22 months

Ian,

You are such the big boy now! You want to try to do everything yourself: brush your teeth, get dressed, buckle your car seat, and put on your shoes, just to name a few.

You having starting potty training. Of course, you must bring your joy of books to the potty. (I know this picture will get me in trouble when you're older.)

Your vocabulary has grown so much; you know 55 words easily and it grows each day. You can identify the colors red, blue, orange, and green. You picked out a shirt yesterday, telling me it was "bew". You can count to four out loud and to three using your fingers.

You still love your books. We read at least 3 every nap time and 3 more at bed time. You love, love, love, to climb. We go to Monkey Joe's, an inflatable play area, at least once a week. Last week we went twice! You are Mama's helper in the kitchen. You especially like to make cookies and muffins, you know, to test to make sure the "candy" is good enough.

You like doing crafts with Mama.

You love the water, whether it's bath time or swimming.

You are a very sweet boy, especially with the baby Mama watches during the week. You will be a good big brother...one day. The only time we have trouble is when you want to be independent, which mostly happens in public.

We love you, little man! And we love the little person you are becoming!

Morning walk

"Plane!"


A fall leaf. I can't wait for cooler weather. It's going to be around 85 today, which is a bit hot for me.



"Squirrel!"

Helping Mama push the baby.

Potty time

Ian, you have become such the big boy! You have been potty on the big-boy potty every day after nap time this week! And you, of course, remind me that you get candy after you go potty. I am so proud of you!

Semi-Wordless Wednesday

Yummy treats

As you know, Ian has been working on learning to chew. He has made great strides, but still seems to be hesitant. He and I have been cooking new things for him to try. I cannot take credit for the recipes, but will recommend them. I have been using recipes from Deceptively Delicious and this website, http://weelicious.com/. The website has recipes for all ages.

Ian has tried the:

kiwi smoothie http://weelicious.com/2009/08/06/kiwi-smoothie/

cheese crisps http://weelicious.com/2009/07/06/cheese-crisps/ (This one is super easy & Ian can help!)

chicken nuggets from DD

Next on our list to try:

potato chips http://weelicious.com/2009/07/11/potato-chips-program/

He's also a big fan of fruit and grain bars from Trader Joe's, as well as their dried peas. I know, sounds not so yummy, but they're pretty tasty. He has also been trying carrots with ranch dressing and celery with peanut butter. He's more into the dip than the veggie, but I'm hoping he'll get brave and give them a try too.

Here is a smoothie recipe that we both like, again this one I cannot take credit for:

The measurements are only an estimation. I kind of add as needed to get a good consistency.

1 cup V8 Splash Berry Blend

1/4 cup frozen mixed fruit, like mango and pineapple

a few frozen blueberries

2 tablespoons plain yogurt

1/4 cup ice

Trader Joe's fruit and grain bar for breakfast

Kiwi smoothie, chicken nuggets and cheese crisps for lunch...

...and some dried peas.

Of course there has to be dessert: a vanilla Chick-fil-a milkshake!

So silly

Our baby/big boy

I am watching kids, or babies rather, this school year so I have gotten out all of Ian's old toys. He seems to really be into playing withing with them...literally. And no, I did not help him or encourage this behavior, even though I think it's cute.

"It's cool if I play in here, right?"

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Ian sporting his new big-boy bag. The lady at the store asked me of he was getting ready for school. To which I replied, "NO! He's still my baby!" ...in my head, of course. Goodness, let's not make him grow up too fast. They do that all on their own without our help.

Looking like such a big guy with his new haircut and bag.

Little music man

Daddy is a band director, so Ian naturally loves music. I snapped a couple of pictures of him at band camp and one of the lovely band moms took some too (I'll add hers later).


He'll be out there one day...


"Yay!" Showing his support.

Round two

Today seemed as successful as yesterday. Ian ate a kid's meal from McDonald's for lunch: chicken nuggets and fries...Okay, maybe just part of a nugget and a few fries, but we'll take what we can. He also tried some pizza sauce from dinner. Seeing him eat real food makes my heart smile.