Sawyer: 21 months

So handsome!

Another month down, another month closer to turning 2...which seems insane to me. Some days I think he is already two by the way he talks. This weekend we went to "Louis" as he calls it just him and I (John had to work) for my cousin's wedding. Oh lordy, is he a handful! I told John when I got back that this trip definitely made me appreciate him even more. I could never do it without him. Sawyer would just take off in a full sprint out of nowhere and it would take me sprinting to catch up with him. Add a dress and heels to it and it was almost impossible to keep tabs on him. I was thankful my mom and dad were there to help too. By the end of the night, I was sweating and exhausted. Luckily, he slept great at the hotel.

STATS

Weight: 32 lbs. 

Height: 33 inches

Eating:  Getting more picky. Favorite food is hamburgers and usually only wants that when we go out to eat. He also is obsessed with bananas, string cheese and pizza. Every morning on the way to school he has to have a string cheese.

Sleeping: Still a rock-star sleeper. Sleeps from 7:30/8:00 until 7:00 when I wake him for school

Clothing: 24 month- 2T in shirts and pants Size 6 shoes.

Diapers: size 5

Playing: Still infatuated with Wreck it Ralph, not only the movie but his plush toy. He takes it everywhere and even has him participate in whatever we are doing (gives him food, drinks, reads him stories, etc.). He loves to dance, run, play hockey in our living room and anything outside. He also likes the movie Madagascar but only after he has seen Ralph. He will sit still for long periods of time if you put a book in front of him, his favorites are "chicka chicka boom boom" and "There's a Wocket in my Pocket".  Rough-housing is another favorite, especially "tackling" dad. 

He loves to be outside!

Teething:  All his teeth are in!

Talking:  It's like we have another adult in the house, he can communicate so well and we talk back and forth having normal conversations. He has starting singing, which is adorable. He sings twinkle, twinkle, row your boat, Jesus loves me, happy birthday, take me out to the ballgame, deep and wide and Lord's Army. I am sure there are more but those are the ones I have heard. He has memorized most of Wreck it Ralph and says the lines before they come on. We have started with the alphabet and he recognized some of the letters and can say about 50% of the Alphabet Song. It's really cute when we point to the letter "M", he yells "Mike" for his grandpa.

Potty Training: Hasn't gone on the potty since last month, didn't show any interest. We didn't really give much of an effort but will start trying more as he gets closer to 2.

Other developments:  His tantrums weren't as bad this month but he is pushing a lot at school. He randomly will just walk up to a kid and push them...we are working on this. He has also learned to tattle, the other night Grandpa Engel was watching Hockey and he wanted to watch Ralph (surprise) so he went into the kitchen and told Grandma "Grandpa hockey...Ralph, find it" and Grandpa said "Do you want to watch Ralph?" and his response was "Yes, hand" and reached for her hand so she would come change it. It was pretty hilarious!

HERE ARE SOME PICS FROM OUR TRIP TO "Louis"

Mawmaw and Sawyer all dressed up

Grandpa helping get some water

Ralph even wore a bow tie

Here is what it actually looks like trying to get a photo with an almost 2 year old

dancing with cousin Chase

Found a pumpkin, why not dance with it?

Taking Ralph for a dance

Cleaning Mommy's face

Sawyer: 19 Months

Another month down and that much closer to being a 2 year old. He sure does already act like one. Tantrums are in full force and he voices his opinion on the daily. He has become speaking in sentences and is great at following directions. He has also starting saying "bye bye mommy, love you" in the morning when I drop him off. He almost pushes me out the door. I love sending him to a place he loves so much!

STATS

Weight: 30

Length: 33 inches

Eating:  Becoming very picky. He eats one big meal a day and picks at the rest. His favorites are the same as last month. He ate a salmon burger the other day and liked it but it didn't seem to sit too well in his stomach. 

We have Mommy/Sawyer Saturdays...he is so sweet!

Sleeping: Still a great sleeper, averaging 10-11 hours a night. Naps during the day have been a little shorter during the week but still long on the weekends. Also still consistently falling asleep at lunch.

Clothing: 18-24 months in pants and 2T in shirts. Size 6 shoes.

Diapers: size 5

Sawyer with Rocco, This is how he poses for pictures now :)

Playing: Turning into a sports-fanatic. Loves baseball, basketball and football and just got his first Hockey set (thanks Aunt Jules & Uncle Scott). Anything outdoors or that involves running/climbing he wants to do. But on an opposite note, his current favorite activity is reading. He will sit and read with me for hours (no lie). His favorite books are Goodnight Moon, There's a Wocket in my Pocket, The Foot Book, Spot and Little Blue Truck.

he'll hang from anything he can find

Teething:  All the teeth he will have until his 2 molars. 

Talking: He is an amazing talker, I must brag on him for a bit! They tested him at school and he tested in language at 26 months!! Last night the parents as teachers lady came to do his 18 month screening and was very impressed with his development since she saw him last spring. He got perfect scored on all categories and he even showed off a bit with his language. He has also learned his whole name and understands the differences between hot, cold and warm. He loves seeing his shadow when we play outside and will say "Hi Shadow" and wave at it.
Some of his new impressive word combos:
"I don't like that"
"In a minute"
"I'm excited!"

"Airplane, Chicago"

"where are you"

18 month Screening Results!!!

Potty Training: Still sits on it but not really that interested

Other developments:  Still hasn't used a pacifier (mimi) and hasn't seemed to noticed. He is quite the tantrum thrower and we are trying to figure out ways to handle these (yes we will take suggestions). He has started to hit when he gets overly tired and most reactions from us just make him laugh. He does still feel bad after a while and will hug and kiss to make us feel better.

The Glow Run last weekend, Sawyer 1st Official 5K

Trivial Tidbits from my First Year of Parenthood

Becoming a new parent usually involves a crash course in some of the obvious mom/dad duties like changing diapers, feeding, bathing, etc. I’ve also learned some other things these past 13 months as Sawyer’s mother that are the unexpected, can't prepare for things. That being said, I thought I would still share. It probably still won’t help prepare you but depending on your current situation you might experience the following….

1. For those who are parents, you might get a good laugh because you too have experienced them.

2. For those who are not parents but plan to be someday, you might also get a good laugh at what you have to look forward too OR you just might revisit your choice to become parents.

3. For those who are not parents and don’t plan to be, you might also get a good laugh at us who get to experience them and see what you’re missing out on.

**note: these are just opinions, none have been proven to be parenting law**

Sh*@ Happens

Wearing something nice? Expect any or all bodily fluids to show up on it by the end of the day

Is there actual gold in those golden potatoes?

Kids Menu’s are a rip off. Maybe it is because our son really just wants to eat whatever we are eating but paying $5 for some Kraft macaroni and cheese that you can get at the store for 54 cents is just not worth it. Just order an extra side and share your food with them. Portions are usually way too large anyway.

Bragging Rights

Try not talking about your kid when you are away from your kid…it is impossible. Every story somehow now relates back to your child, no matter how hard you try; they come up in almost every conversation.

Children have the “sleep-sense”

As soon as your tired head hits the pillow, you will hear a cry, yell or laughter….they just know!

Sweatin’ it out

No more “let’s save money, no heat/air this week” – we’ve all done it, froze our butt off or sweated profusely getting ready just to save a few dollars on the utility bill. With a baby in the house, no questions asked, you have to have the air and heat on. So keep that in mind new parents and put that in the ‘hadn’t thought of that’ Baby Budget.

Value Diapers are cheaper for a reason

We’ll do anything to save money because babies are expensive! So of course we have tried off-brand diapers BUT they are like cardboards taped around your babies bum. Save your child’s rear and pay the extra couple dollars for name brand.

Home is where the “mess” is

I’ll admit I sometimes have minor panic attacks when I come home. Chaos has taken over where décor used to be and no matter how many times you clean, children prefer toys scattered versus put in their place. This is a good thing, it means they are having fun. So, I am learning to let my inner child rule and let my home be a place to play and not a “no touch” zone.

Milkin’ it

Weaning is harder on the mom (well me) then it is on the child. Children are adaptable; mothers are emotional.

Doo doo dialogue

A Normal conversation with your significant other is most likely going to involve poop & spit up (and various other body functions) and you aren’t afraid to have these said conversations in front of other people.

 I’m not doing that!

All the things you said you would never do as a parent, you will now consider and possibly even do. You’ll talk like a baby, let them sleep in your bed, give them a pacifier…really anything that will make them happy.

 Parents know best

It is true that you develop a new respect for your parents and the job they did raising you when you become a parent. I can’t even count how many times I have called my mom for advice over this past year. I trust her advice/suggestions over a Google search any day. As a parent, knowing they raised 3 girls seems like they should have at some point gotten a MAJOR AWARD!

We’ve got a crier

I was never much of a crier until I become a mom. Now I can see a commercial about a baby and the tears start falling like the family pet just died. It is even for happy moments; the first time sawyer kissed me I broke down like a weeping child. Be prepared!

We’ve got a blowout!

Get used to being late. Right when you are about to walk out of the door, no fail either your

baby will have a blowout or meltdown, maybe both. Build in about 15-20 minutes of extra

time for the unexpected. If you have planned something in advance, it will change. I’m

learning how to fly by the seat of my pants.

Adventures in baby-food Making: Sweet Potatoes

I love sweet potatoes; John hates them, so I was anxious to see what team Sawyer was on. Looks like I won! My mom and I had another fun baby-food making party Sunday and Sweet Potatoes were on the menu. They might be my favorite to make so far because of how easy they are. They blend to a really nice, smooth consistency. I gave Sawyer a small spoonful after I was done and he attacked it (see pic!), I’m already winning him over with my cooking.

Sawyer approved!

My mom has had this book since she got married. It is super helpful for cooking times & temps for veggies. 

Steps

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees
2. Clean and scrub potatoes very well.
3. Cut off hard ends and discard
4. Place on non-stick cooking sheet, bake for 40 minutes (they should be very soft and skin should start to separate from insides.
5. Remove the skins (ours just peeled right off), also cut off any dark/bad spots if you see them.
6. Put in blender and mix until pureed.
7. Put in storage containers, freeze or refrigerator depending on when you plan to use them.

The finished product

The Math

I was pretty shocked with the figures this time. Honesty, I would be making food even if it didn’t save me much but it sure does feel good to see the numbers and see how much it really does save. I used a couple different containers when I stored the food this time so I will do my totals by ounces versus containers made.

HOME-MADE

5 large sweet potatoes (98 cents per pound) made 22 oz. of baby food = $2.21

Total cost per ounce = 10 cents

STORE BOUGHT 

Gerber 1^st Foods SmartNourish Organic baby food (sweet potatoes) comes in 2 – 2.5 containers for $1.59 each, so 22 ounces = $6.99

Total cost per ounce = 32 cents

TOTAL SAVINGS PER OUNCE =  22 cents

1 day of Gerber’s Sweet Potatoes (2 containers or 5 ounces per day) = $1.59

1 day of Home-made Sweet Potatoes (5 ounces per day) =  $0.50

Total Savings per day = $1.09

Total Savings per week (7 days) = $7.63

Total Savings per month (30 day month) = $32.70

Total Savings per year (365 days) = $397.85

WOWSERS!!! That is huge.

Lets put a “diaper” figure to that to make it more real. Our favorite fancy Pampers with the wetness indicator right now are running at $34.94 for 160, size 2 diapers at Walmart. So with your savings from Baby food you could buy 11.39 boxes at Walmart’s price or 1,822.4 diapers!!!

I think it is worth it, don’t you say? Let’s take it another step further to better seal the deal, they say most babies use about 10 diapers per day, so 1,822.4 diapers would last you approximately 182 days or  HALF A YEAR. Are you a believer now?

Yay, my head is spinning a little.