A pleasant Sunday

Church with a toddler can be very difficult, especially when Chris isn’t able to come with me to take turns walking the halls. But today was one of those days when I was pleasantly surprised. I only had to go in the hall once when Miles fell backwards and hit his head.

Can’t complain.

Oh, and the markers were a big hit. And he didn’t even need to take the cap off. He thought it was pretty fun to just tap the marker on the paper without actually coloring.

And that’s all I’ve got for you today. Forgot to take pictures of him playing with my family this afternoon. Oh well.

Fail

I still have two months until I can officially take Miles to nursery at church…and yes, I am counting down. It will be nice to feel like going to church is actually worthwhile. And if I’m being honest, I must admit that on Sundays that Chris isn’t with us, we often leave early.

But a few weeks ago I thought maybe if Miles had a super cool toy that he can only play with at church, he would be so enchanted, that I would actually get to pay attention. So as per usual, we took a trip to Target on Saturday (not that we don’t also go on other days) to pick out a toy. Unfortunately, there aren’t many toys that are small enough to fit in my bag and also quiet. I ended up with something that he didn’t care about at all.

But today I had a better idea: coloring! There was another little boy at church with Crayola markers that only color on their own paper. Expensive? Yes. But if it will keep him entertained…totally worth it. But while we were in the Crayola section, I also saw the little markers and crayons that are supposed to be perfect for little hands. I tried to first stand him at the dining room table and help him color, but he kept pushing the chair back. And when the marker starting bleeding all over my table, I moved him to his high chair. Here’s what he thought of them…

I’m not sure why he was so upset by the idea of coloring, but every time I tried to help him, he screamed at me.

But the paper was pretty cool.

And these were put away for later.

But I know what will always make him happy: ROCKS!

And just for good measure, here is a picture of just how cute my little man is.

Here goes nothing…

Why, oh why, did I say that I would blog everyday in the month of September? I seem to have temporarily forgotten just how not exciting my life is. Miles and I did stuff, but just nothing exciting happened. Other than lots of crankiness.

I think this must be one of the most fun and frustrating ages in Miles’ development. He is just so excited about everything, but can’t communicate exactly what he wants to us. We try our best to understand his pointing and grunting, but it often ends in tears. He’s pretty good at pointing at what he wants, but sometimes he points to the pantry but doesn’t want anything that’s in there. Perhaps a sign that he is super smart because perhaps he remembers something that was there before.

But today was just one of those days that we couldn’t seem to get it right. And one of those days that I was grateful Chris was around for the post-nap to bedtime crankiness.

And sorry that I don’t have any pictures of today, but no one wants to look at grumpy face. From Miles or me.

Miles: 16 months

I’ve been trying really hard to pretend that I still have a baby, but it gets harder day by day. I think it’s time to admit that my Miles is officially a toddler. He definitely toddles around a lot. A lot. He has been busy since he could crawl, but not that he has mastered running, he doesn’t stop (unless he’s sick).

I took him to the doctor this week for his 15 month check-up (a little late, I know), but he is officially middle of the pack on the growth curve (finally).  Although I feel like the big bulk of his growth has happened in his belly. Many of his shirts turn into belly shirts, and let’s be honest, that’s not attractive on a boy.

(This is what I found him doing when I got out of the shower the other day.)

But while at the doctor, they gave me a survey to fill out that’s supposed to be done at 14 months to see how your child is developing. As it turns out, I have neglected to observe behaviors during the day. Like if he can stack blocks on top of each other. To be honest, when he plays with his blocks, it mostly involves Chris building a tall tower while trying to keep Miles from touching it until it is completely done. Then Miles knocks it over. Or how about the question about his ability to hold a spoon. Well, yes, he can hold a spoon. But do I let him? No. I don’t want to be giving baths three times a day. Bad mom, I know. Or the question about coloring. Was I supposed to be teaching him to color? Oops.

It’s amazing to me how quickly he picks up on things now though. He learned the sign for “more” in one day this week. He learned the sign for “ball” while pointing at one hanging at a restaurant over and over again. We know he understands a lot of words: Mom, Dad, dog, cat, ball, milk, banana, flower, tree, airplane, truck, train, more, bite, take/bring, kiss, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Steve…and I’m sure more. But what does he say? Dada, or more specifically, “Dad-n.”

I’ll admit it: he LOVES his Daddy more than he loves me. Probably because Daddy plays music and dances with him more than I do. I keep meaning to get this on video, but whenever Chris puts on any song by The Killers, Miles lights up, lifts up his arm, and starts dancing. So cute. He actually points to the stereo when he wants a dance party.

 

But this child also has a very serious side. Like when he is trying to put things inside of an empty Diet Coke box.

And as observant as this child is of the world around him, he sometimes misses the big picture. You know, because that speck on the floor is way cooler than the otter behind him.

Excuses

I haven’t been a very good blogger lately. Not that I was ever an excellent blogger, but better perhaps. Summers are lazy for me, even if it’s no different than any other time of year, as far as scheduling goes at least. We still do the same things now that we usually do. Wake up. Eat breakfast. Play. Shop. Eat lunch. Nap. Eat again. Play some more. Bed.

The only real difference has been that I have started to exercise regularly now at an actual gym where I get to drop of Miles for up to 2 hours. At first I felt a little guilty leaving him there while I worked out and then showered (without a toddler getting in to everything while I am otherwise engaged), but over time I realized it was good for both of us. He gets some socialization, and I get to actually work out without interruption.

We have also started to go on some hikes around town because the weather is actually pleasant, you know, no oppressing humidity making your sweat sweat.

I also spend a great deal of time doing very important things on the computer that don’t involve blogging. Like looking at houses that I can’t move into. Or decorations that I will never own (or make myself).

But I have set a new goal to blog everyday in September. Why? Just to get in the habit again. So consider this a warm-up.