On the move

James has a walker that he has just discovered does more than keeping him stable when walking - it allows him to run. And I mean run. He goes all out on this thing. (please do not mind the messy house, we were snowed in for 2 days... it got a little crazy. And he lost the pants because he was working up a sweat. Seriously - he was was running!)

The only problem he has is that he cant steer. At all. So he is constantly running into everything and yelling for us to put him back on a straight path. Only for him to run into something 5 seconds later. Its not nearly as fun of a game for us as it is for him.

When James is tired, he has four stages.

Stage 1: Daredevil. He will climb on anything, try to ride the dogs and launch himself off of furniture (I dread the day when he can actually do this successfully).

Stage 2: Freak out. While climbing, riding or launching - he falls. Not a big fall but a small everyday fall where he lands on his bum. But this time its the most terrible fall ever and he cries like he will never recover - Its very dramatic.

During this stage John and I try so very hard not to laugh.

 Because it isnt funny.

But it kind of is.

James really thinks he just took the worst fall ever, on his very padded bum - but thats not the point. This is the worst fall ever.

Stage 3: No one is paying attention to me! Now comes the realization that we arent making eye contact (which in his mind means no one cares, which isnt true - but he doesnt need to know that). So his wails become wimpers and deep breathes. Those HUGE tears stop coming and he gives us the best stink eye he can muster.

Stage 4, the final stage: Finding something else to climb, ride or launch from - until Mommy has had enough and its time for bed.  

*** These pictures were all take in the span of 2 minutes. No joke. He went from happy to freak out and back in 120 seconds. It was an early bedtime tonight!!

James getting ready for a bath - he cannot wait!!

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First Steps

Tonight James took his first steps - and it was amazing. I wanted to shout for John to grab the camera but I didnt want to startle James into falling so John and I basically froze. It was like time stood still - and James did not even notice. He acted like it was a normal everyday occurrence. And when he fell down into a crawl he gave us that look like we were crazy for thinking something big just happened. And once we broke out into celebratory yells and jumping up and down, he started cheering too - but I know he didn't know why. Just like when someone coughs, he feels the need to cough too.

Now that James is in bed and I'm writing this post, its weird... I kinda feel lonely. John is sitting on the couch next to me watching the OSU game,  I have two dogs at my feet and several cats lounging around the room - I'm not alone. But my baby is growing up and a toddler is taking his place. A toddler that is independent and stubborn, who doesn't want to cuddle as much or snuggle before bed. I miss my baby, but I wouldnt trade this fun, amazing, smart toddler for anything.

I love this stage.

When he does something brand new and rebellious, I often have to fight not to laugh. Sometimes, I don’t really want him to go to bed because we’re having too much fun and I don’t want to ruin it. Other times, I really want him to go to bed so I can have some fun that doesn’t involve me scraping food off the walls (but while scraping food off the walls I giggle at the memory of him having so much fun eating dinner). Though I’ve read parentings books and articles, not one of them has given me the secret key to being a parent. Most days, I’m going on gut; flying by the seat of my pants. I’m pretending to know what I’m doing because somehow, unfathomably, I’m the one in charge.

Which leads me to wonder: all this time, were our parents faking it too?

I bet they were.

My mother laughing at me leads me to believe I’m right.

******** (this means totally random change of subject)********


Here are some pictures from James' friend Max's first birthday party.  It was a good party and always fun to hang out with close friends - and there was cake. Win win for everyone :)

Every month I try to get a good picture of James smiling and looking at the camera. I just want one, not to much to ask... but usually turns into a bigger deal that it should be and I have to ask John for help. Usually he just makes funny faces or sings songs. This time however I asked him to take the picture of James for me since I was cooking dinner. This is what I got.

 

 Not quite what I was looking for... but they did make me giggle. 

Once I got the camera back John went back to making his funny faces.

Shopping trip

On Sunday James and I met Leanna and Max for some outlet shopping. The boys were great, way more interested in each other than shopping... but they were great sports! They are only 5 weeks apart - Max will be a year on Sat! - so they really have a good time together (dont mind the glare, outlet malls have weird tile everywhere).

I think Max is eyeballing James toy :)

Skills

It's too bad that even with James playing along, OSU still couldn't pull out the win.

We grow nerds

If you put a book, a snack or a toy in front of James - he will always choose the book. He obviously can't read but he loves flipping the pages. And he flips them at a decent speed so we know he isn't really looking at the pictures... he just loves the idea of flipping those pages - and when he gets the the end, he squeals with joy. And then starts all over again. And watch out if we try to put him to bed without a bedtime story - it is not pretty.

Every day James learns something new - watching him try and figure things out if the coolest thing. He has such this intense look on his face and then he gets this little smirk on his face when he figures something out.

I love his little smirk :)

Destruction

Every night after James goes to bed, John or I put all of his toys away and clean up the living room (which is now his play room that he allows us to sit it). And every night before he goes to bed, James calmly and methodically takes apart his toy chest.

He wont pick the toy that he wants to play with until all of his toys (or at least his favorite ones) are laid out in front of him.

Only then, will he pick what he wants. 

And then after, we get to pick everything up again. It will be a good day when he understand the concept of putting away his toys.

Part of the pack

James is always on the go nowadays. He is either banging on something, chasing an animal, or trying to climb something. He cant sit still - and if he does, the dogs choose that time to start playing... which means James wants in on that. So hes on the move again...

Who you looking at??

Mama's helper

Tonight James stayed in the kitchen with me while I cooked (usually he chases the dogs or plays with his toys). Lately he wants to be where I am - and I'm not complaining! He discovered all the fun new "toys" that are in the kitchen. John was pretty happy that he walked home to dinner on the table though! I owe that to James who played nicely by the stove - even if he did take everything out of the lazy susan :)

Jumping James

In all of the many other toys that James has outgrown - the one he will miss the most will be his jumper. Last week we put him in it and he got so much "air" that he was moving the whole jumper across the room.

Goodbye Jumper. 

I have some video of him jumping that is just the funniest thing (well it is to me - but I might be bias). If I can figure out how to post it on here I will.

Weekend in Columbus

This past weekend we went home to Columbus. Now that James is way more mobile - many things had to be put away and hidden. Obviously, my moms dogs couldn't be packed away and they are the perfect height for James! Boomer was so sweet and VERY tolerant of James.

Poor Boomer!