To: My Little Cub
Oh, my dear little munchkin, you are growing way too rapidly! You turned 19 months last week! 5 months away from the big t-w-o. It gives me goose bumps just thinking about it.
This was definitely a milestone month. 18 months is an apparent mark in cognitive development and understanding. You really know things and can figure things out so easily. (You can reach the door handles and open doors! Trouble!) You're officially not an infant, but a tot! You look and act like a little boy. I'm sad to say goodbye to the little baby I was introduced to, that shocking, surprising fall day in 2009. But I'm so happy to welcome such a smart, mature, little munchkin into this life of mine. I'm excited for us; for all that's in-store.
This month you started saying more words...up, down, papa (for grandpa), nene (for Nael), car, vroom, bobo, dog...added to your ball, hello, uh oh, oh no, mama, dada. I just love hearing your little squeaky voice. And hearing you call me "mama" when I enter a room. Love, love, love this.
At our doctor's appointment a few weeks ago you measured 33.5 inches tall and 29.5 pounds. You're in the 95 percentile for height and weight. A big boy. Tall. Solid. You are officially half of my height. A kid. My kid.
We took family portraits this past weekend. You and I. Our little family. I love to repeat that. To call you and I, a family. Because we are one. We don't have to be 3 + to be a family. The 2 is good enough; is good as is; is a nice, even number.
We had a sweet, silly weekend, this past one. Running around, laughing. Lots of laughing. We are a silly pair, a silly family. Your father would be happy to know this...that we remained a silly bunch, despite our heartache. I owe that to you my little cub. You make laughing easy. ;)
Loving you tremendously,
Mama Bear
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Toddlers as Conversation Starters
Sebastian and I are back from Miami. It's bittersweet to be home. We had a great time in South Beach, splashing around at the beach and running through the sand, but glad that Sebastian is back to his regular sleeping schedule and eating habits. No more staying up late on school nights for awhile.
But I noticed an odd thing while traveling and staying hotel bound for a few days. Maybe it's the cuteness of my particular kid (heehee) or maybe it's that a kid (in general) is a good conversation starter. But either way, I have to say that Sebastian and I seemed to beckon random attention from random strangers. Mostly men. Who knew?
It started shortly after arriving to La Guardia for our departing flight. In line, at the Duncan Donuts, a tall man began talking to Sebastian about his Hot Wheels. He literally bent down and started a (one-sided) conversation with my little guy. I smiled politely but a bit uncomfortably. I proceeded to order my cappuccino and subtly pushed Sebastian's stroller out of the man's direct line of sight.
"Your son is adorable." The man suddenly said. "How old is he?"
"Thanks. He's 18 months." I responded to the man and then directed my attention to my son. "Here we go Bubba, time for our flight."
I smiled politely at the man, wished him a good day and quickly headed toward the security check. Whew: A quick and easy out.
A few minutes later at security, the fellow checking my ID smiled and said hello to Sebastian. I smiled back, he smiled at me. We walked on toward the check point eventually coming to a security attendent who stopped in front of Sebastian and started talking to him about his "bobo" (aka pacifier).
"Oh, you don't need that bobo little guy. You're too big for that."
I attempted to smile politely although this is one subject I'm not too keen on having with strangers. The security looked at me and started telling me about his son who is now a teenager. I managed to be polite while keeping my responses short and eventually made my way through the security check and off to my gate.
Once inside the plane and *comfortably seated, Sebastian and I sat and waited for the plane to fill up. All the while I kept my fingers crossed as I hoped that the seat beside us, in the center of our row, would remain empty. A few minutes later I discovered we had no such luck as a guy who looked to be in his 20's stopped in front of our row to put his bag in the overhead compartment and squished into the seat next to us. Darn. I silently prayed that he liked kids while I entertained Sebastian with the tiny window that was overlooking the plane's right wing.
Shortly into the flight, Sebastian dropped his car into the gentleman's lap. Oops.
"Here you go, little guy." The guy said and smiled.
"Sorry." I said.
"You're good." The guy replied. Whew. He seemed to like kids.
We did end up having a conversation, the stranger next to us, and I, most of which consisted of talk about my kid or kids in general. The flight ended with Sebastian's feet touching our new friend's leg and my coffee on the stranger's tray. (You have to love the closenses of these darn airline seats.) But with a "Nice meeting you" and an exchange of FB names, Sebastian and I were off on our adventure in MIA.
Once at our hotel and seated at the hotel restaurant for brunch, another conversation was started about my son and his magical curls by the waiter/GM of the hotel. Interesting. Has my son really become the way to every strangers heart? Hmmm.
*there's really only so much you can do to get comfortable in a tight airplaine seat with your 30 pound, 33.5 inch toddler on your lap.
But I noticed an odd thing while traveling and staying hotel bound for a few days. Maybe it's the cuteness of my particular kid (heehee) or maybe it's that a kid (in general) is a good conversation starter. But either way, I have to say that Sebastian and I seemed to beckon random attention from random strangers. Mostly men. Who knew?
It started shortly after arriving to La Guardia for our departing flight. In line, at the Duncan Donuts, a tall man began talking to Sebastian about his Hot Wheels. He literally bent down and started a (one-sided) conversation with my little guy. I smiled politely but a bit uncomfortably. I proceeded to order my cappuccino and subtly pushed Sebastian's stroller out of the man's direct line of sight.
"Your son is adorable." The man suddenly said. "How old is he?"
"Thanks. He's 18 months." I responded to the man and then directed my attention to my son. "Here we go Bubba, time for our flight."
I smiled politely at the man, wished him a good day and quickly headed toward the security check. Whew: A quick and easy out.
A few minutes later at security, the fellow checking my ID smiled and said hello to Sebastian. I smiled back, he smiled at me. We walked on toward the check point eventually coming to a security attendent who stopped in front of Sebastian and started talking to him about his "bobo" (aka pacifier).
"Oh, you don't need that bobo little guy. You're too big for that."
I attempted to smile politely although this is one subject I'm not too keen on having with strangers. The security looked at me and started telling me about his son who is now a teenager. I managed to be polite while keeping my responses short and eventually made my way through the security check and off to my gate.
Once inside the plane and *comfortably seated, Sebastian and I sat and waited for the plane to fill up. All the while I kept my fingers crossed as I hoped that the seat beside us, in the center of our row, would remain empty. A few minutes later I discovered we had no such luck as a guy who looked to be in his 20's stopped in front of our row to put his bag in the overhead compartment and squished into the seat next to us. Darn. I silently prayed that he liked kids while I entertained Sebastian with the tiny window that was overlooking the plane's right wing.
Shortly into the flight, Sebastian dropped his car into the gentleman's lap. Oops.
"Here you go, little guy." The guy said and smiled.
"Sorry." I said.
"You're good." The guy replied. Whew. He seemed to like kids.
We did end up having a conversation, the stranger next to us, and I, most of which consisted of talk about my kid or kids in general. The flight ended with Sebastian's feet touching our new friend's leg and my coffee on the stranger's tray. (You have to love the closenses of these darn airline seats.) But with a "Nice meeting you" and an exchange of FB names, Sebastian and I were off on our adventure in MIA.
Once at our hotel and seated at the hotel restaurant for brunch, another conversation was started about my son and his magical curls by the waiter/GM of the hotel. Interesting. Has my son really become the way to every strangers heart? Hmmm.
*there's really only so much you can do to get comfortable in a tight airplaine seat with your 30 pound, 33.5 inch toddler on your lap.
Friday, April 8, 2011
We are off to Miami...
We are off to Miami this weekend and part of next week. I'm so excited to be getting away and to finally (after 3 months of coat wearing) get a chance to wear a few sundresses! Of course my little guy will be dressed in some cool summer outfits as well. We've spent the past 2 months prepping for this 5 day trip. (I know, it sounds silly, but it's true!) Sebastian has a new spring/summer wardrobe a la plaid shorts and pastel colored Ts. Oooh. I can't wait to dress him up! I'm getting excited just picturing his little spirally self looking all cute and hip. (Do I need to say how much I love shopping for and dressing up my boy? heehee)
Along with our new, revamped wardrobes, we have some must take travel items as well: cars and trucks! Yes, a handful of Sebastian's little cars and trucks will be making the trip to Miami with us. With this new obsession for little vehicles having recently surfaced, we can no longer leave the house with less than 2 Hot Wheels or Little People cars. Is he his father's son or what? Today, on the way to school, he kept looking down at his little navy sweater with a red race car painted on the front, smiling and saying "vroom, vroom!" I am loving these new little stages of awareness. It's the cutest. :)
And so, in less than 24 hours, Sebastian and I will be vroom, vrooming in the air, en route to some sun, sand, and warm salty water! Yay!
Along with our new, revamped wardrobes, we have some must take travel items as well: cars and trucks! Yes, a handful of Sebastian's little cars and trucks will be making the trip to Miami with us. With this new obsession for little vehicles having recently surfaced, we can no longer leave the house with less than 2 Hot Wheels or Little People cars. Is he his father's son or what? Today, on the way to school, he kept looking down at his little navy sweater with a red race car painted on the front, smiling and saying "vroom, vroom!" I am loving these new little stages of awareness. It's the cutest. :)
And so, in less than 24 hours, Sebastian and I will be vroom, vrooming in the air, en route to some sun, sand, and warm salty water! Yay!
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