A block away from our apartment is a great playground. We visit often for the swings, and now with summer in full force, for the sprinklers. There are some toys that Theo is finally able to play with (walkers, car in the photo) and I couldn’t resist capturing his first ride in a toy car all by himself. He was steering the wheel and everything. I took today off and it’s been great. I love my days off with him.
Theo got his first pair of shoes today. He has some soft Robeez that he has worn here and there in cooler temps, but these are his first pair of “I’m now mobile and standing and going to be walking soon shoes!” These should help the transition. Getting close! Not that I’m in any kind of rush. He is strong, though, and cruising mighty nicely. Here is a photo from our hot NYC weekend:
We are 5 weeks into our CSA season and the shares are getting more plentiful! I love Tuesdays because I make a huge, fresh-from-the-farm salad. Last night we had a salad made up of lettuce, beets, cucumbers, onions, scallions, and garlic scapes with a lemon, olive oil dressing – and everything was from Windflower Farm (minus the dressing)! I was glad to see broccoli in our share this week so Theo could enjoy something. He hasn’t grown a fondness for beets, yet, but I will continue to try! We also got peaches. I gave one to Theo and he played with it and definitely munched away on it but every time he got the juice or anything in his mouth he spit it out and made a crazy face. This boy will not eat fruit.
We spent a week in Cleveland recently. It was nice to be back visiting friends and family. Especially with Theo much more of a little person than the tiny baby he was during Christmas. Theo and I flew there ourselves and although the flight was much shorter than our flight to Austin it was a bit tougher now that he is more active crawling and pulling himself up. He did really well, though. Just a bit more squirmy. I could’t (or I should say wouldn’t want to) do it for much longer of a flight. Theo enjoyed having more space to play around and he was able to take full advantage of all the great toys at Papa Bruce and Sherry’s house. We stayed there half the week and at Jay’s Mom’s the last few nights. Jay came for only two days so I felt like I had a taste of what it would be like to be a single mom. It was tough. And that is with a fairly mellow kiddo. I was so proud of Theo. He didn’t struggle with his nap routine and slept pretty well at night. Usually woke up once and would get nursed back to sleep but that is to be expected I would think in a foreign place. We had a pool party at my Mom’s with my sister and nieces, a BBQ at Jay’s Mom’s one night with lots of friends, and babies, and family. Mostly we just hung out and took it easy. Theo got used to going in and out of the car seat by the end of the week and we drove my Dad’s car back to NY. He was a trooper though it all! I love that little guy so much. He is developing his personality and he really has a pleasant temperament. So happy and smiley all the time. I feel so lucky to have him in our life. Sometimes I get stressed and tired and irritated with him and then I feel bad because I love him so much and he’s so great. I guess that is normal. He has a third tooth coming in (top front tooth). He still loves clapping and hasn’t quite figured out how to wave or point, yet. I can’t believe his first birthday is right around the corner.
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Theo has a new nanny that started this week. She is taking care of Theo on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Her name is Mersha and so far she seems great! Very sweet, happy, and outgoing and Theo really likes her. Then again, he likes everyone. She wears these head scarves and beautiful earrings so she had him hooked quickly. Already they have gone to the library and playground to play on the swings and in the fountains. Our search isn’t over quite yet, though. We are still trying to figure out the other days or we might end up with a full-time nanny share instead. This would be my pick. It would lessen the financial burden for us and still give Theo more individualized care along with a little buddy to play with. We are in the process. I am also touring two more day care centers on Monday, too.
I signed up for this early childhood literacy program a few months ago and yesterday we received our first book! It’s completely free and we will receive a new book each month. It’s sweet because it was addressed to Theo Tekus. We read it for his bedtime book last night. It has lots of great pictures for him to look at and pat with his hand. Mersha said he loves books yesterday. She was reading this book to him before naptime and she said he just sat there listening and observing intently. I know he loves that book because we read it often so it was nice to hear her noticing his likes and dislikes and telling me details from their day. I miss him and I want to hear every detail when I get home. I can’t wait to see what book comes next month.
We got back from Cleveland on Monday. Theo and I were there for a week. Jay came, too, but only for two days since he got a full-time job. We drove back with my Dad’s old CRV. We have a car now! It was great to be home. We saw a lot of friends, family, and new babies. Everyone there either has a new baby or is expecting one soon. It’s pretty cool.
Today I didn’t work and Theo and I went to the Water Lab at Pier 6 of the new Brooklyn Bridge Park. It is totally awesome. The Water Lab is the fun area with lots of fountains and all kinds of water activities for kids. It’s mostly for bigger kids but we enjoyed ourselves just fine. I already want to go back. There is also a huge sandbox village and an amazing playground with big slides. I can’t wait until Theo is bigger and we can play there.
I will post photos from Cleveland soon. These don’t really do the place any justice but here are some of Theo from today…
Our session has ended. It was really fun! Here are a few photos from our last class. Daddy got in the water with Theo so I was able to snap some shots.
pulling himself up to stand!
One other thing he loves to do right now is click his tongue. He looks at us and is so proud when he does it. He’ll also mock you when you do it and other things like sticking out your tongue. Every day it’s something new with this kiddo!
Theo kind of dances. When I put the radio on he smiles and shakes his head side to side – as if he is saying no, no, no when he really means yes, yes, yes! It’s pretty cute. He also bounces up and down standing on your legs in a cool, new dance move.
He is definitely much more opinionated these days. Mostly, he does NOT want to have his diaper changed. He’d rather sit up and look around and grab anything in sight. Sometimes he shrieks louder than I’ve ever heard anyone shriek. It hurts my ears. Usually if I give him something to occupy him quickly, he’ll manage to get through the quick change. He is often unhappy about being put in his highchair. Once he’s in there, and snacks are given to him, he’s fine.
Theo also is learning how to kiss and that is just the best. Sometimes, when I’m lucky, I will lean into him and say, “give Mama a kiss!” and he will lean into me and give a sweet, un-puckered kiss with a smile.
