How did we get here? As I'm writing this I'm watching Barrett try to go to sleep in his crib. He keeps sitting up to look at the fan, moves his lovey and tiger, lays back down, sits up again. I don't take for granted that I know he's eventually just going to fall asleep ... because I remember the period of time when I thought my child would never be a sleeper. I loathed the fights at bedtime and naptime, and now it's so easy! And really, the sweetest part of my day. We read a few stories, Mommy gets kisses, and then he lays (or plays) in his bed until he falls asleep.
He has recently shown an interest in us reading books to him during the day ... not just when it's time to wind down before sleep time. He's always loved exploring books on his own, but recently he will grab a book, say "read," and sit in my lap for me to read the story. He studies every part of every page. And he gets so excited when there is a character that he recognizes staring back at him. I love this time because, in addition to all the benefits of reading out loud he is getting, it's our cuddle time.
He has also become FAST! We have to pick up the pace when keeping up with him. Uncle Brandon says that he could win an Olympic medal in power walking. He hasn't quite figure out how to run ... but little boy can MOVE!
We have also joined a Gymboree play class once a week. The class is currently working on the concepts of "over" and "under." The teacher has obstacles set up on the apparatuses around the gym, and Barrett and I go over and under each one. We also have song time, bubbles time, and parachute time where the whole group participates together. Barrett seems to take a step back during these times and watch the other babies, but I'm sure he'll get the hang of it. Sometimes he has so much fun, and sometimes he's just a little overwhelmed.
Carrying a Ball at Play Class
We've also hit the stage of repeating words. He can pretty much repeat anything we throw at him. Lately we've been practicing his ABCs. He repeats each letter as we go through the alphabet, and I think he has a special love for the letter "Q." That letter always gets the biggest reaction. He can also repeat (word by word) "I. Love. You," "I. Love. (Insert Name Here)," and "Jesus. Loves. MEEEE."
Barrett has been able to recognize his grandparents pretty soon after he started recognizing Mommy and Daddy. But recently he's been able to recognize AND name his aunts, uncles, and cousins. (And if you know how many aunts and uncles this kid has, you'd be impressed too!) We spend a lot of time looking up pictures and naming everyone so he can keep them all straight.
We've also found Barrett's first friends ... his cousins. All 3 kids love each other so much. We went to a wedding recently, and when Hannah and Moses got out of the car, all 3 kids started running towards each other. Matt and I and Uncle Brandon and Aunt Shannon just stood there and watched. And laughed. I love watching those kids love my baby. It's so much fun! It also makes me so extremely excited about baby Jordan coming this summer. Barrett will be the "big" cousin and be able to show her the ropes.
At our 18 month appointment, the doctor told us that Barrett is in the 92% for height and the 95% for weight. My response was "no kidding." Ok ... I didn't actually say that out loud. But he's pretty big! And HEAVY! The doctor also told us that he thinks Barrett will be about 6'2'' or 6' 3'' when he grows up. It's weird to think of my little boy as a grown up!
His latest obsession, apparently ignoring my objections, is Angry Birds. Not just birds. Angry Birds. He found the game on Daddy's phone, and life as we knew it will never be the same. He started outsmarting us by asking if he could play "woof-woof" (his animal noises game). Apparently he found the Angry Birds icon on the phone, and he knew that we would let him play "woof-woof." So he opens the "woof-woof" game and immediately closes it and starts looking for Angry Birds. When he is actually able to open the game (he has all his fingers on the screen at the same time and taps them all until something works) he starts yelling "Bird! Bird!" Shortly followed by squeals of delight.
I'm embarrassed to admit how long it took be to catch on to this little trick of his. But also, I wasn't at all expecting my year and a half year old to be manipulating me! Smart little boy.
Below are just some pictures of us playing outside and being goofy with Daddy:
Current Barrett-isms
He has recently shown an interest in us reading books to him during the day ... not just when it's time to wind down before sleep time. He's always loved exploring books on his own, but recently he will grab a book, say "read," and sit in my lap for me to read the story. He studies every part of every page. And he gets so excited when there is a character that he recognizes staring back at him. I love this time because, in addition to all the benefits of reading out loud he is getting, it's our cuddle time.
He has also become FAST! We have to pick up the pace when keeping up with him. Uncle Brandon says that he could win an Olympic medal in power walking. He hasn't quite figure out how to run ... but little boy can MOVE!
We have also joined a Gymboree play class once a week. The class is currently working on the concepts of "over" and "under." The teacher has obstacles set up on the apparatuses around the gym, and Barrett and I go over and under each one. We also have song time, bubbles time, and parachute time where the whole group participates together. Barrett seems to take a step back during these times and watch the other babies, but I'm sure he'll get the hang of it. Sometimes he has so much fun, and sometimes he's just a little overwhelmed.
More Play Class Fun
"I. Love. Dada"
We've also found Barrett's first friends ... his cousins. All 3 kids love each other so much. We went to a wedding recently, and when Hannah and Moses got out of the car, all 3 kids started running towards each other. Matt and I and Uncle Brandon and Aunt Shannon just stood there and watched. And laughed. I love watching those kids love my baby. It's so much fun! It also makes me so extremely excited about baby Jordan coming this summer. Barrett will be the "big" cousin and be able to show her the ropes.
Why Did Mommy Make Us Stop Playing? To Take a Picture?!?! What?
Family All Dressed Up ... For a Wedding in the SAME Place Where Mommy and Daddy Got Married
His latest obsession, apparently ignoring my objections, is Angry Birds. Not just birds. Angry Birds. He found the game on Daddy's phone, and life as we knew it will never be the same. He started outsmarting us by asking if he could play "woof-woof" (his animal noises game). Apparently he found the Angry Birds icon on the phone, and he knew that we would let him play "woof-woof." So he opens the "woof-woof" game and immediately closes it and starts looking for Angry Birds. When he is actually able to open the game (he has all his fingers on the screen at the same time and taps them all until something works) he starts yelling "Bird! Bird!" Shortly followed by squeals of delight.
I'm embarrassed to admit how long it took be to catch on to this little trick of his. But also, I wasn't at all expecting my year and a half year old to be manipulating me! Smart little boy.
Below are just some pictures of us playing outside and being goofy with Daddy:
Current Barrett-isms
"nnnno " = no
"bwush" = brush
"bEdah" = bed
"momma " = mommy
"dada " = daddy
"dOOOOOOO" = down
"yeeawww"/ "ya" = yeah
"baw" = ball
"caw?" = car
"tuk" - truck
"caulk" = clock
"cauck" = cracker
"cacher" = tiger lovie
"ya-ya" = bear lovie (This was his answer every time we asked him if he wanted his lovie. It just kind of evolved)
"eese eese" = cheese
"sauch" = apple sauce
"bocks" = blocks
"bwed-ah" = bread (or tortilla! Haha)
"bulk" = milk (while signing)
"wa-wa" = water
"go-go" = go, car
"go-gu" = yogurt (not to be confused with "go-go"
"go-Go go-Go go-Go" = I want to watch Cars (the movie)
"go?" = where'd it go?
"ba ba ba ba" while waving = bye bye
"pease" = please (while rubbing his whole chest and tummy)
"souce" = Mickey Mouse
"manie" = Minnie Mouse
"ish" = Goofy
"uck" = Donald/Daisy Duck
"pup pup" = Pluto
"esss" = yes
"beauum" = boom
"shez" = shoes
"sock" or "SOCKey" = sock
"shew" = bless you
"wa wa" = water
"wa wa" = water
"ish" = fish or Cheerios
"ish! ish! ish! ish! MEEMO!" = I want to watch Finding Nemo
"whooooaaa" = whoa
"oh-oh! oh-oh! oh-oh!" = uh-oh
"sass" = grass
"Papa" = Papa
"Nana" = Nana or banana
"Popppa" = Poppy
"Moma" = Gamma
"Berit" = Barrett
"mooooo" "neeeeeigh" "baa" "ick" (oink) "ssss" "woof woff" "miow" (meow) = animal noises
He makes these noises after you ask him what each animal says.
"red! red!" = read
"di-sooore" = dinosaur
"aco" = taco
Jordan is excited for Barrett to be her big cousin too. She was kicking and jumping around while I was reading! :)
ReplyDelete