Surviving Winter at 16 months

Boy or boy the last month has been a bit crazy here in Georgia! Michael and I have been tying to stay active but the weather has been very unpredictable. Yesterday it was sunny and warm, about 65 degrees. Tonight? It's supposed to rain/snow/freeze over. And of course the entire world knows how's poorly Georgia handled two inches of snow a couple weeks ago. Despite the wintery weather, Michael and I have been going out and exploring all the fun activities we can do in Athens.

Michael's favorite is tumble babies- a mommy & me gymnastics class. I have to be honest, it's my favorite too. All the babies are so cute! We start out in the baby gym where they can crawl/climb over all the soft ramps, do forward rolls and log rolls, flip on the bars, jump on the little trampoline while holding onto the bar, plus we do some singing too. Then we get to go into the big gym! Michael looooves this part. Why? Two words: foam pit. He makes a bee line to the pit and basically throws himself in. He could be exploring the gym, jumping on the big trampoline, trying the balance beam, but no. He only has eyes for the foam pit. A couple weeks ago he even got to try the trapeze over the foam pit. The coach held him up and he grabbed onto the bar but as soon as he realized the foam pit was below him he just let go! He is dangerously brave! I'm hoping the weather holds out so we can go tomorrow morning!

Sorry it's blurry, he moves to fast!!

Coach Cherish helping Michael climb and slide

Mommmmm, help me flip!

Swinging on the bar

Playing in the big gym

Working hard

Look what I found- foam!

In his element!

Our other favorite thing to do is sensory baby craft classes. We have been to an edible finger painting class, sticky windows/stained glass class, and deep blue sea class. Michael has loved all of the crafts so far. He got really into the finger painting. He was smearing and smooshing paint ALL over the table. I think he liked the slippery slimey texture. The sticky window/stained glass class was fun too. Michael got to put all kinds of fun stuff (tissue paper pieces, feathers, and puff balls) onto contact paper and we were able to take his artwork home to put on our window. Freddy took special interest in this piece of art. It became his sole purpose in life to liberate all the feathers. Needless to say, it will not be going into a keepsake box for me to show Michael when he grows up. The last class we went to was a lot of fun! It was on a Saturday so Rob got to come along and play. The theme was deep blue sea and the babies got to play in blue jello with little whales, sea turtles, dolphins, and sharks. There was also a tray of sand so they could explore the wet squishy texture of the jello and the dry gritty sand. Michael was way more enthusiastic about this messy play than the other babies. We striped him down to his onesie before he unleashed him, and I'm so glad we did. He was elbow deep in the jello, knee deep in the jello, and then played in the sand. He looked like a breaded cutlet. Rob had to give him a rinse bath in the craft sink!  We haven't been in a few weeks because M had a fever one day, then it was closed cause of weather, and last week Rob needed the car. I'm hoping we can go back this week. Fingers crossed crazy weather doesn't stop us!

Michael's stained glass. You can see early damage on the right side from Fred.

Saturday we went back to Sandy Creek for story time. The weather was so nice that it was held in their outside pavilion. Michael was antsy and not super interested in the story- dragons love tacos. However, there was a surprise after the story- a real live dragon! Ok, it was a bearded dragon not a fire breathing dragon,but all the kids were allowed to pet it. Michael and his daddy waited their turn and went in for a touch. It was cute, M pulled his hand back so fast! I don't think he expected the rough texture.  I also signed him up for a summer "camp" they have called babies and beasties. He gets to go every Thursday in May to learn about and meet the animals of Sandy Creek, go on a hike, play in the creek, and do a craft. I'm pretty excited. I mean Michael is pretty excited ;)

Petting the Bearded Dragon

Besides all of our fun toddler activities, what's new with my little 16 month old? Well, he finally decided to start walking! Its almost like he just decided it was time. Not only is he walking, but he has an insatiable desire to climb on everything. He will now push the kitchen table chairs out and not only climb onto the seat, but climb up the ladder like back. He took a spill this way last week. Luckily he didn't get hurt, but he really scared himself. For maybe one second. He is still trying to sneak by me to climb on the chairs, or the book case, or the couches, or the wall unit, or the tv stand, or his dresser. I wish tumble babies was everyday so he could climb all over soft safe foamy stuff.  

M is also an awesome eater. So far the only thing he doesn't seem to like is peas. And he doesn't eat baby food/purée. Oh no. He is all about eating what mommy and daddy eat. Tonight he shared our mustard crusted pork lion and Brussels sprouts. He really liked the sprouts. He had corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots with us earlier this week. He shared my tuna sandwich last week, complete with raw onions. At the Super Bowl last week he was very excited to try all the fun foods- pulled pork, baked beans, baked ziti, sausage, strawberries, watermelon and he even got a cookie for dessert. I REALLY hope he stays like this! Fingers crossed, knock on wood, throw salt over my shoulder... Oh, and just like his mommy- Michael loves pizza.

There is one last exciting tidbit! Michael is going to Disney world! My Aunt Patty has been dying to take M to Disney since she found out I was preg. So, when M started walking I relented. Ok, I was excited and convinced my mom and aunt it was time! My mom and aunt took me and my brother a bunch of times when we were very young; I think I've been about 7 times all together. My brother had been to Disney twice by the time he was Michael's age! We are going in April and will be there for his 18 month birthday!  I have really really great memories of Disney from when I was a kid, and while he likely won't remember anything about his first trip, I'm excited to share the experience with him.