our Disney weekend

We spent some time at Disneyland this weekend! We had a great time, but let me just start by saying that 17 months is probably not the ideal age for a Disney trip, especially if you're shelling out hundreds of dollars to get in. We were fortunate enough to be able to get into the park for free thanks to Brian's company event, so for us it was a great opportunity to have some family time. But I'm not sure we'll be going back on our own accord for a while... I'd say probably not until Kyle can stand in a 20+ minute line without having a meltdown.

Long-line meltdowns aside, we did have tons of fun. But the thing about Disneyland with a kid Kyle's age is that there aren't many places where they can get out, run around and release some energy. We don't feel comfortable yet having him hold our hand and walk in a big crowd, so we spent the day either holding him, or getting him in and out of the stroller. Most of the time he was pretty cooperative, but there were some times when he really just wanted to run around and explore and we had to coerce him back into the straps when we needed to give our arms a rest. 

We met Brian at the park around 4 p.m. when he got out of his conference session for the day, and since we didn't want to stay out too late past Kyle's bed time we had a good 5 hours to enjoy. We decided to introduce Kyle to some classic rides:

• Carousel near the castle: a fun staple for little ones with a quick line. Kyle had sunscreen in is eyes at this point, so he didn't really have as much fun as I think he would have if his eyes didn't feel like they were on fire. Poor guy.
   
• Casey Jr. Circus Train: he loved this one! A mellow train ride perfect for little ones with stuff to look at. Goes just fast enough for a little thrill, but he wasn't scared at all.
   
• Dumbo: this line was a little too long for Kyle's liking (around 20 minutes), so he was pretty restless by the time we boarded our elephant. But once he got on he was thrilled to play with the joystick and look out at the crowds while we flew in circles.
   
• Toon Town: we spent a good amount of time walking around Toon Town just looking at the buildings, and found a playground for toddlers. This was Kyle's favorite thing because he was finally able to run around on his own! Brian and I were ready to leave this area after about 10 minutes (I mean, we can go down a crappy slide every day at the park! It's Disneyland!), but Kyle would have stayed in here all night if we let him. We finally peeled him away after about 40 minutes.
   
• It's a Small World: I think this was Kyle's favorite. He was so excited to go through the tunnels and watch all the kids dance, and kept pointing at everything. Although he was totally ready to get out by the time it was over, because this ride is pretty darn long.
   
• Jungle Cruise: This ride may be a little scary for kiddos (there's some dead animals, head shrinkers, witch doctor and cannibals, after all), but Kyle was perfectly cool with it. It was dark and he was pretty tired at this point, but he sat between me and Brian on the bench soaking it all in and making appropriate animal noises :)

high-5 for Donald!

Dumbo!

Picked out a Donald toy. So excited.

It's a Small World.

Tired boy waiting for Jungle Cruise.

The next night, Kyle's grandma babysat for us so we were able to attend Brian's work dinner inside California Adventure and enjoy some hub & wife alone time. It was so awesome to have time in the park with the 3 of us, and then be able to have some adult fun, too. We're so lucky that Kyle has family to take care of him so we can remember what it's like to enjoy each other's company from time to time. 

PS - The World of Color show is so, so good. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend checking it out if you have the chance!

17 months: a letter to Kyle

My sweet Kyle,

Nothing melts my heart more than when I get love and snuggles from you. You're such a loving boy, and you show it by giving me quick cuddles, kisses and hugs out of nowhere. This doesn't happen every day, but sometimes out of the blue you'll look up at me and give me a quick peck, hold my hand or crawl over to me on the couch and lay your head on my chest. During these moments I can feel my heart soar and I am trying my hardest to lock those memories in so they'll never escape. It breaks my heart knowing that one day, when you're big and tall and hairy, you probably won't do these things anymore. But it's okay; I'll try and understand. For now, I'm soaking them in with all of my might because nothing can match that feeling of joy and true love.

I know you're only 17 months old, but I can see it in your eyes that you are a good boy, and that you are very caring and smart. Your first instinct with animals (real and stuffed) is to give them hugs and kisses. You put shape puzzles together like it's no big deal, and you can correctly point to every animal on the last page of "Brown Bear." 

When we go to the park (which is practically every day, by the way), you come and get me when you want to venture off. You walk over and reach up for my hand and lead me to where you want to go. Or when you need my help, you'll get my hand and show me what you want me to do. If you're running around and I ask you to stay on the grass, you'll (usually) stop when you reach the sidewalk. All of these things make me so proud of my little man. You're listening and learning and trying your best.

Speaking of the park, you're becoming a little pro at playing and climbing. You go down slides like you've been doing it your whole life, and you love to go super high in the baby swing. We bring a ball or your sand toys along, and you'll scoop sand and roam around and explore. You also love playing in water, whether it's the hose, sprinklers, water table or especially the sink. You ask to play in the sink every day by leading me to the kitchen/bathroom and saying "seeeeek seeeeek." This can get pretty boring for your mama, who has to stand there and make sure you don't fall out, but it's ok because you love it so.

This month you surprised me at gym class! We've been going every week for about 5 months now and you would just sit during circle time and listen. I would help you with the arm movements to songs, but you weren't ready to do it on your own. But two weeks ago, you decided you were ready and you participated in every single song! You knew all of the arm movements to the "butterfly" song, you talked on your "foot phone," you made "meatballs" with your hands and you touched your nose to your feet! All in one class! I was so proud, my face hurt from smiling ear to ear. I guess you were just soaking it all in until you were ready to do it on your own. 

I love our bedtime routine. Since summer has started, you've been pushing your bed time later and later, but we don't mind because your dad and I are enjoying our evenings together so much. Once summer is over we'll get back on an earlier routine, but for now you've been going down around 9-9:30. After dinner, dad's usually the one to give you a bath, and then we hang out together as a fam. When it's time to go to sleep, you'll help dad turn off the light and then give him a big kiss before joining me on the rocker. We tell daddy we love him, we'll see him in the morning, and then it's me and you rocking away until you drift to sleep. What you don't know is that every night dad comes back in to take you from my arms and lay you down in your crib so that I don't hurt my back. He also checks on you before we go to sleep to make sure your comf and the temperature is right. And he's the one who will comfort you if you wake in the middle of the night (which is pretty rare these days, but it does still happen). You sure are lucky to have such a loving daddy!

Here's more about you at 17 months:

• Favorite foods: tortillas, yogurt, applesauce, carrots, oranges/cuties. In the past few weeks you've become a pickier eater! Foods you used to love are no longer acceptable (i.e. bananas). Meals are becoming much more challenging and I've been pureeing your veggies/meats so you'll eat them, or making spinach smoothies during the day. You'll love something one day, and spit it out the next.
   
• Favorite books: Brown Bear, B is for Bear, Peekaboo Sophie, Where is Baby's Belly Button (still!)
   
• Favorite toys: BALLS to throw anywhere and everywhere, baseball mitt, your Mickey tent to roughhouse in, rocking horse, cars, stackable blocks, dad's iPod headphones, anything from the kitchen drawers/cupboards
   
• Favorite activities: gym class at the park (especially the parachute), playing outside, playing with water, sitting in the sink, saying hi to the ducks, exploring, being tickled on mom & dad's bed, ring around the rosie, putting on shoes
   
• Activities you tolerate/hot & cold: story time, stickers, coloring (mostly putting crayons in and out of the box), sidewalk chalk, building blocks, bubbles, bath, magnets, puzzle
   
• Favorite TV show: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. You could watch this all day if we let you! You will get the remote, bring it to us, point to the TV and say "Mi-eeeeee." We usually watch a few episodes a day, and a couple more on the days mom has a work call or deadlines. You just started getting up to do the hot dog dance :)
   
• Words you say: seeeeek (sink), ice, dad, hi, bye, Mickey, Penny, tuck (truck), bottle (you enunciate this perfectly, no "baba" over here!), chissss (cheese! - to smile for the camera) passssh (paci), peeeesh (please), pop!, noooo, eeeew, bup bup (up), down, out, go. You still sign for "more," "all done" and "help."
   
• Sleep schedule: down for the night 9-9:30 p.m., up anywhere from 6:30-8 a.m. Nap time is around noon and most days you'll sleep 2+ hours. By noon you are so ready for a nap that you fall asleep right away.

Next month you'll be 1.5 years old! Your dad and I are thinking of something fun to do to celebrate... I can't wait!

puppy love

I just read this blog post and was reminded of how Penny is such a big part of our family. Lately, I've been quick to snap at her because she's decided it's okay to jump up on the kitchen table to eat Kyle's leftovers, and she can't help but bark when she hears Brian's car pull up in the driveway. She freaks out when I leave the house, and has to find juuuuust the right spot of grass to pee on, even when I'm in a hurry.

I've been letting these little things get to me because they seem to make my life harder. But I need to let them go, and start to appreciate more the joy that she brings to our family! Especially to Kyle. He adores his doggy and she's taught him so much. Because of her, he has understood how to be "gentle" and "nice" since he was just a little baby. I'm pretty sure it's because of Penny that he started to crawl when he did (to get her ball, of course), and he is a pro at throwing the ball because they've been playing together since before he could walk. I also love that Kyle isn't even the tiniest bit afraid of dogs or animals because he's been around them since the day he was born.

It helps that we are pretty much the luckiest yorkie owners on the planet. Penny is remarkably patient and loving with him, and I'm not sure you'd believe me when I tell you that from the second I put Kyle down for his nap until he gets up, that she lays on her bed and doesn't make a peep - even when I open the front door. She knows that's our quiet time.

Thanks Evie's Lifestyle for reminding me of what's important! And for the bonus knowledge that children with pets are more mature, have higher self-esteem, better social skills, and have virtually no trouble forming and maintaining peer connections. We love our Penny Pens.

PS - Penny has her own Instagram! @penny_the_yorkie_

mommy & son dates

Brian had a work dinner tonight, so it was just me and my boy for dinner. I thought it would be fun to go to a restaurant, just the 2 of us. I got the idea in my head about half-way through my bar shift, and it was just the thought I needed to get me through the day. I couldn't wait for our date!

Restaurant trips can be hit or miss with a 17 month old, and tonight was 100% HIT. He was such a good boy for me, sitting in his high chair and playing with his crayons and grubbing on his fruit, dinner roll and chicken strips. He spent most of the time taking these crayons in and out of the box while I talked to him about my day, and we chatted with a bunch of strangers who couldn't help but stop and say hi to him as they walked by. For dessert we shared an apple pie a la mode, so both of us left happy campers.

The #1 thing I'm working on with Kyle while eating out, and actually in any social setting, is throwing things. This kid has an arm on him and he loves to throw. He's starting to understand that he's only allowed to throw balls, but it's still a struggle when he gets bored, feels defiant or realizes after 1 attempt how fun it is to throw forks/crayons/books/instruments/food/anything and everything. Tonight he only threw his crayons once, so I considered our trip a success.

I want to try and always do fun things with my boy when it's just us 2. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the routine, but it's fun to switch it up for no reason at all other than the fact that it's fun to spend time together!

throw your butt in the air

This is how Kyle falls asleep most days for his nap. I rock him like this for a few minutes, and then lay him down in his crib and he rolls over and puts his butt in the air. I cover him with a blanket and he'll sleep in that position for about 2 hours if I'm lucky.

He look so huge in this picture, like he's trying to fit his toddler body on my chest like he did when he was a baby. It's fun to think that he laid just like that when he was inside my tummy.

I know I will miss these snuggles when he gets even bigger and no longer fits on me, so I took a picture today to remember how much I love these moments. He's so active all day, so when I get some mellow snuggle time like this I am one happy mama.