Summer is here! (Andrew ~ 17 months)

I was just reading my last blog (when Andrew was 15 months) and noticed that he was away with Edee and Pop when I wrote that one.... well, that's where he is now!  Guess that's going to be the only time from now on that I have to blog.  =)  It's finally SUMMERTIME!  Woohoo!  It has been one of the toughest years for me; I had a rough group of kiddos.  But, I can relax and enjoy my time with my Little Man.  He is enjoying his time with Edee and Pop because I have a class a few days next week.  Edee had to come and visit a little early because Andrew got his first ear infection on my last day of school.  So, as usual, Edee packs her bags and heads up to the ATL to help me out and take care of my sick baby.  I felt so bad for him, he had a fever, his ear hurt, he vomited (didn't like the Tylenol liquid meds), wouldn't eat/drink.  Scary times for Mommy!  But after getting a dose of antibiotic and resting a lot, he was MUCH better the very next day--thank the Lord!  At the doctor, he weighed in at 27 lbs (with all clothes and shoes on).

He is getting more teeth again, now one of his canines is coming through, and I think that may have caused, or been a part of, the ear infection.  I have heard that the canines are the toughest, and he sure has had a rough time.  He drools a lot, has diarrhea, will sometimes run a slight fever when teething, and will point to his teeth and say "teeth" to let me know they hurt.  Teething tablets still seem to work well, so we use those when needed.  He doesn't have many more teeth to go---he has had a mouthful for quite some time.

Andrew was baptized on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Perimeter Church (we recently became members there).  Our families were able to travel here, along with some friends, to take part in this very special event.  What a blessing it is to know your child is cared for by the church and welcomed into the Kingdom of God.  ♥

Drew Man continues to learn and grow so fast.  It's crazy how fast he learns something and how well he understands what you tell him.  Here are a few highlights at 17 months:

~He can recognize a few colors:  Red, Blue, Green
~He can recognize a circle (and will cay "urcle")
~He will take something to the trash and throw it away, if you ask him to
~He is doing well with listening and following directions
~He drinks very well out of a straw and will ask for what he wants to drink:  Juice ("juws") and Milk ("mi mi")
~He likes to ride the horsey on your leg ("horsey")
~He LOVES to throw things---right now he loves to go outside and throw rocks, which he calls balls.  We can't quite get him to understand that just because something bounces, doesn't mean it's a ball.
~He can almost run---he moves pretty fast!
~He is attempting to say whatever you say to him (at least the last word or two of what you say)
~He has a very good memory (or is obsessive--whatever you want to call it) because when he finds something he likes to play with, he remembers exactly where it is in the room and will go back to it every time.
~He LOVES his paci---he asks for it often, and when he's being whiny he says "pahaha ci i i".
~He still dances all of the time, even on command, and has now started to sing along with me or a song that is playing.
~He asks to go outside all of the time (he will either ask for his "shoos" or say "side" to request to go outside)
~He is still a good eater, and we are now working on him using a fork and spoon himself.  Right now, we help him by guiding it in his mouth and then letting go, but I know we need to take the messy step of letting him do it ALL on his own.  Not really looking forward to that, but will enjoy it when I don't have to feed him every bite.
~He has been requesting to talk to "Mama" on the phone when I'm not around.  He will hold the phone up to his ear and say "Mama hello".  Too cute!

It's such a fun journey with him, and I can't wait to see how he reacts when we take him to the beach in a couple of weeks for the first time.  Updates to come!

Blessings,
The Hoods

15 Months

Spring is here and my Little Man is walking around.... FINALLY! It took him a while to get the courage, but he is now fully walking around on his own. He's still struggling to stand up on his own, but he will crawl over to something and pull up and start walking again. It's so cute!

Jeremy and I are enjoying a "Staycation" at home this week during Spring Break while Andrew is visiting his Edee and Pop. I sure do miss him, but I know he's having FUN and being spoiled rotten. But that's what grandparents are for! =)

Andrew continues to grow and change each and every day. I feel like almost daily he is doing or saying something new. He is still a very good eater and sleeper, and I'm SO grateful for that. Here are some of the highlights:

Words he's saying:

Trash

Truck

Bus

Gross (so funny when he says this)

Bath ("baa")

Clock

Hey Baby

Bye Bye

Juice

What he's doing:

Walking

Dancing

Clapping

Singing (he makes noises during the song like he's singing)

Gives "Love" (hugs)

Tells a Secret (he puts his ear up to your mouth)

Drives a boat in the tub ("vrooom, vroooom")

Begs for the refrigerator to be opened (LOVES to eat/drink milk)

Pushed every button and turns every knob he can get his hands on

Cuddles with his blanket

Lays his head on you (shoulder, leg, etc) when he's ready for a nap

Has to have "dip dip" for chicken (ketchup, ranch, or any sauce)

Life with a 1 Year Old

My sweet little boy continues to grow, learn, and change every day! He is still so much fun and we are enjoying our little 1 year old. Here's what he's up to right now (13 months):

What he can say:

Elmo

Dora (that came out of nowhere because he doesn't even watch it)

Bye-Bye (and waves)

Light (and points to either a light or the light switch)

Mama and Dada---and really means it

MiMiMiMi (milk)---he no longer has the bottle, so he really means milk and isn't asking for the bottle

AnJew---his name =)

Nana--Banana

Manana--More Banana

Things he recognizes and points to (in books or in real life):

Ball

Banana

Elmo

Boat

Flower (and he smells it)

His nose and feet

Socks

Book

Milk in his cup

Shoes

Pants

Brush and Comb--and will brush his hair with it

Mickey Mouse

Fun Things:

He dances all of the time and loves music.

If you ask him to smell something, he will scrunch up his nose and sniff---so funny!

Go get the ball and toss it to you (he has good aim, too)

Waves and says Hey or Bye-Bye

Combs his hair

Wipes his nose with a tissue

Takes off socks (usually on command, but many times just because he wants to)

If you tell him you want to tell him a secret, he will lean in and put his ear to your mouth

If you ask him to give you a "kiss" or "love", he will lay his head on your shoulder

I'm sure I'm leaving out some things, but I wanted to highlight a few neat things he's doing right now. Of course, the credit goes to Miss Genia, who teaches him pretty much everything he knows. She is so sweet to him and is still our "angel" who blesses us by caring so much for our son.