This little man...

...loves to clean. Strange, huh?

If you give him a container, he will go around the room finding things laying out to put in it. If you give him a paint roller, he will roll it back and forth across the tile...I think he is sweeping. If I'm loading the dishwasher, he will pick up one of the wooden spoons out of his play cabinet in the kitchen and put it in the dishwasher (in the correct spot, mind you. He's a smartie pants.)

And today, after I vacuumed, I gave him this adorable little puppy vacuum I bought at a garage sale this summer. The minute I gave it to him, he immediately set to work. He "vacuumed" the living room. He "vacuumed" the dining room. He moved things to vacuum under them. He even got under the table. :) And he ran over the cat with his vacuum...in a statement that it's her fault the floors get so furry. (Well, I'm not sure that was his intention...but I like to think it is. LOL!)

He was so focused on vacuuming...and he did it just the way I did which I thought was super sweet. And he even checked the "belt" and the wheels to make sure they were functioning properly. LOL. What a character!

I can only hope that in a few years he loves to clean just as much as he does now. :) Fingers crossed.

Raising a Reader...

Even before I was pregnant, I always knew that I wanted to instill a love of reading into my child.

And once I got pregnant...I knew it was more important to me than I ever thought possible. So, we got to work. :)

Dear sweet hubby read to my belly every night before LBB made his grand entrance. As soon as we brought LBB home, he was surrounded with books. We read while he drinks his bottle. We read before naps. We read after naps. And we go to library storytime once a week, and on a fairly regular basis, make a few extra trips. Our library bag is always bursting with books...ones we've read and ones we haven't dived into.

And, to be honest, sometimes it feels like all of that doesn't matter much. Sometimes LBB just doesn't care about a book. But...that's pretty rare. :)

And then there are moments when it smacks us right in the forehead about how much he loves books. At storytime this week, he was so wrapped up in looking at a book after the class (usually they get 15 minutes of playtime at the end), that he didn't notice the kids playing together until he looked through the book a second time. :)

But today. Ah, today took my breath away and made my heart melt. LBB's aunt sent him some Halloween movies, which he loves. Thing is...he watches about 15 minutes, we pause it for another time, and he goes to do something else. Today, he was sitting watching Winnie the Pooh with his Daddy, and he suddenly got off Dear Sweet Hubby's lap. Crawled away...

...and a few minutes later, Dear Sweet Hubby looks behind the couch (it's in the center of the room), only to see LBB sitting there reading a book. My LBB left a perfectly adorable movie that he was enjoying...to go read a book. That is when it hits you that you are doing something right. :) Sigh. Everyday I am more and more proud of my LBB. He makes me smile. Makes me laugh. And makes my heart melt in the most unexpected ways. :)

5 weeks and a Mommy Rut

First off...can you believe? 5 weeks until LBB turns one? I read it in an email today, and I simply cannot believe it! Where did the time go? Somewhere between intermittent contractions at midnight on our due date and holding his bedroom cross while we said prayers tonight, my LBB went from being a small(ish) bundle that slept, ate, soiled diapers, and cuddled to a big burst of energy that crawls everywhere, reads lots of books, eats lots of different foods, and gets told "NO" an average of 1,000 times a day. (OK...that last part may be an exaggeration but it sure feel like it.)

And thankfully, the day that it sinks in how quickly this year is going, my LBB was super cuddly. God definitely knows what this momma needs sometimes. We snuck in lots of cuddles, and he even took a little snoozer in my arms. :) What a wonderful day.

The fact that it was such a wonderful day in that aspect really helped to balance the "mommy rut" I'm feeling. I'm not sure exactly why I'm feeling that way...I don't think I have much of a reason to since I'm not doing anything different than usual. The house is clean. Dinners are cooked. All that good stuff. :) I thought I would be out of my rut after the boy's had a guy's night out last night, but instead I spent my "time off" deep cleaning...I think that didn't help at all in helping me have some me time. LOL! But anyhoo...that's my issue. Pretty small issue, so I know I'm super blessed if that's all I have to complain about. :)

Our Little Outdoorsy Man

LBB loves being outside. Well, more than loves. He adores being outside. He is definitely our little outdoorsman in the making.

It never fails...whether we are hiking, walking along the lake, or even looking at the trees in the yard, LBB always has a smile on his face. He's constantly eager to explore and discover...in the summer he loved the sand and the rocks in the water. In the fall he relished in being able to hold bright, bold, colorful leaves. I'm very excited to see how he will be this winter in the snow. :)

Even the other day, when we went for a hike in some chilly conditions, LBB smiled through it all and couldn't get enough of the waves crashing against the shore, the trees blowing in the wind, and the mist on our faces.

I love that about him. I have no doubt that in a few years we will be on the lookout for a children's kayak (Dear Sweet Hubby is already researching them). I already have it budgeted for next spring to get LBB his very own pair of hiking shoes. And Dear Sweet Hubby has been eyeing this adorable little pack for LBB to bring with on hikes to store his treasures in. :)

We look forward to exploring nature with him through the years and showing him the wonders that God has given us!

No No No No No No NO!

I'm becoming a broken record.

And the record that is playing is this one: "No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No..."

You get the drift. :)

LBB has a penchant for trouble. I've said that before and this is definitely not the last time I'll be saying it, I'm sure! Every morning he wakes up about 6am or so, and by 6:30, he is ready to rumble. He gets into everything. While I'm cleaning up one mess he's made, he goes for another. While I'm picking up that pile of CD's he's pushed of the shelf, I look over and he's climbing up on a book bin in an attempt to get on the top of his bookshelf. I think that by the time he goes down for his morning nap, I say "no" an average of 15-20 times. :)

And I'm not complaining, really, I'm not. :) It's his spunk and his vigor for life that makes him him. I can't imagine him sitting in one spot for more than 3 minutes or not trying to open the drawer that he's been told at least 100 times to leave alone. I can, however, imagine a morning where he sits quietly on my nap cuddling. :) But, those sweet, quiet days are long gone, and in there place is an almost-toddler who loves to explore, discover, and, honestly, cause trouble.

What a Little Character!

This morning LBB came across Dear Sweet Hubby's work baseball cap. (It is perched atop my beloved's head pretty much every day that he is working!)

LBB has always loved his Daddy's hats, and especially loves playing with the brim of them. But today, he figured out that he can play peekaboo with it. All I can say is super adorable!! He sat there, holding it up and down and giggling up a storm when we'd say peekaboo. And then...

...he discovered something...

...he placed the hat on his head, sat there and smiled (with the hat covering up his eyes)...

...and said "I DaDa."

GASP! My LBB! My little 10 month old sweetheart! What a precious boy. What a smart little cookie. Wanting to be just like Daddy and trying so hard to do so. :)

PS. I refuse to believe it was just chance that he said that...he was super proud of himself when he did.

Dr. Doolittle

My LBB has an uncanny ability for attracting animals. It amazes me. Dear Sweet Hubby and I were discussing how he just seems to connect with animals, even at such a young age. We love witnessing this in our LBB.

We went to the zoo today, and as usual, animals flocked to him and abandoned other kids. And it's the most beautiful thing to watch...when animals are around him, you can just see a comfort on both ends. LBB has no fear. He reaches right to the goat to pet him, even after a friendly little nibble on his fingers. He sees the bear on the other side of the glass, and he tries so very hard to pet it. He smiles at the tigers. Laughs at the farm animals. And watches in awe as fish swim past him.

He has become "friends" with the turtles at the local aquarium. He chats readily with any animal that stays in his vicinity for more than a moment. And he studies each new animal that he sees.

It is amazing. I am convinced that there aren't many 10 month olds out there that hold this same gift. Because, after all, each 10 month old has their own unique gift.

But I am also convinced that in 20 years or so, my LBB may just be going to college or pursuing a career that is centered around animals. In fact, I'd be willing to put a little money on it...if I had any to spare, that is. :)

Here's the Stats for 10 months :)

I told you I'd post them eventually, did't I? :)



So, at 10 months, LBB has taken huge strides! I am amazed everyday with everything he is learning.



First, off, I can't believe that a year ago I was still pregnant with LBB and getting very excited to meet our little man! It amazes me that in less than two months now, he will be a year old. Absolutely crazy!

OK. So onward to the facts, stats, and what LBB has been up to. (And I'm determined to get this post done. I actually started writing it yesterday. But then I ate way too many cookies and got a little woozy feeling. Ha.)

*LBB weighed in this month at 23 pound 11 ounces. That is one less ounce than last month, meaning...I think he is starting to slow down on his growth! He is so much more active now, so when I start to worry, that is what I need to remember.

*He drinks about 15 ounces of formula a day. And 98% of the time, that formula is in a sippy cup. He rarely uses a bottle nowadays...just one more sign that my LBB is getting bigger!

*He eats 3 meals a day, 2 snacks, and not a single jar of baby food! All meals are mommy and daddy meals as well, and the snacks are the Gerber graduates. His pediatrician wanted him off baby food by 1, but as soon as we started slowly weaning him, he was all for the table food. LBB adores beef raviolis. I think he could eat them every single night! He loves his cheerios. And he has a sweet tooth that rivals even mine. sigh.

*Colt is a crawling machine. He can get across a room in a few seconds flat...especially if there is a girl there. We went to a class at the library and he started chasing 4 year old girls around...and he was keeping up while they ran. LOL.

*And he is also this close to walking. He started by creeping along furniture. Then he moved onto his push-walker (which he loves...especially the one at PaPa and GiGi's house...it has compartments to put things in.) Then he held two hands and walked no problem. And most recently, he only needs to hold one hand and walks side by side. Wowzers!

*Can stand for a few seconds all by himself, no help necessary.

*Still loves to read. On a regular basis we can go through 5-7 books a day. Needless to say our library bag is always on hand, and it's not unusual for us to make at least two trips a week.

*Goes to library storytime once a week, and is making lots of friends. LBB is super social (he gets it from his Daddy, that's for sure).

*Is a silly little chatterbox. He has long conversations and doesn't hesitate to interrupt you to tell his story. If you keep talking, he gets louder. :) He is very obstinate that way. He says "DaDa" a lot lately. Uses "BaBa" when he is hungry. "Maaaa!" when he doesn't want to go to bed. When PaPa has an ice cream cone, LBB is very good at saying "PaPa." And the other day, after getting into trouble, Dear Sweet Hubby gave LBB a tiny little tap on his bottom, and LBB turned around, hit his Daddy in the face, and said "bad-bad DaDa!" Oy. I've said it before and I'll say it again...I'm gonna have my hands full with that one. :)

*Has learned how to clap, play peekaboo by himself, and loves to surprise people.

*Can color like crazy. He colors at least once a day and we have a growing art gallery of his creations. He focuses and watches what he is doing...which is amazing to see. :)

OK...I'm sure there's more. It's been an active month for LBB. But, I don't want to gush too much ;) so I am going to sign off for tonight!

A Day at the Firehouse

It was Open House Day at the fire station today, and LBB got to go with me and his PaPa.

He had fun, especially once he got a cookie and a balloon. :) I'm looking forward to him going each year as he gets older and understands it a little more. But this year he had fun watching all the activity. He got to watch the extrication demonstration and look in the firetrucks. He got to wear a fireman's hat (which went nicely with his fire truck shirt. :) ) and even got a jr. fireman badge.

It's times like this that I love having a boy who is such a boy's boy. He loves this kind of stuff...big trucks, water spraying, and all that stuff. :)

LBB is 10 Months Old!!!

That means...oh my. Two months until he is one. Wowzers. Wowzers. Wowzers. :) We are all very excited.

I am going to make this short and sweet because I need to go box up some clothes to bring to the consignment shop tomorrow after LBB's flu shot booster, but LBB had a wonderful day to celebrate being 10 months. (One of these days I'll do a post just for his achievements.)

Today, LBB woke up bright and early. Well, it wasn't so much bright outside as it was early, but it gave him more time to play with Daddy before he had to leave for work. So they played played played and had a very fun morning! Then we went out for the day with GiGi. He got a cool airplane rocker, one of those fun wire and bead block toys, some books, and some DVD's...all for some really good deals! We had lunch, picked up his Auntie from school, and then hung out for a bit at PaPa and GiGi's house.

And then, I took him out in the backyard to play in the nice crisp Autumn leaves. He. Had. A. Blast! First he crawled in them. Then he played in them. Then he stole Auntie's soccer ball and rolled it around the yard. He swung in the Autumn sun. And then I went and got him his Little Tikes push walker that has a little mailbox bin in front. He pushed it ALL around the yard (I think he made at least three complete circles), all the while picking up leaves and dropping them in the bin. It was completely adorable. :)

He started with big leaves, then decided that he was going to focus on the little crushed leaves. He'd pick each little leaf up, holding it gently, examine it, and then drop it in the bin. Such a sweet little man.

After his playtime, he got to go get dinner and ice cream to celebrate his 10-month day. He had a blast...and had a very fun time sharing everyone's hot fudge. :)

We have got a sleep routine down!

I fear writing this lest I jinx myself.

However, I have to share because I am super proud of my LBB!!!!

Every morning around 6:45 to 7:00 am, LBB wakes up for the day. He plays for a bit, has a small bottle (since we are slowing weaning him off for his first birthday), reads a book, and then has a nice hearty breakfast. At 8:30 am, we watch "The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That" and then it's time for his morning nap. He sleeps about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, then wakes up. We play some more, have a snack, watch "Sesame Street" and 2 hours after he woke up from his morning nap, he is down for his afternoon nap. And then, it's play play play, read read read, and have dinner, snacks, and a nightime bottle, and bedtime at 7:30 pm.

That's right, you read the correctly. 7:30 pm. Crazy to think that 3 months ago we were lucky if he was sleeping the night through, much less going to bed at a time earlier than 10 pm. But he is. He sleeps through the night on a general basis, and if he does wake up, usually gets himself back to sleep. I'm so proud of him. :)

And, a sidenote. We decided that letting LBB watch tv was not a terrible thing, as long as it was limited (2 half hour shows a day), educational, and that the tv had to be turned off at all other times. We also make sure that when watching "The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That" and "Sesame Street" that we are involved and having fun with him. I think that makes a world of difference. I've never been ok with the idea of sticking a kid in front of mindless tv, but I do believe there are certain shows out there that can really help a kid learn in different ways, and that is never a bad thing. :)

Buffet Pants

LBB eats solid foods 99% of the time now. There is rarely a moment that I need to pop open a jar of baby food.

So, when we first introduced him to the buffet down the street a few weeks ago, LBB was in awe.

LBB and I went this past weekend with my family, and he was in Heaven. :) He ate mac n' cheese (a whole scoop.) He ate fish. He ate jell-o. He ate potatoes. He ate anything you put in front of him. Then, he started on dessert, which, needless to say, he is definitely like his Mommy when it comes to chocolate.

If you can't picture it, a good comparison would be the caterpillar in Eric Carle's "A Very Hungry Caterpillar." By the time we left the buffet, LBB was definitely feeling an overstuffed belly. :) He walked out with his PaPa and GiGi holding his hands barely able to even move each leg. We were gentle on him the whole night...for fear of his full belly being bumped and having a little mess to clean up. Ha!

I say trouble...

"right here in River City."

Well, not River City exactly...but I think this song goes through my head at least 18 times a day. :)

LBB is trouble with a capital "T"...he takes after his Daddy in that aspect. I was, after all, a perfect angel. wink, wink.

Today at breakfast, he decided he would start throwing his cheerios on the floor. When I told him "no", he laughed and acted like he was eating. He'd pick up a cheerio, put it towards his mouth, and then roll the cheerio back into the palm of his hand. Then he would proceed to drop it on the floor. As if I wouldn't notice that. Ha.

Yesterday he kept shoving a toy in his mouth that really shouldn't have been. So, we would say no. Then he'd giggle...and do it again. Then we'd say no. And he'd do it another time. And giggle. He finally got to the point that he would just laugh at us. So, needless to say, said toy got taken away. Sigh. I can't imagine how he will be when he hits the "terrible twos".

But, all those troublesome moments are made ok with the majority of "angel" moments that he does have. :) I love watching him have those little moments of trouble because I know that it is helping him learn boundaries, learn about life, and it really shows just how spunky he is. I could, however, do without the laughing when he is being disciplined. We'll work on it.