Plays well with others

Reece and Danijela ran back and forth pulling the airplane and doggie. They talked and giggled and followed each other.Danijela was 'making dinner' and shared her 'apple' with Reece. (He is signing apple.) I'm not sure if he fully gets the pretend play just yet, but the taste of THAT apple probably helps.Danijela specifically asked to hold Luka. First time.

Weekend

It was a good one.
Friday night was mom's night out at Ozona's. So much fun...great ladies and great conversation, until the Coors Light gals tried to get us to name NBA players by their jerseys. Oops! We got enough to get free hats, a free beer, and a photo taken with the gals. You'll have to hit me up for that one another time.

Saturday, I went on my first photo shoot as part of the creative arts ministry with WM. I was super nervous. It's hard to say it's a 'gift', but it is incredible to be doing something I enjoy so much for a purpose that means so much. I am so thankful that there are many ways to serve God. Taking pictures of people in order to help share their real life-changing stories is so humbling to be a part of. That's the gift for me.Saturday afternoon, D faithfully mowed the yard, while we watched and played just 1 yard away. Reece could hardly stand it. He finally got over there during clean-up, and desperately wanted to help. I think a bubble mower may be in his near future.Ate dinner with Bailey and her folks at Texadelphia. Was nice being with them indoors as well.
Sunday church as a family...so nice. Although early service, Reece fell asleep in the car on the way home around 10:30. We thought he'd wake up, but instead took a 3 hour nap. Then a few errands like literally running around Academy, and then more outside time.

Julia's practicing her serve, and thanks to her, Reece can throw the ball up now. He's so cute trying to mimick her.

With a little help from his friends...

Fall Boom Boom

Just walking around in the kitchen in his socks, Reece fell boom boom.
Didn't trip and didn't hit his head. Seemed uneventful, until that cry let me know it was a little more serious. His teeth caught under his lip, and we had a little of the red stuff. Yeah, I never get used to that.

He cried pretty hard, but not very long. Got a fat lip to show for it. (click the pic for a closer view)I wasn't sure whether to just stay at home and take it easy. But, decided to head on to playgroup. So glad we did. He had a lot of fun and was in great spirits. Just before we left, he tumbled in slow motion off the plastic play thingy and bonked his head.
At least the fat lip had gone down some. ; )Poo Poo update: When I went to get him this morning, the first thing he did was grab his diaper and say 'poo poo'. Again, he was right. ; ) Later he told me again and we tried to get to the potty, but too late.
Now we're doing the same routine when mommy goes as we did the other day...it sure does feel silly.

Words: Said 'Got it' today as he was going to pick up something he dropped. Cute.

Adventures in Bailey-sitting

Bailey spent the day with us on Thursday. She was great the entire time.
Had a make-shift playgroup in the morning with Angela, Danijela, Luka, Melanie and Kiley all stopping by. It was a hoot. I loved it.

One of my favorite moments was Reece and Danijela running around the house chasing each other. Danijela squealed with joy, Reece giggled, and I teared up. Over and over. It doesn't get much better than that. Truly. It really doesn't. How thankful I am that we were willing to make the changes, sacrifices and choices we did so I could be home to witness two of my favorite people having so much fun with each other.

Before Bailey left in the afternoon, we played a little in Reece's room, and then a little outside. The rest speaks for itself. XXX OOO Love their little eyes closed. She's a little tall for him, I guess. Perhaps that's why he's been practicing his jumping lately. ; )
Also, he pronounces her name 'Bay-bee'. Concidence?

Soccer Tots

Went on a test run of Soccer Tots today. With the ball-handling Reece has been doing, I thought he'd LOVE it.He found just about every non-soccer ball in the place, under the benches, hiding in a corner...you get the picture. The first half of the class was just trying to get him to focus on the actual SOCCER balls.
(I was crabby and realized I hadn't eaten lunch...so a little woozy chasing him around at first. Kirsten will attest.)The class was a little ahead for Reece and Grayson, but was a well-constructed class. There were a variety of ways they got the kids to learn, involving parachutes, bubbles, cones, and obviously soccer balls.
The bubbles were a clever idea...they were supposed to kick them when low and hit them with their head when they were up high. Even the experienced kids just couldn't resist using their hands.Coach Shockey gave Reece some instruction on kicking the cone over. (It was harder than you think.)

He was a good student and she looks like a proud teacher below.Time to clean-up. Thanks to Gym Dandies and the clean-up song, Reece is starting to do that pretty well.For a job well done, Reece got a soccer ball and star stamp just before leaving.

Both G & R (WHY, oh why have I not thought of that name combo for them before) did well considering the level of the class. They both kicked over cones and kicked the balls. We were proud! We're planning to sign up for the class this summer, and looking forward to more G & R! ; )

Poo Poo

A few people have asked about whether and when we will start potting training. The answer...either when he shows knowledge of what was going on down there or when we need to for school. Well, today, he showed knowledge. Mind you, it is just in the wee wee early stages. (Pun intended, and more to come. Ah, so excited about potty humor!)

Background: He hates diaper changes these days...probably because he is missing out on fun times with balls and shoes and all other things that he loves. So, when I see him 'going', I ask him if he is going 'poo poo'. And, during diaper changes, I tell him that when he starts going poo poo in the potty I won't need to change his diaper. Mutually beneficial! ; )
I also have been letting him flush after mommy goes. He thinks the flusher is mysterious and fun. Yep, when you're home all day with a toddler, he's interested in EVERYTHING you do.

Today: I was finishing getting ready for bible study. With my back turned, he said 'poo poo'. I turned around (not totally sure that's what I heard). I saw his face and knew he was right. So, I asked him if he wanted to go in the potty, he didn't answer, and I quickly got him on t0ilet. He had already started just a little in his diaper. He kinda fussed, and I was thinking he's uncomfortable and not sure what's going on, assuming he would not be able to resume his 'activity'. To my surprise, he did it! A lot! I cheered and cheered and told him what a big boy he was. I showed it to him, we waved bye-bye, flushed it gone, and closed the lid. What a proud movement....I mean moment! ; )

He went again later and again said 'poo poo', too late for the potty.
But...he has definitely started to understand what it is.
Momma is proud.

Block Party

Block party Saturday night done right. City barricades for the ends of the block. Tons of food, drink, bubbles, games for the kiddos, and about 40+ people. Good times. We're thinking quarterly or monthly would be good. ; )

Glass Elevator

Family outing on Saturday was a trip to Orvis. There was a sidewalk sale and a lot of balloons in the whole shopping center. He got a cool tie-dye one.

Once inside, he was the great explorer and loved the big wooden fish. Dad was proud of course. He wasn't sure sure what to think about the glass elevators, but took it in.

Friday evening in the hood is a good time. People come home with such relief and a renewed joy for the weekend. Everyone heads outside to celebrate. The Henry girls usually come out right after school, hitting the volleyball both for practice and to lure Reece and Olivia outside. It usually works!

15 month appointment

15 month dr. appointment today...a little late as he'll be 16 months on Sunday.
Got great marks for his development and a clean bill of health.
Stats:
Height: 31 1/8 inches (50%)
Weight: 22 lbs. 12 oz. (25%)
Head: 18 1/4 inches (25%)He knows the doctor and the office now.
He likes to flirt and play in the waiting room, but as soon as sweet Amber calls his name, he starts to retreat.

He gets a little cranky going to the room, and then full-out upset during the measurements and the exam. When poor Dr. H walks in, he especially loses it.
It makes it really difficult to have a conversation with the good dr.
Today, he cried during the exam as always, but afterwards...
He didn't give him the gesture he gave him a year ago.
Instead, he gave Dr. H a kiss!
It was so sweet, and I really believe it softened Dr. H's heart. He said that would carry him all through his day now.
Maybe what helped is that I had Dr. H check my ears too. Reece watched so intently. I know I have a sinus infection that I am desperately trying to ride out...but I just wanted to make sure I didn't have an ear infection as well. All clear!Before the shot, he played with the blood pressure pump.
I think he was trying to check his own ears. Cute stuff.

Been up to lately

At Grandmama's outside last week.Man hands.Aidan's parents bought sidewalk paint.
It's a huge mess of fun.
Washes right out of clothes, though.Love the old man socks with shoes and wearing only his diaper.Julia and Sophie entertaining Olivia.Neighborhood line up: Julia, Reece, Bailey, Olivia and Sophie.Swinging and high-fives.
(Thanks for taking this gorgeous photo of me, D.)Visited Olivia's backyard sand and water station.
Interesting place to put the sand, Reece-r.Shooting baskets at Gym Dandies.
(Can't quite make it, but can say basketball now.
His ball handling of throwing, catching, and kicking amazes us.
We'll get it on video soon.)Motor boat, motor boat, go sooo fast!Looks like he's thinking...
'I got up here, now what do I do?'Stinker. Cute stinker.