More Pumpkin Pics from Last Week's Playgroup!

Learning to Stand

Guess who has been standing by himself a little lately?!  It began about a week ago.  He's done this for up to 5 seconds until he realizes he's not holding on to anything!  And he has taken a few steps too!  It is more like a step falling into Jordan or my arms as we hold them out to him, but a huge milestone for little Larkin!  

Happy Fall!

One year's difference.  The change is jaw dropping!

Another Letter

Dear Larkin,

These past weeks we have been pretty busy.  You finished your second week at Mother’s Day Out!  The second week was a success.  Although the drop offs have not changed  (you still scream your head off and plead with me not to leave you with those big blue eyes), mommy's heart doesn’t beat quite so fast and I leave feeling a little less anxious each time. 

...And.... YOU are doing great there too!  The teachers say that you have a great time and mommy is really feeling blessed by having those hours to get things done or rest a bit during the day.

You are cruising all over the place and this past week we’ve caught you standing up for a few seconds before you realize what’s going on and plop back down on your bottom.  Speaking of standing, you are no longer needing therapy!  The therapist said she isn’t worried about the muscle asymmetry after seeing your progress and to just call her back if you’re not walking by 18 months.

Always moving

It’s so neat to think back on this situation and see the peace and calm that the Lord gave daddy and me when the neurologist said she wanted an MRI done to check for brain damage.  From the very beginning we’ve had a peace that can only have come from the Lord – a realization that no matter what He is God and He is good, but also…a confident assurance that you were just fine and a peace that no MRI was needed.

At almost 15 months I love that you are a good hugger.  You love to come rest your head on mommy or daddy or (and especially) Piper.  This past month you have become even more interactive with Piper.  You love to throw her her ball, you love it each morning when we “go find Piper” as soon as you wake up and you LOVE to go give Piper big hugs or lay your head down on her tummy.

Your laugh has gotten even louder- you have a great belly laugh and (mommy is so glad that ) you love to dance! You bounce up and down and sway your head like Stevie Wonder.

In regards to food, you’ve become a picky eater.  In the morning you will eat the most and you wake up hungry and ready for food.  It’s almost comical how much you eat:  2 Eggo waffles (or pancakes), a little omlette (eggs and veggies we make in bulk and freeze), a banana and or recently some yogurt.  Sometimes we substitute a pancake for waffles but you know if your grain is missing and you don’t like it one bit.

You still raise your hand when you want help.  This has been helpful when you get really frustrated instead of expressing it by screaming mommy reminds you to raise your hand for help and that has been wonderful!

However there is still frustration as you begin to assert your independence and find a few limits and boundaries in place.  Mommy and daddy have become acquainted with this face a bit this month (see below) and a loud protesting scream or whine.

You still use your sign language and know “water” “milk” “light” “all done” “more” and (sometimes) “thank you”.  You’ve taken interpretive liberties lately though and use the “water” sign for when you are just hungry (mommy is going to try to teach you “hungry” this week).

It’s so fun to watch you play and learn something.  Some imaginary play I’ve seen you do these past weeks are “talking on the phone”, “turning the channels on the remote”, “washing your hands” – rubbing them together  and “pouring milk” into a container.  It’s so fun to watch you figure things out.

Other highlights this past month:

You helped celebrate mommy’s 29^th birthday…

And daddy’s 31^st birthday!

 

You spent your first night away and did awesome with Nana so mommy and daddy could go to a wedding! 

You went to visit cousin Luke and meet your new cousin Anna Kate! (more on that later)

You’ve celebrated (with daddy) the start of a new Aggie football season…

You've spent time with all of your grandparents.  You love your Nana, Grandpa, Mimi and Pop!

And had more playdates with friends (especially in the morning as we are transitioning to one nap)!

 Most of all I need you to know, Larkin that you are loved so deeply.  You are loved by mommy, daddy, family and friends and most of all by God, your Heavenly Father.  He created and knit you together and created you for a specific purpose and to glorify Him. Mommy looks forward to watching you develop into the young man you've been created to be!

Your number one fan,

Mommy

Swim Classes - This Past Summer

So this post is very late in being written, but this summer Larkin and I enjoyed taking swim classes with our buddy Oliver and his mommy Mary Emma.  We decided on lessons at Dolfin Swim School near 75 and Walnut Hill. 

Larkin loved the water and LOVED to splash around.  Mimi even drove over from Arlington to come watch one of the classes!  Of course he didn't really learn to swim, but Larkin practiced his kicking (which wasn't his strong suit) and closing his mouth under water (which he actually got pretty good at!)

Daddy and Mr. Matt (Oliver's daddy) also came and watched a class.  Larkin loved showing off for his daddy and Mr. Matt caught some of the class on film!

All in all, it was a fun bonding activity for mommy and son and a nice way to stay cool in the summer heat!