Twenty-One Months with Alvie Bean

Amy Cissell
January 8, 2014
Oh, Baby!
542

Dear Bean,

Today you are twenty-one months old! 1 and 3/4! Practically elderly!

Such a big boy

Another fun month in the books! AND – you weren’t sick even once (other than your random allergies/winter cold issues).

We started out the month on a high note – we got to go and ride an actual TRAIN! You were so thrilled when we were in the tent o’ choos. There were choo clothes and choo toys and a choo video! You were having such a good time. And then? And THEN! We went out and saw a real live train. Right there in front of us. And to make it even better – we GOT ON THE TRAIN! Best day of your life? Probably up ’til that point!

I’M ON A TRAIN! Everybody look at me!

Family + Train = Happy

The next week, GRANDMA came to visit. You Facetime with Grandma every weekend, which is awesome, but here she was in real life! When we picked you up at daycare, you didn’t hesitate to run and give her a big, big hug.

Go Jacks!

Grandma taught you a new song – The Itsy Bitsy Spider – and read you countless books. She helped build block towers and LEGO towers, and gave you so much Thomas the The Tank Engine gear that you could be a walking billboard for the Island of Sodor.

You can’t see it, but even his underoos have Thomas on them.

You had a great time with Christmas. You got a lot of books – and it’s so fun to watch you graduate from Sandra Boynton to books with real pages. Your current favorites:

AND

You also got some sweet transportation from Daddy’s side of the family:

Driving in my car

Your very own choo!

It was a pretty good day.

Alas! The next day, grandma had to go home. You were pretty sad when you woke up and found out she was gone. Now whose shades are you going to steal when you want to look cool?

I wear my sunglasses at night

You’ve grown up so much this month. You can eat like a pro, and no longer require a sippy cup!

Ice Cream!

Big Boy Cup

You talk – a lot – and I understand more and more of what you’re saying. You can count to two, recognize the letters ‘O’ and ‘Q,’ and can even “read” your favorite books. “O is owl.” “Q is mummy.” (Q is actually a queen, but I haven’t corrected him yet.)

You are pretty much constantly eating, and when I tried to measure you the other day, it looked as though you’d grown TWO INCHES since the beginning of September. However, since getting you to stand still is almost as difficult as filling your belly, that could’ve been wrong.

If I had more hands, I’d have more food.

We went for a hike up to the top of Multnomah Falls the other day, and you actually walked about 1/4 of a mile on the way up – pretty impressive considering how steep it is. When you were tired of walking, you turned towards me, held up your arms, and said, “Baby.” Which is what you say when you’re ready to be my baby again, with all the requisite snuggles.

Story time.

I’ll take it while I can, because more and more you’re my big boy instead.

This waterfall is so Cool! Look at all the puddles!

You are learning all about boundaries and say no to everything. It’s a bit confusing for us both, since I usually take you at your word, and you’re often just messing with me. You’re still awesome, though. You’re 99% of the time well-behaved – in public.