Recycled Frosted Flakes

Wednesday getting ready for work I was eating frosted flakes and putting my shoes on. He was doing a puzzle on the couch while we watched Mickey Mouse. He immediately came over when I sat down and wanted a bite. He would take a bite and then walk off and go play and then come back for another. After about eight bites, he turned and took the chewed up flakes out of his mouth and came and nonchalantly dropped them back in my bowl and smiled at me and then went to play. Gee. Thanks. And frosted flakes all look the same so I ate chewed up monkey cud for breakfast.

Blowing Kisses

My sweet boy blows kisses now. I always tell him goodnight and kiss him and lay him down and we do our thing of good nights and I love yous and I blow a kiss before I turn off the light. The other night he shocked me by blowing one first! I was so happy! So now when you tell him to blow kisses, he puts his hand over his mouth, holds it for a few seconds there (I think he is just putting lots of kisses on it J) and then brings his hand out. NOTHING is better than those kisses.

The Mat

So I am late in getting this posted but Tuesday Devin called me to give me my daily monkey update from the sitter. He told me all that he ate and what they did and how she said he was a great boy and then his next sentence made me want to burst into tears. Monks slept on a mat at naptime, not in his playpen. A mat. A big boy mat with no sides to hold him in or anything. I said well I am sure she had the hardest time keeping him there and he said no, she said he stayed on it and slept for an hour and half. My baby slept on a mat. He is 16 months old! That blows my mind. My sweet boy is no longer a baby and hasn’t been for a while now. He will always be MY BABY but he is growing so fast and I am so torn on how I feel. Part of me is ecstatic he adjusts so well and tries new things and is so laid back. The other part is so sad at how independent he is and I don’t always feel he “needs” me. I know it is normal “mom” feelings but I couldn’t help but get teary eyed when I shared our new accomplishment with the girls at work. I am so proud of him!

During Day On Christmas

For breakfast, we made orange julius drinks and we were supposed to have belgian waffles but um, someone completely forgot to buy a waffle maker (me) so it was pancakes with cherries or blueberries and whipped cream!

Our menu for Christmas day was a brisket, homemeade potato salad and a spicy buffalo wing dip. (Plus all the leftovers from the night before) Sweet monks only wanted rice and beans and brisket.



Opening Presents!

We thought Monks would be really into opening the gifts this year but he could take them or leave them. He was interested in ripping bows off the packages and he would start to open one and then see another bow and just drop that present and then find more bows. We had lots of fun though and he got several cars, bath toys, books, clothes, pajamas, a cd for in the car about the fruits of the spirit and then Gigi got him this super sweet car garage that is a few stories high and the cars drive down the twisty road and there is an elevator and a gas pump. He loves to put random things on it!

Santa Came!

Going through stocking



Oops! Santa left on the Wal-Mart prcie tag of a car.



Loves that truck!



Trying to ride in it



Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was very special to us this year. My mom was home with us for the first time in 25 years. She is an assistant store manager in retail and you can imagine what that is like. The circumstances of why she was home were unfortunate but she was home nonetheless and it was great. We baked the day before and had chocolate chip cookies, brownies, cupcakes and sugar cookies decorated by us all. Tio made the best banana pudding I have ever had. So good I would have licked the remains off monk’s tray had it not been mixed with bean and rice and tamale bits. We always eat Mexican food on Christmas Eve and so we had tamales, enchiladas, rice and beans, guacamole and chips and hot sauce. Aikman ate four little bowls of beans plus some of everything else. We watched National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and then a Christmas Story. Monkey needed a bath after dinner and I had pudding in my hair and beany handprints with pieces of rice on my shirt from carrying his little naked self from the dining room to the bath.

Devin and I have started a small tradition where every Christmas Eve we will buy a game and our kids will open it that night and then we will play it all together. Obviously monks is too young right now, but a tradition is a tradition and he will have a little collection by the time he is old enough to play. Last year we bought a Toy Story memory game that still gets played on game nights by us all. Anyway, this year we bought him Bed Bugs. I remember having it when we were little and I loved it. He opened it after his bath and then once he was in bed, his three uncles and mom and dad played it. A game meant for 5 year olds was a huge hit even for 22 to 30 year olds. We called it a night after many games, too much food and classic movies. Wonder if Santa came…….



Opening his game





Saying his good nights



Seeing Santa at Daddy's Work

We went to a small Christmas party at the Law Enforcement Center Wednesday. They had free pics with Santa, punch, cookies, cake and goodie bags for all the kids. As soon as we walked through the door, Aikman pointed at Santa and said eh, eh! He learned the most precious thing over the holidays. If you ask him what does Santa say, he will reply with ho ho! and it's so sweet because he does it in a deep voice. I adore him! Anyway, he seemed very excited to see Santa and so we walked up and he was talking to him and monks stared at him and then when Devin went to set him on his lap, he held onto his shirt tight and would not let go so we were like it's okay monkey and then he saw a dog sitting in there and he immediately pointed and said arf arf. He does a great dog noise also. So with the dog distracting him, Devin set him down and he immediately started smiling for the camera. I don't have the pic with me to scan in but it came out cute. There was another little boy there who was terrified of Santa so when Aikman was on his lap, his dad brought him over to maybe try and get him to warm up with another little kid there but he still was not happy. I was so proud of my boy being 16 months and just chilling. He may have been "cautious" at first, but he did so well. Then he saw the cookies and so we went and got some snacks and Santa gave him a goodie bag. It had stickers, a pencil, candy, an eraser and a cookie cutter which we used when we made our sugar cookies the next day. After a messy cookie, some yummy punch and petting the poor dog to death, we left. Thanks for the great time and wonderful memories! Daddy's work is so fun!



My two loves. How handsome are they?





Sweetness sharing with Daddy.





His new favorite face he makes. Crazy boy.



Silent Night

I could just cry everytime I see him sleeping. He is the most precious little boy I know and we are so blessed to have him. I love you Monkey with all my heart.

Being Silly

He is so funny and had this basket on his head forever on Sunday. In the bottom pic he has a small red dot on his chest that is a little foam sticker he found and put it there. It was on all day until naptime. When he woke up, it was gone. And he loves those crazy slippers. He always puts them on backwards but walks everywhere in them. He is too darn cute!

Sweet Pajamas

I love Monks in these pajamas! They are too precious. I know in the last pics he is a little dirty but we were at home and having fun. Home is where you can be pantless, young or old. He loves to sit in this bear's lap and just play. I love that because this bear was given to me by Devin our first year dating and I love him. Look at that face!



He is talking to himself in the mirror.



Time With Gigi

Saturday morning Devin woke up with a very upset tummy and could not stay out of the bathroom. It had been going around and I had it last weekend so I guess this past one was his. Luckily it only lasted a day, but still. So Saturday all our breakfast and shopping plans were cancelled so Monks and I loaded up and went to Gigi’s to spend some time with her and help her finish decorating her tree. We got there about 9:00 and left at 1:15 for his nap. We decorated, Pete made us the best ham and cheese omelette ever and we played. Gigi has this little red and blue chair that Aikman loves to sit in and he sat in it playing with a calculator for at least 25 minutes. We even put out the nativity scene under the tree! She had some old plastic animals and so monks played with a sheep and a cow but I guess they were so old, when he put one in his mouth, it broke! He had to spit out cow legs. It was funny in a creepy way. He loves being at her house and he sure does adore his uncles. Phil woke up and came and sat at the table and right away he went up to him and wanted to be picked up and kissed him. He kisses Phil more than anyone it seems. Even more than his own mommy! Oh well, I am glad he has so many people he loves and that love him in return.

Butt Lips

So in our family, sock monkeys are popular. Well, we like them and think they are cute. I am not sure how it came about, but we refer to them as Butt Lips. How precious are these pajamas with Butt Lips on them??

Christmas Lane

Friday night we went to the State School for their Christmas lights display. This is the third time we have gone, but first time I took the camera. I take Monks out of his seat and hold him in my lap and he just stares out the window at all the displays. It was so sweet. Devin and Pete were in front, and we were in the back.

Live Nativity Scene

A church near our house puts on a play every year with a live nativity scene. Devin and I have been going since we were dating and we look forward to it each year. This year we were excited to take Aikman, last year he was too young and it was too cold, but we thought he will enjoy the animals and songs and sitting outside. We were right about part of it. He adored the animals! He thought the sheep’s fur/skin/hair/wool was amazing and petted them forever. He also liked the goats and the donkey. I figured donkey hair would be somewhat course but this little guy had the softest hair I have ever felt! I just wanted to rub my face on his. He would pet them and look at us like hey, this is fun! A sheep licked him and he laughed. They had a camel but he was ugly so we did not go to him. Pete went with us and got some good pics. When we went to take our seats before it started, Monks was not too happy. He wanted to pet them still and kept pointing at them and reaching for them. We decided to call it an evening and go look at lights with the whole family instead of make him suffer and everyone around us. Hey, for 15 months, I can’t blame him. There was too much excitement and he was curious. Next year he will be older and understand more. It was still lots of fun. And it was so nice! Not even cold! So we left and picked up Gigi, Tio and Tia and went to look at lights!  

15 Month Check-Up

Aikman had his 15 month check up on Tuesday. I took him alone for the first time! Is that weird? Devin and I usually go together but he came home from work exhausted and so I made the journey alone. J He usually gets a little shy with Dr. Steadman and the nurses but that day he was game for anyone! He just talked and laughed and even played hide and seek. He ran around laughing in his diaper and socks and was just like a wild boy! He told the nurse bye when she left and when she measured him she said she could not believe how much he has grown! She said she remembers him as a baby. Dr. Steadman had Aikman smiling so much and I guess his stethoscope was cold because when he put it on him, Monks laughed and sucked in his belly. It was funny. He did gag with that crazy stick but come on, who doesn’t? That is the grossest thing in the world! Dr. Steadman said he was “perfect”. Do you know how good that makes you feel as a parent? To know physically your child is healthy and well and happy? Any doubt or second guessing just goes out the window and you know all is okay. My monkey is in the 85^th percentile for his weight and he said off the charts for his height. He said he is in no way overweight because he is in perfect proportion.

Weight: 27 pounds 11 ounces

Height: 34 inches

He did get 2 shots and the nurse talked sweetly to him as she had him laying down and he was munching on a carrot wagon wheel snack. He was smiling and talking and then that first stick he stopped eating and just looked up at her like hey but then the second one came and he scrunched his face up and made a noise and that lip quivered but she sat him up and put on his cool band aid and had him smiling in no time. No tears were shed. Success. He goes back for his 18 month check-up which will be in March.

Asparagus Is A No Go

Aikman is so not picky. I have however, found a veggie he does not like. Asparagus. He had some steamed last night and loved his carrots and corn but that asparagus went in his mouth, he chewed, and he made a grossed out face and let it fall down his chin. He made sure to remove them from his other veggies. We shall try it again another way soon.

Toot! Toot! Peanut Butter!

Gigi has this crazy song she sings with Monks and he just loves it! He laughs and dances the whole time! It goes a little something like this:

There’s a peanut sittin on a railroad track,

His heart was all a-flutter,

Along came the train at 9:15,

Toot! Toot! Peanut Butter!

I have to be honest, I know a zillion kids songs, but this one was new to me. She sings it to him all the time and yesterday afternoon we picked up Phil from work and took him home. Pete was making spaghetti for dinner and so we just sat and talked. Gigi sang her song and when she got to the part where she said 9:15, Monks said Tut! Tut! We were like omg, he knows it! His first song he knows! She sang it several more times and every time he would make the noise. He even did his arm motion once (tugging on the train horn? I am not sure what you call that) I sang it to him this morning and he did it again! He knows a song y’all!! It is so sweet! This is a Monkey Milestone!

Looky What I Found

So totally random, but I was looking at Tio's blog and saw this pic! He was only seven months old. How sweet is he?

New Teeth = Not Fun

     I know I sound like a broken record but Monks has 6 teeth coming in right now and some are through the skin, some right under and little spots on his gums are swollen. Several side effects can come with getting new chompers. They include: drooling (which can lead to a facial rash) gum swelling and sensitivity, irritability or fussiness, biting behavior, refusing food and sleep problems. Some experts also say teething can cause runny nose and diarrhea, due to extra saliva and drainage in their tummies. Dr. Steadman says it occurs a lot in the kids he sees and he is our expert so I agree. J When Devin picked up monks yesterday from the sitter she said he had had three loose stools in the last two hours but she knew Devin was coming soon and he had no fever and was still happy as could be so she did not worry. In the evening when I got home he was still having diarrhea and it was about every thirty minutes to an hour we had to change him. He would not eat so we got him some Pedialyte. Have you ever tasted it? It is like straight sugar water with Dimetapp mixed in (the grape flavor I bought). Yuck! I have always tasted everything since he was born before I give it to him. I sort of wish I hadn’t this time. He loved it though! He chugged it! I only gave him that and water. We went to check on Gigi since she was feeling bad too and at least it made her smile for him to walk in and give her a kiss. While we were there, he was tooting a lot and I knew he would go soon. I guess he was feeling sore by now, bless his sweet heart, and when he tooted it sounded like a machine gun so his two uncles laughed at him and through the pain and embarrassment he cried. It was so sad. He would not eat his dinner and hated sitting on his bottom. I can’t blame him. Bath time was like heaven for him and he enjoyed it so much. I bet it felt great on those sweet cheeks. Poor monkey. After his bath, we had some time before bedtime so he played in the living room and danced to all the groups who sang on The Sing Off. He was adorable. I have two videos of him dancing on my phone. He is also so smart! He was not comfortable sitting down and only wanted to stand so he went in his room and got out his learning table and pushed it into the living room. I was shocked, he has not played with this thing in months. Then I realized he wanted to stand and play, not sit. Smart boy! He also had books he looked at standing by the couch and brought out a little toy with balls in it that spins so he could watch them. I did not give him any milk before bed but he went right to sleep. He slept all night and when he woke up this morning was all smiles and crazy hair! He was happy when I dropped him off with Mrs. Jennifer and reached to her to be picked up. I did not get a call today so that means he did well! I am just glad he is better.

Decorating Monkey, I Mean Our Tree

Monks has this obsession with putting things around his shoulders and neck. When he got some 3D glasses from Gigi's, he wore them on the back of his neck. When he plays with his jacket he drapes it over his shoulders like a little preppy sweater. Things were no different when I got out my ribbon for the tree. I use a sheer hot pink ribbon and he had the time of his life draping it around and just walking around the house. It looked like a little scarf. He is wild I tell you!

Apollo even had it around his neck ha ha. 

Just for grins and giggles, Monks wearing Devin's moccasins and even when they turned completely around, he still walked with them. He put them on himself and was so proud his small foot fit in a giant shoe. It was like in Cinderella when that tiny mouse gets that thread wet and looks with one eye to get it through the needle and is relieved when it goes in even though her whole body could have fit in it.

Our tree! It is still without ribbon right now.

I am so proud of Aikman too! He has been so good about leaving the tree alone. (Could be because the first time he touched it he got his bottom popped) He will walk up to it once in a while if something catches his eye and we tell him look, but don't touch and he looks and then goes about his merry way. Such a good boy.