The Adventures of Blueberry: June 2015

So... I know I promised I would get back into writing back in March. I bring you the reality that is chasing after a 16-20-month-old. There is no time to eat half the days, much less blog. Add in a major room renovation, the end of the school year, trying to maintain some kind of relationship with my husband, and working out during our 90-day challenge, I had to sacrifice a lot more than just writing. Social life, for one.

So, my busy little boy is growing up at a rapid pace, about as rapid as he can destroy a room. Last time I checked in with a milestone update, he had probably 20 words he said regularly. Now, he talks up a storm and can repeat almost every word we say nearly perfectly. He isn't always accurate in identifying the objects or colors that are associated with the words we say, but I would say he is pretty vocal and overall I can visually see him learning every day.

He is also developing quite the memory. Yesterday he begged me to look at the window at the "duck" (our neighbors have a huge inflatable swan in their backyard), which he saw for the first time back on June 4 before we left on a 2-week trip. He has developed some "bad" habits, which means he remembers more than we even understand. He likes to bite me when he wants attention, and bruise-worthy bites at that, and he knows when he is doing something he isn't supposed to, which he acknowledges with a sly grin. He regularly recalls trucks, airplanes, trains, cars, and jeeps, and he knows what noises every animal makes.

I love watching him when he gets really into his toys and trying to figure out how something works. He loves anything that keeps him busy with little knobs, buttons, and anything that has a moving part.

He also just recently started to express an actual interest in watching TV. I was trying to be that mom who wasn't going to let TV take the place of play time, but in an Arizona summer, and with 3 long plane rides to get through, I was ok with some PBS Kids (my favorite over Disney!). All of a sudden he is asking for "Elmo" every day. He knows that we can get it at any time on the computer, tablet, or phone. I DVRed 50 episodes of Jake and the Neverland Pirates as well, and he asks for "Jake!" and recognizes the show from any character's picture immediately. He also can recognize "Mickey Mouse" from just the WORDS as we were flipping through the channel guide and he asked for "Mmmmm Mouse" when the WORDS were listed on the screen (with NO picture).

He loves to run, splash, help me with everything, brush his teeth, swim, blow bubbles, dig, throw things, eat, read stories, and be with his daddy. He is in a total daddy phase, and it is interesting that this corresponds with his "I have mommy 100% of the time" summer.

That is our latest and greatest "baby book" update! Since this blog serves as Emerson's childhood memories, I can assure you that I will not stay absent for long!