ABC's

You're almost 22 months old. Not that I usually tell people that, I've given up on how many months you are, I usually refer to you as my two year old, or that you'll be two in November.

You love corn on the cob

You just love life right now and love learning new things. I think the few tv shows you like watching have really paid off, because you can now recognize ALL of your letters, and can count to 10 with a bit of help. We really didn't even teach you that, I'm thinking Super Why and Sesame Street did most of it, but now we work on it. We actually don't have a choice, you LOVE picking out letters, even when we're driving in the car. You have your 'favorite letters', like B, O, P, Q, and Y, but you know all of them.

With Gordon at the cabin

Your love of buttons hasn't diminished at all. In fact, you insist on opening and closing the garage door, you've learned how to push the buttons on the dishwasher (which drives me CRAZY) and still can't stay away from mom's computer.

Family portrait on a dinosaur

I think we might try toilet training at the end of the month. I'm not sure you're quite ready, but you've shown a few signs that you might be ready, and it's very appealing to try it before you're really in your 'terrible twos'. We're working on the new vocabulary you'll need, and reading a few books for some ideas. With a bit of luck, we might have you out of diapers (at least during the day) before the baby comes. But if not, we'll give it a go sometime next year.

With Grandpa Hardcastle at the Dinosaur Park

Some of your other favorite things to say is "What happened?" I need to get this on a video, because it sounds so cute, except that you say it ALL of the time. If you fall, if something else falls, if something looks different or wrong, if something happens on the tv. It's a question we get at LEAST 100 times a day.

You also love "Hyrum's turn", and you really understand what it means too. Mama's turn, Hyrum's turn, Daddy's turn... even when you're playing with other kids, you try to get their toy by saying it's "Hyrum's turn".

Big Matt at the Dinosaur Park

Speaking of other kids, you've done great in nursery ever since we stopped being out of town so much during the summer. The last two weeks I've helped in there because one of the nursery leaders hasn't been there, but even before that, you'll cry for a minute or two, and then I guess you do great.

You've also moved to a Big Boy bed. Well, an even Bigger Boy Bed and a new room. I haven't taken any pictures because the move happened a little sooner than I had planned (thanks to your dad) and I'd like to decorate it just a bit and get some new sheets to go with the Red Sox theme I have planned. Hopefully soon.

With Grandma Lafeen in her backyard.

I think that's all for now. I'm excited for Halloween and your second birthday, Christmas, and of course, your new baby brother or sister. I'm sure this fall/winter will go by quickly for the Lafeens.

Your new favorite game, Hiding.

What our life is like...

Hi Buddy from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.

21 months

I feel like I've posted quite a bit lately, mostly because you've been sick and accident prone.

But, ever since you started feeling better from the stomach bug, I can't believe how much fun you've been. I thought that was worth documenting.

You've started putting 2 words together, and your language is becoming quite possessive. (You haven't learned this trait yet, although I'm sure it will follow shortly, right now you're still great with sharing and not minding when other kids take your stuff).

Everything is "Mom's pants, Dad's phone, Hyrum's house", etc. You ask to go to Laila's house, drink your Elmo juice (a sippy cup with Elmo on the side), and use Grandma's water (Grandma left her water bottle in our car).

Carb-loading and hyrdrating before your big race.

You still love climbing and really enjoy climbing on me. I'm sure you don't know why you're calling your mom's stomach a baby, but you do it often now. We keep asking you if you're having a baby sister or brother, but you're not letting on if you know already.




You can also count to 10, with some help. If we start you out with 1, you say every other number all the way up to 10. Sometimes we can get you to say a couple of numbers in row, but you prefer every other one. We have NO idea where you picked it up either, it wasn't something I've been working with you on. I guess all of the hours of watching Sesame Street while you were sick must have done some good.



We went to the zoo yesterday with Grandma Hardcastle and you couldn't have been more excited. You love seeing animals -either at the zoo or Wheeler Farm, which we go to a lot too.

On the merry-go-round with Grandma at the Zoo, and watching a goat at Wheeler Farm.

It's been just me and you this week (dad has been gone to a training for the 2nd week this month), but it's gone a lot smoother than the last time he was gone. I'm sure it's because you're happy and healthy and you're back to taking naps -all things that your mom appreciates. I actually get a break at the end of next week, and dad get's you all to himself for a day a half while I have a girls weekend. I hope you're just as happy with dad that you've been with me.

We have to get your staples out of your head today, which I'm not looking forward to, but I'll be glad to have them gone. Plus, we'll finally be able to go swimming again next week.

First Race

Today you ran in your first race, and you LOVED it!

Dad did a 5K for Davis County (along with most of our family, Jess was in charge of it), and you enjoyed clapping for the runners.

About an hour after the 5K started they had a kids race. You were by far the youngest kid running. You lined up with dad, and were off!

Luckily, you didn't trip or get trampled like a few of the kids near the starting point. You ran with dad and then me and got really excited for your medal at the end.

Dad's already looking forward to your next race in April of next year.

New Hardware

Well... we almost made it the whole summer without stitches, and only a near miss over Memorial Day. Despite all of our camping trips.

Who knew 2 hours at girls camp would break our streak.

You did great during dinner, and after you ate, probably 10 minutes before we were going to leave the campground you fell from the table. -We were sitting on a bench, and you actually hit your back first and then your head fell backwards, so no real head (or brain) trauma.

I think you just knocked into a sharp rock on the ground, which cut your head. Lucky for us, one of the ward leaders up there works in a family clinic, she cleaned it up a bit, and took a look. You needed stitches. Lucky for you, she had some lidocaine cream, so the hour long trip to the insta-care was nearly pain free.

They were great at the insta-care, and we were out of the there an hour after we got there. With 4 staples in the back of your head.