Happy Birthday Adler, a few days later

Dear Adler,

It wouldn't be right if I were to actually post something on the day its supposed to be posted, so of course I am not posting your birthday wishes on your birthday. I know you understand. You were being a handful that day and I couldn't get to the computer!

You turned 2 a few days ago. You knew it too. You were so excited about your birthday, or rather, you were so excited about all the cake you knew you were going to get to eat! I ask you now if you are mamma's baby and you adamantly shake your head no and say, "No, big boy" which sounds a lot like "no, bi bow" but I get it. Of course, as a two year old you are full of contradictions because you have taken to calling your sippy cup a bottle these days.

You are so full of life (otherwise known as ENERGY!) and giggles these days. You are quite funny and even though you are only saying words, not sentences, you still manage to crack jokes all day long. You love to chase Toby, wrestle, scream, throw things, break things, and all other boy related wild activities. But you also love to be read to and would spend hours in my lap with books if you could. You love to draw and get frantic sometimes if you have it set in your mind to scribble and don't get your way. We now have our kitchen cabinets and walls to show your love of drawing with pens. (which, by the way, I would love to know how to get off if anyone has any ideas!)

I can't believe just two years ago you were this small little lump who couldn't keep his eyes from going cross-eyed. You have such a sweet, fun little personality. I never tire of the hugs and kisses and snuggles you freely give out. I never tire of hearing you ask me to sing you one more song before bed. You have somehow managed to be a spirited and rambunctious little boy but still hold on to your gentleness. I love you and can't wait to see what your third year has to bring!

20 Months

Dear Adler,

Well, I started out thinking I would post updates on you every single month, but, well, that was before you started walking and climbing and being a little boy. I want to be sure, though, to stop chasing you long enough to sit still and just watch you, appreciate the walking, talking, climbing, laughing, playing, crying, loving, jumping, running, screaming, and all the other "ings" that you are you do those 14 very busy hours of our days. I want to make sure I am noticing all of it, recording it, because before too long, you will be a teenager where your only "ings" are sleeping, eating, breathing (maybe a little complaining too), and then a man, when you have your own little ones to watch.

Anyway, I am getting ahead of myself. 20 months. Man. We made it. And we are doing great. You are a R to the ascal. You run from me, hide from me, pull my hair, yank on Toby's tail, reach and pull things down, like cereal boxes and cups of juice off counters and onto floors, draw on yourself, on the wall, on Toby, climb on top of tables, climb into cabinets.... You are just ALL toddler. But its so much fun. You definitely keep me on my toes, but I love every single minute of it (okay, maybe not the climbing on tables or pulling my hair. And Toby wants to add that he doesn't love being tortured either.)

You are beginning to be okay with other people. You are starting to venture off of my leg a little easier in social situations where you aren't very sure of things. You actually started a little playschool program and really love it. You know to put your hand on your heart for the Pledge of Allegiance. You love the color blue and point it out everywhere we go (boo). Second best is pink (nink). You love your video about Noah and the animals, calling it the bible (bi-bu). You actually love any bible story-book and have picked up the word "Bible" for all of them. You love to swim, and even kick your hands and feet when prompted to swim. You could sit in my lap and be read to for hours; it never gets old. Until it does, and then you promptly shut the book and say "eee ennn" for the end. You don't like it when I try to read one of my own books to myself- you shut it and tell me that's the end. You. You do not like to see me and E hug- you get really mad and try to push E away. Guess you don't know your mom's got love for both of you just yet!

You still love to cuddle me. I still rock you to sleep for your afternoon nap. You still are free with your hugs and kisses and will (almost)always come running when someone you love comes into the room. You tell me "luu you" every once in a while. You are precious in every way.

Love,

Momma

14 months

Dear Adler,

You are 14 months and a week old. And my oh my, you have learned so much over the past few months. The first year was all about developing physically; I believe this second year is going to be about developing your little personality.

Here’s a look at what you have learned:

-If I climb up on something high, and then free fall back, my mom flails her arms like a mad woman and dive bombs to catch me. It’s really funny, but I get in trouble.

-If I throw my food hard enough from my highchair, I can get it to stick to the wall or land in Toby’s mouth. It’s really funny, but I get in trouble.

-If I wave my arms enthusiastically and happen to make contact with my mom or Toby or any other living contact, it causes uproar. It’s really funny, but I get in trouble.

-If I don’t get my way, like if I have to come inside or I can’t eat the dog food that looks so good, I can flop my body on the floor, kick a bit, and make loud forceful grunts to let everyone know I am not happy. It does the trick, but I get in trouble.

-If I pull Toby’s fur out, he makes this high pitched yippy sound. It’s really funny, but I get in trouble.

-When I am in the bathtub, if I fill the toys up with water and throw them out of the bathtub, my mom gets really soaked and starts huffing and puffing at me. It’s really funny, but I get in trouble.

So, you have learned that your cuteness won’t keep you from getting in trouble anymore, at least while you are at home. Now, at Nana’s and Grandma’s, that’s another story!

You have been really sweet the past few months too though. You have taken cuddling and being sweet to a whole new level. You pat me and love on me all day long. You love on the dog, stuffed animals, pillows and blankets, the cushions on the couch, basically anything that has any give to it at all. You are loving and gentle most of the time. I realized the other day that since I have known you, I have had more physical contact than I ever have before. It seems all day long I have arms wrapped around me, kisses covering me, a body draped over me, hands grabbing at me, just some sort of warm contact from you. I know one day you will run from me, be too busy to stop and cuddle, so I am cherishing those moments now. You are silly and are always doing things to make me laugh. You know you are doing it just for giggles and that makes it even funnier. You are learning words now and that they have meaning. Your favorite words are dada and nana. You can also say dog (“dod”) and Pawpaw and Pablo, (both sound like “Pppppaa, and when you do it, you blow your cheeks up and your face gets really red as you strain to get the “p” out, so funny!).

As always, you are a joy and I can't wait to see what you do next!

11 months- only one day late!

Dear Adler,

You are napping, sick again. Its actually the first time you have been sick with a high fever, so I count my blessings we made it 11 months without it. I feel so sorry for you and wish there was more I could do to make you feel better.

This 11th month has been SO much fun. You have been so happy and playful this month. The chasing game has reached a new level- you really love it. Every morning when I come to get you in your crib, you do one of two things. You either throw a sock at me or you ski-daddle over to one corner the crib laughing, waiting for me to tickle you and "chase" you back over to the other side. You end your days like that to at bedtime.
You have learned that you have a built in play mate in Toby. You now think its the greatest fun to tug of war with him and throw a ball for him to fetch. Toby, on the other hand, is a little less thrilled, but still compliant in these games. He's a good dog, and I know that one day soon you BOTH will start to enjoy each other; as will your dad and I because our hope is that you two will wear each other out!
For some reason, this month, you have become extremely affectionate and cuddly. You stop what you are doing all day long just long enough to plant sloppy kisses on me or bury your head in my chest just for a moment. Then its back to play. I know this won't last forever, so I am cherishing every minute of it.
I am in the middle of planning your first birthday party. I can't believe its only a few weeks away. Its hard to believe the newborn I just brought home is becoming a toddler.

I love you,
Momma

10 months

Dear Adler,

I think its becoming tradition for me to be half a month late in letter writing (and another month in baby book updating). I do it this way on purpose so that you will learn early on not to expect things on time. Sorry.

Oh, let's see. This month you have decided that you would have NO more of the baby food or anything else that one, requires me to feed it to you or two, anything that remotely feels like baby food in your mouth. You have started grabbing the spoon from me and insisting on feeding yourself (see above picture.). Its fun, but very very exasperating too. And it requires me to cook balanced meals now. Its a shame.

You say "ba" to everything. And you point now to tell us what you want. Well, its more like you point the whole hand at something, roll your little fingers back and forth and say "ba." We can pretty much figure it out. The only thing is, when you point to the ball and say "ba" or a balloon, or even a book, I really really want to think you are saying the word for which you are pointing. Are you? Or are you just saying ba? Its cool that you are communicating with us in this new way though. You are like a little mini adult now, minus all that walking and talking and potty-trained stuff.

Well, time is short right now, but I love you and am so proud of all that you are. You are doing so good at this living in the world thing and I am feel so lucky to be a part of it all.

Love,

Momma

9 months

Dear Adler,

Momma's a bit late writing a nine month letter, but I guess that's okay. You are taking a much needed nap right now- you have been so busy that its hard lately to get you down. On the upside, you have been sleeping through the night mostly the past few weeks! Yay, we were all ready for that one.

The past month, you have started standing really well on your own. When you first discovered you didn't need me or another object to stay up in a standing position, you were SO proud of yourself. You did it every chance you had and would make sure that someone was looking at you when you did it. You are now a little pro, standing up from squatting position on your own, reaching down and picking up toys and standing back up to play with them. I should be writing this in the 10 month letter because technically you are over nine months now, but I will go ahead and say that a few days ago, you took TWO steps all by yourself. Such a big boy.

Well, this month has really brought out the Daddy's boy in you. You always want your daddy. If I am holding you and walk away sight of your dad, you throw the biggest fit. There is no one else in the room when he's around. Its cute, but I sense that this will come back to haunt me the older you get. I doubt I will ever be able to watch romantic comedies or lifetime again!

Your hair is finally starting to gain some substance. You are starting to look a bit like Ringo- I guess I need to get you a haircut. It so cute though. You have sort of stalled out in the weight/height area. You have been at 25 lbs and 29 inches for several months now. I guess you are letting all the other boys and girls your age catch up with you.

Overall- this has been another wonderful month. Fun because you are just a funny little guy, always making me laugh; challenging because you have been sick a lot, but hopefully that's over for a little bit; bittersweet because you are on the cusp of toddlerhood and already losing some of your baby-ness; lovely because you are constantly revealing new ways to love you.

Love,

Momma

too busy

Just checking in- I have been too busy to post or download new pics- will be getting back to normal next week.

Ad had his 9 month check up last week- still at 25 lbs and 29 inches long- everything checked out good. Can't believe my baby has now been on the outside longer than he's been on the inside.

8 months

Dear Adler,

You turned 8 months a few days ago. I can't believe that soon, you will be ONE year old. These 8 months have gone by so fast.

I feel as if every month, I say something to the effect that you are really "coming into your own." And its true, with everyday, your little personality develops more and more. You are such a happy little boy. You smile quick, laugh easy and have such a joy about you. That's not to say that you don't know how to get M-A-D, because you do. You certainly know what you want and get very upset if you don't have it. The thing is, though, you are never mad for longer than a few minutes. You just can't help but get happy quick.

You are really crawling all over the place. You are getting to be a quick little thing- its exhausting at times. You are funny because I will get behind you and sort of crawl behind you like I'm chasing you. You don't quite know what to do yet, you crawl a foot or so and then just stop and cut your eyes and make that little anticipatory smile that you have. Pretty soon I won't be able to keep up with you!

You are also pulling up on EVERYTHING. Its scary! You don't think that you really need to hold on to anything either when you get up. Which is also pretty scary! You have a walk behind toy and you go all over the place with that thing. I think you will be walking before too long.

You are starting to get a cold again. It seems like you get a cold every few weeks. Its hard on all of us. Hard for you because you don't sleep much when you are sick and wake up ALOT. Hard for us because you don't sleep much when you are sick and wake up ALOT. Hopefully, this is a stage and you wont have to live permanently with a stuffy or runny nose like your dad does.

You are my sweet boy and I love you so much. This eighth month has been so much fun.

Love,

Momma