Swimming

Way back in March I was driving around town and noticed there was a sign by the civic center advertising swimming lessons. I stopped inside to ask, and was surprised to find that they had a parent-tot class that started the following week. It was 30 minutes once a week for an 8 week stretch. Now, realize by swimming class I mean learning water safety, not actual swimming. By no means can my child actually swim. The class taught them how to move their arms and legs in the water, to hold their breath and go under for just a moment, how to reach for the side, and to get comfortable being on their back - all while being held by an adult. It ended up being a lot of fun. There were 4 other little ones in the class - Ian happened to be the oldest. Thirty minutes was the perfect amount of time, I don't think his attention span would have lasted any longer than that. 

And now that we have officially hit summer heat and humidity, it's time for the lake. The first place we took him was Clark Center Park, where they have a sandy beach by the lake. It was awesome seeing his little face light up when he realized we were getting in the water. He was delighted. Then, we heard someone say there was a snake in the water. Yup, at the edge of the swimming you could see it slithering along. So, we had to abandon that venture. 

But then we took him over to Indian Boundary, a campground where they have a beautiful lake and swimming area. It was hot, but beautiful - great visibility of the mountains. Ian had a blast.

I think J had really been looking forward to being able to do this.

That open mouth grin in something else, isn't it?
And the mountains around the lake are soooooo pretty.

And some videos.

Again, you say?

He could have stayed in there for hours.

Post swimming and worn out. But very, very happy.

Playground

Somehow time got away on me with this one. About a month ago we took Ian out to Frozen Head State Park. This was our second visit, the first visit you can read about here (me oh, my oh has he changed a little since then!). It's such a beautiful place, perfect for a Sunday morning drive. It was the first time he actually PLAYED on a playground. Our playground ventures before had been let's-pick-up-gravel-and-throw-it-in-the-garbage cans. This child takes his garbage cans seriously. But, yes - he PLAYED on the play ground, and it was enough to convince him that, while throwing rocks in the garbage cans is still fun, swings and slides are more fun.

Taking a little hike - he sure does love to hold a hand. It's sweet.

And pick up pines cones. And look under rocks for bugs. And pick flowers.

And climb on top of big rocks.

Round 2 at the playground. Swings!!!

There's this little abacus on the playground - we have a small one at home that he enjoys playing with. Anyway, we had been working on counting to ten, and he's done it a few times on his own, but that day he starts counting abacus beads. . . .and we find out that he can count to 13! That blew us away - I so wish I had it on video.

We hope to take a few more day trips this summer. He does love to go do new things!

24 Months

Dear Ian,

Sweet boy, you are a two year old.

We went in last week for your 24 month check up, and I was so proud of you - you were such a good patient for the doctor. You sat stone still while he looked in your ears and listened to your heart. You even opened your mouth wide so he could look in your mouth. Are you the same child I took to the doctor 6 months ago? The one who started crying the minute we walked in the door? You even gave the doc a high five and a knuckle bump when you were done!!! Amazing! You weight 28.8 pounds. Growing well! And getting taller, those fat rolls are slowly going away. Your cheeks? Still turn heads, baby!

In the past 6 months we have started to really see your personality shine through. It's incredible, this compassionate sweet little person you are becoming. The biggest thing that stands out to me right now is how much you talk. I can't even keep up with your vocabulary these days. About three months ago you went from saying single words, to short sentences. Now? You were looking for something the other day, lifted your hands up, and said, "I don't see it anywhere!" You will mimic just about anything we say, and are excellent at naming the people you know.

And the alphabet obsession you've had since about 14 months? I thought that would kind of get old, but I was wrong, wrong, wrong. We are now on our second set of magnetic letters (the first were used also for teething). And you know all the letters, upper and lower case, and pronounce them correctly. A few weeks ago you started singing the alphabet song. We hear it a lot.

Books are still a major part of our routine, and you certainly have your favorites. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, given to you by your cousins, can be recited by heart. It talks about all the letters going to the top of a coconut tree then falling down. You built your own coconut tree out of legos and use your magnetic letters - and you thought of this yourself! I love seeing this creative play.

You're sleeping is as good as it's going to get, I suppose. You're out between 7:30 and 8 most evenings, and sleep until between 6 and 7. If we keep you out past bedtime, you will stay up as long as we let you - but you wake up earlier the next morning. This makes ZERO sense to me, but oh well. It is what it is.  Most days you nap, except for the days you are at daycare. Regardless, you rarely go to sleep willingly.

You are a good little eater most days. Still love strawberries and spaghetti, and would eat an entire can of olives (any kind) if we let you. Too much sugar makes you crazy grumpy - but you know what, it does me, too! You drink milk now, and LOVE chocolate milk -  a little treat on the weekends.

You play so well, love trains and garbage trucks. You even got to go on your first train ride a few months ago.

You love to go outside, and would stay out there all day if we let you.

Did you ever see someone so happy to just roll in the grass?

You love your trucks.

And the neighbor's cat, Honey, who is super tolerant of your sometimes not so gentle attempts at petting.

And playing in boxes.

We had friends out the night before your birthday for a cookout, and there were cupcakes.

You got a small picnic table - your "little table," as you call it.

The day of your birthday you got both of your grandparents under your roof at the same time - talk about sensory overload!

There was a cake!

And balloons!

And some new toys.

What a party!

After a much needed nap - we took you to the waterfront to feed the ducks.

You are the center of our universe right now, and although there are times when you can be difficult (you are 2, after all), I wish everyone could meet you and experience you. You are the neatest little being. I am so lucky and so grateful.

I love you so!

And He's Two

Happy Birthday, Ian!

We've been crazy busy round these parts, with this little guy turning two. Lots of pictures coming soon, I promise.

Little Mower

We do most of the mowing in our yard with a little push mower. The neighbors look at us like we're crazy, but I confess I love to hear the quiet whirring of the blades as they cut the grass. It sounds so much nicer than the gas mower. An added plus is it's much safer for Ian to be around. And there's no stink of oil and gasoline. He likes to help.

And the best part is this - co mowing with his Daddy.

The expression on his face is priceless. Delighted. Monkey see, monkey do.

Mother's Day

What a special mother's day I had. Ian woke up a little early, so we curled up on the couch together and watched Curious George. Ian gave me a sweet little card with Pooh Bear on the front, signed in red crayon. J gave me a field guide for identifying wildflowers, and a box of my favorite Belgian truffles. Let's not discuss how many of those I ate yesterday.

We went to Waffle House for breakfast. Ian dipped each individual hash brown in ketchup.

We played in the back yard. It was cool outside but beautiful and clear and breezy.

After successfully getting Ian to take an early nap, we drove out to J's parents house. Ian ate a bunch of fresh strawberries and ran around their yard for a solid hour.

On the way to my parent's house we stopped by Norris dam, and oh, what a sight. There has been so much rain recently they have let the flood gates down and are spilling water down the side. They've only done this a handful of times that I can remember. The last time J and I saw it we were teenagers. Ian was so excited to see the "waterfall." It's a spectacular sight and sound.

 As we were leaving we noticed you could actually see the Smokey Mountains in the distance - it was that clear outside.

We arrived at my folks house, where Ian ran past everyone to go climb in Pop's lap. Pop is my grandfather, who drove himself up from Georgia to visit for the weekend. I am so glad he was able to come visit. Ian is absolutely enamored with him. I love it!

Ian got an early birthday present from his Uncle L and Aunt S. A little red train engine and coal car, the perfect size for his little hands. He was delighted, and has yet to let it out of his sight.

After dinner we took a long walk back to my brother's vineyard. Ian ran as fast as his little legs would take him the entire way back, made a few laps around the perimeter, and then ran the entire way back.

He played in the yard for quite a while before we left. My brother brought this little pickup truck back with him from Alaska back when his youngest (now 16) was about Ian's age. All of my nieces and nephews have played with it. They had a big time.

It was a busy day, and I wouldn't trade one second of it.

As The Sun Goes Down

We have a little routine every evening after dinner. If the weather is nice enough we take a walk down the street. We've been taking these walks since I was pregnant, then after he was born J would carry him in the Bjorn, and then we moved onto the stroller. After the winter hiatus we weren't sure if we would be starting them back up in the spring. Ian is such a busy little feller, it can be really hard to get him to sit still for more than 5 minutes. However, we were pleased to find that (for now, at least) he still enjoys these walks. He always takes something to hold in his hand - a car, bucket, magnetic letter, something - and he points out all the garbage cans, recycle bins, wind chimes, dogs, storm drains, and stop signs. Every time he sees a garbage can laying on it's side he says, 'Oh no! Garbage can fall down!' He leans forward in his chair as far as he possibly can. It's a good thing he's buckled in. After our walk we let him play in the back yard for a little while before coming in to start the bedtime routine.

Our back yard is always so lovely this time of year. We have a few azalea bushes that must be ancient. They glow when they're in full bloom, and in the mornings it makes the walls in our living room look pink. This is Ian's first truly posed picture. I asked him to stand still on the stepping stone and he actually did - for about 5 seconds before taking off at a run.

If it looks like the top of the azalea is in line with the roof, that's because it is. And we trim in back every year after the blooms fall off, just to keep it from overtaking the porch. I often wonder how old it really is. There are lots of azaleas in this part of town, but I have yet to see one that rivals ours!

The other thing I love so about out yard is the canopy that the mature trees in the back give us. It's so rich and green this time of year. Over the years that we have lived here J has worked really hard to shape the back yard to give us our own little oasis. It gives us an impressive amount of privacy for living right in the middle of the city.

Here is a moment from one of our evenings. Ian is playing with his trucks, keeping an eye on me, and shifting his gaze to J who is weeding off to the side. I love to hear the birds in the background.

It's lovely, isn't it?

Sometimes the Honey comes over to visit, and Ian bless his heart wants her to chase the ball sooooo bad.