Monday, December 14, 2009

16 Months

It's hard to believe that two years ago this week, I found out I was pregnant with Colton. It seemed like forever before I would get to meet him for the first time, and now he's 16 months old! A happy, active, VERY vocal toddler that has filled my days with joy and my heart with so much love it feels like it's going to burst.

This past month, Colton has finally started to come out of his shell and actually interact with other children at playgroups instead of cling to my leg the entire time. He also doesn't freak out as much if I leave the room and have another mom watch him for a few minutes. He still won't let anyone else hold him besides family members (and even that circle is pretty limited). I'm so glad to catch a break now and then, while an aunt or grandma changes or plays with him.

Colton has discovered how to climb stairs and could do it all afternoon if I let him. He races all over our condo with his push toy every chance he gets, and has become quite good at turning it around corners. He's getting better at standing by himself, not feeling the need as much to cling to the wall or a piece of furniture for support. And he did take a step all by himself, one time right after I let go of his hands. My little boy is still not confident enough to walk on his own, but I figure it's just as well because when he takes off I'll be chasing him around even more than I do now!

No real words to speak of yet, but he constantly babbles all day long in a language only he can understand. It is the cutest thing I've ever heard. I'm sure he understands way more than he lets on. For instance, whenever Colton goes by the door he waves and when I ask him where the light is, he looks up and stretches his hand out towards the ceiling fan.

I'm so excited for his second Christmas! He should be way more into present opening than he was last year at only four months. :)

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Christmastime is (almost!) here

I can't believe it's December already, and almost another whole year has come & gone. It's definitely beginning to look and feel a lot like Christmas. It is cold enough outside to snow, although it hasn't yet (but it already snowed twice here in October, what's up with that??) I'm beginning to get into the holiday spirit and get excited about decorating, exchanging gifts, baking cookies and the like.

Life lately has been busy but predictable. I've hardly written a post in the past couple of months, now that my time is taken up with a very active toddler. My days consist of chasing him all over the house, trying to do chores while keeping one eye on Colton who is inevitably getting into something, watching Sesame Street and Barney & Friends (which I swore I would never watch when I had kids), battling with a 15 month old to eat a vegetable (just eat one, please!), and catching up on blogs or Facebook when I get a free minute.

I cannot believe my little guy is going to be 16 months old in less than two weeks! We've been trying to get him to eat "properly" (ha!) by using a plate and a spoon. He usually ends up turning the plate over, dumping the food all over the place, and whatever does actually get onto the spoon rarely makes it into his mouth. Colton has found new ways to drive me crazy by figuring out how to take the plug protectors out of all the outlets, reaching up to grab whatever is on the edge of the table, and pushing the dishwasher and washing machine buttons. Can you say "oy vey"?

His 15 month well visit was a few weeks ago, and he's now up to 23 1/2 lbs. and 30 1/4" which puts him just below the "average". He still has that buddha belly though! Colton outgrew his 12 month clothes and is wearing 18 month stuff already. All his pants are a little snug at the waist, but too long at the bottom. :)

Besides the day-to-day routine of being a mom, life is pretty good. We are really tight on money right now, but I can't complain. We have good friends, family, our health, and a beautiful little boy. We're hoping that with the added responsibilities Gregg has gotten at his job, comes something extra in his paycheck starting next year. Living on one income in North Jersey is not easy! God always provides for us, though. This year Christmas is going to have to be a little more "all in the heart" than anything else, but it will still be wonderful.