Today was a bit of a lazy day, lazy enough that I did not write down the times of everything. But really - I think when we look back at this, I will get the drift. :)
John started waking up around 7:45 or so and I went to get him about 8:00. We came down stairs and cuddled on the couch until he was hungry. (This morning cuddle routine is sort of new, but I hope it lasts, I really like it). He ate some yogurt and bananas while I made coffee and picked up the house a bit.
We were supposed to go to the Splash Park with the neighborhood group, but we got busy doing stuff around the house that we decided to cancel. Then we got out for a short errand at Stonebiar Mall, so took him to the mall playground. It was a last minute decision, so I did not have my camera (but I am going back to the mall on Friday, so I should have pictures then). He watched all the other kids for awhile, and then I walked him out onto one of the toys and then he ran around and played and climbed and had a great time.
Home for lunch (grilled cheese and a turkey dog; he can say "hot dog" now) and just an hour nap. I laid down during the nap as I had a terrible headache. He woke up sort of cranky, so we did some more cuddling! Daddy surprised us and came home early. We played and bounced with Daddy, watched some TV, got more stuff done around the house and then it was already dinner time.
We had Quinoa with chicken, black beans, corn, tomatos and onions. Very healthy dinner. It was pretty good, but better as a side item with no chicken.
Then we decided since we had been inside all day, we went to the park about 6:00 (perfect time as far as weather is concerned). We took more picutres (he is just so darn cute!), walked the trails, and played on the big toys.
The regular routine kicked into gear - bath, milk, play downstairs, books, bed.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Tuesday
Tuesdays are still John's day with Nana and Da. Side note: We are not entirely sure where "Da" came from, except that is what John started calling him one day and it stuck. I think it came from "Grandpa" and John picked up on "pa" and it came out "Da". Either way, that is his name. :)
I went into John's room around 7:30 and he shuffled around, opened his eyes for a second to make sure it was me, and then drug himself to his feet with arms up high. I held him for a minute, limp on my shoulder (wish I could pause this moment in time) and then laid him down for a diaper change. These are my favorite because John is still sleepy so he keeps his eyes closed and doesn't fight me on the diaper.
Get him dressed, grab his milk and off we go....
When we get to Nana and Da' house, he first runs and finds Nana and shows her whatever random thing he decided to bring from the house (today it was his play keys and my old phone). Then he proceeds to run to he foot of the stairs, point up and yell out for Da.
A quick forced kiss and hug for Mama and off I go to work. He could care less that I leave, but it is a good feeling.
Everyday is a new a different adventure over there, but some of their favorite things to do:
- get in the bed, put Nana's glasses on and read books to Mike (the monkey) and little dog. I think they flip and read the huge stack of books 100 times in a day.
- go to "Grandpa land" (upstairs), dubbed this because Grandpa's office is up there and he works during the day with several breaks to come visit John and take him to Grandpa land. I am not entirely sure what they do, but I know it includes playing computer games, looking at pictures, eating cheese and plenty of other trouble!
- Go out back and throw ALL (3 buckets full) of his deemed pool toys through the gate and into the pool. I wonder if Nana and Da will ever admit how any times they get the net out and fish them all out for him to do again?!?
- take all the animals for a ride in his wagon around the house, but only if Nana makes her "nnn nnn nnn" sound effects!
- empty the pantry shelves and stack and play with all of it
- get into her baking drawer and 'cook cook' the goldfish with wooden spoons and bowls
- eat!
I am sure I am forgetting a favorite, they have so many 'routine' games over there. Nana, feel free to add a comment if I am forgetting something big.
I came to get him about 4:45, we talked and played for a bit and then headed home.
Daddy is at the double-header Ranger game tonight with work, so we were on our own. We ate some leftovers, played downstairs, "booped" (finally!), took a bath, watched the Ranger game and then headed up for bed.
Tonight he let me read him is potty books 3 times, he kept asking for more!
I put him down about 8:00, he whined once. I looked on the monitor about 8:10 and he was silently rolling around, but was out by 8:15.
Now... I am on the computer. :)
Here are some pictures from Nana and Da's.
I went into John's room around 7:30 and he shuffled around, opened his eyes for a second to make sure it was me, and then drug himself to his feet with arms up high. I held him for a minute, limp on my shoulder (wish I could pause this moment in time) and then laid him down for a diaper change. These are my favorite because John is still sleepy so he keeps his eyes closed and doesn't fight me on the diaper.
Get him dressed, grab his milk and off we go....
When we get to Nana and Da' house, he first runs and finds Nana and shows her whatever random thing he decided to bring from the house (today it was his play keys and my old phone). Then he proceeds to run to he foot of the stairs, point up and yell out for Da.
A quick forced kiss and hug for Mama and off I go to work. He could care less that I leave, but it is a good feeling.
Everyday is a new a different adventure over there, but some of their favorite things to do:
- get in the bed, put Nana's glasses on and read books to Mike (the monkey) and little dog. I think they flip and read the huge stack of books 100 times in a day.
- go to "Grandpa land" (upstairs), dubbed this because Grandpa's office is up there and he works during the day with several breaks to come visit John and take him to Grandpa land. I am not entirely sure what they do, but I know it includes playing computer games, looking at pictures, eating cheese and plenty of other trouble!
- Go out back and throw ALL (3 buckets full) of his deemed pool toys through the gate and into the pool. I wonder if Nana and Da will ever admit how any times they get the net out and fish them all out for him to do again?!?
- take all the animals for a ride in his wagon around the house, but only if Nana makes her "nnn nnn nnn" sound effects!
- empty the pantry shelves and stack and play with all of it
- get into her baking drawer and 'cook cook' the goldfish with wooden spoons and bowls
- eat!
I am sure I am forgetting a favorite, they have so many 'routine' games over there. Nana, feel free to add a comment if I am forgetting something big.
I came to get him about 4:45, we talked and played for a bit and then headed home.
Daddy is at the double-header Ranger game tonight with work, so we were on our own. We ate some leftovers, played downstairs, "booped" (finally!), took a bath, watched the Ranger game and then headed up for bed.
Tonight he let me read him is potty books 3 times, he kept asking for more!
I put him down about 8:00, he whined once. I looked on the monitor about 8:10 and he was silently rolling around, but was out by 8:15.
Now... I am on the computer. :)
Here are some pictures from Nana and Da's.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday
I am doing another chapter of the "This Week" journaling project that I started when he was 8 months old. His schedule has changed quite a bit since then, so I though it was time. (For those of you that are interested in comparison, the first chapter was done in October 2008)
7:30 - I hear John mingling with his monkey. He basically just goes through each word in his growing vocabulary. I give him until about 7:40 before I go in there. He likes his wake up time. Then we play a little in his room.
8:00 - After pulling out all the toys that we put up the night before, he finally tells me he is hungry. He eats a banana and some oatmeal.
8:30 - We cuddle and watch Sesame Street.I Cherish this time!
9:00 - run a quick errand.
9:30 - play inside and outside, it was a beautiful day.
10:30 - Shannon brings Ryann and Cal over to play. We pulled the bounce house out and all three kids were in it and loving it...for about 5 minutes, then they were 'all done'
11:15 - Head to Peter Piper Pizza for lunch and games. We had a great time, despite some fun rule breaking (see pictures) :)
12:30 - Home in time for a quick change, a book and then nap. He was asleep by 1:00 or so.
1:00 - 3:00 - Mom time! I was able to do the typical chores around the house, catch up on emails and I got to watch 'baby story'!
3:00 - I hear John waking up (this is an unusually long but welcomed nap), I go up there and we read books and cuddle for a bit.
3:20 - turn the music on in the bedroom and dance while we fold laundry (Daddy started this little game). Then we play a bit.
3:45 - snack at the learning tower (peaches and milk)
4:00 - play upstairs (mainly with Elmo Live and the tee ball stand)
4:45 - Daddy comes home and surprises us! We all three play upstairs for a bit, and then we head downstairs to start dinner and play.
5:15 - Daddy takes John to the bounce house while I finish up dinner.
5:45 - Eat a Cornbread Taco Bake (basic tex mex ingredients with cornbread on top). This was the first time we tried this and we all three liked it. It will enter the dinner rotation.
6:15 - John and I walk down to the park with the soccer ball (I worry that he slept so long that he will not sleep, so I wanted to wear him out!) I took a bunch of pictures. Zach, our little neighborhood friend, came up and took the ball. Look at John's stance when he does6:45 - Play 'peek-a-boo barn' on my iphone, while Daddy and I watch a little baseball.
7:00 - Bath (still loves the bath)
7:20 - John asks for some milk, we hang out in the living room and play different games with Daddy.
7:45 - Daddy take John to start bedtime routine (diaper, PJ's, teeth, book, pass off to Mama)
8:00 - John and I kiss Daddy goodnight, sing a song and say a prayer. I rock him for a minute or so, lay him down and put my hand on his back for another minute or so. Then I head out, he whines about it, but then is sound asleep within a minute.
8:10 - Mama and Daddy time
7:30 - I hear John mingling with his monkey. He basically just goes through each word in his growing vocabulary. I give him until about 7:40 before I go in there. He likes his wake up time. Then we play a little in his room.
8:00 - After pulling out all the toys that we put up the night before, he finally tells me he is hungry. He eats a banana and some oatmeal.
8:30 - We cuddle and watch Sesame Street.I Cherish this time!
9:00 - run a quick errand.
9:30 - play inside and outside, it was a beautiful day.
10:30 - Shannon brings Ryann and Cal over to play. We pulled the bounce house out and all three kids were in it and loving it...for about 5 minutes, then they were 'all done'
11:15 - Head to Peter Piper Pizza for lunch and games. We had a great time, despite some fun rule breaking (see pictures) :)
12:30 - Home in time for a quick change, a book and then nap. He was asleep by 1:00 or so.
1:00 - 3:00 - Mom time! I was able to do the typical chores around the house, catch up on emails and I got to watch 'baby story'!
3:00 - I hear John waking up (this is an unusually long but welcomed nap), I go up there and we read books and cuddle for a bit.
3:20 - turn the music on in the bedroom and dance while we fold laundry (Daddy started this little game). Then we play a bit.
3:45 - snack at the learning tower (peaches and milk)
4:00 - play upstairs (mainly with Elmo Live and the tee ball stand)
4:45 - Daddy comes home and surprises us! We all three play upstairs for a bit, and then we head downstairs to start dinner and play.
5:15 - Daddy takes John to the bounce house while I finish up dinner.
5:45 - Eat a Cornbread Taco Bake (basic tex mex ingredients with cornbread on top). This was the first time we tried this and we all three liked it. It will enter the dinner rotation.
6:15 - John and I walk down to the park with the soccer ball (I worry that he slept so long that he will not sleep, so I wanted to wear him out!) I took a bunch of pictures. Zach, our little neighborhood friend, came up and took the ball. Look at John's stance when he does6:45 - Play 'peek-a-boo barn' on my iphone, while Daddy and I watch a little baseball.
7:00 - Bath (still loves the bath)
7:20 - John asks for some milk, we hang out in the living room and play different games with Daddy.
7:45 - Daddy take John to start bedtime routine (diaper, PJ's, teeth, book, pass off to Mama)
8:00 - John and I kiss Daddy goodnight, sing a song and say a prayer. I rock him for a minute or so, lay him down and put my hand on his back for another minute or so. Then I head out, he whines about it, but then is sound asleep within a minute.
8:10 - Mama and Daddy time
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
18 months
We had our 18 month appointment today - everything went well. Stats below. Only thing that was sort of new/unexpected is that the Dr. said we should start full blown potty training now! John tells us when he has to "boop" or sometimes right after, so Doc said since he is recognizing it we should start. He said if we can train them before they learn it is a control thing that we would be better off... so...um... we will see...any opinions on this are welcome!
Stats:
Height: 34.5 inches (94%)
Weight: 26 lbs 10 oz (54%)
Head: 19.25 inches (79%)
Other things this month:
- I took him to the Dr. this month because he does not sweat. Yep, you read that right. We were around so many other kids his age that sweat, and all John does is get beet red. But the Dr. said since his little feet and hands get damp, that he is a-okay. He did NOT get my genes in this area.
- Consistently putting two words together. My favorite is "all done" (code for QUIT!) as it is usually said in the middle of a diaper change or when I rinse his hair in the tub.
- More teeth popped through. Not sure how many more could possibly be in there, but I feel like we have been teething forever!
- Went through (ok, still going through) a separation anxiety from Mama stage.
- After a couple of months (including a few set backs) of working on falling asleep on his own, we are there! He whines a little, but is usually done by the time I get downstairs. Then he just wallers around for a few minutes. I highly recommend not ignoring all the books and NOT waiting until 16 months to start this.
- He has started to grab your hand and walk ("ock") you where he needs you to be. And there is really no turning down his request, he will just repeat "ock" (or your name, if he knows it) over and over and louder and louder until he is in a full scream.
- He loves to be in big open areas. He will just laugh and run in circles. The driveway is the most convenient, thus the favorite right now.
- John and I took the first drive alone to Oklahoma this month (Daddy flew in later). It was MUCH better than expected, thanks to the portable DVD player.
- I bought his first 2T clothes! Although, he can still wear 18-24 months in most brands.
- This is the first month I have seen him play WITH another child, versus along side them. He seems to be very social when other kids are at our house. He still needs his warm up time when we go somewhere else though.
- We started 'the beast' class at Little Gym. The class is actually for 19 months and older, but the teacher thought he was ready - duh!
- He says Hi to everyone he sees (this seems a little late to me, so that is whyI am documenting it)
Stats:
Height: 34.5 inches (94%)
Weight: 26 lbs 10 oz (54%)
Head: 19.25 inches (79%)
Other things this month:
- I took him to the Dr. this month because he does not sweat. Yep, you read that right. We were around so many other kids his age that sweat, and all John does is get beet red. But the Dr. said since his little feet and hands get damp, that he is a-okay. He did NOT get my genes in this area.
- Consistently putting two words together. My favorite is "all done" (code for QUIT!) as it is usually said in the middle of a diaper change or when I rinse his hair in the tub.
- More teeth popped through. Not sure how many more could possibly be in there, but I feel like we have been teething forever!
- Went through (ok, still going through) a separation anxiety from Mama stage.
- After a couple of months (including a few set backs) of working on falling asleep on his own, we are there! He whines a little, but is usually done by the time I get downstairs. Then he just wallers around for a few minutes. I highly recommend not ignoring all the books and NOT waiting until 16 months to start this.
- He has started to grab your hand and walk ("ock") you where he needs you to be. And there is really no turning down his request, he will just repeat "ock" (or your name, if he knows it) over and over and louder and louder until he is in a full scream.
- He loves to be in big open areas. He will just laugh and run in circles. The driveway is the most convenient, thus the favorite right now.
- John and I took the first drive alone to Oklahoma this month (Daddy flew in later). It was MUCH better than expected, thanks to the portable DVD player.
- I bought his first 2T clothes! Although, he can still wear 18-24 months in most brands.
- This is the first month I have seen him play WITH another child, versus along side them. He seems to be very social when other kids are at our house. He still needs his warm up time when we go somewhere else though.
- We started 'the beast' class at Little Gym. The class is actually for 19 months and older, but the teacher thought he was ready - duh!
- He says Hi to everyone he sees (this seems a little late to me, so that is whyI am documenting it)
Monday, August 24, 2009
My Learning Tower
I first want to give credit where credit is due... Summer introduced me to this product and I am so thankful!
We got John a "My Learning Tower" (http://www.mylearningtower.com/) and we love it! The picture is self explanatory. This helps give John the freedom of being with us when we are trying to do something on the counter. He can climb up there on his own and eat a snack, color/scribble, sort mail, etc. And on a selfish note, it has made preparing dinner and doing the dishes much easier.
We got John a "My Learning Tower" (http://www.mylearningtower.com/) and we love it! The picture is self explanatory. This helps give John the freedom of being with us when we are trying to do something on the counter. He can climb up there on his own and eat a snack, color/scribble, sort mail, etc. And on a selfish note, it has made preparing dinner and doing the dishes much easier.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Pimp My Playroom
As John has become increasingly less interested in most of his baby toys, Daddy and I went on a "restock" spree. We wanted things that would keep his interest as he enters the next phase of toddlerism. Physical activity and creative play were the focus (at least those were my focus)
Playtable in gameroom:
'lil Kawasaki 4-wheeler:
Playtable in gameroom:
(Could be a lot better with a train set, but maybe later)
Sand & Sea table:
Sand & Sea table:
(He loves this thing, although we had to drain the "sea" as it was just mud!)
'lil Kawasaki 4-wheeler:
(Still warming up to this. He likes it, but I am not sure he gets that it will take him from one point to another. He also needs some steering training)
Magic Castle Bouncer:
(H.A.T.E.S it! This picture is the closest he will even get to it)
(H.A.T.E.S it! This picture is the closest he will even get to it)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Born and Bred
John took is first trip to OU last weekend! Carl and Granddaddy took John down to Norman for his first beer at O'Connells, get some OU gear and to see the Switzer Center. Yes, the Swizter center is closed to the public, but apparently Granddaddy thinks all of the big signs saying DO NOT ENTER were merely a suggestion.
At O'Connells John was mesmerized by the big moose head so lunch was a breeze!
At O'Connells John was mesmerized by the big moose head so lunch was a breeze!
This is a flag on display at the Switzer Center and had a plaque stating that it was donated by none other than Granddaddy! (Although it says William Louis Richards Jr.) Granddaddy has several things on display here.
Of course you have to get a picture of the Heisman trophy!
This picture is my favorite.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
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!
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!
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