Micah obviously loves to make messes. Yesterday, we had not one but TWO big messes made by our cute toddler.

After dinner, Chris was distracted on the computer, and I was cleaning up the dishes while Micah played in our living room. I took his clothes off after dinner, because he got (surprise, surprise) pretty messy with his food. After awhile, Micah told us he was pooping, so we said, "OK," and then went back to finish what we were doing. Well, I guess Micah was really curious about what just happened in his diaper, because he took some poop out with his hands and smeared it on the floor! Chris then sniffed the air and said, "Man, Micah is really stinky." Well, the floor was, too! Surprisingly enough, Chris and I didn't get mad or upset that we had to thoroughly scrub Micah and clean up the floor. For me, frustrations came later on that night...

After I laid Micah down in his bed, I decided to see if he would stay on his bed and go to sleep on his own this night. (Usually, Chris or I will stay with him until he falls asleep.) Neither one of us heard him climb out of his bed, go into our room, find some Desitin, and smear it all over himself! Chris after awhile went to check on Micah. He thought Micah was still on his bed until he heard "Messy!" across the hall. The light revealed what I had mentioned before, Desitin everywhere! Now that I think about it, Micah was quite the artist to put the cream so delicately on his feet, pajamas, floor, and our mirror. Still, at the time, I was pretty upset by that point. Chris was still calm like before, being able to see (at least more quickly) the bigger picture. Micah is much more important than diaper cream on the floor. Yes, I was upset about the mess (especially since I thought he knew he wasn't supposed to play with the cream), but I can say that I didn't take my frustrations out on Micah. I just threw the Desitin in the trash really hard, like some people scream into the pillow. Chris was also good therapy for me; he gives the best hugs! So does Micah... (sigh) Oh, Chris later told me that Micah said he was sorry. How can I be mad after that! It humbles me to know that both Micah and I are learning together. I'm doing my best to teach him good behavior, and he is teaching me how to be a good mom. And, if Micah ever decides to put poop on the floor again, we know that the floor won't get a rash. :)

So, the nurse at the WIC office my last appointment said I should start doing a couple of things concerning how he drinks. First, he is learning now how to drink out of a regular cup. I give him a "shot" of water or milk at mealtime in a small cup. He still drinks water out of his sippy cup during the day when it's not mealtime. Secondly, I have stopped giving him his sippy cup of milk before naptime and bedtime. That used to work really well for me in trying to give him the calcium that he needs. I should probably concentrate on giving him more cheeses or yogurt to make sure he stays on track.

Well, there you go! Another adjustment and change as Micah grows up! It's fun for me to figure out just how to adjust and change as needed.

At the WIC appointment, they measured Micah's height and weight. He is 26 lbs. 11 oz. and (I think) 36 in. long. They said he is growing along just fine.

Micah has learned how to jump (with both feet at once)! He can do it very well now. It didn't take him very long to become a pro! He understands me and what I say a lot more as well; that makes it easier when I try to figure out what he wants or when I try to teach him what to do or not do.

Scary thing, though. Micah has figured out one of my weaknesses already! He knows that I am the most distracted when I am on the phone. So, as soon as I pick it up, he starts trying to get into things he knows he shouldn't, and sometimes he succeeds! Like today, Chris called me in the evening, and not too long after we started our conversation, Micah pulled off his pajama pants, something I have told him not to do many times before. It's frustrating, it's funny, and so I laugh and sigh at the same time.

Micah has started playing with his blocks in a more advanced way. He used to just stack single blocks on top of each other. Recently, he has figured out how to fit the little pieces onto the bigger ones. Something so simple brings me so much joy!

Micah moves in all sorts of ways; he's figured out how to walk on the balls of his feet! Now, he can get up from sitting down without using his hands. He's becoming bigger and stronger.

Micah's volcabulary has also grown. He can say some phrases like, "Yeah, boy!" or "See ya!". He also says, "Don't touch!" after I tell him to not touch something. Kids are imitators. That's why you have to be careful what you do and say around them. :)

I just wanted to start out by saying that my journal background is still appropriate since it is snowing today. We only wish it were spring!

Micah is progressing when it comes to his bed and eating. Lately, Chris or I haven't had to stay in the room until he is asleep. Micah has started to understand that bedtime isn't playtime on the bed. That is so nice! With eating, he has become independent to the point that I can give him his meal and then make my own without having to watch him the whole time! That is also very nice! It is so great to watch him grow! I just read an article in the Ensign (a LDS church magazine) about the joys of nurturing children. After reading it, I decided to be more conscious of making more happy memories with Micah, Paige, and our other future kids (instead of worrying about the messes.) Micah's messes are only temporary. He's already almost two-years-old! How can I worry about messes when he is growing too fast for my eyes to take it all in! OK, I'd better stop before I start crying.

Here are some recent pictures of him that Chris took:

















Oh, and it's my birthday today! Yea!

So, Chris and I decided to start training Micah to use a bed for his sleeping last weekend. So far, he has done pretty well. It's hard to get him to lay down at first, but once he settles in, it doesn't take too long for him to sleep. I just keep thinking (and hoping) it will get easier as time goes on and as he gets more and more used to it.

Micah woke up last night and walked into our room at around 4:00 a.m. I decided to just put him between Chris and I to sleep for the rest of the night. Well, he wanted to play and not sleep, so sleeping for us was practically non-existent. We learned it would be best to keep putting him back in his bed, even though it is not easy putting him back to sleep on a bed (as compared to his crib) since,right now, I have to make sure he is asleep before leaving the room. When I put him to bed in his crib, it was a simple process of milk, reading, and lights out. Not so much anymore...

Micah has acquired a congested cough, so we are going to his doctor to see what we can do. So far, the cough is the only thing to worry about. No fever, no throwing up, etc. He acts normal except for this cough. So, we are taking care of it now before it could become something worse.

a girl!!! Yep, Micah will have a little sister in July! I try to imagine sometimes the adjustments we will have to make to having two children instead of one. I guess we will just have to go with the flow. It's so cute...sometimes when we ask where the baby is, Micah will point to his belly! He is going to be an amazing big brother!

So, Micah is developing preferences on food, how we distract him, what he wants to play with, etc. It's cool to see how independent he is becoming, but sometimes I long for the little baby again. It was nice that I could hold him while dancing to my jazz, but now he can't stand to be held for too long. Oh, and Micah is 19-months-old today!

Chris and I find out the gender of the next baby this Friday!

Here in Rexburg, they have a Snow Fest every year at one of the parks. Chris was asked to take pictures of the event for the school newspaper. So, Micah and I went with him last Saturday to walk around and play in the snow. The event had bowling where you could roll a bowling ball down a hill to knock down the pins, and Micah got a spare! We walked around in the snow and had some hot chocolate. It was fun! Then, we had to leave, and Micah did NOT want to leave. He screamed in the car, calmed down, and as his feet and legs were thawing out, he screamed again. It was a fun and yet painful experience. But, I'm glad Micah had a good time.

Last Friday, Micah had his 18-month appointment. Here are his stats:

Height: 33"
Weight: 24 lb. 6 oz.
Head Circumference: 47 cm.
Overall Health: Micah isn't growing as fast as he used to. But, he is still growing properly, and the doctor was impressed with how he is using words and learning with enthusiasm.

Micah was very friendly but apprehensive about the doctor looking in his ears or down his throat. Still, his mommy is very happy about his progression!