19 month update

Visiting Morocco (at EPCOT, that is)

2014 began with a running start...not to mention with one of the coldest winters that I can remember.  We escaped the "Polar Vortex" with a vacation to Orlando with my parents, even though some days were only as "warm" as 40 degrees!  The trip started out rocky due to flight delays and Josiah being extremely sick with roseola (spiking 104 degree fever, rash all over his body), but luckily got better with each day.  We managed to fit in some days at the pool, a trip to EPCOT, outlet shopping, and even a few hours at the spa.  All in all, it was great to get away, make new memories, and see Josiah really bond with his "Hami" and "Habi".  

Josiah is acquiring new words everyday - he can recite his ABCs, numbers from 1-10, lines from his books, and even phrases like "Dear God" (when we start to pray), "come on", "oh no", "it's ok" and "see you".  Communication is also starting to become a bit more two-way.  Here is a sample conversation from the morning:

Me: Hi Josiah!
J: Hi.  Mulk?
Me: Ok, I'll get you milk.
J: Ank you (grabs the sippy cup, chugs some milk, throws the cup aside, puts pacifier back in his mouth).  .
Me: All done?
J: All done.  VO? TV?
Me: You want to watch a video?
J: Yesh
Me: Ok. Let's come out and have yummy yummy.
J: Appo (apple)?  Ojee (orange)? Sack (snack)?  Geem (seaweed)?
Me: How about a banana?
J: Yea!  Ah ah ah! (opens mouth wide)
Me: (Gives banana and turns "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" on TV)
J: Mickey!  (squeals and starts dancing)  Sit? (pounding the couch)
Me: Ok (lifts him onto the couch)
J: (cuddles with his blankie and pops his paci back in his mouth)

We still have a long way to go before actual conversations, but it's so nice to have feedback, even if rudimentary.  I guess the only downside to his communication is that it's been paired with increased stubbornness and defiance when he doesn't get his way.  Getting him to do something he doesn't want leads to screaming, running away, and a few times even biting.  He at least has learned to say "sowee" when he does something bad, but I have not yet seen genuine remorse in his eyes during these moments!  

Wearing Grandpa's slippers

He's VERY clear when he doesn't want something.  For example, he doesn't seem to want me to sing to him at bedtime anymore.  Whenever I start singing "God is so good", he'll wave his little hand in my face and say "no no no" and "byeee", gesturing for me to leave. Humph!  Since we've had our ups and downs with nighttime sleep again this month (long story short - our current solution is shortening his naps to 2 hours a day), I should gladly accept this outcome...but it's still hurtful! =P

Speaking of hurt feelings, he's back in a daddy phase and treating me like chopped liver!  He's always looking for Daddy and even says "Shaggy" to make sure he gets his attention.  He even called me "Daddy" once!  And even worse - the other day when I came home from work, he ran over to our nanny instead of coming to hug me.  Sigh...even though I know it's not indicative of real attachment, it's still a bummer.  I hope this at least this may make the arrival of Baby #2 less traumatic for him (and me) when we'll have less time for each other.

Regarding pregnancy - I can't believe I'm 29 weeks along...this is starting to feel REAL folks!  The past few weeks have felt harder physically with more leg cramping, shortness of breath, and frequent trips to the bathroom (Baby Girl likes to punch my bladder constantly).  Even the most mundane tasks of putting on socks can feel like the hardest work-out in the world.  Was it like this the last time I was pregnant?  Man, I am the queen of selective amnesia because I seriously have no recollection.

Since my last blog post, I have to say that I am starting to turn a corner and actually get excited about having another baby.  Maybe it's hormones, maybe it's having seen an up-close picture of her in my latest ultrasound, maybe it's answered prayers...I feel much more grateful and optimistic about things these days.  Also, I'm trying to make a conscious effort to "enjoy" this phase a bit more and to embrace the craziness that comes with being a pregnant, working mom with a toddler.  Stress/mess/forgetfulness happens!  Even though just a short amount of time has elapsed, I'm trying to laugh more, let things like food on the floor and tantrums just happen, and not freak out as much.  I hope this stint of positive thinking lasts!

Before Baby Girl comes, I want to enjoy the limited time we have left as just our family of 3.  While Josiah has become more high maintenance with each passing month, he also gets funnier and sweeter. And watching his glee while discovering Legos, hearing an upbeat song (the other day, it was Thriller by Michael Jackson), and splashing water in the sink makes me want to slow down time and not let these moments fly by too quickly.

Our family of 4