Schedules and routines change all the time, but we've got a pretty good one down recently. When I get Frankie up in the morning and start to change him often is arching and trying to twist around to see if Daddy is there, sometimes saying his name. :) For what seemed like a couple of months he was only saying Daddy - now it seems like the tides have turned and with the exception of that morning call to Daddy and maybe a couple in the evening, Mama is the word! He even calls Jay Mama sometimes. What a sweetheart. (The only thing I don't like is that he also calls Christy, our day-care provider, Mama sometimes as well - she corrects him though!) Frankie loves his milk, has mastered the sippy cup, and we did a water boot-camp for a few days, only giving him water instead of the watered-down juice we were giving him. He used to make a face but now he drinks it up fine if he's thirsty. Even though watered-down juice was fine, I wanted to make sure he wouldn't refuse water and it's healthier! He has been on a vegetable strike for quite awhile but I have recently been able to get him to eat chunks of sweet potato - I was so happy! Give him peas, he'll squash each one individually with his index finger. Give him anything else, he'll totally ignore it or push it aside!
Frankie has, count 'em, 13 teeth now! His top molars and top canines have popped through and are still coming in but he has gotten his appetite back and I am getting glimpses into the future. Amazing that a 15 month old boy can eat 4 chicken nuggets when a few months ago I would make 2 and he would usually only eat 1!
After dinner relaxing before bed is my favorite time with Frankie, for the obvious reason that we get to hang out. He loves his rocking cow and if he's feeling feisty will take every toy from the shelves and throw it on the floor. He loves when Jay lets him up on the couch to jump. He's getting so tall, grew 2 inches in 3 months, and is close to being able to get onto the couch himself. Scary! We are finally trying to teach him to go down the stairs backwards which will come in handy for the couch as well.
Jay and I were so relieved that he enjoys the pool again this summer. He also is loving the kickball games, even when I hold him back from running on the field. Frankie throws little tantrums now but a little redirection usually works. He will sit in the dirt or gravel, pick it up, run his hands and arms through it, try to eat the rocks - such a boy. He definitely keeps me busy when we're out! But it's worth it because he has a great time.
The family is traveling to Connecticut in a few weeks for Cousin Sarah's wedding which we are very excited about! Frankie is in the wedding and hopefully won't throw a tantrum in the Church! Mama would like to witness the entire ceremony! Keep your fingers crossed! As always, we feel very blessed.
