Footsteps up Millcreek

I found myself suddenly lucky enough to go to The Narrows backpacking with the family.  And that was the main motivator to quickly get out of the house and up in the mountains.  I mean, not like this one little hike was really going to get me in better shape, but it definitely did break in these ol' muscles of mine and sorta just help with the soreness that was to come.

One afternoon, my dad, the boys, Juno and me.  We drove all the way up the winding road into the canyon, parked our car, then started to walk.  Ten minutes into the hike, Jude was complaining that we had been hiking "all year" but then, when the trail actually started to climb, we couldn't keep up with him! So it goes hiking with kids, the pace can change quickly, moods will swing, but hey at least we are outside.  Leland happily lounged off my back in the Ergo most of the time, while my dad and I soaked it in and chatted about this and that.

As I type this out now from my viewpoint in Feb. of 2015, I'm thinking what a gift it was that I chose to get out of the house, and not just do the daily tasks around the house that can really grind into my brain and ruin my mood (that never-ending to-do list!).  Because I do remember debating whether just to do laundry and hang.

But, here I have a set of pictures and a golden memory of a simple afternoon, on a beautifully cloudy(ish) day in early July.

Leland: 2 years old

Writing this oh. so. late.   It's now nearly Christmas Valentine's Day, and Leland has changed by leaps and bounds even in these short last three 5 months!  So, I'll have to dig deep and document what I can.

Leland, on your 2nd birthday you woke up all smiles to balloons in the living room and streamers running down the kitchen.  You caught on immediately that it was your special day.  We made pancakes and opened presents just us 4.  We got you a little garbage truck that you raced around the house on all fours, all. day. long.  You wouldn't let Jude touch it, it was all yours and you knew it.  When we'd ask you how old you were, you'd say, "I happy two.  I happy two years owld."  Later that night, we had the fam over for cake and ice cream, and when we sang to you, you were shy and proud all at once.

We went to St. George the day after, and so we all got to sleep in the same room.  It was the sweetest thing to hear you singing Happy Birthday to yourself in the morning as you woke (everybody) up.

In just these last three months, I feel you have developed so much more.  Right now as I type, you are playing in your crib, talking loud and then soft, putting yourself to sleep.  The word I think describes you well right now is decisive and (deliberate too)...in a 2 year old way, of course.  How do I explain your hand gestures you use when you talk?  To tell me, "No Mom.  The Ginch is scow-wey."  Hands out, palms up.  To tell me, "I want dat fuuts-nack!" Hand pointed, shaking it at the cupboard. You run around fast and determined.  You stop fast and determined--feet spread, standing tall like Peter Pan.

You are also quite articulate.  This perhaps isn't showing me in the best light, but tonight as we were getting ready for bed, you threw a book.  You were just playing around, but we've been working on not throwing toys, and you knew it was naughty.  I said, "NO!  Time-out." and swiftly picked you up, but when I did, the toy I had in my hand also smacked you a little bit (Sorry, again).  So you were mad and crying.  And I said, "No, we do not throw books or toys.  That is why you are in time-out."  And you said, "I mad atchu, Mommy! You just hurt me."  When I explained what happened, you sternly said, "You smacked me.  You just hurt my ourm."  And you threw Jude's covers over your head.

You are stubborn and wild.  Dinner time is a test of wills, with both you and Jude basically running around and not sitting at the table.  You simply tell us, "No.  I not eating dinna."  With a completely innocent smile, and yet, I know you know what you are doing.

Book time is similar--you'll come check in, but then you're off running around, jumping and spinning for most of the stories.

You are independent, but also so ready to be doing every little thing Jude does.  When I ask Jude to find his preschool bag, there you also are, walking up to me with genuine concern in your eyes, "Mom, wuh-eh-wuh is my pee-skool bag? Oh, he-eh-wuh it is!" as you now happily put on a random backpack.

So much a little boy, and yet, just within the past weeks, you'll come crawling up to me, and say, "I baby, Mom."  And we rock, and we walk around the house together.  Yes, you are my baby.  Even so, your 2T feety-jammies are stretched out tight.  You've still got that baby skin, but losing that baby chub little by little.  This is growing up.  Each time I write a post like this, I seem to get such a heavy heart as I wrap it up.  Because each time, it's saying good-bye to a phase of you that is so very magical and fun.  Leland, so very lucky am I to be a witness to your life, your spunk.  So much love for you bottled up in me, and I hope you always feel it.  Here's to more magic to come.

Leland Stats:
Height: 37 in (100%ile? Off the charts)
Weight: 28 lb 10oz (55%ile)
Weight:Length: (15%ile)
BMI: 14.67
Head Circumference: 19 in (40%ile)

Jude @ 2 years

Halloween Time 2015

This year, Jude had 2 different costumes.  I, of course, got in the way and tried to sway him in his decision of what he wanted to be...because we already had a Hulk costume (OK, OK, we also already had a Batman costume, but it was 5 sizes too big and DARK as hell, and I got worried he'd get run over.  Truth).  Anyway, I convinced Jude to be Hulk, which he was for his preschool performance.  But, then a few days after, he was talking to me in the car, and had some legitimate concerns about how Hulk always had "those angry eyebrows."  Soooo, we had a last minute, day-off costume change using what we had around and a BRIGHT printed out Batman logo.  Turned out pretty cute!

Leland wore the homemade Owl costume that is my very F-A-V-E, and just needed to get worn one last time.  So damn cute.  He was all bidness getting that candy, running/waddling to keep up with the big kids.  He is one determined little child.

Leland: 18 months

Leland,

Oh my, but these posts make me sentimental.  Tonight, I went back and read all your old monthly posts from last year.  I know I'm likely the only one to ever read them over and over like this, but I am so very glad I've kept a record.  I can say it so much, but time is moving so quickly, and while I really do try my best to soak you up in the moment, as you grow it gets harder and harder for me to remember what it was like, exactly.  This might sound strange, but tonight as I was marveling at you at 1 month, 2 months, etc. I kept coming back to a thought: can I get a do-over? Can I just have some time, some sneak-backs, to just BE with you at that age?  Because, even though I cuddled and napped with you, and most of all--just LOVED being with you, my memory of how real it was is fading.  And I don't like that.  Heart. so. heavy. Not in the least.  I know I can't get the time back. 

 Leland, you simply could not be any cuter than you are right now, even though I know you will only continue to do just that.  You love to interact and jibber jabber with us.  Just a bunch of jumbled sounds--while you are reading, playing, everything.  Yet, also, you've begun to say many real words, and even two words put together--"dah-dthy home." "dah-dthy home?" "dah-dthy home!"  So many ways to say one phrase.  I just love the way you say Daddy, it sounds very old-money American, very Ivy-League (daddy, with a rolled double-d, and on repeat).  These days, you really love to play with Juno.  You feed her miniscule bites of your food, and wander to her treats and get them out for her.  You really love her, but I'm not so sure she understands your aggressive approach.  Right now, if I find you in Jude's room, inevitably it is with a pile of books around you, jibber-jabbering away with one in your lap.  I'm so happy you've found books and like them!  I'm still trying my best to read you the stories, but for now what works best is if you are in charge.  Leland, the other day I got you out of the car, and you ran right over to our tulips popping up, and exclaimed, "fower!" "fower!" "fower!"  I was so impressed.  You are just soaking it all up.  Another cute thing you've created all by yourself, is signing for "coat" by flapping your elbows and saying "coa-coa? coa-coa?  yah."  Leland, when you wake up in the mornings, you always want your banana, or two, right away.  I buy bananas in bulk!  You'll open the fridge yourself and bring me clementine after clementine--each with a bite mark.  When you want me to hold you, you throw your arms up and whine, "choo-youuuuu" which is "hold you"  If I am busy, you will push me, and push me, and whine nooooooo, noooooo until I hold you.  This cracks me up, so determined are you that you be held--you never give up, you don't get offended, you get mad!  Like, I. WILL. MAKE. YOU. HOLD. ME. WOMAN!  Leland, you are so happy when Daddy comes home.  You run around squealing, and ready, ready to play chase.  You are pretty attached to me still, and let me know straight away what is and what isn't acceptable when we are at someone else's place.  You like to hit and pull my hair, and then genuinely give me a love when you have gone too far.  The other day Dad took you to the park, and you climbed up to the tip, top, HIGH slide, and then hung from the bars (!?!) and then turned around and went down.  All by yourself.  Wild child, no fear. 

Leland, people keep telling me how grown up you look--like a little boy now.  Try as I might, I don't see it.  To me, you are still my little baby with a perfectly-shaped round head, who now toddles, and runs, and climbs, and tries to jump.  My baby with perfectly soft skin and kissable lips and nose.  I'm sorry, but I still just have to squish you sometimes.  You are my baby who can go up and down a few stairs, standing up.  Still so independent.  Still such a firecracker.  I will forever being saying that, forever marveling in all that is you. 

Here are some more things you are up to these days:

kisses--muuuuah.
bye-bye! (looking out the front window)
so happy to see anyone walk through our front door
yes means yes, no means no.
but most the time likes to say no.
"side???"  = outside
"shhhu" = shoe
"c-u" = I see youuuuuuu
"suhhh-y" = sorry (and you know right when to say it)
loving to brush your teeth
books in crib to go to asleep
playing in bed before asleep
best giggle
jibber jabbering so much, and adding a head nod at the end
music--instinct to just wiggle your shoulders
love your big bro, but starting to hold your own when he taunts you
when it's wresting time, you're all in.

18 month stats:
Weight: 26 lbs 14 oz (80th %ile)
Height: 35 inches (finally made it off the charts!) (105 %ile)
Weight:Length: 45th %ile
Head: 19 inches

PS: Jude @ 18 months

Snow Day

This winter was weird.  Seemed like it snowed a bunch in December, early January.  And then, February hit, and nada.  And March came, and nada.  And now here it is almost April, and although I still will forever say it WILL snow that first week of April when you think you're in the clear, I almost don't believe myself this year.  

Anywho.  Way, way back in Dec/Jan, I took the boys out to play in the snow.  Leland wasn't too pleased.  That kid has the most sensitive eyes to light, and it was very bright!  Jude, as you can see, loved it, and loved eating it.  

 

 And my Silent Jay pic.

The end.

Leland: 15 months

Talking a tinsy bit more.  Understanding a lot more.  And always staring intently at us while we talk.  A silly, goofy kid, who will so readily follow Jude.  He's quick to laugh, and quick to dance.  He is a great mimmicker and if Jude's being tickled, he'll lay down to be tickled too.  If Jude's being chased, Leland is too.  He's loving to put things into other things.  He's loving climbing in drawers, on the couch, on the side table, on the fireplace, on the bathroom stool.  He loves being twirled, bounced, or flipped.  He loves to hit, which I think he learned from his brother--he thinks its funny, until it happens to him.  But, sometimes he's gentle about it.  He has a great arm, and will throw anything and then say, "thoooooo".  He says choo-choo, Mama, Dada, Juuuuu, Th-un-tho (Juno), buh-bye, no, and... some other words.  He takes a tiny nap in the morning, and then a 2 hour nap in the afternoon.  All around, an easy little guy.  And I feel a mischievious streak coming on.  It's all in his innocent eyebrow flick that he's done since he was born, and the way he holds his smile when he's in trouble.  He holds it long enough that you really can't help but smile back.  Forester charmer for sure.  

 

15 month stats:

Weight: 24 lbs 10 oz (80th %ile)

Height: 32.6 inches (80th %ile)

Weight:Length: 50th %ile

Head: 18.4 inches (50th %ile)