Saturday Morning-When Mommy Learns To Let Go

The walls at JW Tumbles are padded. The floor is soft. The exercising apparatus has a fluffy POOF pillow under it. And shoes are a definite no-no. This is not the nuthouse in Ashburn - this is where I learn to let go. I learned a valuable lesson from little man and the dozen other baggy-butted toddlers at JW Tumbles. Children, apparently, are not made of whipped cream. More importantly, I realized that Adrian will become a much more independent individual during his all-important formative years without us surgically attached to him. I took advantage of the fact that JW Tumbles is a safe haven for small children who have a place to learn about the importance of friendship, physical activity, arts and music. BTW, I was so proud that little man patiently waited his turn to ride on the electric train today, I think we as parents are doing something right!!! :)

Grocery Shopping

...out of my pantry. You would think he waits at least until he moves out to shop from my pantry!

Little Man Repeats Himself Incessantly!

Speaking to little man is like speaking to Mr. Short term Memory. Do all toddlers do this? Our 10 minute car ride today consisted of him asking for Miko and Dada. I'm sure he just likes using his vocab and I'm a crappy mom for wanting to drive off the road.

Adrian: babble babble Dada?

Me: Yes, Dada will be home shortly after we arrive at home.

Adrian: Dada?

Me: Yes, Dada will be home soon.

Adrian: babble babble Mimi (aka Miko)? gets side tracked and screams out Trrrrruuuuuccckkkkk and then repeatedly yells truck truck truck truuuuccckk.

Me: what color is truck?

Adrian: babble babble Truck.....Daaaddaaaa?

Aaaaand repeat asking for Dada 1,569 times. It's hilarious!

Growing Up!

Since your first day, dada and I talked about you all the time. Before we fall asleep we talk about the things you do. We talk about your determination. You never let anything go. If you want it, you'll get it at all costs. Mama thinks you were born with a plan to get up and go - and every day you get closer to the goal. We also talk about how smart you are, new words you've said and new connections you make. Your vocabulary at only 18 months is immense. Your intelligence has surpassed all of our expectations. You even know what "no more" is. How can an 18 month old understand the concept of no more?! Seems impossible, yet every time you finish a snack and I tell you no more you seem to be okay with it! And in the past week you've even started counting to 3 when we start counting. Its so so hard to believe it all.

I try to capture your growth and progress in all these photos and words, but there are so many changes every day, its hard to keep up with! So many things sneak up on us. When we're carrying you in our arms, when did you start holding back? When did you gain a sense of humor, laughing at the tv and at us? When did you get a temper, yelling at me "aat, aat!" (out) when I don't unbuckle you from your highchair. When did you learn where my ears are, even moving my hair out of the way to find them? When in the world did you learn all these new, random words like "digger" and "buckle"?

I hear a lot of new mamas talk about how much they miss being pregnant. How they miss having their babies so close to them and all to themselves. I can't say I have ever missed being pregnant. I was so happy the day you were born. So happy you were finally a part of our family. So happy to see my baby grow into a toddler. I loved every stage this first year (maybe not the sleep deprievation part) and was in awe of every milestone reached. And now, I can't wait to see what's next. To take you places and do things with you. To see you develop your own sense of style, your own interests and talents. I can't wait to take you shopping for clothes that you pick out, to decorate your room the way you want it, to see you on a sports team, and to build sandcastles together. I can't wait to watch you grow.

Lovely Fall Day At The Park

First Day of JW Tumbles Class

JW Tumbles is an indoor playground that offers a different programs for each class. We hope little man builds social and physical developmental skills as well as have fun in the program. As the weather turns cooler outside we figure we have to bring the fun indoor and what a great way to let him blow off some steam on Saturday mornings. The bonus is I don't have to sign up for a gym, chasing little man around at JW Tumbles for an hour is my workout for the week! Phew!

Building Masculinity

Maybe little guy will be handy like his daddy and his daddy's daddy. I just couldn't resist these Black and Decker toy tools, toolbelt and hard hat from Target.

Dinosaur Park

Playdate with Ethan and Patrick at Dinosaur Park.

He Makes Me Brave!

Little man and I were playing in the play area on the second level. He was a fantastic DJ with his music table and all of a sudden I saw a HUGE SPIDER crawling up his leg.

OMG. I freaked. Heart stopped, cold sweat, the whole nine yards. I am proud to say though, that even though in most situations I would have ran screaming in the opposite direction, this time I put aside my fears and jumped up, ready to save my son from this wild beast!

I quietly - so as not to frighten my precious angel, not because I was too terrified to make a sound - ran over to him, totally prepared to get that spider off of him with my bare hands (can you imagine!?). I reached out to grab it, thinking I would really need some counseling after this experience and....

It was a thread!!!!!!

Apparently, I'm more blind than a bat without my contacts in!

BTW, remember that scene from Jurassic Park where the T Rexs learn to open doors? I think this baby T Rex is going to figure out how to open this gate soon. I've caught him studying that latch numerous times.