New Favorite Dance

Nothing is too heavy for me

October 2012

Rio Update: 16 Months

Dear Rio,

You are now 16 months old.  You are a steady walker and quick runner. You keep us on our toes!  You make me laugh every single day.  Recently you have shown an interest in shoes.  You pick up the shoes by the front door and deliver them to their owner (even when we aren't going anywhere). If you see a beer bottle (empty or full) you deliver it to Daddy with pride.  If we leave a six pack on the floor (before putting it in the fridge) you will bring each beer one by one to Daddy.  You are good at following directions.  When we say it's time to take a bath or change your diaper you are quick to run to the bath or grab a diaper.  You had your first bubble bath the other night.  After the bubbles all popped I looked at you and asked "where did the bubbles go."  You handed me the bottle of soap then motioned to pour it in the tub.  You gave me a look like "Duh Mom, if you want more bubbles just pour out some more soap."   You have started playing well with Lily.  You are caring and gentle when playing with her.  I love to watch you two play together.  

You clearly understand everything but you don't talk too much.  You will imitate quite a few words but you still don't use words too much on your own. You started saying "Mama" but I usually have to tell you to say it.  I think you would prefer my name was "AHHH" because that's what you usually do to get my attention.  You say: uh-oh, no, go, apple, eye, more.  You are now taking one afternoon nap.  You still wake up around 4:00am but the last few nights Daddy has brought into our bed and held you in a bear hug and you will go back to sleep and sleep until a decent time.  You love your binky and blanket.   You would prefer to have those two things with you at all times.  You love to be outside.  You are always happy to walk around outside to explore the world.  You also love jumping and rolling around on the couch.  I should also mention your love of TV.  You will often go to the TV point to it and yell. If that doesn't get me to turn it on, you will bring me the remote.  I have never seen a baby your age with such an attention span for TV.  I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little worried about this.  Looks like we are already going to have to set some TV limits with you.  

I think you look a lot like Daddy in this picture:

You got this kaleidoscope and insisted on looking through it with your ear:

Love you,

Mama

Recent Photos

Rio Update: 15 Months

Dear Rio,
You are now 15 months old.  A baby no more but a toddler who is always on the move.  You have mastered walking and have recently become much more solid on your feet.  Your individual personality has become more clear lately.  You are gentle with a kind heart.  It is so clear even from this young age.  When Lily is upset or crying you always try to comfort her with a hug and a kiss.  You are observant when around other kids.  You don't take toys from others and are starting to understand turn taking and sharing.  Following Lily around seems to be your favorite past time.  If Lily is another room and I ask "where's Lily?" you will drop whatever you are doing to find her.  Order seems important to you.  If you know where something goes you like to put it back where it belongs.  You like to help around the house.  Feeding the dogs, sweeping, throwing away trash, and unloading the dishwasher will always capture your full attention.  When I go out to pick up dog poop, you will find dog poop in the grass and just stand in the grass pointing to it until I pick it up.  You will even follow directions.  You will sometimes go get a diaper when I ask you for one.

You are starting to say a few more words although they are mostly in imitation.  You still will not say Mama, Dada, or Lily!!  Here are the things you do say: pop, ma/more, up, ah uh/apple, dow/down, go, Scow/Scout, quack. You snort to make a piggy sound and click your tongue to make a horse sound.  You are fascinated by animals.  You love to pet the dogs and spot birds in trees.

You are a pretty good eater.  You will generally eat what we eat, although every day is different.  I learned you really don't like cantaloup.  Sleeping is better.  You continue to wake up at 5:00 every morning.  I have started letting you stay in your crib until 6:00am.  You are not very happy about that but it has to be done.

You make me smile every single day!

Love,
Mama

Piggie

Jacqueline took this video of you today.

Taking a walk

Soccer

Lil' Kicker

Lily,

You started your first soccer class.  You got your first jersey!  Despite your serious face in the picture belowyou seem to really like it. You are the fastest runner out there!

Summertime fun

Rockaway Beach, Oregon

Last week we went to Rockaway Beach in Oregon with our friends Kim, Grant, Amanda, Levi, and Asher.  We rented a house with the grand plan of spending a weekend on the beach.  That weekend the beach was cold and windy so we had most of our fun in the house.  The house had this tiny door under the stairs that was perfect for entertaining four kids.

The only we we could get all four of you to stay still was to give you food.  

We had the best time visiting with friends.  Can't wait to do it again next year!

Fox Hollow Farm

 We went to Fox Hollow Farm with Kim and Grant.

Grant driving Lily around:

You both have on your serious face:

Super cute picture of Grant:

Grant trying to give Lily a hug: