Jamon Staci and Liam

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Sunday, January 15, 2012

One and a Half Years

Beware: more that usual thoughts by Staci

I can’t decide how to start this blog (other than how I just did). I have been so full of different emotions at Liam’s turning 18 months, Joy, Sadness, Anxiety, Excitement and so on. The only real milestones for this age are Nursery and more shots, but so much more is changing. Sunday Jamon and I took Liam into the far too small designated nursery room for the first time. Going in I was pretty excited. When we got there were kids crying (who have been in nursery for at least 6 months-what the heck), parents standing around, puzzles on the table and I had no idea who the leaders were. We sat Liam down at the table and he immediately started playing with the puzzle. He then got off his chair and tried to climb on another kids chair and then back to his chair and the puzzle, typical Liam. Then one of the Primary counselors came in, talked to us for a minute and then we said our goodbyes. I am not going to be the Mom that sneaks out when my child isn’t looking, although our departure probably would’ve been easier for him if we had. He started to cry, but the counselor took him and we just kept on walking. The emotion hit that I didn’t think would. How can he be big enough for me to leave him for 2 hours. Yes, we have left him with babysitters but he is usually asleep most of the time. I pushed the emotion away. People stared, with smiles, at us as we walked into Sunday School with no child. They knew it was a good day. And it was, but I was BORED. I’m used to entertaining or containing Liam and I didn’t realize I loved it. I MISSED HIM. Maybe I’m the one who needs Liam to sneak away from me so I don’t know he’s gone. I’ve spent 18 months weening him from nursing, bottles, pacifiers, being rocked to sleep, etc., I now need someone to ween me from him. I’m good through. Just need to get used to it, and let him grow up. Is this how it’s going to be all the time not wanting him to grow up…I’m in trouble.

As for shots…his 18 month well-baby checkup for some reason has me concerned for reasons I KNOW are not logical. Working in a Preschool for kids who have Autism you hear all the stories of how kids got Autism. There is Theory out there that 18 month shots have been the cause of Autism. I’m not going to get into a debate, but I don’t believe it. I do believe that the shots could be a trigger, just not the cause. Anyway Parents of most kids who have been diagnosed with Austism say that they started noticing digression in their child around 18 months. I didn’t want to be the Mom who worried about this, but I am. I am only because I know. If I didn’t know I probably wouldn’t worry. Since birth I have looked for developmental milestones, Liam has hit them all so far, I’ve even tried pushing milestones. So why the worry. Either way Life will go on and I know I can handle it. (Admitting that almost makes me feel like now he will get it…I’m ridiculous I know). I really try not to think about it, but I just felt like sharing it.

Now on to the fun part. The part where I tell you all all the fun things Liam does. We have not been to the DR yet so those stats will have to wait. Some of the things will be obvious that he can do, but it’s been 6 months since I have documented.

18 Month Stats:

Weight:
Height:
He now walks. Yes, I know my child’s amazing
He runs…fast
He is starting to eat really well with a spoon almost no spilling…almost
Stacks blocks
Can and will climb everything and anything
Loves to sit on the counter while I cook or clean the kitchen
When the TV is on he’ll turn look at it and laugh like something funny was just said or shown.
If he could would walk up the stairs. One day he even tried it. He only cried a little.
Says Thank you, please, dad, dog, shoes
He is very good at cleaning up. Usually cleaning up his own mess
Will help empty the dish washer. The silverware drawer looks awesome when he’s done.
Closes everything….obsessively
Likes anything with a Lid (see above).
Has his own Idea of where things should go. Example: Shoes in the measuring cup drawer
Wants to help us with everything…hope this never goes away
- taking out trash,
- building the fire
- putting clothes away
- putting groceries away
- sweeping
- opening and closing lids for us…obsessive
- Laundry
Went through a garbage can phase. Throwing things away, taking things out. I’m pretty sure he threw his croc away, Jamon’s wallet (which we saved just in time), and many other things.
Loves to jump onto the Love sac from the couch
Is still scared of the vacuum
Has become a horrible traveler
Loves Music. He always wants it turned on whenever we are in the kitchen.
Is becoming a very good dancer.
Gives incredible kisses

Now for pictures. Liam has a new smile…

Ridiculous. Where on earth did this come from? Every time I point the camera at him I get a variation of this exact face.

I wanted to Document his turning of 18 months, but not only does Liam pull weird faces, he won’t look at the camera, or won’t smile when he is looking at the camera. Taking pictures was frustrating. I did get a few good ones.

Best Picture of the Day

Love this guy!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

It’s a Jolly Holiday

Christmas was fantastic. It all started at my Parents house the Friday before Christmas and ended at my Parents house New Years Day.

My ENTIRE family consisting of 9 nieces, 8 nephews (that’s 17 total), 7 siblings, 7 in-law siblings, me, and a set of parents, all 34 of us, were all at one point during the Holidays in the same place. It was AWESOME! Christmas was spent with my Sister and her family and my Brother and his wife. It was so much fun opening presents with so many little kids around.

Christmas Eve we decided to actually act out the Nativity scene instead of just reading it. We haven’t done that in a long time.

Mary and Joseph played by brother Daniel and his actual pregnant Wife, Mattie

The Angel, played by Sis-in-law Kelly

King Herod and the Narrator played by Dad

Shepherds played by Mom, sister Jodee, Jamon and Liam.

One of the 3 Wiseman played by Bridgette

Other 2 Wiseman played by brother Mark and his son Nash.

Christmas morning happened early as it always does no matter how old we get. We were up by 6, including Liam, which we paid for later. We had so much fun with Liam. He actually seemed interested in everything he got.

One of his favorite toys…stacking cups. Something I wish I would’ve gotten him a long time ago.

His absolute Favorite present. He has enjoyed it since he’s laid eyes on it.

I wish I had taken more pictures, but Jamon spoiled me so much this year I didn’t have time between all the unwrapping, and it was just fun watching my nieces open up presents.

Other memorable moments:

visiting Grandma and Grandpa Twitchell and helping take down Christmas Decorations
Jamon not having to go home to work because there was an office in Cedar City
Jamon and I getting away to St. George for a night, by ourselves. Wonderful!
Playing in the Office building were Jamon worked in Cedar (more on that later)
Playing card game after card game
Eating DELICIOUS food
Finally not feeling nauseous…at all!!

Now for New Years.

First thing New Years Eve day my ENTIRE family, all 34 of us, dressed all fancy and went to the field behind my parents house were my cousin took our family pictures. She is editing them so I don’t have a lot to show off. Here is one she has finished.

The place Jamon went to work in Cedar was previously a fitness center. Most of it had been converted, but there was still a Basketball court and a Racket ball court. There was also a kitchen, two rooms with big TV’s and projectors, a room with ping pong tables and pool tables and 7 or 8 huge Love Sacs. We had so much fun playing there on Friday with everyone that we thought we would ask if we could use it for New Years Eve. The guy didn’t care so we packed up all our food, dressed in our comfy playing around clothes and went to the old fitness center.

The fun that took place:

Racket ball

Basketball

Eating

Watching football

playing all kinds of board and card games
Jumping from high places onto the Love Sacs
XBOX Kinnect: Just Dance

Ping Pong
Socializing
Pool
Corn Hole

All I can say is that it was a BLAST!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Excused Absence

It’s true…I have excuses for not blogging in 4 months…procrastination only plays a…small part…

First Excuse: I am not in love with my laptop right now or our internet. Anytime I’m on using one of the two, or both at the same time, it seems to take forever to get anything done. So instead of getting frustrated I choose to stay away from it all. Here’s some things we did while the internet was slow…

Boating

Who else would we go boating with? Dave and Scottie, Jamon’s old roommates.

Texas

Cousin Brynlee did Awesome at getting Liam to eat.

Cousin Kylee and Liam

Liam’s first hair cut. Cut by my sister Camille

I think they’re in Love

Liam also learned how the boys dress in the 100 degree Texas weather.

Skateboarding with Ammon and Jaxon

Liam really did like it. He didn’t want to stop.

The Race is on.

And the Winner is…

We really had a lot of fun while we were away.

Second Excuse: Quiet Book. I made a quiet book that seemed to take way longer than I thought it would. Whenever I had time I chose to work on it rather than do anything else.