The Waters Family: August 2010

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

My Little Toddler

Kolton has grown up SO fast! Ever since he has started walking, he has become more of a toddler than a baby. I still call him my "baby", but every day he learns to do something new and reminds me that he is a "big boy". I love the stage that he is in now (walking, talking more and showing more personality), but it also makes me sad. I know now why women have more than one child! (But don't worry, no 2nd child for us just yet).

Kolton is almost 14 months and is definitely a chatter box. He will talk up a storm with his hand moving and finger pointing, especially if he is on some kind of "pedestal" (he has a toy that he stands on and talks away). I always wonder what he is "talking" about. He will have full on conversations with you, pausing as you talk back to him, and then continuing on. It is the cutest thing ever. Although most of his words are in gibberish, he has learned quite a few words. We have counted 22 words he can say (if he choses to). A lot of them are just part of the word or sound, but he definitely knows what he's saying. Here are the words he has said (or attempted to say):

momma

dada

no no

juice

bye bye

night night

ball

doggie

shoes (shh)

banana (nana)

dance (dan)

eyes (I)

teeth (te)

belly button (bell butt) :)

cheese

light

bubbles

applesauce

hot (ot)

please

Elmo (his new LOVE)

He has also gotten a lot better at understanding what we say. If I say, for example, do you want to eat, he will run to the refrigerator or pantry. If I say, lets go bye-bye, he will run to the door. If I say I have to go potty (I know...), he will run to the bathroom. And there's many more.

It's so fun to see him grow and progress. Of course, I think he's way smart! :) I am so grateful to have him as my son and that he chose me to be his mom. I hope I can give and provide him with all the love and necessities that will help him grow up to be a loving, smart and responsible man. But I hope the "man" part doesn't come too soon....it's already going way too fast!! I love him with all my heart!!

Plays hard, crashes harder

See...he used to look so small in this thing....!!

Gotta love him!

Definitely a boy!

End of Summer

Well, the summer has come to an end for the Waters family. Ryan went back to work this week which has forced me to remember what it is like being home with Kolton by myself. Kolton is a great and fairly easy baby, so it's not horrible, but it was nice having dada home to help entertain him as well (and dada is very helpful!!). I am blessed to be able to stay home again this year with Kolton. I will be watching a little boy from our ward, who is a few months older than Kolton, on Thursdays and Fridays. I am also hoping to help out at the elementary school where I last taught for a few hours a week. So between the two, I will be bringing in a little bit of money for the family, and still get to be at home for the most part with the little guy. I'm excited to see how this year ("school year") goes for our family!

Our big vacation this summer was to San Diego. We went with our good friends, Rory and Lindsay, the last week in July. I was a little nervous on how Kolton would do with the drive, sleeping in the hotel (since he usually only sleeps well in his crib and we were sharing a room with Rory and Lindsay), and the busy schedule we had planned. But lucky for all of us, Kolton was a trooper and did great! While in San Diego, we went to the zoo, the Wild Animal Park, Sea World and a Padres game. It was a busy couple of days, but it was a ton of fun! I wish we lived closer to San Diego, not only for the fun things to do, but for the nice weather! Although it was a nice trip, there's nothing like coming home to the comfort of your own house and bed. We didn't scare off Rory and Lindsay, so hopefully there will be more trips like this in the future! Here are some pictures of the trip: