I currently am at the juxtaposition of two clashing feelings of mommy-hood. These contradictory forces are consuming me. One is the combination of pride, excitement and wonder for the little boy Weston is becoming; the other is the bittersweet, nostalgic, rueful denial that my baby is no longer a baby.
Every mom hits that point. And I think that point comes every month. ha
Older children are still drawn to Weston and eagerly point out that he's a baby. As much as I love their validation that time isn't going as fast in their world as it is in mine, I also find myself wishing that what they said were true.
I am in awe of how much Weston understands already, and how much I actually "get" him despite his meager means of communication. He goes racing away from me and I can call it in advance what he's headed for and why, even when it's not obvious to someone else watching. Sometimes though, I fail to pinpoint what he needs, most likely because his screaming and his waving hands and his stubborn head shakes and his exasperated pointing finger are all coming from that illogical, irrational cave-man side of his rapidly developing , but ever-impulsive, brain.
I am not a mom that wants her son to be the best at everything. But I do want him to excel at SOMEthing. I don't so much care if he is top dog in physical developments, but I do want him to be strong with cognitive abilities. Yet what I've found is that my desire for that sort of achievement pales in comparison to the characteristic I am finding that I value and cherish even more..... his charm. Yes, I would rather have a kid who is charismatic than an athlete or brainiac. Who'd a thunk? ha
So I would be so very happy if he continues down this path of being one of the most playful, friendly, funny!! children I have ever ever ever met. His good-natured disposition of his is already serving him well in the ladies department. He seemingly has two girlfriends now. One is about his same age (and we hear SHE wears the pants! HAHA) and his other is 6 months younger. Daycare AND the girls' mothers have confirmed this "rumor."
When I pick him up from daycare, he likes to say BYE BYE to every one...turning back and forth to make sure everyone looking at him gets a wave. He even will chase down his buddies to give them a kiss goodbye. When we're out in public, he will say hi and lean out of the cart or high chair or stroller to get someone's attention. At the mall the other day, he literally blew kisses to an elderly woman for a straight 4 minutes. I was almost embarrassed because he wouldn't stop, he only giggled and she of course ate it up. He plays a flirty game of peek-a-boo with strangers if they make eye contact with him over my shoulder. He finds so many things funny, and not just on the typical level I would expect. He loves to have me try to "catch" his feet when we're putting pants on. He finds it hilarious when I have trouble opening something (like a door) or can't get a lid off, or his shoes on. When we dance for him, he interchanges an open mouth gape for a guffaw, and then starts joining in. If we play the "i'm going to getcha" game, he's off like a bandit toward a "safe haven" ... and he hides his face with his rump in the air and he erupts in squeals of laughter because he's anticipating the tickles. I love it. And I also love asking for a hug when i'm across the room. If he's in a good mood, he'll nearly run in his penquin gait, his arms outstretched, and almost fall over from the excitement as he throws himself into my arms, sometimes head first.
His interest in books has been renewed the past couple of months and continues to grow, which we're glad about. He likes to pick one out and walk backwards into my lap so I can read it. He will actually sit still while I read, sometimes trying to jump ahead, but most times, he'll let me finish. His current favorites are BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR, the MY FIRST WORDS picture book, and WYNKEN, BLYNKEN & NOD. Sometimes he'll read the books himself outloud, and even seems to try to use the same rhythm/cadence we use for the book.
Playtime with daddy has become way more fun for both of them. They get out the matchbox cars and hotwheels and vroom them around. He also loves walking over uneven ground (such as a flipped over changing pad...one night, he did it for 20 minutes... so focused...like he was going back and forth on a bridge to nowhere.) or getting rides on daddy's back, or jumping with his butt on daddy's tummy. He also likes to hold Neil's hands and climb up Neil's stomach.
Neil and I talk a lot about Roo's reaction in public if he is at all overwhelmed. He is not scared by new things, but he is cautiously curious. He will approach the object of attention (such as the 2-person band at El Porton cafe) with his mouth wide open and his eyes equally ajar and he takes it all in silently. He almost zones out as he tries to figure out this new experience.
He now barks back at dogs "ah ah!"...he makes a short chortle if asked what a horse sounds like...and if he's asked to say "i love you"...he'll often times blow kisses.
He seems to be overly aware of music, and has started a cute new shuffle dance, or marches with one foot. Just this past weekend, Neil sang "bop bop bop" to him and Weston repeated it back and danced. So that's his new thing. He'll sing bop bop bop to things when he's trying to sing along. It's so cute! I'll get it on video eventually.
He's now super spider-like when going down stairs with ease. He can also get down from a couch/bed no problem....unless it's really high off the ground. He likes to pick odd things off the ground and give them to us...or throw them away if we ask him to. He seems to know when it's not a toy. But if we SAY "no no no" to him, he'll put it in his mouth. So we've learned instead to act excited and ask to see it.
He still loves to sit in boxes, baskets and on piles of laundry. Grandma even got to witness first hand him fitting his tush into a tiny cooler so she could push him for a ride. I somehow didn't get a pic of that. Boo.
His ball-throwing skills have vastly improved, too! And he's loving balloons still and when we blow bubbles, until he gets mad and wants to blow it himself, though he doesn't know how.
After seeing us blow his hot food before we give it to him, he likes to do the same. I just wish he'd learn to blow his nose. ha
He brings us our own shoes and attempts to put them on our feet. He does fairly well with a spoon, and he says, "huh?" and holds it out to us when he wants help. He grabs Kleenexes and comes after us so he can wipe our noses. Speaking of those protuberances...he now can point to ours, AND his... And when we put our hands on our head and ask him to do it, sometimes he misses and puts his hands over his eyes and laughs.
Neil taught him how if he holds a cup to his mouth and talks into it, it makes a fun echo sound. So he tries to do that with lots of things now...including his bath drum, or a bowl that still has remnants of food inside. That's awesome. Not.
I hate when he walks around with his sippy cup or snack cup, so I ask him to sit down when he eats. He's been taking them to his rocking chair from grandma and grandpa now and rocks while he nibbles. Probably not safe either, but there are only so many battles worth fighting.
He's recently discovered his shadow and giggles when he tries to catch it to no avail. He and Kramer continue to grow closer, though we find ourselves saying many things like, "Weston, kitty doesn't want to play catch with the ball....no, kitty doesn't wear shoes, no, kitty doesn't want to drink, no kitty doesn't want you to drum on his head." But he persists in trying to get KRamer to partake in whatever fun he is having. He also finally was able to taste cat food. And he promptly spit it out. (It's DISGUSTING if you've never tried it. Very different from dog food. But I have no idea how I know. I think WEston told me.)
The word "no" is definitely mastered. He uses it regularly...usually in a "no no no" fashion and a waving of the arm across his face as he shakes his head. Or he'll still shake his finger at us.
Meal times continue to be challenging most days, unfortunately. He doesn't seem to like a whole lot now. If it's fried, he'll eat it. If it's fruit, he'll eat it. And if tis' bread, he'll most likely eat it. He used to like veggies...but now that daycare has impacted his daily eating habits, I think he's learned there are much tastier things to eat. We will continue to offer them to him because Neil and I both LOVE veggies. No matter what we put before him, he's rarely satisfied. His mouth gets bored like mine does... and he points to the cupboards, which tells us there is more food somewhere that he wants, so we need to find it. He will start crying if we don't find something else for him. He'll point to the fridge too. It's exhausting and Neil and I sometimes have to coach each other through these tantrums. Sometimes it's not the food he wants but grown-up utensils (like a knife or fork), a breakable bowl, the wrappers to things, etc.
But he's been loving dips for his food, even if they aren't meant for that. My faves thus far are his dipping pineapple in applesauce and cucumbers in ketchup.
We tried eating at a sushi restaurant and it was the worst eating out experience ever with him. He wanted to play with all the fun things they brought to us...the chopsticks, the lil' bowls, the soy sauce pot, the tiny dishes. Nothing was making him happy, so we hurriedly packed up the food and left. (We paid first, don't worry! ha)
Although he is still in that exhausting stage (and he will be for quite some time until his attention span matures a bit)--i am finding my son incredibly wonderful to be around. He makes me feel loved, needed and funny. He has pretty much obliterated all my inhibitions that kept me from making a fool of myself just for a smile. And he's brought me a fresh perspective on viewing the world.
When I put him in his crib at night, I am only able to walk away because I know I'll be back. I'll check on him once before he falls asleep since he's such an independent fall-asleeper, seeing me again doesn't upset him. Sometimes it takes him 20 minutes to fall asleep and he literally just lies there and his hands fondle his blankets. Then I'll be back again to let my heart swell with utter happiness one more time as he lies there asleep in a blanket of innocence, so warm and soft to touch, so delicious to watch. Neil and I usually go in yet again before we turn in for the night...and I love going in together because only he can truly feel what I feel for our son because we share him...as Weston shares our hearts. The closest thing to that is watching my mom experience Weston... she's probably darn near close to loving him as much as we do.
(I always say that one of the great things about grandparents is they are probably THE only people in the world that you can brag about your child to and it won't seem like bragging. You can talk ONLY about your child and it won't be annoying. You can send them EVERY picture you take of the kid, and they will only want more.)
Beginning next Tuesday, Weston starts daycare in a new room. He'll see lots of familiar faces, but they start doing art. I am so excited for this next phase. But again. I'm also ready to cry at the thought of him growing and growing and growing.
Here are some pics from this last month. And I'll do a new post this next week with some videos so it's not too much in one. :)
Best cousin buddies (and they of course will welcome Baby Stella, whom was just born today!!!)
A 2nd attempt at birthday cake so Cailin could be there.
Union Station on St. Pat's Day
He loved meeting my bestie's baby Simon!
With Cailin and Carys (daughter of my good friend Lara!)
At hte doc office.
waiting for a train. ;)
Quite the office man.
the middle one is of him staring at the band at a restaurant. The far left one is his first experience with rice. And the one of the right I just love. :)
Playing wtih daddy...he learned the brake screeching sound. And on the right, he built a ramp for the cars and then used it for himself instead. hahaha
Far left...wth? Why is that fun? We started going ot My Gym this month and he LOVES it.
Time with grandma. Including going to her luggage and running off with her bra! hahaha
The one on the right is a fave pic! I love it.
At the zoon on the left...look at the polar bear's proximity!!! Walking with daddy and chasing his shadow... and then checking out the "ah ah" pitbull next door.
easter egg hunt!!!
love this one!
I am in love with his old man wispy hair. And his buddha belly.
and some humor...
So yeah. Busy month. Bring on month 15!!! :)
