Sweet Child of Mine: He's Growing Up (16-17 Months)

One night last week, I had dinner with my in-laws and Hatcher while the hubby was out of town on business. Hatcher & his Granddaddy went on a walk around the restaurant while we waited for our food to arrive. I remember glancing around the corner of the booth watching for them. What I saw next wasn't what I expected. When they rounded the corner, Hatcher was holding Granddaddy's hand walking along beside him (he was being held when they walked off) and he looked so big. It was like he morphed into a big kid in the two minutes since they left the table. I thought to myself...he isn't a baby anymore. He's growing up.

There have been many instances over the last few weeks where I've come to the realization that my baby is most definitely a toddler now. It happens so quickly. He went from being a little baby who needed my help with everything to a growing boy who still very much needs my help but doesn't always want it. He is Mr. Independent, I can do it myself momma!! My heart aches because I miss the little baby he once was but I'm overjoyed with each new milestone he accomplishes and am so proud of the little man he is becoming. He is so smart, funny, silly, and most of all loving. He loves to show us his love and he even likes to show love to complete strangers, cars even. At Publix last week, he blew kisses to every parked car we passed as we walked out with our groceries to load them in the car. My heart could explode! He has also started saying "momma" and then offering me a hug complete with pats on the back and him saying "hmmm!" It doesn't get much better than that!

The last month has been very busy for us and we don't seem to be slowing down any time soon! Hatcher got to enjoy his first snow, an ice storm and then beautiful spring-like weather all within a 2 week period of time. He was a big fan of the snow and had a ball playing with his puppy dog and throwing snow balls. We adults enjoyed it very much too!

We are now climbing everything...chairs, gates, cribs, tables. It's constant, full force every single day. Where does his energy come from?! I am constantly afraid of him getting hurt but I also have to let go of that fear and let him be a little boy. Easier said than done for this over-protective mommy! He is so proud of himself when he is finally sitting or standing on whatever he chose to climb.

Bath time is more fun than ever these days. He has learned to lay on his belly and put his face into the water while blowing bubbles. We didn't teach him this, he just started doing it all on his own. I think we'll have a little swimmer on our hands for sure.

Copycat seems to be his new favorite game. He has learned to count to 3...probably because he heard me do it about 100 times a day because he is into everything!! He can tell you what a cow and a rooster say. Recently, he learned to put his finger in his mouth and pull it out making a popping noise. It cracks him up and he does it over & over again.

The boy still loves to eat and doesn't back away from the table often. He has decided that vegetables are no longer a favorite so that has been a challenge lately. We bought him a little plate that's divided into sections and he is doing really well with it. He doesn't turn it over until he's finished eating. We are slowly transitioning him to sit at a booster seat at the kitchen table. It's a challenge because it makes it much easier for him to feed the dog so we are doing it slowly. He also got a sippy cup with a straw that he's obsessed with. Both the plate and cup are from Target and were both less than $2.99.

Along with this spring-like weather we've had recently (until the past two days), means more outside play time! He loves playing in the back yard with Dooley and riding his wagon or pushing his lawn mower around the cul-de-sac we live in. It's so cute & he loves talking to the neighbors and their animals. He got his first set of skinned knees out there last week. He likes looking at his boo-boo's and touching them. His Daddy told him he looked like a real little boy with those skinned up knees! I wanted to cry when he got them & his Daddy cheered for him. So funny!

Keep us in your prayers please as we take Hatcher to the ENT next week. He has had his fair share of ear infections over the past 6 months and this last one has lasted for two weeks! We have been on 3 different antibiotics and he's still not 100% better. Praying we can find a solution without having to get tubes.

Although, this sweet boy is growing up he will still always be my baby! Watching him become a little boy is such a joy to me and Johny and we can't wait to see what the next few years have in store for us!