The AY Family: Sweet Dreams (21 months)

Its not even that late, but it's late in my house. I just snuck away from a little boy and my husband to finally update this blog! I had to patiently lay, nursing Silas in the dark for some time and then out of the blue, right when I thought he was falling asleep, he says "potty". So I quietly pull off his diaper and cover and place him on the little potty on the floor by my side of the bed. He goes and then grabs on to me so I can put him back in bed with his now more of a back up diaper than anything. As soon as it is on, he rolls over to the middle of the bed on to his belly and says "night night" and within three minutes I hear the paced breathing of a sleeping little boy.

When did I lose my baby and attain this child? I know the ebb and flow of need and independence is constant. But he is most definitely more a little man cub than the baby bean he used to be. In the last few months, our child has been working on speaking and imagination. He tries out words while watching our mouths and has the most adorable version of english I think we have ever heard.

Si and Dallis will pretend they are preparing food or being parents. They will put stuffed animals to bed and Dallis will pretend she is breastfeeding. Of course Silas has very simply fantasies he creates since his vocabulary is limited to names of people he loves, animals…he loves, and food…he loves. Ok, there is a lot of love in his speak right now. Food might include "gookie". Type that into your word document and see what auto correct does with it. Yes, it is that word. Most words have g's in them. But not "eggs", they are just "ay's". This is that time frame in which only those who are around the toddler A LOT know what they are actually saying. Don't worry, the garble is becoming clearer by the week. I'm sure by 2 years old, his sentences will be much more discernible and you won't have to stare at him blankly while he has an entire conversation with you…about? Something to do with a ball and a shoe…Its like hearing someone speak through a thick pane of glass sometimes.

Anyway, I digress.

lounging

Putting puppy to bed. Can you see the little nose?

School has been very intense for both Andrew and I, especially since it is the middle of the semester. I have not been the most successful researcher thus far, but I've been told this is the norm and I am on the up hill drag of the degree. Andrew on the other hand has been creating a garden club at work that seems to be quite popular amongst the students and has to be cathartic after being in a class room all day. There is some fun research out suggesting bacteria in the soil release antidepressant type compounds. So dig in the dirt! And no I'm not implying teaching is depressing. It's an awesome job! I'm just saying gardening is good for all creatures.

SCIENCE!

So strong!

On labor day we went up to Linville NC and stayed with our friends Brittany, Austin and Clara at their family's cabin for the weekend. It was so amazing to be back in the mountains and Brittany and Austin are so much fun to hike and hang out with! Clara, their newest addition (3.5 months at this point) is the chillest, happiest baby!! They are doing a great job with that little sweat pea =).

Brittany made this carrier!!

Two chittlens, no problem

I turned 30 years old this month (yes it is October and yes it took me since August to update…I'm sorry). I think society sees this birthday as a re-evaluation birthday. As if you are suddenly out of the club scene (and if you aren't you should be) and if you are going to have a mid-life crisis…now is the time! I'm good society! I've got my best friend as my life partner, I have this gorgeous baby boy and academia has been good to me so far. If I were to croak today, I did some good things. So turning thirty was fine. Andrew took Si and I camping and it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. I love my boys.

One of my favorite girls from grad school married her sweetheart this month. That was a blast! We got to stay at a large, beautiful hunting cabin in Limestone Tennessee with all of my girls from ETSU for two nights. It was gorgeous, fun and I am beyond happy for her.