First Day of Art

Christopher started his Art class yesterday. He didn't really enjoy it as much as I thought he would. He wanted to be out playing on the gym equipment not drawing or painting. I don't think he was really happy either when he realized that the pile of shaving cream he was suppose to use to create his art was not actually whip cream. He didn't believe it at first, so he decided to taste it three more times before I could finally get all of it cleaned up. I am truly surprised he didn't throw up. Why on earth would they use shaving cream when we all know kids this age put everything in their mouths?? I guess I'll just see how next week goes. The teacher did tell me at the end of class that it takes two or three classes for the kids to get use to. I wanted to ask her - Get use to what? You trying to poison them?

Gymboree Play

Christopher and I went to his first Gymboree play class today. He just loved it. He thought he owned the place. He was pushing the kids out of his way, taking things from them, and ignoring the teacher when she tried to get everyone together for an activity. He was the exact opposite of his brother who was shy and would not leave my side for the whole 45 minutes. He didn't want to leave when it was over. He is going to be running that place in just a matter of time. . .

The Trip to CT

Christopher's third trip to CT was a success. Thankfully unlike the last time, remember the stomach bug of 2008, carried by none other then my little guy. He fell in love with his Auntie Wendy and even called for her from his pack and play in the mornings. He barely allowed Melonie or Heather to go near him but warmed up by the end. He loved his Uncle Mike and was even good for him while he babysat. I think his favorite thing there by far was Chloe's blanket. He wanted that blanket despite the hair and slobber from the dog. He was determined to get that blanket into bed with him. He would lay down on it any chance he had. He absolutely loves any blanket that has been crocheted by his great-grammie. We could all tell that it didn't matter what had happened to the blanket or that a dog had been using it practically her whole life. If it was made by great-grammie, then that blanket was his. He was even obsessed with the blanket she made that was on the couch in the family room. Maybe it smells like great-grammie, a smell that can't be washed out, a smell that comforts him no matter which blanket he's holding. We do miss all of them and wish we could see them more.

Eww, Gross

Eww Gross is Christopher's new favorite thing to say, thanks to Nana. Today I was the one saying it, though, not Christopher. He woke up from his nap and had made a little stinker. So as I am trying to change it, he decides to throw a fit and roller over causing the mess to get everywhere. That's when Eww, Gross became appropriate. Not only was it all over him and the changing table, but also me. Someone is starting to act like his big brother - I hope it's not permanent! Next he'll only want to wear truck shirts and bring trucks everywhere we go . . . I really don't know if I can take it!

Another First

There are two things that I loved when Nicholas learned to do them. One was hug and the other was say I love you. Christopher has learned to hug and let me tell you, he is the best hugger ever. He wraps his little arms around my neck so tight and wraps his little legs around my waist. He just squeezes and holds on, it is the best. I think I notice it so much because Nicholas was a quick hugger, he wanted to get it over with quickly so he could back to playing. I don't think Christopher cares as much about playing as he does being with me. I can't wait until the first time he tells me he loves me. I can wait until he has first girlfriend and doesn't love his mom quite so much anymore!

Coppertone Baby

Christopher tanned right up and looks like the little Coppertone baby, his little bumbus white as can be! He loved sitting in the sand and playing. We would make little castles and he would crush them over and over. He also enjoyed chasing the birds all over the beach. Some people we were there with decided to feed the birds, as everyone knows this is not something I condone, so now Christopher tries to feed the birds everything he has in his hand. He was just as happy as he could be.

Mr. Nakedpants

Christopher has discovered that being naked is better than having a diaper on! He runs all around naked just loving it. He does not want a diaper or pants or a shirt. His favorite thing to do is sit on the dog and hug her while he's naked. I don't know what that means but it sure is cute!

Time Out

It's hard to believe but Christopher is ready for the time out chair. His hitting, throwing, and biting are getting to be a bit too much for Nicholas and I. So Christopher has visited the chair three times now. He makes this sad, hurt face that just breaks my heart. I hate putting him in the chair but it has helped so I am going to have to keep it up. Nicholas thinks its the best thing ever. He makes up stories about getting hit just to see if Christopher has to go to time out. He likes to stand and watch with a little smirk on his face.

Skinny Dipper

I took Christopher swimming yesterday and it seems he has inherited the same skinny dipping gene that Nicholas did. He did not want any part of a bathing suit. He gave in to the swimming diaper but it wasn't long before he had that ripped off. He just loves running around naked and being in the pool naked. I wonder if someone will magically appear to clean up the mess if he poops in the pool just like at the YMCA.

New Words

Christopher has started to say some new words lately - meow, cat, and dog. We like to read a book that has furry patches in it so he can touch the animals. He listens very closely to what I am saying and tries to repeat it. He also likes to use his toes to touch the fur. He has to use the toes on one foot first, then the other foot, then his fingers. He cracks me up!

A Long Weekend

Poor Christopher has had it rough lately. On Thursday he fell in the driveway, hit his head, and scraped his face. On Friday, he fell on the patio, hurt his foot and needed x-rays. He is fine, just bruised. On Sunday, he bumped his head while jumping on Nicholas' bed. Plus he has a stye on his eye which is worse this morning. My poor baby is always sick or hurt. Thank goodness he is so happy or things would really miserable around here!

The Pitcher

I think Christopher is destined to be a baseball player when he grows up. He throws things better than anyone I have ever met. Whether it is a ball or a chicken nugget, it goes flying through the air super fast and lands far away. I am trying to figure out how to channel this skill into something more positive than just throwing food to the dog or the remote at Nicholas' head. It's not working just yet, but practice makes perfect. He has quite an arm for a 16 month old!

Alli

Alli came running down the stairs today when she heard us come home. You are thinking that this happens everyday and you are right. Only today, Christopher flung his arms open and said "Alli" and then hugged her as tight as he could. It was the cutest moment ever.

The Best Hugs

Christopher threw his arms around my neck on Thursday and gave me the biggest hug for the first time! He just kept hugging and hugging and laughing! It was the best hug ever! Now he keeps running to me and throwing his arms around me all the time. I just love it when he learns new things!

Haircut

Christopher had a haircut yesterday. The woman was able to fix it up from the terrible haircut he was given by a certain person who did a horrible job. He held perfectly still until the very last trim. The poor woman clipped his ear and it started to bleed. I was very calm and Christopher did not even notice that it happened. I kept trying to down play it before Nicholas noticed. He gets very upset when his baby brother is hurt. You would think it happened to him. So the woman comes over with bandages and towels and wipes. Everyone must have thought his whole ear was taken off. She starts making a huge deal out of it and Nicholas starts to lose it. He has to see it, starts tearing up, it was horrible. I thought he was going to fall on the floor and faint at any second once he saw the blood. I finally get the woman to ring us up so we can leave and then some man is telling me how to put pressure on it. I must have said he's fine a hundred million times. Can't people take a hint? Do they not see the brother who is pale, shaking, and ready to faint???? Do they want Christopher to start crying, is not good enough that he's calm? A ridiculously too long of a time later we finally escaped. Nicholas checked the ear every chance he had when we came home. Finally, it has been forgotten by everyone but me. I think I am scarred for life!

Kisses

Nana came to visit for a few days this past week. Christopher spent lots of time with her and he loves her kisses. He would go running into her arms to get those hugs and kisses. If I was holding him, he would lean back so she could kiss his neck and then snuggle into me to get away from her. He would do it over and over! He just loves his Nana!

The Sweetest Thing

While Bash was here today he said that cutest thing to me -

Bash - "Miss Trisha, I love Christopher."
Me - "Christopher loves you, too, Bash."
Bash - "Christopher really misses me while I am gone, doesn't he?"
Me - "Yes, Bash, he does really miss you."
Bash - "I really miss him, too. He loves to come over and play at my house."
Me - "He sure does. He thinks your house is fun."
Bash - "I know he does."

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???