23 Months Old

The vacation post is still coming but first we must acknowledge that Josh is 23 months old today, which means that in one month, he will be 2 years old! Ahhhh! I think I am in serious denial. July was an exciting month that included a visit from Grandma and Cap, Josh's first baseball game, family vacation to Pensacola Beach, and a visit from Gram and Bo. I think we spent this month primarily in the water, either at the pool or on the beach and we're not complaining about that because it has been hot!

Josh continues to love all things trucks/buses or ball related. Josh still waves crazily at every semi or bus and says "bye bye big truck." Josh will stop to watch any sport involving a ball on TV whether it be baseball, golf, soccer, etc. Furthermore, you would not believe how many items around the house can be used as a bat and balloons make great items to swing at. I am particularly fond of the balloon as well because as long as you make sure to duck from the bat, you are fairly safe. The boy has got a pretty good arm as well and I will caution you here to be aware of the proximity of your head to a toy should Josh decide he is moving on since the toy generally gets flung aside. I found this out the hard way!

Over the past couple of weeks, Josh has had another major explosion in his vocabulary. I couldn't even tell you how many words he has in his arsenal these days. He repeats everything but not on demand. While we were on a vacation, Brad saw somebody in a Razorback shirt so I told Emma she needed to call the hogs. She finished up and next thing you know, Josh is saying "pig sooie" clear as day. The great thing though is he is starting to better communicate if he needs something or is hurt. Josh still loves to sing and is getting more and more words in the songs he knows. It is also clear that he loves music time at school because he knows all the hand motions in several songs. In addition to the vocabulary, Josh has really got it in his head that he is a big boy. He will no longer use his booster seat and while he can sit in a normal chair fine, he has problems with trying to stand up, wanting to sit in my lap, and staying put until a meal has ended but all of these can be overcome.

I am sure that there is much excitement in store for us with Josh over the next month and we can't wait to see him blow out his candles on the 28th!

*The photos above were taken by Emma in a series she called "Many Faces of Josh." I may have made the second part of that up.

Wordless Wednesday - Preview of Vacation 2011

Photos by Emma

Emma loves to play games on my phone. Emma also loves to look at pictures and videos on my phone. Recently, Emma has discovered that she loves to take pictures with my phone. Between the drive home yesterday afternoon and the drive to daycare this morning, Emma has taken about 85 photos. I will refrain from putting all 85 up since the majority are photos of her leg or her thumb covering the lens. Here is a sampling of her skills. She may need a little direction!

Swimming!

We've definitely been taking advantage of the neighborhood pool this summer especially since it is now possible for one person to take both kids if the need arises. Josh has earned himself a bit of a reputation at the pool. As I have noted before, the boy who didn't want anything to do with the pool at his first lesson is way too brave. One of the lifeguards watches him like a hawk and is a little fearful for what next summer holds. Hopefully we won't be responsible for anybody quitting. He is just so nonchalant about jumping in. The other day, Josh was on the pool deck by Brad and I was in the water talking to baby Anna and tickling her when out of the corner of my eye, I see a blue streak headed towards the pool. I reached out my left arm just in time to catch Josh as he plunged into the water. You definitely have to be on guard.

On the 4th, we got to swim with Emma's friend Libby and her family. Emma is so excited because they joined our pool too so now it is Emma and Libby's pool. Having Libby there gave Emma the courage to finally jump into the pool as well. Kacy did tell me that Libby never had the courage either so I guess together, those two are much more brave. We also played some games including squeezing the water from a sponge to fill a cup. It appears that Emma got her Daddy's competitive spirit. They also dumped some gold fish into the baby pool and then gave the kids buckets to catch them. Let's just say that neither of my two wanted anything to do with this game. In fact, they were scared of the goldfish. Libby, on the other hand, was a trooper and managed to catch two goldfish, which was no easy feat! It was a great day of swimming and I know the girls can't wait to spend some more time together at the pool this summer.

Emma jumping!
Pondering how to scare everybody next!

Ready or not!
Libby jumping!

Best friends!
Filling their cups! Emma had this game nailed!
Catching goldfish!

Jumping and loving it!

Mr. Independent

Believe it or not, it's not always sunshine and roses at our house. In fact, we have seen a lot of the above lately with tantrums about this or tantrums about that or tantrums about who knows what. The major issue is that in his mind Josh is a lot bigger than he really is so his will and the will of Brad or I don't always align. He is too big for his booster seat yet won't stay seated in a regular chair. He is too big to hold hands or be carried in the parking lot. He is too big to have to sit in a carseat. I think you get the picture! He is just trying to learn his limits but I definitely won't be too sorry to see this phase pass.

Our Little Gymnast!