updates on my two boys

David is...



Christmas morning turned David the toddler into David the Superhero!

      ...talking so well.  We hear words that we know we never covered with him deliberately.  It is a delight to have a conversation.  When we don't understand what he is saying he will be as slow and clear as possible to communicate to us.  I can see the wheels turning in his mind as he tries his darndest to articulate the word in a way we will understand.  Sometimes it helps!  Sometimes it doesn't however we are delighted to hear his little voice and see what parts of his surroundings are catching his attention.
        ...obsessed with Rugrats cartoons lately.  It is a struggle to get him to watch anything other than the "bayies" ("babies"). 
      ...loves to play with children.  He is so social at times.  If there is another kid, he wants to stand very close to them.  He wants to play "chase" and "waise" (race) them.  Other, more timid children, aren't sure what to do with this child who looks as though he is about to charge them but stops just short of touching them.  It is so cute and I so want those other kids to respond in kind.
     ...a teaser.  He will ask for things even though he knows the answer is "no" just to get a laugh.  You can tell he is teasing because he has this certain grin on his face that gives it away. 
     ...still into cars and dinosaurs.
     ...enjoys jumping off the bed onto his mattress on the floor.  He'll say, "Jump, mommy!" and get to the edge and want me to count.  I can't believe what a big boy he is.  So precious to me.
    

Judah is
      ...close to walking.  He can stand for a second or two on his own. 
      ...a smiler.  He will smile at anyone.  Those smiles are rays of sunshine to me.
      ...more intense than we thought.  As Judah has become more mobile he has had more opportunity to get bumps and bruises while exploring.  When he gets hurt, he screams.  And screams.  And screams.  David, who is our typically intense guy, was easily consoled with nursing.  Judah does not want milk.  He wants to scream.  Once he is done screaming, he will then be calm enough to nurse.  It is almost comical if it weren't sad that he got hurt.
       ...loving solid foods.  I waited to introduce foods to Judah because David was not really interested in solids until 9 or so months.  Well, Judah is 9 months last week and we have been on a roll.  It was like a switch was flipped and he wanted to eat it all.  Right now, he eats what we eat as long as it is mushy enough for his few teeth to chomp on.  He has tried beans, rice, sausage, pepperoni, grits, corn, sweet potato, potato, avocado, banana, mustard greens, smoothies (homemade), yogurt, multi-grain cheerios (trying to increase his iron and FYI-  multi-grain cheerios has 45% iron.  that is pretty impressive).  He basically has eaten what has been on our plate.  Therefore his range of foods has been much wider than David's at this point.  The reason we did this was because I was trying a process called baby-led feeding.  So far, it has been a good thing--and easier. 

Is that really my hand??  It looks like an old woman's. 

        ...loves baths.  He is now taking baths with his brother and it is so darn cute.  Both of them will wait by the tub in their diapers watching the water fill.  Once he hits the water, he is just all over the place with excitement.  So adorable.  (David Jr. has been gracious to allow Judah into his bathtimes when it has been needed).
        ...going through separation anxiety.  He is very aware of where I am or where his daddy is.  He will follow us room to room, usually with a cry of panic until we pick him up (which is promptly).  It isn't fun but at least I know that this stage is a great sign that he has a healthy attachment to us. 
       ...love his daddy.  David Jr. didn't have such a strong desire to be with his daddy as Judah seems to have.  He loves seeing him when he comes in the room and will reach out to him.  It is darling.  I know it makes daddy feel good. 

      ...getting better at feeding himself.  If it is big enough, he can easily pick up a piece of food and bring it to his mouth.