pure joy...and cole too

Joy is 10 months old, and she has changed dramatically in the last two weeks. She is becoming a toddler, and I'm proud and sad at the same time. Tomorrow is Joy's 9-month check-up. We were in Wisconsin for her 9 month birthday and her and I have been sick twice since we got back, so this is our first opportunity to go for a well-baby visit. I'm looking forward to her new measurements.

Her balance is quickly improving and she can stand without holding on to anything for short spells. Joy is confident and careful, and she transitions smoothly from sitting to standing and back. She is so confident that she's very nonchalant about the whole thing. There's no "look ma, no hands" moments, her expression says "of course I can stand and just wait until you see me walk."

Her babble has changed too. Instead of repeating 1 sound over and over, she makes word-like sounds in her own little language, complete with hand gestures. Ya know, to really drive the point home. We've had some great conversations together.

I've been trying to teach her to use a sippy cup, and just in the last week she's taken interest. Today she was sipping away, while standing of course, but after closer inspection, she was gnawing on the spout and not really drinking much at all. It took 5 hours to drink a couple ounces, but that's still progress. I think she's beginning to wean, and I'm relieved that I'll be able to get fluids in her in another way. I have mixed feelings about that too, but that's okay.

Joy is fearless at meal times and has liked just about everything we've thrown her way. She's eating chunky stuff like a champ, and her favorites lately are string cheese, chicken nuggets, and whatever is on my plate. She refuses to be left out!

Cole is doing very well with the potty now, and he has worn big boy underpants a couple days this week. We made a trip to Target last night to pick out some more. I'm hoping I won't be buying any more pull-ups, with the exception of some for nighttime. He's really proud of himself, and he likes to show off with his "magic trick." He closes the lid on the potty before he flushes, then he waves his hands over the potty, and ta-dah, clean water! Tony and Cole had an argument the other night because Cole wanted to do his magic trick and Tony had no idea what he was talking about. They are too alike in that they are horrible listeners for each other.

Cole is on the waiting list for pre-school, but that is looking pretty unlikely. I bought some pre-school prep and summer bridge books, and we started our own "school" yesterday. I bought him some special pens just for schoolwork and we worked on a couple pages together. He really enjoyed the attention and I liked the quiet time too.

Cole still loves to help and I try to involve him in projects whenever I can. Last week we built a little patio (4 ft x 5 ft) to make a floor for his play log cabin in the backyard. We were out there for hours digging and leveling, and we both got some good exercise. Joy and Tony watched from the sliding doors, safe in the A/C. I took him to see Ratatouille that night to reward both of us for all the hardwork.

Cole has seen 3 movies this summer. His first movie ever was Shrek the Third. I took him after he kept his pull-up clean for a full day. Then Tony took him to see Surf's Up while we were in Wisconsin. He fell asleep at the end of that one, but Tony and his dad couldn't stop talking about it when they got back.

The summer is going by quickly and Joy's first birthday will be here too soon. I wish I had more quiet, special time with her and with Cole too, but I'm trying really hard to make the most of the moments we do have together. They are amazing little people.