Almost weaned, almost sleep trained

A couple weeks ago, I had to travel for work. for the first time since Tucker entered our lives. I was nervous and anxious about it for a long time. I missed my boys terribly, but they all did great and I had nothing to worry about. Tucker pretty much learned how to sleep without me and through the night while I was away. Of course, it was short lived. He's now back to waking a couple of times during the night, but that's okay. We're surviving and getting enough sleep most nights. Owen was great for Kris and it was so fun to be able to talk to him on the phone, even if it was a very short conversation.

I thought the trip would be the way I weaned Tucker, but nope, as soon as I arrived home he made it clear that I was off base. For the most part, I'm just nursing him in the late evenings before bed and in the early morning.

Tucker is 14 months

Happy 14 month birthday Tucker!

Tucker is my
Totally sweet
Unique
Cute
Knowing
Energetic
Really really loveable
little baby boy.

He now has 3 1/2 teeth, long curly hair, little to no separation anxiety at day care, a major love for the outdoors, a clear ability to say Daddy which he seems to say for both mommy and daddy, a growing interest in books, a new bed in the room he now shares with his big brother, a new favorite game where he loves to stack blocks and books, a desire to climb on anything and everything, a serious love for going fast down big slides and jumping on trampolines and in bounce houses and going for rides on tricycles, an ability to understand his parents when they ask him to go get his shoes and his jacket or to run to his mommy or big brother for a big hug, an understanding that when the garage door opens after school he can run very fast to the door with his arms open and greet his Daddy, and luckily for his parents, a personality full of love and happiness and a fondness for cuddle time.

Tucker we love you so much.

First time on a snowboard

Back in January, we took Owen and Tucker up to the snow so that Owen could try snowboarding. We went to Soda Springs which really caters to kids and had a blast.

Once he had a few sled rides, a few tries down a little hill off to the side, and a few bites of snack, he really got into the fun of going up the moving carpets to the top of the hill. We took turns running down the hill with him, holding his hands as he got the feel for it. By the end of the morning, he would let go for a couple of feet towards the bottom and crash into the big soft foam squares scattered around the training hill.We made a game of it and Owen really enjoyed it.

Here is a short, albeit a little bit shaky, video of Kris running down the hill with Owen:

Mommy, "I am going to break"

Today my first born, my little cutie pie of a boy turns 3 ½ year. I have no idea how this is possible. I love him so much it hurts. I don't understand how I can love him more and more each day, but it really is true. I feel so grateful and so lucky to be his mommy.

In honor of his half year birthday milestone, here is a silly little story from last night.It was almost bed-time and I was helping Owen change into his pajamas. As I helped him take off his shirt, he told me he was cold and then started to say, in an agitated manner,

“I’m going to break. Mommy, I’m going to break. I need my PJs. I need socks.”

We went about the routine… brushing teeth, putting on a night time diaper, finding his PJs. With intense focus, he kept on, "Mommy, I’m going to break.” Finally, to his relief, we start to put on his PJs. Very happily and with a very big smile he says, “Mommy, I have my PJs on now. Now I won’t break. I’m warm.”

Finally, it clicked and I figured out his reference. Three nights ago, after a bath, Owen was running around in his birthday suit. He was playing and having a grand-old time, but at one point, he stopped and gave me a hug. I noticed his hands and feet were icy cold, so I jokingly said something like, “Owen, you are freezing. You are like an icicle. You are going to break if you don’t get dressed and get warm soon”. We raced to get him dressed and never said anything more about it. I never thought twice about it, but Owen did. He was very relieved to be warm enough not to break! Ahhh, I LOVE this kid.

Oh yeah, and on my way out the door today after he ran over to give me a third hug. He sat back down at the table and quietly told his Daddy, "I love Mommy".

Happy 1/2 year birthday Owen!