My favorite accomplishment for Josiah this month was the word "MAMA!" Selfish of me? Yes. :-) He has never used or been able to repeat this word when we've tried. The m sound is tricky for him and I don't think he was connecting it all together...but this month...he figured it out! I'm his MAMA! And he even calls for me- which totally melts my heart.
Also, we made yet another change in the sleep department this month. But it's been such a positive one! We took Josiah's crib mattress OUT of his crib and moved it into our bedroom. He now sleeps on his mattress...on the floor...beside his Mama. And bedtime is no longer dreaded each and every night. He loves it. He even naps there with some consistency! We're still dealing with some pretty intense night terrors and/or tantrums in the middle of the night...usually from 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m...but overall, it's been a big improvement. It's so encouraging how this change has positively impacted his eating too. We have far less trouble at mealtime now. Yay!
Josiah tried footy-jammies for the first time (Thanks, Grandma!) and seems to like them. He's our first kiddo that hasn't had to shed them in the middle of the night due to overheating. His other siblings are giant hotboxes so we could never put them in these kind of jams. Ha! So cute! It's really made Emmaline want to try on some of Sydney's old footies. But she can never make it the entire night. Sooooo we skip them.
Josiah LOVES helping with the laundry. He also enjoys being in just a diaper and thinks he is pretty hilarious running around the house in such attire.
He's still good for at least one high chair nap and one floor nap per month. Haha!
He now eats an entire banana by himself! Huge sensory victory!!!
A BIG set of firsts for our Josiah were Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, and three family Christmases. Oh my! Here he is at Christmas Eve service with his big bro. Josiah is still pretty cooperative with smiling for pictures. His younger sis...not.so.much.
Christmas morning started out extremely rough for our little guy. He was breaking a pair of sunglasses so I had to take them away...which triggered a complete meltdown. Eventually, we could distract him and he got to enjoy opening his presents wrapped in the cutest panda wrapping paper! It was the first Christmas we've had in a long time where we haven't had to leave the house for another get-together. Such a BIG blessing for our family this year!
This boy LOVES putting things into containers so this popcorn set was right up his alley!
Another FIRST this month was a professional hair cut. I know. Finally, right?! He did really well! Of course he sat on my lap, but I expected that...the cut almost put him to sleep! It was very relaxing for him. Here he is showing me his "good" side.
Just ordinary shenanigans with his siblings...
We were so, so grateful to have a vacation from work and school this Christmas season so that we could spend quality time together as a family. It was much needed in the rush of life as of late! We also started "warm fuzzy" jars for Sydney and Landon as a way to notice all of the positive things they do each day. It's been a tough transition for them and tensions can be pretty high with all of the attention and care Josiah (or Emmaline) needs. Both big sibs filled their jar so Eric and I took them out on a movie date! And we stopped at their favorite place in the world...Barnes & Noble. Cookies, hot chocolate, and a new chapter book made for two HAPPY kids! P.s. If you haven't seen Ferdinand...go. It's completely adorable.
We are looking forward to the New Year and expect 2018 to brings its challenges and setbacks. But we're looking forward to coming out on the other side with new perspectives, changed attitudes, and overall growth for the better! I also expect this to be the year of "potty training." Oye. Our babes are going to be TWO in February and March. HOW!? Celebrating our two, 2 year olds will be quite the adventure! I'm already seeing plenty of toddler tantrums these days. Actually, make that double the tantrums. I did choose a word for 2018 though...and that word is patience! Suits me just right...don't ya think?! This Mama is going to need a whole lotta patience. And coffee. Ha! Thanks for following along, friends!
