i phone

You have become a pro at using my i phone. You somehow manage to get it unlocked and browse the pictures every time. You also know how to get your music on. Yesterday you even managed to take a picture of yourself. You have tons of toys, but that is by far your top choice.

Big brother

Not sure if you know or not, but you are going to be a big brother in May. You like to talk to your baby brother in my belly. I bet you guys will be best friends.

Thanksgiving

We had a great week with Nana, Grandpa, and Auntie Sam visiting us. You loved going bed to bed and jumping on everyone to wake them up. You also loved having lots of new play mates. Grandpa made funny faces and noises at you. Auntie Sam took you to play outside often. Nana took you on a bike ride. You convinced all of them to share anything they were eating with you. Grandpa and Auntie Sam took you to the pet store to play with the adoptable cats, but some how that turned into bringing home a fish. Nana bought you lots of cute pjs for next year. We get to see them all again in 2 weeks when we go to their house.

Halloween

We had a great day yesterday at Daddy's school. Each department set up a table and passed out candy, crafts, and games. You surprised us both and left your monkey costume on the whole time. We didn't try for the hat part because you hate hats. You enjoyed picking out your own treat and putting it in your bucket. But you loved Sully the best of all. You ran to him and waved any chance you got.

Zoo

Last weekend we went to the Columbus zoo. Your favorite animals were the gorillas, komodo dragon, and the petting zoo horse. You ran around the gorillas doing laps around their cages waving to them. Luckily you didn't scare the dragon with all the banging you did on his window. After the zoo we took you back to Dave and Busters to run wild looking at the lights and sounds of the games.

18 month stats

Today at the doctor you weighed 26 pounds 4 ounces and were 33.8 inches. Both stats are up 3 since last time.

Pumpkin Patch

Today we went to Young's and took a tractor ride out to the pumpkin patch. You enjoyed running up to all the pumpkins. Next we put you in a wagon to ride further to see the big pumpkins. You picked out which one you wanted and off we went. We also bought some pumpkin donut holes that were a big hit with all of us.

New words

You now say mom and dad all the time. You still say cat more then any other word. Duck and that have been heard a few times too.

You also learned signs for eat, milk, water, and more.

Dave & Busters

Yesterday we took a day trip to Columbus to do something different. We went to 2 new malls to walk around and check out their kid play areas. They were very busy with kids, but it didn't stop you from finding the stairs and going up and down 100 times.

Next up we went to Dave and Busters for dinner and play. Your eyes lit up when you saw all the lights and buttons. You went game to game pushing buttons and watching lights and listening to the sounds. We will have to go back in December when we are close to one again.

Aquarium

After we dropped Gammie and Pop of at the airport we took you to the aquarium. You loved running around like a crazy man checking everything out. They had a fun jungle gym area for you to blow steam off before finishing our long car ride. The touch pool was your favorite part until you tried to climb in. You also liked the animal statues like the frogs and penguins.

Gammie and Pop Visit

This weekend Gammie and Pop came to visit and see how big you got. You did amazing with them, but then again Gammie won your heart from the first minute she said she would lift you up to turn the fan on. Plus it didn't hurt that after that she gave you some really cool new books with wheels. You must have really liked Pop since you shared your chex with him and we all know how much you love to eat. He took you for a bike ride around the house and even did a few wheelies to win you over. You loved when we went out to dinner Gammie took you away from the table to walk. You saw birds and flowers and even water fountains.

Busy toddler

You have been very busy this week discovering things around you. You can now open the doors in the house and like to do so over and over again. You can turn the tv on and then off over and over while getting mad your show goes away. You even opened the front door this week and let the dogs take a run through the streets.

It's getting cold out, but yet you want to spend all day outside. You bring me your shoes and stand by the door banging to go out.

You have become obsessed with my car keys this week and need to hold them all around the house or you throw a fit. We made you your own set, but it doesn't have a button where a key pops out like mine.

17 months

At 17 months you are getting more independent every day. You like to walk everywhere by your self. You still love the stairs the best. We are settled in our house and you are back on schedule of 6-6 and 10-1 for sleep. You know where to stand to ask for milk or a snack.

We started swim lessons this months and you love it until its time to do something beside climb on the steps.

We also started going to the Y for me to work out and you to play with other kids. So far the longest you lasted was 20 mins but we will get there soon.

Boonshoft Discovery Museum

Nana and Grandpa got you a membership to the children's museum by our new house for your birthday. We went the day the unpackers came to get out of the way. You loved the water table the best. Although the recycle truck was high on the list too. I enjoyed watching you get excited over the meerkats, but that quickly turned to frustration that you couldn't get into their cage. I'm sure we will be going back many more times in the future.

16 months

To celebrate 16 months we got on a plane and moved from Albuquerque to Dayton. You were great and slept both plane rides. We got stuck in Dallas for a long time and you made a lot of friends climbing onto the chairs and playing peek a boo with anyone who came near. You loved walking all around the gate area and made friends with a few kids hoping they would share their toys.

We had a busy month getting the house ready to move. You slept in our house like usual, then in a hotel pack and play, next up the new house pack and play. Finally to your new room set up back in a crib. You love our new house stairs and play there more then anywhere else.

In the past month you have started walking more then just a few steps here and there to full blown all over the house. No new words or foods. Still 4 teeth, but another soon to follow. Your favorite things include anything but toys: empty dog food bowls and random toiletries top the list. You enjoy cars and balls too.

Miami for the second time

We had a great family trip in Miami last week and got to spend a ton of time with Auntie Sam, Nana, Grandpa, and Bubba Chick and Papa Dick. You were shy at first, but by the end of the week you knew exactly which person to hold your arms up to, to get exactly what you wanted: fish and bacon from grandpa and cake and pringles from Auntie Sam.

Each morning we started at Grandpa's hotel for breakfast buffet where you ate your weight in bacon and then got beyond excited over the fish tank. After that we went swimming before you went to nap. After nap you got to play all around the room before dinners out. You enjoyed hanging out on the bed and climbing into the window the best. At dinner you became very interested in a touch and feel book that everyone read to you over and over again. You tried new foods like spinach dip and lots of ice cream, climbed new places like onto the bed by your self, made a lot of new friends and great memories too.


We were all sad to leave and can't wait till Thanksgiving so we can see everyone again.

15 months

At 15 months you weigh 23 pounds 12 ounces and 32 inches still around 50 percent right on track.

You have 3 teeth and another coming any day. You can take 5 steps toward us if we stand you up. You know a few words including cat and dog.

You love all things cars, balls, and Mickey.

You sleep great usually 6 to 6 and nap 1030 to 1230.

You eat great too and would eat all day if we let you.

You love to point at what you want or show us by trying to open the pantry where the snacks are.

You still love gymboree and climb up the slide and all over the place. We go to workout too and you sit and eat snacks and play with other kids with your cars.

Clapping

Today you learned how to clap and think its pretty fun to do.

First steps

You took your first steps this week up to 5 steps, but I'm sure will be running in no time. We were at boot camp and like usual you wanted to help mommy do crunches. I stood you up away from me trying to buy some time, but much to my surprise you walked back to me. All the girls were proud of you and even got it on video.

First words

For the past month you have been saying dog about any animal. Now you are starting to add another word cat to the mix for a few animals. I see who you like better Fenway and Lily first and mommy and daddy last.

Zoo

We had a great morning at the zoo with a friend. You loved seeing the polar beer eating his food. You also enjoyed watching the lion for a long time. The ducks and flamingos were also a big hit. There will be many more zoo trips in our future before we move.

Walker toy video

14 months

At 14 months you are turning into a toddler more everyday and want to do everything yourself. You are starting to point to things you want to get your point across. You are so close to walking, but get around just fine walking along the walls and furniture. You become more monkey like everyday finding new things to climb on. You enjoy the stacking rings and blocks the best right now. Your favorite foods still include bananas, yogurt, fruit cups, and meatballs. Sleep is still the same most nights 6PM-6AM with a nap from 10:30AM-12:30PM. We have the same activities with work out 3 days a week and Gymboree 1 day. We also have fun weekly outings with friends for lunches or play dates.

Dad took you on your first father son outing with matching Batman shirts to Comicon for your 14 month birthday and you had a blast.

Bye bye bottles

I think it's safe to say since it's been a few days... no more bottles in this house. You are growing up so much and now use straw cups and not a bottle. It was a long time coming, but the bottle before bed stuck around months longer then the others.

First tooth

Last week your first tooth started poking out. It's not much yet, but it's a start.

Hawaii

We had a great time in Hawaii. We survived the flight with no issues thanks to an extra seat between us to play on. When we arrived you loved the chickens at the rental car company even though it was well past bed time.

The next day we all woke up on island time ready to explore the beach, pool, and a lot of new things like stairs. A few of your highlights were a blow up car pool float and trying new foods like smoothies and shaved ice.

We had a lot of fun adventures including hikes to waterfalls and a snorkel boat adventure.

Like a typical toddler your favorite parts were chasing birds on our patio, climbing up and down the stairs 100 times, and emptying cabinets of pots and pans. You did great on the flight home and slept the whole way.

Gymboree

RJ had a blast at Gymboree yesterday climbing all over the place.

13 months

At 13 months you still have no teeth or words and aren't walking yet either. But you can do a lot of new things. Whenever you see food or want more of a food you say MmMmMm. Anytime someone sneezes or coughs you fake cough at them and giggle about it.

This month you also discovered your love for opening up all the kitchen cabinets and even the oven and as a result we now have child locks. Along the same line the bathroom door needs to stay shut at all times or you find the toilet water and unroll the toilet paper.

You still love to eat anything and everything last night you had a whole piece of pizza for dinner and tonight you had pasta and chicken. For breakfasts you usually have cereal and fruit. For lunch you like yogurt with fruit.

You still sleep pretty well 6 to 6 on average with a few days here and there full of wake ups to keep mommy on her toes. We go to workout 3 mornings a week where you love playing with your friends and sharing snacks with them. Once a week we still go to Gymboree where you explore and climb on everything.

1 year doctor visit

At your 1 year doctor visit you weighed 21.11 pounds and 31 inches tall. You are sticking with the growth chart curves perfectly. The doctor was surprised you weren't walking yet since she has always said you were the most active baby she sees. She mentioned you have two teeth that are close to the surface so we will see when they decide to make an appearance.

First Birthday

Hard to believe a whole year has past. You have grown and changed so much into the little boy you are today. You are so happy and love to play with balls and climb any chance you get. Still no teeth or walking, but no rush for either. You will eat just about anything put in front of you. We switched to milk instead of formula and you don't even seem to notice. Our schedule still consists of working out and Gymboree. Sleep is great most nights 6 PM to at least 530 AM. Of course once a week you like to mix it up and throw in a night wake for good measure.

Easter

We had a great Easter. You got a basket full of cars, books, and of course some snacks too. Gammie left a push lawn mower when she visited. You loved pulling the string over and over again, but didn't like the noise it made. We enjoyed brunch with friends and you ate french toast and hash browns, but really just wanted blueberry muffins.

Santa Fe

We took Gammie to Santa Fe for the day to explore. You did great on the car ride there singing songs and playing games. You enjoyed the stroller and ergo riding around the shops. At lunch you were your typical self, you will sit nicely as long as the snacks keep coming. You love cheerios, graham crackers, and even my burger and Gammie's soup. On the way home you were overtired and not very happy, but by the time we got home you were back to your happy self.

Gammie's Visit

We were so very lucky to have Gammie come visit this weekend. She bought your first bike and took you all over the neighborhood on it. She also got to read you Good night moon recordable book so we can read it over and over again. She helped make your party a huge success too by cooking, cleaning, and serving your friends juice boxes. Of course she also gave you your first juice box and taught you how to use the straw. She came with us for your photo shoot and awed over each picture. She enjoyed seeing how big you got since Christmas since a lot has changed since then now that your mobile and developing such a personality. Who could forget your favorite part when Gammie took you to park while mommy went to workout.

Birthday Party

We had such an amazing day for your first birthday party today. We had friends from workout, Gymboree, and the neighborhood too. We worked on decorations for months and it was all worth it. It was a big help to have Gammie here to help cook, set up, and clean up too. You had a blast playing with the water table we got you with all your friends. You also enjoyed your cupcake too, but who could blame you there.

11 months

You have discovered a lot of new things this past month. You can now walk along the furniture to get the remotes and everything you shouldn't have. You have also started walking while we hold your hands for help. You have become quite the climber and love to use your chair to get to the end table more then anything else. You can pull up on even more things like the bath tub and toy box. You still love to eat everything and can do so by yourself for a lot of foods. Last night you had bites of chicken on your tray just like mommy was eating. Of course you had the usual Cheerios and graham crackers too. You like to hold the whole banana to feed yourself in the morning.

Our weekly routine hasn't changed much work out 3 mornings a week while you crawl around the gym. Gymboree one afternoon a week to play and sing with other kids. Then lots of other things like lunches and play dates.

Mommy love

You love mommy so much, in fact I am the only one who gets your big wet kisses.You follow me all over the house crawling right behind me. If I get too far away you scream till I show you I am still around.