Shopping Tips for Ian

With Ian's pending birthday, I thought I would take a moment to let you know the status of his closet and toy chest. It is certainly not necessary or expected that you give him a gift - he has more than he needs, but I am also aware that there are grandparents out there who can't resist those cute clothes! So in case you are one that can't resist... Ian is shy a pair of overalls that fit, he could probably use some more long sleeve shirts and onsies, and sweaters/sweatshirts would get put to good use. For the pending winter, he needs a skully and some mittens. Oh and socks are in short supply. He is currently wearing a 18 month pant, the onsies should be 24 month (long torso!!), shirts can be 18 month or maybe 24 (I don't think there is much difference). I would guess his shoe/sock size is 3-4. Hmmm... I guess he will also need a winter coat or something like that but it could wait...

As for his toy chest - it's full! I know that it probably doesn't matter and I won't be able to resist getting him a new toy either! So if you want to buy him a toy, then we are trying to limit the amount of technology he is exposed to until he is much older. This just has to do with a silly little theory we have about kids imaginations and attention spans. So we would prefer simple toys - the 'old fashioned kind'. He would love something to pound on, or something he can put things inside each other like fitting the round object into the round hole, etc. He also loves water so bath toys are good - but no more rubber duckies - we have a flock. Books are also always good. For a list of what he has or doesn't have in books you will just have to call.

Again I want to say that you do NOT have to get him anything - just come to the party and carve a pumpkin! Invites going out today. If I missed you and you would like to come, feel free to show up at our house on Saturday October 20th at 3pm.

Oh Yeah - He Says Mama Now!

Life is Good!

I realize I don't write much these days. This is partially because I have started back to school and we are all working on settling into our new schedule. We learned the hard way how important it is to keep Ian on a regular schedule! We had (I had) a couple of sleepless weeks until I got desperate and bought a book on sleep training only for it to tell me to get back on schedule! So it doesn't matter if I don't have class until 11 am - we are up at 7am every day.

So the other reason I don't write much is I only know so many ways to say 'life is great, Ian is awesome, eight more months...'

We went to the doctor today because he hasn't been feeling well (he has a little ear infection) and by the time the doctor got to us I was sweating and red faced from playing 'uh oh'. This game involves Ian throwing his clothes, shoes, toys or whatever he has at hand to the ground, watching them fall, exclaiming 'uh oh' and demanding that I hold him while bending over so that he can pick up the item himself and throw it down again. He never tires of this game. I do.

Life is good. I'll miss playing 'uh oh' when he outgrows it. :-)

Talking and Other News

img_0903, originally uploaded by Elizabeth Windsor.

Today Ian started using two word combinations. Specifically twice he said "Uh oh, Dada"!! I have to admit that I am a little jealous. Mama has not yet made it into his vocabulary. Ah so the vocabulary currently includes: cat, thank you, dada, and uh oh (his favorite). I can't believe how fast it all goes. He hasn't began 'cruising yet' but he will pull himself up on anything now, including just the glass door to the balcony. Such a big guy!!

Ian is Standing

Just this past week Ian has mastered standing. It seems everything is happening very fast all the sudden... I think about all the changes in Ian this past month and I am awed by my child. Shortly after he began crawling he started pulling himself up on things like the side of the bathtub where he could hook his arms and get leverage. But this week he suddenly started pulling himself up on everything with ease. I have also noticed he is starting to think about taking steps while he is up there. Yesterday I saw him reach down to the ground and pick something up that he had dropped without losing his balance. He also supports himself by leaning his belly against the coffee table so that he can use both of his hands. Amazing!! I bet his is walking before the month is up!