PJ is 13 Months Today!

Monthly we have shared on this blog PJ's latest milestones summary.  Today on his month-versary lets talk about how having a 13 month old has changed PJ's parents.

• We talk about poop A LOT.  We had dogs before having PJ, so the topic of poop was already pretty high.  With PJ in our lives now, we have actually worried about the smell, color, consistency and frequency to a whole other level.  In fact a recent conversation right after K walked into our home from a long day at work, was not "How was your day?" and it was not "How did PJ do at daycare?"  Instead the number one must know about the day was "Did he poop yet?"  When K answered "No"; Ry looked visibily disappointed and sad for PJ. 
• Our day starts a lot earlier than before we had PJ join our family and our evenings are considered exciting if we make it to 9pm.
• Laughter, we laugh a lot more.  Things like eating pickles are hilarious when a 13 month old does it.  
• We are slowing down our movements.  PJ is moving quickly from one activity to the other and we try to sit and watch and be his "rock".  The slower we move and make time to just be with him, the happier he seems.  This has all caused a shift in perspective. Living more intentional, less worried about stuff. More focused on relationships.  At first it was about being great parents, but now its about all relationships and where do we need to slow down and be more intentional, enjoy more. 
• Deeper understanding of love, daily, sometimes hourly we are showered with reminders of love and how true and sweet love is with a 13 month old.
• Closer to God.  God has gifted us the opportunity to be PJ's father and mother.  We are so thankful that we work daily to be better Christians, which has in turn improved our relationship.
• My heart literally aches when I hear news about neglect to children in any form.  This sort of news was never something I liked hearing, but now I feel extra protective.  I can not fathom harming my child in any form.  In fact letting him cry is a battle I constantly work out in my head, what makes him stronger and a bettter human and what may be harming him.  The latest story in the Seattle news is of a woman leaving her sleeping toddler in a car to go get gas, and when she returned he was goen and to this day not been found.  The worst part of the story is that she is not cooperative at all in finding her son.  I feel a huge urge to rush to PJ and give him a hug whenever I hear or think about this sort of news. 

Thats the list today.  A few things have changed to say the least and it all just happened.

Thanks for all YOUR support.