Toddlerhood

Boden yelled "mama!" from his crib the other morning and my heart melted a little bit. He's a warm, snuggly ball in the morning and I'm thankful that I get to pluck him from his crib each day. He's almost 19 months old and he sleeps from 7pm-6:30am. He has two favorite things that he sleeps with: a muslin blanket and a zebra lovie little blanket. He calls them both bae, so funny. I love that he's attached to something...it's adorable.

B still naps a couple times a day, though he's starting to fight his afternoon snooze lately. Our routine is constantly in flux and sometimes his naps depend on what our plans are for the day. He's flexible and goes with the flow. He's also talking up a storm and starting to put words together. He says "good boy" to Kale and it's amazing. My most favorite thing, ever, is that he says "love you". Oh mah gawwwd! I've waited so long for him to say it back and it was worth the wait. It comes out sounding like "la lou" and trust me, it's magical.

He climbs stairs like a champ, can say "more" and "thank you" in sign language, says please (peas!) before everything, loves it when Kale licks his face, enjoys trucks, loves music and dancing, can run like a track star, scribbles with crayons, can identify a few colors, pretends to swim in the tubby, and calls fire tucks "wee-news". He also hits, bites, throws, yells, scratches, and throws hissy fits on the ground. I think it's safe to say that we are officially in toddlerhood. I'm glad you're along for the ride.

 

 

-Nicole

 

Halloween 2014

 

We had a laid back, laughter filled Halloween. Bodie and I went to his great Mimi's condo for cookies and cider with the rest of the family. After that we had a pizza party at Grammie & Grampie's house and handed out candy to trick or treaters. Casey headed up north in hopes of bagging a buck the next morning. The hunting gear worked in a pinch for our photo op, though he had little luck the next day.

 

-Nicole

 

The October Nor'easter

We survived the week of relentless rain and wind and came out on the other end nursing our cabin fever. We were inside almost all week. I was practically scratching at the door when the sun finally came out on Saturday. On Thursday, Boden and I braved the 1/4 mile car ride to the library for our weekly toddler story time. "Story time" is used very loosely here. Really, it's the sweet little children's librarian playing her guitar and singing for 10-15 toddlers and their parents. We attempt to sit in a circle on our mats but in reality the kids are up, dancing around inside the circle. Boden is easily distracted (I say he's just ready for his next adventure...) but he usually spends the 30 minutes doing his own thing. A few weeks ago there were some landscapers outside dumping dirt and working on a patio. B spent the whole story time with his face smooshed to the glass door, waving at the work men and saying "Hi! Hi! Hi!". He successfully rallied a few other kids to look too but they always found their way back to the music. Boden watched the trucks the whole time. Two weeks ago he started exploring the whole room and got smacked in the head by another boy for no apparent reason. (Toddlers don't need a reason to hit, right? They just do it?) It didn't phase him and they just kept playing. He also learned where the exit was. This past week he banged on the door to get out and would try to sneak between any parent's legs who opened the door. (There is a train table in the other room that is his favorite thing in the world right now.) He did dance a lot this week and is making friends quickly. He's starting to communicate more and understand more. Fast! Lately I keep looking at him and just tearing up thinking of how big he's gotten in such a short amount of time. The ache is real and I don't like it. Babies are not babies for near long enough and it's just not fair. *foot stomp* He's becoming a little boy, with his own personality and sense of humor and it kills me! Being a parent is freaking awesome. I didn't snag any photos at the library but will share some from our week of "rain, rain, go away".

 

Quiet time

The best...

Snuggling with friends

 

After nap grumpiness

Kale, look! Look!

Making sure the birds have plenty to eat

 

Richard Scarry. Thank you.

 

-Nicole

 

A day at the museum

Our baby Boden is 18 months old. I'm not sure where the time went and where our little [quiet] baby boy is. The days are long but, damn, are the years short.

I took B to the Portland Children's museum for some fun on his half birthday. He loved the museum and exploring one of our favorite little cities! Auntie Kiki joined us and I give her credit for all of the photos in this post.

 

I also attempted our traditional monthly photo to document 18 months and it was a struggle to say the least.

18 months

Just six short months ago!

 

We are weathering the October Nor'easter right now with the wind and the rain. I'm waiting for nap time to be over so we can throw on the rain boots and jackets and go terrorize some puddles!!

 

-Nicole

 

The leaves are slowly falling

More fairs, museums, weekends away, and many walks in the woods. This is how our fall is shaping up. Halloween is right around the corner and before we know it we will have snow on the ground and a slew of new things to experience. Part of me is dreading the cold weather as we won't be outside as much (aka a boxer and toddler bouncing off the walls) but another part of me is purusing Amazon for snowball makers and dreaming of snow angels and building snowmen! One of the best things about having a child is being able to act like a child with no judgement. Casey and I have never really grown up and Boden gives us the opportunity to embrace that!

We made it to the Cumberland Fair again this year. It's become a yearly tradition to go with my sister, Kristin (Auntie Kiki) and my brother, Nate (Uncle Na-Na). Boden loved the petting zoo though it made me nervous. I had the sense that the goats were just staring at Boden, plotting their chance to eat his shirt off. Luckily, he made it out with all clothes intact.

 

Fall weather is the best. There's just something about the cool air and the lack of humidity after a muggy hot summer that is so refreshing. Add in the vibrant, changing leaves and it's kind of perfect. It's arguably the best hiking weather of the year and we've been taking full advantage!

 

 

We spent Columbus Day weekend with my whole family at a cozy camp in the woods in Western Maine. This was our second year renting the house and we've always had the most amazing time. We all napped multiple times a day which made it the perfect getaway in my book.

Scattergories by the fire

What a difference a year makes

The weekend was a perfect mix of fun and play and rest and relaxation. B woke up at 5am every morning which was rough for everyone. Casey, Kale, B and I set out for a moonlit walk every morning to delay the inevitable of the entire house being woken up. Luckily, Boden is in high demand so everyone was happy to see him, even if it was before the sun came up.

 

-Nicole