Language

When I quickly think about it, it seems that Leland doesn't talk.  He has a very choice words like 'mine' but mainly he still uses sign language.  Whenever he does say a new word I quickly put it into my phone so I can remember.  Looking at the list, it seems that he actually does talk.

Words: 
Hot, Ball, Mama, Heath, Hi, Bye, Yeah, Book, Eye, Whale, Out, Up, Whoa/wow, Owl, Bee, More, Cheese, Chicken, Football, Hippo, Papa /poppy, Cat, Elmo, Cheers, Bowl, Duck, Apple, Baby, Mine, Bison

He has even more signs than words which is impressive.  He is starting to combine words and signs to make me understand what he wants.

For example:
When he wants to watch this Elmo video about ducks.   He points to the computer, quacks, signs more, shakes his hips and says more.  It is a very clear and cute message but I often have to be the bearer of bad news and tell him "no it is not time for videos". 

It is amazing how quickly kids can learn language and start saying new words. 

Scooby Doo

Scooby Doo had a busy weekend. 

Leland and I hit up the Children's Museum Trick or Treat Street event.  It was fun.

In fact this week with Leland has been lots of fun.
He is getting over his unbearable toddlerness and it becoming very enjoyable.
He is also into doing activities now, more than just playing.
We colored this week, made playdough and then played with it, painted, etc.  I really need to start planning an activity a day like this because it doesn't always last too long but he is starting to really enjoy it.

We also hit up Boo at the Zoo.

Then went to a Halloween Party.  Well I went to an adult party Saturday but it got interrupted by a child that was unhappy he woke up and his momma wasn't there.  Sunday we went to a kid friendly Halloween Party.  When we arrived Leland sat down and proceeded to eat for the first 30 minutes.  Then he was ready to party.   I have been pleasantly surprise how well he has done with his costume.  He hasn't minded it at all, even the head part.  It helps that it has been cold and he is use to wearing a har outside. 

Best part of having a kid around Halloween is stealing their candy.  So Dad, you are forgiven for always stealing my candy because I get it.  Kids don't need that much sugar and candy is delicious. 

Wordless Wednesday: 18 months

18 months

It has been 18 months and we are still nursing.  I am pretty proud of it.  Leland has never needed formula or cow's milk thankfully.  I am quite surprised with how easy our experience has been overall.  He never had latching issues, I have never had supply issues, it really is all surprising and wonderful.  He nurses 3-5 times a day still.  He always nurses when he wakes up, before nap and before bed time.  Then it really varies how often and when he nurses at night.

Right now my goal is to get to 2 years and see what happens.  This goal has changed, since it was first 6 weeks, then 6 months, then 1 year.  But really after the first 6 weeks it has been much easier.  If anyone is wanting to breastfeed, I tell them give it 6 weeks before giving up.  By then you will have a routine down, your supply is somewhat normal (even if your boobs are ginormous) and your child has gotten a latch down.

I hope that with future children the experience can be just as wonderful.  It is really nice to still lay down with Leland at these times of the day and have him just be still.  It is also nice not having to buy a gallon of milk a week.  With my hopes of making it to 2 years is that I can bypass the cow milk ordeal completely.

It would be nice to be done nursing so I could really do whatever I want, when I want.  But I want him to be ready.  He has always led the way in how much he nurses and how often, the decreased in frequency has been him wanting less versus me slowly weaning him.

Here is to 6 more months. 

Live in the present

My new motto that I am going to try my best to live by is live in the present.

Life is short, people die, bad things happen.  I learned about a friend's death this week.  It was very unexpected and tragic.  It is a reminder of anything can happen especially the unexpected.  

You can't live in the past or dream of the future because then you miss the present.

I would miss how Leland changes every day.  How wonderful he can be.  I miss the random moments I find him quietly reading books or playing with his animal figurines.  The sound of him waking of from a nap and running out to the living room.

All these moments would be lost and forgotten if I was reliving the past or dreaming of the toddler years being over.

I don't know what will happen tomorrow.  I want to know I lived life.  I enjoyed it and relished in the small moments.  

Live in the present.