Cheek

Took a quick picture this am of Gerrit's cheek. It was a bit swollen (I know, he has chubby cheeks to begin with!). It makes for a good story. The dr. didn't think anything of it - he said it just shows he's a boy and takes risks. I didn't tell him that he was in the basement when it happened with all guys - Adam was there too but playing playstation! :)

(Its not a great picture becuase Gerrit was begging to eat my 'crust' from my pop tarts - which is what is in his mouth. He wouldn't cooperate and let me get a good one of his cheek.)

Endless Job

Gerrit is not a big fan of sitting on our lap and listen to a story. He'd rather look at the book on his own terms. He will spend a lot of time thumbing through a book but is not into having them read to him. I often find myself picking up after this mess is made:


But I've gotten smart and leave it for a few days because I know it will look like this as soon as Gerrit walks back into his room! Its not worth picking up every time he pulls them off, I have other things to do!

Gerrit had his 18 month check up today. He is right on for his height and weight. I forgot his height but he is up to 25+ lbs! The dr. says he's a classic kid - chubby and near the top of the chart early on then once he starts moving more, slims down and is in the middle. When he said slims down I wanted to ask him if he's seen his tummy yet! He looks more like Opah in that area! He did well getting his flu shot and then we had blood drawn. Have to make sure the lead poison question can be put to rest. I wouldn't want to be a lab tech for kids if you paid me a ton of money! That is not an easy job. It took a nurse and myself to keep Gerrit still and then once the tech couldn't find his little vein, I had to switch sides with the tech and try again. Gerrit didn't know what was going on! Poor kid. He was a trooper and as soon as we let go of him, he stopped crying. I don't think it hurt as much as he was scared.

Following the dr. we went for lunch and then shopping. He did get a treat - a little squishy football at Dicks Sporting goods. I couldn't resist - its a little Gopher one and seeing the kid is into football, I might as well teach him how to throw one! (Just kidding).

Melts My Heart

It was bed time for Gerrit and he was busy stacking his cups as he often does. I told him it was time to go to bed and that he should say good night to dad. I suggested he give him a hug before we head upstairs, thinking he'd continue stacking and ignore me or run away so I couldn't get him. He did neither. He stopped his stacking and walked over to Adam and as Adam reached to give him a hug, Gerrit gave him a 'kiss'. I put it in quotes because a kiss (as we've observed) Gerrit style is his mouth open wide and he puts his lips on your cheek. He did this to Omah when she visited and that was the first time I had seen him kiss anyone! Well, he did it again tonight to Adam. Very sweet to see and melted my heart.

We did the bedtime routine and as I was telling him it was time to go to sleep and put him in his crib, I asked Gerrit for a kiss. I was denied. What's up with that? I thought mom's got it all?

Four Letter Word

Yikes! No, Gerrit has not learned any swear words (yet) - it snowed today! It even started to accumulate in the flower beds. It was a very blustery day and made us realize that winter is around the corner - although 60 is predicted for Friday! Gerrit and did not cheer Adam on at his bike race today because of the weather. We went yesterday when it was sunny and pleasant. Friends went too which makes it more fun than just us.

Nothing real exciting happened this weekend except the snow. MSU won, ZM won, Lions lost (no shocker there!). We went to friends tonight for Chili and Gerrit fell 2 times hitting the same cheek on the edge of the coffee table. He'll have a great look going into the dr. tomorrow! I've got the day off because no daycare and Gerrit's next round of shots. We'll hang out at home for a bit in the morning and maybe do a bit of shopping after the dr. before heading home. Might as well make the most of our time in the cities right?

18 Months

For 18 months now I've been:

changing diapers
wearing breast milk, spit up, poop, and/or snot on my clothing
shopping in infants/toddler section instead of misses
doing twice as much laundry
sleeping less
laughing more
often forgetting my things when I head out the door, yet have my hands full
showering and getting ready in less than 20 min.
worrying about the future
smiling often

just to name a few....

And loving every minute of it! Happy 18th months Gerrit. I love you more than you can understand and more than words can express! (even though you've been crying now for 1/2 hr and are too stubborn to give in a go to sleep - just like your mother!)

When Mom's Gone

Notice Gerrit is NOT eating in the dining room...

I have book club once a month and we have dinner at book club so Adam and Gerrit are on their own. Monday night was book club and Adam wanted to eat dinner in the basement. Not a great spot for an 18 month old to eat but Adam figured out a way to make it work!

My Little Sports Lover

Gerrit LOVED the football game. He was totally into the game, especially when the players were on their end of the field. He would oooh and aaah like he does when he watches football on TV. He sat on Anne's lap the entire first half. I don't think he's ever sat that long on my lap that didn't involve sleeping! He made me proud. I just wish I was with him to experience it. Z-M won so maybe we'll get to the next playoff game.