Survival Skills

Alekzander still probably couldn't play "Pat-a-Cake" or recite many nursery rhymes, but he has a good sense of rhythm and loves books and has a firm grasp on language.  He crawled when he was supposed to, walked at 13 months, and has hit all other developmental milestones at the appropriate time.  We taught him baby sign language, bought him toys to help him cruise, and spent uninterrupted hours with him playing on the floor.  At four and a half now, his mental growth seems to be growing by leaps and bounds every day!  He can run fast, adapt well, and has a healthy understanding of fear.  He has survived pretty well in the past four and a half years with minimal bumps, bruises, or trauma.

With child number two, however, perhaps due to pure exhaustion and necessity, there are different priorities in what you teach them (or don't teach them) and what they learn and when.

Anderson, at 11 months, finally learned how to clap.  While such a skill was not entirely necessary a few months ago, other babies may have been clapping since they were six months old.  Clapping was not a 'must-know' skill we pushed early on.  He hasn't started walking yet mainly because we haven't let him!  Chasing after two wild monkeys will happen in due time, but for now, it is comical to watch Anderson crawl quickly, duck low, and get stuck under kitchen chairs or get cornered behind a big toy.  

In our house, the skills that were learned by Anderson were more necessary for survival. For a few months, Anderson has been able to fend off Alekzander quite successfully. Whether it is bracing himself for a hugging attack, yanking brother's hair, pushing his brother off of him with his hands or feet, crawling away in retreat, or squawking in defense, Anderson has many acquired many skills to survive as a little brother.  And we fully encourage and applaud the growth and development of such skills!

Eleven Months

Eleven Things at Eleven Months

1.  It appears/sounds like elephants are your favorite animal.  You learned to trumpet like an elephant and do it whenever you seen an elephant or most any other animal!  You love your elephant roughie from Mia and carry it with you when we lift you out of your crib.  Its feet and trunk are perfect for chewing.

2.  Most mornings for breakfast, you eat an entire banana in just a few minutes.

3.  You have the cutest scrunched-nose smile ever.

4.  "Baaaa-ll" is your favorite word and toy.  Sometimes you screech "baaaa-ll" excitedly.  We know better than to doubt your ball spotting abilities.  Grocery shopping is hilarious because apples, watermelons, cantalopes, and peppers are all "baaaa-lls".   Books, blocks, bath, and bear all have similar sounds with less excitement and emphasis.

5.  You know what you want and you know how to get it.  {Your cute scrunched-nose smile works wonders!}  You are learning to 'say' please with baby sign language, and sometimes you point at the object and then at yourself as if you say, "See that over there, I want it to come to me."

6.  You are starting to get brave and will let go of the couch or ottoman or cupboard door to stand without assistance.

7.  You love to feed yourself - especially if it means making a big mess with a spoon and yogurt.

8. You have started to play independently and with purpose.  You crawl quickly around the house and love visiting your 'condo' and like spinning your farm set so that it plays music.  You have been caught at the wine rack many times stashing toys and balls into the empty spaces.

9.   You went camping for the first time and bunked with your buddy Davis {and the mommies}.  You also got to splash in a waterfall at the end of a hike.  It tired you out so much, you nursed on a rock at the bottom of the waterfall and fell asleep so soundly that Mommy carried you all the way back to the car all sacked out.

10.  You listened to the Charlotte Symphony for the first time.  As a lover of music, you had the best time!  Strangers happily watched you bob and weave with your head and body.  At home, you cruise over to daddy's computer and point to it and bob your head.  This is your silly request to listen to music.  We oblige often!

11.  You give open-mouthed sloppy kisses and give the best hugs complete with "awwww" and a tight squeeze.

Random Similes

While washing Daddy's car when he was 

on an overnight camping/running adventure,

Alekzander asked in quick succession: 

"Do you think Daddy will be as happy as a horse?"

 "Or as joyful as a donkey?"

At four and a half, Alekzander uses alliteration and similes 

better than some of my 8th grade students!

Having an overwhelming number of children's books,

 being selective about TV shows,

and limiting screen time definitely has its benefits!

Developing a sense of humor, though, cannot be controlled, 

and Alekzander's is as good as it gets.

Gosh I love this kid and his randomness... 

as much as an anteater loves ants.

Track Star

Pre-Race Line-Up              ::            Untimed 50M Halfway

 Untimed 50M Finish!

Since Alekzander has been an attendee since he was 4 months old,

he is definitely at home at a track meet.

As a competitor, however, he was a little unsure.

But with Mommy and Daddy cheering at the finish line

and the promise of {a bite of} a protein bar 'treat',

he ran fast, he ran straight, and he finished both races!

Daddy ran two races {fast!} as well 

and the next meet date is already on the calendar.

Mommy might need more than a bite of a protein bar

to resurrect my inner track star,

but with a cute four year old cheering at the finish line, 

there could be three Swistaks on the track next time!

Kids 100M 

 Practicing his approach into the "sand jump pit"

{He probably ran more than 150M running and jumping!}

Proud boy sporting his finisher ribbons at

Run for your Life Summer Track Series