21 Months - Shopping? Wal-Mart? House Depot?

Whew another month gone by - and this was a big one with lots of changes. You did well of course, although I don't know that any of us particularly like the arrangements at the moment. Your dad started his new job and the week before he did was pretty comical. See, when he first started staying home with you around November he wasn't sure he could handle it. I think you were pretty mean to him but he didn't talk about the details much. Along the way though you guys got to be pretty close - you went to the gym with him, to House Depot, to Wal-Mart, and just hung out at home playing the Playstation or watching tv. It was pretty great for me too - I enjoyed knowing you were home with your dad and getting some good parenting time. We both dreaded having you go back to a babysitter but we tried to prepare you by taking you to "Carter's house" a couple times before you actually had to go to stay. Then, your last week with dad I think it hit him. No more playstation, no more trips to House Depot, and no more dirty diaper duty (ok so that one probably didn't upset him too much). Point is? He misses you - big time. And I miss having him home with you. Your babysitter - awesome. I called the other day because it had been a particularly rough drop-off and you were already on a bike ride, not to mention that they set up the big bounce houses for you and Carter to play on. That being said though, we miss having your dad home with you!



You are getting closer and closer to two years old and big brother status and I find myself wishing for more time on both counts. How can you be almost two? And also, I know this is cliche and every mother feels this way but I have absolutely no idea how I will love this new baby as much as you and I can't help but feel like I will end up doing my best to be with the new baby as little as possible in order to make sure your every single need and want is met. Probably doesn't sound like a bad deal to you, although something tells me that you will adjust to the new little one well and continue being a big helper to me when I need you the most. In the mean time though I will probably spoil you rotten and do everything I can to spend as much time with you as I can - I am even trying my best to finagle a way to be home with you for a few weeks before the new baby comes. Cross your fingers!



I won't write another big paragraph this month about all the new words you are learning but I will write a small paragraph. You ask if we can go "Shopping? Wal-Mart? House Depot?" And usually if you ask long enough we find a reason to go there because you really do ask so nicely. When we pass by my office you say "Mommy, works?" One day you said "Mommy, house?" and I had to quickly correct you. As much as it might seem that way, I do NOT live there! We've even hit the parenting milestone of having to spell out things so you don't get fixated on what we just said. "Babe, will you bring me a c-o-o-k-i-e?" Oh, and speaking of "babe" if your dad or I yell something to the other one in another part of the house you will follow up with "Babe!" "Babe!" to make sure the other one is listening and if we get "discussing" things loudly you will start jabbering loudly in defense of one or the other. It is pretty cute.



This last Friday I decided to take you for a walk to get us both some fresh air and exercise. There is a little park just at the end of the block and after walking down the road we hit the park on our way back. We had been there a few times last year and you liked it but it was still a little "big" for you. When I got you out of the stroller this time though you ran right over, ran up the stairs and went down the slide all by yourself. I was freaking! You went up and down and all around that little playground for an hour before we finally headed back home. I couldn't believe how well you had done and how big you were! That only made me more excited for the house in Kanab your dad found for us which is right down the street from the really cool park where you got a fat lip last time you were there. I'll just have to make sure you don't stand in front of the swings when they are swinging when we go... See, I'm already thinking of you and how I can get us out of the house when we are about to go crazy with a new baby!



I hate taking you to the babysitter. Again, I seriously don't think I could ask for a funner place for you to go. You always tell me that you "like...Carter" and ask about Mitchell and "Kell". I know you like it there once you get settled but I HATE dropping you off - you break my heart when the last image I see is you screaming with your arms out to me. Please, please, please don't remember this when you are older. That's the only request I have of you - you can remember having fun and playing and how much more entertaining the Owens' house is than ours as long as you don't remember your mom walking away from you in the morning. Plus, in a few months when the dust has settled, you'll have your mom home with you more and you may be regretting it! Always remember that we love you and miss you when we aren't able to be with you, but it is all going to work out shortly!



Love you chubs,
Mom