Ch-Ch-Changes...

First and foremost, the new blog title and layout!  (Can you tell I'm ready for spring?!)  But really, it was badly in need of some updating...especially because the baby-making aspect of my adventures is no longer accurate (well, at least for a little while).  And, because my baby is now A TODDLER!  The new title absolutely reflects our lives these days - a toddler on the move and my constant quest to keep up with him, now that he's officially walking.  But his newfound curiosity is something I continually marvel at.  The world is now his oyster, and he sees it all from a totally new lens as he explores, experiments, and tinkers.  I knew that turning one would mean some pretty big changes for the little guy.  I just never anticipated how much these changes would affect me.

If you know anything about me, you know that I really don't welcome change.  I'm a creature of routine and habit, and I thrive on it.  So, as you would expect, my spawn has also learned to relish consistency.  Which is why the next milestone has been quite a tough pill to swallow...for us both.  Bottle vs. Sippy Cup.  Colin vs. Mommy.  Ugh.  Just UGH.  We had a good run.  Everything was in order, life was a breeze.  Colin easily transitioned from nursing to the bottle back in July.  Then he switched seamlessly from formula to whole milk just after his first birthday.  But, I knew it was coming...and when we saw the doctor for Colin's 1-year wellness checkup, she urged us to quit the bottle and embrace the sippy.  It's bad for their teeth; they don't need the bottle anymore; it'll be harder for him to give up the longer you wait...these were all the reasons given by the expert.  It would be nice, I thought, to finally be done with washing all those bottle parts (thanks a lot, Dr. Brown's).  And Colin is quite eager to do everything like a "big boy" now.  But when it came time to swap for the sippy, Colin just wasn't having it.  If he even sees the sippy sitting on his dresser, he totally freaks.  I even got the green light to add a little chocolate syrup, but to no avail.  And to make matters worse, doc says he shouldn't be getting milk upon waking and before bed!  So now we have to say goodbye to some routines that have been working for us for so long.  A double whammy.  I know that this is a power struggle, reminiscent of our "cry-it-out" days during sleep time.   And in the end, after many tears from us both, my baby conceded and I know in my heart it's what was best for him.  The time in between can be excruciating, but the game plan is to stick it out.  Colin is on a bit of a milk strike, but hopefully he'll learn that if he wants his milk bad enough, it's gonna have to be in a cup.  We've starting to make a little more progress, but we're both still adjusting.  I just hope that Colin gives in before I do!

I hope to be able to report some success in my next post.  Until then, here are some pics of what we've been up to lately (besides throwing the sippy cup at the wall).

Going grocery shopping and loving driving the cart

Playing with friends at baby story time at the library

Having fun with toys in the playroom

Going on wagon rides around the neighborhood

Throwing balls (the new favorite toy)

And just being silly :)

New Year, New Milestones

Happy 2015 everyone!  2014 was the most amazing year ever, and I'm super excited about what this new year will bring.  It's already started off with a bang, as Colin has started WALKING!!!  He took his very first steps on Christmas Day, at Nani and Pop Pop's house in Florida.  We had noticed that he was gaining some confidence in his balance, and letting go of furniture to hold on to a toy or to clap his hands.  So, we began encouraging him to take a few steps on his own...and I think he was more excited about his success than we were!  (OK, it was probably an equal amount of excitement!)  It started out with just 2 or 3 steps at a time, getting from Mommy to Daddy as we sat on the floor.  The next day, he made 4 or 5 steps on his own, and then on Marshall's birthday he walked about 6 or 7 steps!  All on his own!  Such a big boy (and such proud parents) :)  He's been getting braver each day, and just this week he's attempted to let go on his own to walk a few steps toward his destination.  Colin is discovering a whole new way to navigate this big world, and I think he's ready for the challenge.  Last night, he even followed me around the couch!  He doesn't seem to be discouraged by falling every now and then, and he's so determined to figure it out.  In the meantime, we're having a ball practicing, cheering, and taking as much video as we can!  Here's a few exciting moments for you to enjoy!