"I hear the secrets that you keep...."

So, it seems we may have a sleeptalker on our hands. Which should come as no surprise given the night terror history (frankly, talking in one's sleep is far more tolerable than screaming) and the fact that both aunts are known to chat away whilst sleeping.

During this afternoon's (lovely, lengthy) nap, I heard James say, "Truck, truck" as a truck drove past. A few minutes later I heard, "Hi. Hi. Hi." So I went in thinking he was up and ready to go for the afternoon.

Nope.

Totally zonked out, eyes shut, sleeping.

Chigger Chatter

In honor of the fact that the eldest son of my dear friend Christine is off to his first week of camp (at Gravatt, where Christine & I met), James dressed up in his Gravatt best today: "Future Gravatt Camper" onesie and Tevas. Granted, the onesie is more like a twosie on him, but it's the thought that counts!




And, yes, it seems that James will be filling the positions of Juggler and Rabbit Wrangler when he works at Camp!

Sunday Morning

Lately we've been up with the sun. And in these longest days of the year, that's pretty early. Dan heads to the gym or runs before work, and often I get up at 5:00 to get in my workout and shower before he has to leave. James, like the sun, has getting up earlier and earlier. It used to be that he'd wake up as I was getting out of the shower. Lately, he's already halfway through breakfast when I walk in from my run!

Indeed, Dan reports our son awoke at 5:15 today, just as I was heading out the door. (Dan was taking a day off from working out, and had hoped to get some sleep- ha!)

We were all fed, clean and dressed well over an hour before we had to leave for church. (I was scheduled to read today; our attendance really depends on the lector's schedule. With no nursery for James, it is just really hard to make it to/through the service.)

So, Dan suggested we head to the playground to burn off a little energy (and time) before church. I had the foresight to bring a towel (with all the rain we've had, we've learned it is quite handy to be able to dry off the swings & slides) and a wet washcloth (in case James needed to be tidied up afterwards). Next time we'll bring a second pair of shoes. James's sandals got pretty dirty running around on the mulch, which then meant we were bound to get dirty holding/carrying him. We took his shoes off when we left the playground, and banged them together lots, but having a second pair would've worked better.

Anyway, we made it to the service with very little dirt to show from our trip to the playground. (Mind you, James was wearing his super cute smocked outfit, so the bits of dirt he did manage to get on himself pained me more than usual.) We've learned to sit at the back of the church, so that we can more easily allow James to get up and "stretch his legs" and distract the fewest number of parishioners.

All in all, a pretty good morning.

Happy Fathers Day!

We started the day by taking Dan out to breakfast at the diner.  Let me tell you, when his big plate of silver dollar pancakes was set before him, James actually let out an exclamation of glee!  He then proceeded to gobble them ALL up!

After breakfast, James & I headed out to the grocery store while Dan got to watch some early golf coverage.  When we entered the produce section, James spotted the broccoli and began calling out for it enthusiastically.  Thusly, I amended my shopping list and got a bunch o' the lil' trees.  James clutched his bouquet happily.  Then he began nibbling on it.  He was SO HAPPY about his broccoli.  I mean, giggling (with little bits of green in his toothy grin) joyfully.  An elderly man complemented James on his good taste.  

When we got home, James helped me make cupcakes and icing.  Dan requested orange and blue (go Mets!).  James stood on his chair next to me, and when his vision was blocked he'd say "See! See!" and reach up for me to help him look into the mixer.  

Grandpa & Grandma came over just as James was getting ready for his nap (so then, of course, he didn't want to nap.... but we got him settled down eventually).  We had a delicious lobster dinner then retired to the living room for cupcakes and golf and gifts.  Dan loved his poker book and set of three Dr. Seuss books.  (The final piece of his book-themed gift is on a FedEx truck due to arrive tomorrow.)

Chair! Book!

Just a few pictures of James reading last week.  One of his favorite things to do.  Enjoy.

Crib Update

So, guess what was recalled this weekend?

Our crib.  Fortunately, it was the original model we had.  The crib in which James is currently sleeping was manufactured on Sept. 15, 2007.  The recalled models were Aug. 2007 and earlier.

The recall shows a photo of the faulty pins.  These pins were on the bad crib that we started with, and are not on the one in which James has been sleeping.  

I am SO glad that we persisted in getting our crib replaced over a year and a half ago.  I'd hate to be dealing with this recall now (and having James sleep elsewhere in the meantime).

King of the Mountain, pt. 2

So, James went running into the kitchen/dining room area ahead of me at lunchtime today.  I was delayed by handwashing and other distractions, but wasn't too worried because what kind of trouble could he get into?  I heard some unusual noises and called out, "James, what are you doing?"

Imagine my surprise when I walked in to find him sitting atop the dining room table!  

I took him down and promptly called Dan.

While Dan was telling me how bad this was, James proceeded to demonstrate just how he did it.  His small wooden chair was near the table (I think he'd put it there), and he climbed onto it, then from there to the table top where he sat triumphantly.

Lovely.

My only regret is that I have no photographic evidence.

Happy Half Birthday!

My boy is 18 months old!  A whole year and a half!  Craziness.

And he looks and moves like a little boy too, not so much like a baby.  

And he loves veggies.  When we got home from the store today he was happily running round with a bouquet of broccoli, chanting "broccoli!  broccoli!" (of course, he doesn't enunciate it so well).  

So, when you see this shirt, what comes to mind?

"Olympic Fanfare" perhaps?  Medal ceremonies?  Torch relay?  Sweat?  Athleticism?

Not if you're a certain 18 month old.... no, in that case you think of.... wait for it.... peas!  Yep, peas.  He points and gleefully announces (with perfect enunciation) "peas!"  In fact, he even leaned in to me this evening and "ate" the "peas."  I'm not kidding.

Happy half birthday, my veggie loving little boy!

Potty Time

So, for a few weeks we've been introducing the concept of the potty to James.  We haven't committed ourselves to full-on potty training yet, but we've started some introductory steps (like taking trips to flush the contents of his diapers in the potty-- great fun!).

Last month we made a family trip to buy James his own little potty.  He seemed a bit interested in it, and started saying "potty."  On our Ikea outing, we bought a second, blue one.  With each of them, he'd say "potty" and then proceed to throw and/or roll it around.  Okay.

A week or so later we stopped by Barnes & Noble to get a few potty books.  One is The Potty Book.  It is pretty cute and stars a red-haired boy and his bear.  The other book is titled The Potty Train and features the winning line, "Chugga, chugga, poo-pooo!"  (Can you guess which book Dan selected?)  James, of course, loves the books.  We read them multiple times a day.  

Meanwhile, James has been following us to the restroom for quite a long time.  We've been discussing what's going on more lately (lovely, I know).  Also, he's been a huge fan of streaking and has protested when having diapers put on for a while.  With his ever-increasing communication skills, we figured we have a chance he could "get on board the potty train" this summer.

Of course, there's the minor problem that he's not been interested, at all, in actually sitting on either potty.  Not even when clothed. 

A couple of days ago, he protested enough during his afternoon diaper change that I didn't put on a new diaper.  He just ran about diaper-less with his outfit unsnapped at the crotch.  We sat and read stories then he played in the kitchen.  NO ACCIDENTS.  A few times he announced "potty" and actually scampered off to the bathroom.  However, he didn't sit on his little potty, but rather repeatedly opened and shut the actual potty.  I finally wrangled him into a diaper when it was dinnertime because I didn't want to have a situation in the high chair.

Tonight before bathtime, when he was released for "nakey time," James proceeded to sit on his potty while we read three books to him!!!  No actual production, but we praised this new milestone.  

We'll see how things develop...

Jumping on the Bed!

  James's latest favorite past time is playing on our bed.  He'll come into our room and say, "Bed. Bed."  He climbs right up on it and smiles.  He also runs around and laughs with joy.  We do get a bit worried that he'll bop right off, but usually he's fine. (I say "usually" because he has taken a few trips off... no injuries, thank goodness.)  The cutest is when he'll just lay down and say, "Aww." 

Big Boy

Thought you'd enjoy this photo of James and his dinner plate.  We recently stocked up on some Ikea toddler dishes-- plate, bowls, utensils.  James, as you can see, is working on his manners.  He does say "thank-you" now and signs "please" very well.  Speaking of....

...Ikea...

We had such a fun trip there.  It was a rainy day, but James was able to burn a lot of energy on our shopping adventure.  He enjoyed holding my hand and riding the escalator (like Corduroy).  Then there were all sorts of chairs in the toddler area that he liked trying out and moving around.  The bear chair was by far his favorite.  There was also a fun slide.  James then climbed atop the many toddler beds that were set up on display.  So fun!  A few more trips up and down the stairs, then into a cart so that Mommy could actually focus on the task at hand and buy some well-priced goods.

...eating...

James has been doing a much better job of eating lately.  He can really pack it away (and often looks about 8 months pregnant when he gets up from dinner!!!).  He gets very sad every time there is no more "snack" left (it seems that "snack" has become synonymous with Earth's Best cereal bars).  We try to keep him abreast of how many bites are left, but he always gets sad and asks for more (with words and signs) when it's empty.  Sometimes a tantrum ensues.  Oh, and the boy LOVES peas!  Pops them into his mouth like candy.  Cutest thing ever.

...words...

This weekend we decided to make a list of the words that James uses correctly in context (rather than just repeating what we say, because that would be endless).  We got over 100!  There are a few that he only signs, several that he signs and says and lots that he only says.  Not really any sentences yet though.  The closest we've come is "more (fill in the blank) please."  For instance, today he wanted "More truck please," after the garbage truck left our street, and "More baby please," after seeing another baby at the grocery store.