Welcome December

As this year draws to a close, so much has happened. I find myself reflecting on the monumental changes that have taken place in my baby. He has gone from this squishy, cuddly baby that can't even sit up by himself to a self-assured almost toddler who is asking all sorts of questions - "Wass dat?" and "Who dat?" specifically. I find myself missing that tiny little bundle of baby that would lay on me and find comfort. It's not that I miss having a little baby in general, I miss Baby Weston specifically.

Now... I am accepting that my baby is gone. But get this... I have a fabulous little boy instead. And watching him learn... it's just amazing. He's never been one for much tv, but about 2 weeks ago, I was vegging before dinner and I turned to Horton Hears a Who on HBO. I got caught up in the cuteness of it. All of a sudden, Weston just starts laughing, and I realize that he's actually laughing at Horton, that he's watching! It was adorable, and lasted about 5 minutes, but it was great to see that he "got it."

Last week was Thanksgiving, and we spent it with both families - sort of a bi-coastal holiday. Shannon came up to Cherokee with us, then we headed east to Clinton. In Cherokee we stayed at our favorite Super 8 Motel. We were having breakfast around 7am. Weston was sitting at the table like a big boy. When he was done, he stood up on his chair. Shannon immediately told him to sit on his bottom and pointed her finger at the chair to indicate sitting down. Weston turned around, looked at her, whipped out his finger and sort of told her to sit on her bottom, pointing down to her chair. It was high-larious! He totally mimicked her! She almost burst laughing.

So... some magic language button must have switched on inside Weston.

By Saturday evening, he was saying clear sentences! He copied Shannon's "Oh My God!" all night. (I have since amended this to "Oh My Goodness.") Sunday morning he woke up all congested, so I gave him his sippy of water. After 3 drinks he took a break, and Scott tried to take the cup, Weston held on tight and clearly stated, "Me not done!" I about died. It's been like this ever since. Shannon said, "You pee'd!" when changing a diaper, he responded with, "I pee'd!"

I love this age... it's amazing to see.

He woke up from a nap at daycare yesterday with a fever of 101.7. At the doctor this morning, it was 101.4. Dr. Gavin tells me (via cell phone since I had to be at work) that Weston has once again contracted Hand, Foot, & Mouth disease or herpangina. Same thing he had on his 1st Birthday. So, right now he's at home with Aunt Linda (my fabulous Aunt Linda who drove out from Cedar Rapids just to hold a sick baby. She is the best.) And he'll be at home again tomorrow. Hopefully back to daycare on Thursday. Cross your fingers! Apparently there are 3 strains of this illness, and Weston has now had 2. Hopefully he'll be immune to everything by the time he starts school. But still, it's going to be a long 4 more years.