14 Months & Milestones

14 months has come and passed and here I am finally sitting down to write this post. As each month passes, I am finding it progressively more difficult to get these things out on time, even though I spend an enormous amount of time on the computer because of work. Yet, by the time the evening comes and the babies are down, I am too exhausted to write or think, plus my husband doesn't really appreciate a wife who is on the computer for 90% of the time he is home from work. Can't blame him.

Anyway, here we go on 14 months...

Ryan, This is What You Are Up to at 14 Months:

- You had a pretty exciting 14 month milestone, little man! After months of showing little to zero interest in walking, you finally took your first steps all on your own. I had just returned from a much-needed weekend away in Dallas and less than an hour after I got home, you took your steps from the chair to the couch without assistance or prompting. It was a big moment! I looked at your daddy and asked him if you had been doing that all weekend and he said no. He could be lying though to make me feel better about not missing it, but I'd like to believe we both got to witness it. Since then, you've been working pretty hard at it, but only when you really feel like it. Now you can take about 8-10 steps between your daddy and me and you can stand up on your own (again, when you want to). You still prefer to crawl and your calloused knees definitely show that! But I am hoping in the next couple of weeks, you will make some big strides and just start going for it!

- You now are in a size 4 diaper and wear 12 month shirts and mostly 18 month shorts. Length-wise you definitely could still be in 12 month, but I feel like I squeeze your little belly too tight in those. So you wear "shorts" which almost look like capris for now until your little legs grow a bit (sorry that you may have gotten Mama's short legs). Your hair color looks like it changes daily but right now looks to be brownish with some blonde in it - and maybe a touch of red. And your eyes still remain bright, bright beautiful blue --- a gorgeous gift from your grandfathers.

- You stopped babbling constantly for a bit which worried me - until I realied you were putting all of your energy into learning how to stand up on your own and walking. Now you are back to your babbling fool self. Of course, most of the time I have no idea what you are saying but I am able to catch a few words here and there. "Appp" is the most popular - as in "nap". I still really like that.

- You are becoming quite the comedian. You will do anything if you know it makes us laugh. I have NO idea how you picked this up but you taught yourself how to sneeze on command. You seem to have a runny nose quite often (allergies, I think), and one day after you sneezed, I sneezed after you and said "Ahhh Chooo". Now, everytime we say "Ahhh Choo", you do a full-blown fake sneeze. It's awesome. And you crack yourself up doing it. You get all excited and end up with drool all over your shirt. We are still trying to get it on video b/c apparently you get a little camera shy.

- You still LOVE music. Not only do you do a full on booty shake, you have also started sticking out your leg and shaking it too. I don't know what that particular dance move is, but it's hilarious. You are so on rhythm that I don't even try to clap with you anymore because I think you are more on beat than I could ever be!

- You are still my sensitive little one. You get incredibly upset whenever your sister steals anything from you. You don't really try to get it back, you just cry. It's kind of sad but I'm trying to toughen you up, so mostly we just let you have your fit and you eventually calm down. So most of your day is spent trying to protect your toys or tupperware lids from your sister.

- You are incredibly curious and I still think you spend a lot of time thinking about how things work and why they are doing it. You will just stare at something forever and study it over and over. You are just like your daddy in that way. And you very much learn by example --- you will see Quinn do something and either decide it's an awesome idea or a very bad one, depending upon how Mommy reacts. Again, very much like your Dad!

- You love to play on the couch and arm chair but haven't quite figured out how to get down. It makes mommy quite nervous so we don't allow you on the couch much right now. But sometimes you figure out how to get up there on your own - yikes! Oh, and you both climb on the coffee table that we thought we had moved to the "safe zone". Safe zone, not so much. Thank goodness for shatter proof glass, just in case.

- We are prepping you for football season, so the other day we taught you to raise your arms up high in the air anytime we say "TOUCHDOWN". So you will do the touchdown sign and then clap frantically. You are going to LOVE football season. Except that we may have to get you some headphones since you do not like it at all when mommy yells and screams at the TV set. And I anticipate a lot of yelling with Crazy Les at the helm once again at LSU.

- You are still a good eater, but not very adventurous. We typically have to offer you something at least 4 or 5 times before you will touch it. When I give you something new, this absolute look of disgust comes over your face, even if it's something super yummy like a piece of donut or creamed spinach. You LOVE your milk though - I am constantly filling up your sippy cup. No doubt that your bones will be nice and strong!

- You LOVE having your teeth brushed. You just smile and laugh when I am doing it. You also still love your baths - but only when Daddy gives them to you. You are NOT a fan of mommy's baths. I think Daddy is a lot more fun and encourages you to splash everywhere. Mommy is admittedly more about efficiency rather than fun by the time bathtime rolls around :)

- I say it every month - but you are my cuddly little boy. Such a momma's boy and I wouldn't have it any other way. You love to lay on my shoulder and lately you have started patting my back as I am patting yours. It's times like that when it's so difficult to actually put you down in your crib. I just want to crawl in there and cuddle with you. Actually, I can't wait for the days when both of you guys can crawl into bed with Mommy and Daddy and take naps with us while football is on in the background. Sweet, sweet times to look forward to.

- You are such a fun, sweet, loving little man. And you are a little man now. You seem to look older to me every morning I get you up and while I am excited to see you grow, it breaks my heart a little. But I am thrilled that in a few months, we will be able to communicate better and have even more fun! Next up: your first hair cut --- you are starting to look a little shaggy. I keep meaning to get it done, but I also keep finding excuses to put it off. Part of me isn't ready to let that "first" happen yet. Love you, Ryan! I am so proud to be your mommy!

Quinn, What You are Up To at 14 Months:

- Well, 14 months has brought a big milestone to you as well, dear Quinn! Even though you started walking at 13 months, now you walk EVERYWHERE. You rarely crawl at all anyore. And you are pretty much on the run all of the time. It still kind of freaks me out when you come out of nowhere and pull on my leg and to look down and see you not crawling but standing. I am not used to this yet! You love to play chase with your brother around the kitchen. You run after him while he attempts to crawl away. You love this game. Sometimes he does not, especially when you "catch" him.

- Speaking of "catching" him, you actually do a full body slam on your brother and tackle him to the ground. He laughs at first and you laugh hysterically. And then he starts to cry, and you are still laughing hysterically. I think you are a little 19lb bully. At least to your brother. At Little Gym or other places, you are very friendly and motherly almost, patting children's heads and being sweet with them. At home, different story. Again, it's one of those times where I have to turn my head away so y'all don't see my laughter.

- You are in a 3/4 diaper and wear mostly 12 months in everything. I can still squeeze you in some 6-9 month stuff depending upon where it's from, but 12 month is a more comfy size for you. You mostly refuse to wear hairbows which drives me crazy. I have about 25 bows for you (no exaggeration) so I really wish you would wear them. However, sometimes I can sneak them on you, especially the supersoft headband- type -- and if you are distracted with other things like Little Gym, you will actually wear them! You have hair all over but it's not long, and a large tuft that stands straight up in the back. I am at a loss of what to do with it :) And some days it looks really blonde, other days a little more brunette, and still others, it's a lovely strawberry blonde. It's anyone's guess. Your eyes get darker every day - I think they are heading from hazel to more of just a brown. Still beautiful and big though!!

- You continue to be freakishly strong. You can crawl up on almost anything using your own strength. You are always resourceful, pulling pillows down to make a little cushion to bounce onto the couch with. You are definitely the little leader in this house -- you do it first and without fear, and your brother will follow. I wish you had just a tiny bit of fear in you so don't propel yourself off of something you shouldn't.

- You babble and talk all of the time. You are always bringing things up to me (things you have picked up off the floor that probably shouldn't be there or toys or books) and I always tell you what it is, and you toddle away satisfied knowing the answer. You are working on your "t's" right now. And you say "mama mama mama mama mama mama" over and over and over and over again. Careful what you wish for when you want your child to say "Mama" : )

- You had your one year developmental assessment from ECI this past week--- you really don't qualify except for this freak diagnosis that you had when you were a week old, but we continue with it because it allows us to have our awesome dietician who has been a lifesaver to me. Anyway, on your assessment, you scored at level or above on EVERYTHING. Except one thing. Self-help/adaptive. Apparently, since you still take 2 naps a day and cry because I wipe your face and hands after eating, you go down to the 13 month level (your adjusted age anyway) --- whatever, that's such a strange thing to me. Anyway, your cognitive skills and motor (both gross & fine) were awesome! That's such a gift from God knowing that you are going into surgery STRONG and BRIGHT. Yay, little girl!

- Today, you melted my heart. After y'all take your 9:30am nap, we get dressed for the day. Once we are all dressed, I carry Ryan out of the room and hold your hand to walk you out. Usually I have to say "Come on, Quinnie, let's go" and grab your hand. And today, before I could say anything, you just put your hand out to put in mine and my heart just about burst into a million pieces. It was such as simple thing, but HUGE at the same time. Oh, sweet girl.

- You are ALL personality - you love to laugh and you also love to be a drama queen on occasion. But I will say, for the most part, you are super happy and play independently so well.  It's when you get really silent that I worry :) I love you so much, sweet girl. Thank you for being such an amazing daughter.

Oh, my babies, I pray that God has such big plans for you. Each of you have your own characteristics, personalities, and special skills --- you are so unique yet bonded for life. And we love you each equally and more than you could imagine. Thank you for loving us and being such a light in our lives. Happy 14 month birthday!

I am so behind on taking and uploading pics but here are a few recent:

Quinn pushing Ryan on the swingset

Of course, she would climb to the top

Hi, pretty girl!



Trying to get them in the same picture these days is virtually impossible if you are by yourself.  This was the best I could do.



Or this one.

Playing with the water table

Always on the move.

Yup, who needs all that stuff in the water table anyway?

Sweet boy - it was getting past his bedtime. Keeping them up a little later is the only way I can take them outside so they don't pass out from heat exhaustion.

And it's pretty much time to go in - even at 7:30pm, we were still all sweaty and red-faced.

Definitely time for bed

Ryan hanging on for dear life at the Little Gym

Practicing our low bar skills

Ball time!!! Ryan usually just grabs onto one and holds tight even though there are about 50 balls rolling around. Quinn will pick one up and throw it away and go find another one.

Bubble time! Quinn is always fiercely determined at the Little Gym. Bubbles are no exception. And Ryan especially loves bubble time and gives this little whimper whenever we have to put the bubbles away.

Look at that chunk! She's definitely gaining weight despite all of her moving about. I can't remember if I already posted this picture on my blog or just on facebook, but I'm too lazy (tired) to go back and look so we'll just pretend it's the first time you've seen it.

Ryan happier on the bars this time! He loves doing somersaults on them!

Sporting our Aunt t-shirts from "Aunt Chris"

I love the expression on both of their faces in this one.

See - hair is getting long! Actually the back is the worst part - growing over his ears. I am not raising a kiddo with a frat shag at 15 months old :)

I just realized uploading these that I have been BAD about taking pictures lately. I'll take them for a day and then put the camera up for a week or two. My how things have changed since the "early" days when each month had about 200 pictures of them. But my 5 readers probably appreciate not seeing every one of those 200 pictures :)