My Little Mimick

I can honestly say that I love the toddler years, even if they are very busy and I'm very tired at the end of the day. Thomas is constantly discovering how to do new things and say new words. It is wonderful to be home with him and to teach him words and to watch him "get it." One of his newest feats is mimicking whatever we do. If we put our hands above our head, he does it; if we jump, he (tries) to jump; and whatever activity we are doing, he (tries) to help.

Usually, I vacuum once a week and Thomas has always loved the vacuum. He has never been scared of it and I never have to wonder where he is because he is right under my feet! Sometimes he even turns it off in the middle of vacuuming. I didn't understand just how much he enjoyed the vacuum until I walked into the room the other week and discovered this:

Don't worry - it was unplugged! Now I have to be careful if I leave the vacuum out for just a few minutes, because Thomas will be hard at work. I just hope this eagerness to vacuum continues until he is old enough to really help!

Finally!

Our sweet Thomas finally started walking about three weeks ago. We were so thrilled because we had begun to think he would never walk. Not to mention it was the one question everyone at church kept asking, "Isn't he walking yet?" I was starting to get a complex because he wasn't walking, but as many moms have reminded me: every baby is different.

Thomas thinks that walking is the greatest thing ever. Usually he is walking around the house squealing with delight! It just makes my heart melt to see how excited and happy he is. In recent days, he has begun walking around with his stuffed puppy. The puppy has been in his bed for many months, but now he is becoming especially attached to puppy.

I'm learning that toddler hood is busy, but it is also so much fun! I love watching him grow and explore everything. While his transition from baby to toddler is a little sad for me, I'm very thankful for the little boy he is becoming.

I actually wrote this blog a week ago with intentions to post some pictures, but the computer crashed as soon as I plugged in the camera. It is a long story, but since we have continued to have problems with our desktop, I'm using the laptop until we can get it fixed. Pictures will come in the next day or two of Thomas walking and our little pumpkin on Halloween!

First Haircut

After much delay, we finally took Thomas to have his first haircut yesterday. He has needed a haircut for at least a month now, but part of me wasn't ready to do it, and we just haven't had the time. We decided to take him after lunch yesterday to see Jim Williams, who has been Josh's barber since he was a little boy and still cuts Josh's hair. Mr. Williams is around 80, but he still does a great job and Josh insisted that Thomas have his first haircut with him.

Surprisingly, Thomas wasn't scared at all and Mr. Williams was so friendly and sweet to him. He had toys for him to play with and he let him hold a comb too. Thomas just laughed and played and didn't seem to notice that his mama was just a little sad. He definitely looks more like a little boy and less of a baby - that is what makes me sad. Mr. Williams cut some of his little curls and put them in an envelope for me, not that Thomas will care about it, but it is special to me.

Here are the pictures of our day -

On our way to the barber.

Cutting hair for mama
Sitting still (one of the few times)
What are they doing to me?
A side view
The time where he didn't want to sit still!All the toys to entertain himAlmost finished!Look at our big boy!

Oh, the places things can go...

Thomas is such a little explorer these days and I have to constantly see what he is discovering. Yesterday, as I was getting a pan to bake the biscuits on, I found something that isn't normally in the bottom of the oven with the other pans.


Yes, that is a milk jug. When we finish a gallon of milk, the jug normally goes next the trash can, until the trash is full enough to take everything out. Thomas has played with the milk jug before, but I guess he found a new place to hide it! He is such a big helper and he knows how his mama likes a clean house - everything has it's place!

Pulling Up & Pointing

Two of Thomas' newest discoveries are pulling up on anything that is stable (and some things that aren't) and pointing at everything. My sweet boy wakes up pointing at something - the fan, the lamp, shoes - and I try to use those times to name what the "thing" is. He is so curious about everything and so delighted by all the new things he can do. Thomas pulls up on all the furniture and now "cruises" around until there is an open space and he is back to crawling.

This newfound freedom also leads to more discipline as he wants to grab the phone, remote, coasters, pictures, etc. laying around. People have told me, "You just need to put everything up until he is about three." While that would be much easier than disciplining him, it isn't best for him or for me. It fosters an undisciplined spirit in Thomas and laziness in me! Thankfully, he normally listens when I say, "No Thomas, you may not touch that," and if he doesn't, it only takes a little pop on his leg to get his attention.

It looks like it will be a few more weeks before he is walking. The other day he let go of the ottoman and tried to walk to his toy and fell face forward! I tried not to react with fear in my voice, and amazingly he didn't cry but just started crawling to the toy! Below are some recent pictures of him pulling up and pointing.

First Swim

My sweet husband told me yesterday morning that he was going to leave work around 3:30pm, so that we could have some family time and go swimming. We were planning on taking Thomas on Saturday, but we spent too long at the furniture store and weren't able to go (more details on the furniture later). After Thomas awoke from his nap, we went to Grandma & Poppy's house for dinner and swimming. We were sure that Thomas would love the water and he did! He was so happy the entire time he was in the water. Thanks to Poppy, we have pictures because we forgot our camera!

I'm ready Mom!

Poppy & Thomas
Family photo
Having fun!
Look at that sweet face!
Sweet moment with Daddy
My boys!

It is amazing how time passes so quickly. Last year at this time, I was 6 months pregnant and swimming in the pool with Thomas in my tummy! I dreamed about him enjoying the water this year, but I didn't realize how quickly this year would come. He has been such a tremendous blessing to us!