Two Soon

Toddler Bear,

Happy 2nd Birthday!  Compared to your birth and first birthday this weekend was a breeze! No trips to the ER, yay (but we did have a bloody nose)! We had a wonderful party with family and some friends on Saturday! Boy, did you make out like a bandit.  Clothes and Books were piled all over the living room. You also got a very cool (read noisy) lawnmower.  Not one, but two helmets arrived to go with your brand new scooter! Daddy and I are already having fun with your drum set and remote control car.  And I am guaranteed to enjoy your kiddie pool as much as you. The sand bucket, shovels, and swimwear will be great for the beach this summer. And your Great Aunts stocked you up on Goldfish for a little while.   We had homemade mac and cheese and grandma's famous chocolate cupcakes!  Unwrapping each gift was a joy for you, and everything had to be opened up and played with at once.   We were all exhausted at the end of the day, but what a great celebration of YOU!

We celebrated Papa Tate's birthday at The Station with the family.  You were a big fan of the mac and cheese dinner and cupcake dessert that followed.  Do you see a food pattern developing?

We had great fun at the Pirate Party Parents Night Out at church.  You love following the big kids around.  And they all seem to love to "look out for little Kemper".  I do believe your favorite part of the evening was climbing a tree, marshmallow in hand.

We had a very nice Mother's day weekend earlier in the month.  Thank you very much for the Krispy Kreme donut and coffee you and Daddy delivered to me that morning, along with the fabulous chocolates that are currently hidden out of sight in the pantry.  We went to Bedford and spent some time with Beba & Papa and also had dinner with Grams and Papa Bass.  We are so very fortunate to have your grandparents close by.  They adore you so much.

As the weather has gotten warmer we've spent a lot of time at the playground.  You've also become a big fan of walking with the stroller so some evenings we go out after dinner.   You get super excited and jump up and down in front of the car as the stroller gets unfolded.  You also give directions as to where we should go.  Easy for you to say, you aren't the one pushing the stroller. :)

We hear a lot of:
"Mommy, mommy, Mommy!"
"Yes, baby?"
 "Sit. Here."
"Daddy.  DAAAADDDY!"
"Yes, Kempy?"
"Sit.  Here."

New things that you are doing:

The Good: You are learning your ABC's.  You sing Twinkle Twinkle and Wheels on the Bus. You can be pretty agreeable, often times you'll respond to a question with, "Okay!" When I ask you what a Pastor says, you reply "Amen!" And when asked what Hanson says, you appropriately respond, "Mmmbop!"  You make efforts to share and play well with others.  Daddy and I appreciate the stale popcorn and slobbery cookies you hand deliver to us. Quote of the Month: "Come on Sirius, Come play blocks."

The Bad: Last night you were chasing Sirius down the hall with your new shovel.  I keep catching you with your finger up your nose.  You think kicking your legs and wiggling while I am changing your diaper is hilarious (again).  Super hard to discipline you when your laughter is so infectious. Word on the street is you've been pushing some at school.

The Ugly:  First day of being 2....you had a melt down this morning because I closed the bedroom door.  On Saturday you collapsed into a red-faced, sobbing mess because (you needed a nap truly) I wouldn't put your shoes and socks on. But then when I did, you were unsatisfied because I wouldn't put my shoes and socks on.  Yeah, you took a nap promptly after that.   You have had some rough mornings going into school too.  You love your friends but man, Monday mornings are tough.


You are high energy, high laughter, high fun.  You get excited about Minions and Popcorn.  And you gleefully cry "library" when we go to get new books.   We love watching you learn new things! You bring so much happiness into our lives.  Keep doing you, kid.

Love,
Mommy, Mommy, MOOOOMMMY!

T Minus 1 Month

Bear,

Happy 23 Months, Kiddo!  I can't believe you are this close to that magic (and tragic?) age of TWO! I have noticed more in the last few weeks that you are starting to "act your age" on occasion. I was away this week at Montreat for several days and I swear when I had returned your vocabulary and speech had improved, in only a few days! I've gotten a lot of "Hey, Mommy!" and big hugs since I came home.  On Tuesday night you and Daddy had a party and you made new friends. I am glad you all enjoyed your Boys Club.

You've had some fun times in the past few weeks with visits from grandparents at Easter time and also Aunt Whit & Laura last weekend. Uncle Mike Yorg also stayed with us one night and I am pretty sure you believe we brought him in just to be your play mate.  You had some delicious Easter goodies which I wish I could say I ate all of, but you quickly discovered their value.  You also really liked doing a little mini egg hunt in the yard.  For at least a week each time we went outside you would say, "Where eggs?"

You also met your cousin Bridget for the first time a week or so ago! She is exactly six months younger than you.  She and her parents, Andrew and Jessica just moved to Greenville, SC so they are much closer to us than they used to be.  At first you were very skeptical of this little lady running up and hugging you right away, but you warmed up and had a good time.


We've had some tough days with a cold and teething in which food was not appealing at all and sleep was less than restful.  For several days leaving you at school brought tears (yours) and frustration/guilt (mine)  but thankfully you are feeling better and out of that particular stage!

One of the things we have realized as parents is we have no shame talking about poop.  In the car, around the dinner table, there is no sacred space in which your functions are not mentioned.  So, imagine my joy to receive a text from your teacher while at work saying that you "pooped in the potty!"  According to Ms. Becca you said, "I pooped. Eww!"  Is it wrong to praise you for bodily functions?  I hope not, because I just came out of the bathroom and you clapped for me. ;)

You have had a great time going to church with me on Sundays recently.  You have become more comfortable having time to play in the nursery and you really enjoy singing and dancing with the older kids at their gathering time.  Last week you waved and spoke to everyone as you walked into the building like you owned the place.  It feels good to have a child that brings smiles to other people's faces.  Please let it stay this way in the next year (fingers crossed)!

So, as we approach the big T-W-O: keep singing, keep smiling, keep dancing, keep hugging, keep exploring.   You always bring us comfort and happiness when we are sad.  You remind us of our purpose and you help us see the world through new eyes.  We love you.


Kisses! (To which you usually reply, "no, thank you" or "no kisses"

Love,
 "My Mommy"

Feelin' 22

Super Bear, 

Happy 22 months kiddo! A year ago today, we bought you a house! Time continues to fly by.  It is hard to believe we are living our second Spring here in Roanoke.  We are enjoying the nice, warm days as we can with trips to the playground and running around in the yard.  Unfortunately, the stomach virus is back along with the spring blossoms so we've spent the last few days recuperating at home.  

You've been trying to count in the last week or so.  You like to count like The Count on Sesame Street. So you say, "Two. Waha ah ah ah."  You have also been waking up pretty happy most mornings, and so when I enter your room you pop your head up and say, "Heeey!"Your cheerfulness has certainly helped with the time change a little bit.  

When we arrive at school you get excited to hop out of the car and carry your backpack to your cubby.  You can identify your friends' spots by their coats hanging on the rack, and you even recognize some of the children's parents! This blows my mind.  You can name most of your classmates as well.  You have a little girlfriend.  She is precious but please don't rush it.  I saw her plant a sloppy kiss on your lips last week! I hope I am still your #1 girl! 

You love slides! Seriously, you cannot get enough of any slide, anywhere! 



I am proud to report that you have been sitting on the potty at school!  One of the coolest things about having you in an environment with children older than you is that you've seen your friends start potty training.  You have asked your teacher on several occasions to sit on the toilet! You haven't really done anything but I am glad you think it is cool.  We bought you a little potty for the bathroom at home but so far you just take it apart and use it to climb up to the sink. It is really early so I am sure it won't stick but when you are ready to train, we'll be ready too.  

I am thankful that you are still well behaved when we take you out in public, to eat at a restaurant for example.  I am pretty sure the young ladies at the local Chinese Restaurant would keep you if they could.  They fight for your attention.  And you handled your first trip to a Mexican place pretty well too.  Who doesn't love nachos and cheese dip everywhere? Seriously, if you could keep this behavior up through the next year of your life, that would be awesome.  

Thanks for being such a cool kid.  We love you more than anything in the world.  Keep being you.

Love, 
Mommy.  Mommy?  Mommy-mommy-mommy!

"Cookie?!"

Dear Cookie Monster,

You are your mother's child.  Not only do you love Oreo's as much as I do (yes, my child does eat sugar, sue me) you also know exactly where the Lemonade and Cookies are served after worship on Sunday mornings! It is frustrating that sometimes you eat the creme filling from the Oreo's and discard the actual cookie, but again, so much like your mother.

What can I tell you of our latest adventures?  We've had a couple more snow days but this time was a bit more icy and we all have had colds so we did not venture out to play.  Instead we ran lots of laps around the kitchen, read lots of books, and even made our own fun out of goods from the pantry.  There was also Sesame Street...and cookies....

In the last couple of days we have spent some quality family time with both sets of grandparents.  It was a nice weekend! You very much enjoyed getting marshmellow goodies at Papa & Beba's house after dinner Friday.  On Saturday we went out for Chinese and Papa Bass and Grams went with us to the mall and supplied quarters for your coin operated Car obsession.  Grams also bought you the cutest little monkey backpack that you are extremely proud of.  Today we got you the matching lunch box.  :)

Last Friday you went with me after school to meet David LaMotte at the church to set up for his concert that evening.  I was quite proud that you were so well behaved.  You were really curious about all that was going on and I was excited that you took such an interest in David's instruments. He let you strum the guitar a little bit, so cool! Perhaps we will have a great musician in our future.

The newest thing you've been saying is "Oh, Noooo" and just plain old "No." It is funny because you will recognize when something is wrong or an accident, like paint being spilled in a storybook plot. You point and say, "Ohh, Nooo!" And you definitely have opinions on music preferences. For instance, you love to sing "Old MacDonald" but in recent days you've become far more particular about what we sing in the car.  Especially since you've learned "S.S. Bathtub." So if we are in the car, our conversations go something like this:

Me: Do you want to sing a song?
K: Yesh.
Me: Old MacDonald?
K:...noooo....
Me: Twinkle Twinkle?
K: No.
Me: ABCs?
K: No.
Me: Down By The Bay?
K: No
Me....S.S. Bathtub?
K: Yesh, Yay!
Me: I am the captain of the S.S. Bathub..... (and on it goes).

It is fun for you to sing along in that song.  You definitely know that "For dinner on the S.S. Bathtub we all eat Mac & Cheese."  You also greatly enjoy to wave and sing along with Daniel Tiger & The Letter of The Day from Sesame Street.

I like that you have more opinions and can help me figure out what you want. It is the same conversation with food. And books.

You've  been handling school and the church nursery very well.  You practically pushed me out of the nursery on Sunday morning!  You also really like doing music with the older children before nursery each week. You are learning to dance right along with them.  I've been impressed at your enthusiasm to go see your friends at school and wave to me and say, "Byyeee."

You did earn yourself a black eye at school a few weeks ago by tumbling into a bookshelf.  Again, I wish I could say you were defending a lady's honor, but I really think clumsiness is to blame.  A few days later you actually fell running down the hallway and sprained your ankle a little bit.  These two things together don't make mommy and daddy look very good!  Its a good thing pediatricians know how little boys are!

You are getting so big! We've bought you another pair of shoes.  And your hair is growing in even more, you had your first haircut too.  We love to pick you up from school and see the joy light your face.  We love to hear you patter down the hallway. We also love to hear you say, "Dadddiee!" and "Mommy??"  We love to tickle you until you are out of breath. We love to receive your wholehearted hugs and your sweet kisses.


I know you'll grow older my son, but in some ways I hope you never grow up.   Happy 21 Months!

Love,
Mommy

Polar Bear

Polar Bear,

Happy 20 Months! We've had such fun with the holidays and now a blizzard weekend!

Christmas with our families was just lovely.  It was actually about 70 degrees at Christmastime so it didn't really have the feel of Christmas the way this weekend does!  We spent Christmas Eve at Papa Bass and Grams house, Aunt Mert and Uncle Nick were there too! Even though you'd had an ear infection and were feeling a bit under the weather it didn't stop you from gleefully playing with wrapping paper, exploring your big cardboard club house, Beatbo robot, and sitting on your shiny red tricycle. We had to laugh because you thought that your Aunt Mert was out to steal all of your merchandise.  You kept taking your things, glaring at her and saying, "Mine!"

Christmas day we went to Papa Tate and Beba's house where we ate ourselves silly and you ran laps around everyone else.  You got lots of fun presents both days and have really enjoyed playing with a new pirate ship tent, wooden cars, and new books!  More importantly, you had so many great snuggles from your family. Santa left some fun stuff under your tree, which you considered quite questionable at the time, "How did this stuff get here?" You got over it when you saw Curious George!  

It was a tough sell to go back to school after about a week off, but in the last two weeks you have gotten back into the routine to the point that there have been no tears when I leave you and no motivation to pack up and come home at the end of the day. You'd rather stay and play with Mr. Potato Head! We are glad you have great teachers who care about you.  You've been learning about winter themed things like penguins and polar bears in your class.

One of the greatest joys in the past two weeks is that you have started saying "Mommy!"  It melts my heart each time I hear it! You've also helped to entertain in the car, as we sing Old MacDonald you chime in on the "ei-ei-ei-ei-ei-ei-ooooo".  You have also spent a lot of time playing with your Gears Table that Papa Tate and Beba gave you last Christmas.  You've finally grown into it.  You are getting better at expressing what you want, especially with affirmative head-bobbing and "Yesh." You also reprimand Sirius when he gets into trouble, "Kittie Gotta Go!"  Like father like son.

We went to Charlottesville last week for a check-up and I am pleased to report that all is well and you shouldn't have to go back! Whoo hoo!  We took advantage of the trek up 81 and met Uncle Jer for lunch while we were there.  You warmed up to him quickly and are loving the Woodstock bird he gifted you.

Today is the first snow day of your life which you've actually been able to play in.  We bundled you up in your snow bibs, gloves and hat, and warm winter coat that were given to you at Christmas.  You liked trying to make snow balls, sledding,and watching the big kids play across the street.

Now we wait for you to wind down, get ready for bed, and rest up for snow day number two.

Love you more than anything,

Mommy

9-Teen

Kemper,

Tonight you are just shy of 19 months and 4 days out from Christmas!  It has been fun to watch you begin to get a taste of Christmas...although frustrating too as you and Sirius have done quite a number to the Christmas Tree. 

 You have liked to see all the bright lights, you didn't cry for your first Santa photo and you are mildly intrigued at the thought of being allowed to actually rip paper off of things.  You already opened some wonderful gifts from Auntie Whitney, Keith & Elsie, and Laura. We are so thankful for their love of you and willingness to spoil you with clothes and books.  I can't wait to see what you think of all the other gifts you will find under various trees in a few days.

You are however also battling pink eye over the last few days.  Makes me wonder if Santa thinks we've been naughty instead of nice!  I'd prefer a lump of coal, but that is okay.  It won't kill us :) 

You have been doing well in school and bringing home lots of sweet holiday craft projects.  My favorite is the snowman made from a painted water bottle stuffed with cotton balls.  I am sure you loved pushing cotton and sparkly trinkets in the bottle so it serves as a shaker too.  We've also had reports of hair pulling and hitting kids with books.  I hope you are just trying to express your love of reading and admiration for pretty girls' hair....

We had a lovely Thanksgiving last month with a day well spent with both sets of Grandparents and Great Ray.   Then on Saturday we got to see the Tate side of the family including some cousins we hadn't seen in a very long time.  You ran us ragged that day my boy! Goodness, you were into everything.  Thankfully, Beba has child proofed a little more of the house for your Christmas enthusiasm. 

We took you to the Salem Christmas Parade and even though it was cold you had so very much fun seeing all of the lights and floats.  I think your favorite things were the marching bands.

We are charmed by your sweet voice saying, "please" or "pease" and "Thank you" or "tank ooo." You have perfected the voice of many animals as well as saying "Papa" "Beba" and "aams" for Grams.   You are quite good these days at instructing us on where you want us to go with you by pulling on our arms, legs, or hands, and also demonstrating what you would and would not like to eat. 

You make your own fun.  Instead of crawling through the tunnel Daddy picked out for you, you like to stand up in it and walk around, even though you can't see anything.  Climbing up on the couch is a skill you are mastering.  And then back down.  And then back up. And then back down.

You like to complete the sentence, "Ready, Set..." "GOOOOOOOO".  And it is so true, you do love to go, and in the blink of an eye you will just keep on going and growing. 

We are quite proud of the little person you are becoming.  Your hugs, kisses, and sweetness are always appreciated. 

Love,
Mommy

Eighteen Kid, and Counting...

Bear,

My sweet boy, tomorrow (Nov 22) you will be eighteen months old.  A year and a half.   Time to stop counting months I suppose.  You look more and more like a little boy rather than the baby we brought home.  We've had to buy bigger clothes and shoes in the last few weeks.  18 month pants are too big, but 12 months are getting a little short in some styles.  Thus, you are wearing some 12 month cargo pants that are a little big in the waist but at least are not high waters.

We've had some interesting things happen.  Your second ride in the ambulance came with your fourth fever related seizure in the middle of the night.  This was not so different from the others you have had but better safe than sorry. We are very thankful for the EMTs from the Cave Spring Rescue Squad.  When you arrived at the hospital you were sitting up on the stretcher waving and giving high fives to the staff.  What a relief!

Following that night of fun we spent about a week staying with Grams and Papa Bass because our home had a gas leak and needed some repairs.  Without the gas working we didn't have heat or hot water.  It was tough on your routine but you had great fun eating lots of yummy meals, adventuring with Grams, and playing in the neighborhood.  We spent Halloween there and you were a delightful Charlie Brown! Your Auntie Whit & Laura came up to see you earlier that day and then we handed out candy to the neighborhood kids that evening.  You enjoyed running to the door each time the bell rang and dropping treats into children's candy buckets.   The whole week was a vivid reminder to me of the many ways we are blessed and to be thankful for all that we have, especially you.

It has taken a few weeks to get back into the swing of things for you, particularly going back to school after you were sick.  You have reached the stage where you are much more clingy to us and cry when we leave you.  It has been hard to see you do that each day because you seem to enjoy school so much.  You had a great first report from our parent-teacher conference! Since then you have begun to "tackle", "headbutt" and "climb over other children."  I believe this is typical boy stuff.  Your Daddy fears this is because of the ways he plays with you.  But, I believe you do these things not in an aggressive way but to show affection, just as you do at home!  At any rate, we have to work on what is appropriate behavior at home and at school.  In the last week or two you have begun to say and sign "more", "please" and "thank you."  Good job, Bear, we are so proud of you!

You also know lots of animal sounds.  You can tell us what cows, dogs, lions, kitties, pigs, horses, and ducks say.  In addition, my personal favorite is "What does a wolf say?" You response is a perfect, "OOOOooo!" Pretty sure you have some permanent bruises on your forehead.  You always seem to knock your noggin in the same place! It must be difficult to carry around that big head and brilliant mind.  You are a fast little booger, but also a clumsy one.  You love to climb on everything and are getting tall enough to reach things we'd rather you not touch.

Last night and today you have stayed with Beba and Papa. I know at this very moment you are running around their house getting into trouble because you can open doors now!  This was a great time for you to spend the night with them because it has been a sad week for us.  My Grandma Becky, your Great-grandma passed away yesterday.  She lived a long and full life.  You only got to meet her once but I am so glad that you did.  I wish that she had been more alert and aware of her surroundings but she was certainly smitten with you and thought you were so handsome, and such a good eater!  As great-grandchildren, you and Taylen won her heart with your healthy eating habits!  I hope I will be able to tell you lots of great stories about her when you are older but the most important thing you should know is that she was a very strong woman.  She was a breast cancer survivor from when I was a young girl.  She was an amazing nurturer, she loved caring for her family, especially via her wonderful cooking.  She always liked having us over to her house for Thanksgiving.  She made the best turkey gravy and dressing you have ever tasted in your life.  She also made amazing chocolate cakes and coconut cakes. She liked to garden, quilt, and sing in her church choir.  She was almost as big a fan of peaches as you are.  We will all miss her.

Thank you son, for your sweet giggles that bring joy to all you meet.  Thank you for being the social person that you are, for running and playing and giving high fives to friends and family and church folk. Thank you for running to us and giving us hugs, and bringing us books to read to you.  Thank you for sharing your snacks with us. For jumping and dancing and keeping us on our toes.

We love you,

Mom