Keegan & Noelle: 14 months

Keegan

Nicknames: Bug, Squish
Teeth: 5 with 1 more coming in
Favorite things: Laughing. Dancing. Playing chase/peek-a-boo around the couch. Giving kisses. Bubble baths. His daddy. Running.

What's new in his world?

When you ask where's the bird? He says 'BER' and points outside.
When you say give me a kiss, he opens his mouth HUGE to give a kiss.
Claps super fast as soon as he hears someone say "Yay!" Right on cue.
Waves hi and bye when asked.
When you ask him what a cow says, he goes mmmmmm, and ocassionally you get the 'oo' at the end.
Tries and does pretty well with 2-3 piece puzzles.
If he sees me or Justin eating, anything, he will walk right over and say more. more. He can also sign more.
He knows, and doesn't choose to listen well to, 'On your bottom!' during bath time.

Words: Ball, Mama, Dada, Bird, More (as in food), Book, Milk (more like Meh)
Sleeping: 7 pm - 7 am, a morning nap around 10:30 AM, and short/intermittent late afternoon naps
Favorite foods: Mandarin oranges, chicken nuggets, popsicles, sweet peas, turkey hot dogs, cheese, watermelon
Drinks: Milk and water out of a sippy cup and does great with a straw

Noelle

Nicknames: Noelley, Princess Pie
Teeth: 6 with 2 more coming in
Favorite things: Me... :) ... Her baby dolls. Any small toy she can grasp in one hand. Walking, yay! Bubble baths. Giving hugs and kisses. Laila. Reading books. When she gets applause after doing something.

What's new in her world?

When you ask her where's your baby? She goes and gets a specific baby doll. And if she can't find it she gets her 'Noelley face' on. Then will find another baby-type toy.
When you ask her where's the bird, she looks outside and sometimes tries to say bird.
Claps as soon as you say YAY!
Waves hi and bye. Everday day now she sees a big fish tank at school and immediately waves at the fish. She also waves at dogs.
She is walking. Steadily and cautiously, but walking longer distances now.
Is very animated; will point things out if you ask her where's daddy, keegan, milk
She loves to try to stand during baths, but is very good at sitting right away when told 'on your bottom.'

Words: Ma, Dada, Book, Ball, Bebe, Milk (meh)
Sleeping: 7 pm - 7 am with a morning nap around 10:30 and an afternoon nap around 3 pm.
Favorite foods: Watermelon, chicken nuggets, beans, any type of fruit, cheese, turkey hot dogs, crackers, craisins
Drinks: Milk and water out of a sippy cup and does well with a straw.

This age is fun. Like, really fun. I can see their minds just going and going as they are really exploring and learning. I'm constantly amazed when I see them pick up a new skill or master a milestone. I love them  and their daddy to the moon and back!

 

Choice.

Bringing your new baby home from the hospital, whether you were blessed with one or two, is a unique, personal experience. Suddenly, you find that your well-being is entirely dependent on the well-being of another little person. No matter how many ‘hands on deck’ you have offering assistance and advice, every decision comes back to you. How to feed, clothe, change, soothe and nurture – all comes back to what you feel is best for your child. And that can be a very emotional. You find yourself racking your brain to remember the countless bits of information you absorbed over the past 9 months. And although you can remember specifically what not to do, it’s the what ‘to do’ that has you stumped. I get it, I’ve been there.

But here is something that has been engraved on my heart:

“If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any.”

The first congested little chest, cough, runny nose, bump on the head, fever, and scraped knee will all cross your path as a mommy. And when it happens, you may find yourself jumping back to the books, blogs, and friends who have provided such strong support throughout your journey. Your best friend might swear by OTC Gripe Water. And another by peppermint essential oil. Your pediatrician may offer you a decongestant prescription, when you just know you read something about steamed showers and eucalyptus offering relief. You may vaccinate your children, while a mom in your Mom’s group is constantly sharing articles of why she does not.

Let me tell you, because you have read and researched, questioned friends and family, spoken to pediatricians and prayed, you will be equipped with everything you need to know. Because you know what your options are, you can make a choice.

That’s really the most important thing - the knowledge, courage and ability to choose what's best for your family.