Without further ado...John's first birthday party.
Of course there was cake. Daniel has been really into making rainbow cupcakes so he and I made John's birthday rainbow cupcakes. John seemed to be quite impressed.
"Hmmmm....I wonder if there is anymore?"
This was John's first piece of cake ever. He instictively knew what to do with it - lol.
This one isn't from the party but that smile! I couldn't resist!
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He is obsessesed with ABC’s and numbers. When he stares at the clouds he doesn’t see animals or buildings. “Look up there, Mommy! ‘A’”
He loves to go for walks and says Hi to most who pass by, even if they don’t respond. He loves to be tickled. He also loves to tickle me and his little brother. (daddy’s lucky he isn’t ticklish)
He’s been practicing for this day for almost a month making “cakes” by stacking toys and singing “Happy to me, happy to me” then blowing out an imaginary candles. Today Daniel is 3. Time goes by fast. Three years is a short time yet I can’t imagine life without my little cuddle bug.
I’m in awe that in less than 2 weeks Daniel will be 3 years old. Although (we feel) we’ve been treating him like an older child, forgetting that he is still only 2 it feels like a real big deal to me that he will soon be 3.
Daniel is finally getting this potty training deal. Yes, he still goes in his diaper a lot but he’s also very proud when he gets it in the potty. High fives all around. Hugs and kisses too. And the occasional treat of ice cream. (that last one is his Daddy’s idea – usually because Daddy wants a treat too.)
Daniel has been practicing for his big day. He made a “cake” by stacking some toys and then sang “Happy to you, Happy to you” before blowing out an imaginary candle. It was a sweet moment. We both look forward to the real thing.
It is so difficult for me to describe the pride and love that I feel for him when he learns a new skill. Or talks in complete-ish sentences. Or when he pees in the potty and beams with pride at his accomplishment. Or when he gives me hugs and kisses. And when he tells me he loves me. Xoxox little man Dan!
Hey Daniel I think that cookie needs more icing.
As he ate his cookies his only comment was "MMMMMmmmm...mmmmmmm...good!"
John has cut a couple more teeth. We’re up to a count of 8. Four on the top four on the bottom. And he likes to use them. He’s bitten my shoulder countless times. And fingers? He loves to chew on fingers.
John is starting to “talk” a lot. Often mimicking his big brother and vice versa. They like to practice screaming and squealing to my great delight – NOT!
The boys are already wrestling. I thought I had a few years until that would happen.
John loves his food. His favourties are peas and sweet potato. Though he doesn’t seem to mind meat at all. Bring on that chicken.
He’s sleeping on a regular schedule now. Sometimes I will hear him around 4am but he settles himself back down which is a relief.
John is quite a character. When Daniel gets in trouble this little baby actually laughs. Isn’t that crazy?
John is the peek-a-boo champion of Ontario. Just give him a blanket and a friendly face and he’s off to the races.
Though part of me longs for lighter chores (no bottles or diapers –eventually) I also don’t want him to grow up too fast. But it always goes too fast. That’s life.
John is starting to verbalize a lot. Especially with Daniel. When we are in the car the two of them have wonderful conversations in the back seat. Very adorable. He is saying dada and mama – but so far only to Aaron. When I ask him to say mama he usually blows me a raspberry. Lucky me!
I predidted that he would walk by the end of his ninth month. He is showing some progress. Cruising around holding onto furniture. He can even stand on his own for a few seconds. Especially if Daniel isn’t around to push him down.
A few weeks ago he started pulling himself up to a standing poition. By now he is cruising along holding onto any furniture (or people) he can get his hands on. Yesterday he was standing at the coffee table. He turned to look at Aaron and myself sitting on the couch. John turned slightly and let go of the table. He stood (very well) on his own for as long as it took me to say “Oh my God he’s gonna do it. He’s gonna walk!” And then splat right to the floor.
We are still trying to get John to sleep until 7am. So far he only gets that far when I want to get up early. Usually he wakes at 5:30am. He might play and coo for about 5-10 minutes and then he starts crying. Sometimes it sounds like he’s crying “Mommy”. I thought it was Daniel a few times. The little brother is mimicking the older one.
We will leave him in his room until about 6:30am. I take him for a walk around a neat park with a ravine. I keep forgetting my camera (as usual – I should rename this blog “So I forgot my camera…again!”). There is some really neat wild life around. We have a ton of rabbits is this area (and in our backyard). There were some interesting ducks I couldn’t identify (and still haven’t looked up) which is cool because I grew up on Lake Wilcox so I’ve seen a lot of water birds. There is also a blue heron that I have only seen twice. I love how they look like they belong in Jurassic park. So prehistoric looking. And anti-social.
Back to John and HIS walk…I’m enjoying this part of it. Fresh air and exercise. And challenging – the walk home is all uphill.
We get home around 7am and I give the little man his bottle which he practically feeds himself. We’re hoping this delaying tactic will adjust his hunger schedule. Fingers still crossed.
At eight months John is REALLY starting to look like his daddy. Aaron and I may not have gotten a boy and a girl, but our boys are like each of our little clones.
I’m am predicting that when I write John’s 9 month update I will be musing about his walking ability (and maybe even talking? Or starting his own rock band?)
On a side note - I didn't realize how grown-up Daniel looks until I saw this picture! Where did my baby go?
He is learning his alphabet and numbers quicker than I could have ever imagined. Yet he still wants his blanket. And if Daddy isn’t around he searches for him. Daniel can feed himself and ask for his favourites, most of the time remembering to say please and thank you. Yet, he still needs mommy to help get those last couple of spoonfuls of apple sauce from the bottom of the container.
Daniel loves to sing – on his own terms. He gets excited when he gets it right. He gets very frustrated when things don’t go his way. He cries when he’s tired. He still loves to cuddle.
He is still in diapers. He wants to go potty but doesn’t quite get it yet. He has peepeed on the floor and in the tub. Seeing how that happens amazes him. Soon he will get it in the right place.
He is the first person I have ever been willing to sacrifice everything for.
Our appointment was scheduled for 2pm on Monday two months ago. Two months ago he was sleeping whenever and didn’t really have a schedule. Fast forward to his 6 month old life and 2pm is usually half way through his nap. I was expecting my little guy to either by passed out in the waiting room or wailing his little head off. (He usually reserves the wailing for a delayed bottle). He was a little angel. Though a lot more vocal and dramatic then Daniel at this age, he is still a pretty mellow guy most of the time. He didn’t sleep but he had a blast smiling at everyone who would look at him. He loved checking out a different enviroment.
The pediatrician was a nice older man. Obviously has a lot of experience with babies. He knew what noises to make John happy.
He examined John with the stethascope and John giggled. Thankfully the doctor didn’t hear anything strange. Nothing to worry about but we should come back next month to double check.
He was more concerned with John’s skin than his heart. John has had very bad eczema on his ankles and cradle cap since birth. I had hoped the issues would go away on their own but recently the ankles have turn to weeping eczema. The doctor took a swab from his ankles and prescriped some cream. He explained to me the whole regimine of oiled baths, cream rubs topped with vaseline. We’ve got a baby spa going on here. I almost started laughing when he suggested I use yeast infection cream for his skin problem on his neck and chin. The more I thought about it the more it made sense.
Doctor also told me that if he still has cradle cap at 6 months that it is now considered eczema. We are to use the “neck cream” on his scalp.He even told me that it is okay to peel away any loose flakes. I really just assumed it would go away like it did with Daniel.
All is well. Little John enjoyed a bath and then his avacado dinner. In retrospect I should have done the bath after dinner but I was eager to start his cream treatments.
Here’s to clear skin and a restful night.
Danny always sneaks in here somehow ;P
It was a beautiful day for a Christening. Quite warm actually. Lucky the church and hall had a/c.
All my people showed up on time. The food was great. And John was very good. Only fussed a bit from wanting his bottle. He also enjoyed pulling his Godfather's beard.
Daniel and his cousin's (whom he adores) were on their best behavior. Playing on the little stage set-up in the hall.
The next morning John slept in. aaron announced that the chrstening worked-lol. not for long though.
Photos taken by my gramma. I, once again, hardly got any good pics. Thanks again Gramma :)
"Oh my God! I'm six months old."
John has two bottom front teeth now. And since he is drooling like a rabid baby I am assuming the top two will not be far behind. And boy can this kid wiggle around a room. I don't remember Daniel doing the commando style wiggle. Daniel liked to roll.
Speaking of our favourite little toddler. Daniel had his first haircut this week. Here he is showing it off.
He was a real champ giggling the whole time the lady was cutting his hair. The electric clippers freaked him out a little but I thought he did an amazing job. And now he looks so grown up.
Here is little John enjoying his big backyard.
This picture makes me think of "The Sopranos".
This Sunday John will be Christened. I'm looking forward to introducing our little guy to the family.
