Sticks!

If you knew anything about my child right now, the word "sticks" would be in some part of your vocabulary as you talked about Graham. Graham is 18 months, and loves being outside. He now knows how to open the front door, (yes, that is scary!), bring mommy his shoes and point to the door- saying- let's go outside! I think my child could stay outside all day long, never eat, just play with sticks, sticks, and more sticks! This picture above is a great picture of Graham at this stage in his life. He loves showing us how he can run, clap sticks together, collect as many sticks as he can, and even chew on them at times! When I had Graham 18 months ago, gosh I thought 18 months was so far away and that time wouldn't go so fast. This stage has been a true delight. He makes me laugh constantly. I am amazed at the things he is learning- he listens to everything we say now (scary!)! He loves helping me do anything around the house, especially doing his form of laundry! Graham loves taking the dryer vent out the the dryer cleaning the lint off and then taking the lint to the trash can. We are also really into the dishwasher. I have to be careful when we open it now b/c he will pull just about anything out if it, he thinks he is really helping even if it is a knife or something breakable! Graham moves so quickly that he will be doing something in a split second- and oh no! The sweetness of his heart shines as he runs to me in the mornings and cuddles tightly in my arms. The role model in his life is his dada! Oh goodness, he loves everything Mike does right now. Mike has been working on the nursery for Ellie off and on the last few weeks, and Graham has watched his dad paint, put up molding, and move furniture here and there. So now- when Graham walks into Ellie's room and sees that it is pink now, he raises his arms in the arm and acts like he is giving you a tour of the room, and says "dadadadada" the whole time. It is precious and amazing at how he watches everything Mikes does. Even at Music class yesterday he went up the walls and pointed to them and again said, "da da". So, we think that Graham thinks that his daddy builds everything, especially big tall walls! Don't you wish you could just get into their little minds and know what they are thinking at times, too cute!
So we are getting closer and closer to the big two! We are starting to discipline much more and daily have to be very consistent about not using "no" 100 times a day, so we are trying to be creative with our words of distraction! He knows he isn't allowed to throw his food off of the highchair, or his juice, but seemingly every night we have to just test just one more time just to see if we can maybe throw food tonight? Sometimes it's really hard not to laugh, or to talk about throwing food again tonight (since we have had that conversation 90o times), but I know it is super important for him as we try to encourage good habits and behavior! Gosh- having your own child though is oh so different than seeing others in public, or babysitting. It is amazing that when you have your own child you know their limits, their needs, their cries, when their tired, when they need you , when they want attention, or when they just need some time to work things out of their own. Parenting is a big big deal! It is hard at times to know just what God wants us to do as parents, and I thank him for blessing me with a husband than stands behind me so that together we are on the same page as far as loving our child and teaching him the greatness of how we all sin. Daddy and mommy have to ask for forgiveness daily as well!

Happy 18 months sweet boy! You are such a joy to my heart, I am so thankful to be your mom!