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Christmas 2015
TODD’S SECOND CHRISTMAS
DECEMBER 23 – 27, 2015
Note– I was going to include this stuff in my “Todd the Toddler’s 17th Month” post (soon to be completed), but that post started getting too long. So here is a separate post just about Christmas 2015. (I know, I know…it’s February now and Christmas is OVER! Sorry!)
Over the river and through the woods – December 23, 2015
On December 23rd, we drove to Bend, OR for the Christmas holiday. We got a later start than usual because we waited until after Todd woke up (at 7:15 AM) to get on the road. I figured the days away from home would be pretty busy so I didn’t want to cheat him out of any sleep by waking him up.
Unfortunately it took much longer than usual to get there because we were stopped on the snowy highway just down from Mt Hood due to an accident closure. Despite the long car ride, Todd did quite well because he had the opportunity to get out of his car seat and explore the car for a while.
It was dinner time by the time we rolled into Bend. My sister picked us up some take-out from Spork (yum).
Stopped on the highway near Mt Hood – December 23, 2015
We stayed with my sister, brother-in-law, niece & nephew. During the visit, we also spent time with my parents (“Grandma” & “Grandpa”), my aunt & uncle, and my brother-in-law’s parents (“Nana” & “Grampy”).
On Christmas eve, my mom & aunt babysat Todd while we did some x-country skiing with my sister’s family at Virginia Meissner Sno-park. Todd napped for 2.5 hours in his Pack ‘n Play travel bed, which was awesome!
X-country skiing at Virginia Meissner Sno-park – December 24, 2015
That evening, we celebrated my dad’s birthday (12/24) like we always do, by having drinks and a lasagna dinner. After dinner, dad opened his presents and we all watched “The Muppet Family Christmas.” This year the celebration was at Nana & Grampy’s house.
Me, my sister & parents – December 24, 2015
Todd stayed out of trouble in the new surroundings, and he had fun being bounced on a yoga ball and dragged along the carpet by his cousins. He even found a “gar” to play with.
Having fun with Todd’s cousins – December 24, 2015
Playing with a car on Christmas Eve 2015
Christmas morning was overwhelming for Todd, so he preferred playing a little further away from the action. He liked hanging out on the stair landing, above the Christmas tree.
Christmas 2015
The stuffed frog “Relaximal” from my mom was an immediate hit. He loves pillows and big stuffed animals. On Christmas Todd gave me lots of kisses, and he kissed his cousin Ashley and his Grandma, too!
Pillow frog from Grandma – Christmas 2015
Later in the day, Todd was dressed in his snow gear to try out his new snow sled in the yard (also from his Grandma). I watched from inside, but he seemed to do okay!
Eric & Todd – Christmas 2015
Todd napped for 2.5 hours after having such a stimulating morning. Christmas dinner was at my parents’ house, with my aunt and uncle. We always get a kick out of this singing doggy…
The day after Christmas included a short walk in the snow near my sister’s house. In general, Todd hasn’t spent much time in baby carriers, but when he does get a ride in the Ergo carrier, he seems to enjoy it.
Elisa & Todd – December 26, 2015
In the evening of December 26th, we all gathered again for our “traditional” Christmas dinner, vegan of course! We always have Field Roast’s Hazelnut Cranberry Roast En Croute. That meal was at my sister’s house.
Cousins – December 26, 2015
We listened to festive music and Todd showed off his dance moves to Chuck Berry’s “Run, Rudolph, Run.”
Todd took an interest in Kaiser the cat during this trip. One time Todd got a little too close for Kaiser’s comfort which resulted in Todd receiving a small scratch. For the most part, though, Todd followed our instructions to be “soft and gentle.”
Eric, Todd & Kaiser cat – December 26, 2015
By the end of our trip, Todd got somewhat confident walking down the stairs unsupported. Before that, he first learned how to safely descend them by crawling backward and by walking down with support from one railing or a helping hand.
On one set of just 2 steps (into the play room), Todd accidentally did a somersault down one step. I caught him as he rolled out of it. At first he looked surprised and little scared, but wouldn’t you know…he soon tried to repeat it on purpose!
On December 27th, we drove back home. We made 2 food stops (Baja Fresh & Starbucks). Todd pooped 3 times…haha! Pooping while riding in the car is definitely out of the ordinary for him.
Headed back home –
December 27, 2015
When I opened the mail at home, I felt so happy to read this lovely card from one very special lady. I hadn’t heard from her in a while, and it was like getting a big hug! I love her.
Christmas card from Lillian
~16 months old – December 20, 2015
SIXTEENTH MONTH
NOVEMBER 21 – DECEMBER 21 (2015)
NEW WORDS & SOUNDS
- “ben ga” (11/21)
- “be ge be ge ba”
- tries to repeat after me, “t, t, Todd”
- “clock” (11/24)
- “meh beh beh”
- distinctly rolls his “r,” as in “car” (11/30)
- “quack” (12/9)
- lots of “chatting”
SIGNING & OTHER COMMUNICATION
- he did lots of signs, trying to communicate something to Eric (11/23)
- he came to “get me” to help him get something down
- precisely putting thumb and index finger tips together for the “bird” sign (12/9)
- his arm signs for “airplane” and “fish” look the same
- his hand signs for “butterfly” and “bird” look the same
OUTINGS
- dining out: The Shire Cafe, Noi Thai, Baja Fresh, Casa Tequila, Mi Tierra, Cafe Rio
- Thanksgiving with family in Bend, OR (11/26 – 11/29)
- he handles long car rides well
- Santa pics with his cousins – he hated it! (11/28)
- Kindermusik – he hugged and kissed other kid(s)
- stroller walks
- 2 weekends in Wenatchee
Scared of Santa – November 28, 2015
Driving home from Bend, OR – November 29, 2015
PLAY AT HOME
- he loves to dance (and groove to music during dinner)
- hot tub “swims”
- intensely working with 2 skateboards
- he loves to play with rollerskates (he calls them cars)
- he tries to help decorate Christmas tree by putting toy on branch (and pulls off ornaments)
- stepping/jumping off couch (unsafe!)
- he loves to practice jumping
- he races his Little Tikes car around the house and turns it quickly
December 1, 2015
“FIRSTS”
- 1st jumping with both feet off the ground simultaneously (11/22)
- 1st backing down a flight of stairs safely
- 1st walking backward on the couch (to command)
- 1st assisted roller skating (12/6)
- 1st unassisted somersaults (12/8)
- 1st safe climbing down over the armrest of the couch (to the floor, not a bin)
- 1st catching a ball with both hands (12/19)
- 1st walking in the snow (12/19)
1st time on skates – December 6, 2015
Mission Ridge ski area – December 19, 2015
FASCINATED WITH FOOTWEAR!
- sitting to put on my flip flops
- standing and stepping into various (adult) shoes, then trying to walk in them
- he loves walking in his boots in the house (12/11)
- he loves standing on the counter in laundry room to “organize” the footwear
Todd and his boots – December 16, 2015
MISC
- he no longer likes taking a bath (but he loves the hot tub)
- he didn’t like getting his snow gear on/going out in the snow during Thanksgiving
- increasingly wants things up high (or inside the fridge) and gets mad when he can’t have them
Not happy here – November 27, 2015
15 MONTH DOCTOR CHECK UP (11/24)
- weight = 21 pounds (23rd percentile)
- height = 29.72 inches/75.5 cm (7th percentile)
- head circumference = 17.76 inches/45.1 cm (9th percentile)
- vaccines: DTaP, Hib, pneumococcal (PCV13)
December 6, 2015
BABYSITTERS
- 1st non-family babysitter (Jeri, 9 hours) (11/23)
- Todd had a babysitter on 9 days, while I worked
- he went to Mission Ridge (ski area) childcare 4x and did very well
Crazy Todd with Kylie babysitting
Mission Ridge Childcare – December 13, 2015
FORMULA WEANING
- I made the last 2 bottles of formula (12/9)
- he drank his last serving of formula (12/11)
- Blog post– Baby Formula: Thank You & Goodbye
November 30, 2015
NAPS
- little to no crying in the Pack ‘n Play travel bed when away from home
- 1st daytime nap in Pack ‘n Play (1.5 hours) (11/27)
- 1st daytime nap at childcare (Mission Ridge ski area) (12/12)
- crib nap duration at home (~1.5 – 3.25 hours)
Relaxing with Pillow Bear – December 1, 2015
NIGHTTIME SLEEP
- ZERO nighttime wake ups for the 2nd month in a row!
- Average night-time sleep = 9.58 hours
November 24, 2015
POTTY TALK
- 20 poops were done in the toilet
- 32 poops were “misses” (1x he did more poop in the toilet as soon as I got him there)
- like last month, he frequently declined to sit on the toilet, especially for pee
December 15, 2015
I never knew love like this!
Freeheel Vegan 