Spring Update

Has it really been 4 months since I last posted an update? Lots has happened since then, including a certain someone turning a whopping one year of age. AJ's birthday passed without a lot of fuss, but we were fortunate enough to spend the prior weekend with Dominic's family at the farm for their traditional New Year's gathering. Suffice it to say AJ made a few fans that weekend. His cousins and aunts were so nice to him, spending quality time and getting to know his funny little personality. Grandma Moll made a scrumptious chocolate cake and no surprise, AJ ate every last crumb of his piece, surrounded by a dozen family members cheering him on.


AJ started walking about a month ago. It went pretty fast. One day he decided he was ready to take a few steps, and within a week he was walking almost entirely. He was SO proud of himself... laughing and throwing his arms in the air before collapsing in a hug. It's amazing how this new found independence has changed AJ. He toddles around keeping himself entertained for long periods of time. He's pretty good at knowing right from wrong (ie staying away from steps). And to our knowledge, he's never eaten one single marble, despite having many opportunities.

His sunny personality hasn't changed. His smiles and giggles come easy, and unsolicited kisses are frequent. Getting him up in the morning is one of my favorite things ever. How someone can go from soundly sleeping to grinning ear to ear in a matter of seconds is a mystery to me, but I hope it never changes.

He's also discovered his temper. Take something away from him, like a cell phone, and he'll flail and scream and fuss, with a devastated pouty lip, scrunchy face and streaming tears. It's hard getting him out of those little funks. The trick is finding something more interesting to distract him. Often these little displays are related to food. Like if he's finished eating and others still have food on their plate, look out.

Yes, the kid loves to eat. His appetite knows no limit. If we allowed him, I think he could eat the same amount of food that Dominic and I eat. I'm not super worried about his size (he's been plump his whole life), but his absence of the "full switch" is definitely something I hope he outgrows. I'm sure his newfound mobility can only help. His pediatrician says he's in the honeymoon phase of eating, and most babies become picky eaters around now. Obviously she hasn't spent much time with our little AJ! We shall see.

Developmentally, he's changing daily. I've always been amazed by his fine motor skills and hand/eye coordination. Give him a new toy with buttons or moving parts, and he'll have it figured out pronto. Lately he's been impressing me having success with simple puzzles and shape sorters. I think he's a smart little guy.

He follows commands like "give the duck a kiss and put it in the water," but he's not saying many words of his own yet. Just tonight he imitated me making dog noises, that's the first intentional "talking" he's done. Well, I guess he's be saying didda (kitty) for awhile too. Mamma and dadda are sporadic. He's also starting the point and "uh" thing that all babies do before the verbal explosion.

AJ and Dominic have a special relationship. Sometimes AJ gives D an expression that seems to be an inside joke. Like there's something funny unsaid and only the two of them get it. I've said from day 1 that AJ has Dominic's personality, so it doesn't bother me that I'm sometime the odd one out here. AJ and I have plenty of special bonding moments too!

Cohen is 3 1/2 and almost waist-high to me. Sometimes I forget he's so young, because he can hold quite detailed conversations. Granted, they often default to trucks, water fountains or the time he threw up. Even so, it's fun talking to him.

At daycare they're making their way through writing the alphabet. They've also started Friend of the Week, in which the kids take turn being "special" for the week... choosing which songs to sing, getting to walk in front of the line, etc. They're continuing cool field trips, most recently to the movie theater to see Gnomeo and Juliet (Cohen liked the movie "theodore" experience, but thought the movie was too long) and Science Center of Iowa in a few weeks. Last week one of the moms organized a night out at Playground for Kids. The kids had a blast and I enjoyed getting to know the moms better. Interestingly enough, the nicest moms in the bunch happened to be moms to Cohen's closest friends!

Lately Cohen's world is one giant episode of Minute to Win It. Today's challenges including walking across the kitchen with a frisbee balanced on his head, trying to bounce a ball into the catfood bowl, and tossing an assortment of toys into a laundry basket. Each game is preceded by "You got a minute, to win it. good luck." and "The game begins in 3, 2, 1..." Each time he wins (which is every time), he celebrates like he's the big winner of a million bucks.

It's interesting to see the dynamics of Cohen and AJ. AJ puts up with whatever. If Cohen wants that toy, fine. If Cohen wants to go first, no biggie. I have a feeling it won't always be that way. When AJ feels strongly about something, nothing will get in his way. Softie Cohen will be no match when punches start being thrown! Most of the time though, Cohen is loving and gentle with AJ, trying to teach him new words, skills, etc. When they're playing well together, AJ is amazed by Cohen.

They're so different from eachother. For example, we went to the mall playground last weekend. Cohen stood by our side for several minutes while acclimating himself to the heavy crowd dynamics. AJ was fearless, never once checking to see if Mom and Dad were still around. Another example. Every night after bath, Cohen snuggles with me wrapped up in a towel. AJ is off to the races the moment he gets out of the tub. The heck with snuggling, or even drying off for that matter. And the eating and sleeping... just completely different.