Tay's 17 Month Update

We are approaching the 1 1/2 year mark! Crazy how fast it goes. Here is what is happening at 17 months:

• We have been plagued with a bad ear infection for almost a month. It started before Christmas and seemed to go away but then came back with avengence. After 4 doctor trips and 3 rounds of antibiotics, it's finally almost gone and the doctor thinks it will heal on its own. As long as he doesn't get another cold she believes he is in the clear. He was always grabbing his right ear and was a worse sleeper than normal (which is already bad!). He does seem better and less fussy but now he has developed the habit of always grabbing his ear when he is upset so it's hard to know if it's habit or another infection....Poor guy!
• He still consistently says "mama" and other words are hit or miss. "Shoes" has been one we have been hearing lately. And we have also been hearing "uh oh!"
• He is great at pointing out his body parts (hair, nose, ears, eyes, feet, hands, etc.) He also knows penis - You ask where it is and he goes right for it. None of us are admitting to teaching this to him. He can also point out when you ask where other people's body parts are.
• Tay is one strong willed boy. Hates being told no or being stopped from doing something. Just throws a major fit and it takes him some time to let it go and be normal again. He also HATES having his diaper changed - It is a daily struggle (at least for me - he is better for other people)!! 
• He really wants to be included in everything. When Avery gets her coat on to go to school in the morning he runs to his bedroom and reaches for his coat. It's so sweet!! And if he can't ride along he is distraught when she leaves with one of us to head to school. He also loves to get his toothbrush and paste whenever Avery is brushing her teeth.
• He still wakes almost every night and cries some but he works it out and is happy in the morning. We put him to bed around  7:30-8 and he is in his crib about 12 hours and takes about a 2 hour afternoon nap.
• Tay is still an awesome eater - current favorites are pasta noodles and sauce, pizza, sticky rice, and fruit.
• Tay is in 12-18 month clothing and still in his size 5 shoes. Some 2T are fitting and he is also about ready for new shoes.
• He still loves Mickey Mouse and will bring you the remote to ask for it. He loves watching shows with his sissy.
• Tay also loves to play with anything that is Avery's - She has a basket full of shopkins and he will sit there and sort through them and put them in their little storage boxes all night if we let him. If it's Avery's, he's interested in it. 
• We still nurse 2 times a day.
• He is one busy, feisty, funny and cute little guy. 

Tay hates getting dressed after nap so this is his typical outfit in the afternoon - he had zero interest in getting his pic taken but LOVED his pasta dinner

Avery's Field Trip to Cool Creek Park

 I was able to take the morning off and chaperone Avery's field trip to Cool Creek Park. The kids learned about all the animal prints you can find in the forest in Indiana and they each got to paint a paw print. We also went on a nature hike and learned about different animals you can look for in the winter. And we ended with a discussion on turtles - the kids got to pet and hold a box turtle which was cool. Avery was really involved and asked lots of questions. She really wanted to know how old the turtle was and we learned he is 30 and can live until 100. I loved watching her interact with her sweet friends. It was a good morning!

Princesses, Parties, Haircuts and Freaky Warm Weather

Despite the sad start to the weekend (inauguration of President Drumpf), things brightened up on Saturday. Avery and I went to Disney on Ice with her friends Lila, Jade, Caitlin, and Alicia followed by Nyla's Hip Hop Dance Party. Hung and Tay spent the day at the barber getting a haircut and playing at the park. On Sunday the climate change weather continued and we all headed to the park together - Tay loves the slides and has no fear (like his sister and still does). Avery spent a lot of her time playing Hansel and Gretel in the woods area. It was a nice way to end the weekend.

Disney on Ice

Hip Hopping with Nyla - Avery was the only girl at the party who didn't go to school with Nyla and I was proud of her for participating and playing with the other kids who all knew each other.

Big Boy Haircut - Hung said he was a little nervous at first but calmed down once they put Mickey on for him.

Family Park Time

Cute Siblings

Avery and Tay were snuggling together in their jammies (Avery's are handmade by Hung's mom with fabric she has had since Hung was a little boy - he had bermuda shorts in the same pattern :)) before bed and I got some cute shots. They really do love each other a lot!

Jingle Rails 2016/2017

We made it to Jingle Rails on the last weekend before it closed. Avery, Nyla, Hung and I went on Sunday afternoon - The girls were "bored" after about 15 minutes of the Jingle Rails exhibit. But luckily they had fun at the hands on kids Western Town, getting a snack and then drinking their milk as "silly" as they could, and looking at the Native American exhibits. We would go into a room and the girls would have to pick their favorite piece and tell us why. They were actually really interested in learning more about the Native Americans and the history of the art - I was impressed with their questions. We ended the day making some bracelets and having dinner at a new Indian restaurant in town. Shockingly, all 3 kids loved it! It was a great end to the weekend.

Sweet Avery

Tonight Avery was talking about going to college and Hung started teasing her and saying "Oh you'll be done with us" and "You won't see us everyday anymore". And we look over and her chin is quivering and she starts sobbing. She started saying "I want to see you guys a lot in college" and "I need you to see me everyday". She was practically inconsolable and then she said "I really love Michigan and want to go there but I can't be that far away from you." It was just so sweet and so Avery - And made me feel like I am raising a mini-Rachael. Love that girl to pieces. I am OK if she never leaves us for college :)

16 Month Update - Taylor

What Tay is up to at 16 months:

• Tay has perfected the word "mama" and says it ALL the time. This month has brought on a strong mommy phase...Pretty much needs mama and is very vocal about it (and not nice to people when they are not mama). He is always reaching for me and running after me if I ever dare to walk to another room or attempt to give him to someone else. And when I walk into a room he is SO excited and happy. It's flattering and exhausting at the same time!
• Tay still loves instruments - really into music and dancing. The boy has some sick moves.
• And he still loves his golf club and balls. He got a basketball hoop for Christmas and has started playing with that. And some new golf clubs from Uncle Du that he swings around pretty aggressively and scares us :)
• He loves to go and get his snack cup, then heads to the pantry and picks out a snack and has you serve it to him.
• Tay really enjoys Mickey Mouse Clubhouse - And even better is getting a snack cup, sitting in his chair and watching MMC.
• We just turned his car seat to forward facing as his legs were cramped backwards. We drove to GR for Christmas and he really liked being able to watch movies with Avery and look out easier. 
• Tay is obsessed with space heaters in our bedrooms - He loves to sneak in and turn them to "always on" and sometimes I don't realize he did and wake up to a sauna in the bedroom.
• His appetite is hit or miss - Sometimes he eats a ton and other times he wants nothing to do with whatever we offer and just wants to get down and play. He seems to be fussier for me and eats better for Ashley or Hung.
• Tay can have a bit of a temper - If you tell him No he gets mad and will throw whatever he is holding. And then when you tell him No on the throwing he'll start to cry...It's hard not to laugh at his dramatics sometimes!
• He is definitely a strong willed little guy who makes us laugh and melt all the time!!

Would rather watch Mickey than have his picture taken (or climb or play with his golf club)

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