24 months

I have totally been slacking on keeping up with your updates. But I guess that is what happens when you have a 2 year old.

What have you been up to lately?

- You are two! So you are definitely talking non-stop. I honestly can not even keep track of all of the words that you can say. You know the entire Alphabet. W is my favorite letter to hear you say. You can count to 10 as well. You can identify objects, people, animals, and much more.

- You can climb just about anything. The kitchen counters, the slide at the park from bottom to top, every baby gate that we own, and pretty much anything else if given the opportunity.

- You are turning into an amazing little swimmer. For having a Mama who is 26 and can't swim, I am shocked with how quickly you are learning!

- I suspect that you are most definitely going to be quite the athlete when you get older. You love Basketball, Baseball, Football and any sport that you are introduced to.

- As well as sports you are also pretty good with the drums. You love to pull up your little chair and sit in front of your drum set and play away.

I hope that I can keep up with everything that you are doing. This blog is meant for you. I wanted a way to keep track of everything that you are learning and doing. It is so easy to forget the little things sometimes.

My favorite

Here is Oliver. I am totally in love with this picture! Holy cuteness, I can barely stand it!

The Paper Mama "Favorite" photo challenge 

17 months

17 months already! I have been looking back at all the postings that I have done every month and I am so thankful that I documented every wonderful thing that you have done. It is so hard to remember when and where you started doing some of the crazy, fun and amazing new things that you learn everyday.

What have you been up to this month.

- Talking! You can say so many new words now, it is crazy. Your favorite is Apple. Cat will have to be number 2 on the list. You can also say Cow, Mama, Dada, hi, hey, one, toes, uh oh, whoa, ouch, bye, no, Caillou, all done but it sounds more like "alt an" and baby. You also say " a butter" which is short for Butterfly. There are more but those are the ones that are standing out right now.

- You can sign like a pro now. Good, all done, more and food are your most commonly used signs. We are working on Toilet, Mama and Dada at the moment.

-You know your body parts as well. You can point out your eyes, ears and toes so far.

- Speaking of toilet, you are already using the potty like a big boy. I am soo thrilled and proud by how well you are catching on. I have no set goal as to when I hope to have you totally potty trained though.

- You are starting to fall asleep on your own now. You no longer need me to sway you anymore... Where has my little baby gone?

- I think what is most exciting to me is that you are able to come up to me and sign "food" when you are hungry. The fact that you can now REALLY communicate with me like a big boy is soo amazing. I no longer have to guess what you want or need because you can tell me yourself now.

I am a little late on this update. Just three weeks from now you will be 18 months old. Like I said  before, where has my little baby gone!

16 months old

Time is flying and honestly I can't keep up with it or with you. You are growing so quickly! What have you been up to this month?

- Talking non stop. I still don't know what you are saying most of the time. Although you have learned how to say Caillou. 

- You love to give kisses. It is amazing to wake up to your little face every morning with your lips puckered waiting to give Mommy and Daddy kisses. 

- It's officially pool time and you love the water! Your water table and kiddie pool are a life saver!

- Circles! You love to spin in circles over and over again. 

- You refuse to wear any hat that I put on your head but you love to put on Daddy's hat. You put it over your face and bump into walls all day long.

- You have 9 teeth that are fully out and 7 that are poking their way through.

I love every moment with you and I am so excited to see what you are doing next month.

 

15 months old

I have to admit I have been a little behind on your updates and I totally forgot to even do a 14 month old update on you. So lets get this started...

- No no no no no! I think you have found a favorite word. You also know how to say hi, hey, what, Mama, Dada, baby, water, one and uh oh.

- You love when we count your toes and you can now point to your toes and say one.

- You love to dance. Cutest thing ever!

- Everywhere we go you have to get a new ball. Footballs, basketballs and bouncy balls have taken over our home. You can even point out every ball in your books when I ask you to.

-You love broccoli, green beans, carrots, tomatoes, peas and corn. Pretty much any and every veggie I have given you to eat you like.

- Self feeding with a spoon and fork is getting a lot better and you love to drink from a straw.

- We have slowly started to introduce the potty to you. I hope that by the time that you are 24 months you will know how to go potty like a big boy!

- You can give kisses and pucker your lips. My absolute favorite.

- You are becoming more cuddly. You like to lay on us while you are relaxing and watching Caillou!

- You love going on afternoon walks with Mommy and Daddy.

I know that I am forgetting so much. You change so much everyday that it's so hard to keep up with all the new and wonderful things that you are learning to do. The one thing that will never change though is how much we love you.

Paper Mama: Family

I love this photo. There is nothing sweeter than witnessing your baby see the ocean for the first time. Loved our time in California. Can't wait to go back.

 Love my boys.

Photo bloopers

I probably have taken over 5000 photos of Oliver since he was born. This one tops the list of my favorites. It was taken on Christmas last year and I think that it's a classic. Definitely one that I will be pulling out 15 years from now and showing all the girls. I love the unbutton jeans.

Linking up with Growing up Geeky for TAT topic: Photo bloopers.

TAT: Favorite Photo

Linking up with Growing up Geeky at Toddle Along Tuesday! I have so many photos that I love that it's so hard to choose. This is our most recent from our trip to California where Oliver and I both saw the ocean for the first time.

For the first time...

I want to start off by saying that you have an amazing grandpa that loves you very much. I am very thankful for grandpa Juan. I know that he will always be there for you, he has been there from the very beginning. He was there the day you were born, where he slept in the hospital waiting room over night just to see you come into this world. It is a blessing to have somebody come into your life and take on the responsibility as a grandparent.

There is alot to my story. The story of my life, my family and where I came from. There are many people that you have never met and may never meet that have impacted my life. Someday I will sit down with you and answer any questions that you may have, if you ever happen to have any. With that being said, yesterday was the first day that you met your grandpa. By grandpa, I mean my father. To be completely honest, he never knew of you until yesterday. He never knew that his baby had her own baby. There are many things that have happened in my relationship with my father that led us to become almost strangers to one another. That made us grow apart and move in different directions. I never stopped loving my father though. He has been and will always be the first man I have ever loved.

I want to say that I do have some wonderful memories of my father growing up. He took care of us. He gave me the wonderful home that I grew up in. I have so many memories in that house. That is the house that I lived in when I met your father. That is the house that your father used to chase me home from school to when we were 8 years old. But eventually we all grew up, people moved away and my whole world changed.

Yesterday was a very difficult day for me. Your great grandfather who I have not seen in almost 3 years passed away. It is unfortunate that you will never meet him. But I have so many memories of him that he will forever live on in my thoughts and prayers. I truly believe that people never really die. They are forever with you in your heart and mind. It is heartbreaking to lose a family member, but they do live on forever. As my grandpa will in the many hearts of loved ones.

We lost someone very important. Someone that is loved very much, but we also gained a bond. Whether or not my father decides to be involved in your life, he knows you. He knows that there is a wonderful, beautiful and amazing little boy named Oliver. A little boy who looks like his daddy with his grandpa's dimples! My little boy. Although my relationship with my father has not been the best, there is no looking back on the past and dwelling on what can't be changed. I can honestly say that becoming a mother has made me a better person in every way. Being your mother has helped me heal as a person from all the people that have hurt me or left me. Loving you Oliver, has made me complete. I no longer feel the need to hate or hold grudges towards anyone.

I will never forget how happy my father looked when he was holding you for the first time. I will never forget the love that I saw on his face for you. He never had a son, but he does have a grandson. I think that we are all very lucky to have you in our life Oliver.

13 months old.

We spend everyday together - laughing, crying, playing and learning. You are getting so big and learning so much everyday, you never fail to amaze me with all that you do. You are definitely ALL BOY, that's for sure. You run into walls, climb everything in sight and bump into every object in your path. But you never care, you never cry! You get back up and keep on moving. You are so strong and I admire your willingness to try new things.

What are you up to now!

-Your walking is so much better and now you are starting to run!

-Pasta is your favorite food.

-You love to climb everything. You are very determined to climb the sofa that you have even starting pushing objects in front of the couch to climb onto.

-You have 8 teeth still and I believe that your molars are making their way in as well.

-You love to point to every picture in your books and say "Dada."

-You love Twinkle Twinkle Little Star!

-Finally you are starting to fall asleep on your own.

-For some insane reason you love to wake up at 3AM and stay up until 5AM. Hopefully this ends soon.

I love watching how much you are changing. I love looking back at old photos of you and realizing that you are no longer a little baby anymore. You will always be my baby, but you are growing into a little boy now. It's not always easy to capture the perfect picture anymore. You are definitely a little mover and a shaker!

12 month and 2 days!

Well it's official, my little baby boy is 1 year old. I have always thought about what it would be like once you turned a year old. i often wondered what it would be like to be a mother of a toddler, not only a toddler but also a boy toddler! You are quite the challenge sometimes I have to admit. You test my patience on a daily basis. You have quite the personality now and I am constantly having to watch you at all times to make sure that you are getting into trouble! But I wouldn't change a thing, you are perfect in every way and I love you!

What have you been up to this month!

-Walking, walking and more walking. You walk everywhere now. You don't like to even be held anymore because you want to walk everywhere.

-You can say no, what, dada, mama, baby and a few other words.

-You got your second haircut and you look so handsome!

-I honestly believe that you are a man of steel. You run into walls, fall and flip all over the place and you just get back up and keep going without a tear. All I can say is you are boy, ALL BOY!

-You eat pretty much everything that we eat now. Pizza, pasta, you name it! You love green beans and tomatoes right now.

-Your birthday party was on Sunday and you got alot of wonderful gifts. So many people love you!

-You love to dance and shake your head yes and no.

-There is something about our bathroom that you just love. I have no idea why you are so obsessed with our shower?

-You love to open and close our bedroom door. It has become quite the pass time for you.

-You are becoming very interested in books. You love it when I point to a cat or dog and bark or meow.

-Sprout pretty much has control over the TV now. Kipper, Thomas the train and Sesame Street are your favorites. Elmo is now your best friend!

I am so excited for what is to come in 2012. Soon you will be talking even more and I can't wait! Mommy and daddy love you so much!
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11 months and 6 days

Once again I am overdue in writing your update... Sorry. Although I am very excited to announce that we are less than a month away from your birthday. Like I always say it's hard to believe that you are growing into a little person and becoming less of a baby baby.

What have you been up to this month?

- Number 1 on the list has to be walking! You are all over the place and I mean ALL OVER THE PLACE! It's so cute to see your little wobble butt run around the house. You started walking at 10 months and I am so impressed by how far you have come since than.

-Your new favorite toy is your Alphabet train that you got for Christmas. You can sit and play with that train for almost 20 minutes straight! Yes 20 minutes is a long time in baby world.

-You can say mama, dada, baby, whoa and yeah!

-Yes I do let you watch TV. Favorite TV shows are Sesame Street, Calliou and anything that PBS has on.

-You love to hide underneath everything. Your favorite places to go are under the kitchen table and chairs and under the jumper.

-Nose picker! You love to stick your tiny little finger up your nose.

-You like to throw all of your toys over your baby gate. Our kitchen is full of blocks, balls and bottles!

-We are starting you on whole milk and my goal is to have you off of formula by February! That is going to be such a money saver for us!

-You are climbing everything! You are such a little boy, it's amazing to see how fearless you are becoming!

In 3 weeks you will be a year old! I love you and I can't wait for all the amazing things that are to come this new year with you!

10 months and 6 days...

I'm a little late again. With you and I being sick for the past 3 weeks and having to prepare for Thanksgiving, I just didn't have the time.

But I am starting to have mini heart attacks when I think about the fact that in less then two months, we will be celebrating your first birthday. You have changed so much in the last month. It's amazing, mindblowing and breathtaking to be able to witness you and everything you do. I am so very greatful that I am able to stay home with you to watch you learn and grow.

What you are up to this month.

-Sesame Street has become my savior and your new best friend.

-Mama and Dada are your favorite words.

-You are now over 22 lbs and 29 inches long.

-You love the water!

-You have taken a step or two here and there, but I don't think that you have too much interest in walking. Why walk when you can crawl faster than a freight train?

-You can also stand unassisted for quite a long time. Well at least until something on the floor distracts you.

- You love to clap! All we have to do is say clap and you already know what to do.

- It has become nearly impossible to change your diaper and cloths. I dread it everytime!

- Your top four teeth are cutting through. You look like such a big boy with your upper teeth whenever you smile.

Were almost to toddlerhood. I'm so excited to see all the wonderful things that are to come in the next month!

The Paper Mama Photo Challenge- Smile

Photo Challenge: Faces

This one is my favorite,  I just love his smile!

9 months and 4 days old... to be exact!

So I was slightly slacking on your 9 month update, but only slightly! Regardless of the fact that today is the 26th, here is what you are up to this month!

-CRAWLING! You are finally a crawler and a mighty good one. You started crawling on September 22nd, just hours after I posted your 8 month update. At first you would only move a couple of feet forward and give up, but after a week you were moving all over the place.

-You can now stand unassisted for up to 10 seconds before falling flat on your bum! I don't know if you are ready to start walking but you are definitely getting there!

-You love your big sister. No one can make you smile like your Cameran does!

-Cruising, you can cruise back and forth on couches, tables, chairs you name it! If you can pull yourself up on it, you can do it!

-You are starting to become slightly attached to familiar faces. If you are thrown into a situation with tons of people you don't recognize, you have been known to have a mini meltdown! For the most part though you still love people.

-You can clap when we clap and sign "more" when you are eating.

-There are a few songs that you and I can't live without. "My child me and babyfirst tv" is on the top of the list. As well as "Hey there Delilah" which has been one of your favorites since you were only a few weeks old.

-Your favorite word to say is still Dada!

-You finally got your first haircut! It's not a drastic change because we love your hair so much, but it is out of your eyes and even on both sides! You look so beautiful!

-Your baby cousin Chloe is finally here! She came on the 12th of October and she is gorgeous. I know that the two of you are going to be best friends forever.

9 months old, I can't believe it. It feels like just yesterday I was seeing you smile for the first time. No matter how fast time flies, I will always love you and see you as my little lovable baby boy!

8 months old today

You are eight months old. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?!

All things considered, eight months is not a very long time. It has flown by so quickly that I don't think I have even had time to grasp the idea that we have an 8 month old. Your father and I have especially enjoyed the last few months with you. It feels like somebody flipped a switch in your brain when you hit six months. Every day, you learn something new.

What are you up to now?

-You are almost crawling. I don't know how much longer until you actually get it down, but I believe that we are more than half way there. You can get on all fours, rock back and forth and throw your whole body forward. You don't get very far and your pretty little face gets most of the impact, but it gets the job done for now, at least.

-We have been working with you on your reading videos/books for the past four months religiously. We now can put two flash cards with words in front of you and you can successfully pick the right word. So smart!

-You love Carrots, Sweet Potatoes and Squash. We are now working on finger foods which is going fine, but you have me on the edge of my seat during every feeding.

-You love to laugh at everything. Sneezing, coughing and burping are your favorites!

-You like to growl at people, why you ask? I don't know?

-You no longer enjoy your Baby Einstein Jumper anymore! So I think that baby Chloe will be receiving your present some time soon! Hopefully she enjoys it more than you did.

-Diaper changes, wardrobe changes and bath time have become quite the challenge. You are a little wiggle worm that it has become almost impossible to get you ready for the day.

-You love everyone. You're growing up to be a little social butterfly. You don't cry with strangers and love to be around people. You must have gotten that from your Daddy.

It's hard to believe that in the next four months you will be a year old. So much is going to change in such a short period of time. Soon you will be crawling, walking, talking and so much more. Am i ready for all the changes? Maybe. Are you ready? Most definitely!

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