Made me smile

When Ford got up from his nap on Monday this is the hair-do I found.  The top portion looked like he had slept in big rollers.  He is such  happy guy and I just love that I never know what his hair will look like when I get him up in the morning or after a nap. 

What you get when. . .

all clean pjs are in the basement, it’s already 30 minutes after bedtime, and dad isn’t around to go grab them for you.  Definitely one of mom’s finest outfits ever put together.  Blue Gamecock onesie, green and white stiped pants, and navy socks to top it all off.  Nice.  Must say that I was going for comfort when I dressed my boy that night. . . definitely not fashion.

happy to wake up!

and happy to see Dad!

 

A special sort of treat

While in Colorado Ford discovered Bailey’s dog treats in the pantry.  In addition to wanting to feed Bailey all day long, he also wanted to give him treats.  A couple of  the days that Bailey was at work with my dad Ford got a treat out for Bailey and carried it around in his hand all day until Bailey returned home and he could give him the treat. 

Sitting in his Tonka Dump Truck showing me the treat

Ford had to hold on to the treat during snack time and then decided he might as well give it a try

During snack time on a separate day Ford threw his spoon on the floor and decided to eat his yogurt with the dog bone

Note to self

Saturday towards the end of Ford’s dinner he decided he didn’t want his lid and straw to his milk cup anymore.  I decided to let him get some practice drinking from a cup so took the lid off and took the straw.  I only put a little milk in the cup at a time, but a lot of the time while he was drinking I was washing dishes. . . and obviously not paying attention fully like I apparently should have.  I would turn my head around to see him bringing the cup up to his mouth, drinking, and some milk spilling, but didn’t think it was a crazy amount so kept giving him more.  Finally I decided he had had enough milk and dinner was over.  When I took his bib off I saw a huge milk spot on his shirt and when I picked him up was even more surprised when I saw the large amount of milk in his highchair and felt a big wet spot on his bottom.  Apparently he spilled quite a bit more than I had thought.  Jeff had decided to give Ford a bath prior to dinner that night for some reason so he was already clean and in his outfit for the night.  Needless to say, with the huge milk spots on him and his now wet diaper, we headed upstairs to get changed again.  Ford has made some progress with drinking from a cup, but obviously we have a ways to go.  And note to self, give Ford 100% of your attention when practicing this skill.

  

Self imposed time-out

Today towards the end of lunch Ford started throwing things down on the floor from his highchair.  The straw to his cup, eggs, banana etc.  Each time he catapulted something on the floor he was reminded not to throw, but continued.  So, Dad sent Ford to time out.  He has been to time-out just a few times and we have used the corner by the front door.  We face him in the corner and kneel behind him while we count out loud to ten.  So, Jeff did that.  When he got out of time-out we told him again why he was there and mentioned that he broke the “rules.”  So, Ford excitedly said “rules” and then happily went back to the corner, sat down, and proceeded to “count.”  Meanwhile, Jeff and I ran into the kitchen where we were laughing hysterically, hoping Ford wasn’t hearing or seeing us.  He did this a few times, going to sit briefly in the corner and then hopping up, making us smile each time.  Not so sure how effective time-outs will be. . .

Not exactly what I had pictured. . .

Yesterday morning we took Ford to the Horseshoe area on campus to run around, explore, and to hopefully get some cute pictures.  It was extremely humid and sprinkled off and on.  Ford wanted nothing to do with any sort of smiles what-so-ever, and truth be told wanted nothing to do with anything but what he wanted to do.  So, we spent our time trying to convince him to smile, not whine, and to not run away from us.  He enjoyed himself I do believe, especially when he got a good head start running in the opposite direction from where Jeff and I were.  He also really thought it was great fun to push his stroller.  He did not think it was necessary for anyone to help him, and would fuss any time Jeff tried to put his hands on the stroller to help him.  Such an independent little guy we have.  Another highlight for Ford was going up to the president’s house and knocking on the door.  Thought he was pretty funny doing that trick.  Ford was interested in the fountain and thought the water looked nice and refreshing.  I actually considered putting him in except I couldn’t tell how deep it was, so we passed.  After spending some time on the Horseshoe we headed to Jeff’s office which Ford was really excited about.  He says “office” quite clearly and loves getting to go to Jeff’s office to visit and to see “Cocky” (any logo with a gamecock in it, the stuffed gamecocks in the lobby, etc.).  We changed Ford into his gamecock onesie to head to lunch and then to fan appreciation day at the Colonial Life Arena.  Ford is 2 for 2 in attending fan appreciation day and was really excited to see Cocky.  I should clarify.  He was excited prior to actually getting inside on the same level as Cocky.  After looking at the fountain outside we walked inside and up the stairs as Ford excitedly called “Cocky, Cocky!”  However, once we were upstairs closer to him, he got quiet.  Then it was Ford’s turn to see Cocky and the meltdown occurred.  Jeff held him and Ford clung to Jeff, crying and shaking and trying to get as far away from Cocky as possible.  So sad.  Especially considering how much he has loved Cocky in the past, and how excited he is any time he mentions Cocky or sees a Cocky.  Oh well.  Ford also got to see Sir Big Spur.  As we were walking up to him Ford said “chicken.”  We clarified and he repeated “rooster,” and “Gamecock.”  He liked him for a bit and then decided Sir Big Spur was not quite his friend either and started to get upset again.  All in all, he was not loving fan appreciation day this year.  When we got to the car though, Ford fussed to see Cocky- go figure.  Also, when he got up from his nap all he could say was “Cocky, Cocky” (and did so excitedly).  I think he must have forgotten the terror he had when he met Cocky.  He also has wanted to look at his pictures with Cocky and is so happy when he sees him in the picture.  Such a funny boy.  So our day yesterday did not give me the cute pictures I had envisioned (our family with Cocky, Ford with Cocky etc).   However, it gave us a few good laughs and memories, and funny pictures.  So although I did not quite get the pictures I had envisioned setting out for our day, it was still a great day.

The Horseshoe on the University of South Carolina campus 

Knocking on the president of the university’s door (he lives in a house on the Horseshoe)

Outside the Colonial Life Arena

Moving up. . . or should I say out?

For the last 17 months Ford has taken just about every bath in his infant tub.  He somehow manages to still fit, and I have liked that we don’t have to use much water to fill it.  Back in March when Ford and I travelled to San Antonio he took his baths in a “big” bath tub (aka a regular bath tub).  It did not go well.  Each night was the same.  A very scared and crying Ford.  When we got home we put him back in his infant tub and he was fine.  The next night at home we tried a bath in the big tub and the crying started just like it had in San Antonio.  At his 15 month appointment I asked his doctor about it.  She said to just let him continue in the infant tub until the “irrational fear” disappears.  Apparently it is common for irrational fears to begin around that time.  I have been putting off trying out the big bath tub since March.  However, I finally gave in and tried it while Ford and I were in Colorado (we just got back last night, but more on that later).  I was pleasantly surprised when my little boy sat right down in the water and started splashing away with a big smile on his face.  No crying, no fear.  I guess we will trade off and on from the infant tub (remember I like how little water we use?) and the big tub.  Ford doesn’t seem to mind his little tub at all and still manages to have quite some fun in it.  I do recognize that there will (very) soon come a time when he just plain won’t fit anymore.  In case that day comes sooner than later, here are some pictures I took tonight during his bath in his good-ol’ infant tub.  I can’t help but smile and yes, laugh too, when I see my sweet boy in his infant tub!   

Bath time still makes the boy happy, even in his infant tub!

And see. . . he even has room to stretch his legs!

Or kick back and relax!

And he can still splash and have fun in his infant tub!

And yes, he can still be silly in his infant tub. . .

and sassy too!

The funniest book ever

Last Monday Ford checked out new books from the library (this has quickly become a weekly activity).  That afternoon I asked him to bring me one to read to him.  So, he picked one out of the pile and brought it to me.  After I read it, I asked him to go get another book.  This time he brought “Blue Hat, Green Hat” by Sandra Boynton (he loves her books).  It was the first time we had ever read this book.  Ford was not far from me, but not sitting down while I read.  But, I read the book anyway and hysterical laughing soon started.  Each page ends with a turkey doing something silly (which Ford wasn’t really looking at) with a piece of clothing and you say “oops” when you get to the turkey.  This apparently was so funny to Ford, who could not stop laughing while I read through the book.  The next night I brought it up to Ford’s room so that Jeff could read it to Ford before bedtime and see Ford’s reaction to the book.  Jeff read Ford the book and again, hysterical laughing the entire book.  Then we asked Ford to read the book to us.  When we heard him say “ooo” (his “oops”) we started laughing, which made him laugh.  It was too cute. 

To watch Ford laughing and reading:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXJNPe47e20

Recent Silliness

Having fun with the lens cap to our camera

A few weeks back when my Dad was here Ford started doing this.  We laughed so hard but could not figure out what in the world he was doing.  The next day though, we realized he was trying to do a forward roll like he does at his Little Gym classes!  He will still get in this position and we know now to help him complete his roll. 

 

As you know Ford loves to climb our stairs.  He also loves closing doors.  So, he especially loves to climb up the basement stairs and close the door at the top.  He thinks this is pretty funny and is laughing at the fact that I am on the other side and can’t open the door (as it swings in towards him).  Jeff was in the basement with him to capture Ford laughing at himself.

 

When I went to get Ford up from his nap on Wednesday he was in a terrific mood.  He kept running around his crib, falling down, laughing and squealing.  He did this for a good 5-10 minutes before letting me get him out of the crib.  To see him in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkMOJA_0buQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqhIUG04s2s

“Kitty. . kitty”

As I wrote about the other day, Ford has enjoyed our time outside on our patio lately.  It is even better when Kitty comes to visit.  If Kitty isn’t around, Ford calls “Kitty” (often sounds like “di-ee”) over and over and over again.  He is relentless in his calling.  Almost to the point of being obnoxious sometimes.  However, I do find it quite cute and funny too.  A lot of times his calling works, and Kitty appears.  Other times, however, Kitty is nowhere to be found.  When Kitty does come, Ford thinks it is super fun to follow him and try to hug him.  Poor Kitty.  Sometimes he gets no rest when we are outside.  However, I do think he loves to be around us.

Going in for a hug

Trying again to hug Kitty

See this huge smile?  Look carefully in the lower left hand corner & you will see the (furry) reason 

To listen and see Ford calling Kitty:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJwFlDAUJJs