Little Man, Big Trouble

In keeping with the spirit of long-overdue blog posts, we realized it's been almost a year since we posted any updates about our little man.  Needless to say he has kept us very busy over these last 11 months, but we figured it was time to do an update with some pictures.  We both know things will only be getting crazier.

Late last year was when LT's personality started to emerge.  Seemingly overnight, he became this funny, smiling, passionate kid who was ready to take on the world and wasn't going to take "no" for an answer.  He was running around like a crazy person and starting to be really impressed by LC and all of the things she was doing.

We spent his first Thanksgiving with the extended family here in Jacksonville.  He was a little young to really get into the food, but based on his eating habits now, this year is going to be an absolute free-for-all.  His first non-infant Christmas was spent at home with Grandma and Grandpa in town.  He was too young to get the presents, but really got into the tree (especially taking down the ornaments) and Christmas lights.

Diaper box + dog leash + Daddy power = indoor go-cart

Nothing says Christmas morning like an obscene amount of French Onion dip

Working on his technique during the holidays

The new year continued with a new first almost weekly.  While he wasn't talking that much, he was laughing and smiling more than we ever thought possible, and he was moving around like a three year old.  He didn't want to accept the fact that he was barely 1, so we did end up with lots of scrapes and bruises; a theme which continues to this day.  LT is nothing if not determined and doesn't seem to let any obstacle stand in his way; it's a good personality trait to have, but hopefully he'll understand danger and repercussions before too long.  It was about this time that he discovered standing on things--anything--was super cool.  Toy box, coffee table, boxes, toys, it didn't matter; the more unstable and dangerous, the better.

Even with his "spirited" personality, LT was really turning into a huge lover.  He started really getting into stuffed animals and started commandeering those that had been discarded by his sister.  While the process started slowly, it has evolved into a crib full of stuffed friends (Nemo,Big Monkey, Little Monkey, Bo-bot, Man, etc); so many that it's hard to pick him out at night on the video monitor.  While he went back and forth for a while, Big Monkey is definitely his favorite, followed by Rabbit (AKA "Rabbie").  The two of them are the only ones invited out of the crib with him in the morning.

First frozen yogurt?  Complete success.

This could easily be Trevor 30+ years ago with his Snoopy

I like to think I can wake up early, not nap in my bed and still have energy for the playground

Not quite dangerous enough

Big Monkey

LT's first haircut came in February, and he was an absolute rock star.  He loved chasing the bubbles around the store and was thrilled with the fact that all he had to do was sit there, watch TV, and eat a lollipop.  It's amazing what a simple haircut can do--he went from a little baby to a little man in a few short minutes.

One of our favorite family activities has been going to the zoo.  With the family membership it's been super easy to take the kids when the weather is nice or when we just need to get them out and do something different.  LT is slowly getting more interested in some of the animals, but much like his sister, his zoo favorite is the carousel.  We're looking forward to going back when the weather is a little cooler, now that LT is more familiar with the animals.  The hard part will be trying to keep him from climbing the fences to go and play with them.  We're tempted to try the giraffe feeding with him, but if any child could grab a giraffe's tongue, it would be him.

Easter was a fun day at the park with Jessica's MOMS club.  LT didn't quite understand what was going on, but he took to egg pickup pretty quickly.  For being one of the smaller ones in the group, he did a good job finding and picking up eggs, but would then get bored with them and put them down elsewhere.  I think he realized his mistake afterwards when he got one opened and noticed the candy inside.  The highlight of the day for both he and LC was the balloon artist.  LC got a hat which looked like Percy the train, while LT went with a Monkey.  He carried that thing everywhere with him for a few days, before every last balloon in it had finally popped.

This time of year was filled with lots of growing and lots of playing.  His communication was steadily improving and we were starting to see more signs of his "spirit" coming through.  He loved being outside playing and was starting to become good buddies with the dog.  Annabelle, being an excellent older sister, put up with the occasional hair tugs and whacks to have a new friend to play with and steal food from.

Mastering Step 1 in the Easter egg hunt process

Greatest balloon animal ever

Signs of the crazy "roar" starting to show

Mischevious

With summer starting, most of LT's time was spent playing outside.  He loves being outside and playing in the water and trying to be Daddy's yard work helper.  He loves walking around with his lawn mower and helping Daddy, hopefully it will continue when he's older and gets to do it for real.  While he loves playing in the sprinklers and kiddy pool, swim lessons did not go so well at first.  LT was not a huge fan of structured lessons with Miss Amy, but by the end of the summer, he was loving floating in Grandma & Grandpa's pool with the help of a swim noodle.  He spent most of the summer watching his sister transform into a fish, so I think he'll be ready to swim next summer when he's a little bigger.

Not quite the intended use of the splash table

Sprinkler champion

Day 1.  He learned a lot, but crying was a common reaction to swim lessons

Hard at work on the front yard

Proud of his work

The highlight of late Summer was definitely all of the travelling we did.  LT got to go on a mini-vacation to Tampa and a proper vacation to Pennsylvania.  It was a vacation filled with extended family, staying up late, roller coasters, and lots of ice cream.

Dude time.  Daddy's car, monkey shirt and a truck book

Watching the US practice before the Nigeria game.  Got a wave from Wondolowski...may have jinxed him

Summer fun with ice blocks and pretend tools

Train rides at the Riverside Arts Market

Going on an adventure with his backpack and newly discovered "toy" flashlight

Ice cream time!!!  Friendly's, Lititz, PA

Hershey Park, PA

Our little snuggler

The fall has been an absolute blur.  Between LC starting school and Jessica's parents moving to town, we've been going non-stop for a few months.  LT's time has been spent hanging out with grandma and grandpa, running errands with Mom, and raising hell at our house.  He had his first real Halloween and got to do some trick-or-treating with his sister.  He's still a little young, but he was stoked that he could get dressed up, ring a doorbell, smile and get candy.  There were a bunch of Halloween activities this year, so he split time between a pumpkin, a monkey, and a pirate.

Getting ready for family pictures

Smelling the "flowers"

Traded a lollipop for some extra smiles during pictures

As you could probably guess, he is not wearing pants in this picture

Bean bag toss at the HBPC Fall Festival

He may or may not tried to hug/smother a rabbit...and a chinchilla

Neither child was impressed with the St. Augustine Greek Festival

Pre-pre-Halloween party in Atlantic Beach

The pumpkin costume didn't stay on for long

The Troublemakers

It is incredible how quickly LT has grown up.  He is talking so much, he's not quite two and can tell you exactly what is on his mind.  He makes his opinions quite clear.  He has entered the "twos" throwing a pretty impressive tantrum at the slightest denial of his request.  The purple cup is dirty, but how about this nice blue cup?  His little face squishes up, and he immediately starts crying and screaming "baby purple cup!!" or whatever item/action he's been denied.  And yes, he is still calling himself 'baby.'  I guess we've called him that so much, it has stuck in his mind.  If you ask him name, his most common answers are Baby  or Baby LT.  I have been really been focusing on calling him by his name only, but he's still hanging on to baby.

Among his favorite activities these days are swinging (he finally loves swinging high, demanding "big pushes!"), digging/sweeping/raking (which often end up with the shovel/broom/rake being swung dangerously above his head), and reading books.  He loves the Little Blue Truck books.  Like most little brothers, he's also subject to LC's favorites.  He loves Doc McStuffins, Jake & the Neverland Pirates, Princess Sophia, and the most recent introduction - Frozen.  He is adorable singing Let It Go, and he's a big fan of Elsa.  When it comes to pirates, both kids love calling Daddy "Captain Hook"  and he often refers to himself as "Baby Captain Hook."  He also loves giving high fives and shouting BAM! when he does it.

As LC has gotten really into imaginary play, LT is following right along.  Most of the time, I'm pretty sure he has no idea what LC is talking about, but he's right there for the adventure, and I love watching the two of them play together.  They often end up inside of their Thomas the Train tent, which is usually a pretend pirate ship these days, and I'll hear so much giggling and happy shouting.  It makes me so glad they have each other to play with.

As grown up as he's getting, parts of LT are thankfully still baby.  He still sucks his thumb, and he loves to cuddle and be held.  When he needs comfort, he tries to stick his hand in my shirt or whoever is holding him.  If that doesn't work out, he ends up sucking his thumb with one hand, and sticking the other hand in his own shirt.  It is very sweet and endearing.

I can't believe his second birthday is only a month away, but I am so excited to see what this next chapter holds for our little man.