Even With a Cold

we have the world's best 1 year old helper. Tonight after dinner David brought in two outside brooms to help Mommy sweep the kitchen floor.
He tried this one and then decided

this broom works a little better than the first

it was then time for a quick snack break to refuel for bath time, it takes lots of energy to play in the bath tub

after his bath David returned downstairs to help Daddy finish putting together his new step stool

David checked out Daddy's work before it was finished to make sure it was up to his standards

and then he helped Daddy tighten up that last screw

What a hard worker we have on our hands!

Surprise at The Park

Last night we had a little extra time before David was to be in bed, so we decided to walk to the park. Across the street from the park a man was weed eating his yard. David was fascinated. On the weekend when Greg works in our yard David has to be outside to watch. This was no different... David was hooked to the man with the weed eater.

we carried him to the play scape, but he stretched his neck and stood on his toes to see the man with the weed eater

when we asked David what he heard we received a priceless expression

our next plan was to distract him with a ride in the swing... he turned with all of his might to see the man who had now moved on to using a lawn blower

our next idea was to let David walk on the trail instead of riding in his car... it worked

until David spotted something

a bunch of kids playing soccer

David made a run for it... he wanted to join in. Daddy grabbed him

and decided to carry him around the corner where there was a basketball game going on. The last thing we needed was for a toddler to join the fast moving game

As we left the park we walked through the baseball field, David needed a break... this was quite a bit of activity when all we expected was a quick trip to the park.

Heart Ache

Often I ask Greg if his heart aches when he watches David learn something new or flash a sweet smile. The look Greg responds with says it all... crazy. But I do love David so much sometimes it causes an actual heart ache, one that I suppose only a mother knows. When I stop, and everything slows down, and I am enjoying our son, there is an ache of love.
I feel it when David is modeling Daddy's behavior... in his chair having a phone conversation

or when I catch David reading in his bed unexpectedly

and when I see a little boy so proud of himself, this time it is because he figured out how to get on the step stool that was left in the family room

especially when I go in one last time to check on David before hitting the pillow myself

and when he thinks he is hiding from is Mama

and then she finds him

and when he babbles away has he plays

These are the things that can cause a Mommy's heart to ache, an ache of love that was never expected!

New Furniture

During David's nap today Daddy put together David's new table and chair set.
When he awoke David sat down and seemed to like it.

In seconds David was standing in the chair...

then sitting on top of the table...

and standing on top of his table.

So much for a safe place for David to play.

Cooling Off

What do you do when a baby wants to play outside and it is over 100 degrees all summer?
You give in and let him get soaking wet.
David started out at his water table playing and just splashing a little water on himself. As time passed he was hot, did not want to go in and decided to use the garden hose to cool down.

David then decided he needed to soak his granola snack

it was a little easier to wash down this way

Tough Guy

Greg has always talked about getting a motor cycle... thank goodness it has just been talk. However, several of his friends have this form of transportation. One of those good friends came to visit and David loved his motorcycle.
It just so happens that this particular morning David was working out with Greg when he slipped and fell. As you can see David has a tough guy bruise and scratch on his forehead. Goes with the motorcycle image, don't ya' think?
Mama's hoping that this is all David ever wants to do on a motorcycle - she can hope and wish for that ... right?

Growing Boy!

David received his 15 month well check. Even with extra doctors appointments, an extra 150 calories a day in supplements, special milk, and feeding through the night at least 3 times for 15 months we have not won the battle of weight. David lost weight this week and we are on to see a pediatric GI and then possibly back to the route of a nutritionist... trying to pack as many calories as we can into our little guy.
The GREAT news is that David is developmentally on target running, talking, and scribbling. We have hope that David's weight issue could still be related to Greg's genes and hopefully in the next few weeks with more tests and appointments that is what will be shown.
Here are David's 15 months statistics:
One Year:
Height: 29 inches - 25th percentile
Weight: 16 pounds 10 ounces - below the 5th percentile
Head Circumference - 44 cm - 5th percentile
15 months:
Height: 30 inches - 25th percentile
Weight: 17 pounds 12 ounces - below the 5th percentile
Head Circumference - 44.5 cm - 5th percentile
After his appointment I took David to story time at the library. He really enjoys the singing and did fairly well listening to three different books read by Ms. Jane, the librarian.

15 Months Today

Today our sweet baby boy turns 15 months old. It is hard to believe we have been a family of three for that length of time... we are still learning so much about our little guy. We have been blessed with such a happy soul! Tomorrow is his big weigh in... we think he has gained in the last two weeks, but tomorrow will tell. Happy 15 months David - we LOVE you!

The Big Bounce

David took his first trip to the Big Bounce yesterday. He visited Inflatable Wonderland at the beginning of the summer and seemed to enjoy himself. But the Big Bounce showed Mama and Daddy that David has no fear and that he LOVES to run and jump and climb. We will probably be going back often because it is indoor free fun. Here are some highlights of our family time together.
David was off and into the bounce house where he came across a slide. We did not think he would climb up on his own... we were very wrong about that.

Up

Up

Up

he went, with Daddy close behind


down he slid

so happy

off for more fun

a quick smile for Mommy through the netting

then on to another bounce house

where he met a dog... yes he stopped to bark

David then began to sign please over and over. We realized he wanted to go play with the Big Kids. So here he is running to a bigger inflatable slide

Up he goes - we were amazed at his perseverance and bravery...

down he comes

that was so fun he had to try again


time for more jumping

and running

Such hard work for this little guy, but oh how he enjoyed an afternoon of indoor play!