Kuykenblog: month pictures

Dear Weston,

You are 16 months old today. Where has the time gone? I am asking myself this all the time these days. It blows my mind to think about how much you have changed in such a short time since your debut and how much you have changed our family. What would life be like without our little Buddy? Goodness, we wouldn't trade you for all the stars in the sky!!

I haven't been very good about consistently documenting all your stages, its been hit or miss, but I just have to try and capture a "snapshot" (or a ridiculously long detailed report) of you at 16 months so we can remember (your poor mother's memory is failing) these early adorable, every-changing toddler days …

Your personality is really becoming more evident everyday … so independent, so curious, so friendly, so determined and so very loving! It is my greatest joy to watch you discovering new things about the world. You make my heart so full and grateful and proud. Our days together are so precious to me … they aren't fancy or perfect by any means … but they are full of time together … me and my buddy … eating, playing, learning, growing and loving. And while sometimes our cooperation and patience run thin, I have to say that's where I see the most of our growing and God's faithfulness.

Melt. My. Heart! What a handsome boy you are.

You continue to be such a little people person. You make friends literally everywhere we go, many times even initiating the "conversation" with your coy, flirty smile and big chocolate brown (as so many exclaim) friendly eyes. You play peek-a-boo or engage in any other gesture "game" you and your new friend might make up. And you grin … a lot. High fives are usually given at will (although sometimes Mommy has to do it first just to make sure its ok). Even when we are home, you would rather be right with me than playing on your own most of the time. If I get up to go do something, you have started saying "Mama?" (music to my ears) as a question and if I can't convince you that I'll be right back, you'll tag right along with me. If we are spending time with family or friends, you like to be in their company too. A couple examples of this … at small group you tend to walk right over and sit right next to Anjali on the play mat. Adorable! And when we were at the Ranch with family over Spring Break, you loved to go and look for everyone and call their names with your where is it sign (so cute) and were happiest when we were all together. You are the same way at home, you just love when everyone is together!

You really like going new places, which is a good thing with all the travel we have gotten to do. If its a new house or hotel and its just a couple of people, you usually get right to exploring and getting a lay of the land. If its full of people, you may hesitate just a bit! Daddy and I have been taking you to Gymboree for the past two months and it has been so fun to see you in this new environment. If we haven't been in a few days, you spend the first few minutes taking an "inventory" of who is there and what all you can play with … but it doesn't take you long to join in … usually on the center mat, dancing to the music … which is adorable and hilarious and usually gets a comment or two from another adult … which totally floats your boat … you are happiest making others laugh and getting their applause! I really enjoy watching you come into your own there … taking to the teacher and trying new things and interacting with other kids and gaining more and more control over your body with all the climbing and balance. It's been such a fun thing to experience together! I think a little gymnastics might be in your future if your love of (assisted) forward rolls is any indication.

So precious.

You have very definite opinions these days which is both fun to see and frustrating at times. You come by your hard headed-ness naturally ;) Overall, I really enjoy this about you though. It's so great to see you becoming your own person and such a joy to understand what you like and see your choices. I see this the most with your food. Here are your favs: 1. Yogurt (in any flavor or form … regular, drinkable, melts), 2. Cheese (usually in colby jack stick form), 3. Blueberries (but not blueberry muffins), 4. Scrambled eggs, 5. Banana Oat or Banana Nut Muffins (but no longer bananas, don't know what happened there), 6. My Special Spaghetti. And you still LOVE your milk, not interested really in water or juice. You also understand me when I mention any of your favorite foods and usually do a little giggle of affirmation or sometimes even make requests by going to the fridge or pointing to the counter (if muffins are made), etc. There are also things you do NOT like: 1. being told No, 2. having your diaper changed, 3. drying off after a bath, 4. getting your finger/toe nails clipped, 5. changing clothes. Even though we do so many of these things everyday, you still make sure and let me know you don't like them, even though it usually makes the process longer. Can't wait to reason with you … if you'll just lay still, we could be done with this already ;)

We have always enjoyed the time we spend reading together, but you now have a very definite opinion about which book we read and typically pick a favorite for a few days. Its obvious you are understanding more and more what we read and you spend time looking through the pages yourself. You'll even stop at certain pages and make a sound or do a movement if its something we do when reading together. This is one of my favorite things. The hours we have spent reading together are some of my favorite and most cherished memories! I love how relaxed you get, usually hugging your blanket with your feet crossed. Even though I know you don't understand all of the words, you have always given your full attention and its really starting to show.

You have also started playing differently with your toys. You no longer just play with whatever is in front of you, you have started intentionally choosing which toys you play with … even lugging your little people airport from room to room ;) This month you've also started really playing with some of your more toddler-ish toys … like the little people airport and garage and your blocks. You have also really taken to the pegboard you got for Christmas from Papa & Belle and its great fun watching you practice putting the pieces together. You are also starting to take more of an interest in your stuffed animals … you will get your stuffed Corduroy and the book and bring them to me … and you are loving your Mickey Mouse that Aunt Doodle brought you back from Disneyworld! You also continue to make toys out of so many everyday objects, so creative! Your favorite games, though, are still rough house/tickling/tackling games … especially with Daddy.

Playtime, caught in the act. So silly. So serious ;)

We normally have to turn your music on while playing too. You've always enjoyed the songs that I sing to you and would dance when we played music on our phones. But after seeing how much you enjoyed dancing to the songs at Gymboree, I made you your own play list featuring songs from the likes of the Beach Boys, Jackson 5, The Beatles, David Crowder, etc and you request it almost immediately after most naps. I love you my little "dancin' dancin' dancin' machine" … so fun to "watch you get down!" I'm especially fond of your spin move. You recognize several of the songs and giggle when they start. Always so proud of yourself for being "big" and knowing something :) You've also become more interested in watching movies. We've watched a few of the Disney ones and VeggieTales but you still definitely prefer your two baby Einstein shows and usually watch those (while on the couch with your blanket, giggling and talk along) while I get dinner together.

And finally, probably one of the biggest changes in this season is your communication. You are learning lots of new words and starting to mimic new sounds everyday, but man, do you understand (what feels like) everything! So smart :) You have been saying daddy (da-ee), ball (bah), "barking" (ah, ah, ah), bye bye (ba bye), back (ba) and dance dance (da-da, for dance, music, phone, computer, etc) for months. You could say mama, but never did. Something has really clicked these last six weeks and you are starting to really trying to talk up a storm! My favorite, besides Mama (obviously!), is whoa! Your inflection is the cutest thing! You also say no (more like no-no-no-no with this hilarious little dramatic squinched up face … which I thankfully find super adorable) … bubbles (ba-ble) … meow (ow, brother Charlie would be so proud) … please (tees in a super cute voice along with your hand sign) … cheese (eese, very similar to please) … Papa (clear as day for my dad), Doodle (dooda, for Aunt Kendall), Mojamama (mamamam mama, my grandmother) … play (pay) … paci (ma, why? no idea!) … shoes (choose) … socks (ocs) … up/on/off (ah) … go (go, go, go for cars, etc driving or go, go? to ask if we are going somewhere) … choo choo (for trains). And tonight while on FaceTime with Granna & Grandpa, you said "Granpa" clear as day! That's about 20 something "words" in addition to your signs … way to go buddy! But the absolute best is your intentional gibberish. You don't do it often for just me, but if daddy gets home or someone comes over, it comes out in paragraphs and is always accompanied by a very intentional look, like "you know what I mean?" … its the best! Need to try and get this on video soon. Can't wait to hear all that you have to say!

One of my other favorite things about you right now is how many mannerisms you have these days. You are so quick to realize when we are about to leave or get off the phone or say goodbye to someone … you say ba bye, wave and then blow a kiss … usually several accompanied by your mwah sound! Its adorable to say the least! People are always so thrilled to catch one of your kisses. You have also started this funny thing when you bump your head, even if its just slight … you get this oooh face and make the accompanying dramatic sound and have to come and get a hug from me! It doesn't have to be long and usually isn't, but you do it without fail and its precious :) You also pat people when you are happy to be with them. Sometimes you'll just come over to me and give my leg a hug (the best!) and a little pat or if someone is holding you, you'll pat their arm or shoulder or sometimes face. You are a sweetheart for sure! You are still our happy clapper (pretty much have been since you learned to clap around 6 months) and love to applaud yourself and to get others to clap for you. You have added the stomp-your-feet move to the If You're Happy and You Know It song, but what floors me is that you totally recognized the song when it played on your little cell phone … without words. I was astonished! You also love climbing and sliding and all those kind of physical activities and you have several "creative" walks and try to run (which isn't much faster than walking, but you usually make a "hoo-hoo-hoo" breathing sound which is so funny! You do everything with a definite intention and I love that about you! You can also point to your nose and eyes and brush your hair with your hand.

In other good news, you have become interested in the potty and for the past month or so, you've gone potty on the potty at least once most days! You can't tell us yet that you need to go, but you know what to do when we put you up there. Sometimes you don't want to, but usually you at least try and especially like having an audience ;) go figure! We are way proud of you for this and we hope you continue to make great strides in this way! But no pressure, Sugar. And in some sad news, you had an allergic reaction to dogs while visiting Aunt Chelle and Kathy. Your face got all splotchy and your eyes swelled up. I sure hope you grow out of it as you are quite fascinated with dogs. You and Joe Jack would be awfully cute together.

We just got home from your doctors appointment (a month late on your 15 month well-check). The doctor was very pleased and impressed with you and how you are developing! You are becoming longer and leaner all the time (such an active guy), but your head is still at the top of the charts! Now if only your hair could catch up ;) its trying and definitely strawberry-blonde. Here are your stats:
Weight: 25 lbs 7 oz (57%)
Height: 32.25 in (73%)
Head: 19.5 in (95%)
She also confirmed that you are getting 4 new teeth (molars and canines) which has been pretty rough on you the past couple of weeks. Poor buddy! Especially while we were in Cali, I thought you had an ear infection and even took you to the doc (your ears looked perfect), but I found a new tooth that night and with some Advil, a little more paci time, and a little extra love, you are hanging in there.

Our little trooper in San Francisco. Anything you want sweetheart ;)

I couldn't be more grateful to be your "Mama" … thank you for all of the joy that you bring to my life! I pray for many more years and memories to come :) I just love you so much!

<3 your Mama

Can you believe I am actually posting this on time!?! And with 10 minutes to spare?! HA!

Where did my baby go??!!? For that matter, where did the time go? I am finding that the saying "Time flies when you're having fun" become truer and truer everyday. I can't believe its already been 6 months since his birth! And so many people told us that six months was kind of a milestone and they were right about that too. Even though W was never small, he is definitely not a little baby anymore. And its weird, sad and exciting all at the same time.

But let me just say ... I love, love, LOVE being this precious boy's mommy! I knew I would, but nothing prepared me for just how much I would love this sweet sugar bean! I can't imagine life without him.

My favorite thing about him right now is how much more we can communicate. Now, we are no where near actual words, but he definitely understands a lot and is able to "tell" me a little what he is thinking. For example:

A few weeks ago he figured out that I am trying to burp him after he eats and he can now help! Its hilarious, but amazing. I ask him if he can burp for me and mock the sound, he makes eye contact with me and then makes the sound with his voice and more often than not, a burp very quickly follows! I very enthusiastically celebrate which makes him grin ... he seems to be just as pleased with himself as I am with him!
He seems to really recognize other people, especially our families and small group. He seems to be quite the social bug and enjoys the day much better when it includes attention from friends! His little face just lights up!
He also quickly recognizes and enjoys many of the songs we sing. Its so fun to see his little face light up just a few words in. I can even tell his favorites … Over in the Meadow is #1 right now and can pretty well put a smile on his face anytime, even mid-cry. It's great!! He can even anticipate what's coming next, its amazing. When singing "This Little Light of Mine," I always blow in his face during the verse that says won't let Satan blow it out … and I realized that he started closing his eyes before I even got to that point and had made the face. Incredible!!! And very entertaining!! (I tried putting a video up of this but it isn't working right now :( I'll try again soon)
He loves to eat and confirms that he's ready to eat with his excitement at seeing a bottle or jar of food. He started eating baby food a few days before turning 5 months and is doing great. It took him less than a week to master the spoon! And other than bananas making him pretty gassy, he hasn't met a food yet that he hasn't liked and he's tried … rice cereal, green peas, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, apples, bananas, pears, and brown rice so far.

Other things he is up to now:

He is up and rocking on all fours and our doctor, Tim & I think he'll be crawling within the month. We need to finish baby proofing!
We also moved him up into a convertible car seat. He looks like such a big boy in it. He seems to enjoy it a little more (although he almost always protests getting in) as he can see out of it better. This change means that he now rides in the shopping cart like a big kid and also enjoys being able to look around more.
He is also becoming a better sleeper and needs less help from us to fall asleep. This is HUGE! He still isn't sleeping through the night yet, but is becoming much more predictable which makes things easier.
He is becoming quite the pro at playing with his toys. He amazes me at how quickly he can figure out how his toys work. He passes them back and forth between his hands no problem. He is also very intent while playing and "works his toys over" when playing … he seems to have a pretty long attention span, which is great!