24 month (2 YEAR) updates on Lil J

So Lil J is now 2 years old.  The big 24 months is upon us.  Time has certainly flown! 

He is now 35" tall ( 50-75%), weighs 30.8 lbs ( 75-90%), & has a head circumerence of 20"  ( 90-95%).

He is now old enough to do the height predictor calculator, so I did it--just for fun really.  The prediction is that he will be 6 feet tall at the age of 18, but it comments that most boys continue growing slightly more until the age of 21.

I have to say that the 23rd month was VERY interesting.  He is definitely in the midst of the so-called "terrible two's" now, I am dealing with LOTS of temper tantrums on a regular basis now.  But I am just blown away at how well he has learned to communicate his wants & needs at this point.  And I am even more blown away at how much he is comprehending.  I will give an example of this in just a moment.

He is totally obsessed with cars & trains ("choo choos") & trucks & planes these days.  He seems to have forgotten all those flashy noise-making toys, at least most of the time.  Occasionally he will pull one out & play with it, but not very often.  He does still like the alphabet bus one, but that's mostly because it has wheels & looks similar to a train.  He also really enjoys the "wheels on the bus" song that it plays.

He also really enjoys his books now.  He likes to look at them & say the words to what he recognizes in the book.  He can clearly recognize the word "clap", there is no question about it, he can look at just the word & no photos or anything else & will respond by clapping & will sometimes say the word "clap".

I haven't focused a whole lot on colors & numbers yet, but I think I need to start that soon.

As for that example I was going to give: for a while now he likes to turn his cars upside down & then I say "whaaaat?" "cars don't go like THAT!!"  It's just a silly little game that we play & he LOOOVES it so.  So the other day hubby, J, & I were out having lunch & I was telling hubby about the game & how much I enjoy it & how much J enjoys it too.  I can't believe how he laughs when we play this game.  J usually initiates the game himself & he originally started it too, but now sometimes I initiate it too.  So I'm telling hubby about it & suddenly J gets this huge grin on his face & he turns his snack cup upside down & starts LAUGHING, waiting for me to react.  It was clear that he knew exactly what I was saying to hubby, which totally shocked both of us!

This is what we got him for his birthday:
Lil J's birthday present

And here's a pic of his birthday cake I made for him: (sorry it's side-ways, don't know how to fix that on here....)

Yesterday I had to put him on a time-out.  After a time-out I always hold him in my arms & talk about WHY he had to go on a time-out, what he SHOULD have done that would've prevented it, & what he can do NEXT time to prevent it.  And of course I reassure him of how much I love him.  But yesterday was the first time ever he looked up at me & said "I sorry".  It was soooo touching. 

I think that's all the updates I have for now......I am wondering how long I should keep up these monthly J update blogs......is anyone still interested in reading them?  Input would be appreciated.

Comment Moderation

I haven't had much time for blogging lately, just too much going on.  But I have now had 3 blog comments that are pretending to be comments, but don't make sense in relation to my blog post & they have a link in them to buy pharmaceuticals online.  So I am now choosing to moderate all comments--I do wish google would give you an option to allow people you follow or who follow you to not be moderated, but I cannot find an option like that, so I have to moderate ALL comments at this point.  I am sorry for the delay in having your comment published on the blog.  But I oh so hate spam & will not tolerate it.  That's all for now.....

23 month updates on Lil J

So Lil J is now 23 months! Wow, how time has FLOWN by!! One more month & he is the big TWO!!!!!

He now weighs 28.4 lbs (50-75%) (he lost a little), is 34" tall (25-50%) & has a head circumference of 20" (90-95%).

It's been an interesting past month. He started doing a lot of climbing, including trying to climb out of his crib. So we ended up converting to a toddler bed (which is his crib with a different front panel on it) to prevent him from falling out of the crib & possibly hurting himself. That in & of itself has been quite an event for us this month. When I put him down to bed the first night he kept wanting to get up, but I explained to him that he needed to stay in bed & go to sleep & he did listen. But then later on that night somehow slid out onto the floor. He does move constantly all day long & even in his sleep as well. So I don't think he got up, I honestly think he just moved near the opening & slid out. The whole night I was half awake, listening to make sure he was ok & I heard a lot of movement & then a small short cry. When I rushed to check on him I found him sitting upright on the floor in front of his bed. Hubby came then to & he put him back in bed & he fell right back to sleep. But the next day he was terrified to take his nap in the bed & for a few days he refused to nap. Bedtime is a tad easier than naptime, I think simply because it's DARK at bedtime & he can't see to roam around. The only way I can get him to nap is to stay with him until he falls asleep.

As for other happenings this past month: lots of tantrums, lots of time-outs, & lots of new words & phrases. He now can high-5 (thanks to Kahlil) & he blows kisses. He is getting much better at expressing his needs & wants, even if it's not verbally. He is FINALLY starting to sit (for a minute at time or so) & look at his books NICELY, not being rough & tearing them up now. And a couple of times he brings me a book & sits in front of me wanting me to read it to him. That's something I've been wanting so badly, but there was no sign of it coming EVER. So I am very pleased with that.

That's really all I can think of for now..........

The Simple Woman's Daybook

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FOR TODAY, Tuesday, March 15, 2011



Outside my window...it's clear & pretty, with a light breeze, starting to feel like spring :)


I am thinking...about the past & how everything up to this point has led me to this point & made who I am today

I am thankful for.... my hubby & good friends


From the learning rooms...still daily Bible study & Bible reading with Lil J


From the kitchen.....been working in there a lot the last couple of days!  Made lots of yummy yummy stuff! :)  I think I am most happy when I am in the kitchen


I am wearing...black Harvest tshirt & grey sweats


I am creating... working on my recipe box, still have more work to do though


I am going...to MOPS tomorrow, maybe a park day on Thursday


I am reading... mostly still working on "Your Body Never Lies", it's a tad boring I must admit though, but I am interested in the overall content of it, so I'm trying to skim over the boring stuff


I am hoping.....for things to start improving in general

I am hearing.....the sound of the bread machine kneading bread



Around the house......it's my laundry marathon day, yay! :(


One of my favorite things.......being in the kitchen


A few plans for the rest of the week: MOPS & maybe a park day

The Simple Woman's Daybook

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FOR TODAY, Tuesday, March 8, 2011



Outside my window...it's clear & pretty, with a light breeze, starting to feel like spring :)



I am thinking...about how much my life has changed since having a little one!



I am thankful for.... my awesome & almighty God



From the learning rooms...still daily Bible study & Bible reading with Lil J





From the kitchen...yesterday I made something totally new & different!  Seitan!  I made three varieties: beef, chicken, & chorizo, can't wait to try them!!  I hope they are good!


I am wearing...my pink Hummer tshirt & grey sweats



I am creating... working on the baby book again, updating about converting to a toddler bed



I am going...to MOPS tomorrow, maybe a park day on Thursday




I am reading... Just finished "Healthy Mom" yesterday & will soon be starting "Your Body Never Lies"



I am hoping.....for the recession to turn around



I am hearing.....the mail lady drive away (gotta go get my mail!)



Around the house......it's my laundry marathon day, yay!  :(




One of my favorite things.......sitting in the sunshine, feels soooo good!




A few plans for the rest of the week: MOPS & maybe a park day

The Simple Woman's Daybook

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FOR TODAY, Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Outside my window...it's clear & pretty, in the mid-60s with a very slight breeze



I am thinking...about how I can make hubby's birthday super special on a small budget



I am thankful for.... my wonderful hubby



From the learning rooms...still daily Bible study & Bible reading with Lil J




From the kitchen...made hubby a bday cake this morning & am making him garlic soy chicken (one of his faves!) in the crock pot



I am wearing...a mallard blue henley with a white cami underneath, jeans, & socks




I am creating... I let Lil J decorate the bday card he is giving to hubby tonight



I am going...to MOPS tomorrow, park day on Thursday :)



I am reading... Viva Vegan!  This book is phenomenal!  A vegan latin cookbook!!  I think maybe I'm in heaven........


I am hoping...our groceries last this week! 



I am hearing.....workers on the house next door, been working on it for a very long time now for the new owners



Around the house......need to get some dusting done




One of my favorite things...getting a break from Lil J--as much as I love him the breaks are so wonderful & so necessary



A few plans for the rest of the week: MOPS & park day



Test

This is a test, from the blogpress app on my iphone :)

A Parent's Daily Prayer Guide

I got this as a handout in MOPS this week.  I absolutely LOVE it & really wanted to share it.  I do always pray every day for my stepkids & son--for their salvation, that God would remove bad influences from their lives, for their future spouse, things like that, but the prayers in this handout goes much more into depth than I usually do.

GIVE THANKS FOR OUR CHILDREN AND PRAY FOR THEM....

A Parent's Daily Prayer Guide...by Don & Sue Myers

MONDAY: Ask God to place a protective, solid hedge around your children so that satan cannot reach in & lead them into temptation & so they will be safe from harm.
*But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you & guard you from the evil one.-2 Thes 3:3
*We put our hope in the Lord.  He is our help & our shield. -Psalm 33:20

TUESDAY: Pray that your children would use godly wisdom in selecting friends & peers that will make a positive difference in their lives.  Ask God to give each child a discernment of people as well as knowing the difference between right & wrong.  
*My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! -Pro 1:10
*There are "friends" who destory each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. -Pro 18:24
*Suppose someone secretly entices you-even your brother, your son or daughter, your beloved wife, or your closest friend-and says 'Let us go worship other gods'-gods that neither you nor your ancestors have known.  But do not give in or listen.  Have no pity, and do not spare or protect them. -Deut 13:6,8

WEDNESDAY: Pray that your children would stay pure in their thoughts & deeds.
*Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols & never tell lies.  They will receive the Lord's blessing & have a right relationship with God their savior. -Pslm 24:4-5
*The righteous keep moving forward, & those with clean hands become stronger & stronger. -Job 17:9

THURSDAY: Pray that they will be caught if they wander into cheating, lies, or mischief.
*Pray for us, for our conscience is clear & we want to live honorably in eveything we do.  And especially pray that I will be able to come back to you soon. -Heb 13:18-19

FRIDAY: Pray they will be alert & thinking clearly as they attend school & extra curricular activities & as they take exams.  Ask God to help them be motivated to do the best they are capable of doing.
*And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. -Col 3:17
*So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. -1 Cor 10:31

SATURDAY: Pray for the spouse each child will marry someday.  Ask that they will come from godly homes & have an appetite to live the spiritual truth they've learned.  Pray also that their goals & purpose will be the same as your own children & their future homes would be godly.
*Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear me & obey all my commands!  If they did, they & their descendants would prosper forever. -Deut 5:29

SUNDAY: Ask God to help them live their lives for Him & that He will use them as a testimony & witness for His glory.  Pray that they'll be grown to full spiritual maturity.
*O my people, listen to my instructions.  Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable.  I will teach you hidden lessons from our past-stories we have heard & known, stories our ancestors handed down to us.  We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power & his mighty wonders.  For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel.  He commanded our ancestors to teach them to our children, so the next generation might know them-even the children not yet born-& they in turn will teach their own children.  So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles & obeying his commands.  Then they will not be like their ancestors-stubborn, rebellious, & unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God. -Ps 78:1-8
*But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear Him.  His salvation extends to the children's children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!-Ps 103: 17-18
*I will teach all your children, & they will enjoy great peace. -Isa 54:13
*Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Glory to Him in the church & in Christ Jesus through all the generations forever & ever! Amen. -Eph 3:20-21

Do not leave your children unprotected--that is, vulnerable to satan's attack.  The greatest shield of protection we as parents can provide for our children is prayer.  It's never too late to start.
*"As for me, I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you.  And I will continue to teach you what is good & right. -1 Sam 12:23
*Confess your sins to each other & pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The ernest prayer of a righteous person has great power & productes wonderful results. -James 5:16
*Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind & a thankful heart. -Col 4:2

The Simple Woman's Daybook

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FOR TODAY, Tuesday, February 22, 2011



Outside my window...it's beautiful, but a tad chilly



I am thinking...about life & how unfair & unforgiving it can be at times



I am thankful for.... my awesome God



From the learning rooms...still daily Bible study & Bible reading with Lil J




From the kitchen...chicken balsamico with potatoes in the crock-pot



I am wearing...a light blue tshirt, jeans, socks




I am creating... doing some work & updating of the baby book, journal, etc



I am going...to MOPS again tomorrow, Lil J isn't coughing anymore now, thank God



I am reading...nothing at the moment....hope to start a new book soon



I am hoping...it doesn't rain Saturday morning, so I can go hiking




I am hearing.....birds chirping outside & it's beautiful :)



Around the house......got a lot of cleaning done last week, thank God




One of my favorite things...being able to stop my never-ending work around the house & just enjoy the moment with my Lil J--so hard to do at times, yet so precious




A few plans for the rest of the week: MOPS, park day, tour of fire station, & hiking--it's a busy week this week!

22 month updates on Lil J

So my Lil J is now 22 months old!  WOW!!  He is almost 2 now, it's a little hard to believe. 

He now weighs 30 lbs (75-90%), is 34" tall (50-75%), & has a head circumference of 20" (>95%). 

At the beginning of the month he was really challenging me, doing things he knows he's not supposed to be doing & definitely deliberately doing them to see what my response would be.  I quickly cracked down & started the "time outs" again & within a couple of days he was behaving once again.  I can definitely see that if I get lax about discipline he will start pushing the limits deliberately.  It would seem that he WANTS me to discipline him.  I suppose, in a sense, a child finds comfort in knowing that their parents care & keep them safe. 

I guess one change I have noticed this month is that he is ever so slightly a tad more adventurous with food.  But it's VERY slight & not all the time even.  But I do hope that it's a sign of things to come in the future. 

He also seems to be much more difficult when we've been out in public this month.  It's quite embarrasing I must say, I can only hope that other people aren't too bothered.  I do try my best to keep him under control, but some days it's REALLY a challenge.

He's also been more physically active.  He is doing a lot more climbing & is a lot more coordinated than ever before.  I recently joined a group of Christian moms that homeschool at a local park & he was climbing up on the seat at the picnic table like nothing.  I was so blown away, as he has never done that before.  I guess he just saw the other kids doing it & decided to do it too.  He climbs down off of our bed with ease now too.  He's tried that a couple of times in the past but always lost control & almost hurt himself (mommy was close by to save him, but just enough so that he still realized he shouldn't ever do that on his own--a little fear can go a long way in keeping a kid safe IMO).  He's been climbing up in the rocking chair & the chairs at the dining room table as well.  He likes to try to climb on his toys, as if they were step stools, so he can get to things he can't normally reach.  He is quite the adventurer these days. 

Just this morning I caught him TWICE trying to climb out of his crib!!  So I'm sure it won't be long before we have to convert to a toddler bed.  That thought makes me VERY nervous.

That's really all there is to report this month.