Last Sunday

Last Sunday was a special Sunday for us.  It was the day of our first going away party.  The youth and some of their families threw us a going away party after the service.  

But, before we had that, I snapped a few pictures of what Tater does while we work in the Sunday Morning Cafe each Sunday morning.  

For about an hour, Tater sits in the kitchen with us and EATS and EATS and EATS. 

 Fruit first and then a biscuit when they come out of the oven.  

He also talks to everyone and puts on a show.  Surprise, surprise, right?  :)  

Trish's strawberry had a heart in it!  How I love my authentic friend.    

Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures during the actual party.  What I did get pictures of:  Tater playing the drums!!!

On the 20th, on a Friday afternoon, Tater, Dave, and I spent some time at Auntie Trish's house.  

Always fun to play in the playhouse.  

Kisses for Peyton

Relaxing in the pool

Time for some tickles.

Earning His Keep

We decided that here at the VBK house, 14 months is the perfect time for Tater to start earning his keep! :)  

14 Months

Dear Tater,

You turned 14 months last Thursday, the day I took these sweet pictures of you.  I can't believe that it's been 14 months since you made us a family of 3. It has been the most exhausting 14 months of my life, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  

You weigh 25 lbs. 6.5 oz.  You are one solid little man, but I love that about you.  Well, I love that you are healthy, but my arms do get tired of lugging your 25 lb. body around sometimes. 

You are in mostly 12 month clothing, but you also wear 18 month clothes, especially ones that are one piece, like overalls.  

You are still in size 4 diapers. 

You have 12 teeth and more are coming through.  One has already broken the surface and I know it won't be long before the other 3 arrive.  You drool like crazy and have to wear a bib pretty much all the time because I would have to constantly change your shirt if you didn't wear a bib.  

You are full of smiles and love life.  I hope that this never changes about you.  You have a smile that makes other people smile.   

You love people and love to be out and about.   

You love to be outside and love the water.  Last night and tonight, I started out your bath by letting you take a shower while we let the bathtub fill up.  You love it and it makes you giggle.  I love that simple things make you happy.  

You are saying all kinds of words and have recently starting calling your daddy "da-eee" and me "mo-eee".  It's the sweetest thing ever, except for when you decide to yell it at the top of your lungs when we are out in public.  :)

You are into screaming these days, not having a fit screaming, but screaming for fun.  It's another fun thing that you like to do in public.

You say Mommy, Daddy, Trish (Tish), Shannon (Nan-non), Nana, Papa, Gramma (Gaga), Lisa (Lala), Ayla (Yay ya), Beth (Bef), Joe (Go), Roscoe (Gog go), Ellerie (Yell Yee), dog, yum yum (mum mum), and NO!  I'm sure there are more, too.  

You've learned how to sign a few words like milk, please, more, shoes, wash hands, and no.  These come in handy when you're eating because you can tell us if you want more.  

You love to dance and listen to music.  Your dancing consists of bouncing up and down and stomping your feet.  Just recently, you have shown a love for drums and I must say that you're quite talented at it.  It makes me proud.  I found out that your birthfather was very talented in the music department and I look forward to telling you more when you get older.  

You are in love with giving kisses, very open mouthed sloppy kisses at that.  I love that you do that.  You'll walk over to us and just kiss us on the leg, arm, hand, basically anything you can reach. You also love to give hugs!  You love to give me hugs when I get you out of the crib in the mornings.  In those moments, I wish that you could stay this little forever.    

You also love to blow kisses and will do so to pretty much anyone.  Sometimes, you blow them using the back of your hand, other times you do so by putting your pointer finger in your mouth and then blowing a kiss.  We joke and say that instead of a kiss, you're sending a wet willy.  There are times, too, that you'll just smack your lips together.  I fall in love with you all over again when you send kisses my way.  

We are pretty sure that you're going to be left handed, which we think is pretty awesome.  I just found out from Mama J that both she and your birthfather were left handed.  It's just another piece of them that you will carry with you throughout your life, a reminder how much they love you.  

You are running, not walking, anymore.  We can barely keep up with you.  You fall down all the time, but that's okay with you.  You just get right back up and keep on running.  

You love to get on the bed with us in the morning and play.  You love crawling all over us and get upset with us when we make you get down.  

You are into everything.  You love getting into the cabinets and drawers. 

You are a great problem solver.  

You normally take 2 naps each day and sleep between 10-11 hours at night.  And yes, we still hold you to fall asleep and eventually, we need to stop, but I just have a hard time saying goodbye to that.  You have quickly become a little boy instead of a little baby and holding and rocking you is one of the few baby things left that I still have.  

You eat 3 meals each day and have milk, juice, and water to drink.  You are a great eater and will pretty much eat anything, making feeding you pretty easy.  

I love you, Tater!  Your daddy and I don't know how we got so lucky because you really are one awesome kid.  

Love, Mommy

Ice Cream Man

One night last week, the ice cream truck parked right in front of our house, like literally right in front of my house.

Well, when he does that, you can't help but give in to the annoying song that it's playing and go get a cool treat.  

It was right before bath time, so we stripped Tater down and let him enjoy his cool treat.  

The first bite.  

His reaction!!!!! 

 I think it's the cold that gets him.  

He loves the taste and will go back for more, but always makes that face when he bites into ice cream.  

So, thank you ice cream man, for parking in front of my house!  We loved your ice cream.  :)