Moments I want to remember from this time.
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I’m sitting at the computer, trying to design something or answer email, and Gabe stands next to me, whining. I scoop him up into my lap and he pushes the power button repeatedly, while I try to brush his hand away and focus on the task at hand. He turns off my laptop, and I sigh. I stand up and set him down, giving up on working for now.
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He claps his hands when he wants me to sing “Patty Cake.” He claps along and always bursts into laughter when I mark his belly with a ‘G’ and “put it in the oven for Gabey and me”.
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His two favorite books in the whole wide world are “The Monster at the End of the Book” and “Five Little Ducks.” He picks them up follows us around until we read them to him. All day long. He holds his finger up to his lips when Grover says, “Shhhh” and quacks with his hand in the air when Mother Duck quacks.
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Is looking more and more like Mike, but still has my eyes. And his own scar.
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He is the most persistent human being I’ve ever met. He doesn’t give up and whines until either I relent or he crumbles into a weepy puddle on the floor. Things most requested: going outside, going ‘bye bye,’ eating more cookies, and turning the water on in the sink and wasting gallons of water.
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I haven’t gone to the bathroom alone in months. He hears me lift the toilet lid, and he runs down the hall and pushes open the bathroom door with a big grin. At least he understands, “Close the door” so I can still get a little privacy from Mike. Gotta keep the magic alive and all that, right?
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Either from some innate sense of cleanliness, or seeing me do chores, he insists on having every door and drawer shut and loves to sweep things with the countertop brush and dustpan. He walks around the kitchen with a measuring cup, putting tiny pieces of trash and food in the cup (He dumps it all on the floor, of course). I give him a wash cloth at the end of dinner and ask him to wipe off his tray and the table, and he obliges. He helps me put the clothes from the washer into the dryer. He’s finally fulfilling my dreams of having a child to help me do chores.
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“On” is his favorite word. Turn the light on. Put his shoes on. Turn the musical cow on. And so on. When Mike and I are talking and one of us says the word ‘on’, Gabe lights up and excitedly asks, “on?”
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He still isn’t very interested in toys. Oh, how I wish he liked toys.
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I never expected for nursing a one-and-a-half-year-old to seem like the most natural thing in the world, but it is. He isn’t anywhere near interested in weaning, which is also surprising. I still really enjoy nursing him, so we shall continue our couch cuddle time.
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He’s lost his wrist chub. I’m not sure when it happened, but I noticed it the other day and it made me a little sad. How had I not noticed earlier? He’s growing up before my eyes.
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We had a new first yesterday – Gabe threw up for the first time. It was awful and everything I’ve been fearing about that part of parenthood. Poor little guy, he ran down the hall to find me and then threw up all over me. I tried to get him to use a bucket but, no. He preferred my hair, thankyouverymuch. Parenthood is glamorous.
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For the first time since Gabe was born, I can really contemplate doing this all over again and get excited about it. Instead of seeing a newborn and thinking, “Thank God Gabe isn’t that little!” I think, “It will be so wonderful to have one of those sweet little things again.” We’re quite some time away from being in a place where we can think about a second child, but I’m looking forward to seeing my little boy be a big bother someday…hopefully. It makes my heart flutter.
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18 months sounds delightful! 5 Little Ducks is a favorite around here too–she brings it to us for reading and claps along with the mama duck quacking sometimes.
I don’t know if it’s his big eyes, but he just looks like the most thoughtful child!
Well, aside from the epic meltdowns, which I assume are because he knows we know what he wants and are still not giving it to him, it’s FABULOUS!
People always remark how he looks like he’s taking it all in…or giving them judgmental eyes. ;)
This is such a beautiful tribute to your son, Ashley. It’s so fun getting to know Gabe through your blog. He sounds like a delightful little guy.
He is so much fun, Kate! :)
Gabe is sooooooo super duper GALICIOUS (Gabe + delicious, something super unique to him … and maybe Gavin, too). Such a sweet little kid. And, I think our boys must meet sometime. Because, not only will they share the love for eating their art, but Gabe must teach Gavin all about closing drawers and doors. Just the other night, Gavin pulled open a drawer, took out an oven mitt, very purposely threw it to the ground, looked at it, nodded at his success and walked on to something else. Sigh.
LOVE IT.
They must meet. My sister lives in Chicago, so we’re planning to go there in the spring/early summer!! :)
Gavin likes to make a mess and Gabe will clean up after him. It will be perfect.
Gabe is so stinking cute :) Topher loves to help clean too – he wipes his tray, dusts, helps with laundry and changing the garbage, and LOVES to bake! I find it takes me a lot longer to get things done with him “helping” – but he’s happy, so it’s all worth it! I hope Gabe’s feeling better after his thorw up episode yesterday – we haven’t had to deal with toddler vomit yet (just lots and lots of colds!) but I’m sure it’s coming, and I’m sure it will be disgusting. Happy weekend :)
Oh yeah, he’s totally not actually helpful, but I’m hoping letting him help in little ways will empower him to become helpful. Ha. I dream big! ;)
All I can say is just precious! I can’t believe how big he is getting!
You make me excited to see my baby grow up! Although I’m still sad about it. :)
It’s weird in that I can never remember him at any other age than he is right now…so I’m not sad, really. Just in love with this guy! :)
I have been reading your blog since shortly after Gabe was born. It’s so interesting to see him as a toddler now more so than as a baby! He sounds really excellent. I am also so happy to hear about someone breastfeeding to 18 months and beyond. I want this one day for my babies if they want it too and it’s great there are other people who share the same viewpoint :)
Aw, thanks for reading!! :) I’d hoped to nurse a year, and we just kept going – I must say there are a lot of benefits! He gets over sickness faster, he gets mama milk instead of cow’s milk, and it’s FREEEEE. ;) I love that you are already thinking about these things. More power to you!
There is something magical about this age where things change and OVERNIGHT they go from baby to kid. It’s insane, really, how quickly it happens! Audrey will be 18 months on Wednesday. I just can’t believe how gigantic she is all of a sudden. Nutso.
Gabe is ridiculously cute, by the way. Those EYES. Yikes!! :)
It really is a little crazy. I mean, I love it and him…I just can’t believe how old he suddenly seems! (And still quite tiny at other times…like in his little PJs. Makes my heart melt, man.)
Grandma has tears in her eyes. What a wonderful way to create a baby memory book! I can’t stop looking at his pictures–Love you guys :-)
this boy needs to be a child model, he’s got the look i swear! :)
Oh, I loved this post. Gabe is such a cutie.
my goodness he just keeps getting more adorable. love that picture of him helping in the kitchen, too cute.