From time to time I find myself wanting to hit the pause button on life. Some days the desire to freeze frame my world is so strong that it actually motivates me to pick up the camera or write a blog entry, things I don't seem to have time for much anymore.
Connor is 11 months old now, and took his first unassisted steps on July 11, 2009 at Ryan and Cara-Lea's house. I knew he was getting close to this but somehow it still surprised me and made me feel sad that he is heading out of babyhood. Watching him teeter and fall, getting up, falling, trying again, and finally making it across the room I saw once again the quality of persistence that has jumped out at me from day one. Connor does not give up. You can remove him from his goal, barricade or hide it but he does not forget about it. He is much more difficult to distract than his sister was at this age.
(Continued...)
Connor loves to cuddle. When I pick him up after a nap he wraps his chubby arms around my neck and pulls me close burying his face in my shoulder and neck. He won't drink his bottle at bedtime unless I rock him in the glider and sing. Connor also loves to cuddle with Daddy and get's very excited when he sees his Dad coming home from work. He immediately crawls to meet Richard, pulls up on his legs or raises his hands to be picked up. When Richard has Connor on his shoulders Connor will sometimes lean way over til he can see Richard's face and then pat his cheek as if to say "Ok, good. It's still Daddy who has me".
In addition to walking Connor has recently learned to clap, point, attempt to use a hair brush, fill a bucket with water in the bath and say "all done" or "more" in baby sign. When I point to pictures in a book, he points also with both chubby index fingers simultaneously. Connor sometimes spontaneously points at things while we're carrying him. He claps and laughs when other people are laughing and claps or bounces when music is playing. He jabbers a lot but non of it sounds like English other than dadda and momma.
Kaley talks and talks. She loves to reminisce about recent trips or family visits. Some of her mispronunciations include "rainbrella", mango is "flamingo" and veggies are "beggies". She still can't say the L sound so substitutes ya or wa. She is extremely self motivated and sometimes becomes enraged when I make a motion to try and help her. If I start a task she will undo the started portion so that she may complete the entire thing herself. Example...we were in a public restroom recently and she wanted to wash her own hands, however, the sink was not within reach. When I lifted her up she flew into a tantrum. After managing to get her hands clean I thought to appease the wrath by ejecting the paper towel for her to pull off herself. She then tore off the towel, threw it away and pulled the lever down herself to get more. She seems to learn best by watching and verbal instruction only.
Kaley is becoming very helpful around the house. She picks up her toys with moderate assistance to start the task only. She is capable of going #1 in the bathroom independently and does a good job, but prefers to have me help. She can stand on a chair at the kitchen sink and scrub dishes with a brush stacking them on the counter. And, she can wipe up spills thoroughly with a cloth or napkin.
Kaley plays increasingly well with her brother and loves to make him laugh. I often here her saying "you can do it Buddy!" She wants to help feed him and teach him to walk by dancing with him. His rambunctious and persistent nature continues to cause her grief though, and she never seems to rest easy when playing at his level.
I feel a bit better now, having written some of this down. And yet, it still seems so inadequate. I don't ever want to forget them...how they are right now. But, I will. It makes me want to cry. Dear Lord, help me to embrace each day for what it holds and the changes as well as the memories.