December update

Cohen has had a huge learning spurt in the past few months, specifically with his letters. He knows what sound each letter makes, and can recognize certain words (Cohen, Mommy, Daddy and Nathan). One of his favorite activities is sitting with me at the laptop and writing words and names. I tell him how to spell something and he 'hunts and pecks' to find the correct letters. He does great! One time he saw a letter on our counter addressed to Dominic's niece whose last name is Dudley. He pointed to the word and said "Daddy!" Not bad!

He's also continuing to amaze us with his verbal progress. He comes up with some hilarious things. Like, one time Rudy was doing something naughty (big surprise there) and he patiently said "Rudy, stop that." He repeated it a few times, each time louder. Finally he gets in her face and said "Rudy Moll, you stop that right now or time out!" He also calls Dominic "Daddy Moll" when he's trying to get his point across.

He loves Christmas lights more than anything. Sometimes we drive around neighborhoods after school and he oohs and ahs at the beauty of nicely decorated homes. He scouts out the good ones and says excitedly, "Go over there Mommy!" It's funny hearing him butcher the word 'beautiful' as he conveys his excitement.

Our recent quest is to get him out of his crib. He loves sleeping in his crib and has never tried to climb out, but we're getting close to eviction time as the new tenant's arrival gets closer. He does okay in the big boy bed, except when he wakes up in the middle of the night and comes downstairs on his own. To counter that, we put a baby gate on the doorway to his room. Last night, in his attempt to escape, he plowed into it and started crying. So yes, there are a few bugs to work out as we make this part of our routine, but we'll get there.

Potty training, on the other hand, may be awhile. It's not even on his radar.

He's a great little boy, despite an occasional display of terrible two behavior. He makes me laugh 100 times or more a day. I'm so grateful his sweetness remains from infancy. His hugs and loving attitude can turn my mood around in a flash.

My pregnancy is going fine. At this writing I'm 36 weeks and we've yet to finalize the name or prepare the nursery (which sounds worse than it is - it just involves moving the crib to Kraeton's room). Dominic and I are so completely laid back this time, but it will all turn out fine. I have mixed feeling about wanting to go early vs. full term. I have so much to do in the next few weeks (finish Christmas shopping and finish a huge project at work), but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want this pregnancy to be over. I'm huge and uncomfortable. Part of me is a tad scared (terrified) of what it will be like with two kids. Our life is getting easier by the day and Cohen is such an awesome little dude. A newborn will certainly change things. I can't wait to see his little face and hold him and be his mommy! I'm definitely up for the challenge.

Anyway, here are a few photos from recent weeks...

He's standing in front of the first face he's ever drawn. You can see the circular area for the head and two scribbles for eyes. That scrunchy, squinty face is how he says "cheese" for the camera.

He spells Cohen on his own. He got a little help with Moll.

Here's our first snowfall of the winter. Nearly 20"!