Walking with my walker

Dear Thomas,
Today I stayed home with you because you were sick. We went to see the doctor, and are waiting for results from a strep swab. You were pretty grumpy most of the day, but there were a few times you were your happy self. One of those times, I recorded you walking around the condo. I followed you back and forth from your bedroom to the living room a dozen or so times! You were quite determined.

I feel like dancing

Dear Thomas,
Boy, can you dance?! You love to shake that little fanny to music. We have been listening to a lot of Toddler Tunes radio, and you love to dance to the songs; its completely adorable. This is the best video I can get right now, you are such a ham!




You had noodles for the first time today; you didn't get many in your mouth, but that's OK.

Going for a walk

Dear Thomas,

Today was beautiful!  It was sunny and warm (well, warm for January) so we went for a walk. You are such a GOOD BOY!  I put you in the Jeep carrier and you just looked around, you never fussed, we had such a good time.  We went to CVS to get valentines for your teachers and friends at daycare.  You love shopping and sat in the cart and looked around.  I love this phase with you because, I can take you anywhere.  It's great!

We think you said "dada" for the first time Sunday.  Your father and I have decided to officially declare it your first words.  You were snuggling with daddy in the morning, getting ready to settle back down to sleep and you said "dada".  I heard it from the other room, and it was pretty close!  I can't wait until you start talking because right now you are an endless stream of babbles and coos... I am sure you have a lot you are trying to tell us!

Daycare friend

Dear Thomas,
You have a best friend at daycare. His name is Derek, and today Meghan told me all about your adventures together! You and Derek spend most of the day together; you share toys, you play peek-a-boo and hide behind things, I am so pleased. I wish I could be a fly on the wall, and watch you and Derek play! Alas, as soon as I walk into daycare, all play stops and you just light up at the sight of me (I'm not complaining about that, don't get me wrong).

You are starting to do some naughty things... standing up in the tub, trying to get to the few places we keep telling you not to, and trying to eat the cat food. Today you cried when I said no and moved you away, so I think you are starting to get it, although you don't like it!

You have been fussy at night again, and we think you might have another tooth on the way! We'll see!

visiting with grandparents

Dear Thomas,
Today, we visited Pepere and Nana. Your Great Aunt Billie was there visiting, so you got to see her too! You have met her before when you were very small, you cried when you saw her, but then seemed to decide that she was O.K.
We are fixing up Pepere and Nana's house so that we can all live in it together. It is important to mommy and daddy that we keep that house in the family, and we think it will be a wonderful place for you to grow up! Today we did a lot of planning for the construction that has started. It was neat to think of you playing in each room.

Favorite toy today: a bag of sweet potatoes

You won't need dentures after all!

Dear Thomas,

  Today we felt it... your first tooth!! You won't let us get a good look in your mouth, but we know it's there.  We can feel it when you bite down.  I can't wait to see it!  Considering everything you have been through with colds, ear infections, etc. this went relatively smooth.  You have been sleeping well at night, and you don't seem to be in pain.  (Let's hope you aren't)  They say the longer the teeth take to come out, the healthier they are; if that's true, you will have some strong, and healthy teeth.

  We also visited Dr. Joseph today to have a hearing test.  We had to wait a very long time, and I lugged you all around Lewiston to the different offices; you did great!  I hear again and again, what a good natured baby you are.  People in public love you.  The hearing test was interesting. Because you are so little, they can't ask you raise your hand when you hear a noise... instead, they look for signs that you hear the noise like a pause in play or a turn to the direction of the noise.  It was a lot of fun to watch your reaction!  You love Dr. Joseph.  Every time we see him you light up!  He gives you tongue depressors, which you hang on to for the rest of the evening; they make good chew toys!

Feeding time

Dear Thomas,
You are trying to hold your own bottle during feedings. It is so cute, but also terribly messy as you are not very good at holding it steady. You are also drinking out of a sippy cup now, and today you were able to hold it yourself and drink from it! It is amazing how much the little things make daddy and I so happy! You are picking up cheerios and putting them in your mouth (you are also picking up things from the floor and putting them in your mouth). Its amazing how accurate you are, you can pick up even the smallest object and get it in your mouth!

Every time we turn our backs you make a break for the kitty food, both wet and dry. We are waiting for the day you get into it!!

This bag is not a toy

I used to laugh when I read the notice on plastic bags that said, "This bag is not a toy." I thought that was obvious, was it possible that people actually gave their kids a plastic bag as a toy?

It turns out, that bag IS a toy! Thomas has a great time playing with plastic bags (under supervision of course) and I just don't have the heart to take it away from him. It must be something about the noise a plastic bag makes that is appealing to young children. Toys are made to make that very noise... the crinkle is so satisfying to a baby.

So no matter what the safety guidelines suggest, Thomas is playing with plastic bags...

Favorite Things

Every night I sing this song to you

"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens.
Brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favorite things."

Here are a few of your favorite things:
paper-preferably newspaper that is easy to tear and makes a lot of noise
the kitty- you chase her relentlessly around the house
yogurt
peek-a-boo
flipping everything upside down
bath time
your day care mommies and friends
banging things together
dropping things from your high chair

Sleeping through the night

Dear Thomas,
Last night you did it!! Your very first time sleeping through the night. We never thought this day would come :) You may not appreciate this as you are reading it, but you will completely understand once you have kids of your own. (We don't expect that it will happen again anytime soon)

We see that first tooth getting ready to come out. We are so anxious. You have been drooling A LOT since three months old, and we keep saying, "maybe he is teething." When you are fussy and up at night we say "maybe he is teething." When you chew on our fingers, biting down as hard as you can we say " he must be teething." But, alas, a tooth has not appeared yet. Can't wait to see that first tooth come!

High chair shenanigans

At some point, every object in the house must pass the ultimate test by the supreme leader of the household Thomas. He will dangle said object from the highest point (his high chair) and listen to it plead for its life and explain why it should be spared... unfortunately, not many objects are deemed worthy, and most plummet to their death on the kitchen floor.

Firsts

Dear Thomas,
It has occurred to me (through the suggestion of others) that I should be keeping a journal of all of your wonderful adventures. Since you had your tubes put in on December, 29th, you have been meeting milestones daily. Its amazing (and a little scary) how fast you are growing.

Just today, you played peek-a-boo with me! It was after your bath and you kept pulling the towel over your face until I would say "where did Thomas go?" Then you would pull the towel away from your face and smile and laugh! How is possible you can do this?