The Great Birthday Simul-Post, 2009 January 7, 2009

January 7th is a memorable date. In 1927, transatlantic phone service began, which led to the invitable call on Jan 8th, 1927, “What are you wearing?” 110 years ago, Fannie Farmer published her culinary tome, “The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book” and introduced the world to precision cooking measurements. In 2006, the world changed for Danielle and I forever…

As we were a year ago, today we’re joined by special guest poster Jen from Babybrugger so that we can reflect on what January 7th means to us. Also check out Phonemom’s post.

Jeffrey

Let’s look at where we are now, and what’s transpired since 1/7/2008.

• He’s 8 pounds heavier.
• We’ve found it impossible to steer clear of Thomas the Tank Engine for a boy who loves trains.
• He still has no butt or hips and we have to limit our pants purchases to ones with elastic waist bands
• We have tried teaching him to spell, though mostly as a rote “trick”. He can recite “STOP”, “JEFFREY”, “MILK”, and “RIT”
• Though not technically reading, he’s beginning to recognize words – even in different letter case or even handwriting. His favorite words so far are: car, stop, zoo, Wegman’s, FedEx and Jeffrey.
• Physical and occupational therapy have ended successfully, and we really miss Monica and Judy.
• Jeffrey continues to tear up the puzzle scene
• We graduated to a big boy bed

We’ve been telling Jeffrey for a while now that he’s a big boy now. He can pick out his own clothes and sleep in his own real bed. But it really hit me the other day as I’m carrying him inside after he fell asleep in the car. He really feels like a young boy now, and not a little toddler. From facial expressions to retorts, he becomes more and more sophisticated and complicated. I see myself in him, and I beam with pride and shudder in fear. I see my wife in him and it makes me happy to see him smile whenever he sees her. He really is the light in our life. And while I’m looking forward to that light getting brighter in April, I’m going to take the time that we have left as just the three of us and enjoy it.

Happy Birthday, son. I love you.

Victoria

Once again we gather together to celebrate 3 wonderful and amazing kids as they celebrate their birthdays.

 Jeffrey and Morgan are both celebrating, dare I say it, their 3rd bithdays and Victoria is celebrating, gulp, her 2nd birthday. (are we old enough to have kids this old?)

 Another year has gone by and so much has changed. Victoria is now a walking, talking and signing 2 year old. Her favorite song? Jungle Bells. Over and over and over again. She is more outgoing than I could have ever hoped for. She has learned so much over the past 12 months. She can go to the potty (with help), drink from a cup (a real one, not a sippy cup), go up and down the stairs all by herself, put her shoes on and take them off (anytime she’s not moving) and she’s talking, to everyone and everything…even her own reflection.

 I look back at the day she was born and I’m in aw at how far she’s come and all she can do. I love looking at the world through her eyes, with wonder and amazement. She boldly goes where I won’t even consider going (like the boys bathroom in public places or Logan’s diaper pal)

 A few things she’s learned: jingle bells, cheese, stocks are down, roth IRA, merry christmas, Hi brother, Hi Logan, hi grandpa, I noni, hi nana, sell sell sell, no mine, milk, up, cup, lying down on the ground at the most inopportune times, looking to see if we are paying attention when she cries so she knows to try harder and the biggest; sleeping in a her big girl bed, playing quietly in her room and sitting on the potty.

 I don’t know what this year will hold, but I can’t wait to see what she learns and to watch her grow into a wonderful person.

Happy second birthday Beanie, We love you and we are very proud of you.