Gardner Wilson

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.)

Gardner and his Great-Grandpa at the annual Cooper family reunion, 5/6/06. Gardner thought that the gravel was one big sandbox. He was covered head to toe with grey grit. Gardner at Pendleton Beach....a cute little speck amid all of that sand.

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

Sometimes simple things are best.... No thrill-laden theme park needed for this lad to have fun (at least not yet). Just give him a springy, sunny day, a swingset, and a sandbox and he's all set.

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.

Rather late posting, but here are a few snapshots of Gardner's very first Easter egg hunt, 2006. (and one photo at the bottom of him and his cousins....that was the only good photo I got out of several....it's hard to take a good picture of three wiggling tots!)

Gardner's 2nd Easter, as well as his 2nd time dyeing Easter eggs. What fun! Some brief instructions and a small demonstration later, he was a pro at it. Here are some of the highlights:

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, helping me as best he can as I work around the house. He looks right at home with the tape measure, does he not?

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.

Some photos taken yesterday, unseasonably warm and perfect weather for playing.

Gardner and I are trying to enjoy our day in today. I'm keeping him in due to a cold that's settling into his chest, creating a tell-tale rattling sound from deep within. After a call to the pediatrician, I have him on a regimen of medicines that should clear it up, that combined with a 24/7 humidifier, Vick's Baby Rub, and lots of liquids (oh, and chicken noodle soup). As much as it pains me to miss church again, I know that I am doing the right thing. I am just glad I have a little man who loves to be at home as much as I do sometimes. We've been listening to praise music this morning, singing, and reading books. It still feels sort of like a Sunday.

Everything Gardner sees and points at for a description has gone from his universal, "Deee!" to something that sounds like either "cheeto" or "tito." We just go with the flow...we know what he means. I know in that just a short couple of months, these sounds will develop more and more into real words, and our minds will be blown with his changing. Gardner has no idea how his world's about to be rocked. My sister was a little younger than he is when we moved across the country while Dad was being transferred by the Army. She didn't handle it so well. (Come to think of it, neither did I at 8 years old. I walked in after school to see Emily's room empty except for her stripped down crib and mattress. "WHERE'S MY SISTER?" I screamed, sure they'd packed her on the truck with the other boxes.) I sure hope Gardner does okay. At least we're not moving across the country; we're only moving five miles away. I have alre...

Still fighting.... ....a cold, that is. Gardner and I both have this stinking cold, and it's hindering our social lives! Well, maybe it's not that dramatic. I did keep him home from church today, however. Last week when we left, I was handed a leaflet explaining the symptoms which should not be present in kids coming to our church nursery.....a green runny nose was one of them, meaning he's obviously still contagious. I am SO glad these rules are in effect, though....don't get me wrong. I did exactly what I hope other moms would do for Gardner's sake....I kept him home and away from other children today, as much as it pained me to miss the 2nd Sunday in our new building (and had Gardner known he was missing it, too, he would have been devastated). Hopefully we can be back on our regular routine next weekend. Gardner has been exhibiting a sudden energy burst about bedtime that's a blast to witness. From the moment we announce that it's bathtime until th...

Gardner's new trick: Climbing onto chairs, and then proceeding to climb up onto tables and desks. It's something we won't tolerate (a newly enacted family rule), namely because it's disrespectful, and we don't want him doing it at our house much less the house of someone else. SO, we've started using the loud voice "no's" and promptly assisting him back into a sitting position. After two warnings, he goes on the floor and the chair (i.e., stool) is removed. Yes, this does cause tears to be shed, but we are remaining hopeful that our diligence will pay off and he will get the picture. 17-months is a tough age; not quite old enough for time outs, and we are reserving spankings for those things which are purely dangerous and threats to harm. This limbo period is a trying one, but this is where a unified front is called into action more than ever before. I am grateful for parents who disciplined me diligently, too, because I know that my life wou...

Gardner had his very first free cookie from our neighborhood Publix's delicatessen this morning. It was mid-morning, and I thought, "Why not." He was missing his normal mid-morning snack due to our errand-running, and I could always postpone lunch a little. "Chocolate chip or sugar?" the sweet little old lady asked me. Gardner didn't answer. I smiled at him and said to the lady, "Chocolate chip." As she reached into the bin, I said, "Errr....sugar!!" Chocolate chip would melt in his hands, and it would get way too messy. She grabbed a sugar cookie instead, and I watched as she sweetly handed him a round cookie studded with Valentine nonpareils. He smiled widely and stared at his treat with fervor. Two aisles down, I looked back at him as I placed something into our cart. All I could do was smile, albeit nervously, when I saw that he was halfway into his cookie, and red and pink streaks of slobber were trailing down his irrestible...

Gardner went to the open house at church last night to see his new classroom (which he's already played in all week as I volunteered here and there). He played for a while, then darted out of the room into the next one. He steered cleverly into the rooms with the most activity and most children. He walks right up fearlessly and begins to play and talk with them. Most kids don't know how to take Gardner. I am thrilled that he's so outgoing; it make me happy (since I'm not). I felt like a new parent going to my child's school's orientation for the first time. My mind suddenly fast-forwarded three or four years ahead to when Garder starts elementary school. No! I didn't want to think about that yet! But still, I can take comfort in the fact that he'll know what to do when we get there....he even pulled out the little plastic chairs from the tables and sat down expertly, hands outstretched on the tabletop, eyes bright, ready to learn. He literally c...

Some photos of Gardner exploring his brand new church nursery for the first time, 2.9.06.