Talking

Christopher is learning to talk so quickly. He is repeating everything Nicholas and I say, it's so cute! When I say something to Alli, he says it. When Nicholas tells Christopher no, he yells it right back! Even the teacher at Gymboree yesterday understood what he was saying. I love that he is learning so quickly I am just not sure what it is going to be like with two of them talking all the time!

The Snack Drawer

Christopher has discovered the snack drawer. There are two of them, filled with all kinds of delicious snacks. I think those drawers are the reason most people come over here. We are famous for our snacks. Now Christopher knows where to find them and he wants to eat all day long. His favorites are the fruit snacks - not the baby ones but the Spongebob and Lego fruitsnacks that Nicholas picks out. He also enjoys cookies, I try to switch the cookies with graham crackers or animal crackers, but even at one he knows the difference!

The Flu Typhoon

Christopher ended up with a stomach bug during our great snow vacation. The poor baby threw up for three days. His little germs spread from him to everyone - Uncle Markie, me, Aunt Wendy, Uncle Mike, Melonie, Heather, Mike, Grammie, Grampie, Uncle Andy, Aunt Marian, Aunt Missy, and Uncle John. No one was spared. I am sure a few people who were on the plane near Markie also caught it. He was sick the whole way home. Where do these germs come from and when will they come out with the stomach bug vaccine???

The Florida Baby

Mr. Christopher is not quite so sure about how he feels about the snow. As I was bundling him up with hat, gloves, boots, snowpants, snowjacket, he was crying. I finally got him outside and he stood there staring at us. When Nicholas dumped a bunch of snow on his head I thought it was all over. After an adjustment period, he seemed to like it but kept a strange look on his face. Maybe he'll be use to it during the next round this afternoon. Maybe if Uncle Markie takes him down the hill on the sled . . .

Another Nicholas?

Well, Christopher has become a screamer to get his way. I don't know if it's just instinct with my boys or if he learned it from Nicholas. There is so much screaming and yelling going on when someone doesn't get his way I can hardly stand it! Hopefully this is just from the frustration of learning to talk. I don't think I can take another Nicholas! Christopher is supposed to be the calm and easygoing one of the two!

Too Much Birthday

We went to Sebastien's 5th birthday party today. We all had a great time at Pump It Up. Christopher enjoyed almost two pieces of chocolate cake, tons of cheetos, juice, and a lollipop. This evening he threw up twice. I guess I need to monitor the cake intake a little bit better next time. Poor baby, at least he's peacefully sleeping now.

Back to Gymboree

We have been enrolled in Gymboree for quite some time but have only shown up there about a hand full of times. Poor Christopher absolutely loves it yet I never take him. So my goal is to be a better mother and get him there once a week. There is no reason to miss it and no excuse for such terrible behavior on part. There are six days week of classes and we should be able to make it to one! So there it is - my promise to Christopher.

A Clean Bill of Health

Christopher went for his post-op check up today. His ears are great, his hearing is perfect and all is right in his little world. He does have a little dried blood blocking the tube in the left ear but with a little peroxide over the next week, that too will be a thing of the past. He received a get well card from Uncle Andy and Aunt Marian and he carried it around opening it and closing it for a day. His walking has really improved, too. I thought his falling and leaning to the right was just learning to walk. Turns out, his walking was affected by the problems with his ears so now he is just running all around! He only falls down when Nicholas or Alli bump into him!

Hugs and Kisses

Christopher is just so lovable! He runs over to Nicholas and I all the time and flings himself at us so we will hug and kiss him. I even saw him do it to Hannah at playgroup last week. He just loves hugs and kisses. He even snuggles against Alli and gives her love!

Surgery

Christopher survived his ordeal rather nicely I must say. He had the tubes put in his ears, his adnoid taken out, and they checked his vocal chords. The first two days were not the piece of cake the doctors promised but I was not surprised by that. My little guy was such a trouper. Nana being here helped, too! Between the two of us he could be held and loved as much as he wanted. I think he is walking better, he doesn't seem to be as lopsided or clumsy as he was. He is also talking away. The words are becoming clearer and clearer. I am glad it's over though!

The Coffee Table Dancer

Christopher's loves to climb up on top of the coffee table and dance! He gets right up there and starts moving all around and shaking his head up and down. He just loves music and dancing! The best is when he climbs up there with only his diaper on and starts dancing. It makes wonder what his future career might be!

The Latest Trick

Christopher has decided that he loves brushing his teeth. When Nicholas and I brush, so does he. When we put our toothbrushes away, he keeps carrying his around! He brushes in the car, while playing with his toys, and even holds it while sleeping! Maybe this means he'll let me floss his teeth unlike his brother!

A Merry Christmas

Christopher's second Christmas was exciting for him. As per his age, he enjoyed the bows, boxes, and wrap far more than the actual presents. He has to fight Nicholas for his toys, Nicholas is all about playing with the baby toys and not sharing! I think his favorite toy is from Nana and Poppy, it's a zebra he can sit on and bounce. He just loves it. Nicholas does, too. Hopefully the zebra can survive the 40 pound baby!

The First Bump

Christopher fell and bumped his head on the concrete. It's his first walking wound. He not only has a bump but also a bruise and a little scrape. It's his first introduction into being a little boy versus a baby!

Happy First Birthday!

Christopher turned one yesterday! He received lots of phone calls, gifts, and cards from our family and friends. I think he had a great day, even though he didn't really get what was going on. He was always smiling when we sang Happy Birthday and he clapped so maybe he understood a little. He did not get to open a single present because Nicholas helped with all of them. Some of the things he received were so great that Nicholas and Sebastien were fighting over playing with them today!

My Baby

I just can't believe it, only two more days and my baby will be turning one. It just doesn't seem like a whole year has gone by since he was born. He is walking all the time, he hardly even crawls. A fourth tooth is trying to pop through now, too. If only his hair would grow a little faster . . .

Genius

Christopher is talking! He can say dog, mama, dad, ball, no, uh huh, yeah, and cat. There may be other words but I haven't identified them yet. I can't believe he is already saying things! He points right at Alli and says dog. He is just about walking all the time now. Once in a while, if he's really in a hurry, he'll crawl. For the most part, though, he is off and running. He also nods his head yes when you ask him a question. I just can't believe how fast he is doing things!

The Walker

Christopher has almost mastered the walking. He only crawls when he wants to go fast or far. It is just amazing to see him walking around. He is so proud of himself, he just laughs and smiles. Or maybe the laughter and smiles are because he knows what trouble I am going to be in for now that he's walking . . . .

The Third Tooth

Christopher has cut another tooth! It is the top left tooth this time. He wasn't even that cranky, what a good boy! I just noticed the little white poking through this morning. His first birthday party was yesterday, it was at Gymboree. He had lots of fun even though I don't think he understood it was for him. He had a little smash cake but of course my little eater would have no part of wasting food. He ate and ate and ate, only making his usual mess, he wasn't letting the good stuff go to waste!

Almost Walking

Christopher took three steps on Wednesday, five steps yesterday, and several steps today. He is going to be walking by the time we get Nana and Poppy's on Tuesday. They are in for a real treat!