Monkeying Around!

This weekend started off low-key, but a visit to Monkey Island definitely helped Wyatt let loose today. Even though he was too young to jump in the bouncy houses, climb thru the mazes or slide down the huge inflatable slides we did find the toddler side/size of things and he even played peek-a-boo with a nice lady from another party. Wyatt also enjoyed his first taste of chocolate with a delicous cupcake in honor of his nieces birthdays.

Wyatt loved the freedom! Monkey Island is HUGE and we could let him walk and go wherever he wanted...he LOVED it.

Here Wyatt had to convince Ken that he was too big to go in the bouncy house.

This week we noticed that Wyatt is now our drummer. (I will get a photo of this soon.) We have started to save small containers for him to play with and noticed that we have a drummer boy on our hands. I gave him one of my spatulas since he loves to be in the kitchen with us. Well, he started to partner the spatula with a plastic container and he enjoyed the noise so much that his play pan and spoon have also become part of the band. Another small tidbit from this week was too funny to me. Working from home twice a week, I am attached to my laptop and Wyatt has noticed the photo of himself on my wallpaper and he calls it "baby." So, every time I am on my laptop he needs to see the baby which has introduced the lesson of "that is you" which has helped with his love of mirrors. Also, he is doing a lot better with brushing his teeth. I think he is understanding that the brush is attached to Mommy's fingers and not to bite. Yea!

Have a great week!

Ahh, April!

Forgive the delay in posting, it seems like the days just melt into one another and before I know it weeks have passed by. Easter was a wonderful day and Wyatt enjoyed going to church and looking for plastic eggs (well, after he found out there were treats inside each egg). I was going to go all out and get him a basket, but then I thought his attention span is short and the egg hunt will last all day and it did. So, the basket will come next year when he is enthralled in the hunt. This year it was a bucket and he loves to carry it around and look thru it. The shovel is a big hit as well.

Wyatt discovering his Easter bucket!

Enjoying Easter at Grandma and Pa's! A one-year old loves to be the center of attention.

The above photo is Wyatt's most recent passion. SHOES! I thought it was cute that he found Ken's shoe and put his shoe inside. I am not joking when I say Wyatt is passionate about his shoes. He is constantly carrying them around....or mine or Ken's.

This photo above really doesn't do Wyatt justice. I work from home two days a week...a true blessing because we get to spend more time together that I just cherish. It is a challenge at times, but worth it. I commonly work at the dining room table and he loves to sit underneath and play peek-a-boo with me. He started to crawl out from under the table, but I was able to capture him just in time. He is walking so fast now it is amazing. Also, this month he can stand up in the middle of room without holding on to anything. It is so fun to just take a walk and hold his hand. He just loves being outside and pointing and naming what he sees. I am truly amazed by his vocabulary...he will try to repeat anything you say. Most recent words: umbrella, basketball, and tulips (his version is just too funny).

It has been too long since I posted a cute sleeping pose. Here Wyatt and his dog (Brutus).

Wyatt loves it when I clean..."more" he insists whenever I am done. Hmmm...maybe that is a sign. Ha. ha. Swiffer Dusters and Sweeper are his favorites. The photo above is not the best because of the light, but I had to capture the moment when he decided to dust...you can't start too early.

I hope you all are having a great week and are able to see the blessings in your life like I have today. Enjoy our warm weather. Loving this spring weather in Chicago!

15 Month Check-up!

Today, I took Wyatt for his 15 month check-up. Seeing the little babies in the waiting room helps put it into perspective as he walks from chair to chair. Wow...the last year has flown by. He did great despite two shots and having to sit in a diaper for a half an hour while someone measures you etc. It was a proud moment for me as I described his vocabulary for the doctor and then he started repeating the words after I said them. Then in the waiting room another Mom was amazed with his talking. Wow, how did going to the doctor for him get fun for me. Anywho...here is the latest stats on Wyatt.

Height: 32 1/8 inches (75-90th Percentile)

Weight: 24 pounds, 11 ounces (50-75th Percentile)

The above video is for everyone who is interested in seeing how fast he is in getting around now. The ending is for Gigi and Papa...we miss you! Have a great week!

Ahhh Spring...is it?

An absolutely beautiful day! The sun was shining and living steps away from a park will definitely have its advantages in the months to come. Wyatt and I enjoyed WALKING to the pond to look at the ducks and stopped by the park to enjoy a ride on the swings.

Wyatt is still teething (you wouldn't know it except for the desire to put everything in his mouth) and Ken and I thought this was humorous - chewing on a choo-choo.

There is one thing about Wyatt that really reminds me of Ken and I want to mention it before I forget to write it down. Wyatt just cracks himself up...laughing about something that he believes is hilarious and this really resembles Ken to me. This weekend they both did (separately), but only hours apart and I just couldn't believe how much Wyatt resembled Ken at that moment...he does it all the time...I was just distracted by the cute laugh to notice it. How is Wyatt like me? Hmm...he is a dream child. Ha. Ha. Okay...okay...he sucks his thumb and LOVES his stuffed animals. No doubt my influence. You can hear him in his crib laughing and talking to his animals. That he definitely gets from his Mom.

This is his new favorite past-time...here carrying a chicken, but will carry an animal or object for tours or laps around our coffee table. He is on the move! He is now walking steps by himself - only a few at a time but more often. It is surprising to look up and see him walk across the room without holding on to a wall or piece of furniture. It is so nice that he really does listen to me when I ask him to do something...sometimes he does it anyway, but most of the time he listens and does what I ask...at 14+ months...incredible! Wyatt's vocabulary is absolutely extraordinary. He is putting words together now and said "Hi, Ma-Ma" to me on the phone earlier this week. Melts my heart just to think about it. He will try to say anything. Latest word - "airplane." I am working on a list so I may post that soon.

This week a possible first...a haircut. Yes, I have cut his hair, but I think it is time to get it cut by a professional. Plus, it is time to shop for his Easter outfit. Time is flying.

Have a great week!

Teething Gold Medal!

This week has been busy, but by the grace of God we...okay I made it through. I am sure some of you might be saying, "huh?" Well, Ken is back to work at the Hinsdalean (PRAISE) and I am still working three days in the city and from home two days a week. However, this means that I am doing it solo for the first time ALL day long. Wyatt is close to walking solo, but was gracious to me this week and was so incredibly good. He is usually a fabulous napper (two a day at two hours each), but this week has decided to do one at an hour and skip the other entirely. Today, he was back at two at about an hour and half each so I am hoping he is back to his old schedule. Anywho...working and watching a 1-year old is a bit challenging, but I am blessed with a little boy who will play independently while I work...phew.

We are anxiously awaiting a visit from Gigi and Papa as they will be home next week from Florida. So, of course I need to do a post before they come home so they won't question their decision to come home to all the snow they are predicting and to leave a warmer Florida climate.

So, thankful that Wyatt is over his at least two week cold. However, he is teething and he verified it when we saw him chewing on the knobs of our coffee table (we have trays that pull out on the sides)!

One of my favorite things to hear is Wyatt's laugh...I'll will do crazy dances and sing some wacky made-up songs to hear it. Sorry, that will never make it on video if I have anything to say about it. ha. ha. So, when we realized that my cheering "USA" for Shani Davis during one of his olympic races today made Wyatt laugh hysterically we had to capture it. I must say for the video I tried to do it quietly so you will just hear him laughing. Dare you not to smile or laugh...

Thinking we only had limited chances to go sledding before the snow was gone we took Wyatt out sledding last weekend and took this photo. More snow coming? Not so good for the adults, but we will have to have him experience the snow coming down instead of waiting for it to stop and then sledding on it.

Have a great weekend!

We are a SIPPY CUP household!

Saturday, February 6, 2010...Milestone achieved! Praise! The boy who decided on his own to ditch the pacifer was a bit stubborn about the sippy cup. There was no doubt in my mind that he knew how to drink out of it...he just chose not to do it. I believe he thought if he chewed on the lids that it would count in my eyes. Sweet but sorry no. He liked drinking juice out of the cup, but struggled to let go of his good pal "ba-ba" when it came to drinking milk. Do I wish he liked the "non-spill" sippy cups...yes! His cup of choice is the free flowing (especially when they hit the floor) tupperware sippy cups that will easily transition to just the colored cups when he is ready to just drink out of the cup. Actually, he is quite good at that with assistance. Once we are super confident, I will re-introduce the other models in hopes that our "non-spill" friends will be a welcomed addition to Wyatt's sippy cups of choice.

Wyatt is saying new words at what seems to me at "genius speed," but I am a bit bias. His favorite and immediate word the minute he gets into his high chair is "cracker." He loves them and would make a meal out of them if I would let him. I just love to hear him say it. I thought you all might as well.

It is the small things that can be so incredibly joyous! Mine just happens to now walk, talk and drink out of a sippy cup! Not to mention has a laugh that would make your heart sing.

Have a great week!

Growing Up Sooooooooooo Fast!

I am still trying to take that "perfect" photo for my Dad to represent the fun and love Wyatt has for his horse. He is constantly riding it with the blinds open watching the snow fall or the cars go by.

So, far the photo above is just too funny not to share it.

Believe it or not this is the photo that is to show Wyatt eating his first jelly sandwich (or blueberry perserves),

but it was gone before I got the camera.

These two photos represent Wyatt's favorite activity...
playing on Mommy and Daddy's bed.

Our floors have yet to wear out, but I thought you all might enjoy these two very short videos.

Could walking alone be in the near future?