It was a little too quiet

It was one of those times, he started with the cookie sheet cabinet, so I was on the other side of the room (crafting) and then knew he up was to no good when it was so quiet! At least he wasn't eating it, or the sprinkles.

He is so funny, He says Ho Ho Ho, to the Santas. The house looks really nice and he hasn't broken too many ornaments - no nice ones.Every morning he goes and turns on the tree lights. We are really excited for everyone to be together finally.

I am daily stunned by how smart (I think) he is. The things he knows baffles me, He must pay attention really well, and I don't know that I knew a 1.5 year old would know all those things. His language is coming along too. Nothing too big, but he copies a lot more of what we say and is trying a few more sounds. He says Happy (appi really) and we heard belly the other day. Those are good two syllable words to start with. And it took 18 months, but he finally says NO. He has shaken head before, mostly when he doesn't want to eat something, but now it's accompanied with a really sweet light no.

And, best of all, he gives hugs and kisses better, even to animals on book pages.

What a trip

6:50 am gardening

Bobby is so funny.  I don't have a bunch of cute stories, but day to day, he cracks us up.  If he hears the door open, he'll drop what he's doing (or a pot) and run to the door.  He's obsessed with the neighbors cat and the moon and gets upset if he can't find either one.  His "huh" move is palms up and mayve even shrugging his shoulders a bit.  He loves his bath, i have more video to post, I didn't want to get his hair wet, so I told his to do it and he willingly dumped a cup of water over his head.  He also shampooed his own hair and likes to rub moisturizer everywhere.

Good thing it's been warm, he loves sprinklers

He has been getting up early.  6:15 is super, but we have more 5:30s and had a couple days of 4:15 - something had to be going on.  But he has bundles of energy and never stops moving.  He runs everywhere and pumps his arm even when walking to show he's determined. He loves running through piles of leaves so luckily we have lots of those.  He's become a really good hugger, all to grammy and the dog.  not me.

Actually

Seeing as how the other easels are 0 for 2 on being used, I guess we'll stick to pencil and paper or chalk.  I would like a table for him (coffee table height) but I'll have to see how much space we have and where it would go.

Seriously, Don't buy us anything.

Bobby Christmas list

• ipad/ipod touch
• puzzles
• bike - maybe not til spring
• train set with tracks (not electric, not Thomas)
• costco catepillar dump truck/bulldozer
• easel (M&D?)
• picture story books
• toy tool set 
• ONE ornament

Really, this kid has played with 3 different trash cans in the last several days.  Please don't go crazy, we don't have room and he has so much stuff already. He doesn't need clothes or toys - I could probably wrap up library books and pots and pans and he'd be great.  

Yep

Jinxed that. Put him down before 7pm, up at 5:10am.

He cannot see a pad of paper without wanting it.  Better that than the furniture.  Also, I didn't mention that he know puts sound effects with everything.  Usually an explosion sound, and not just when cars are running into each other.  When he jumped into my arms, he did it.  thank Rick and Angry Birds for that.

I know the latest videos are a little boring but they give you a glimpse of what he's up to.

17 Months

Bobby is a real character.  It is fascinating to watch him and pretty funny usually.  He is pretty smart and picks up on everything.  Whenever a phone rings, he runs to kitchen land line and picks it up. He found a calculator the other day and put it to his ear.

Today, I was filling up his sippy cup from the fridge dispenser, I put it down on the fridge shelf to get the lid and he reached up and pulled it down - all over himself.  He was totally doused, hair all matted, so funny.

He is getting better at eating, I don't know how he's not starving, since he runs nonstop and poops a lot!  He is getting pretty good with utensils though and pretty much wants to be a part of anything you are doing.  He baked bread with us and put in ingredients and stirred the batter.  He topped his own pizza.

He is sleeping fairly well,  he was getting up at 5:50 for 3 mornings in a row, then made it 5:15, so that day I put him to bed at 6:50, instead of 7:30pm and he slept until 6am.  He goes down really fast at night, but hates naptime.  He usually ends up sleeping in the car.  Even at 11am, instead of his 1pm time at home. It makes running errands pretty hard.

He loves to read, but really it's just flipping pages really fast.  He is obsessed with his animal books, which Grammy and I both hate by now.

He also has discovered the TV. He points to it and the remote and wants you to turn it on.

He has started drawing circles and spirals, not just lines.  He also wants to draw all the time, whenever he finds a pen. And he can take on and off lids, which he loves to do.

HAlloween was pretty dull but still fun.  We went to the neighborhood party, where he pretty much played alone but in their playset and the bouncey house.  They had a hay ride and he is just a people watcher right now so he just played out front instead of trick or treating himself.

He loves being outside, even now that it's gotten cold.  He loves running through the leave piles and was quite a help planting flowers.

This Kid Loves Outside

And all the other mommy blogs I read are 90% photos, so I'm trying to make this more interesting, although the new template formats really screw me up.

Sounds

While reading a book tonight, I pointed out a seahorse and without pause, Bobby promptly brayed (like a horse)

End radio silence

Bobby got two more teeth broken through, the cuspids linking his 4 front teeth to the molars.
He really enjoys running and jumping and flopping on the bed endlessly.  We need a king bed in padded room.
I thought I had more to relate, but can't think of anything.

16 Months

Bedtime is (knock on wood) a breeze.  He sometimes drinks some milk (but not warmed up) read a bunch of books, sing a song in the dark, drop him in the crib.  He's been sleeping through the night (mostly) but still prefers a 6:30am wake up time.  We'll see what impact daylight savings has if any.

He is really smart, says I.  Of course, such a sponge at this age, he doesn't miss a thing.  Knows what utensils and cleaning supplies and kitchen gadgets do. Same with bathroom and garden tools.  Complete copy cat and has to be involved in everything. Loves being outside still. Will throw the ball forever with Rick. Obessed with the dog, won't leave her alone at all.  Often snuggles up in the dog bed.  Sophie gets better hugs than we do.

He knows signs for bird, fish, gorilla, elephant, alligator, cat, rabbit and sounds for a few more animals (chicken).  He says dog.  He identifies anything with a beak as a bird, which is pretty true, but penguins are a little more distinct e.g.  He thinks deer and goats are dogs, but i'll take it.  He understands most everything directed at him.  Says bye really clearly with a wave.  Signs bath, bed, done, more and everything else he just reaches, points and grunts/whines for.  Signs for ball with a dribbling motion.  Identifies your mouth, nose, eyes and sometimes ears.  Same on pictures of animals.

Three nights in a row.  No nursing, no tears, sleeping through the night. Woo hoo.

This Kid

Generally, I think Bobby has really good body control and balance, but I guess that doesn't mean he's coordinated.  And he's only been walking for 2 months, and now he's running, so he was bound to fall.  The matching horns on his head are fading slowly, but then he took his first real dive on the sidewalk at the playground and skinned his knee.  In his defense, the sidewalk was at least an inch unlevel at the seam.  I put a band aid on it to keep the neosporin from getting wiped off and every time he even saw the band-aid, he would get the most pathetic look on his face and whine - pretty funny stuff.

He is loving being outside as much as we can and we even went swimming today since it was 90.  I think it helps him sleep.  Every day is different, today he woke at 7 after waking at 3am; he took a two hour nap.  he goes down without a fuss, and it's about 50/50 if he stays down until morning.

15 Months

2 vaccines + flu shot.
22 pounds, 14 ounces weight (25%)
32.75" height (90%)

Long weekend

We had a good time at the zoo, can't say we did much animal watching, but it was fun for us all.  I pointed out the big bears and gorillas, but that's about it. He liked the geyser thing and walking the railings and throwing mulch.

He literally waves hi at everyone and everything that he sees - including me when he sat up while being rocked to sleep.

We dropped his morning nap,  I would have liked to hold onto it a little longer, but I think this was a good decision.  He still gets a little tired early (11ish) but can usually hang on until after lunch (12:30 or 1) and then sleep 1-1.5 hours.  I hope this gets longer.  I am sure I will jinx it, but he is super easy to put down to sleep again.  He goes down totally awake.  I sort of just hold him and explain it's time and then put him down and walk away.  Less than 10 minutes after we finish bathing and books etc.

We went to the corn maze today and had a lot of fun.  It was way hot, but still a good day.  Not crowded at all. I sort of hated the maze itself though.  I hate being disoriented and having all those turn choices!  But they also had a jumping pillow, which we stayed on forever since no one else was really on it. and a dinosaur fossil sand pit. and a tractor ride.  They also had a gem sifter thing and lots of rocks in the gift shop - perfect for a 4 year old I know.  Their zipline and pumpkin patch open next month.  Maybe we'll go back!

Update

After Bobby conked out in the car on the way home from A2, we tried to get him up for dinner and play before a later bedtime, but he would not engage, so he went to bed in his day clothes with no dinner :(  And he slept until almost 4am.  Then we played until 6am when he went down again for a good bit.  The spots were much less pronounced today - like a bite fading.  Still there, but not red or barely pink and not raised.  He was in a good mood, but not eating.

But as the day progressed, his mood got a little worse and he was pretty testy and overall blah. We ran some errands and went for a bike ride and walked around, but he was up and down until dinner time then it was all down.  We went out in the neighborhood again and it was fine, but he just started wailing after his bath.  Not hurt or wanting something or getting in the carseat or not liking getting dressed (-all why he usually cries).  It was so sad.  And it seems the bumps are back.  Not as many, but there are definitely some new ones - other side of his chest, some more on his legs.  Face and chest are clear though.  Back is much better.

So I'm a little worried,  Rick and I aren't totally convinced it is a drug rash.  But who knows.  I don't think it's bed bugs because I haven't seen any (bugs, blood, skin or bugpoop) on his white crib sheet, but you bet I'll be looking for them anyway in the morning. And Rick and I don't have anything like that and I don't think they would come from Rosannes pack and play or through our walls somehow.  The proximity to taking the antibiotic is just too close.  I'm doing a lot of web research and looking at a lot of nasty rash photos.

Little milestones

Bobby is now working on putting his stroller and carseat buckles together

He spent a lot of time on the swing and slide yesterday.  Previously he wasn't that into it, but now he's an adrenaline junkie.  He also did the more sign to stay on the swing.  First time ever.  (and not since)

He also blew bubbles in the bathtub. It was apparently an accident because every subsequent time, he swallowed half the tub water.

He can point to his belly when asked, and can blow raspberries on your belly. But he will also then stick his finger in your belly button and press as hard as possible.

Growing up

Bobbys cough is pretty much gone, but still lingers a tiny bit.  Day 5 of medicine.  The antibiotics gave him a nasty diaper rash.

He slept 8-8 last night after about 20 minutes of crying.  Skipped the morning nap and put him down at 1 - he only slept 35 minutes.  Crap.  No crying tonight, down at 7pm.  I am not excited about throwing a wrench in his sleeping routine just as he's getting back to it.

He is really a fun little kid.  Very mild mannered and has a pleasant disposition.  He loves saying hi to people, especially other kids at the library.  Anyone actually, but rarely are they close enough to hear him and say hi back.  He is crazy though.  He loves to jump off the couch, arms raised.  Or leap off the top step of the stairs.  Really keeps us on our toes.

Back in Michigan

We are back after our vacation out west.  It was great to get out of here for 9 days.  Usually, even though you don't want to leave the vacation spot, you're excited to come home - we didn't have any of that.  Flying back to Detroit was lousy and driving back to our crappy little town was even worse.  It was a good day of travel, but being home wasn't worth anything.  No mail, nothing in the fridge, blah.  The only good thing is that Bobby finally is back in a crib!  He did really well today, slept on both flights and was totally charming the rest of the time.

He had so much fun seeing his cousins.  He was pretty into Cooper - and treated Coop like Archer treats him, but he had a good afternoon or two with Cash.  It would be fantastic to have a family place where we could all use together, or separately.  It was a really good week, lots of playing outside, didn't venture out much around the lake - only on the boat once, more kayaking and golf carting.

We were then totally spoiled in San Mateo.  Bobby didn't sleep well there at all. don't know why, but he loved the pool, or actually hot tub.  With his turtle suit and floaties, he was totally buoyant and would just walk off the steps under the water.  We got some nice weather as we were leaving and spent a lot of time relaxing and playing.

Now, we are to pack up and find jobs.  We're trying to get to Memphis, but if we have to rent a trailer to get out of here (just big stroller and glider and suitcases) then it wouldn't make sense to drive that around for a week.  And I'm not excited to drive two days twice.  Bobby's hardest day was coming down the mountain back to the coast.

He finally got his fourth bottom tooth.  Also got at least 3 molars next to his canines.  And, he is on antibiotics for a microinfection that probably got irritated when we went on the airplane.  He had this little morning cough forever, then it got worst last week, since they have small sinuses etc...  We took him to a pediatric after hours place, didn't have to wait and saw a nice doctor who was super chatty.  150 bucks, but hopefully we can recoup that from the insurance company.

14 months

Bobby has figured out how to squeal really loudly.    Also how to squeeze a juice box and make it go everywhere.  I bought him some size 5 shoes.  Now that I look at them, they might be water shoes.  But the soul is really thick.  He curls his toes really bad when I try to put shoes on him so that makes it hard. He does have some velcro sandals that he'll sit still for - probably because he knows that means we're going outside.  I bought him this little garage sale battery operated train and he gets furious when it drives away from him.

We left him with a non-relative babysitter last night for the first time ever.  Of course, he was asleep at 7 and she came over at 7:30pm and didn't wake up so it wasn't really traumatic for anyone.

So Rooney lost.  badly.  don't know why. Michigan voters are idiots basically.  we'll see how November goes from afar, but other than that it's anyones guess what he'll do in two years.  Or what we'll do it in two weeks.  We have no back up plan.  We'd like to go to Tahoe with Carolyn this weekend but plane tickets are $7-800 each right now,  we'll see if they miraculously drop so we can get the heck away from stinkin Tecumsee for a while.

August 2

So Election Day is finally here. This time tomorrow night we'll know finally.  I'm pretty nervous. Just b/c it's so close.  I don't know if he can overcome this other guy.  The support is there, but they have to get to the polls.  It's sort of an uphill battle and he has a lot going for him, but a lot against him too and there's a lot of blog chatter and what not, but it could mean nothing.  We'll just have to see.  We don't really have a back up plan at all.  There's a job in the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, but that would just be another 1 year stop.  But I guess we could drop anchor and we'd find something there after.  I just don't want to be out there.  oops.

Bobby is doing pretty well.  He loves walking and being outside.  He goes to the front door all the time and reaches for the handle.  He will walk to the playground and ignore my hand if I offer it.

One of his favorite things to do is turn over the laundry basket, climb up on it and bounce.  He has no fear, which can work against him, but if I'm close, he'll walk right off the side of the bed or the stairs.  We went back to the Splash Pad today and he loved it .  Went right through all the sprays and fountains and stuff.  And that water is cold!

Michigan Sweet Corn - so good, 30 - 50 cents each, available everywhere. yum.

I'm definitely having some "live in the middle of nowhere, stay at home mom malaise"  I am sort of desperate to work , but have put myself in a field where that's hard and it's super competitive. Sigh.  I think with 2-3 kids, it would be different, but I don't have that much to do to fill up the days. And I don't mind run/nap/play/eat/play/nap/bike but you know.  Such is life I guess.