I thought we had more of the swimming but this was it. Andrew jumps in though!
Mini vid – I think this was an “oops I thought it was set to take pics not videos” vid, but whatever, here you go!
And this one has some tumbling class action!
OK, that’s it for now. Be sure to scroll down the page for the next videos entries because I just did 3 in a row and you don’t want to miss a thing! The high quality videos from the tumbling class will take some editing and sorting so it may be a week or so before we get them all up. In the meantime be sure to check the May photo album folder!
Paul T was walking and pushing that chair! Then I got the cam and of course all action stopped! So this is mostly him fussing for the camera and me begging him to walk again. lol But there’s some cute shots of Paul T. But hey, aren’t they all cute shots if they are of our kids! Hold out for the cat too, it’s barely audible but Paul is talking and fussing and then stops suddenly. It’s because Andy’s cat went nuts. Andy and Andrew had run to the store (Daddy Andrew team!) and Thunder always goes bananas when Andy leaves.
This is Andy’s sister Rachel with Andrew and her husband (about to celebrate their 1 year anniversary) BJ has Paul T. They just got back from Korea and are leaving for Germany in a week or so. It was the first time BJ has ever seen me not pregnant! I met him first when pregnant with Andrew, didn’t see him again till they got married when Andrew was the ring bearer and I was pregnant with Paul T!
When I got the stuff off the camera this afternoon I realized there are many more vids than I had originally remembered! This will take a few entries then we will get to work on the tumbling ones a little later.
Here’s Andrew showing off his skills at our apartment park. I am the typical panicy mom of course! But he does so great.
Here’s Paul T trying to get in on the park action too! It was so muddy that day.
Here’s Andrew and Daddy playing kick the ball outside, well mostly Andrew! Paul T watching from stroller too.
I am feeling very grateful today. It is such a blessing to have these kids and this husband in my life. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy watching Andrew play and learn. Hearing his voice as he works on talking is like the most beautiful amazing music I have ever heard. Seeing Paul T move his tiny body and the feel of his big wet mouth kisses when he pulls my face to his with his tiny fists are all it takes to make my day. I thank the greater powers of the universe for allowing me this experience. The days slip by so quickly and I just cherish every single one as best I can.
Being a parent so far, I am still less than 3 years into this my most important job ever, has been by far the best experience of my life. Meeting and marrying Andy was the best thing I have ever done and to be able to have these great kids with him and share this with him is like the richest icing on the most delicious cake. Only instead of getting full after eating some, this cake makes me hungrier. It makes me want to eat even more, soak up even more of this experience. This family.
Andrew had his tumbling class this morning and we finally remembered the camera! Andy took tons of videos and even got Paul in some. We’ll need to edit these and get them uploaded before I can make some posts with them. I will do it in a few posts. I still have videos of the swimming I need to get to as well. I will try that now. Paul T is sleeping and Andrew is eating with daddy so I have a moment!
The inspiration for this post btw was rocking and nursing sweet Paul T to sleep, and listening to Andrew play in the kitchen with cans and his toys. I felt filled up to bursting with love and gratefulness and then I felt like I wanted more! I had to share that feeling.
Thank you everyone who reads this for sharing in our journey.
Do you remember being a child and loving the pool? No matter what the weather was, the temperature of the pool water, the state of cleanliness of the water, nothing stopped you wanting to go. This past week we have been to the pool 5 out of 7 days easily, perhaps more. I am exhausted! Andrew and Paul T cannot get enough.
Our apartment opened the pool last Tuesday and we went every day of the week except one. And it was brisk to say the least! The water was so cold even after swimming in it for 30 minutes! We’d do the slow ease in and then get back out and the slight breeze hits your skin so it feels even colder then you get back into the water and it now feels warm. That worked a little but still after 30 or so minutes Andrew’s little bottom jaw was quivering. He’d eventually admit to wanting to get out.
We were going mostly later afternoon like 5pm because it was after naps and Daddy’s work out. I still managed to get sunburned a bit but no one else did. Then one day we went in the afternoon, I think it was Monday since Andy came home early from work for the holiday. I was super paranoid about sunburn that day and we didn’t stay long enough for Andrew’s tastes for sure!
After our first outing we decided to get Andrew some water wing floaties that go around the kid’s arms. I also got one for Paul and I. I sometimes wear Paul T in a wrap or sling into the water but I think most times he prefers freedom of movement so we just hold him. Anyway, the water wings weren’t cutting it for Andrew. His mouth still slipped under and his excitement is always so high that his mouth is open in a big wide grin. In rushes water, he swallows, coughs gets upset freaks out a little. Even with us holding him he’d manage this trick! It was never enough to scare him out of the water mind you but he didn’t feel confident.
Last night we weren’t going to go. Andrew said the water is too cold and he didn’t want to. Then about 5pm he saw the suits on the bed while I folded laundry and decided he wanted to go. I had almost talked Andy into just taking Andrew so I could stay behind and work on stuff. Taking an hour a day for swimming has left me drained and the sink can’t seem to get cleared out completely. But I knew Paul T loved swimming too so to be fair I said we’d come but we were right behind them. I finally remembered to grab the camera for the first time and after getting Paul and I suited up headed for the back door to find Andy coming back in. He said the pool was closed. I didn’t believe him at first but right behind him came a very confused looking Andrew. Disappointed big time!
Andy suggested we all go to the indoor Natatorium in Denton. I was not into it at first! I had so much to do and now a quick trip out to our backdoor was turning into a drive across town and an expense. but Andy said you should have seen Andrew’s face when I told him the pool was closed, so I understood. He was even willing to take Andrew without me and Paul T but I am so glad we went.
Andrew loves the pool but he hasn’t been too confident or brave about the water. He doesn’t like his face going under, he doesn’t trust his floaties, he won’t let us hold him so he can float on his back. We plan to put him in swim classes as soon as tumbling is over to help him.
We took our little water wing floaties with us to the indoor pool but they said they weren’t allowed but they provide devices including vests. Andy suited Andrew up in one and we got started. Andrew and Paul T had a wonderful time. It wasn’t as cold as our pool had been either. There were balls to play with and Daddy held Andrew up to make a basket.
Then I grabbed a noodle, you know the long floating tubes, from the side and told Andrew to hold it. I intended to pull him around on it. It was only a matter of minutes before he realized he could hold this thing and with his vest float freely. He was off! He kicked all over the pool for like 30 minutes! Wouldn’t let us touch him or help him.
Oh it gets better! Andy wanted to take him down the big slide. He’s too small though but just to be sure Andy took him up the steps to measure him. When they got back down, Andrew found a noodle by the side of the pool, he had let his go. Andy came to the steps where Paul T and I were to get in. But Andrew picked up this noodle by the side of the pool and stood on the edge looking at the water. Andy said he’s going to jump and took off quickly across to where Andrew was standing. Andrew had a look of determination and a grin at the same time and before Andy could get to him he jumped! His head didn’t even go under and he yelled out “I did it!”
Well that was that. The next half hour was spent kicking over to the steps getting out going to the side and jumping in then doing it all over again! Couple of times his head went under and he was fine.
We really feel like he is fully ready for swim classes now. They help to decrease fear of the water but since his confidence is up already that will help. Of course he wont’ have his flotation devices but we’ll be there. We’ve decided Paul needs classes too. The baby wants to swim I tell ya!
Paul T takes baths on his own, prefers it usually. I put him in the tub with a small amount of water and he kicks around and dunks himself and rolls and generally loves it. In the pool he seems to want to be let go! Of course Andrew was kind of like that too. He always loved jumping in but we always had to catch him before. Last summer I took him to a pool once just the 2 of us and he kept trying to get me out of the way so he could jump! He didn’t understand I needed to be there to catch him!
OK, so I started this post yesterday and I am finishing it a day later so yesterday afternoon we had to go and get some new floaties for Andrew and take him to our pool. After the rain and it was windy too, it was so awfully cold I could barely stand it! But we had to let Andrew practice his new found skill. And this time we brought the camera and got some pics and vids! I don’t have them yet but I will soon.
And one more thing, Andrew started pedaling his trike last night! Uh oh. Now we’re in trouble…
So much goings on lately! Too busy to even update a blog for our family and friends to keep up with it.
Yesterday Andrew started his first class with other kids his age. We have him in Tumbling for Tots at the rec center. He LOVES it! And if I do say so myself he is one of the best in his class. heehee But we do let him “tumble” all around here so he’s had a lot more practice I bet then most of those kids. Heck he’s been doing forward rolls for a year because we would roll him around on our giant bed! He did learn one cool new thing – backwards rolls off the edge of a mat. And he practiced them off the side of our bed last night too. He only needs a hand to get into position (and he’d rather you didn’t help but if we don’t he falls on his head) the actual flipping he handles himself very well.
We are also very proud of him learning to take turns and waiting for someone to finish on a particular activity space before running onto it. He has a hard time with it but if we remind him he accepts it well, so far.
BTW, he made it across the balance beam without falling off at all! No help! Big Boy.
Paul T got in on the action trying to crawl on mats not in use too. He got frustrated he couldn’t go where he wanted, he often does though. Another kid of ours thinking they are bigger than they are.
The other day at our apartment park, Andrew saw some big kid girls hanging by their legs from the bars and he was right up at them watching and trying to figure it out. Then Andy and I let him try and get it going himself for a while before Daddy went and helped him out. He was so excited to do it too!
Paul T wants to eat! He wants everything we have. No baby we tell him! I made him some steamed organic carrot puree and that he didn’t want so much… hmmmm But the chips and queso he wants! lol He does love apples and bananas which we eat together, me and the boys every day. Paul gets to have the core and chews on it every time we have an apple. Andrew can take BIG bites!
Paul’s newest thing like you’ll see in the pics from May is the chicken bones. Loves them. With Andrew I was very nervous about food introduction. I am cautious with Paul with allergens like wheat, eggs, dairy, soy strawberries and such, but I will not wait on meats like I did with Andrew. Andrew had low iron at 9 months and I think some chicken before then might have decreased that. SO Paul get a chicken bone! He sits and chews on it and sucks on it. I don’t know how much meat he eats, I do leave some on there for him and it is mush by the time I get it back. Heck if nothing else, it makes a great teether!
Paul T is working out a top tooth now. Been poking for over a week! We can see it below the surface and the darned thing will not come out! At least it hasn’t seemed to bother him so much these past few days.
Andy is still working at an office and we are all adjusting. The hardest thing is the getting up early. Not a big deal unless the kids don’t go to bed timely! But it’s already getting easier. No one has been up past midnight in a long time and the latest usually is about 1130. And Andy comes home by 130 at the latest so on the super good days we all nap at the same time but at the very least Daddy will get a recharger.
On Wednesdays me and the boys take the bus to the downtown square for live music and friends and a picnic. It’s also a block from where Daddy works! It’s so fun and I think Andrew really enjoys it. We meet with the groups of people that we usually go to the park with so Andrew has lots of friends to run around with. Lots of big kids to follow around and try and do what they are doing! I don’t always get to sit and enjoy the music because I follow Andrew around the courthouse but we have fun anyway. Heck, the bands aren’t as fun as it is watching Andrew play!
He’s really getting into the concept of “friend” lately too. He knows his friends’ names and will play with them more than just next to them. Now if only he could do that with Paul T…
Everyone who sees Paul T move about thinks he will be an early walker. Andrew was taking steps before 9 months and could walk completely on his own before 10 months. I think that is a bit on the early side too but most people think Paul will be even earlier than that. Well, he does have a big brother to chase around after all! I was also walking by 8 months so it is in his blood. I am still not sure though. A lot of kids feel comfortable with crawling because they are good at it and it is faster and easier and they crawl for a very long time. So we’ll see. Paul loves standing and is starting to really grasp the step taking motion involved in cruising.
Last Thursday we went to a kids concert at the civic center and the Just Between Friends sale was going on at the same time. This is like a big garage/consignment sale for kids things only. Oh we had a blast! We managed to only spend $50 when most of our friends didn’t get out for less than a hundred! Dirty trick having the concert at the same time. The best thing was we finally got a new stroller. The one we’ve been walking Andrew to sleep in was too small for him and truly falling apart. Our “new” one is so much easier to push! Makes taking the kids out for a nightly walk more of a joy and motivation and even if they don’t fall asleep it’s OK, we got our exercise and talking time and didn’t have to wrestle a clunky stroller! We gave the old one away to a family in need and that feels good too.
Andrew is getting into learning numbers and letters. He has been slowly progressing into that for a while but now it’s like he wants to point out every letter and number he sees and say what it is and if he can’t remember it he asks. He tries to read words. It’s so cute. For example, he has a box of Altoids, we call them spicy mints. He got out the box and pointed out all the letters in Altoids, backwards and then proceeded to proudly read it “SPICY.” So cute! We told him what it said of course. He also read the word Tonka on his tool box as TOOLS. I need to make a label for it that really says tools because that one is a bit misleading. We got him some work (play) books for preschoolers and he and I will start finding time for them every day while Daddy is working. We’ve been doing activity books most days and they are a bit too advanced so we’ll see how he does with this one. We also got him some learning sticker books.
It’s hard not to feel overly proud of his drive and progress but I try to balance myself and keep the “good jobs” to a minimum. It isn’t a surprise to see him do these things to him. He knows already that he is capable of anything and everything! If I get super excited and surprised by his skills it might seem like things he shouldn’t be capable of. I give him many a “you did it” without a tone of surprise but a tone of, I knew you would! So important for building self esteem.
Anyway, enough of my psuedo-psychology from parenting books right! Here’s some fun videos:
Hanging with Paul T (Hotrod!)
Andrew on a ride at Chuck E Cheese (actually after the ride, darned slow camera!)
Same trip, playing air hockey with Daddy
Playing at the music on the square with his friends Liam and Kaya (well the other 2 just kind of run by)
And I can’t remember if I’ve put this one up yet. It’s a bit old. He got some sour candies for Easter and I thought he’d react much more than he did!
Hope this greets you all with as much happiness as it was sent with!
These are a few pics Lee took with his phone while he was here and I can’t get them into picasa for some reason for the web album so I’m posting them here. I have a lot to tell about what we’ve been doing too but I’ll save it for the next post.
Hold out for the cat too, it’s barely audible but Paul is talking and fussing and then stops suddenly. It’s because Andy’s cat went nuts. Andy and Andrew had run to the store (Daddy Andrew team!) and Thunder always goes bananas when Andy leaves.
Paul T watching from stroller too.
