Anders 11 Months

[Disclaimer: At least I'm consistently late in posting Anders' monthly updates, so although I may not be great about taking photos on the 22nd of every month, at least the photos are spaced out every four weeks or so.]

This month is one of bumps and bruises as Anders meanders around the house and readily pulls himself up to (or bonks into) table surfaces, either hunting for crumbs or other objects he probably shouldn't be playing with. It is amazing what you let the second kid get away with... it's actually helpful if he finds a floor Cheerio since that gives me another half-minute to empty the dishwasher without little hands getting in the way. The staler it is, the longer it takes him to chew and consume - bonus!

The kid also LOVES to fill in the Connect Four game; I don't think I would have let Landon play with the checkers at this age ("It fits down a toilet paper tube! It's a choking hazard!") but common sense has prevailed and I just keep an eye on him and toss a "no no" his way when he starts to put one in his mouth. Who am I to deprive him of such joy. 

Anders also loves to walk while holding Mommy's hands and gets extremely upset when we have to stop. In fact, he has become quite his own little personality over the last month. He lets you know for sure when you've upset him. The scream he tosses out when Landon steals a toy makes you think that something has gone horribly wrong. But nothing is horribly wrong. Just turns out the little guy has a big voice and his ready to use it. He even stiff-armed Landon last week when he was coming in for a tackle.

Landon continues to grow warmer everyday to little brother. They usually have a giggle party every evening after dinner as they play peek-a-boo or "chase" each other around. They can be a little rough with each other, but I suppose this is just how it is with boys. I often stop them from wrestling to minimize bumps but if they are having fun, I don't know why I'm hovering so much. It's a balance I will have to figure out. Until then, I'm trying to bring Anders into his one year appointment without signs of brotherly abuse, regardless if battle scars are gained without malintent.

And how I can forget?! The Ders got two bottom teeth this month!!! Who knew I was going to have a baby and a toddler teething at the same time? I think A's top chompers may be coming in next month, too... for his FIRST BIRTHDAY! Say what? Yep, he's going to be ONE! You know a video montage is in the works, yo!

Favorite activity of the month: Filling in Connect Four.

Also loving his little barnyard set, especially in the evenings. Craigslist score!

The price Mom pays for stealing 5 minutes to start dinner: A pantry come undone.

Almost able to reach the third pantry shelf for more "undoing."

Official 11 month photo, fittingly with a few bumps and bruises.

I should just give up on the aerial shots at this point. Although this captures one of his favorite toys - a wooden knife. Seriously. He loves it.

Landon wanted a couch portrait, too. Gosh, I love this kid so much my heart bursts.

Playing on the iPad together.

Just Anders. No more, no less. I have to go find him now and give him a kiss.

Likes:
 - Whole wheat bread, black beans, macaroni with tomato sauce, watermelon
 - Wooden knife from brother's Melissa and Doug vegetable set
 - Connect Four
 - Barnyard toy
 - "Open the Barn Door" book

Dislikes:
 - New teeth
 - Avocado
 - Being strapped into car seat
 - Having a toy taken away (WWIII when I removed the TV remote from his hands this morning!)

Another Fan of the Dishwasher

Unlike his brother, Anders is just really good at UNloading the dishwasher at this point.

Happy Mother's Day to Me

Big Boy Swings

Self Sufficient

I love this kid for a lot of reasons, but he's earning some extra gold stars as he's figured out how to eat from a snack cup with minimal spillage and can also enjoy baby food pouches on his own. Can we say "game changer?"!!!

Good job working yer paws, little man! 

Tulips

My brother is awesome at outdoor photography and putting together panoramics. Here are some of his photos from his visit! 

True.

 

Today was one of my hardest days in a while. And there wasn't even anything that remarkable about it*. It was just one of those days where you are crawling to the finish line. Once the kids were in bed, I wept briefly and quietly in a warm shower, wondering how my head space can turn from "whatevs" to "oh no, you dih-ent" within the span of a snack time.

I realize a lot of it ties to being able to accomplish tasks. I guess I kind of resent not being able to get things done...? I can logically see that I am on top of a lot of things that get a check in the box at the end of the day, but I suppose I will always want to see more checks. When you're a mom, it's just such an effort to get simple things done at times. And when all the little deferred items start piling up like dishes, paperwork, broken toys that need a repaired part, weeds in the side yard, etc, I guess it comes to a head. And they are all such minor, stupid things, but they clutter my mind and who likes clutter? I at least started writing "keep kids alive and happy" on my to-do lists so I can properly digest the idea that although other tasks remain open at the end of a day, my true purpose was accomplished. But it's hard. And I'm selfish. I want more for me. More time. I feel entitled to time (and sleep!) but feelings of entitlement are petty and don't suit anyone. Ugh. Whine, whine, whine. [Head. Wall. Thunk.]

Although it's the last thing I want to do, I will head downstairs and clean up - perhaps a metaphor for cleaning away this day and starting fresh tomorrow. Power to all the mommas out there. I know I'm not alone: something that gives me strength all of the time.


*Actually, Landon did decide to shmear fecal matter across his carpet and toys today during quiet time in his room. My eyes have seen things that cannot be unseen. The bissell green machine has tried to clean things that cannot be fully cleaned. Ugh. I will tackle it again tomorrow; for now, a conspicuously placed rug will do.

I'm Stuck

I love how this little guy gets into sticky situations.

Slowly falling down into a split. Superstah!

Realizing he may be on the wrong side of the walker.

Swooshing the tush a little too far and now holding on for dear life.

 Trying to stand up from a sideways position. Peek-a-boo!

Anders 10 Months

Who loves cruisin' along furniture and is ten months old? The A Man. Mister Andereeno. The Poopmaster. The little brotha with the same motha. The... well, you get it. It's Anders.

Yep, so although he can walk with a push toy and cruise along coffee tables and the like, his preferred mode of transport continues to be commando crawling (with a cute swoosh of the tush while he does it) and of course being carried in mommy's arms. The latter being rather frequent these days as he tries to escape big brother's energetic "hugs."
 
There has been some evolution the last few weeks in the brother department. Perhaps because Anders is now mobile, Landon is intrigued more than ever. Kind of like he's thinking, "Wait a minute, he can hand me puzzle pieces?!?! I have my own personal slave available?! Score!" But of course said personal slave is still quite young and likes to do his own thing, such as chew on puzzle pieces. Soooo, it's a lot of love one moment and whining the next. Mostly whining, if I'm being honest. I suspect this trend continues until aboooouuut... age 18.

No toofies yet, but I think I see one trying to poke through. Until then, he doesn't mind flashing his gummy smile to strangers at the grocery store before he tucks his head back into my shoulder - a rather shy maneuver. Friendly AND shy? Can someone say sweetheart?!

Making mommy a gourmet meal of dinosaurs and cheerios.

Exploring.

Official 10 month photo, presumably flashing an unknown gang sign.

Yeah, the aerial capture didn't go so smoothly this month.

This captures their current relationship PERFECTLY.

Smooshy tush!

 

Picking out some night night books with brother.

Another snapshot of brotherly status these days.

Loves sweetly sitting in the grass at the park, inspecting each piece one by one.

Likes
- Cheerios (even better if found on floor)
- Going after brother's toys (even better if it's an elaborate train track set up)
- Wheat puff cereal and rice milk treats
- Sitting in the grass

Dislikes
- Having toys swiped from hands
- Being smushed by brother

Toddler Chompers

I've commented faithfully on the adorable appearance of my son's huge beaver teeth (said in the most lovingly way possible), and I will continue to love that smile forever, but a new day is upon us, friends. Landon is sprouting MORE TEETH! Yep, his upper ones next to the central beaver teeth are starting to poke through. This is occurring about two years after some of his peers, but the coolest kids always show up to the party a little late, right?

His last dentist appointment left us in a gray area where we were told he may not have some teeth (happens to about 5-10% of people based on genetics). Even his x-rays were inconclusive. What do they do for kids that don't sprout baby teeth? Nothing. It's a wait and see game. Que sera, sera.

I'm really intrigued to see how his smile turns out over the next few months. I'm just so used to this one for now!

Cheeeeeeeese!