Oh be careful little mouths...

In the last 2-3 weeks, CJ has totally EXPLODED with his words. Now we know what people are talking about when they say language explosion! When my parents were here at the end of December he was just starting to put two words together at a time. Now, he can say three word mini sentences (ie. "more water please", "I got it", "CJ/mama/dada do it"). It has been amazing watching him pick up new words, but also very eye opening for me about what comes out of my mouth. I'm not talking about cuss words or anything like that...but hearing a mini version of myself is enlightening...

Example #1: "Um"

I think he picked this up after I was trying to be cute one day playing a game. Backfire, Mama!!! I was listing animals, and would make a crazy face while thinking of the next one say "Um" ("Monkey" "um" (with accompanying silly face) "Elephant" "um" "Lion" "um"...so on) Then I noticed he started using "um" whenever he was listing things, just like I did that one day. So, lesson learned, no matter how cutesy...watch what I say (and do for that matter)!!

Example #2: "Nope"

When correcting CJ I TRY really hard to tell him "no, sir". I guess I must have started saying "nope" as a less harsh way of correcting him?! (When you're saying "no" 50,000 times a day, you look for different ways to say it??) I honestly didn't even notice I was doing it until I started hearing it back. A real conversation example:

Mama: "CJ eat your waffle"

CJ: "nope".

Mama: "no, thank you, Mama" (shockingly picking my jaw up off the ground).

Gotta nip this one in the bud too!! (SIDE NOTE: being raised in the south by northern parents, we weren't expected to say "no, sir/ma'am" but it is something we still managed to pick up and realize that it was the polite thing to do. Now, being in the military (where ma'am & sir is required) and with us moving all over tarnation (where ma'am & sir are not always necessary depending on where you are), JT and I still need to decide if we are going to enforce sir/ma'am or not. Maybe not require, but strongly encourage? (but require "Yes, please." or "No, thank you" vs. "Yeah" & "Nope")!)

Example #3: "Okay"

This one is within the last week. When CJ wants something he will say "yes" after it.

"Manny Snack, yes?" (his favorite snack)

"Choo Choos, yes?" (to watch his newest favorite TV show, Thomas)

"Ani-mals, yes?" (when he wants us to go to the zoo or safari park-spoiled rotten kid!!!)

Well, I guess I must tell CJ "okay" a lot (aka. always give him what he wants for the most part-within reason) because this week he has started saying "Manny Snack, yes? Okay." "Choo Choos, yes? Okay." He just goes ahead and answers "okay" for me. But WATCH OUT if my answer wasn't going to be "okay" and I tell him "no"....HA HA.

Everyday he seems to pick up new words which is so fun! I love teaching him new things and words, but I just need to be more careful and more intentional with every. word. i. say. A couple of my favorite words to hear him say right now are "Oct-Ta-Puss" & "Puff-Fer-Fiss" (Pufferfish) and my very very favorite thing he says right now is "Luv-Vu Mama."

Terrible Twos

Today I had a great time at my MOPS meeting. We talked about family Christmas traditions, and most importantly ways to keep CHRISTmas focused on what is really important. I am so thankful that I've found such a great group of women to get to know in our new city, and for the blessing of these friendships. I was having such a great morning until...

...I went to pick CJ up from the child care. The nursery workers told me that CJ was good for about 80% of the time, and then toward the end he started hitting, punching and pushing the other kids (and grabbing their toys). My heart is very heavy regarding this. I know a lot of this behavior is typical for his age, where he still isn't able to fully communicate his thoughts/feelings. But I just feel at a loss. Obviously things are pretty "CJ-centric" at our house since he is an only child with a stay at home mom. I tell him "no" and don't let him always get what he wants or give in to him when he whines or cries. I really try my hardest to expose him to other kids at playgroups, playgrounds, etc... Example: We went to the Safari Park playground on Tuesday. He pushed a kid and the kid started crying. I immediately made him apologize and put him in a time out (and I also apologized to the mom)...but it just doesn't seem to sink in. I asked the nursery workers today if they disciplined him for his bad behavior, and they said they made him apologize and put him in time out. So I really just don't know what else to do. I feel like it is a never ending cycle: I want to expose him to other kids so he knows how to interact, but I feel like I want to retreat and keep him home when his interactions are so unkind and highly embarrassing for me.

I've debated whether or not to share this on my blog, because without y'all REALLY "knowing" CJ (either not at all in real life or only seeing him once or twice a year), I would hate to paint a skewed picture or have anyone think ill of him. He is really the sweetest boy, who loves giving hugs and kisses, and he has the funniest personality. Always smiling, laughing and jabbering. But I just feel like such a failure in the interaction with other kids department. (I'm crying typing this blog...but a lot of that probably has to do with my pregnancy hormones!) Perhaps we've failed him by me staying home? I know he'd be great at interacting if he just had more exposure. If we can afford it in the new year, we are going to enroll CJ in a one day a week "Moms Morning Out". Hopefully that will help some? Not my most uplifting blog, but please pray for us because this is something that is weighing heavily on my mind right now.

CJ Houdini

I'm still reeling a little from the incident four short hours ago...We knew this day was coming but nothing can prepare you for the THUD and the WAILING cry that occurs the first time your son climbs out of his crib.

We think that the fall scared CJ, but we had a talk with him about asking Mama & Dad "up please" when he wants out. For tonight, we gathered just about every spare pillow around the house and surrounded the crib with cushioning. He is able to open door knobs now, so we double checked that all the deadbolts are locked just in case!!

Now the discussions begin: Do we get a crib tent? "Graduate" CJ to a toddler bed? AHHH!! I thought we had more time! I think it is going to be a long night of worrying tonight, and possibly a couple of long weeks ahead of us depending on changes to the bedtime routine! :(

Operation tire him out

There is a definite correlation between how tired CJ is and how well he sleeps. Makes sense, huh?! Well, duh Lace, ha ha! So one of my goals everyday for us is to have some sort of a morning and an afternoon "activity" to help burn some of the overabundance of energy that my son exudes. It doesn't always even need to be an "organized activity", even just going a playground for 30 minutes is great! I really strive for us to leave the house at least once a day (it is good for both of us!) So if we go somewhere in the morning, then in the afternoon we might just play cars and balls at the house, or run around the backyard. And I also try to consider that if I subject CJ to an activity that isn't geared toward him or playing (ie. grocery shopping where he is just sitting in the cart), that the other activity for the day should be something more active!

Gymboree has been a great place for CJ. He really enjoys all the equipment and exploring everything they have to play with in an environment outside of our house!

Bubble time is a FAVE!! He runs around yelling "Bub-ble! Bub-ble!"

I was so proud because another Mom came up and told me "Your son has the best personality! He is so fun!" I mean, of course, I know he is wonderful since I am his Momma, but it was nice to hear that a stranger could see that something special about CJ too! :) I think at this point, he was the only kid under the parachute, and he was running around giggling!
So on this particular day, when we got home and ate a quick lunch, CJ went right down for his nap! Gymboree just wears him out! Look at how peaceful he is when he's sleeping!! Sometimes when he's napping in the afternoon or even after he goes to bed at night, I sneak into his room and watch him sleep. I pray over him and thank God for His beautiful blessing.
My boy must take after me, in that he is NOT a morning person. When he wakes up (both in the morning and from his nap in the afternoon) he doesn't want to get up immediately. He will sit and read his books and play in his crib. He lets me know when he's ready to get up by saying "Up" or "Mama, Mama!" or by crying.
After reading, CJ picked up his bear and Mickey and gave them a hug! What a sweet sweet little boy!
Then he wanted to share Mickey with his Mama!!
Everyone who sees him in action comments on just how "BUSY" CJ is (even other moms of boys!). Or another comment we get a lot is that he is "ALL BOY!!". My Mom says that he isn't active because he is a boy, but because he is my son and I have always been active! At any rate, I can't imagine changing anything about his wonderfully energetic, fun personality! But I'm still going to do my best to make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to "burn off some steam"! ;) (So he can get his sleep, and get re-energized just to do it all over again!)

Late Mother's Day Recap

My Mother's Day post is late for a couple of reasons.

1) It has been crazy busy around here with guests and activities and move preparations (see previous post)

2) After going through infertility, it is hard to adequately sum up all the emotions and thoughts that accompany this holiday for me.

First of all, I am SOOO incredibly thankful to be a Mom to the sweetest little boy, CJ. I can't imagine my life without him in it, and am so thankful that God allowed me to be his Momma!!

My heart still aches for all my blog friends that are still waiting for their blessings!! The pain of wanting a baby is still fresh to me, and I remember how "Mother's Day" was a hurtful reminder of what I couldn't/didn't yet have. I pray every night for God to reveal His plan for the families of everyone still waiting!!

JT's Mom was here on Mother's Day this year, so CJ & JT surprised the Mommas in their lives with pedicures and a dinner out!

We had a really great time getting pampered together! I got blue toes, and "Nana" got red toes. :)

After the relaxing pedi's, we went out to dinner downtown at The Melting Pot!! What a yummy treat that was!!

I think you can tell that I enjoyed it! :)