123, ABC

It melts my heart every time I hear Vaan's little voice say "one, two, threeeee...".  He has taken a big interest in numbers and letters over the last 3 months.  Vaan knows his numbers from 1 to 10 and really enjoys the praise he gets when he counts!  He has been trying to show number using his fingers as he counts, but doesn't quite have the fine motor movement to show more than 2.  He also knows more than half the letters in the alphabet.  He LOVES his alphabet wall in his room.  It sure was stressful figuring out how to get that wall just perfect before he arrived, but all the work was more than worth it.  It is a nightly ritual to watch the Wheel of Fortune on TV before taking a bath and Vaan loves to stand at the TV and point out the letters in the puzzle.  X is his favorite letter, why - I have no idea, but he is pretty excited to see or hear Xxxxxx!

I am still having a hard time believing we are in a year of "seconds".  We took our second trip to the pumpkin patch in October.  Vaan enjoyed riding in the wagon and picking out a big pumpkin.  We also had our second  Halloween, but much like the first, Vaan was a miniature version of his daddy.  Instead of a police officer, Vaan was a sniper this year.  He still doesn't understand what Halloween is, but he understands Dad and anything Dad is pretty cool in Vaan's book.

November brought us the first snow fall of the season.  Vaan would have stayed outside catching snow flakes until he was frozen solid if we would have let him.  He thought the snow, which he calls rain (doesn't quite understand the difference yet), was amazing!  November also gave us our second Thanksgiving with Vaan.  I have never been more thankful for the joy and love in my life.

It is now December and the highlight of Vaan's months has been the Christmas tree.  Every morning he runs to the living room to see the tree and the star.  Whenever someone comes to the door, he needs to show them the tree, with a star on top, first thing.  Of course, the lights on the tree and outside are pretty cool too.  This last week we took Vaan to Rotary Gardens to see their holiday lights.  The entire walk Vaan said, "lights, oh WOW!".  It has been incredible seeing the holiday through Vaan's eyes.  In his world there is only joy, peace, and happiness; it has given Justin and I a new perspective and we are reveling in this new found bliss.

On top of all the excitement of the season, Vaan is busy.  He is busy running, he is busy climbing, he is busy playing, and he is busy being busy.  He does not. stop. moving.  As always, it is fun to be busy with him and watch him grow.  I think I say this every post, but it goes by too fast.  We are trying to enjoy every moment and cherish every second.

Cheers to seconds, smiles, and seasonal joy!

15 Months and More than 50 Words

Vaan is learning new words just as quickly as leaves are falling to the ground this fall.  He can repeat almost any word you say (scary, I know) and retains an incredible amount of new language each day.  The rate of learning at just 15 months has blown my mind!  Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be having some of the conversations we are at this age.

Vaan has mastered most animal sounds.  My favorite continues to be the penguin (waddle waddle as he moves from side to side) and the elephant, which only his auntie Erica truly has mastered.  We have now moved on to saying the name of the animal followed by the sound it makes.  I think a trip to the zoo is in store before the snow falls!

Vaan has recently shown interest in numbers.  As he was turning one, we taught him to do number one with his fingers.  Of course when you ask him how old he is, he doesn't just show you number one...he reaches his pointer finger as high in the air as he can with a large grin on his face as to say, "




I am ONE and a very big boy"!  We are now working on counting and he can do 1, 2, 3 and 8, 9, 10.  He can say 4 and 5 but does not do it in sequence like he does the other numbers.  Who really needs 4, 5, 6, & 7 at 15 months anyway?!

Colors are our next feat.  Vaan can say red, yellow, blue, green, and pink (Grandpa is proud of this one, I'm sure) but when asked what color something is, it is always green.  Elmo's Color Carnival is one of his favorite books that we read over and over each day, so I am sure he will soon realize everything is not green! 

Fall is here and unfortunately winter is quickly approaching.  We are dreading the cold and dark days as Vaan's favorite pass time is being outdoors.  I am sure the cold will not bother him too much and the snow will be a lot of fun, but for now, we are going to enjoy the swing, exploring the trees, playing in the leaves, throwing and kicking the ball, and riding around on the bike as long as we can!

                                               

It's Fun to be One!

July 5th, 2013 was a very exciting, tear jerking, somewhat hectic, and incredibly amazing day.  Our baby is one!  The everyday schedule can make some days and weeks feel long, but this was by far the fastest year of my life.  Each day was a new adventure, a happy memory, and a bond that grew stronger.

We celebrated Vaan turning one with family and friends.  It is a day we will never forget.  Of course it was stressful getting ready for the party, but only because we wanted this day to be as special and perfect as Vaan is.  Vaan smiled, laughed, ran around with all the kids, and had an amazing day.  The weather was perfect, it was warm and sunny and the kids got to enjoy some fun outdoor activities.  Vaan enjoyed the sprinkler, being the center of attention, his "peek-a-boo"  cards, his "1" crown, and so much more.  What he did NOT enjoy was his cake.  What's wrong with this kid, he doesn't like cake?!

As a parent, there is nothing better than seeing your child grow and be happy.  Looking back at one year ago, it is amazing how much he has grown, how much he has learned, and what he can do at one year.  We are so lucky to have such a wonderful, happy little boy.  We had big expectations when we found out we were pregnant and Vaan has exceeded them all; his first birthday included.  Needless to say, it is a day we will remember and cherish forever.  Turning one is so special!

At one, Vaan is cruising around like he has done it all his life.  He continues to love books and says more and more words each day.  He absolutely loves to be outside.  Grandpa and Grandma Stu got him a tricycle for his birthday and while he can't reach the peddles, he loves to be pushed around on it and ring the bell.  He also got a basketball hoop from his aunt Erica and Uncle Sean and his Grandma Karen (great minds think alike) and is perfecting his dunk.  I think we have a baller in the works!  Vaan was blessed with many, many other wonderful gifts that will keep us active and learning for months to come. 

Cheers to Milestones, Memories, and One Year Olds

 Smash cake!