Category Archives: Monthly List

18 Month Photo Session: Craziness Confirmed

The 18 month photo session has been the fastest one to date. It was late afternoon and we just brought Avery inside from the backyard where she was keeping busy.

She helped Going Mom with the veggie garden.

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And by help, I mean rearrange the labels, or just pull them out and throw them on the ground.

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Then she just roamed the yard like the little giraffe she is, falling over her own feet every now and then and getting right back up to go again.

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We finally brought the wild animal our daughter inside where Kelley cleaned her hooves hands and told her it was time for her monthly photo session. I can’t tell if she liked this or not. What do you think?

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Let’s just go with saying she was excited. I mean, she even helped get her bear in the chair and held him back for the best pose of the shoot.

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Apparently, the bear and Avery exchanged words that didn’t quite agree with our little giraffe princess. As you can see, she was giving him a pretty hard stare-down for whatever it was he said or did.

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Things only escalated from there and her bear was ejected from the chair.

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The bear was replaced with a book and a bow. She’s become more interested in actually “reading” books and doesn’t try to eat them as often anymore.

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Bows are a different story. Much like her refusal to wear them during her 17 month photo session, she rejected them this time too.

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Fine with me, I’m not a fan of bows, but my wife is adamant about getting her to keep them on. I’m just excited about ponytails when her hair gets longer! Pony tails have always been my favorite way for girls to wear their hair, so I hope Avery is accepting when the time comes.

Until then, I guess we just put her in hats. She seemed okay with the one Kelley put on her head and even posed for the camera.

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Be honest, would you say this kid looks like a girl if you didn’t know? I’m not ashamed at all since I fully support gender neutral ways, but c’mon, she’s pretty boyish here. We try to limit the amount of pink she is surrounded with, and I’d say we are doing a great job going off this pic!

I can’t believe how much our girl is growing and know there are many fun times ahead. Even better that my butt is almost fully healed and I’m close to being able to sit down without discomfort. No more reading hunched over, yay!

Are you a fan of gender neutral parenting or prefer pink for girls and blue for boys?

Any tips on ponytails you care to share for when Avery’s hair gets longer?

18 Memories From My 18th Month Since ‘Going Dad’

The months and memories have been flying by, and now we’re a year and half into this parenting gig. From what I hear, it only gets better with time, and so far, I would have to agree.

What’s better at this point; saying “18 months” or saying “a year and a half”? I’ve heard people refer to their kids’ age up to 24 months and that’s the max for me.

At 2 years, I’d say we can get rid of the months reference. Or maybe it would be cool to go retro and use weeks. Maybe even put 104 candles in a cake for their 2nd birthday. Actually, it would be 104.355 candles.

2 Years to Weeks Calc

Anyway, I’m still not feeling well from my butt issue the other day, so lets get on to these memories.

1. Avery, Mommy and I have known you were crazy for a long time, but now even the way you fall asleep has reached a new level of crazy.

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2. Your crazy sleep position was the same day you had a mystery rash that didn’t seem to bother you but looked horrible. Luckily, it came and went away within a couple days.

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3. That rash appeared the same time you became really ill with the highest fever to date. We missed seeing our crazy little girl run circles around the house, but it was kind of sweet to have in such a cuddly mood.

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4. You figured out your diaper a few months ago, but never repeatedly pulled it off until recently. When it’s just you and me, your diaper stays put, but when Mommy comes you, you go right for those snaps. No matter how many times we put it back on, you just undo it right away. So we’ve taken to duct tape diapering which proves quite effective despite the trashy look.

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5. I had a NuttZo tasting party for our neighbors to try all of the delicious varieties, and you took advantage of all the samples with gusto! I’m surprised there was any left for our guests!

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6. Rain has taken over pretty much the entire month, but we didn’t let it stop us from our daily walks. I even wore you in the Onya NexStep baby carrier which had been a while since the last time we walked with you on my back.

7. On our rainy walks, we found and rescued several turtles, big and small, by returning them to one of the lakes in our neighborhood. You’re still not sure what to make of them, but we have plenty of time for you to get the turtle experience. Except for the last one we saved, he almost bit off my fingers!

8. You’ve exclusively had Mommy’s milk and water for drinks until this past month when I introduced you to Zevia. I explained how it’s a great treat to enjoy after playing under the hot Texas sun or anytime really, and how it’s worlds better than other sugary or artificially sweetened alternatives. Obviously, you like it and will be enjoying Zevia with Mommy and me for a long time to come.

9. One day, during lunch, I picked your nose. Then I posted it for the world to see. You can hit me for this later.

10. Turtles aren’t the only wildlife in our neighborhood. We have been watching these 8 goslings grow into the full-grown geese that they are as we pass them on our daily walks. The Mommy and Daddy aren’t too friendly as seen when they stick their tongue out at us. but you can’t blame them for being protective. Just so you know, I’d stick my tongue out at people to protect you too!

11. I found my old boots I had as a kid and, like any parent would do, we put them on you to take pictures. The results were pure cuteness as always. You also seemed to enjoy the clunking noise you made when walking.

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12. One of the days that gave us sun instead of rain happened to be on the weekend, and Mommy had the awesome idea to bring you to a splash pad. It was your first time and although you weren’t too interested in the actual water part, we had fun slinging you around in the water.

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13. During dinnertime, where we usually take turns feeding you with our utensil or putting food for you to grab, we gave you a try at using the spoon yourself. After a few fumbles, you successfully brought food to your mouth several times! Yay, trial and error!

14. A current favorite of yours for breakfast is sliced banana with NuttZo. You are practically crying with impatience the moment I show you the banana, but once you get that first bite, it’s bliss!

15. Keeping still is not your forte, but running around and playing with several toys at once is. I’ll go about my business cooking our next meal or washing dishes as you go crazy all around me. Of course I’ll stop to read a book or three and throw the ball too!

16. Right after writing a post about your bottom lip, you went and busted the thing while playing with Mommy’s sweater. That was your first of many more to come, I’m sure.

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17. Mommy had a blast with you bouncing on our bed and trying to take pictures of when you were 6 months old. Turns out, you’re a little more mobile than you were back then. But still freakin’ cute as ever!

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18. You have a growing collection of balls that I’ve been finding on our walks and they provide plenty of entertainment for you at home. You’re even learning how to put them all in your basket when done. They usually come right back out, but it’s a start!

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The fun times just keep getting more and more interactive as she grows. I remember when Avery was just 6 months old, someone told me how it starts getting really good at 18 months. Now that we’re here, I’m excited to see this for myself since she’s already fun as it is.

Maybe actually talking or at least being more clear about her wants/needs? Yeah, I know, doubtful. Guess we’ll find out now!!

When did you start using years instead of months to give your child’s age?

What’s something noteworthy about your kid from this past month?

 

 

17 Memories From My 17th Month Since ‘Going Dad’

The memories never stop for a parent, that’s a-pparent (bada boom!), but I’ll have to eventually find a stopping point for these posts. Hopefully I’ll make it to 2 years/24 months before figuring something else out.

Anything past 24 is, if not already, pressing the attention span of any readers. Not that I care that much when it comes to this post since it’s about my memories!

Avery, after 17 months, here are some memories you’ve given Mommy and Me so far…

1. This month, you’ve started grabbing on to a blanket draped over the top of the rocking chair in your room when Mommy nurses you to sleep. Every night, as I kiss you goodnight and wait for you and Mommy to get situated before I turn out the light, you instinctly behind you and grab a hold of the blanket. It leaves us with a big grin each night.

2. When we workout in the garage, you like to mimic us with your wooden “barbell” by doing overhead presses. Your form needs some work, but we have plenty of time for that.

3. You’ve had crazy legs and feet for a long time now, but this month you started romping around or kicking the air as you shake your head make some sort of gurgle noise. It’s cute most of the time, but I’ll admit to getting annoyed from it some times. And I know Mommy does NOT appreciate it when you kick the air with her chest “in your way”.

4. We’ve been somewhat sticking to baby-led weaning for you, feed you a lot more with a spoon and fork too. After getting frustrated by not being able to use the spoon yourself, we gave it to you for your first try. You kinda used it, but then cheated to actually eat the food.

5. Britax and our Dallas Dads Group hosted a fun event at the DFW Family Expo where you ran like a wild child around the expo. Even as we held you for a picture with very kind Kate from Britax, you flipped the camera the bird.

6. We bought a pink Radio Flyer tricycle for you several months ago and finally busted it out this month. You quickly took a liking to your trike, and love when Mommy and Daddy push you. Maybe you’ll learn to pedal soon! Until then, keep ringing the bell!

7. I took you to the new Trader Joe’s that just opened nearby for your first visit one Saturday. I remembered how it’s nothing special and probably won’t go there anytime again soon. I even got hit in the parking lot to top it off. But hey, always fun to experience something new with you!

8. We had another Dallas Dads Group meet-up at the same bounce house, Jump For Fun, that we went to before. You were more active than before, but I still had to carry you over plenty of the obstacles. You were, however, quick on your feet in the basketball area.

9. Everyone knows you’re not scared of our vacuum, but I’ve had to pull the little Dust Buster out a few times which sends you in a screaming frenzy. You outright HATE the thing! Even your caterpillar can’t ease your fears.

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10. Now that you are fully capable of holding your own bottle, you are becoming quite skilled at setting it down and picking it up without spilling. You don’t even need your hands! Except for when you clap for yourself, which is always.

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11. Going to the park/playground/back yard is always fun to watch you explore, but you don’t care so much about the equipment. Instead, you’d rather throw dirt or mulch around, which always gets caught in your hair.

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12. Speaking of hair, you have developed some crazy curls it seems like over night. They are in full crazy-curl-mode right after nap time and typically stay that way until your bath. Have to share a front and back view here…

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13. Our neighbors, the Dunn’s, have two little girls, Natalie and Zoey, that you have been playing with more often than before. Okay, more like all of you run around in the same area, but it’s great to see you somewhat social. Natalie is only a few months older than you, and Zoey is several years older. You always have fun over there and even tested out their new trampoline. We hope you grow up and become good friends since their parents are great people and their Daddy, Jason, is a fan of scotch just like me.

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14. You are still rocking the NuttZo world and gobbling everything up I put it on or cook it into. From the oatmeal I make for you and Mommy to simply on top of banana slices, you easily make it disappear.

15. Turtles are nothing new to you since you were crawling around them a year ago, but we recently found and rescued a baby one together. We called him “Little Leo” like Leonardo from the Ninja Turtles.

16. Your vocabulary has increased to include a simple “Hi” which you know makes you cute. So now, when I have to get on to you, you just look at me, smile, and say “hi”, and madness magically disappears! Damn that cuteness!

17. Last year never happened, but this year we set you in the middle of a bluebonnet patch for the obligatory bluebonnet photo session that every kid in Texas has to endure. You were in a stranger’s front yard, but just be glad it wasn’t the side of the highway like a lot of families use!

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I’ve been told by several other parents that 18 months is when it starts to get fun. Judging by the fun we’re already having, I look forward to what she’ll be doing another month from now. It’s all happening so fast, and I’m glad to share it with my two beautiful girls!

boba, babywearing, family