Corey Development Part 2A - Some Videos

I thought these videos were worth including. A little glimpse into his personality. He does the UTSA chant, "Oh Me-An", Na-Night, among others. Hope you enjoy!

These were taken around Fall 2011.

Corey Update - Part 2 of 3

Corey chillin out - 18 months

18, 19 and 20 months old (October, November, December 2011)

In October, Corey went for his 18 month checkup. At that time, he weighed 22lbs (7th percentile), 31 inches in length/height (16th percentile)....so this little guy is tiny. He is growing, but he's on the small side, that's for sure. The doctor did notice that he had an ear infection and that his tubes had fallen out. He was not showing any signs on having an ear infection, so this was news to us, but she did mention that he may need another set of tubes. He did wind up having the tube surgery and and his adenoids removed. You can read more about the surgery by clicking here. 

Waiting for his Ear, Nose and Throat Dr. at his checkup

Happy Boy!! Always smiling....

During the fall, you could almost always hear Corey saying his favorite catch-phrase "Oh Man!" (Oh Me-an!) He would say it after dropping something, or if someone else dropped something. If a show was paused on the TV he would say it, and sometimes he would just say it walking around the house for no reason. :)

Roar

His love of books really started and he loved to point to the apple in one of his First Words books and say "Apple" or point to the babies in the pictures and say "Baby". His other favorite books were (and still are) Moo, Baa, La La La, & The Goodnight Book by Sandra Boyton and Counting with Baby Mickey and Minnnie. And anything Touch and Feel - like the animal books. He also started doing puzzles more and more. He's VERY good at puzzles and building with blocks.

Reading after an intense finger painting session

He is VERY into his books.

Best buds

I love these two soooo much.

Mom, why are you taking our picture AGAIN??

In the car Corey was especially talkative. During our car rides home from work, we would ask Corey to repeat certain words like "Car", "Truck", "Yellow", "Light", etc, but they would almost always come out sounding no where near how the sound of the actual word is supposed to sound. Like for instance, the word "Car" would come out sounding like "seeseee" or something like that. So Paul and I would joke that it was like that Saturday Night Live skit with Fred Armisen and Maya Rudolph as Art Dealers where they would mispronounce simple words. The dialogue would go something like this....
"My name is Josh."
"Nice to meet you, "SheeShay."
"No, it's Josh."
"Yes, SheeShay."
*at about 1min 40 seconds in you'll see what I mean

So Paul and my little "inside joke" is to just say "Nuni" (the name of the Art Dealers) whenever he doesn't say the word correctly! LOL!

Hanging with Daddy

Every weekday morning commute I feel as I though I am a bus driver. The first drop off is Corey. As soon as we turn into Judi's (caregiver) neighborhood, he immediately recognizes where we are and says "Bye Bye" and waves.  He knows that we're about to drop him off. It's so cute. Then after that, I take Paul to work at the one end of the main campus at UTSA and then Ashley's drop off is next at the other end of the campus at the Child Development Center.  Then it's off to my building which is located a couple of blocks away at another campus. Phew! I am exhausted once I arrive to work at 8am (more like 8:05 or even 8:10am some days). I do my best! :)

Corey at Judi's with Roy (Jacqui's fiance), and his friends Beaux and Jude
Check out that smile!

Corey wearing his Christmas sweater from Judi

In December, his vocabulary soared!!!! By the end of December (during our trip home to NJ for Christmas) he was talking a bunch. 
 

Below is a list of some of the words he started saying and his pronunciation:

a-bwo Bwiley (Bo Riley) - a child's name at Judi's daycare

Wooter (water) - he says it with Mommy's NJ accent! woohoo

a-sauce (applesauce) - says the same for when we wants yogurt

A- Ada (Ashley) - sounds nothing like Ashley but we keep working on it. :)

a-naaaat (goodnight)

peas (Please)

A None (signs "all done" and says it)

Da tu (God Bless you ) says it when you sneeze or cough

Papaaa (Pop-Pop) - My Dad
Nanny - Nanny - My Mom

Pepaw - Pepaw - Paul's Dad
Mimmie (Bimmie) - Paul's Mom
I-nine (Little Einsteins) - Kids TV show

KeeYee (Kitty)

Nemonem (M&M's) -  his FAV candy

Cookie (keekee)

Tato (Tater)

"Ma mis" (Thomas) - Just recently started getting into Thomas the Tank engine

(a bwa why) - Loves the show Super Why (another kids program)

Staring at the first fire of the season

Focused painting...

Hanging out with Jude at his birthday party

At the end of November and early December Corey began learning to put his dishes in the sink when we tell him. He picks up trash on the floor and is getting better at listening when we tell him to go "here or there" or pick up his toys. Granted, most times he doesn't obey, but we are getting there.  Speaking of disobeying, this little guy has quite the temper. He started getting super duper picky with his food and when you tell him to eat his food or that he can't get down from his chair, he starts with the attitude and will knock over his cup and plate of food. The dogs LOVE this, but Mommy and Daddy....not so much.  

Crazy baby *blurry but cute*

On the other hand, this little guy is very affectionate. He opens his arms out to be held all the time. You can almost guarantee he will be near me all the time in the house. I can't be out of his sight for long. He is usually walking in between my legs or pulling on my skirt to be held.   He'll rest his head on your shoulder and snuggle in your arms. If you ask for a hug, he'll give you one right back.  He will even put his arms around Ashley out of nowhere. He rests his head on the dogs all the time and snuggle with them on the couch. He is just a love bug. And that smile....oh boy. I just melt. (can you tell he's a Momma's boy?)

More to come in Part 3 of 3 of Corey's development...

Corey Update - Part 1 of 3

Corey - January 2012 - 21 months old

Our baby boy, Corey Michael is growing so so fast! He turned 21 months on January 1st. The last time I did an official Corey Development post he was 15 months old - 6 months ago! And WOW has he changed.

Before I dive into his current development, I thought I would do this post in parts since it has been so long since I posted about how he is growing.(Plus I don't want to forget all these little things and this blog is the place to do it!) :)

Back in July/August/September (some 15 months, but mostly 16-17 months)......

Corey learned the word book (gook). We think this was his "first" official word (July 18th).  When you'd point to a duck in a book, he said "Quack". He also started repeating animal sounds like "baa!" for a sheep, but it sounded more like "aa-haa-haa-haa"  He said "Yay!" all the time and claps after everything (he mostly did it at night after I would sing to him or when a song on the radio ended). He also started communicating more through sign language with words like "more", "all done", and "please". He also "learned" how to throw temper tantrums whenever he didn't get his way. (still continues to this day) He throws himself back, HARD! Apparently Paul did this as well when he was a toddler. Let's just say that with a tile and hard floor it's been interesting to try and ignore the behavior but also not have him crack open his head! I have had several sore eyes from him throwing himself back while he's in my arms! While we are on the topic of bad behavior, around this time he also started showing signs of biting! (Good times...) He would mostly do it for teething, but he'd also do it out of aggression. I thought it was more on me because we weened from nursing in early June and he would bite me, but I was way wrong! (more on this topic in a later post...) 

Who me? I could never throw a fit! (yeah, right!) :)

Got his first "professional" haircut at 16 months. He was VERY good!

Around this time is when started to really love for me to sing to him before bed (still does now). Our usual line up is

1. "You Are My Sunshine"
2. "Jesus Loves Me"
3. "This Little Light of Mine"
4. "Jesus Loves the Little Children".

Chilling out - August 2011 (16 months)

At bedtime he can't sleep without his Bunnie as well as this little Glow Worm that was Ashley's when she was a baby. When you press on the worm's tummy, it lights up and plays a series of songs. At 16 months he figured out how to press the belly himself and jam to the songs by rocking his head back and forth in the crib. He liked for me to jam with him and oh my the giggles that would come out of him!!! :) This is one of my favorite parts before putting him to sleep. :) (he still does the head jam now)

After bathtime (August 2011)

Around this time he started screaming "Mom!" or "Maaaaa Maaaaa!" really abruptly to get my attention and when I'd say "What?" he would babble like he was telling me something really important. Unfortunately, I couldn't understand a word! When my Mom came out to visit and she got him talking and playing games like for instance when you ask him "Where's Corey?" he hides his eyes, and then we say "Peek a boo!" Or he'd sing "Eeyi Eeyi Yo" for Old McDonald. 

Listening to music on Ashley's iTouch. That little cherub face.

Later in September, when he was 17 (almost 18) months, he really started trying to communicate and repeating more and more.  When you'd take his photo, he would say "cheese"!  Some other fun things he started doing was cuddle up to the dogs and start panting like them. It is so cute! He also started saying shoes (hoosh), juice (doose), "Hi there!", Bye Bye, Daddy (Da-yee), and Kitty (kiyee).  He also started understanding what we were telling him, like for instance, when I would tell him you want some "num nums"?, he would walk over to his high chair. Or I would tell him "it's time to get out of the bath, do you want to go brush your teeth?" Sometimes he would listen and try to get out of the tub to go brush his teeth, and then other times, he would splash back down and try and avoid me getting him out of the tub! Boy, is that fun - trying to get a slippery baby out of the tub. Also at 17 months the Elmo Craze began. He loved to watch Elmo and Sesame Street. He LOVED to dance to the "Play with me Sesame!" theme song and whenever he saw my iPhone, he said "Eh-mo!" (he still does that now) because he knows that I can play Elmo YouTube videos.

Watching Elmo on TV

Learning games with his friends at daycare. He was learning his ABC's here (17 months)

Playing bubbles outside while Nanny watches from afar (during her visit in September)

Silly boy wearing Judi's flip flops at daycare!

More to come.....

Our little peas in a Pod are turning into GREEN beans!

It really IS easy being green! :)

This earth is wonderful and beautiful and we want to do our part to keep it that way. Not only that, but we want to teach our children to do the same, soooo....these are just some of the things we have been doing to help our planet over the last 2 years.

1. Ashley has been super duper helpful with knowing what is recyclable and offers to take those items to the recycling bin in the garage.We recycle SO MUCH more than we ever have and it's amazing how much less trash we have each week.
2. We used gdiapers (cloth and biodegradable inserts) for most of Corey's first year and then switched to Earth's Best disposable diapers for convenience. They are better at decomposing AND are chlorine free and work like a charm for a busy Mom's work schedule.
3. We also use natural cleaning products and try to use reusable towels more than paper towels when cleaning.  Vinegar has also become our BEST FRIEND! It has so many uses! A simple vinegar and water solution in a spray bottle can clean and disinfect so many surfaces and is super cheap!
4. We have been eating more whole foods and are more mindful of reading labels and learning what exactly is in the products we are eating, washing our clothes in, not to mention what we use on our skin, and hair.
5. Paying attention to our energy consumption, and remembering to unplug and turn off lights. Ashley is GREAT about reminding us to turn lights off and unplug things.
6. A more homeopathic approach to medication. Please don't think we are turning into hippies, but we are just not as quick to pop a pill, but instead are researching ways to help feel better in a natural way.
7. Trying (as money allows) to purchase more organic foods/products and less conventional food. We really like to order produce from www.greenling.com when we can.
8. We have been carpooling to work. It started when the gas prices went up again the first time, and we just kept it up. It is a bit of an inconvenience, but we know it's better for the environment in the long run (PLUS it saves us money!).

That's all for now! I am sure there are so more little things here and there that I have forgotten but those are the bigger ones. We love our planet! :)

P.S. This was a lost blog entry (draft) that I stumbled upon while writing another post. I thought it was good to add now since it's the beginning of the year and all of our minds are focused on making positive changes. :)

She's so silly!

Before I post about Corey, I just had to post this video of Ashley being a nut. I found it while cleaning out some files on my hard drive and just couldn't resist posting it. She does this stuff all the time, and I always try to get it on video. I guess you could say this is her "greatest hits". This was several months ago (August 2011), but it just captures her quirkiness perfectly. Yep, she's definitely our kid.  I just adore her.

I know...I probably shouldn't egg her on....

Disclaimer: Please disregard my yelling at Tater at the end. She is so bad. She jumped up on the table and tried to steal some of her breakfast.

Here's another one to post - just because. She was rocking out to "When I Grow Up" by the Pussycat Dolls on her iTouch and I just had to capture some of her moves. This one was in November. She sure does like to shake her booty.

2012

Ok, I know we are already over a week into the new year, but I thought it was important to at least post about the fresh start of a brand new year.  First of all Happy New Year!!  It's funny because the first day of the new year didn't start off so "happy".  I got into a car accident.  Thankfully it wasn't a bad accident and no one was hurt and no one else was involved.  In fact it was me and a rock. A VERY LARGE rock.  I took a turn too tight in the parking lot of a local shopping center and clipped the curb and then ran into a boulder that was placed on the corner.  It scraped the entire passenger side door and rear door of our van.  (worst sound ever) I had Paul, his sister Cathy, and both kids in the van at the time. I was so upset and cried and cried. I knew it definitely wouldn't be a cheap fix and what a way to start a new year! 

Our damaged goods.  They have to replace BOTH doors and the inside panel.

Ouch.

The rock. I like to call it a boulder. It makes it sound really bad. :)

Who really puts a boulder on a curb anyway?

 
But enough about that...on to more positive things......

Paul and I have set some goals for this year. I usually make a list of some resolutions and I actually do keep track of them throughout the year, but this year it's gonna be simple. And that's just it....simplicity. That is our goal this year - PURE SIMPLICITY.  I am tired of feeling stressed, tired, frustrated, overwhelmed, etc etc. Or always planning this or that, going here or there, feeling guilty about this or that. I am ready (and so is Paul) to just get BACK TO BASICS. Cleaning out the clutter. Focusing on relaxing and not rushing through each day or filling up each weekend. Getting back to eating better and exercising. Jesus just wants for us to trust in Him and all will work out. He has already provided all we need in life and to remember to focus on the simple things like the fruits of the spirit (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness and Faithfulness).  Not all of the rest of the hoopla.  I know that God is always there but I want to stop feeling as though I am in control.  When the control is relinquished, the peace will return. Amen.

So there ya have it folks. Our focus for the year.  I am so blessed with my health, the health of my family, all the things that we need to survive and lots and lots of love from family and friends. It's the greatest and I couldn't be happier. God Bless you all and cheers to the new year!

Now let's get this party started! :)

Did you miss me??

Still here...

Ok peeps....I need to get up on this here blog and do some updatin' like real soon. December has truly been a blur for me and I can't say that enough. Not only that but to be honest, 2011 was kind of a blur as well.  I guess that is what happens when you are a wife and mother of two young children and working full time.  I know that can't ALWAYS be the excuse, but boy, it really does do a number on ya. Don't get me wrong, I love my life and I couldn't be happier, but it can also be very exhausting and sometimes in the midst of it all, you do get sidetracked and feel a bit out of control.  Although, it is just the season of my life right now and one day I will look back on this time and wish to do it again, so I am soaking it up while I can. :)

With that said, I do like to try and capture my thoughts and adventures with this blog and it's really fun to go back and read about what my life was like at certain times. I started this blog in January of 2009 and just looking back at what my life was like just 3 years ago, it's amazing the changes that have happened.  And I honestly have forgotten some of them, so I really am glad that I took the time to capture them.  So, right now, my goal with this blog is to try and do some catch up posts not only for any of you who actually read my blog, but for me so that I can go back one day and read and remember. :) A lot has happened in December AND not only that, but my sweet little boy will be two in only 3 months and I haven't written any"Corey Development" posts in so long. He has grown up so much this year and I really want to capture all of that.  I thankfully have taken notes throughout the year, so I plan on posting all those little Corey updates soon.  Not to mention that I will be 32 in just over a month and WOW, just WOW. I am already "in my 30s" now and I remember how much I dreaded turning 30 and here I am almost 2 years into the decade.  Craziness.

Anywho, blog updates will be posted very soon about the close of 2011 and I am looking forward to documenting 2012. Happy New Year fellow "podsters". (that's my nickname for my blog followers...hahaha) Cheers!