There are not words that can describe how much or how I love my littlest man. Overflowing, boundless, endless, immeasurable, pure, unconditional, tender, steadfast...I could go on forever. Each day I wake up and feel blessed to be able to stay home and spend my day with him, and each day I never regret the sacrifices it takes to make that possible. Lately, I feel like every day CJ is doing something new. As I was thinking about this post, I realized it would crush me if he did any of these things first with someone else.
I don't know how he grows so fast. I sure wish he would stop! But, I also know that while I would love to keep him little forever, I also love all the new things he is learning.
Today, he started stacking blocks. We had these in the living room for a long time, and he was sort of interested in them, so I decided to put them away for a while to see if distance would make his heart grow fonder. When I pulled them out today, I was honestly hoping they would keep him distracted long enough that I could put away his laundry. He only had them for a few seconds when I turned around and he had stacked them up like it was nothing. I nocked it down to see if he would do it again. He laughed, and then stacked the right back up. I only wanted the fun to last a few minutes, but it lasted for a loooong time. He thought it was super fun.
Stacking on the ottoman...
Tall tower...
Check out the concentration...
And the satisfaction of a job well done...
While we were in Tennessee CJ started giving kisses. I LOVE it! Now he will even give them when you ask for them...if he's in the mood. He hasn't figured out to pucker up, so they are open mouth, but they are oh so sweet.
This is also a new face. Why he can pucker up when he's concentrating and not when he's giving kisses, I'm not sure. But again, oh so sweet...
Here is a picture of another new favorite thing to do. While we were in Florida, CJ decided that getting into the toy box, getting covered with the toys, and then throwing them out one by one was super fun. He's such a mess, and we still play this game every day!
And here is a picture of him being BAD! There aren't many places CJ isn't allowed. But, I think some boundaries, clearly and consistently enforced, are good. One thing that isn't allowed is getting into the small desk drawer. The big drawers are full of papers, and he can't open them, but this drawer is just his height and full of things he thinks are fun.
But the funniest part is when he gets something from the drawer, he knows he was bad and runs to bring me what he has. Even though he is being disobedient, I guess the fact that he isn't trying to hide it yet is good. He will even shake his head no, no, no as he is bringing it to me.
I have also decided single moms must have almost no pictures of their kids. When we are at the park, I don't feel comfortable looking at him through a lens...I want my eyes on him. This morning he was adorable while I was getting ready for church. He pulled out a bag from my closet that had one of my old shirts in it. He wanted to wear it, while dragging the bag. It was adorable, but I knew the moment would be gone by the time I got my camera from the other end of the house and got back to the bathroom.
So here are some other new CJ tricks that I haven't been able to catch on camera...
~When I ask him if he wants to eat, if he's hungry, he runs to his high chair and tries to climb up it like a monkey.
~When he gets a drink, I make him sit down on the kitchen floor. I keep a towel close by in case he spills. He now takes the towel and wipes the floor himself. Such a hoot! I'm trying hard not to make him OCD like me, but it may be a losing battle.
~Another little OCD moment happened while we were playing outside. I brought his lawn mower out for him and he dragged it, step by step, up our steep driveway. He took it all the way over to his wagon and tried to put it into the wagon...like it was when we first came out the door. I got the picture and took the wagon and lawn mower both out. He definitely knows what he wants, and he wanted the lawn mower in the wagon!
~If he stands on his tip, tip, tipiest toes he can reach things on our bathroom counter, the kitchen table and even things near the edge of our kitchen cabinets.
~When he wakes up his nook is firmly planted in his mouth. Once I put him down, he runs over to his bed and throws his nook back into his bed. So glad he is getting less attached to it!
~I am super thankful the toilet in our bathroom is in its own little room. When I am getting ready, I have to close the door because CJ has figured out how to open the toilet. He also thinks it is really fun to unroll the toilet paper. Neither one is cool...so thank goodness for the door!
~My favorite new thing, next to sweet kisses, is hugs. Oh how I have waited for both those sweet arms to wrap around me and hold on. When I pick him up from the childcare at our gym, he claps, runs over to me, and give me a BIG hug. Oh I melt!
~I have decided he wants to be big. He loves playing with the other kids at the childcare at the gym. I sneak and watch him a lot, and usually he is flirting with his favorite worker who loves him, or if she's not there, he is playing with the big kids. He watches them and tries to do what they are doing. It is so cute to watch.
I could go on and on, but I won't bore you. :) But, if you made it this far you probably love him as much as I do...or almost as much...
