18 Months

Blake is a year and a half. I remember thinking at the beginning of this second pregnancy that Blake would be in nursery by the time I was ready to deliver. That seemed so far away and here we are. He did great when he went to nursery last week at church and didn't cry at all. This past Sunday he lost it and didn't want anyone but mommy. I will admit that I like being liked by him.

Blake loves to read. He asks for us to read him books so many times throughout the day. Lately starting at 6:30 a.m. We have a routine and he likes to hold three blankets on the couch and snuggle while reading.

He has started to try to sing songs with me. For awhile I would stop and he would fill in the blank. Now he tries to sing full songs mostly being understood only at the last word of a phrase. My favorite is when he attempts to sing the VeggieTales theme song. He is pretty good at it and it makes me laugh every time.

His favorite letter is "o." He finds this letter wherever we go. He shouted "o" when he saw it in the word "thank you" on the shopping cart handle.

He always wants us to throw balls up in the air. He says "go high!"

He can't leave the apartment without toys in hand. He usually grabs a ball in each hand and then asks me to hold one when we get in the hall.

Still like to yell "mine!" with his toys when he sees another kid coming to take something he is playing with. He looks at me and swings his arm like he is asking for permission to hit. I tell him no and ask him what will happen if he hits. He says "time out."

When I ask Blake where something is, whether he knows or not, he points and says "ober der" (over there).

We have a gate up in our kitchen so Blake can't come in. He often comes to the gate with his arms stretched out saying "Hold you Mommy." I love hearing this when he wants to be held. Some things I don't want to be corrected.

Trying to put a diaper on his baby doll.

Arts & Crafts

I signed Blake up for a little Arts and Crafts class that meets twice a week for an hour and a half. They have a variety of activities and focus on colors, shapes, letters, and numbers. They have music/dancing time, physical activities, and more. We've been twice and it has been great. Blake hasn't been in many new social settings like this and I've realized how observant and shy he is. I am used to a talkative and energetic little boy. But in class he likes to stand back and observe for a few minutes and then will join in with some coaxing. He even refused a football when offered for specific activity. That is so unlike Blake because footballs are his favorite! I was shocked. Although he is shy, he likes to explore. He checks out the whole room and is often running out the door to see the rest of the building while other kids are sitting and coloring. It is interesting to watch him grow and see his little personality emerge.

I also realized how much I need some amount of structure in my week. It is nice to have two mornings a week where we have somewhere to be. Since it has gotten colder and I have gotten bigger I haven't been as motivated to venture out in the world. Thanks LuAnn for telling me about the class!




Here he is with his buddy Jack Jack.

Boys Just Want To Have Fun

Blake can be found wearing "mommy's doos" on a regular basis. He is pretty good at walking around in high heels too.

Christmas Break

Eric had almost a whole month off from school with nothing to worry about. It was great. Here we are making Christmas treats while singing to some Christmas tunes.

We went to spend the weekend with our friends the Resch's in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Blake had so much fun with Lucas. More good times ahead now that we will soon be living only two hours away!

Blake found himself a new pillow.

We stopped to visit my grandma in Fairfield, Illinois on our way to St. Louis. Blake loved touching all of the breakables found at her house. He woke up in the morning calling "Gamma, Gamma."

We went to Eric's parents for Christmas and New Years. We were there almost two weeks.

Blake woke up extra early on Christmas morning. It was nice of everyone else to get up too around 6a.m. We ate cinnamon rolls and smoothies before opening presents.

Blake holding Baby Doll Suzy. Just trying to prep him for what is coming.

I think Blake was a little overwhelmed by presents towards the end. At first he would have a present and say "open." Once it was opened he would want to play with his toy so he would say "open." Towards the end I asked him to come open another present and he said "no."

Science Museum ("zeum")

Here I am at 35 weeks. Not much more to go! I'm excited to be back home and get ready for this baby girl.

Our Next Stop

Eric has been working so hard at school and trying to find a job and soon it is going to pay off. He got a job offer with Whirlpool and we are moving to St. Joseph, Michigan! I am so proud of him. It is an hour and a half drive from Chicago. Eric will be doing a finance leadership development rotation which consists of three rotations, each lasting one year. When we started his graduate school did I think we'd end up in Michigan? Umm no. But 1) I am so grateful that he has a job and 2) I think it will be great.

When Eric was invited for a two-day second round interview, Blake and I went along for something to do and for a free hotel breakfast. As we first drove through the area I felt like we were going to be moving there. I felt like I had even dreamt about this place before. Those thoughts kind of scared me.

Blake and I had quite the time trying to navigate a new area. We finally found a mall at about 6p.m. on a Thursday. It was empty. I asked a worker at one of the stores if the mall was closing soon and she asked why. I said because the mall was so empty. And she laughed and said "It's always like this. That is why I like it here because it is so quiet." Come to find the population for Benton Harbor and St. Joseph's is about 20,000 people. Small town. The signage for the food court looked like someone cut out letters from construction paper and hung it from the ceiling.

When I saw Eric after his interviews he was just happy. He wasn't always so upbeat after most of his other interviews. He said he enjoyed the people and interactions.

Last weekend we went back to really check out the area. No mall this time unfortunately. Someone that Eric interviewed with invited us over for lunch and also invited two other couples from Whirlpool. It was so nice to get connected with some people. They drove us around and gave us a tour. Then we went to their ward Christmas party and met so many nice people.

I will be honest and say I'm not excited for continued freezing winters. And I'm so sad to still be far from home. But I have felt good about Michigan the whole way. And here are some things I am excited for: a dishwasher, washer/dryer (from Whirlpool no less), cheaper cost of living, and some new adventures.

Sugar Cookies

I found a cute mini baking set for sugar cookies and had to get it. It had a mini spoon, whisk, rolling pin, and cookie cutters. All Blake wanted to do was eat the dough. I kept telling him to roll it and he kept telling me "eat." He would pinch some dough and then smile as he ate it.

Thanksgiving

My camera died after I took these pictures so this is all I have from our trip to St. Louis. It was quite the party of eight adults and ten grandchildren all staying in one house. Blake loved all the commotion.

I try to feed Blake a pretty balanced diet but with treats included of course. His aunts and uncles seemed to think that I didn't give him enough junk so they would slip him donuts, cheetos, brownies, etc. while I wasn't looking. Eric's brother said that I could fix him when I got home. I found Blake twice in a bowl of M&M's (yum yums) with some in his mouth, hands, and chocolate dribbling down his chin. He just couldn't help himself.

Whenever we all get together, the adults play Pictionary, boys vs. girls. The boys roll their eyes when I get it out but always have a good time. We get really into it with a lot of laughing and arguing. I will sadly admit that the boys won 3 games to 1. There's always next year.

All of my family was together in California except for us. I was so sad not to get to meet my younger sister Kim's little girl named Laney. But I am grateful to have another great family to spend the holidays with.