Nice Weather Finally

We've finally had a stretch of nice weather that we can spend a few hours outside.  Colin loves going out.  We'll go for a bike ride or a walk or just kick a ball or go on a rock hunt.  Hours of entertainment.  He's picked up a few things that go with outside too.  He'll tell Hobie to stay or sit while we go out the door.  Or he'll ask to take her for a walk or brush her.  She doesn't listen to his commands of "drop it" or "come" but he doesn't notice too often.

Back in the first few months Colin was doing something new all the time.  That died down a bit for a few months but its incredible what new things pop up each day.  Conversations can't be too far off.  He definitely understands most things being said and can reply.  There are a few two word phrases he put together.  Words are starting to be multi-syllabic.  He can ask for what he wants, although that requires coaxing some of the time.  He prefers a whine or a cry to words some of the time.  He has figured out that he likes performing for people after he is comfortable.  He'll do some silly walking or noises to get some laughs.  We get serenaded now by little 5 second Colin songs.  He has started playing a little game which we were able to get on video.  He'll cover his belly and say "closed".  Then tease us with opening just one hand or arm.

It's not all happy stuff.  He's getting good at screaming/crying when he doesn't get what he wants.  He's starting to figure out how mommy and daddy operate and how to manipulate things a bit.  Boundaries are being tested constantly.  It is very cute when he gets told that he did something naughty and he says "time out" and lays down on the floor.  We aren't sure if that will be a good thing when he really does need 'time outs' though.

Colin's 20 month appointment was this month so there is more data for the growth chart down below.

Happy Easter

It doesn't seem like this Easter will be remembered any more than last year's for Colin.  He enjoyed looking at the stuff the Easter Bunny gave him.  The Easter Bunny then made a mess of eggs outside, which Colin had to clean up.  Fortunately Colin enjoys cleaning up.  He was able to help dye eggs and try some Easter candy.  Those were enjoyable.  In his words; "good".
It's amazing how his vocabulary is growing now.  He really wants to be able to say words.  He will study our mouths and try and mimic us.  He'll try a couple new ones each day.  A toddler translator is still needed for some words but he is definitely able to communicate by speaking now.  During tantrums... that's another story.  We aren't sure if he's not able to think about words while in tantrum mode or if he is just being purposely stubborn.
Time-outs have begun.  Weeeeee.  It can take 5-10 minutes to get an apology or a "yes" from Colin. He isn't going around doing evil deeds, yet.  The main reasons for the time-outs is that he has started choosing if he listens to us and harassing Hobie.
Colin recognizes the letter W or "double" and the number 4 or "fo".  Watch out Sesame Street.  You can find him running laps around the kitchen table.  Hobie will give him a lick on the face for each lap, to help count...
Spring seems to be making its way in slowly so hopefully that means a lot more time outside in the future.

Here is the March album:

Month of the Potty

Yea! Colin decided that the potty was a good thing.  We've been able to get a few uses so far.  He is willing to use it whenever we ask.  He has about a 10% success rate right now.  He is getting pretty clear about if he has to go or if he is done trying.  When he is done, he's done.  The lid is slammed down and the potty is shoved back into its place.  Overall it's been going well.  We've been working around bath times and when we can catch him in the act.

He's been busy with play dates this month.  His buddies are looked at for a long while at the beginning of the play date.  After that Colin will be more energetic and even try and interact with them.

Another big thing for the month is that Colin's vocabulary is improving.  Single syllables are still the large majority of what he uses.  Trying to break him of some of his habits is a challenge.  Chicken will forever be "bock".  We try and correct him and he will put the effort it.  When he decides he's done trying we just get nods.  There are a few phrases that he will say now.  "Mo waa" (more water) or "Na dada" (goodnight daddy).  It's very cute and we love hearing them.

We noticed that there were a couple of pictures with Colin cleaning in his little orange body suit (not intentional)  He loves to clean up and we aren't going to complain.  He will do laundry, scrub the floor or anything in reach, wipe up spills, put his toys and books back where they belong.  What a tidy little boy.  If it's a phase we'd like it to be an 18 year phase.

Colin tried a lemon.  He wouldn't have been given as much except he said it was "good"

The Feb Album:

Jan 2013

Not much of an eventful month after the holidays.  We've been cooped up indoors with the cold wintery or wet springlike weather.  Colin has tried out some new winter boots in the snow and rain puddles.  Stomping is quite fun and interesting.

It's much easier to go out with Colin now.  He's able to entertain himself a bit, which helps.  Being big enough to walk around is also a big thrill for him.  Not having to carry him is nice now that he is getting heavier.

New stuff with Colin....hmmmm.  He's taken an interest in the potty.  We get coached on what to do if we don't do things as quickly or as he wants in there.  Hopefully this is an intro to potty training.  He apparently knows the routine well enough to keep us in line.  Single syllables are Colin's words still.  Some letter sounds like "s" or some blended sounds are still tricky.  He is able to communicate well.  Body parts and animal sounds are subjects Colin is proficient in.  Colors are coming along.  Purple and blue can usually be named and picked out of his crayons.

Here's some animal sounds and a tickle monster:

The Jan album:

Happy New Year

Colin had quite an eventful 2012.  We'll see what 2013 brings.  Maybe graduation from the crib, or a start to potty training (the potty is already of high interest), riding a tricycle.  Who knows. Colin has already set his resolution for the year to exercise.  Here's his start:

There were plenty of Christmas celebrations.  Most of the album pictures will show that.  We were curious about how he would respond to Christmas morning.  Luckily there was some snow on the ground Christmas morning although it didn't stay for long.  Here is a video of him after coming down the stairs. 

Here is the Dec Album:

Nov 2012 Album

Apparently Santa visits Home Depot.  We went to get a couple things and there was Santa.  Colin gave some waves and smiles but wanted nothing to do with him up close.  He shook his head at anything to do with getting close or touching Santa.  I guess Santa is okay from a distance this year.

Colin's imagination is working pretty well.  He will spend quite a bit of time on the ground being a dog, crawling and panting.  If someone is nearby then there is a good chance they will be commanded to join in with a very direct "doot" or "do it" in Colin language.  He will feed and give water to his animals and have them be dogs as well.  Hobie seems to be rubbing off on him.  He also is working on his cooking skills.  Whatever it is he makes he finds it to be tasty.

Besides his creativity he also understands most of what we say and will be able to respond a lot of the time.  He also knows what he doesn't want and will communicate this as well.  If it is us that he doesn't want to listen to then he will ignore us or go back to whatever he was doing right away.  The 'time outs' have kind of started.  He's not to happy with being moved and sat down in the middle of his mischief.

Here's a video of him joining in with his current favorite song:

And the Nov Album:

October 2011

Colin had an okay Halloween.  He's not old enough to get what is going on.  He didn't have trouble showing off his costume(s).  He did like the attention he received from adults.  Going up to houses wasn't a hit.  He shook off candy that was offered to him as well.  Apparently he's already learned that you don't take candy from strangers.  Good job Colin.

His 'little person' development is moving along.  He understands what we ask him and will usually do what we ask.  He has realized that he can say no and ignore us though.  That should be something fun to look forward to. Colin is also working on verbally responding.  He definitely tries, it's just hard to understand him. He's working on his coordination too.  He likes trying to stand things up and is very proud when it works.  During meal times a baby spork and a cup are used a little.  They are still difficult but he does try and use them.  Books are also more interesting.  He will react to books.  For example, he will make gremlin noises when he hears "noisey".  He will find characters in the pictures when asked.  He is right only some of the time but he likes looking for things in the pictures. Overall Colin seems to be a happy, observant little boy that likes to try and figure out how things work.

He is October's album:


we may have some video or pictures later this month. We'll see.

Happy fall!

Well, it is fall so it is cold and wet here.  We went from some very hot days hanging out in the AC to flirting with the idea of turning on the heat.  The season change seemed to come suddenly.  Went from dressing like this on the left to that over on the right.

We've noticed that the changes Colin shows aren't happening the same way as before.  It was almost like each week he would be able to do something new.  Now they are more gradual and sneak up on us.  He mostly improves what he can do.  He walks great, running isn't too far away.  He does try to.  His single syllable language is his own.  Da (with pointing)= down, Da = dad, Da = dog (usually finger wagging too), Mam = mom, Bap = nap Ba = bath.  You get the idea.

Colin's internal conversations/thoughts must be hilarious because he will just walk around then break into laughter.  This will happen a lot during the day.  He will also break out in dance if there is music playing from his toys or the stereo.  His dance/bounce is getting pretty good.

We have the Topsfield Fair and apple picking coming up next so those should be some good pictures in the Oct album.  Here is the Sept. album:

Colin was going over to Bigfoot and falling onto its belly.  It was quite adorable.  We couldn't get him to duplicate that, but this was pretty amusing and cute.

Colin has a thing for blindly falling onto or into things like his stuffed animals or mommy and daddy.  Here he does it going into his crawling tubes (a bit slower than normal).  It's his normal entrance into them.

PEANUT WARNING!!!!

Colin had his 1 year check up and he doing great.  He's small but growing fine.  He's got his little chubby legs and baby gut (which he's not afraid to show off as demonstrated in the pictures).  We tried out a peanut butter sandwich which made him itch his cheek where he was smearing the sandwich.  A welt formed  later on.  He was breathing fine, playing happily.  He was just itchy.  We gave him some benedryl and called the doctor.   We were just sent to 911 and they all came out.  We had the ambulance, fire chief and 2 cop cars.  Middleton is slow for crime and danger.  They checked him and and said he was fine.  The next day we went to the hospital to have blood drawn to test for the peanut allergy.  That was an experience we don't care to repeat.  I'm sure Colin would agree.  Today we saw an allergist so we are all caught up on what needs to happen.  Soooo, on a scale of  'peanuts are delicious' to 'for pete's sake, that peanut across the street looked at me', Colin is moderate.  That means we just need to make sure he doesn't eat or touch peanut products and we need to clean up after we do.  He can eat foods that are made in factories that make peanut foods and peanuts can be in the house.  We just have to be careful he doesn't eat or come in contact with them.  We'll go back next year and see if he grew out of it.  We are glad it's not severe but we're hoping it will go away.

He loves getting on his motorcycle and listening to its radio.

Other than the peanut excitement, he had his 1st birthday, went to baby play group, goes outside to play.  There was all sorts of excitement this month.   

He loves exploring outside.  Bunny is very interesting and so are Hobie's toys.  Colin is improving his ability to use stairs and move around in shoes and move on uneven ground.

One of his baby OCD quirks is that all doors and gates must be closed.  The diaper pail door, bathroom door, gate to the stairs.... He doesn't try charging through open doorways and won't leave a room, willingly, if a door is open somewhere in that room.  

His communication is getting more clear.  He will shake off things he doesn't want like a baseball pitcher to the catcher.  He's pretty good at that and luckily it's usually without noise accompaniment.  He will point to food he wants as well.  He also recognizes a lot more than we thought he would.  He knows outside, upstairs, his room, kitchen, where to eat, where to take a bath and a bunch of others.  Quite the smart little boy.

Next month we have a trip to California planned, so that should be a lot of fun.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN!!

.

 Mr Furious

                     Mr Handsome

Colin had his first birthday today.  He didn't know what to make of the pile of presents we put in front of him this morning, but he managed.  He seems to be a pretty neat/organized boy.  Every scrap of wrapping paper torn off needed to be handed to mommy or daddy.  Things out of place, to him, needed to be moved.  His ginormous bear grew on him as the day went on.  He was tackling/cuddling with it by the end of the day.  His tent and tubes also gain popularity as the day went on.  He had a pretty good day.

He's definitely getting better at everything.  He understands what we say more.  We can ask him for a new object and he sometimes will know what we mean or he figures it out with a few prompts.  Walking is getting better as well.  Obstacles are still tricky but he's getting better at avoiding them.  The step into the kitchen and bathroom are being tackled more boldly now.  He communicates his ideas a bit better with his signs.  A big smile will show up on his face when the stereo is turned on for either his music or ours. Not really an improvement on anything but worth mentioning. He is more confident with Hobie, he'll go up to her and give some good pats.  Colin's temper tantrums have improved as well.  He will sit and push himself around in a circle with one leg while crying.  It's quite cute.  Sometimes he'll listen to us and sometimes he'll ignore us.  The ignore part usually is followed by the tantrum. Poor Colin, life is rough.

For those of you that would like to see him open his presents here is a chopped up version of the video to watch with commentary and theme music:

Some of the comments are a bit early so they may not make sense.

 

 

Present carnage

Tent and tube maze

Birthday bread/cake

Love for the big bear