Things that make me smile

Watching Ian pick up the stool to reach a book, bring it back to exactly where he found it and putting my phone and pager back on top. :-) WOW!

Ian's First Ice Cream Cone

Compliments of Ben and Jerry's Free Cone Day

A dry day for Ian

Ian's first day in the same underpants from start to finish! Except
his nap, which involved wrestling him to put on his diapers - not a
happy camper. Praying for a repeat performance.

Some of my favorite things

Watching Ian put clothes in the dirty hamper on his way to his bath! He's so excited and loves doing what big brother does.

More words from Ian

• raa raa (Rocky our cat)
• pa ba (Backpack or any bag)
• soc (sock)
• shu (shoe)
• shurt (shirt)
  

Ian's growing vocabulary

• da da
• weee weeee (fire engine siren)
• maum maum (milk)
• cat (caterpillar tractor - the first boy in the car and strapped in gets to play with it. We try to use it as a motivator for Jadon to get shoes and coat on and to the car on his own).
  
• mooo mooo (more)
• hot (describes fireplace, stove and coffee)
• tau (truck)
• Hi
  

Nice quiet morning....

Very few and far between, so I relished in the 20 minutes I had to sit and breath.

Ian is now walking well and starting to run. When in public, they have to either hold each others hand or mine so that I am not running in 3 different directions! They prefer to hang onto each other. He is learning his words, they are the words that Jadon uses, so..... a fire engine siren, "da-da", "hot", "j-don". He is a really good listener and helper and does everything big brother does and vice versa! I enjoy his smiles - he is full of joy - his laughter, his willingness to obey and the accountability he offers for me to consistently correct naughty behavior in both my little men.

Jadon is growing mentally and physically! He loves to run, jump, climb, ride - motion, motion, motion. He also loves to sit and look at all his books. He knows a lot about animals and cars/trucks. And because his vocabulary is increasing tremendously, he is learning the proper way to ask for things and talk in general. He is our servant. He loves to help and then tell everyone "I'm helping!" I try to consistently use his servant heart to his advantage and keep him out of trouble. He also has a really good memory - so Dad and I are trying to stock it full of God's word. He surprised us by learning Isaiah 9:6 in a week! It's hard work cause Mom and Dad have to be consistent and remember to teach Jadon the verse......

Baby Sign

We were more consistent teaching Jadon sign language, but every once in a while, Ian will surprise us and use a sign. He started signing at 11 months and so far has "eat", "more", and "milk" down. Milk is the latest addition to his repetoire.
Oh! He is now preferring to walk vs crawling, but not all that steady on his feet yet.

Ian is Walking!!!!!

YEAH! Ian is walking. At his choosing, of course. I think he is teasing us. Our Nanny got a video of it on her phone and as soon as we figure out how to get it off, I'll post it for all to enjoy.

We got it......



Look, he's so proud!

Ian's Talking

Well, talking on a one year old level. He says "ma ma ma ma ma" and "da da da da da". In the last couple of days we have been able to discern "J-don" as well!

Moon Crawling Baby

Every once in a while, Ian will start crawling backwards and it looks like he is "moon" crawling. I would love to capture it on video for all to see, but haven't had the luck of it yet. Will keep trying.

Brushing Teeth

We have started brushing Ian's teeth, to help get him used to the idea. He has been watching big brother get his teeth brushed for so long, he knows just what to do. It is fun to watch him come over, lay back and open his mouth. He has had good consistent modeling by Jadon.
Ian already wipes his hands when we tell Jadon to wash his hands.

These things make me smile!

Happy Halloween

BYE BYE

It brings me great joy to see Ian do something new, something that we have been modeling to him. Today as our nanny, Amy, got ready to leave, he turned toward her, started flapping his whole left arm and said in his own words "bye bye". An absolutely adorable moment that I want to share with all.
[Age 1yo]

Happy Birthday Ian!

Some highlights of the year.

• Teaching dependence on God in prayer
• Visiting with distant cousin
  
• First car trip to Seattle
  
• Sitting on potty
  
• Daily hugs and kisses
  
• Laughter and smiles for all
• Sitting/crawling/standing/cruising
  
• Teaching gentleness and laughing with his big brother
• Farmers Markets with Grandma and Gramps
• Parks and Berry Farms with Nina and Papa
  
• Four Emergency Room Visits, including one ambulance ride
• "Da Da" and "Ca"
• Emulating big brother in play
• Bath time for two
• A trip down memory lane

Stair Climbing

Seven days ago, a trip up the stairs took 5 minutes - now he's down to just over a minute!

Can't resist a smile can you?

Is this how these things come off?

Ian is now a little over 9 months old and changing every day. He has started cruising (holding on to furniture and walking), holding his own sippy cup up, and following dropped objects. Him and Jadon "talk " to each other all the time and he is starting to say "da da" Will thinks that he also says "ma ma" but to tell you the truth it's more like "da da da" or "ma ma ma".

Ian helps wake Jadon up in the morning - when he see's Jadon, he makes a bee line for Jadon's bed and starts chatting away. Soon they are both talking and heading for their respective potty's. It is then down to breakfast where the interaction continues. Ian loves watching his big brother jump, run, and tumble. Jadon enjoys making Ian laugh by doing the above! They do have times of crying and sibling rivalry which we referee, but we love to see them interact together.

If Will or I lay on the floor it is instantly followed by Ian and Jadon climbing all over us and tumbling resulting in a human jungle gym. The Bower clan keeps busy and out of trouble with lots of wrestling, running and climbing. Times of fun and busyness that I don't want to end, that I savor and look for my next opportunity to love on all 3 of my boys!

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom.....

I am not referring to Mazda. I am referring to our little one who has now mastered crawling - Ian even crawls on the sidewalk to play ball with Jadon and I! His knees and shin show signs of his constant movement. All the gates are once again closed at our house and we must keep watch because he has also mastered pulling himself to a standing position.



Now that Ian is crawling, he is finding a lot of neat stuff and enjoys to go in the direction of Jadon. (Maybe because Jadon is at his eye-level). Jadon has mastered "No No Ian" and a shrieks of dismay. We are constantly molding Jadon into a gentle big brother that guides Ian out of love and sharing. Luckily "Lyle, the Kindly Viking" is one of Jadon's favorite Veggie Tales which helps us reinforce sharing and brotherly love.

To boost Will's spirit he got an "A" on his first paper that he has turned in for his grad studies. A little confidence booster after being out of the classroom for 3 years. Oh and typical Will style - it was 2000 words too long! Between you and me, he has a hard time being concise!

It's hard to believe that it is already the end of July and the boys are growing and we are enjoying every exhausting minute. It's hard to believe sometimes how much I get done around the house. But I am working hard on changing my perception to say that I have accomplished a lot when I have been quiet, connected and attuned with my boys. Enjoying the time with them and leaving the dishes for another time! (Pray for me on that one - It will constantly be a work in progress). Enjoy Ian's smiles. He lights up faces where ever he is.

Learning to Crawl #3

Ian is crawling! He has red knees today from his many successful attempts. Even a bump from his big brother who wants to be the center of attention, did not deter him. Way to go Ian!

Learning to Crawl #2

I would not call it crawling.... at least not yet. It's more like sliding, stretching, arching, rolling and 'skootching'. But he can move across the floor.

Other exciting news: He is very productive on his potty. He loves to talk and responds when talked to in his language. He is very expressive and loves to watch and follow Rocky. We also have a "pop up" toy and he is a pro at closing all the lids! He is very much the eater too!