You know your baby is not a baby anymore when you are rocking him to sleep and instead of drifting off to the lullaby CD you always play for him at bedtime, he pops up and claps after each track. Or when he starts bobbing his head to anything with a cool beat - could be classical, hip hop, elevator music if it's good - you name it, Christian will dig it. In fact, he even started making a little grunt that mimics what we do when we are really feeling a song. He won't smile, he'll just bob his head and keep his cool...
We think he'll always have a song in his heart.
It's things like these that have been amazing to watch these last few months. He'll always be our baby of course, but he is his own little person with his own opinions, fears, and idiosyncrasies. Even though the baby room is a live battleground at times, just watching his perfect little face once he’s drifted off into Neverland for the night, makes me understand why I continue to watch him sleep. So many nights after Christian finally falls asleep I think I'm going to immediately put him down and try to go get some housework done. But watching him sleep is mesmerizing. I try to get up from the rocking chair but I just can't.
The only thing worth stealing is a kiss from a sleeping child. ~Joe Houldsworth
But sometimes the C stands for Challenge. From the hitting (that he obviously picked up from some other kids of school that don't have any home training...), to falling out in the grocery store, to throwing things, to dropping to his knees when he doesn’t want to go an inch further, to refusing anything but milk, to making the neighbors think we’re abusing him when all we’re trying to do is rock him to sleep, to wanting to do EVERTHING on his own. And in those moments when it takes 12 times asking Christian to do something, I pray for patience. When something is ailing him, I pray that it be given to me. When I have to leave and he's crying, I ask for strength. When I'm challenged and don't know what the heck to do, I thank God for the opportunity. Then we wake up and do it all over again!
He figured out how to "let" himself out of the car... almost gave me a heart attack.
I vaguely remember when you couldn't get Christian to sit still to watch something on TV for more than 30 seconds. Now, it's an intense competition between the Food Network (for mommy) and Baby First TV. He absolutely loves Elmo and the rest of the Sesame Street gang. It's so much fun when your baby takes a liking to things. Makes you want to go get everything in stock of whatever tickles their fancy.
Watching his Saturday morning shows with Daddy. You know you're a parent when you have the theme songs to his favorite shows stuck in your head at work.
Anyone who thinks the art of conversation is dead ought to tell a child to go to bed.
~Robert Gallagher
He's talking up a storm now. The words "ball," "tree," and "dog" are his favorites. And even though he can spot a dog from a mile away, he won't touch one. It won't be long before he has a few pups of his own but until then, he continues to be enthralled by all the neighborhood doggies. He's also pretty into ducks, another favorite word.
He's got the whole "bye-bye" bit down cold now, waving at us and giving us the softest, most gentle, most genuine "bye." I've almost hit a few trash cans pulling away from the house just trying to look back and catch as much as I can for the day. I can't imagine what I'll do the first time I hear him say "I love you." I've warned my boss that if Christian utters those words on my way out for work that I'm calling in sick. And on that note,
Christian, my Love,
when you tell people you love them:
1) Say it unconditionally,
2) don't fret over who says it first - if it feels right, then say it,
and last,
3) It doesn't count unless you put the "I" in front of it.
Do this and your "I love you's" will stand out from the rest!
And of course, we continue to endorse the self-love principles. Here he is, giving himself besos :)
Powerful he is ... hmmmmmm
Halloween was precious. As precious as a haunted holiday can be. It was all about family, pumpkin patches, pictures, school carnivals and more pictures!
Tio Jojo showing him how it's done!
Taking the pumpkin to the pumpkin patch
It was a bit risky taking Christian without his afternoon nap but he was such a great sport.
And without further adieu ... The Master himself!!
Don't worry Auntie Dani, I'll protect you!
Don't ask...
Tia really got into the spirt of it all
Charlie's Angels... the remix!
Neighbors were more than generous and the kids got lots of great stuff
G.I. Joe aka cousin Zyrein
Happy Birthday Buddy!
November 10 was Christian's 16 month mark. So you know how we do it! One needle for each quarter of life!! The truth is, I was taking Christian to the doctor to get his ears checked out - the weather was getting cooler and he was tugging at his ears. When we got there our Pedi reminded us that we MISSED his 15 month checkup!! Last time I checked, Daddy convinced me that we didn't have to bring Christian back until he was a year and a half...
So there I was telling Christian in the car before we got out that we would only be there for 15 minutes and it would be in and out. Turns out I lied through my teeth and with a straight face. And since our doc was nice enough to get his 15 month checkup done in one copay, I sold out and decided to make it up to my son later.
So that's why they call it a "Happy Meal" - it cures everything! I said I would make it up to him and I did!
I'm not sure how most babies/toddlers are with shots but Christian is a soldier. I think the worst we've ever had was his newborn assessment where they have to prick the heck out of those teeny tiny baby feet and get tons of blood. Maybe not tons, but too much. Christian's nurses told us at one point that all of them dreaded those assessments.
But if it has a steering wheel on it, Christian is all over it!
Off the train and much better now :)
Christian's not the only one that celebrated a "birthday" over the last two months. Cousin Gracie and Tia Exa lee celebrated too.
At Chuck E Cheese for Gracie's Birthday
Tia Exa lee's "Dirty 30" Celebration at home
A red velvet amaretto cake made with love just for the occasion. I tried to tell her that you don't do red velvet and amaretto but she insisted. And voila! That's how recipes are born :) 
Christian and I had to do the honors because tia didn't want to spread any germs from her coldWhere's the B-I-N-K-Y ?!
One of the more pivotal events that took place was the very successful “NO BINKY” campaign. It was time – that little binky of his would just sit there and dangle on his lip. Plus, daddy and I grew tired of going into panic mode every time we lost the ONE binky in the house. He stopped cold turkey over Halloween weekend. I was home with him that Friday and that first nap without it was tough but I was committed to doing whatever necessary to get him binky-free for at least 24 hours. I figured after that, it would be downhill. And it was. Yeah Christian!!!
Kitchen Stadium
I had it in my head when I was pregnant that Christian's culinary experience as an infant and even as a toddler would be somewhat controlled for - only instilling in him the most wholesome and delectable eats. I was way off. Christian exudes his confidence in kitchen (and his eating habits), if nowhere else and he is a natural born foodie :) He loves being in the kitchen with us. In fact, once upon a time when he was only crawling and more susceptible to those germs crawling on the kitchen floor with him, we would put the ottoman up and block the large doorway to the kitchen. Christian wasn't having that. The minute he found the drawer with all the big shiny things he fell in love.
This is typically what the kitchen floor looks like 3-4 days out of the week. His favs are the spatulas, ice cream scoop, and french whisk.... what can I say? The kid knows his utensils!
Getting some ingredients for mommy
Who knows, maybe he'll put on one of these someday :)
Granted, Christian is as daring as the next toddler boy, but he sticks with what works and lately, the last four months or so, that includes his favorite waffles, baked chicken nuggets and all of his beloved snacks (goldfish, graham cracker, baked cheetos, and Daddy's spicy Dorito chips). We've managed to work in tomato soup after figuring out that he loves marinara sauce. I happen to have made some from scratch and let him play with the spoon afterwards and poof! A new favorite was revealed! Thank goodness he likes tomatoes like his dad. He eats at school very well and we credit that to environment with the other kids. When he gets home though, he's pretty simple. Majority of the time he is more interested in what we are eating more than anything else. He'll try new things but only if it comes from our plates. But there are some favorites...including Daddy's favorite - pizza and chocolate chip cookies :)
Not quite sure who's the bigger cookie monster - Mr. Cookie Monster himself (you know the blue guy on Sesame Street) or my husband. Thanks to mommy, Christian sees the Cookie Monster on his cups now and says "Dada!" Truth be told, Christian beats both of them. The chocolate chip cookie is his official dessert of choice.
What's particularly special about this picture is that Christian always goes to this stool that sits in the kitchen. He grabs a snack, usually this big box of Cheerios or his animal crackers, and then he insists on sitting on this stool and snacking in the kitchen. The stool belonged to my late Grandma, Christian's Great-Grandma. Every time I see him sitting on her stool, I see her.
Sweet November
It's my absolute favorite out of the 12. November is just the pinnacle of the beautiful fall season when you walk outside and even though it's a little nippy, you close your eyes and smell the winter approaching and enjoy the beautiful sunsets we have nearly all month long.
A beautiful scene at the Japanese Gardens in Fort Worth
Daddy has become quite the nature photographer. We both agree, my speciality is capturing the essence of people. But Daddy is so connected to nature, it is only fitting that this be his personal window. 
You don't even have to be a photographer to appreciate this.
Mr. and Mrs.
We have this "little" tradition in our family that my parents started - we fall in love and stay in love. Damion and I met when were were 21 and 19, respectively, and all I can attest to is that God has had his hand on our relationship for 10 years. But this first year being married and sharing it with Christian, is an inexplicable experience that I would tell folks not to try at home, unless you are ready to receive the abundance of blessings and happiness that it will inevitably bring; a feeling that can be beautifully overwhelming.
Being initiated into the Selmon crew was no easy win. When I toggle my wedding band around my finger I think of one defining moment. Damion told me there was somewhere he wanted to take me. We show up an hour later to Granny's house. There is one, two, three, four, ALL of the women closest to him under one roof - Granny, momma, Aunt Kerstin, and sissy Dani. I was casually introduced and was left in the living room to fend for myself while he went to the back of the house, all the while, testing me. How'd I do, you ask? The proof is in the pudding :) Aside from getting confused with a fish on my mail (smile) getting married was the best decision I've ever made.
Thanksgiving 2009
You remember those pair of shoes you wore with EVERYTHING when you were little - could have been some red cowboy boots or jellies if you a girl and born in the 80's...for Christian, it's his superman sandals!
Thanks Granny! These sandals are the best!
For almost a year now, we've been tickling Christian... But it's payback time now! Except Christian doesn't know how to just tickle. So he'll "tug" at you and since all you can do is laugh, he thinks he's tickling you. He found Daddy's two little "tickle" spots - under his arms and his belly button!
Self-grooming. Thank God for Carol's Daughter - the best line of hair products ever! Thanks Javon!
Christian figured out how to sabotage the Bose system :0!
A few good pumpkins 
Christian with tio and tia 
Sometimes you just gotta get in there!
Thanks for the cool toy bin Granny!
Cousin Zna
Affirmative action hero!
Snacking on the way home from school
Sometimes you've gotta get the wagon ride in somehow!
Little hands at work
You think it's time for a nap??
Getting some QT with Great Granny :)
It is a pure joy having your little one run to you. I've had some incredibly challenging days at work that always seem to fade away when I get to pick Christian up and watch him as he gets all giddy after he sees me and runs to me, sometime stumbling along the way. Just precious. 
Christian found this new hiding spot - a perfect example of where NOT to play!
Christian likes to play with and put on just about everything of Daddy's - from his sunglasses to cologne to his shoes and hats. He'll even grab Daddy's Dolce, bring it to us, and stretch his little neck for a little spray. Don't be fooled either cause he won't - if he doesn't smell anything, he will insist until he does. At least the kid has great taste!
Daddy caught a rainbow for us :)
Having a little fun at the doc's office, I was trying to get Christian to loosen up a bit. 
You can't tell here but this is mommy's over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder... 
Grandma is great at keeping Christian's library stocked.
Catching some love at the mall
Playing dress up!
BFF Javon Lou :) 
Jojo and Daedae - Top Flight Security of da World!
Christian and I like to catch up on our mailers together - I'm staying abreast the latest trends with BabyTalk and Christian is clipping coupons for me from the Family Christian store :)
QT with Mama and Papa Bear
No comments:
Post a Comment