Mornings This Week

This week PJ has been waking up at 5am very hungry.  As we get ready for our day PJ sit and has some pre breakfast snacks - milk and cereal.  Cheyenne likes this change in the morning routine, someone new to cuddle with and free food when no one is looking... 

13 Month Milestones

PJ turned 13 months yesterday, so now its time to roundup what changed in the Younk-O-Fun household since PJ turned one year old. 

• PJ is walking, and trying out faster speeds.  He does great walking from rug to hard wood floor, but if he runs the surface transition often causes him to trip.  When PJ falls 9 times out of 10 he pops right back up and keeps going. 
• The more independent PJ gets, exploring beyond our arms; the more he comes back to be in our arms.  This past month we have really enjoyed letting him go explore and to just be available to him when he turns around and comes running back in for a hug.  The biggest, proudest smiles radiate from both us and him during these moments.
• PJ is not saying any full words beyond Dada and Moma yet.  He has put the sound 'ruff' in association with Cheyenne.  The "ruff' sound is pretty cute because PJ puts emphasis on the 'f' sound, sometimes repeating just 'fff'.   
• PJ is having more tantrums.  Since he isn't saying much he can't articulate what he wants so there is a lot of body and head throwing when something doesn't go his way.  He has a lot of demands, and it will be fun (i.e. patience testing) to hear those demands become words.  For now this new milestone can test the patience for each other, since neither knows for sure what PJ wants.  Luckily we are getting better at not rushing through things when PJ gets this way.  The best solution is to sit on the floor with him until he calms down.  Most of the time the tantrums start because we have diverted our attention away from him.  So we try to keep that focus when we can and we try to talk through why he doesn't have our attention when something, like dinner making, has to be done.
• PJ high-fives, thanks to daddy. This is really fun to watch because he lights up.  Someone says "high-five" and then PJ will look at you, put up his hand and wait for you to slap it.  After you have slapped his hand a few times then he will try and high five you.  I love watching the cause and effect being processed.
• PJ tries to blow kisses back after you blow some at him. Sometimes he just slaps his face.  Other times when he puts his hand to his mouth he sticks out his tongue, which then distracts him from blowing a kiss, to instead licking his hand.  But really he is trying to blow a kiss.  Last night he even starting making the kissing sound.
• PJ is sitting still long enough to get through a story or two before bedtime.  Sometimes we will spend the whole story time on one picture with PJ pointing and grunting like a cave man.  He expects you to tell him what it is that he is pointing to in the book.  Other time he lets you read the whole book as he listens and watches intently. 

What is going to change in this next month?

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.

Bronco Colored Artwork

Today PJ came home with a finger painting that is obviously for Daddy, blue paint on orange paper!

The Other Baby

With all the pictures of PJ you may have forgotten we have a four legged baby.  We forget sometimes too.  Today she got right in the middle of what we were doing.  Cheyenne got right into the bike trailer while Ry was assembling.

Fun with Amy

Tonight we had dinner with our dear friend Amy. I have mentioned in previous posts that the entire family adores Amy and tonight was no different. PJ enjoyed laughing at and then hugging Amy. Cheyenne tried to get in Amy's lap whenever it was open and Ry even chatted more than usual about his recent Chile visit. Of course I enjoy her company the most but PJ does the best expression of enjoyment.

New Shoes

PJ got shoes for his 1st birthday from Aunt Tay and family.  This morning we finally got some pictures with him wearing the cute loafers.  Momma distracted PJ with itsy bitsy spider while Daddy took the pictures.  That explains why PJ is standing still but not looking at the camera.  Daddy was even able to capture PJ's applause at the end for Momma's song.

  

How to Get the Cheerios

Our friends came over for dinner tonight and brought some food for their baby. Xavier has a cool cup that is supposed to be spill proof. PJ could see the Cheerios but getting them out was not as obvious. Super fun watching his little mind work.

Happy Birthday Uncle Troy!

Today is Uncle Troy's birthday.  We didn't get to celebrate with Troy but we were thinking about him and were happy to hear that he and Sammi are getting comfortable in their new place. 

Here's a big cheesy smile for you Uncle Troy, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Friday Artwork

Today PJ was sent home with this bit of art.  I find it impressive because he took long swipes with the marker not just dots.  Whenever we have colored (in the last week or so) he just likes to make dots and short marks.