Blogging our first pregnancy and child rearing, all the ups and downs, tears and laughs and overthinking that not only comes with being knocked up and a new Momma, but with just being me.
19 Months
Emilio,
Wow- I can’t believe how much you’ve done in a month! Your 19 months now and it is becoming more and more clear that you are becoming a kid, a grown up boy, a real little person. It blows my mind, leaves me nostalgic and excites me all at the same time!
So what have you been up to? Well, adding multi-word strings for one. At your 18 month appointment I asked the doctor when you’d start saying 2 words together and he said that the typical pattern is 1 word at 1, 2 words at 2, etc. Literally the next day you started stringing together 2 words much more frequently. You’re still a pro mimicker and so now you are often heard saying, “Come Here.” ”Let’s Go.” “Do it.” But, our favorite is “Love you.” If that doesn’t warm a Mama’s heart.
We’ve been up to a lot this past month! From Visits from Evelyn, Jen and Tim and Berry Picking to NH visits and fun races, to going to the Bronx Zoo for the first time and heading back to the Shore for a long long weekend. I’m so happy we get to travel around with you so easily. I love getting to have fun with you in places that I’ve always loved and nothing is better than a family vacation.
We had so much fun with the Swartouts visiting. You asked for Evelyn for a few days after they left. And you of course loved Berry picking, yummy! I’m so glad you’re such a good friend and always up for opening up to new people and having adventures!
You seemed a little overwhelmed at the Bronx Zoo, and I can’t blame you- there was so much to see and take in! I think your favorite was the Lion. Or maybe the Peacock, a word you learned there! I loved watching the Giraffes with you. 
That’s Grandma’s camera in that shot. You’re going to have a good store of videos to watch when you’re older.
After the fun trip to the zoo and your growing love of animals I decided to get you something to help grow and foster your love. I bought some baby safari animals. We brought them to NH and you had such a good time taking them in and out of a tin and making them swim in the watering can. The best part, was watching you learn all their names and proudly pronounce them as you lined them up. I take such pride in watching you grow and learn in this way. It is amazing watching your brain work and grow. You also got to help Mimi in the garden and taste some broccoli (one of my favorite words you say), zucchini, peas and beans.
Then, we headed to the Shore to meet Mimi, D, Tia, Auntie and Uncle Sam. We also got to play with Sadie, Emily and Brian on the beach. You LOVED the water, except for 2 times when you wanted nothing to do with it. You loved splashing in the tide coming in and out, loved being held in the water and bouncing up and down in the waves. You played in the sand with Mimi, and played with Tia on the dock at the house as the tide covered it. Great splashing and bubble blowing opportunities. On our last day at the Shore we headed to the beach and as soon as you saw the sand you said, “Ocean! Water!” You were so happy. You made everyone so happy to be together, it is amazing how much love such a little guy can share and spread.
You are still a great eater and seem to prefer processed meats (like hot dogs, meatballs, ground meat) than straight up chicken, turkey or steak. That’s cool, I’m the same way and we’re lucky that we have a lot of options for more healthy versions of those meats and the means to buy them for you. You love your fruits and veggies and have loved getting a lot of summer corn. You’ll eat it right off the cob, but love having me cut it off too. Your favorite summer fruit is peaches. I love how you say it too.
You have been in the Toddler room at Daycare for a month now and you’re doing so well there! You nap well, play nicely with your pals and are learning and growing so much more. You build so nicely with blocks now, love puzzles and conquer them like a pro, and you mimic and talk with us like I think you hear your friends do. One of the best things is they send us emails and pictures most days to let us know what you’ve been up to. It is the best part of my day, before I get to pick you up. The other day in the grocery store, you took my list from me and then proceeded to speak like I had been, pointing out items to get and bossing Dad and me around. Such a character! Your biggest thing is telling us, “Milio” when you want to do something your self. This happens most with teeth brushing.
One of the bigger changes I’ve seen in the past month is the frequency of melt downs. I wouldn’t exactly call them tantrums, and I can often distract you out of them. Maybe you’re easing me in to tantrums? I can understand, there is so much going on in your world right now plus you’re getting some teeth in, it must be overwhelming. It still isn’t fun, and I’m learning every day how to best manage them and to make sure to recognize why you might be growing so you feel understood and like you can directly communicate how you’re feeling in the future.
When we were in NH, you went over to one of Mimi’s stone walls and started to move one of the stones. Mimi called out to you, “Oh no buddy, don’t move that rock, leave that there.” You took your hands away, but immeidately started crying and walked over to us. ”Wait,” Mimi said, “Was that a tantrum? Because he stopped doing it!” Boy, I hope that’s always the case.
Oh, Emilio, whether crying, laughing, sleeping, nursing, eating, pooping, bathing, playing or fussing you are the greatest joy of my life. Just getting to watch you become the person you’re becoming is such an honor. I know I play a part in who you are, who you become and how. I know I’m responsible for your basic needs still. And, I think your Dad and I are doing a bang up job. But I also know, nature plays a part and just by nature you my lad are awesome. You’re smart, you’re silly, you’re loving and warm. I’m so proud of who you are. I’m proud of myself too. Thank you for making being a Mama so much fun it seems easy (even though it isn’t).
I’m a little scared at the rate of growth I’ve just seen, and I’m also so looking forward to continuing to watch you become you.
Oh Buddy, I love you so much.
Forever,
Your Mama
