14 Months

Dear Nolan,

You are 14 months old. 61 weeks. 427 days old. It seems like such a short amount of time but I can honestly say that life without you doesn't even compare to life with you. I often wonder how we spent our time before you entered it. You are such an entertainer, so much fun to be around! We rarely go anywhere without you (like maybe 4 times your whole life) because we just enjoy being with you so much!

Little babies grow and change so much each day it's hard to keep up. You are at an age now where you aren't really changing that much month to month, except for the vast amount of knowledge that you are gaining! Not a day passes that I don't tell someone how smart you are. The things you understand and do constantly surprise me. When told it's time to get a diaper, you walk back to your room. When you hear the door you exclaim "DAD!" When you first wake up in the morning and I bring you to our room for a little snuggling and your dad is in the shower, I ask you "Who's in the bathroom?" and you say "Dad!" When you're hungry you go to the kitchen and say "eat!" You have impeccable timing with the shaking of your head. You like to shake it no most of the time, but yesterday you and your dad were "arguing" and I told Pops that "Nolan will always win." and you shook your head yes. Too funny! You constantly make us laugh. :)

This month was busy! We started off with a trip to WV for a wedding. The first of October also marked your last day nursing. We had been working on weaning up until that point and that morning was the very last time you nursed. I'm happy to say that it hasn't seemed to bother you a bit and you've never "asked" for it since, so I think you were ready. While we were there we met up with your friend Molly who is a few months younger, but just as big as you! It's always cute to get you two together.

We went to a giant corn maize with two of your older friends. They had a ton of things for kids to do, but you enjoyed just being outside and walking around watching everyone. The corn maize was a big bust... we ended up going out the entrance after about 30 minutes! You loved walking around though and "leading the way." We also took a hay ride, which you enjoyed but you were very tired and wanted to walk around while we were moving so you weren't a huge fan of me telling you no.

In fact, that's a common trend now- you not liking the word no. I'm actually trying not to use it too much because I'd rather that not be YOUR new favorite word... but man oh man, disciplining a 14 month old is hard! I struggle with what to do to show you that you can't behave certain ways (like throwing a fit over a diaper change) because I know that there are some things you just won't understand. Luckily, we tried "time out" for about a minute at a time and it seemed to have worked in that particular circumstance. Now, I just have to threaten it if you start to act crazy and you simmer down. Good boy. ;)

Also this month, we spent a day at the zoo, took you to pick pumpkins, and went trick-or-treating. I'm really trying to do as much as possible with you now because I know in the coming months it's going to be harder and harder for me to get out and about... and then after that you will have to share my attention for a lot of the day. So, I'm really trying to treasure the time I have with you one-on-one. I think you know how much you are loved, and I hope you never forget it.

Little bubbaroos, you are my pride and joy. My face lights up when I see you and I have a constant smile that refuses to go away. I love being with you, watching you learn, playing with you, and teaching you new things.

Love you forever,
Ma-ma