This year the happily married couple have learned more than they thought possible. This baby has brought more to their lives then they could have ever dreamt up. He defines their family. He has taught them what it truly means to be "a happily married couple." He is more than they deserve but are so blessed God has entrusted this being to them. He gives them their happy ending.
Phoenix is the king of temper-tantrums. He is the king of kisses. The king of good-bye. The king of eating. The king of sleeping. The king of DaDa. The king of the Lang family.
He is wearing a size 4 diaper. He constantly repeats DaDa, bye-bye and many other phrases which we are unable to comprehend. He also tries thank-you, which sounds more like ta-ya, mainly at appropriate times. He recently picked up the word duck. Whenever he sees a duck, which is all the time around here now, he points and says duck. Just imagine how thrilled it makes me to hear my little Buttah say it!!! He has also said bath. I've heard a few other words but not consistently enough to count them. However, still no Mama :( He points to the things he wants and when he sees something interesting and new to him. He attempts to sing along to Roger Day in the car. He claps, laughs, and dances at appropriate times during a movie or television show. He listens when appropriate and blabs and rambles when he has something to say. He is great at climbing over the armrest of the couch to get down. He has also started this new thing of acting like he is washing his hands whenever I go get him from his bed. I immediately go to the sanitizer before getting him (because I'm normally cleaning while he naps) and he now rubs his hands together like I do and then signs more. It is the cutest thing ever!!! He holds the home and cell phones to his hear and points the remotes directly at the t.v. He climbs on Everything. He is great at playing alone. He is great at walking with his walkers or while holding a hand. Still waiting on the "real" first steps though. He is still using his signs. He loves flipping through books and loves having story time during baths (el patito en la banera). He enjoys water-the splash pad, his baby pools, a big pool, the tub-whatever it is as long as water is involved. Loves going to the zoo, the grocery store, the movies and the library. I ask him if he wants to go bye-bye and he reaches up for me and says bye bye, bye bye. I love that he enjoys going places and experiencing new things.
He loves playing in his room. He'd rather be up there than in the den or the playroom. I find him climbing the stairs throughout the day just to get there. I guess its a good thing, just makes it that much harder to get anything done. I also sing our bath song and he immediately gets excited and heads straight for the stairs. At the top, he goes quickly to the bathroom and starts trying to climb into the tub. I love how much he comprehends!
He has also gotten a ton better about not putting things in his mouth. Now, whenever he picks up something, he immediately tries handing it over to you. I am so glad that he is finally realizing that not everything is edible! Saves mama from A LOT of heart attacks!!!
He loves having teeth. He has 6 total now and takes full advantage of them. He no longer likes his food pureed. He wants "big boy" food only and he wants to feed himself. Either by hand(s) or with a spoon. A lot easier for mama, seeing that I no longer have to make a meal and then puree it. He just eats whatever we are eating. However, I now have to cook lunch everyday as well. He loves apples and peaches. Anything he can bite his teeth into. He also takes great care of them, as he loves brushing his teeth forever. We are slowly working on weening him off the boobster. He drinks great from sippy cups, straw cups, water bottles and even regular cups, so I'm hoping this transition will come easier than I'm anticipating.
In preparation for the big 1 year, I decided we'd start trying to ween off the boobster. He has done well with it for the most part. He still gets very fussy when he wants to nurse, but loves milk! I am down to nursing once a day in the morning, which is great for me!!! He just doesn't seem ready to give up that first feed yet. We had a minor set-back after he ate 6 day old clam chowder (not to my knowledge was it clam chowder, much less 6 days old), but are back on schedule again. First day with ZERO boobster feedings-June, 27, 2012. Definitely one for the books!!! Of course, that only lasted one day. He is now nursing 1 time a day. If he wants it, I do not deny. However, I definitely try and turn his attention to something else. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Speaking of-can you believe my disappointment when the doctor said he shouldn't have cake on his birthday or at his party. She said it would be too much on his stomach as he fights this chowder thing. My heart literally sank :( However, I have a feeling this kid (or this mama) isn't going to let that happen. No cake means chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast!!!
He favors his left hand in all he does. This makes me happy because it'll just be that much easier to teach him to write and throw a ball. I am excited to have a left-hander (praying it doesn't change), as they make better athletes!!!! Very important in our house!!!
We are on a fairly great schedule. I'm trying hard to avoid that mid-day nap. I really want him to be down to 2 a day, however there are just some days he needs it. He tries really hard to take that mid-day nap still between 11:30-12:00, so I have to be careful not to be in the car too long during that time. He wakes between 5:30-6:00. He has breakfast immediately. Then he has alone play time. I am not trying to neglect him-just teach him more independence. Then at 8:00 he goes down for a nap until about 10:00. He wakes and we either hit the road for errands or our daily adventure. We come home, depending on time and have lunch. We then play and do our learning lessons. Then between 1:30-2:00 he goes down for another nap. He normally gets up around 4:00. We try and go outside, on another adventure, or just play together. Dada gets home for some play time usually around 5:30. I try and have him bathed and sometimes fed, but Dada likes having dinner together. Because of this, we are trying to push dinner back until 6:00. He then plays a few more minutes with Dada while drinking a cup of milk. We then put the sleep sac on and DaDa takes him upstairs, rocks him for a minute (Jason says he needs the bonding time with Phoenix, so its more for him than Phoenix), then puts him down for bed. He goes straight down without a sound.
Jason has decided to start a new tradition with him on his birthday every year. He wants to take him to Hooters-just the men. I don't mind it, knowing Jason goes for the love of the wings and NOTHING else!!!! I agreed, but told him it cannot fall on his exact birthday, as I want to celebrate with him. Well, this year is different. I demanded they go on Friday so I can do all my food prep for the big celebration tomorrow. I am a bit sad by it, but I know seeing him tomorrow at his party with all his family and friends will make it worth it.
He is ALL boy! He loves trucks, tires, big machines, mowing the yard and driving DaDa's truck to name a few!
He has his first birthday party tomorrow from 2-4 and he goes to the doctor next week for his one year checkup. Many posts to follow! I can't believe the temperature is suppose to get up over 100-Lord help us all!!!
He has also gotten a ton better about not putting things in his mouth. Now, whenever he picks up something, he immediately tries handing it over to you. I am so glad that he is finally realizing that not everything is edible! Saves mama from A LOT of heart attacks!!!
He loves having teeth. He has 6 total now and takes full advantage of them. He no longer likes his food pureed. He wants "big boy" food only and he wants to feed himself. Either by hand(s) or with a spoon. A lot easier for mama, seeing that I no longer have to make a meal and then puree it. He just eats whatever we are eating. However, I now have to cook lunch everyday as well. He loves apples and peaches. Anything he can bite his teeth into. He also takes great care of them, as he loves brushing his teeth forever. We are slowly working on weening him off the boobster. He drinks great from sippy cups, straw cups, water bottles and even regular cups, so I'm hoping this transition will come easier than I'm anticipating.
Speaking of-can you believe my disappointment when the doctor said he shouldn't have cake on his birthday or at his party. She said it would be too much on his stomach as he fights this chowder thing. My heart literally sank :( However, I have a feeling this kid (or this mama) isn't going to let that happen. No cake means chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast!!!
Jason has decided to start a new tradition with him on his birthday every year. He wants to take him to Hooters-just the men. I don't mind it, knowing Jason goes for the love of the wings and NOTHING else!!!! I agreed, but told him it cannot fall on his exact birthday, as I want to celebrate with him. Well, this year is different. I demanded they go on Friday so I can do all my food prep for the big celebration tomorrow. I am a bit sad by it, but I know seeing him tomorrow at his party with all his family and friends will make it worth it.
He is ALL boy! He loves trucks, tires, big machines, mowing the yard and driving DaDa's truck to name a few!
Phoenix woke to Mama and DaDa singing happy birthday to him. We then went down for a chocolate chip pancake breakfast, candle and all!!! We have no big plans today other than to finish up preparing for his party tomorrow, but it'll just be nice being together off and on as a family. And I'm sure Phoenix will love going on his birthday dinner tradition outing with DaDa tonight!!!
