23 Months Old

One more month to go...

 

Turtle!

This month has been a fun-filled busy time of year. Baseball has been in full swing so we have gotten in lots of time out at the field during the week and every weekend has been booked with things to do or places to be. I guess that's what summer is all about!

 

Madden is so much fun right now. We of course have our challenges, lots of meltdowns, never-ending No's being told to us, constant running away, not listening, short attention spans, tantrums...the list goes on. But all those things come with the territory and his age. He is changing and developing so much and so fast, it truly is amazing to watch. This month has been a fun one!

 

Watching the pitcher warm up at the River Bandits game

Highlights

• Helped Bopa in the garden all morning, then took a 5 hour nap!
• First non-family/friend babysit, someone he's never met before but he was a good boy
• Spending lots of time playing in his pools in the backyard
• Exploring a new parks, went to Garfield Park
• Enjoyed first Whitey's Ice Cream, smurf ice cream of course.
• Went to his first West baseball game of the season....and many since.
• Loves playing with Jackson and Halana at the baseball games
• Bolts for the park at the baseball complex a minimum of 3 times every time
• Stayed up extra late to welcome Bopa home from the Honor Flight
• Helped mommy babysit baby Violet for the afternoon
• Celebrated Mommy and Daddy's 6th Anniversary
• Took his first shower with daddy
• Went to the Long Grove Strawberry Festival: saw a parade, petting zoo and ate strawberry shortcake.
• Got a haircut with daddy
• Learned to climb "UP" the twisty slide at the park
• Went to a River Bandits baseball game
• Went to the Farmer's Market and a park with Bopa.
• Celebrated cousin Stella's Baptism and 2nd birthday 
• Celebrated Jordan and Steph's vow renewals
• Celebrated Father's Day, had both grandparents over for dinner and fun.
• Learned to repeat cuss words :) Super proud of that one! 
• Enjoyed the Thissen's swimming pool for the first time and grilled out.
• Went over to grandma and grandpa Gorsh's so mommy and daddy could participate in the Miro Brew Mile & 6K
• Went to Iowa City for lunch with the Hayek's

Welcoming Bopa home from the Honor Flight!

Age: 23 months old

Weight: 30+ pounds, TBD at 2 year check-up

Length: 30+ inches, TBD at 2 year check-up

Size: Size 5 diapers. Wearing mostly all 2T clothes and a few 3T things. Still trying to get away with sneaking him in some 18 month pj's.

Hair: Seems to be lightening up a bit, can definitely see some blonde spots coming through underneath.

Teaching Violet how to play with his toys.

 

Health: Perfect bill of health this month! Thankfully no nasty summer colds or sickness yet. He'll occasionally have a day he's extra tired or cranky but it's a very stimulating time of year, the heat doesn't always help and that brain of his is constantly developing. We've been lucky this month.

 

Temperament: His shyness seems to be wearing off a bit most time. He is a very friendly, outgoing, mischievous toddler with lots of energy to burn. He is kind, sweet and loving. He says hi and bye to everyone, will give just about anyone (even strangers) high fives or knuckles. He always gives hugs and kisses when it's time to go. He's still a pretty easy going, chill, go with the flow kid. When we go new places he just hangs out a bit to observe everything and everyone around him, he seems to like to study his surroundings first before off and running to explore. He's always been very observant and in awe of watching people around him. Every once in a while he comes back to check if mommy or daddy are still around then goes back to being Mr. Independent. He is perfectly content playing by himself, loves showing babies how to play with toys, likes to follow and be followed by kids his own age, and just stares at any big kid then will try to imitate them later on.  

 

Strawberries picked right out of the garden.

Sleeping: Another month I cannot complain about. He takes phenomenal naps that average 3 hours, occasionally longer depending on what we've done that day or the day before. Bedtime has been pushed back to 8-9:00pm mainly because of busy schedules. Nights we go to baseball games to see daddy we don't get home till almost 8:00pm, he always gets a second wind and runs crazy around the house so it takes longer to wind down for the night.

 

Eating: It's a miracle, this kid is starting to eat almost anything. He's open to trying new things and being my good little eater again. He doesn't always eat a lot at each meal but he will definitely try things off your plate or anything he's given. He ate chicken and not in a nugget form! He tried steak, chicken sausage, chicken wings, lunch meat, hot dogs, Greek yogurt, peanuts/almonds/cashews. Eating vegetables again and loves sweet potatoes again. All types of fruit, he loves strawberries, grapes, watermelon, apples, bananas, blueberries. Loves dipping anything and everything in ketchup and ranch dressing.

Favorite foods would be cheese and anything sweet like cookies, cupcakes, ice cream.

 

Dogs do it, I can do it.

 

Movement: This kid is non-stop! He is like the energizer bunny and keeps going and going. He's always saying "Let's Go Mommy" grabbing my hand and pulling me to wherever he wants to go or do.

 

Milestones: Said a legit "I Love You" clear as day! A few days later said I love you unprompted. Learning to climb up onto a barstool all by himself and climbs up the slide at the park. Shows compassion and concern for someone else, see Favorite Moments.

Mom thought she put the computer out of reach, she was wrong!

Favorite Toys/Activities: Balls of course. Back to liking bath time again and showers with daddy. Helping clean, sweeping floors, and wiping tables. Going outside. Feeding the dogs and giving them treats.  Hiding, especially in mommy and daddy's closet behind clothes. Loves his blankies and pacifier. Dancing. The movies Frozen and Monster's University.  

 

Dislikes: Staying strapped in his stroller for too long. Having to stay in his seat to eat any meal. Being told no.

 

Daycare Friends

Words: Learning new words everyday, will included a complete list for his 2 year update.

Sounds: Lot of animal noises, will make a complete list for his 2 year update

 

His 5th getaway attempt to the park at the baseball complex

Favorite Moments

• Madden saw Maddux get sick one morning, I has just caught him and ran him over to the hardwood floor (away from carpet!). He saw me holding the dog so he wouldn't run anywhere else and Madden came over, knelt down and asked "What happened? Maddux okay?" with concern like a like human! I was blown away by him and in awe of where that came from and how my little baby just turned into a legit concerned child.

• Every night went we put Madden to bed we read stories then stand up and pass him back and forth giving hugs, kisses and saying I love you and goodnight as we tuck him in bed. After a fun fulled night at the River Bandits game we came home late and went straight to our bedtime routine. This time after I told MJ I loved him, he said a legit "I Love You" back to me that was crystal clear. Prior to that he just mumbles sounds. Melted my heart! And now he continues to say "Love you mommy"! :)