Messy…but Oh So Good!

Today we tried a new approach to eating. Little Man  has never been a great eater.   We literally have a major battle every time we sit down to eat.   So today our approach was let him eat what he wants, how he wants and as much as he wants…….what a difference it made.    Everything that went on the plate became an experiment for him. 

Our first step was to buy bowls that could be attached to his tray.   Give him a spoon that he could easily grip and away he went………. 

 

Lunch time is over already???  This was too much fun!

Time for Dinner…….Let’s give it another try!

Hopefully breakfast tomorrow morning will be just as successful.  

How to Shovel Snow like a MAN

All bundled up ready to make something with this white stuff….it is covering the ground so it is

probably time to build a snowman, a snow cave, oh it’s just time to shovel?????

Let’s get ready…………..

Snow boots, snow pants, snow coat, and gloves…now what am I suppose to do????

You want me to do what????

I’ve seen this cold wet stuff before, and I like how my boots make tracks in it…

Shoveling….well I think I’ll leave all that slipping and sliding down the driveway

to someone a little bigger than me!

Co-Sleeping Works for US!

No this is not our bed…but many days you will find us just like this for nap time…….AND EACH and EVERY night I think about how lucky I am to be able to watch my Little Man fall asleep. I think of how lucky I am to be able to touch him and know that he is a peaceful, safe and warm. I remember the day he was born I promised I would always be there for him;  I promised that I would give my love freely and generously. And I think of how good it is for him to fall asleep every night comforted by the warmth and closeness of the person who loves them the most in this world.

There are no awards for how early a child sleeps alone all night. When I am old and frail he won’t say,  "Mom, thanks for making me sleep alone when I was a baby, or I might never have learned how to sleep!!"

SO……….If I win the Sleep Trophy it will be because my Little Man has not ever cried himself to sleep, aaahhhh without me right there by his side. Sometimes he just doesn’t want to give in to that “I’m So Tired Feeling”

One day he will sleep alone.  And probably the days of crying himself to sleep will come: girlfriends will break up with him or he with them, a family pet will leave this world, he might not get the job he really wanted, a friend will tell him a lie….you get the picture….but it just won’t be because I made him CRY himself to sleep! 

Without guilt……..for as long as I can, I will make bedtime a happy event of togetherness and connection.  It is my privilege to do so.  And in case any of you want to point fingers at me and say SHAM SHAM….

Co sleeping is normal, healthy, safe and most of all… Awesome.

Why? Well just to name a few reasons:

• Baby sleeps better. Anyway Little Man does. Yes sireeeee he does! 
• Less mama anxiety. It feels so natural to sleep with him….so I just do it.
• Feeding time is simple and I get to sleep through it. Mostly.
• It’s SAFER than a crib. No recalls either. Breathing is regulated. Any problems with baby are known– since the baby is RIGHT next to you.
• On a side note…we have made Little Man’s Crib into a day bed, he naps there very comfortably and some nights even sleeps there for a few hours…then finds his way to the big bed! 
• Cute smiley faces in the morning all around! Mostly mine! 
• Oh and did I mention MORE SLEEP???  Isn’t that reason enough!!!!!

Green Boogies

 

Only 9 days into the new year and here we are visiting Dr. D….

It was a complete surprise to Little Man when this huge big green boogie came running down his nose and touched his lips…..gross.

Dr. D gives “me” a complete check over and tells “Mommy”….The color of your snot does not necessarily indicate how sick you are – really green snot doesn’t necessarily mean you’re really sick, and clear snot doesn’t necessarily mean you aren’t sick. 

Ears are clear

Lungs are clear

Throat is a touch red

SINUS INFECTIONS ARE YUCKY!

It might “SNOT” be pretty, but your green snot “Little Man” is just a sign that your body is helping you get better quickly!

Now we have some yummy pink Meds that are almost as good as candy! 

Hello Winter

Utah’s first major snowstorm of the season arrived early Saturday, and I realized this morning that I am woefully unprepared for winter. Kendry didn’t have gloves, snow pants, or boots….so it was off to the Market Place to get geared up!

Kendry was bundled up, our snowman kit was all ready to go, and out we ventured into the powder!   POWDER POWDER POWDER….snowman will have to join us another day!  With or without a snowman Little Man loved it!

 He swatted it, tasted it, and then he started crawling around in it.  He was digging a hole in the snow when we decided to try and make a snow angel…he wouldn’t lay still enough for a picture of him but the shape came out very nice!

Tonight he is enjoying the snow from the comfort of our home, next to a cozy warm fireplace to keep us warm!   CUZ…baby it’s cold outside!

19 Months of Love

Welcome to Month 19 Little Man.  Let’s get started with your stats:

Weight:       23 lbs

Height:        32 inches

Clothing:       18 – 24 month size

Shoe Size:     6 1/2 or 7

Now here is what has been happening in your world:

Almost everyone who meets you comments on three things: 1.) how happy you are; 2.) how cute you are; and 3.) your amazing personality. It takes a stranger maybe 20 seconds to realize these things about you, and they are so essential to the core of who you are these days. They are right on! Couldn’t resist sharing this picture one more time of your First Dance on New Year’s Eve!

With very few exceptions, you are an extremely happy toddler.  We joke that you can always find a "victim" and do whatever sweet thing you can to get their attention…usually by dancing your little heart out!  It almost always works. My favorite thing about it is to see the joy you bring to so many people's faces; you really have an amazing knack at making people smile. You like to exercise your independence, but you want us to see and acknowledge what you’re doing. You are a fantastic mimic and realize quickly the things you do that make us laugh.  See here you are telling mommy …….that is not what I want to drink, bring me my bottle!

The second thing strangers notice, how cute you are, which is obviously very true. Your eyes are the deepest brown that twinkle and sparkle.  They are very expressive, too. Actually it is your brow that is very expressive, it moves up and down with a frown to a complete look of surprise!  So amazing! Here you discovered face time on the cell phone…Squeals of delight!

The third thing…..You have managed to perfectly mixed mellow and wild child!  You love to snuggle ….on your terms!  When you are ready to run and play you scoot away with delight!  You’re have not learn how to be patient with getting changed and dressed, you protest when it’s time to put your arms through shirt holes, kick your legs in the air when getting your diaper changed…and flip and turn and crawl all over the bed!  You also love to help out in so many ways around the house, especially with the laundry.  Grandpa was surprised to learn that you thought fingernail polish belonged in the laundry basket.  Now lots of his clothes have sparkle purple nail polish permanently on them.  Here you are helping fold a batch of nice warm clothes:

You’re definitely a  child of the 21st century. You actually hate when anyone tries to take away “your” electronics, knowing full well that they are not actually yours! You always protest and instantly begin a tug of war and you’ve been known to throw a tear-filled tantrum that makes everyone smile, wondering what

we’re in for during your toddler years!!!!

Christmas time was delightful, you loved sitting on Santa’s lap (you saw 3 of his Jolly Helpers this year).  The presents were great and the gift wrap and boxes were even more exciting for you.  Everyone knows exactly what you like WHEELS and MUSIC.  It has been amazing to watch you play with each and every gift, dragging them through the house, onto the beds and couch, and playing with all the passion you have.   You can entertain yourself to almost a full hour…we think that is remarkable and above average for a Little Man your age!

Let’s talk about talking…you can put a string of words together that has absolutely no meaning to any of us, yet you know exactly what it is you are talking about.   You do put several phrases together, your latest is READY, SET….GO  it is so dang cute!   You also love knocking on the front door and saying “Who’s there?”  When you climb on top of things you know to say “GET DOWN!”…

but someone always has to get you down!
We know you have talent talking,singing, dancing, and playing. You are still practicing away on your piano skills every day!

If there’s a single word you should live your life by, it should be this: Love. It might sound corny, I know … but trust me, there’s no better rule in life.

My prayer for you is that you will live your life by the rule of love. Love your spouse, your children, your parents, your friends, with all of your heart. Give to them what they need, and show them not cruelty, nor disapproval, nor coldness, nor disappointment, but only love.

Love not only your loved ones, but your neighbors … your coworkers … strangers … your brothers and sisters in humanity. Offer anyone you meet a smile, a kind word, a kind gesture, a helping hand. It will make all the difference in the world!

Little Man I love you to the Moon and Back. You have changed the course of my life and made it worth living. 

XOXOXO

Mommy