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Update on Gardner's "big boy bed" dramas.... He's doing great! No, really! Yes, naptimes have proved to be more of a challenge, to say the least, but after about 5-6 times going in there, blank-faced, firmly but gently putting him back in bed and reminding him it is naptime, he finally zonks out. Nevermind that it's usually 1:00 by the time he's in there, 3:00 before he's asleep, and 5:00 before he wakes up. I have a whole new kind of freedom in my day. Problem is, though I enjoy it, I miss the little guy. I actually stand outside of his room, ear to door, to wait for those first few sounds of his stirring! Nighttimes are great, too. In bed by 8, up by 9. Today it was 9:40 before he awoke. Again....what did we do to deserve this kid??? I hope this serves as inspiration for his little sister when she reaches this point....as well as every parent who aspires to make this transition in the near future. Again, proof that prayer works.
He did it!!! Last night, Gardner slept in his new room and his "big boy bed" for the very first time. How'd it go? Well, let's just say that within 45 minutes, he only managed to empty out his bottom dresser drawer and play in the closet. By 9pm, he was officially asleep, and he still remains that way (it's 7:44am now....praise God!!). Way to go, GARDNER!! (Mommy and Daddy are more thrilled than you'll ever know!)
Gardner had his first trip to a real barber shop this weekend. Not the powder-puff kiddie place this time around....he got a real haircut along with Daddy. From the look of his expression in this photo, however, you can tell he wasn't exactly thrilled as he looked on in anticipation of the event. Despite a few protesting pleas, he eventually settled down into a very still pose and let the barber go to town. Here, his haircut is nearly complete. He was holding still for the neck trim. From little boy to little man in 10 minutes flat.
Hot Fun in the Summertime Peyton "stopped" the sprinkler for a while, causing Gardner to cautiously ease closer. When the water once again went flying, Gardner did, too! Gardner....what that expression means, I have no idea. Looks like his daddy in this picture. Ken showing Gardner the ropes in his brand new sandbox. This kid loves sand. (Mommy enjoyed digging her feet into the cool sand, too.)
....So now I have a bathroom story. Every mom has them. Most start around this age. Here's mine. We bought Gardner his first potty chair a couple of weeks back. We mainly wanted to get him used to the fact that it's a "piece of furniture" now, to get him used to seeing it. We taught him how to sit on it, clothed. Well, yesterday, while prepping him for a bath, I taught him how to sit on it....unclothed. I told him that "this is where you tee-tee" (that's what we call it 'round here). He giggled, and stood up. I turned my attention back to the bathtub water level, and glanced back just in time to see a stream shooting forth and hitting the potty seat, potty lid, and the shower curtain. He looked incredibly proud of his feat. I really believe he thought he'd just tee-teed in his potty. I laughed till my sides hurt. I figured that wouldn't happen again, at least for a while. I was wrong. I just had the same incident occur minutes ago, wh...
Another molar? Perhaps. Gardner's been chewing incessantly on his fingers lately....pushing them far back into his mouth. I wonder if his 2nd molars, supposedly due anywhere from 20 months to 30 months, are coming in on the early side? (He's 20 months today.) He's been mimicking every single word or phrase....wanting to know what every object is that he comes across. We love telling him the new words and listening intently as he tries his hardest to pronounce them. Sometimes they sound exactly perfect....sometimes just a semblance....sometimes all that's correct is the number of syllables. Nevertheless, he's learning, and his vocabulary is expanding by leaps and bounds.
We bought Gardner his first potty this weekend, per advice from Dr. Treash. He's almost 20 months old, time to start thinking about it....but not necessarily rush into it. We just wanted him to see it, get familiar with it, and learn to take ownership of it. This photo shows him approaching it for the first time after watching me assemble it. He is pointing to it, saying, "Chair??" Finally, he sits down. He has learned to pose for pictures lately, too....can ya tell? Why do I get the certain feeling that I'm going to be seeing this exact scene many times over the next few years?? Hm....can anybody tell me who's been teaching Gardner to "cheese for the camera?" (Answer: Daddy.)
Gardner's friend, Peyton, turned three this weekend. He invited Gardner to his birthday party at Kid'z Depot, a local Thomas the Tank Engine spot. Tonight, Gardner had a lot of firsts......First time eating pizza (he's never liked it before this....honest), as you see here..... First time meeting a deer up close and personal (oh, wow).... First time riding a "train." Thank you, Peyton, for such a fun party!! (Gardner was also partaking in a birthday brownie cupcake, when he spotted something over on the other side of the room that beckoned his attention. He flew over there, and I took just a few seconds to set down my food to go find him. When I reached him, seconds later, cupcake was gone. We searched on the train tables, under the tables, on the floor, even in the bathroom nearby. No cupcake remnant to be found. The depot owners will find a nice, molded surprise later, I guess.)
Dear Papa Gravely, Mommy told me today that you passed away. I don't understand what that means at my age, and I know Mommy really wishes that I did. I came to see you several times, even though I won't remember them when I'm grown. Mommy and Daddy did take lots of pictures and videos of my visits with you, though, and I am sure I'll see them over the years over and over. I also know that Mommy will tell me stories about you so that it will be as if I knew you longer than the 19 months that I truly did. I am honored to carry on your namesake (Preston), and I will grow up to make you proud. Your great-grandson, Gardner Preston Wilson Gardner and Papa Gravely, Nov. 2005
Can't believe he's 19 months old. It hits me every now and then, such as last night when I was going through all of his baby clothes, putting some aside to share with others, and putting the small stuff away for sentimental keeping. So little he was....I can't imagine that in three months' time, I will have another tiny bundle in my arms. And he will be big enough to lend me a hand with his little sister. Wow. He's recognizing where we are now when we're driving around town. He'll say "Mah-ma-ma" when we near Ken's parents' house. He'll say "Mimi" whenever he sees the civic arena about a mile away. He says, "Daddy werks" when he sees NewSpring . Absolutely amazing. This kid takes note of details. He won't be a guy who has to stop and ask for direcitons, I betcha.
Gardner's 18-month-checkup synopsis: - He measures 33-1/2 inches long, and weighs 22-1/2 lbs. He is in the 80th percentile for height (whoa!) and in the 12th percentile for weight. All that means is that we are getting to supplement his snacktimes with some whole-milk-shaken Carnation Instant Breakfast. All that means to Gardner is, "Yay! Doctor-prescribed chocolate milk daily!" - Dr. Treash told me that I can go ahead and buy a potty, letting it sit in his bathroom so he can get used to seeing it. Now....whether to choose the plain old seat, or the one which claps, sings, and calls you buy name? (Who are these marketing guys, anyway?) - Gardner's transition to a big bed next month will be a bit easier, thanks to some great tips from the Doc. I can't wait to see how he'll handle it. We're up to the adventure.... - Gardner passed the speech/language and kinesthetic "tests" with flying colors. He's right on target, and even beyond it w...
Gardner's vocabulary is expanding exponentially. It's not uncommon to hear him repeat every single word we exclaim from our mouths. Talk about having to watch our language! (We don't curse....but we do use slang that I don't want him to pick up! I guess this is the time I can clean my mouth out from tacky slang while I'm at it! Talk about accountability.) His favorite words to say include random words such as "peaches" and "bathroom," and then there is the whole new thing he's doing where he wants us to name everybody for him and let him repeat their names outloud. He follows simple commands ("go throw this paper in the trash," or "sit down in the chair"). Our little baby is not a baby anymore....he's a little fellow who can do what he's told and do it cheerfully, and for that, we're grateful! Now....the one thing I can't seem to keep him from....the water tank of his humidifier. Had to take the last...
Gardner went with us today for our 17-week prenatal checkup. Our obstetrician has a brand new practice, so it was exciting to see the new place. Gardner was a little trooper during the nearly 50-minute wait in the waiting room. When we got back into the exam room, Gardner got really clingy. It's amazing how a table shrouded in medical paper, mixed with the white walls and various medical instruments, can make any kid clingy in a matter of seconds. Soon, though, when he saw that Dr. Hearn was there to check on Mommy and not Gardner, he loosened up. He laughed his "snobby laugh" when Dr. Hearn talked and conversed with him. He imitated Dr. Hearn's hand movements when he talked...it was hilarious! To top it all off, Gardner heard his baby brother or sister's heartbeat with the doppler device. It was a great morning.
