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13 months old!

Maverick, at 13 months old you are a busy, busy little boy. Here is what has been happening in your little world this month:

- you love to babble. I can't say that you have any particular "words" yet, but you seem to be trying to copy or repeat us on some. We *think* we have heard: dog, ball, up, that, button, bug, and of course mama and dada. For everything else it's just "ooooooh" and pointing.

- you love cars! All the fun boy toys you got for your birthday you love to play with and you roll them across the ground, the tile, the arm of your carseat, wherever you are and make "car" noises by either doing "vroom vroom" or blowing your lips.

- you LOVE airplanes and not only have to point and stare at them when they fly over and you are playing outside, but you also make sure everyone else notices as well. Whenever you see a plane you are sure to get my attention and make sure I see (and get excited about!) it too.

- you fell down the stairs for the first time this month. My bad. We have a gate at the bottom and I always put you over and you go all the way up to the top by yourself no problem with me right behind you. I am guessing when you got to the top and realized I wasn't there you turned around to come and get me (cause you are sweet like that) and fell down.I was in the kitchen getting your bottle and heard a couple loud thuds and then you crying and it scared me half to death. You had a big goose egg on your forehead and a bruise on your arm and hip. Tula was standing on the stairs and when i got there her eyes were as big as pie plates from seeing the whole thing. She was yelling "You okay Maverick?" Your big sister is always looking out for you. Needless to say it will be a long time till we try that again.

- you love to sit in chairs, if you can't get into it yourself you will hit at the seat of it and say "that" till I put you in there. Then you like to move all around in there and give me a heart attack thinking you are going to fall off. You have BIG SMILES when you get to sit on any sort of an adult chair.

- you are a bit of a screamer. You have a temper, no doubt. If you don't like or want something you have a scream that would shatter glass. Loud and clear, we get it when you are not happy. You will also try and smack things out of my hand if I try and offer you something you don't want. You get VERY frustrated with me when I am not understanding you, and although we are still working on a couple baby signs to make this stage a little easier, nothing seems to have caught on yet so Mommy plays lots of guessing games with you!

- digging in the rocks. The weather has been cooler here the past couple weeks and you and your sister spend most mornings outside. You love, and could for hours sit in the rocks and dig, pour them from one cup to the other, and load up your Tonka truck and push it around. There have been a couple mornings I have put you out after breakfast and other than me bringing snacks to you haven't seen you again till lunch. I love watching you through the window lost in playtime and wonder in a moment alone or with your sister. You love your Cheerios in the morning, but as soon as you are done and I set you on the floor you immediately walk over to the patio door and bang on the glass till I open it for you and let you outside.

- you are a very independent little guy, I guess you learned this from your big sister. You love your alone and quiet time. You go to bed very easily right now, a bottle and a little snuggle and I put you in your bed totally awake and you go to sleep on your own. Love you for this:) Easy bedtime=happy Mommy.

- you love to clap and are starting to figure out dancing. You think it is funny to do, but when you and Tula start clapping or dancing together it is hilarious to you. I have a couple fond memories of driving in the car and turning around to see you both clapping together, huge smiles on both of your faces. You guys are two peas in a pod.

- oh, you love the television. I don't know if it's a guy thing or what. Your sister was never as in to it as you are at your age, but to be honest I don't think I really even turned the thing on much back then. Tula is older now and has a couple shows she likes to watch but you will sit and watch anything. Sometimes you will go and crawl into your guys' tv chair and point to the tv and "ooooo" till I catch your drift and go turn it on for you. You will lean back in the chair and relax like you just put in a 12 hour shift somewhere and get lost in whatever is on the tube.

-you are waving "bye bye"

- you are my cuddle bug. You still will just come over to me, especially if I am down on the floor with you guys, and lay your head on me. You like to wrestle too, you will sit on me and giggle if you want to play. You love to be touched, any physical contact and you are a happy guy.

Happy 13 months Mav John! Love you!

Goodwill

This afternoon Daddy and Tula went out together to fix Daddy's truck and Mommy and Mav got to run a couple errands together, alone, which was actually sort of a fun treat for both of us. For me, it's just so much easier doing that kind of stuff with one kid, but for Maverick, he loved having all the one on one attention, me talking to him and telling him what everything is, and lots of kisses. We had to take a trip into our local Goodwill store and I put Mav in the Ergo so that he could be nice and close. He still loves to ride in there, and although he is getting pretty heavy, I love having him close like that.

We were waiting in line to pay for the cool new Christmas train set we found (yay!) and giggling together. Playing one of Mav's favorite games, where he sticks his finger in my mouth and I pretend to bite his finger off and he laughs hysterically until we do it again. I couldn't help but notice the lady in line in front of us watching me, so I looked up at her and smiled.

"That is so sweet," she said. "My son used to love that game too." Her eyes were misty.

I did the usual small talk, 'Yeah, he loves this game" or whatever.

"My baby is 20 years old now, and he is in Iraq." And it was apparent she was trying very hard not to cry.

I did not know what to say, and regret to write that because I just didn't know what to say I really said nothing, except maybe, "Oh?"

You see, the first thought that came to my head, right or wrong, was "I am so sorry" but then I just didn't think that was appropriate. I hardly think these people over there want their loved ones to be accepting apologies for their brave and heroic acts. Then i thought to say "Thank You" but it just seemed so selfish as I was still able to cradle my baby safely in my arms and hers was a million miles away. I wanted to thank her for raising a man strong and good and brave enough to be willing to go to places like the Iraq and fight for freedom, whether it be his own or someone else's. She must be so sad to have him gone, but she should be so proud.

What a special reminder today of how little boys grow up to be great big men, but they are always their Mommy's baby. Oh, it hurt my heart to see her eyes well up, I couldn't imagine her pain. But I could sense her pride too as she spoke of him and that somehow eased the hurt for her a little.

She got to the front of the line and asked the Goodwill employee what they do with all the clothes they cannot sell, because he son had phoned her from Iraq and said "Ma, you gotta do something or send something, the kids here wear just rags and they have no shoes." She told the story as colorfully to the employee as it had been told to her, and seemed just as every bit concerned about it as her boy was. How incredible that this young man isn't only over there, life on the line he is phoning home brainstorming with his Mommy about how to clothe those kids.

I am so fortunate to have been behind that kind lady today at Goodwill. She and the story of her son really struck a chord, and I can only hope and pray that I am able to raise such thoughful, wordly children. What a gift, in so many ways, has she given to the world. I wish I would have said more to her in that line...there was so much to say. But I have a feeling that she rests easy anyways, with or without the encouraging words from others. Knowing that she did her best with what she had, and he is doing the best with what he has, and inspiring others to do the same.

A big girl bed for Tula!

We spent the day today arranging and rearranging furniture to finally put a big girl bed in Tula's room. She has been ready for awhile I think, but I wasn't ready to give up the convenience that the mini cage offers. There are still times that it seems the only reason she goes to sleep is because she has no where else to go, but that just has been so rare lately it didn't seem like enough of a reason not to make the switch. Plus, her new thing is after her bedtime story she wants whoever is putting her to bed to "lay down" beside her on the floor till she falls asleep. We figured if we were laying there anyways, which we always end up doing for her for a few minutes, we might as well make it comfortable for ourselves. So, without really a plan or knowing we would do it today, we had nothing better to do so we decided to make the switch. We actually ended up emptying Maverick's furniture out of his room and returning it to Costco, where it was purchased. I know, crazy that they would take it back, right? But it had been less than a year since it was purchased and there were drawers falling off the track already and it was just clear to me that this would not be transitioning with him from crib to toddler bed to full...it wasn't going to last. Plus, we just don't have the space for all these cribs. We have decided that we are going to stay in our home for a few years, we were waffling back and forth for awhile about moving while the market is so crappy but we just really love our house and all the friends we have made in the neighborhood have really made this location invaluable to us. So, when baby #3 comes (which, no, it is NOT on the way at this point) but probably in the near future, that will mean Tula and Mav will be sharing Tula's room she is in now. So, her crib set and furniture came into Mav's current room, and it will be the nursery for the next baby, and Tula now has a double bed with, really no furniture at this point. We are planning on buying her a dresser at some point this week, something neutral and big enough for them to share. And then hopefully we can get rid of her rocking chair soon too and create some space in the bedroom for them to have toys and play in there. Right now, Tula is big into her dolls, feeding them, reading to them, singing to them, dressing and changing their diapers. So this will be her little play area up stairs, where she can be a Mommy in her own bedroom.

Tula seemed very excited all day as we were going through the motions, she liked picking out her bedding at Ikea and sheets at Target, talking about her big girl bed. She loved seeing that big bed and jumping up on it and playing while we were all working and moving furniture and her and Mav had the room to themselves. At bedtime, as you can see in the pictures, she had turned on the tears, but I think it was because it finally occurred to her that all the fun was over and it was just a bed and she still had to go to sleep. Soon we will begin transitioning Maverick into the room with her, and they will more than likely share a bed as well, until they want to sleep separately. I loved having sleepovers with my sisters as a kid and I just like the idea of them being together through the night until they chose otherwise. It's hard to believe that even if I were to get preggo today, by the time the next baby were in the picture we would still only have one kid in a crib. I have loved the last year the feeling of having a houseful of babies..one in each room. The two cribs just made it feel like the kids were so little. And a big girl bed just makes it feel, well, the exact opposite.

Tula seemed to go to bed okay, John put her down and read a story and laid there for awhile then left. He said she was still awake when she left but she has been in there for an hour or so and we haven't heard anything yet so I guess she put herself to sleep. Yay!

Looking forward to lots of nighttime snuggles with you Miss Belle! Congratulations on your big girl bed, hunny! What a big step! Maybe bigger for Mommy then for you, but a big step anyways! Sleep tight, baby girl. Love you.









This is not really this finished product but I wanted to share some pics. We went with black and white bedding to keep it neutral for when Mav moves in, the pink sheets were to get her excited about it but those will probably go when he comes. I think we will end up painting in there...I am thinking a warm, sunny yellow would be fun for both of them and a nice change. We will probably do another white dresser just to keep it kid"ish" looking but I don't think we will buy her any sort of a bed frame at all in case them sleeping together doesn't work out and we end up having to buy twin beds a lot sooner than expected. So, I will post pics when the room is totally complete but here's how it looked tonight. She thought it was pretty spectacular!

Love these times!

...and they are fleeting! When babies fall asleep during play. I left Mav downstairs (he had had an early nap) yesterday and Tula and Daddy were sleeping and I was upstairs. It was quiet for too long and I came downstairs to find this...







oh, how precious. How I am going to miss this when they are all growed up.

You Sleep, I Dream

Maverick,

I wrote this in the hotel watching you and Daddy sleep together after a long morning in Disneyland. I don't normally share this kind of stuff, poetry can be so personal, but I sort of loved this and so i am putting it out there. Sometimes watching you sleep inspires me to do great things, or tiny things. Either way, you and Tula are my inspiration for everything. I wrote this for you. Love you. ~Mommy

You sleep, I dream
Your comfort is my peace
While you rest, I breathe
Same air, sweet relief
You sleep, I dream

My angel, no wings
Take flight in your sleep
You slumber in my arms
I hold you in my heart
My angel, no wings

Your presence, my gift
Your life, through it I live
My world in your hands
Your wish is my command
Your presence my gift

And with every rise and fall of your chest,
I fall deeper.

Oh Maverick...

Mommy has been putting off and putting off doing you "monthly update" for...months now. Gosh it didn't seem that way. But the summer has been so busy and we have been go, go, go and I just haven't made the time for it I guess. Luckily, I have been taking lots of notes and making mental checklists. Now, before I forget anything or lose one of these pieces of paper I have laying around with this valuable information chicken scratched on it, I will put it here to be forever remembered.

You turned 10 months old a few days after I left for Brazil. Obviously the big one for this month was that your were done breastfeeding. I left on my trip not really sure what would happen when I got, but GG gave you lots of love and said after a few days you were fine with just a bottle and by the time I came home, 9 days later, you showed no interest whatsoever. You were a little more clingy, for sure, but I would like to think that that was just cause you missed me so much, in general. And of course you had GG, Papa, and Daddy around for 9 days so lots of arms to carry you. While I was away, your top 2 side teeth came in, so when I got off the plane and it seemed you had that much more of a mouthful of teeth, of course it just made you look that much older to me. Plus, you were STANDING on your own. That was a big deal too, I remember seeing you standing there thinking you had grown a foot since I left. At 10 months old, you started clapping, walking while holding someone's hand, and really started to play and interact with your sister. You being able to stand up really brought you to her level, you could stand at your little tables and play together and it brought your play time to a whole new level. The best thing that happened at 10 months old, and really while I was away, was that you started sleeping through the night. I guess with nothing to wake up crying for it was pointless, so you just stopped waking altogether. You sleep from about 8 at night till 7 in the morning, and Mommy is a new woman now that I can finally have a full night's sleep again.

So I was home from Brazil for about 2 weeks and then we left on our summer and family vacation to Canada. You turned 11 months old while we were there. I had written down that you STILL liked to be carried everywhere, that you would eat pretty much anything (you have always been such a great eater) and that you loved to snuggle. I guess because you were no longer nursing but wanted to have you own way of physical touch with me, you have become my little snuggle buddy. Sometimes, during play, you will still just walk or crawl over to me and put your head in my lap or hold my leg or anything to get close to me. You will lay in bed with me and let me scratch your back, something you never used to do. I eat it up, I love how attached you are to me and lots of times, if I am in the room, I am the one you want. You are fine if I leave as well, you seen very confident and fine to be left, even with a stranger or sitter you don't know well. Maverick, you are a people person. You love everyone. Reminds me of someone else I know....:) At 11 months old, you learned how to give kisses, and you loved the attention you got when you did it so it was one of your big tricks for awhile. You won't do it as often now, I guess the novelty wore off, but in Canada you had these bid, open mouth slobbery kisses for anyone who asked you for one. At this stage you also learned how to tickle, and you loved to tickle us and your sister, you think you are a pretty funny guy when you do. You were creeping and walking along furniture most of the trip to Canada, and when we left BC and headed for Calgary for a few days it was there, days after you turned 11 months old, that you took your first steps and started walking. You had been trying and trying for awhile, and once you figured it out you were on the move, no looking back! You still like to be picked up form time to time, but walking has been hue in your independence, and of course making it ALL THE MORE fun for you and Tula to play. You can both push the shopping cart and the stroller now, you like to chase each other and wrestle, and you can play out in the playhouse with her. You are no two little kids running around together and although you will always be my baby boy, I love having the two of you older at this point and getting a break from the "baby stage". We never really got one between you and Tula, we never got to put away baby gear or get comfortable sleeping through the night, there just wasn't the time between you. This month, right before your first birthday, Mommy went crazy and put away all the baby toys, sold your walker, washed up the highchair with the tray and put it away. Now you sit at the table with us in a restaurant highchair and Tula sits at a chair with a boosted and we have meals, the four of us together, at the same table. It is wonderful, and of course you like being in on the action too. I LOVE having a de-cluttered house and getting rid of all these large plastic primary colored things. Slowly but surely, this place is looking more like a home then a daycare everyday.

You got lots of fun new "boy" toys for your first birthday and of course you loved them all. I know I have said this before but you are SUCH A BOY. I have noticed the difference for months in the way boy babies and girl babies are and I really didn't think it could be so obvious but it is. You love to watch and inspect how and thing functions. You will twist your head at all angles when I am loading you into your carseat to see the chains move as the garage door is going up. You will ohhh and your new thing at 12 months old is "pointing" and it's usually at anything like a motorbike, boat or truck. You take your new cars and love to drive them across the tile floor...I don't get it. You love the new digger you got for you birthday, you have figured out how to operate it and when you cannot figure it out you get so mad you scream. Yes, at this stage I am really starting to see a new side of you and you have quite the temper, Mister. If I give you a cup of milk and that's not what you wanted you will get so mad you will try and hit it out of my hand. If tula takes a toy from you you will scream till you get it back. Oh yes, you are not talking yet but you have figured out ways of letting us know what you like and what you don't, and you are very clear on that. You love to climb, I have alreday found you up on the couch by yourself and on top of your play table downstairs. Your favorite place to be right now is up on my bed, you love to crawl around on it and bury your face in our pillows, or hold onto the headboard and jump on the bed. This month I actually feel like I can walk away from you up there, for a short period of time. You seem to understand edges and ledges and won't go near them, as if you know you could fall off. Sometimes you and Tula will be playing up there and you still get way to close for comfort. But no falls yet, thank God.

Now that you are one, you love to copy your sister. Yesterday we were driving and she stared clapping so so did you, you thought it was so funny you were doing what she was. Oh yeah, just after your first birthday we turned your carseat around so you are now forward facing. We also took the bumper pads off your bed last month as well. You love being forward facing in the car and being able to see Mommy and Daddy, and of course the TV when we turn it on. We let you and Tula watch the tv in the Tahoe for the first time on our way to Disneyland last week and you guys basically stared at it for 2.5 hours, non stop. You thought it was the coolest thing ever to be driving and watching tv, and of course it helped we had your monster trucks on:)

A big change with you being one that Mommy wasn't quite ready for was you decided you were going to start napping only once a day. Tula was almost a year and a half when this happened so I thought I had a little more time but it's actually been a much easier transition than I thought it would be. The first week was tough because you wouldn't go down at 9 anymore but you couldn't stay awake till Tula's afternoon nap. I am used to you going for your morning nap and Tula and me usually doing our thing downstairs and then you get up, we have a couple hours and then you BOTH go down at around 2 and Mommy gets some alone/me time. When you went to one nap a day, you wanted to go down around 11 and then sleep for 2 or 3 hours and get up just as Tula was going for her nap. Not cool. That time in the afternoon that is kid free is not negotiable for me right now. It is what allows me to clear my head and regroup, so after a week or two of training you, essentially, by just keeping you up, you seem to be much better with it. Still, if we go in the car or something in the morning you might have a quick nap, but usually you go down at 1 and sleep till about 4, and Tula goes down at 2 and sleeps till about the same time. Afternoon naptime makes for one happy Mommy! And you not sleeping as much has actually made life a little easier, we are not so stuck to the house, especially in the mornings, and we can get out and about a little more. Plus, I love that by the time you get to go for you afternoon nap, you are so exhausted that you usually just fall asleep in my arms as I rock you. At nighttime you have a bit of bottle and just want your crib, you seem to prefer to fall asleep on your own, but naptime you just crash, and I get a couple minute hold a sleeping baby that wakes up to be a bigger boy after every time he sleeps. It is a very special time for me, and I cherish those minutes every day.

Well, I think I am all caught up Maver. Mommy and Daddy love having another toddler in the house. The other day we went to the pool and for a walk and giggled together as we walked ahead and looked back at you and your sister toddling behind us. It just feels like we have two big kids right now, and it is so different for us. We love you at every stage of course, but one year old is such a fun one. You are so independent, yet still innocent enough to not be too defiant or difficult. You are always making us all laugh, including Tula. Oh...with that said, you guys fight now more than ever over toys and playtime. You are best buddies 98 percent of the time but when you aren't look out . She is still the bossy big sister trying to tell you "no" or push you, but you are really starting to figure ways to let her have it or just ignoring her. The fights are few and far between, most of the time you play together perfectly. You guys seem to have such a strong connection and you are often laughing together, even when an adult isn't around. Music to my ears.

Mommy loves you Maverick John. Happy 10, 11 and 12 months all in one!