balls, etc.).

We are in the habit of saying goodbye to whatever he does not want to stop doing, it seems to help him get over it quicker.

What a big boy!

2nd first word

I am not sure what to consider his first word....

When he started making noises that resembled words, I think we would say his first word was "dog"; although it was missing the clear "g" sound.

Now that the words are becoming more clear and less interpretation needed, his first super clear word is "book". He says it clear as day with a little accent on the "k". So cute.

So I am calling "book" his 2nd first word.

17 months

- 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.

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!

Fastest way to erase a bad day!

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.

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! :)

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!