At 18 months -
He says: mama, dada, papa, moon, key (which refers to the object, to Mickey Mouse and to cookies), car (also the object but the last syllable of Oscar's name), bird, ga, up, da, baba, juice, broom, gigi (binkie), boo (his bear cuddly), socks, shoe, Minnie, boom, vac (vacuum), baa (sheep).
He walks up the stairs, walks down with help, tries to put on socks, climbs onto furniture, scoots off, pushes himself on cars, kicks a ball, high fives, gives fist bumps ("boom!"), points, waves, does some self feeding, starting to use crayon and markers, will put things into the sink, helps unload silverware from the washer, feeds Oscar treats.
He likes;
Mickey Mouse clubhouse (especially Pete,) being read to, cookies, giving fist bumps, broccoli, asparagus, dessert, chocolate chips, dried cranberries, cheerios, black beans, chick peas, goldfish crackers, all the Leslie Petricelli board books, wagon rides, baby gym, kindermusic, playing with the shopkins in Jordan and Mina's rooms, sitting on the potty but not actually doing anything, and only if I sit on the toilet next to him (I know.. I know.. if he wasn't the third kid, I'd be worried too, but at this point, I am totally laid back mom now.) bath time, the beach, the ocean.
Not a big fan:
diaper changes, bed time, being by himself, entertaining himself, being without another human being right next to him at ALL times. He is a wee bit clingy. Thank goodness he is cute.
First haircut.
Random cuteness.
Sweeping, then steam vacuuming (kid loves watching me clean.)
Sneaking into Jordan's room after drop off so he can play with his stuff.
We are going on six years now since we moved to Bermuda; and somehow during that time, this guy turned 11.
This was what Jordan looked like when we first moved here. November 2010. At the playground at Somersfield Academy.
And now: January 17, 2016.
How did that happen again?
To celebrate, we had a full weekend of festivities. Grandmas Helene and Grandpa Michael joined us again from New York. This makes their 12th visit to Bermuda!
Ice cream is yummy! So is the birthday breakfast brunch at Bouchee! Thanks for the special treat, Helene and Michael.
Jordan had a birthday movie party at the Specialty Cinema in town. We watched the first episode of Star Wars - IV, "A New Hope." Big thanks to Ana, who handled the booking. After some miscommunication regarding party times, she contacted me later and adjusted the price of the party to reflect the mistake. I never asked her to, she just offered. I love recognizing great customer service like that. The staff at the cinema the day of also should be commended for keeping their cool and carrying on during the onslaught of 15 boys.
Oh look - there they are.
Group shot.
Jeff was the welcoming wagon:
shenanigans.
The Star Wars cake, courtesy of The Marketplace. They did a great job, and given Bermuda prices, it wasn't that expensive.
Loads of presents from his friends.
That evening, we went out to dinner at Portofino - a family favorite. Jordan was serenaded by the waiters, who delight in calling him various names. It's usually Pasquale.. this evening they chose Miguel. They also know he is a huge fan of the Parmesan cheese. When the waiter comes by with it for the table, he heads to Jordan first.
Their desserts also don't disappoint.
This guy was allowed to leave the confines of his cage for a little while as well. Look how nicely he is buttering his bread. That lasted for about 30 seconds. And then he was a disaster. He's not the best age for restaurants yet, but we try in limited doses. Portofino is fabulously accommodating on that front.
The next night was a Monday, and the actual date of Jordan's birth, but he had gymnastics after school. He doesn't get home till after 8, but we all waited to eat with him (well, except Theo..) A cheese plate and wine helped tide over the grownups until we feasted later.
First there was steak. Then there was cake.
I made a two layer chocolate cake and covered it with sprinkles.
He loved it.
Hard to believe that our time here is now marked in terms of "this will be the last time.." But it's true. I'm fairly certain this will be the last time we will be celebrating Jordan's birthday in Bermuda in January!
Before we head into his doctor's office tomorrow for his 15 month check up and vaccinations, I thought I'd try and remember everything the little guy has been up to.
Theo is walking around quite well and tries to run now. He can climb up onto things and climb down from the couch and bed. (He's also managed to throw himself over the crib railing, but that was my fault for not putting it all the way up. He landed on his butt though, which is quite properly chunky, so no harm done. Bad mommy.)
He's trying to dress himself in little ways - like holding up his socks or shoes and trying to fit his foot into them.
He loves going outside. The swingset and slide in the backyard get a lot of use, despite their relatively deteriorated state. The baby wagon we got as a gift for the other two years ago is seeing new use again, as Jordan loves to give Theo wagon rides (and half the other little kids in the complex.)
He knows when it's time to drop off Mina and Jordan to school and starts heading up the stairs; and in the afternoon, I will say, "It's time to go pick up the big kids!" He gets so excited. If I ask him, "Where are your shoes? Go get them, and we can go." He will wander over to the shoe cubby and bring back a pair of his shoes.
It's reassuring to know he understands everything we say to him, because he isn't saying much yet. He will shake his head, no, to indicate his displeasure with something (Time for nap? Lots of head shaking no.) But not a lot of words. That's sort of odd, as I recall Jordan and Mina babbling on endlessly and Mina having full conversations with people at a very early age.
Theo can say "up," "baba," "ga (meaning go,) "dada," "mama" and some sound that is like "dah" to mean downstairs, where the basement playroom is.
I know, you can't compare. Of course we do though.
That's what parents do - whether they are comparing their own kids with each other or one kid to a stranger's. (I do that too.) Theo goes to baby gym every week and loves it. I on the other hand sometimes wonder why he isn't doing x, y or z. I don't notice too many kids Theo's age talking either.
This comparison issue is one more reason I refuse to join organized mommy play groups. I am just over that stage in my life where new moms dissect their kid's milestones with each other ad nauseum. Yes, your 15 month old knows his letters.. congrats. Mine is still just babbling, and I refuse to stress about it yet.
(Sorry if you are a new first time mom. I'm old and cranky, I admit it. Please join mommy groups if you want to. I did when I was younger and I am still friends with some of the women. But when you are my age, you just don't want to hear a young whippersnapper waxing eloquent on the joys of babywearing or breast feeding until the kids are driving or whatever new fad is making the rounds. Older, tired moms like me just want to get through the day, keep their kids alive, fed, educated and independent enough to learn how to pour a glass of wine for their elders at dinner. Yes, on that front, BTW. Go, Mina! Parenting win. )
I will pause long enough to note that Theo is amazing. Every time I take him to the store, inevitably someone will comment on what a happy baby he is. I don't want to jinx it, but he seems like a pretty content little guy. I was worried the stomach scare he had back in August would affect him, but he seems to have gotten over it. Maybe third kids know they have to be cute in order to survive.
We've had to play around a bit with his diet, as too much milk was constipating him. He eats pretty much everything though, or will at least try it. When he doesn't like something (lately that seems to be most proteins) he will get this look on his face and push the food out of his mouth.
I've learned my lesson from Jordan though. I am not sweating it. He eats what I'm serving or he just goes to bed. There will be choices, but unless the meal I'm making is too spicy, I don't make a lot of alternative dishes. His current favorites are anything pasta, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, soups, cheese, yogurt, strawberries, raspberries, pear, grapes. I was impressed he handled tofu last night that was cooked in an Asian sweet and sour soup. But who knows, a week from now he may hate it.
The big kids really get a kick out of him too, especially when he's in performing mood. At meal times, we try to talk to him and get him to point out his eyes, nose, mouth, belly. He can wave and give high fives now. He's also just learning how to "blow kisses." His version is a little odd, but Jordan took a little video of it the other night.
He sleeps great, although he is an early riser. He does one to two naps a day depending on what time he wakes up and whether there are things we have to do that day. We are pretty much using sippy cups all the time now, as opposed to bottles, and he is trying to feed himself a lot (messy!)
He loves to share. That just kills me. He will take a bite of something then hand it out to me or Jeff or the kids and say, "ygum?" I can't tell if he means, "yum," as I am always saying, "yummy"" to him as I feed him. The way he intones it as a question though makes me laugh.
Other random stuff - he's a tall one. Another feature that's different than Jordan or Mina. He's recently gotten into being read to, and will drag his favorite books over to me to read to him. He's definitely more physical, in terms of trying to do things. He's more adventurous, and thus less cautious about risks (throwing himself out the crib, leaping off the steps in the front of the house.) He gets very attached, and will cry when someone he loves leaves him - thus making school drop off every morning so much fun. He's got almost all his teeth!! Including molars? How is that possible@? Unfortunately, he's prone to biting, which may be to alleviate the pain in his gums. I'm working on getting that to stop, but he's resisting. He still has a noticeable bilateral inversion of his feet. Imagine a ballet dancer's feet turned outwards. He doesn't seem bothered by it, and at his last check up his doctor said it would correct itself. It hasn't yet though.
Not looking forward to the shots tomorrow but I'm glad to be able to go in and talk to his pediatrician here on the island. She's wonderful, and I'm curious what she things about Theo's progress.
We just returned from a Walt Disney vacation in Florida, and I already want to go back. I have become such a Disney junkie over the years. I think I may love it more than the kids.
We went during our "Mid-term break." This is a distinctly UK tradition that is followed here in Bermuda, wherein the kids get a week off in October. Since no school in the US has this holiday, it is wonderful time to go visit massive theme parks like Disney. I personally lost track of how many Brit accents I heard whilst we were wandering the parks. (Yes, whilst is a word. See what I did there?) Did I use it right? Brit friends, help me out.
It is an especially fantastic time to go if you want to see Disney done up for the fall.
This is our dear friend K, who is the absolute best person in the world to travel with, bar none. Seriously. When the sh-t hits the fan in my own life, I ask myself .. how would K handle this? She is that good.
I'm not really sure why I love this place so. Disney is over the top, expensive as heck, and absolutely mental in terms of planning, hyper stimulation and consumer spending ... but still...
We had the best time.
Does is make any sense to bring a one year old? Heck yeah.
Did we have an awesome time with our fabulous friends? Oh yeah.
Was trick or treating at Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween Party cool? Yes!!!! (even in the rain.)
Does Disney think of crafty ways to get you to buy their products. (I'm looking at you Memory Maker.)
Kidding aside, I do love Disney. They know how go do it well. All of it. We have done it with the kids several times now, and each time, it seems to become more fluid. Our first time was a complete disaster, of course... Jordan in the Disney hospital with a raging fever, flu across the board spread to friends with us, money wasted .. Etc.
Since then, we've worked out some kinks...
I'm not going to pretend it was easy traveling with a 13/14 month old. The airline flights alone (for us, it meant two plane rides both ways) were brutal enough to make the most seasoned parent nervous. While it's nice that his entry into the parks is free, throwing him into this mix meant accepting some sleepness night, some overstimulation, and some fussiness from the extreme change in routine.
And he was constipated. Enough said.
But we kept our expectations low and were lucky to be with understanding friends who pinched in and helped make the experience memorable for all of us. And on the plus side ... His screaming in the security lines at the airport became a fast pass of its own. I am not joking. They pulled us out and got us through longer lines than I have ever seen.
And of course, at Disney, having an infant means you can legitimately use the rider switch program. Combined with a fast pass, it is just about the quickest way for a group like ours to go. Extra bonus points for the kids tall enough to go as solo riders.. (I am telling you, our friends have taught us the best Disney tips.)
Added discovery - the infant care centers located in each park. I took advantage of one on our first day at Epcot, and brought Theo in there for a diaper change, a cuddle and some down time because he was over stimulated. The place was amazing - quiet and serene in the midst of KA-POW happening outside. Anything you need for a baby is there (diapers, formula, baby food, basic first aid care, changing tables, little bathrooms.)
Apart from private nursing rooms, they also had a room set to the side with Disney movies playing on a low volume to keep the slightly older siblings occupied. I had read about these in the Unofficial Walt Disney Guide, and was so glad I remembered. After the big kids and adults had finished their ride, they met Theo and I and we regrouped. Theo was calm again and we could venture forth.
We visited the parks we wanted to see, prioritized our rides and adventures, and made the most of what time we had. The magic band system, particularly when used as a guest at an on site resort, is awesome. Our super savvy Floridian friends booked us all at a great on site hotel (Tree house villas - the three bedroom option for those staying at the Saratoga Springs Disney resort). With our own cars, traveling between the parks and the room was much simplified.
There's so much to say about each individual park, and the best way of navigating them. Much of it depends on what your group consists of and what your priorities are. Like I said, I really kept my expectations low. Since we have done Disney before, done the character breakfasts and reservations at fancy restaurants .. for this trip, my only goal was getting Theo to see Buzz and Woody.
Really. That is it.
Having accomplished that, I sat back and watched in awe as my big kids ran off and tackled the Tower of Terror, Test Track and Mount Everest expeditions. We let them run off and do their rides and meet us back at designated locations, so I could manage the baby.
And just as I thought they had all and grown on me, I saw this happen:
Disney brings out the kid in all of us. Even the kids.
Especially the kids.
Other highlights:
- The Food and Wine day at Epcot. Yes, I would like the three wine pairing and cheese tray, thank you. Sushi and pineapple sake? Go on then...
- Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party fireworks and Boo to You Parade;
- The Kilamanjaro safari ride at Animal Kingdom (done this three times and I still love it.);
- Beating Jeff's score on the Toy Story Mania Ride;
- The creepy crawly effects on the "It's Tough to be a Bug" ride at Animal Kingdom. Very cool.
All I want for Christmas is a Disney Annual Pass. I know, in fact, I am quite certain, I can make it economically feasible within year.
I love this outfit he put together. And they say that boys clothing isn't as cute as girls.
Now, back to reality.
This clip has been making the airwaves for a week now, and I've watched it numerous times. Personally, I think it's just God-awful parenting in action and disturbing on so many levels. I used to be a fan of the show, but I've sworn it off now because I think this train wreck needs to end.
Unfortunately, I had my own Kate Gosselin moment tonight, and I don't mean I went and had my nails done with the American Chopper guys, or got a free tummy tuck, or hairplugs for my husband.
Jordan was in rare form at dinner tonight. Both him and Mina feed off of each other, instead of the food, once they get on a bad behavior roll. This night was no exception. We employ the "three strikes and you're in time out" routine. It usually works. But after both of them got two strikes within minutes of each other, I realized things were escalating to the point of no return way too fast. So I threw in an added consequences, issued with a stern warning:
"If you get three strikes tonight, you will get a time out, and dinner will be OVER. No more dinner. I will take it away."
Cue the barely disguised chuckles and smirks behind the cups.
Now here's how I know women are just biologically designed to outlive men. We're smarter, have better sense, and actually possess the basic survival skills needed to outsmart threats to our well being. Mina - who has the capacity to be just as fresh as Jordan - immediately shut up and quickly began eating her food. She also worked on getting on my good side, and asked for some extra soup. She sat there calmly, sipping on the soup and not making another sound. She knew I had reached the boiling point.
Jordan, on the other hand, has no survival instincts to speak of. He kept acting up - little, annoying things done just for the sake of attention. My repeated warnings fell on deaf, and deafer ears.. until finally, I just got up, picked him up and put him in the naughty chair. While he screamed away, I cleared away the rest of his dinner - leaving only his milk.
He finally quieted down from time out, we discussed why he was sent there, and he returned to to the table. Where all hell broke loose once again. Seeing that his plate was cleared, he lost it. Completely. He began screaming and begging for food. Begging! Like this kid has ever shown an interest in food before.
He cried, and screamed and sobbed. Naturally, our kitchen windows were wide open, so the neighbors got a good earful. I kept wondering what I would think if I heard my neighbor's kid begging for food. Especially since Mina and I continued to sit at the table and eat our dinner. He just stood there next to me, sobbing.
Yep, there we were, eating. I sat there eating my dinner while Jordan cried away for his. The whole time, I sat there thinking about Kate Gosselin. Every bite I took felt bitter and painful, as I debated whether to give in and just make him another plate of dinner. Or whether I should hold my ground this once and see if it made a difference.
I held out. He calmed down and climbed onto my lap. While he was quiet, I tried to explain in four sentences what the issue was. (Jeff's aunt gave me this rule over the weekend, and I thought it was brilliant. Make each explanation only as long as their age.) So I said:
"This is our house." "In our house we have rules." "If you break the rules, there will be a consequence." "You were naughty at the table, so no dinner."
He looked up at me, eyes still wet from crying and said,
