Rock Out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUo-1Log_CM

I have been telling people about Nick rocking out in the car for a while, but now I finally have it on video. He LOVES music. When ever he hears a song he likes, he gets to movin'. He waves his hands and claps. It is hilarious. I am so glad I finally got it on video. He seems to particularly like pop and hip/hop. The Black Eyed Peas are personal favorite of his right now. (NOTE: The car was NOT in motion when I was filming this!)

Zoo

Last weekend my mom's company was hosting an event at the Houston Zoo. It gave us the opportunity to go to the zoo with out too much of a crowd. I wasn't sure about taking Nick, thought he was probably too young to really know what he was looking at, or be excited. But, since it was for a good cause, and it was a pretty day, I took him.

Although he didn't get the full effect of the zoo, and the animals, Nick really enjoyed himself. There were a lot of exhibits in the children's area that were geared toward they younger kids. We pet goats, looked at porcupines, crawled through tunnels, saw elephants and giraffes. It was a lot of fun!

waiting to go into the zoo

waiting - not so patient to get into the petting zoo. He was very excited to go pet the goats!

Just a photo op

Nick liked watching the porcupines. They had a viewing window down low for the younger kids. He kept knocking on the window and watching them move around.

This was a tunnel they have for kids to crawl around in, Nick would crawl a bit, then look back at me. He kept thinking I was going to stop him. He loved it!

Grass??!!!

Sorry it has been a few weeks. Life has just been super busy! We did find some time this weekend to hang out with friends. Our neighbors all got together Saturday afternoon/evening to hang out. All the kids were hanging out, and I put Nick in the grass. He hated it! So much so that the scooted, very quickly, to Annie (my neighbors daughter) and sat on her foot, lifted his legs and wouldn't move. Of course I had to leave him there to run and get the camera.

I tried numerous times to put him in the grass, sit with him, etc. All results were the same. He would sit and hold up his legs. This kid must have abs of steel!

Today was another therapy appointment. I casually mentioned the whole grass thing to his therapist today. She said that he may have a little sensory issues, and we should do some sensory work. Sensory work will be fun - especially for Nick. Playing in pudding and shaving cream, a small kiddie pool full of sand, lots of fun... and messy!!!!

In other therapy news... still taking steps. He is getting more confident. Nick took 10 steps today in a row. Am I ready for this????

just a cute baby photo so he doesn't absolutely hate me later in life...

Almost Toddling

Well, really not almost. Getting there, but slowly. He is still technically a crawler. Nick will take a few steps when prompted. He does seem to want to walk, but seeing as he gets over excited, and thus his head gets way out in front of his body when trying to walk, which then results in a crash, which then results in the comfort that he can just crawl and get there faster. He does really well when he doesn't "realize" he is actually walking.

Tonight, for instance, he was pushing around the dining room chairs, because, you know it is fun to re-arrange furniture. He got one stuck, and walked the two steps to the other by himself, with out realizing what he was doing.

I don't think it will be long before I am indoctrinated into the role of a "toddler mom", but for now, I am content with the happily crawling, thus slightly easier to keep up with,version of my little man.

Anniversary

Yesterday was an anniversary for Nick. One year ago yesterday, I brought my little man home from the hospital, 111 days after he was born. I remember thinking I would never get to bring him home. Now, not only did I bring him home, the first year has already gone by. My how quickly this year has flown. How much he has grown!

In other news.... Nick took a few steps today! Nick still has his therapy every other Monday. Today, His therapist decided to see how well he could do standing on his own. He will stand unassisted on his own for a few seconds. When prompted, he even took a few steps. It won't be long now - but OH I am not ready for this!

the day Nick came home from the hospital

last weekend at the park

Can Someone Please Tell Me....

Can someone please tell me why a child who seems to absolutley love a particular food, so much that he eats the entire bowl of it, will two days later, when trying to be fed the same EXACT food again, spits it out, and furrows his eyebrows at his mother. Yeah, happens alot!

Also, could the same someone tell me how to baby proof when your child figures out that he can stand ON A DOG to get on the couch. Came into the living room the other day to find Nick on the couch. I couldn't figure out how in the world he got up on the couch. Until I saw him do it again. Took a photo, then got him down, again. How do you baby proof this?????

More

I have been trying to teach Nick sign language. I personally, have seen babies and toddlers use sign language to communicate. It is wonderful. They usually pick up the sign language before actual verbal ability and can effectively communicate (with in reason). We have been working on "more" and "all done". Nick has mastered "all done". Especially at dinner time. If he is done, he will do the sign for all done, and means it. Once he has done this, I can rarely get him to eat another bite.

The sign for "more" has been a little slower. I have seen him do the sign, but have not seen him use it consistently. Yesterday, we were sitting during therapy. His physical therapist Mandy has been doing some sensory exercises on his feet to get him off his toes, and ready for walking. She was sitting with him, put a towel over his feet and was rubbing them. She rubbed his right food for a minute or so. I have never seen my child so still. He just sat there and let her rub. She stopped to change feet. Before she could restart on the left foot, Nick did the sign for "more". Guess he does know the sign - and he likes his feet rubbed!

Nick has really been working on the walking thing. He uses his tonka truck to push all around the house. He hasn't yet learned to steer- so we often have crashes, usually into the dogs.

Not Much

Sorry it has been a bit since I posted. Not much has been going on here. Nick continues to protest to the "baby food", opting instead for food that he can feed himself. His assertion of his independence is a great source of joy for me, but frustration as well. If he is this independent now, what will happen in 5 years, or 10 years? Help! Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore watching him grow and learn, but how do you convince a 14 month old to eat when he would rather play in his food - and don't even think about trying to feed him. That will get you a clamped mouth, and furrowed eyebrows.

He is learning new tricks and words it seems almost daily. His favorite "bye" with a hand wave has now been replaced with "hi". Every morning, we spend a few minutes of him pointing to things, I give it a name (door, window, dog etc) then he waves and says "hi".

Still pulling up, getting closer to walking. However, he has learned the art of climbing. The dogs being his favorite "step stool" of choice to get on the couch. He tries to climb anything he can get his feet on top of.

Just a little of what we have been up to. Tomorrow Nick gets his (hopefully last) RSV shot of the season. I am crossing my fingers for 20lbs so we can get out of that rear-facing car seat! Think heavy.

What Happened to my Baby?

The other day Nick was sitting in his high chair pleasantly eating his gnocchi (more on that later), when I noticed... he is starting that morph from "baby" to "toddler". I know it is inevitable, and I am happy to see him grow and thrive, but I guess I was just caught off guard because I wasn't looking for it. I just saw him sitting there, and bam, he looked like a toddler to me. Sadly, I didn't grab the camera to capture this moment, but I will post photos soon.

Gnocchi - this is the chosen food for now. Nick is transitioning in his food as well. He pretty much refuses all baby food. Even the 3rd foods with some texture. I think he prefers to feed himself ("independent" would be the understatement of the year!). Anyway, trying to find soft foods that he likes, has enough calories, and that he can easily chew with his 4 teeth is sometimes a challenge. I have tried other pastas, but he didn't eat them well, especially if I had to feed him. I saw the gnocchi in the store, right size, soft, caloric rich, why not. He loves them. Warm them up with a little butter, and he goes to town!

I didn't take any photos of Nick the other night when I had my little moment of "Oh my, I am on the cusp of having a toddler", but we did have a little "hair fun" after bath time. His hair is SOOOO thin (thanks for that Tiffany!), so I don't want to cut it, but the top is getting pretty long. I apologize for the quality of these photos - I took them with my camera phone because it was the first thing I could get my hands on, and I knew he wouldn't sit still long enough for me to grab my camera.

I don't style his hair like this everyday- just for fun. This is what he looked like 2 minutes later....

Genius Ideas

There are times in my life where I feel woefully out of it. You know the feeling when your friends all know about some cool new product, and have for a while and you are just finding out about it. This week I have found out about a few new products in the kid/baby/toddler department. Fairly new (I think) products that are pretty cool.

This is really smart - for toddlers learning how to feed themselves. Bowl with a suction cup on the bottom so it doesn't move when feeding. Thanks Sarah for that tip!

Anyway, I know there are LOTS of other products out there, that are brilliant in their conception. Tell me about them!

Also, I am in the market for a front-facing car seat. Nick will be 20lbs (fingers crossed) soon, and we get to FINALLY move out of the rear-facing car seat. Ideas, thoughts, things to stay away from?