20 Months...

David Scott,
While our last few weekends have been spent playing with friends, visiting with family, and being sick (you had Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease/Virus over July 4th weekend...fun), we have more fun coming up. But first, here's the recap of what's going on with you right now. Currently, you are:
• 32 inches tall
• 27.5 pounds
• wearing size 4 diapers
• wearing 12-24 months size clothes
• wearing shoes size 6-7
• you love books, especially those about animals. You know all of your animal sounds.
• you do not love your power wheels...still...breaking Daddy's heart. :)
• you love music and will start screaming if I turn it off for too long to talk on the phone
• you LOVE, LOVE, LOVE playing outside or just being outside
• you love Lola and love giving her your food. She, in turn, still doesn't like you but will tolerate you only while it benefits her. I still hold out hope that she'll see what good friends you could be an that she really shouldn't bite the hand that feeds her...
• you've watched parts of two movies while it was raining over the weekend -- Despicable Me and Toy Story 3 -- both were cute and held your attention for about an hour each.





• nap-wise, you're sleeping 1.5-2 hours in a mid-day nap. However, you slept for a whopping 3 hours during your nap Saturday.
• starting to carry on very brief conversations. For instance, I'll ask you after I pick you up from daycare if you had a fun day, and you'll nod "yes." Then I'll ask if you bit anybody and you'll say, "bad." Yes, we've had a few issues with you biting us and I want to confirm that you know biting is not nice in the hopes that you won't bite others.
• you are starting to throw more frequent tantrums. To be exact, you threw 5 fits in Target yesterday. You were that kid; and I was the mom who just let you scream while I grabbed the last of my list.

We are really struggling right now with your strong-willed personality and how to discipline you. You've been swatted, spanked (gasp!), given a stern talking to, and been put in time out. Nothing seems to phase you. At all. Perhaps you're too young to "get it," but I'm praying that light bulb goes off soon. We can't just tell you not to so something as that works only 3% of the time. Typically, we have to remove the temptation and redirect you to something else. But you always end up going back to the undesired behavior at least once before you find something else that piques your interest.

You are a non-stop ball of energy and you like to "go go go" as we say when we leave the house every morning. As big of a personality as you are, I cannot wait to see what funny things you will do and say as you get older. I've truly loved every good/bad/frustrating/rewarding day of your life. And although tantrums are not cute, your occasional sweetness makes up for them. With Daddy and me, you will freely give hugs and the sweetest kisses. Oh! Funny story about you, Mr. Congeniality -- we went for ice cream this weekend. You waved at every single person in there, even high-fiving the old man sitting by us. He and his wife just loved the essence of DS. Waving at everyone is something you love doing. And I swear, for some of these people, having you wave at them, specifically, makes their day. And it makes me proud that you're so congenial. One of your teachers told me last week that you were one of the most well-rounded kids she's had in her room. Proud Mama Moment. Keep them coming, kiddo!

Love,
Mama




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19 Months...

David Scott,
You turned 19 months old a week ago. Please stop. Seriously. I never understood why people talked about their kids growing up so quickly. I mean, the kids were getting older at the same rate the parents were, so what was the big deal?




The big deal is #1, there's a difference between growing up and getting older. And #2, you really do grow up too fast! Sometimes I think my heart could just burst with love when I'm watching you sleep or when you come and give me a kiss. And yet there are others when you are trying my patience like never before and I still love you. Part of it is my job, I guess, as your mother, but it's so awesome to think that you were created specifically for your daddy and me. Just us. And that makes my heart want to burst too.




It's hard to believe you will be 2 in less than 6 months. Currently, you are:

• 32 inches tall
• 26.5 pounds
• going at a speed of Mach 3...everywhere...except on your Power Wheels...which you still seem to be scared of/hate
• cutting the first of your four 2-year molars
• eating everything including crayons, but not (collard) greens -- which I don't cook, but they serve them at Brown's Landing where we frequently eat at on trips to North LA.
• identifying animals and saying the sounds they make. When I picked you up at daycare one day this week, I found out you know more animals than we thought you did -- iguana, yak (which I don't think I could even ID), fox -- as Ms. Vanessa illustrated with the flash cards. So smart!
• starting to say compound words -- Rainwater (ra wa wa), outside (but you pronounce it with an "s" at the beginning), lawnmower (mawnmow), and too many "easier" words to list
• you wave at strangers and flirt with females when we go places. Mr. Personality.
• you can name all the members of our family as well as your teachers and classmates at "school"

A couple of recent funny daycare stories about you:
A few weeks ago, Ms. Vanessa was fixing snacks for the class when she noticed you were not visible. A minute or so later, she found you. Under the table. Eating her lunch. And just today, Daddy picked you up from daycare. Ms. Vanessa was relieved to see him as she said you were "lost" again today. Do you know where they found you? In your classroom's bathroom. Standing in the toilet, splashing around. Yes, son, you are That Kid. And we love you!

Love,
Mama

Pow-pow Power Wheels...

David Scott is officially off the paci. Yay! We started the process a week ago, poking holes in the tip the first two days. Then we began cutting up the tip and then cutting off the tip. On Friday, when DS threw his paci at us over dinner, I could see the end in sight. He didn't ask for it or seek it out at all.

Sunday was a very rough day for David Scott. He whined, only wanted to be held, and whined some more. And despite the bad mood that wouldn't go away, we made it through the day without giving in. No more pa-pa.
Scotty and I wanted to do something to reward our sweet boy. So after picking him up from daycare yesterday, Scotty took DS to Toys 'R' Us to get something. They came home with a variety of balls (football, soccer, and basketball), an inflatable pool, a Power Wheels, and a balloon. Spoiled? Maybe. But we're ok with that. DS has thoroughly enjoyed playing with most of his new toys. I'll post a video tomorrow, but for now, here's a pic of him asleep with his balls tonight:



Baby boy is growing up so fast.


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Animal Sounds...

David Scott has become quite knowledgeable with his animal sounds. Nightly (and many times before bathtime, too), we'll ask him, "What does the _____say?" He usually responds correctly, although you'll see that the lion, tiger, and bear (oh my!) all sound the same. Enjoy!

And...this is my 100th post!  Woohoo!
 

My pa-pa...

So, David Scott appears to have an addiction...to his paci, which he has affectionately started calling "my pa-pa." His dependency -- to this degree, anyway -- just happened, like in the last few days. Just so I won't forget (how could I, really?!?), a few funny musings involving the pa-pa:
Scotty and I will frequently pull the paci from DS' mouth, randomly, with no reaction whatsoever. He typically continues on his course, paci-less. Not this weekend. One day, Scotty plucked the paci from David Scott who promptly cried out, "Took my pa-pa!". We nearly died laughing so hard at the reaction we got from the addict.
Last night, like we do every night, we put DS to bed while he was still awake. Normally he might cry out for a few minutes, but most nights he'll go right to sleep. Last night, though, maybe b/c we had been in North LA for an extended weekend, The little man cried. And cried. And cried. And screamed. And finally, after more than 30 minutes of listening to this on and off and the cries getting progressively worse, we heard what he was calling out, "My pa-pa! My pa-pa!" His favorite paci -- the one with the monkey on the end -- had fallen out of his bed and was lying on the floor. The tragedy! We went in there, rescued the pa-pa, and all was well.

You know it's bad when your child gets hysterical when the paci/pa-pa is nowhere to be found. When there's a specific paci and it, and only it, will do, there is a problem. We tried taking away the paci about a month ago. And we were doing well-- went about 3 days without the paci. Then DS got sick. And we caved and gave it back. I've already consulted the Farmer's Almanac for the best day to wean and June 14th is circled as pa-pa day at out house. That is the day we'll begin taking away the paci...for good. Over the following week, we will gradually cut away the tip of DS' bff, pa-pa, and eliminate any lingering need for it. I know I'm making light of it, but we all have dependencies we'd like to get rid of or good habits we'd like to get into. This will be just one of those "changes."

The paci will not be included in future pictures. So for posterity, see pics below

The one that started it all -- tiger/cat paci - Christmas 2009 - 5 weeks old...



About 3 months old...snoozing...



Halloween 2010...11 mos old...


Happy with paci nearby...14-ish months...


Early morning paci...


At 17 mos...taking a break for a drink...and sitting in a cabinet...



Bye, bye paci.

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18 Months...

David Scott,
You are 18 months old. We watched your Uncle Brad (Uncle B or just B) graduate from college this weekend; I remember when he was born. I know that in the blink of an eye, we'll be watching graduations for you too. Man -- I don't even want to think about that now or I'll tear up like I did when watching a commercial about some computer thing the other day. Anyway, you had your 18-month well-baby visit with Dr. Kelleher today. You are currently:
• 26.2 lbs
• 31.5 inches tall
• wearing size 4 diapers but it may be time to move on up to 5's
• still wearing size 5 and 6 shoes, 12-18 month and 18-24 month clothes. However, it should be noted that you frequently wear some cotton-y pants to sleep in; they are size 3 months. It's hilarious...they are almost knee-length on you now but they were so big when you wore them just 15 months ago. Daddy makes fun of me for putting you in them, but you look so precious in them!





• saying so many new words: cold, sit, Doodle and Shadow (Mamaw and Mimi's dogs), Deuce and Suzy (Boo and Dusty's dogs), Annie (one of Gran and Papa's dogs), pool, pa-pa (what you've started calling the paci), not nice (said with much enthusiasm and sometimes a finger wag!), bad (usually to Lola), wa-wa (water), Mimi, Mamaw, car and truck (and you know the difference between them. We haven't seen an El Camino yet to get your take on whether it is a car or a truck.) You literally had a conversation of indistinguishable phrases with Daddy yesterday evening. It won't be long before you're speaking in complete sentences.
• loving your Papa, who might be your second favorite person -- behind me, of course. No one else exists when he walks into the room. It's sweet; he adores you as well. Everyone does. Even the check-out ladies/girls at the grocery store.
• running everywhere and just last week you learned how to jump, which is so entertaining to watch.
• are a leader in your class at daycare/school. I say that b/c you apparently let your classmates onto the big kid playground (for the second time) so you could play on the big kid slide last week. I was picturing the escape of inmates from prison when your teacher was telling me this. They say you have so much personality and energy. Ya think?!?
• able to "wash" your hair when you're in the bathtub. Mr. Independent. It reminds me of a book I read as a kid called "I Can Do It By Myself."
• loving Jello as a snack at Gran's house. You and she even have a special dance (the jello wiggle) that is done when enjoying it. So cute!

Speaking of dancing, several nights a week we will break it down in the living room. We find a song on one of our phones and you'll go to town with your smooth moves. You love music and will frequently clap to the beat (or close to it) if a good song comes on the radio. This makes me happy. You also love books. Specifically, we've read "Brown Bear" a thousand times if we've read it to you once; you also like "Goodnight Moon." I hope you keep a love for the arts as you get older.

You still play golf in the backyard every day, much to the delight of Daddy. Also, you seem to be pretty coordinated and will play basketball in your room. You go nuts when you make a basket and we just egg you on with encouragement and multiple high fives.

Also at your appointment today, we got the go-ahead to start trying peanut butter, chocolate, and strawberries. Your palate is about to thoroughly enjoy this expansion!

Life with you continues to get better and better with each day that passes. And although I can't wait to see what kind of person you become...I'm just not ready to watch YOU walk across that stage just yet.

Love,
Mama


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Being a Mother...2011

Sweet boy,
We are presently playing outside with you as we enjoy this beautiful Mother's Day...my second one with you here in the flesh. Lots has changed in the year since I wrote my last Mother's Day post, or more specifically, you have changed so much. You are nearly 18 months old and are just a ball of energy. You see and hear everything and Daddy and I both have to constantly remind one another to, "don't say that" or, "don't do that". Everywhere we go, there's always something more to learn, whether it's identifying an item, or what color something is, saying someone's name, or how to do a task. A mother's work is never done. Literally. Figuratively. Seriously. And one day when you become a father to my grandchild, you will understand. But right now you don't, and that's okay because there's plenty of time to grow up. You're growing up quickly enough as it is.

Overnight it seems you are really testing boundaries so we're really getting a taste of parenting and not just being the givers of your care. And although I know you will be testing your limits for the rest of your life, it would be great if we weren't constantly having to tell you to "get out of that drawer" or "thank you for bringing me the cell phone charger that was charging my phone." :)

However, when you say, "Purple!" and you're correct or when I ask you, "What does the elephant say?" and you make a trumpet sound, all the frustration and time and effort make it all worthwhile because I know you really ARE learning and absorbing everything going on around you.

I am so blessed to be your Mama and I really do love every minute of it. Dirty diapers and tantrums will pass (hopefully), but I will always be here for you to teach you, to guide you, to challenge you, and to comfort you. You will always be my little monkey, no matter how big you get.

And just to let you know what we did today, I made breakfast (yes, I did), then we went to J. Alexander's for lunch (always an experience with you at this point), then went to the mall to get a few things. One of those things was a gift from you and Daddy -- a facial cleanser thing that apparently has three different models, which must have confused Daddy as he was looking for this particular item. :) Once we got home, you drank the remainder of Daddy's strawberry icee which got everywhere, so you got an impromptu shower in the backyard. You peed all over the place and pooped a little too. We could not stop laughing at what was happening. So we brought you inside for a real bath which you always love. The perfect day for me...


Love,
Mama


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