19

Joseph Loves: Truck book, truck book, and more truck book. He has started saying the different truck names listed in the book. "Hoe" for backhoe, "Sweep" for street sweeper, ect... He should know all the names by heart soon since we read it ALL THE TIME. Standing on his bug stool in his room and looking out the window. I have clingy hearts on his window from Valentines, and he always stands and looks out the window and plays with the hearts as he says "heart, heart, over and over. Bugs! Every time he sees a fly, spider, or any black speck that resembles a bug he is sure to let us know there is a bug. He usually won't touch them but he points and says bug over and over. We are putting his bug catcher to use from Gigi. I cringed but today I actually got a grasshopper in there for him. Caterpillar! "Pilpil" is what Joseph calls a caterpillar, he enjoys looking all over my passion vine for the spiky orange and black pilpils. He points but won't touch. He knows they hide under the leaves so he will turn them all over looking for a pilpil. Playing in water, mainly the facet on the patio. He would rather play with the water hose or at the facet than get in his pool. Everytime we go outside I know to bring a change of clothes because he will run to the facet say and sign "help" for me to turn on the water. Of course how can I say no? Water keeps him occupied. He loves to swing on the patio. We always throw the ball for Gina and sing a special song when he swings. And of course his fascination for wheels is amazing. I really want to show him a fire truck one of these days. When we're driving and a dump truck, diesel, or anything with big wheels comes by I'll be sure to roll down the window for him. Joseph is saying so many words there is no way I could compile a list of new words this last month. He is putting more 2 word phrases together. I'll say, "listen to Mama's birds sing" and he will respond with "Mama's tweets" (tweet is what he calls birds) He surprises us everyday saying new words and phrases. The cutest thing is at bed and nap time he tells us bye instead of Goodnight. "Bye daddy, bye mama, bye puppy" so cute :) At 19 months he is still eating a well balanced diet. I keep his diet pretty bland and much of the same things I've always fed him. That might sound boring but it's healthy and I know he will eat it. I'm still keeping him away from sugar, but this last week he had an ear infection and was in a VERY bad mood. I put him in his highchair and gave him a popsicle, yes he ate the whole thing and I thought he was gonna eat the stick too. LOL Right now his favorite foods are: raisins, grapes, yogurt w/ tahini, beans, prunes, milk, spaghetti, salmon, any fish, and dry cereal. His daddy introduced Juice, so now once the fridge is open he starts saying "juice" so I put about a teaspoon into a cup of water and he thinks that is the best. He has adjusted well at his new sitters. Mrs. Claudia is wonderful with the children and Joseph has taken to her. He doesn't cry when Joey drops him off, he says "Bye daddy". I always get a good report when I pick him up. He has only had a tough time adjusting to a new nap routine. I believe he is getting less sleep now that I've started working. We are putting him to bed earlier. Joseph has started helping me with some chores. He mainly slows me down and then I do double the work, but he sure does want to help. This includes: taking clothes out or putting them into the washer/dryer, unloading the dishwasher (he loves unloading his dirty utensils and he puts them in his mouth...) he also insists on playing with the garbage can wheels and then rolling the trash can up the drive way. Joseph and Gina are still the best of friends. The problem is he wants to do everything Gina does. This includes lapping water, eating without hands and licking the highchair. He also rolls in the grass like her and barks. He is becoming Gina's boss. He tells her NO all the time and he gets on her about every little thing, even when she is doing nothing, poor Gina. They keep each other company and play good together, he can throw her balls for her and they run around and lick each other :)He enjoys walking her on her leach and he gets real mad is she won't walk the way he is. It's pretty funny. This week is the last week he is scheduled to be on his medication for his Subglottic Hemangioma. I have mixed feelings about stopping the med completely next week. We have been weaning him off this last month. So far no breathing issues. I don't know what Joey and I are going to do once we do not have to give him med every 8 hours! I guess it will be time to thank God once again for my sweet Joseph's life and thank Dr. Roy ! Joseph keeps us laughing these days. He is also very active and Daddy is teaching him how to kick the soccer ball. We have so much fun with him and he is such a good little boy. We love him so much!! Can't believe he is 19 months!