As I started typing this post, I was watching Brooks on the monitor standing up in his crib, clapping, while saying "uh oh" on repeat. I put him down at 1:00 p.m. and when I glanced back at the clock, time fast forwarded to 2:45 p.m. It was late afternoon and my little firecracker had not napped at all. Not a wink. He refused his morning nap and was now refusing his afternoon nap, clearly. I was on the verge of blowing a fuse. Brooks is at a stage where he now knows how to fully communicate his likes and dislikes. If he wants something he nags with a constant fuss until he gets it. If he doesn't want something it is full blown tears, a push away, or a head turn. If I tell him the dreaded "no," he has been known to bite me or throw a serious tantrum, but usually I get a mischievous look and know that I am about to be tested. He has certainly figured out how to challenge me and knows exactly how to push my buttons. For instance, he knows that if he cries and pulls at my legs long enough that I will pick him up. And as of late, he wants to be held all of the time. So, you can imagine what most of my days look like. This pregnant mama is exhausted.
The tears started around 2:55 p.m. and at that point I knew that Brooks was overly tired, fighting what's good for him. With very little patience left (and that is somewhat of an understatement), I marched in there, laid him back down, and more or less yelled at him to "go to sleep!", but he was inconsolable. I picked him up and began to rock him hoping that would help him calm down and maybe, just maybe, fall asleep. And that it did. Within five minutes he was gone to the world. With a heavy and guilty heart, I watched his heavy eyes close. And I continued to rock him with tears in my eyes, asking the Lord for forgiveness, savoring that sweet moment that is few and far between. With that being said, there are several aspects of these new days that can be quite tiring and trying. But, there is so much good, so much available grace, and so much love that FAR outweigh the bad.
It may sound like I have a little devil running around me in circles, but in reality he is such a sweet, gentle soul. He loves to share his milk with his stuffed animals and his most prized toys with his friends. He is my little helper, picking up "dirties" off of the floor and handing them to me or wiping a spill with a towel. He freely hands out open-mouthed kisses and shows affection with his daddy by "bumping a head." He has never met a stranger, greeting everyone with a wave and that impish grin. I can already get a glimpse of his servant heart and I pray that it matures into something greater to draw those around him to the Lord. His magnetic charm and force of personality brings so much joy to us and every one he meets.
There are a few dates that I want to remember over the last few months...
On January 22nd, Brooks cut his third tooth—his top right. Days later, the top left broke through, then the one next to his bottom left and most recently the ones on either side of his top teeth. At 15 months he has a grand total of seven teeth and counting.
On January 25th Brooks started saying "uh oh" and we now hear it at least 50 times a day. He calls John, "Dada," can say truck, stick, ball, bib, boo, dirty, hat, bubble, bike, tractor, book, hot dog, bye, Pops, block, all done, hot, cheese, baby, tick tock, bubba (Brooks), and can make every animal sound you can think of. Again, he loves to wave at anyone and everything, including his shadow. He absolutely loves the great outdoors. He is especially fond of his ball, bike, rocks, dirt, and the mulch in our front yard. A bath every night and frequent hand washing are musts. He still loves to crawl in our laps with a good book and be read to. His bunny and lamb are becoming his closest pals. He thoroughly enjoys spinning in circles and a good game of "booooo" (peekaboo or hide-and-go-seek) or chase. He gets the biggest kick out of putting on a hat and running to our bedroom to look at himself in the mirror. His favorite spot is the couch or mommy and daddy's bed. He loves when daddy makes him "fly" or lets him drive his truck. To be honest, anything involving daddy is the bee's knees.
On January 27th we dropped Brooks' morning nap, but have since reinforced it. Oh the horror of one nap. Let's just say he thought that he was ready to rock it from dawn 'til dusk, but the one hour afternoon nap and evening tantrums disagreed. With that being said, he goes down at 9:00 and between 1:00-2:00 depending on how his morning nap goes. John starts his nighttime routine around 6:30 p.m. and B is typically in bed between 7:00-7:30. He wakes up between 6:00-7:00 a.m. On the days that he is up bright and early, he remains content in his crib until I get him out at 7:00.
On February 8th, we chopped little mullet baby's hair. Almost two months later and he is already ready for another cut.
Our champion eater is now quite picky. His favorites are cheese, macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese (do you see the common denominator?), turkey, eggs, popcorn, chicken, blueberry muffins, avocado, and fruit. He will not touch vegetables with a ten foot pole. Not even french fries (if you consider that a vegetable...). Who is this kid?! Sometimes I wonder if he was switched at birth...
Therefore, pouched vegetables are still coming in handy and giving this mama some sense of ease.
On March 25th, Brooks had his 15 month well check-up. I must be doing something right because he was weighing in at 23 pounds, 12 ounces (36th percentile) and is 30 inches tall (17th percentile). His head circumference is 46.5 centimeters (28th percentile). He is still lower on the charts, but we are moving on up! He also got a Hepatitis A vaccine and Hib vaccine making him and the nurse frenemies.
I honestly cannot get enough of my little love bug. His smile and giggle are contagious. His dance moves are killer. And his funny quirks? Well, they make my heart smile. We are almost four months away from meeting the new babe, so I am going to try to savor every.single. waking moment with my first baby love. We love you so much, John Brooks! Never lose your sense of self, because to me, you are perfect.
