Wednesday, January 18, 2012

13 months old - Home for a month



So many changes in a few weeks.  To think I was worried - that because we got William at 12 months instead of 8, I would be missing all these wonderful milestones.  As a family, we have grown and changed, adapting to this little one.  The experience with adopting Olivia was so much more different than this experience - not better, not worse, just different.  For one thing, the home environment is different. When Olivia came home, the house was her world. Everything was catered to her.  Everything she touched or wanted was hers. When William came home, there already was a toddler in the house - who knew what belong to her and what didn't.  He had to play with O's toys, and learn to sleep in his own room.

We had more of an adjustment when William came home. The reason really is because now we have 2. We have many things to take into account - sleep, eating, bathtime,  and balancing home and work with 2 children.  When 1 cried in the middle of the night, we had to make sure 1 parent was with the other child, and the other with the other one. What is with the soaked diaper every morning (and sometimes bed).  This monkey sleeps on his tummy. So most of the timethe front of his jammies and bed get wet.  Boys...can't they learn to pee normally. hahahahha

Breakfast time has totally changed.  Olivia wakes up early so we have to tiptoe and eat quietly downstairs so not to wake up William.  Before, it was the busiest, even nosiest time of our day.  We would be playing some music or had the TV on in the background.  Sleep time - William is sleeping through the night, and well Olivia currently is back in our bed - after we tried for months to get her into her own room and bed. :0P

William is quite the boy. We've always said Olivia is such a "tomboy" - strong, active, boisterous.  She is such a princess compared to this brute.  Not only is he adorable and a charmer, he's strong, hot-tempered, and very smart.  He is not a pushover, but can be whiny.  To think that Martin's mom had 3 boys and to this day is so patient and calm. She is amazing! hahahhaha Raising a boy, is totally different from a girl.  When he doesn't get his way, he gets mad.  Arms fly, wails come out, head flings back and forth.  Tapping objects, people, the floor, or himself when he is mad. What is that??  Friends just reply, "He's a boy who is frustrated".  When Olivia is frustrated, she screams and stomps her feet - girl. Boys I guess use their upper bodies more. hahahah.. Something we don't want to get used to.

He's a smart cookie. Today when we put him down for his nap, he was not happy (because he already had a power nap in the car for 20 minutes and he thought that was enough :0)).  We thought he was sleeping, but he sat up and started playing with his pillows in the crib.  We knew that he couldn't pull himself up and go over the crib, so it was pretty safe.  But then we saw him climb on top of a pillow - teeter-tottered on it. Hmmm. We could see what he was thinking. "Maybe if I stand on this pillow, I will be tall enough to climb over the rail!".  Close, but not close enough my love.  :0P

Then later,  Olivia was playing with her princess stickers and putting them on our hands.  She never gave William any, but he decided to take mine from my hand and put it on his hand.  Then he walked off to play. Smart cookie!  Food wise he notices when he's not eating the same thing we are. Arms stretch out and "Ba!" - which we think means "Mine?".  If only you could chew properly and not gag on stuff!  He gets mighty upset when things are different.  He wants to use the spoon, fork and drink from the cup.   He is a great meat eater, unlike Olivia. However, both are happy with pasta and breads.    Olivia is the fruit lover and William is a veggie lover.  Actually, Olivia will eat both happily.

He's definitely talking/babbling more. There is a definitive "Maman" and "Papa", along with "Baba".  That pretty much goes for everything.  He clearly understands the word "No!" - which is great.  If only Olivia could learn from him. Sigh.

He was playing with the clock radio in our room the other day, and then the song "Holiday" from Madonna came on.  He started to really rock it. Before, when there was song he liked, he would sway side to side, or move his head to the beat. That day, everything was moving!  He was stomping his feet like crazy.  It was hilarious.  So happy that my two little ones love music. I guess it might be time to find a Kindermusic class somewhere for him.

Everyday there is always something new.  He's learning something new everyday, and so are we.  Oh the places we are going to go!



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