Goodbye Summer

As Friday was officially the first day of fall, Devin helped me change my one crafty thing, which spells out the name of the current season. It was a big moment in the house. Obviously. Then, Sunday felt like autumn, I had my first mug of hot chocolate, and I wanted soup for dinner. Even though this week's forecast is still high-80s to low-90s, we're saying goodbye to summer.

These were taken a few weekends ago when Devin was very much engaged in a summer-like activity. I'm looking forward to some fall-ish weather coming our way--someday.

More than Making It Through the Day

I realized this week that Devin is nearing 21 months, which means in a mere three months he will be TWO. This seems unbelievable at times. It really doesn't feel like that much time has flown by. But, oh, it's been a wonderful 21 months. While on this train of thought I was reminded of a quote Kalie recently listed on her blog: "The days are long, but the years are short" (The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, p. 199). I haven't read this book, though I have added it to my "to-read" list (growing day by day), but the line resonated with me.

There are days I'm counting down the hours and minutes until nap time, when Daddy comes home from work, bedtime. Those days take forever to complete themselves. But then there are days I look back and wonder where the week, month, year has gone. Focusing on the micro certainly makes the macro seem far, far away. But it comes speeding toward me, nonetheless.

 

Getting out of bed is usually the hardest task I complete in my day. Not because I'm dreading the day--far from it--but because I love my bed. I love sleeping. I love dreaming. But I also love hearing that sweet boy calling me. Waiting for me. And when I call back to him, hear his giggle, and swing open the door to reveal his smiling face, what a great reason to get out of bed! Nothing puts a spring into my step like seeing my boy joyfully anticipating my appearance. Those are the moments that make me wish for the days and years to linger a bit longer.

My little man and I have been sharing some great conversations lately. We've begun to have inside jokes. Things that make us both grin from ear to ear. Being a mom is really so much fun, and I want the days to slow down, when I'm focusing on the right things. Because though Devin may cry and throw a fit as soon as I give him his cereal, if I'm really listening, it's because he wants "Mommy, sit in chair. Eat cereal, too!" And who wouldn't want to dine with a boy so insistent about sharing a meal with his Mama?

Nursery Things: Both Church and Rhyme

Devin has been in Nursery at Church for 2 months now. He's had some rough patches, but for the most part he likes playing with the other kids. He's also learning a lot. He loves the songs "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam," and "Popcorn Popping," which he calls "Beam" and "Pop, Pop," respectively. He does the actions for the "Popcorn" song and also does the ending movements on "Book of Mormon Stories." 

A funny story from one Sunday: We were in Sacrament meeting singing the opening hymn, and Devin kept trying to shut the Hymn book, saying "No. 'Beam.' Sing, 'Beam.'" When we told him we were singing this song, he just started doing the actions for "Popcorn," saying "pop, pop, pop" over and over again. It was pretty stinking adorable, and there definitely was some quiet laughing during Sacrament meeting!

Devin also really loves nursery rhymes. We've had the Lucy Cousin's Book of Nursery Rhymes from the library for a long time. He can pretty well say several words from every rhyme, and his favorite is, by far, The Brave Old Duke of York. It's adorable to hear him say "Winkie," and I love having him recite "Mary, Mary Quite Contrary" with me.

I got the following email from one of Devin's Nursery leaders awhile ago that I thought was pretty cute and wanted to remember:

"I was reading stories at the end of Nursery and some kids were standing in front of me listening, and then a few, including Devin were walking around the room.  I started to read Humpty Dumpty.  Devin was walking behind the rocking chair, and I started and I read, "Humpty Dumpty sat on a ___" I paused to see if the kids could fill in the blank and out of the blue Devin just said, "Wall" and then kept walking by. It was so funny and out of no where. I didn't even know he was listening because he was just walking around and playing with some other kids."

I can totally imagine this scene, which is why I wanted to remember it. This is totally Devin. He can be running a million miles an hour, but he will stop anything for a story. He's just a little chatterbox.

Chatterings

Conversations/moments with the little man that I wouldn't want to forget.

For the past few days, whenever Devin has "alone time" (timeout), he bounces around in his bed yelling letters, etc. When he's ready to come out, or at least I think he's ready to come out, he starts yelling, "Mommy says goes!" over and over. (I taught him early that "what Mommy/Daddy says, goes!") I just smiled hearing that sweet boy reissue that piece of wisdom. 'Course when I go to get him and ask him to look at Mommy's eyes, he shuts his eyes and turns in circles, clearly ready to do what Mommy says.

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After our walk yesterday we were sitting on the rug while I finished stretching. Devin pulled out his car and started driving it, saying, "Car goes vroom! Car goes vroom!" Then he started driving it on his shoe, so I asked him, "Are you driving the car on your shoe?" He just looked up at me, face beaming with his adorable grin and laughed, "No. Silly Mama!" I laughed out loud like I haven't in a long time. He's just such a grown-up kid these days.

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I washed Devin's blankie on Monday. When he saw it in the washer he was a little worried but didn't freak out. He just kept saying, "Blankie, blankie" in a worried voice. I told him that it would come out "nice and clean." Later, when we retrieved the blankie, which was dry for nap time, he just held it up to his face and said, "Blankie nice and clean!" And when we were playing in his room after his nap, he pulled the blankie from the crib, spread it on the floor and laid down on it, telling me once again, "Blankie nice and clean." He said it so clearly and it was unprompted. Good to know he does listen sometimes!

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Devin knows he's not supposed to tell Mommy or Daddy "no." However, in the past week, it's turned into a game. When we're cleaning up and I ask him to pick up a toy, he smiles the little grin he gives when he's teasing or doing something he knows isn't right and says, "No." Then he just kind of giggles and waits to see what will happen. Clearly there is a battle of wills happening right now. And it's hard to be frustrated since he's being so cute in his defiance!

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He's very into possessives right now and labeling whose things are. Surprisingly he doesn't do this for himself, just for Mommy and Daddy. His favorite time to start pointing things out is right before the blessing on the food at dinner: "Daddy's eyes. Daddy's ears. Daddy's hair." Which then leads into a round of "B says buh! C says cuh! D says duh!" It takes a long time to get the prayer out. Another time he's really into possessives is laundry day. From the laundry basket to the washer, from the washer to the dryer or drying rack, to the closet and the folding: "Mommy's shirt. Daddy's pants. Mommy's clothes. Mommy's shirt." He just loves labeling things, and I think he's proud that he knows what things belong to whom.

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Devin's pretty good at saying please most of the time and will quickly comply when reminded to ask nicely. However, his please ends up taking on a command form because he always says, "Please Mama, go!" We're not sure how the "go" part started, but he clearly thinks he's calling the shots. Rich has a hard time getting Devin to say "Please Daddy" because Devin is on autopilot in ordering me around! But Rich normally gets a good dose of "go!" as well.

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When Devin was sick a few weeks ago Rich taught Devin to say "bogies" because his nose was running so much. I guess this word is better than some that could be used! Now, however, whenever something bothers Devin's nose or he points to his nose, he will tell you that there are "bogies in nose."

More Videos for Grandparents

This second video is long, but we thought it highlighted a lot of how Devin acts these days. He really loves his letters!

 

Silly Boy

When he was done with dinner he started pulling off his shirt. 

 

Not really sure why, but it sure provided some great dinner entertainment. It also provided an opportunity for barbeque sauce to get sufficiently spread all over the shirt and into his hair.

He loves playing peek-a-boo right now and thinks he's being pretty funny when he's "teasing" us.

12 Weeks

It seems we're going to try this parenting thing again. I had my second appointment today and everything continues to look good.

I'm a little over 12 weeks, or 3 months. The official due date: March 20, 2012. We're very much looking forward to this new little addition and the changes he/she will bring to our family. Rich has already taught Devin to point at my belly when asked where the baby is. The boy has no idea what's coming! Nor do I, I'm sure. March seems far away right now, but I'm positive it will seem terrifyingly close in no time at all.

Labor Day Fun

I was very adamant that we do something over Labor Day. Rich, of course, wanted to finish up some yard projects, and we were required to watch the BYU season opener on Saturday, but Monday was reserved for Britton family fun.

We decided to drive down to Sonoma to Train Town. 

It's a cute little amusement-type park with a miniature-scaled train. 

Devin was pretty excited about the train ride and loved making his train noises. The ride went through some tunnels--clearly not Devin's favorite part. 

The train takes a stop at a little village, and there is a petting zoo. 

 

Devin liked the animals at first, but then the llama got all greedy and attacked Devin's hand, he was not so keen on feeding the animals after this. Though he did "Baa" loudly for the sheep.

Along with the train, there were several amusement rides. 

Devin was tall enough to go 3 of the 6, and he was pretty brave, considering his sometimes-reserved nature. He was ecstatic about riding the "horsies" until the carousel started, but he calmed down when he realized he could wave to Daddy at every rotation, and that the horses had eyes, ears, mouths, etc. (Lately, he loves pointing out these things on everyone and everything.) He did alright on the Ferris wheel and the Scrambler rides, though halfway through Rich said he just started saying, "Done." But at least he wasn't crying!

I guess the whole adventure was worth it because today during breakfast, and while talking to Daddy this afternoon, he kept saying "choo, choo," "animals," "baa, baa," and "horsey!" Clearly some things made a lasting impression.

Sonoma has a great city square with a cute park and a pond with some ducks. We got some dinner, hung out at the park and then headed home. 

 

  Devin was asleep in minutes. It was a great family day!

Climbing

Devin's climbing skills have really improved over the last week. Sometimes he just needs a new perspective to gather the really good information required of a toddler explorer. 

And even though he's fallen a few times--nothing major, but still falls--he has no fear and climbs up onto chairs, the couch, the cabinets, the piano bench every chance he gets.

'Cause baby, there ain't no mountain high enough

Ain't no valley low enough, ain't no river wide enough

To keep me from getting to you, baby.

There would have been several more pictures with this post, but for some reason the computer and camera decided they hated me and didn't download, then deleted several other adorable pictures. I may have teared up a little when I realized the pictures were gone. 

So instead of a picture, I shall share an anecdote instead: I followed Devin down the bathroom the other morning, as I knew he was up on the cabinet. He had somehow put himself directly into the sink, knees down, arms underneath. Shortly after I snapped a picture, he informed me he was "stuck" and needed "help." Then he started panic crying because he couldn't move his arms. I will admit that I at least tried to hide my smile. He could have gotten out very easily, but he had a death grip on his toothbrush and toothpaste, and he certainly couldn't let them go!