Daddy Time

Last week felt very short, since we got back from Nanna & Grandpa's on Tuesday night. Unfortunately on Thursday we had a follow-up appointment to learn that you are indeed allergic to eggs (as we thought), AND nuts. Very sad! Don't want to dwell on it on your happy blog, though, so on to the rest of the week!

You got to spend more than 24 hours straight with just your Daddy, when I went to NJ for my friend Lisa's wedding shower. You two boys had so much fun - I got the report that you went to pet stores to look at the animals, the library, a basketball game, and on lots of nice walks with Georgia. What a lucky boy to have such a fun Daddy.

Earlier in the week, after dinner, you entertained us with a game of Peekaboo. You've played MANY a round of Peekaboo before, but this time was different because YOU were the one playfully covering your face and popping back out. You thought it was hilarious!

On Sunday when I got back from my trip, it was a pretty nice afternoon, so we went to the park to let you run around. You were a wild man! Your little shoes were clip-clopping all over the place as you explored.

This is SUCH a fun age! We love you so much, W.

Weekend getaway.

We went to Nanna and Grandpa's house on Friday, and had a fun-filled long weekend (Presidents Day AND snow days in there)!

N&G babysat you while Mommy and Daddy went out to Zola's (um... best dinner in YEARS!) for our Valentine's Day date. It was the best gift ever!

You were such a busy little man in State College - we went to Nanna's kindergarten class, which was of course fascinating to you. We went to a pet store to wander the aisles and you were mesmerized by the fish, birds, mice, etc. That, paired with the big boy school visit, might have made for the most exciting 3 hours of your life :)


The next day you went to THON on the PSU campus with Daddy and Grandpa to cheer on the dancers. Those college kids raised $9.5 MILLION towards research for children's cancers. Pretty amazing! It's the largest student philanthropy in the country. Your Daddy was a dancer when he was in school and stayed on his feet for 48 hours, so he was especially proud to support them, and show you.

We got to talk to Uncle David (studying abroad in Spain) on Skype, AND Uncle Andrew came over to see you! You looooved him, and were showing off, "performing" with all of your animal sounds and general cuteness.

Dad left for home on Sunday, but you and I stayed to play with Nanna and Grandpa for a few more days. Turned out to be extra fun, because we had 2 snow days! You played outside with Nanna, watched Grandpa's "vroom" (snow blower) and had a great mini-vacation with all of the special toys at your grandparents' house.



I loved watching you with MY Mom and Dad... and they liked seeing how you now call me "Mum Mum" all the time.

Thanks, Nanna and Grandpa! We love you.

15 months

I was a few days late in taking these. You are looking SO much like a toddler and not my little baby!

I thought for once, for your monthly pictures, I wouldn't have you in all white. Let's be honest, you're not sparkling clean all the time. So here you are with morning hair and a rumply cute little t-shirt, reading in bed this morning.

And I know you want so badly to be a big boy, but those are still some VERY cute, ticklish baby toes you've got.

I love you!

- Mommy

Happy Valentine's Day!

Last week we mailed your Valentines out to your family - even to Uncle David in Spain. We've had some fun things arrive in our mailbox, too! Cards, candy, and other treats! What fun Valentine's Day is.

This weekend we went to visit our friends, the Martins, and their two kiddos Jack (3 1/2 years old) and Sarah, who is your exact age - born only 11 days after you! We had so much fun - it's a big deal for you to get to play with other kids, since you usually spend your days with just Mommy and Daddy.

We learned all about dinosaurs and sippy cups, and a little sharing and interaction even took place! :)

It made me really excited to someday give you a brother or sister to play with. How fun.

We love you to death, little rascal! Happy, happy, V-Day. Thanks for being our sweet little Valentine.

Best feeling in the world!

Yesterday, a few hours after I wrote the blog, and mentioned that William was saying "MumMumMum" pretty often, and could point to me when asked "Where is Mommy?", BUT that he had yet to call me by name... it happened.

He was on his changing table (one of the only places where he is a "captive audience" these days, and therefore where we have many a conversation), babbling, and suddenly looked up at me, POINTED, and said, "Mom."

I died.

It wasn't even a rambling "MaMaMaMaMa," it was so distinct.

"Mom."

This rivals the first smile.

Yes, William Wesley, I'm your Mom.

:)

Doctor's Appointment

Dear Pumpkin Pie Bunny Boy (ask your Daddy someday about that name!),

Today we had your 15 month checkup. Two more days until you're really 15 months old, but close enough!

You got another excellent report. You are in the 99th percentile for height (34.5" - you're almost 3 feet!) and the Dr. commented on how tall you were. Very proud of you! You're in the 24th percentile for weight (22 lbs 10 oz), which made me relax a little. Your Daddy can attest to the fact that I really stress out (all the time) about your eating, but the Dr. said that she'd much prefer babies to be in the 10th percentile for weight, for example, than the 90th. SO that's all well and good!

You had two mean shots, which were of course no fun, but you were a good boy.

You almost always fall asleep in the car - here you are, favorite book in lap, Cookie Monster sticker from the Dr. on your little vest.

You've been as fun and sweet as ever lately. Someone told me that the second year is an explosion of development - they're already right. You're only 3 months in to your second year, but we are seeing so many developmental changes in you - it's really amazing. You're understanding a LOT. Not only can you follow simple instructions ("Go get Mommy the book, and I will read it to you"), you can differentiate between things. ("William, where is your DUCK book? Can you please bring Mommy the Duck book?" - and you'll pick it from a basket of 15 other books!)

You still haven't quite gotten the hang of nodding your head for "yes," (you've had "NO" down pat for months!) but we're starting to be able to ask you questions and understand your answers. "Do you need a new diaper?" (...absence of shaking head "no" means "YES!")

Speaking of diapers, a few weeks ago you started getting our attention, pointing to your diaper, and showing a little look of concern on your face, and it seems to always be when you've just gone to the bathroom. Pretty impressive! We're not going to claim you're a baby genius who's read to potty train at 15 months, but that is still pretty bright, and a good sign.

You're still VERY into your "My Favorite Pets" DVD, which we let you watch once a day. Books are by far your favorite thing. I used to say that you loved books; now I can say that YOU LOVE BOOKS. You pad around in your little footed PJs, bringing me one book after another to read. You settle yourself into the "right" position in our laps, which is the sweetest thing in the world. Your favorites are still Eric Carle and Dr. Seuss.

You say "DA!" for Daddy, and we still have our evening routine of going absolutely nuts with happiness when he gets home from work. You're saying "MumMumMum" and "MA" a lot now, and you know it's my name, but haven't looked right at me and said it intentionally yet. You ARE able to identify everyone in your life by name. "William, where is the picture of Gula?" "Where is Nanna?" and you point immediately at the frames on the wall.

We're so proud of you, little one.

Happy (almost) 15 months!

Love,

MumMumMum

Beautiful Baby

This photo is from last week, but I just rediscovered it today.
Makes me want to go wake you up from your nap and kiss your little face!
You were holding one of your trains, and in the middle of saying "Oooh!"