16 Months Old

At sixteen months old, our little man still doesn't weigh 20 pounds, but he is definitely getting longer. Lately we haven't been in South Carolina. Since Jason resigned from the church on Sunday, Rocco and I have been staying with Nana Carolyn and Granddaddy Willis. We are moving back to our hometown and starting life anew. Though we'll miss our friends we made there, we are glad that Rocco will now be close to family and grow up knowing them. In fact, he's spent a lot of time with cousin Drew, Aunt Tonya, and Uncle Ben lately. They've babysat him several times since we've been back. He LOVES Drew who is 8 years old. They have gone to the park together, blown bubbles, watched TV, played ball & blocks, swang on the swing, and swam together. Nana and Granddaddy are loving us being here in their house. My parents, brother, and grandparents are happy to see us go from 4 1/2 hours away to just 1 hour away. They've already met us halfway twice for dinner. We'll be staying with Jason's parents until our furniture arrives in our house. He seems to have adjusted just fine with his new schedule and surroundings. Just more people to give him attention. . . he loves it! Granddaddy keeps his bottles clean and filled up and nana lets him walk with her as she uses her walker (due to her broken foot). And having family to watch him has been such a big help, especially since Jason is tying up loose ends in SC. They'll watch him for me. I have to sneak out though. He does NOT like his mama leaving. When I return from being gone a while, he just beams and walks to me. Speaking of walking, here are some of the new things he is doing at 16 months old. . .

1) Walking everywhere - He's even figured out how to hold onto the spindles and walk up a few steps
2) Fake sneezing and laughing
3) Blowing big kisses with his hand "Ooh wah!"
4) Kissing only mama on the nose - he just puts his whole mouth over my nose and says "Ooh wah"
5) Watching The Wiggles and Cedarmount Kids singing videos over. . . and over. . . and over again - each time he's just as surprised and excited about it - he points and with a gasp goes "UHHP!"
6) Copies things that Drew says
7) Lifts my shirt to look at my belly button - he thinks it is funny
8) Turns the light switch down to make the lights go off
9) Enjoys taking the flat, plastic drain off and on in the bathtub
10) Has a great sense of humor - laughs himself silly

Ice Cream Go-T

I love this shot of my little man and his go-T. Eating a chocolate ice cream cone has become a regular part of his night time schedule. Daddy and Rocco are going to get fat if they don't watch it. Then again, at 18 pounds 6 ounces he could stand to gain a little.

Golf Cart Rides

Growing up as a child I remember riding with my dad on the lawnmower. We also had a three wheeler that was so much fun. Jason rode around on the tractor with Papa and Chris as a child. Now Rocco will have his own memories of riding around on the golf cart. It is one of his favorite things to do. With his little finger he'll point outside. We know what's coming. He likes to look and laugh at the cat and then go for a ride. Although we live in a neighborhood, there are several dirt trails that we can explore. Rocco loves to steer when we tell him, "Drive." His thin, brown hair blows straight up as the cool wind blows into our hot, sweaty summer faces. Here lately he thinks he is a big boy and prefers to ride next to Jason on his own. It's a sight watching those two breeze through the neighborhood. Sometimes all three of us will ride. I'm sure the neighbors know who he is. After all, he did have a yard covered in signs with his name on his welcome home day. They just wave as we go by, and the dogs give us a barking welcome, too.

Parenthood

Being a parent is wonderful; Jason and I both agree. Sharing a chocolate ice cream cone with each other on the couch, getting it all over your clean pajamas, feeling it drip down your chin, clapping and laughing after each bite. . . life doesn't get much better than this!

Grandparents

Rocco and I met my family tonight for dinner at the steak house. Since we both drove for a while to meet, we decided to go somewhere and spend more time together. The park was the perfect place for our late afternoon get-together. Even though it was in the 90's, we had the best time playing. We tried out almost every slide they had. Rocco just loved sliding with his Uncle Tyler; this was the first time that he actually enjoyed sliding. After they came down, Rocco would lead him back again for more of it. They tried the tunnel slide, curvy slide, the tall steep one (this one got his breath), and the triple slide (Tyler, Rocco, and I all went down side by side on this one). Little man also enjoyed swinging and eating some watermelon. It was a great visit. The cool thing is that once we left there we were able to go back and see his other grandparents. We spent most of the week with Nana and Granddaddy Willis. All of these grandparents LOVE Rocco and shower him with hugs, kisses, and much attention. Is he spoiled? No. Just loved a whole bunch!!

Going down the tunnel slide. . .

Rocco and Uncle Tyler on the curvy slide. . .

Eating some watermelon with Mimi

Music or Sports?

Rocco really impressed us today with his athletic skills. He's just learned to walk a few weeks ago, but tonight he was multi-tasking. He'd pick up the ball while he was standing, walk with it, then throw it. The most amazing part was that when I bounced it on the kitchen floor to him, he would catch it. Playing any sort of ball is right up his alley. Watching him toddle around brings us so much joy! He's definitely the star at our house. It looks like he might get his dad's athletic abilities. Jason and I have always kidded each other about what our child will do when he grows up. Being the band nerd I was, I assure him that our child will love music. He, on the other hand, insists that no child of his will be in the band but rather play football like he did. Of course we know deep down that we'll support Rocco in whatever he wants to do. Jason cracked me up when he jokingly said, "Yeah, I'll be one of those band booster dads driving the U-Haul van with all of the instruments while my high school friends make fun of me." In order to appreciate this, you have to get Jason's humor and know who his old high school friends are. Either way, I know that Rocco will have his parents' support, even if it means Jason driving the band bus or me putting on some football pads and practicing with him in the backyard myself.

Lessons in Science

Yesterday as we picked blackberries, we found ourselves in the middle of a food chain. We were careful to watch for snakes, while the hawk that squealed above our heads was searching for them. The snakes were slithering about looking for the rodents that were enjoying the blackberries before we came along. When we view the beauty of God's creation I try to make an active effort to talk to Rocco about science. Although he is hearing words like predator, food chain, and habitat, he can't quiet say them yet. Give him time. He's learning fast!




Today we had a play date with Jennifer's two boys, Hayden(5) and Chase(3). The gardens we visited were absolutely beautiful. Little man would not let me put him down; he was glued to me. We still enjoyed looking at the various species of trees and flowers and watching all of the wonderful animals that consider this place their home. Ducks, turtles, large gold fish, tiny minnows and squirrels were active and busy today. A squirrel put on a big performance for us as he built his nest. Rocco thought he was funny when he jumped from branch to branch. We'll have to read some books today that go along with our adventure. The animal books seem to be his favorite right now. Those and the John Deere farm books. . .

All of that exploring can make a little man tired!

Everyday Events

Rocco enjoying his new crayons. . .

When his mouth puckers like that, you know he is hard at work!

Jason's off day is on Friday; we try to spend time together as a family and enjoy the simplicity of life. Here are some events of our day:

1) tossed the tennis ball back and forth out in the garage

2) bought some brand new crayons and tried them out

3) picked blackberries behind our house

4) rode the golf cart aroung the neighborhood

5) made homemade pizza for lunch

6) took a nap together

7) all 3 of us played peek-a-boo under the covers, laughed, and Rocco gave us love and kisses

8) went to a baseball game

9) enjoyed bath time and played on the changing table afterward (his new thing is patting his belly)

Four months ago today was the day we first met Rocco in Vietnam. God has forever changed our lives with this miracle of life. I am forever grateful that God has allowed me to be a mom.

This is Rocco patting his belly after bath time.

So much to be happy about . . .

Second Baseball Game

Rocco had his second experience of going to a baseball game tonight. It was a church wide event. He was upset that we wouldn't let him go on the field. We play ball so much at home that he thought he should be a part of the action with the big guys. When the big four wheeler (Mule) rode onto the field he made his surprised look and gasped, "Oop!" His little finger begged and pointed, but of course he couldn't ride. He's used to the good life at our house. We're always taking him for a ride on the golf cart. The big mascot still scared him a little; he did give him high five though.

Piano Man

Many young kids go to Kindermusik to interact with instruments, music, and other children. I've been before with a friend of mine and her twin boys, and it is wonderful! Rocco and I have our own version of it at home. I'll take Rocco into our music room (we don't use our dining room for the usual purposes), and I'll turn on the CD player. Immediately he grunts and points to the piano. He prefers to make his own music. Today he played AND held the microphone while he sang. He would sing a few "La, La, La's" into the microcphone, hear himself throught the amp, and then laugh. Don't let this picture fool you; he had a great time. Honestly, I think he's tired of the camera though! I'm sure he thinks, "Why does mama have to get the camera everytime I do something?" After he tired of sitting at the piano, we got my acoustic guitar down. I played a song and made up one for him with is name in it. He scooted off to climb the stairs, but he was still listening. Every now and then he would chime in with me and sing along, too (even though he was tangled up in the sheets that were on the floor and needed folding). I would have taken a picture of that too, but my camera battery was dead.

Rocco is on his way to becoming the Renaissance Man. Not only do we spend time playing instruments, but we also read books and play ball a good bit during the day. I want him to be well-rounded kid you know. I love the fact that he now picks up books on his own and wants to get in my lap for me to read to him. Every day is a new adventure with Rocco, and I am loving every minute of being his mom.

Morning Routine

How much better can it get? Not much according to the look on his face. Clean diaper, warm milk in a bottle, DoodleBops on TV, and a lounge chair just his size. I had to take this casual shot. We were visiting with Granddaddy and Nana Willis this week. Even though we were away from home we tried to stick to his usual schedule. He loves this morning routine. Check out the bed head and his flexible morning stretch.

Play Date at the Park

First of all I have to tell everyone reading this blog that today is my mom's FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY!! My young mom is getting old, but she's still the best mom in the world!

Rocco had a play date with Claire and Ava today at the park. At his age he actually doesn't play with them, he does his own thing next to them. Experts call this "parallel play." It's still good for him to be around other children though, and I love to play games with the girls myself. We also convinced Nana Willis to come along for the fun, too. Rocco enjoyed swinging, riding the horsey, sliding, going inside the cool cave, putting his feet in the ice cold pond water, and looking at the ducks. What a full adventure we had in less that an hour and a half! It's amazing that he loves to be around horses and cows but he was scared of the ducks. He also didn't care too much for the cold water, but that was probably because the ducks were swimming in the same water.

After the play date, Rocco took a nap. At 3:15pm he had his second hair appointment with Ms. Gloria. I'm sad to report that even after a refreshing nap he screamed the entire time he was getting it cut. As a new mom I can't seem to get it totally together. This time he had not eaten luch yet. Note to self: for 3rd haircut be sure Rocco gets a nap AND has something to eat.

4th of July Slide Show

There's nothing like celebrating the Fourth of July with old friends and family in Small Town, USA. We've enjoyed visiting our old home place this week. Every year Cave Town has a 4th of July parade. City folks wouldn't understand it. It's a part of our culture here, though. Many farmers come out with their tractors, people dress up their dogs, kids ride their old tricycles or 4 wheelers, the fire department clowns walk around and make everyone laugh, and the horses leave a nice present on the road for those that follow behind. The parade winds through the simple neighborhoods and eventually through the heart of the town (past the one red light). Residents bring out their lawn chairs or sit on their porches and wave at the participants. This year we decked out our golf cart and attached a wagon so that Rocco could be in the parade with cousin Drew and friends Claire & Ava. Rocco loved the motorcycles, tractors, and big trucks. Basically anything that moves and rumbles loudly gets his attention and peaks his curiosity.

Swimming with Daddy

Jason and Rocco swam at nana and granddaddy's house. When little man started shivering we got him out. I took his little swimmy diaper off along with his swim trunks. But. . . he wanted to go right back in. Instead of putting cold, wet trunks back on him I just let him go skinny dipping! We won't post that photo though. We will let you see the PG version. He was so cute! This boy of ours loves to be outdoors!

Sweet Tooth

When I grew up I was not allowed to have very much sugar. While most kids my age were eating Captain Crunch, I was consuming healthier brands like Raisin Bran. Not by choice. . . mind you. Looking back I bet it was because of how hyper I got when I ate chocolate or sugary foods. Regardless I'm glad now because my teeth are very healthy; at age 30 I've thankfully never had a cavity. If it worked for me, I figure it would be good for Rocco. I'm not too strict on him, but I did have a few words with Jason when I found out that he fed him a Fudge Round for breakfast one morning. We've only had him for 4 months and I can tell that the sugar war will be one sore subject between Jason and me. He'll give him sweet tea to drink, while I'll opt for water. At any rate, I decided to be a little lax one afternoon and let Rocco see what a sucker tasted like. Poor kid consumed it in record time. He sure made it look good with red drool oozing down his bib. This is Rocco's first time eating a sucker.

Blue, 45, 58, say. . . Hut!

Check out Rocco as he prepares to play football. Notice how he assumes the correct position. I sure didn't teach this to him; I guess he's just trying to play center like his dad used to. At 15 months old I'm rather impressed with his form!

4th of July Festivities

Unhappy Uncle Sam

Drew wants you. . . and your taxes!

Allison and baby Uncle Sam

Aunt Tonya with some Sam I Am whiskers

Jessica, me, and Chloe

Krikett

Sunday's at Papa's house is so much fun during the holidays. This past Sunday we made Uncle Sam hats for the 4th of July. I don't think Rocco enjoyed his hat too much, but the rest of us had a ball making them and trying them on! Krikett, Jessica, Chloe, Allison and future baby, Tonya, Drew, and I got in on the fun. Rocco preferred to just hang out with Uncle Ben and Cousin Chris and eat "Alabama ice."