I haven’t updated too much about the boy lately. His 17 month milestone came and went last week. Oops.
He’s still not talking too much, but he does a lot of jabbering. The pediatrician wants him to say 5 words clearly and regularly. He says about 30 words, but they are so inconsistent and random, he rarely says something more than once. As I’ve said before, we’re not worried.
I think Shmoo waits until he’s good and ready, then he’ll start with sentences. We thought he would be walking by 10 months because he was cruising the furniture so early. He didn’t actually walk until the week of his first birthday. But within one week, he was getting up to his feet without pulling up on something, walking backwards, turning around and squatting from a standing position. He didn’t want to start until he knew he was going to master it.
His favorite word lately is “mailman.” And when Momma L. was driving Shmoo home from Mema and Pop-pop’s house 2 weeks ago, there was a gigantic black cow in the middle of the road. When the cow appeared at Shmoo’s window, he said clear as day “COW!”
He understands everything. It’s amazing how much he can figure out, even if you use a new word for something. If you tell him to “go get the golf ball, put it in the bucket and bring it to the car,” he’s all over it.
I’m not sure how much he’s grown recently, but we finally went shoe shopping this weekend. His foot has only gone from a 4.5 to a 5 since February.
We found the cutest pair of shoes EVER at pay.less. They look a little like these but without the laces.
I think they are super cool and will definitely get a good shot of them. He was so excited, he wanted to wear them out of the store! And in less than 24 hours of purchasing these shoes, he dumped about ½ gallon of bubbles on them and they’re not quite the same color anymore.
Some people bronze baby shoes to preserve the memories and the cuteness factor.
Here are Shmoo’s shoes that we are going to retire
Not really the picture of the sweet toddler innocence. These the most worn shoes I’ve ever seen.
Here’s Shmoo and Mommy H. coloring together on Sunday night after a long weekend.
He definitely does not like the “baby” crayons. He likes the big boy crayons. And it’s much more fun to keep taking them out and putting them back in than to actually color with them.
Not too much else new. We lowered the price of the condo. We spent Sunday cleaning the garage to move things out of our tiny basement. If we don’t get any offers in the next few weeks, we’re going to finish the basement and throw another open house. I’m getting increasingly anxious over this.
I have fallen in love with a house in the new town. However, my realtor pointed out to me that this house has a large pond. Not the best idea with Shmoo around. Especially since he has no fear of water and wants to go in by himself (yeah, scary. We’re totally all over this). He wants to do EVERYTHING himself.
My 32nd birthday is exactly a week from today. I’m usually totally indifferent about birthdays. I had a family tragedy on my 23rd birthday and it usually just reminds me of a black and dismal time for me and my family. And I am not gloomy about aging, but I’ve always hoped that I have my mother’s aging genes and not my father’s. Since I have discovered my first 2 gray hairs, within weeks I have found 6 more. And I’m acutely aware of the lines appearing around my eyes that are distinctly the same as my father’s. ugh.
I’m working on getting up to date with my blog friends. This summer is going by too fast so far. I wish we could take a vacation this summer – but P-town isn’t in the cards. And my 20 days of vacation time at work is a little joke. I can’t take time off because I need to work and bill hours. Sigh. We’ll just keep making the most of our weekends.
In no time, it will be Fall, Shmoo will be talking and the mommies will be discussing baby #2.
Ky said,
July 15, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Hi there friend. Ok, so that picture of you and Shmoo coloring is one of the sweetest pictures ever. I really love it. Good luck on townhouse – you certainly have been waiting patiently and I’m sure that has been difficult. No wonder you have the 6 gray hairs! Ok – I had to laugh cause I think I have six hundred gray hairs.
I do hope you have a happy birthday – despite sad memories. You deserve to celebrate you!
Shannon said,
July 15, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Sounds like Andrew’s doing great. “Mailman” is not exactly an easy word! I LOVE the picture of his old shoes. Looks like he had lots of fun adventures in them! Too cute.
KJandthekids said,
July 15, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Thank GAWD you bought the kid some new shoes. sheesh
We have the same ones.
They stepped in poop and have never entered my house or been worn again. Not sure why.
Good luck on the townhouse. Oh and turning the big 32. Such a young thing
Sonya said,
July 15, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Your house situation sounds stressful at best. I hope it sells SOON so you can move onto the next chapter of your life.
meg said,
July 15, 2008 at 7:12 pm
I also LOVE that picture of you coloring with him… that is a framer for sure! Happy early 32nd bday…. I hope it is a good one.
Can’t wait to hear more about baby #2.
meg said,
July 15, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Oh and thanks for the compliment on our pictures! You are so sweet
MaMaMia said,
July 15, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Hey–can I catch up like you and comment on like your last 4 posts at once! I hear you on being damn busy. . .
Just wanted to say that we were told by some educators that it’s actually a great thing to skip the big chunky crayons. When they start with chunky crayons they develop the wrong kind of grip–and transfer that bad grip to pencils, etc.
I love all your pictures of Andrew. He makes it very easy to smile.
Stacey said,
July 16, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I wouldn’t worry about the language either. Like I said, my brother barely spoke and then one day he just wouldn’t stop talking.
It sounds like Andrew knows how to say words just fine.
Those new shoes are cute. I love kid shoes–they’re so minature.
Happy early birthday. I hope you have a good day this year. that’s lousy that your birthday is the anniversary of a tragic event in your family.
Yay for the fall bringing about talk of #2. I think the magic sperm will have you get lucky early like it did for us.
Hoping we can meet up one day. Maybe in Philly but if not, we’ll have to hook up some time. It’d be fun to get the kids together. We’re always saying how Riley seems to share a lot of similarties with Andrew.
SassyFemme said,
July 17, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Baby #2? Oh my, wow!
Hoping you get something with your condo. How long has it been on the market now?
Dee said,
July 17, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Riley’s words are quite inconsistent and random as well. She’s said a lot of words but not always in the right context.
The picture of his worn out baby shoes is too precious. I love that. You could take a B&W and frame it versus bronzing the shoes.
Cute pic of you coloring together as well.
GOOD LUCK with the Condo!
Happy Mommy said,
July 17, 2008 at 7:24 pm
I can’t believe your blog about speech issues. I just took my 15 mo old to the doctor and he was “disappointed” that my son didn’t know more words. Naturally I had the “I am a bad mom” breakdown before I realized how ridiculous it is that on one hand they tell you every child is their own person and in the blink of an eye they are telling you your child isn’t meeting their milestones. I agree with you, no worries – just let them be themselves and they will be just fine.
holly said,
July 18, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Happy Mommy – I’ll definitely check it out!
SassyFemme – it’s been on since November. argh.