15 Months Old...

22 pounds and a little over 29 inches long. Since birth, Preston's gained 15 pounds and grown about 10.25 inches. He's still kickin' it in the 5th percentile as far as height; and his head is still going strong in the 90th percentile. My boy has got the body of a lollipop!

The pediatrician said Preston's melon is large because his brain is growing nicely - this is a good thing, by the way - means he has 'smarts'. It makes total sense though. After all, Preston just recently discovered his left nostril. And while eating dinner, he likes to hold his left index finger up it; eating with his right hand only. Preston doesn't pick his nose, he just rests his finger there...during dinner...yep, big brain.

Preston: He's Gymnastic!

Today was the second week of Mommy & Me Tumbling class, but it was the first day I felt a pride I'm not familiar with. Everyone knows I think Preston is the cutest, smartest, orneriest, smartest, cutest, smartest, cutest, and shortest nearly-15-month-old I know. And yes, I love it when people at the grocery store comment on how cute he is, or the ladies at the dentist office think his teeth are darling. All this makes me proud to be his mother, not necessarily proud of him. There is a difference!

At the end of class today, as Preston and I were standing in line to get his "Wonderful" stamp from Mrs. Moss (his teacher), she commented that Preston had greatly improved since last week and that she could really tell a difference. And there I was, and here I am, a PROUD PARENT.

If there was a Proud-O-Meter above my head, it would have been full tilt, far right...it would have been off-the-charts-registering PROUD! My boy?! Improved in just a week?! WOW!!! Now that I think about it, he did walk the balance beam THREE times, and last week just once. He also did the bug crawl down the ramp like a pro. He still cried at the somersault attempt. But he wove in and out of the cones like an agility dog. HE HAD IMPROVED! In fact, I think he needed two 'Wonderful' stamps!!!

He's on his way to the Olympics folks. You heard it here first.

Some Bunny Get Me Outta Here!

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny started out well. P'Dub even gave the hare a high five...but that was before we placed him on the rabbit's lap.

So I'd say this went slightly better than the Santa saga.

I'll Tumble For You

This week Preston and I attended our first 'Mommy & Me' tumbling class at the local community center. Every Tuesday for the next eight weeks we are committed to learning the fundamentals of basic tumbling: trampoline, balance beam, log rolls, somersaults, crawling through tubes and over obstacles, and singing action-songs.

Our first class was both fun and exhausting. For the most part, Preston enjoyed himself. It was all new to him and I was amazed at his confidence - I thought for sure he'd cling to my leg the entire time. But since he needs my help, hence the 'Mommy & Me' part, I was never out of arms reach. He preferred crawling through the short tunnel and would only peek in the long tunnel. The balance beam was only fun the first time around. Somersaults and log rolls only brought on tears. And the parachute games and warm-up songs brought huge smiles.

I think this class is going to be great for both of us. Preston will learn more about how his body moves and works, and gain better control of it. He will become more social and develop flexibility. For me, I'm just going to work on stamina. I should be ashamed to admit this (and I am, but am also an open book), but I had sweat pouring down my back and butt cheeks. And mind you, the class in only 40 minutes short.

At the end of class Preston received a "Wonderful" stamp from the instructor. P'Dub was truly fascinated by it and kept showing it to me. However, in this picture I think he was over it. The vibe I'm getting is, "Okay Mom. This is the last time I'm pointing to this stamp. Yes, I'm cool. But we already know this. Let's not blow this out of proportion. It's a stamp. I'm sure I'll get one next week. Now can I please just finish my snack in peace already."

Boys. They have 'tudes too.

We've Collected Our Winnings

This past Sunday Jeremy, Preston and I finally suited up (not literally in suits) and drove to Sammamish - I love saying that name - to Just Because Studios in an effort to get our first family pictures taken.

I'd been so uptight about everything - the perfect outfits, making sure Preston didn't fall and bust his lip open again, being careful not to break a nail, or break out for that matter- that Jeremy said we were never going to do this again if I continued to behave in such a manner. And I'm like, "Hi, did we just meet? No." This is just how I operate.

Besides a few squabbles (one because I stupidly forgot the dang sippy cup) on the forty-five minute drive to the studio, we were in fairly good spirits. I was nervous, but figured I'd done everything I could to prepare us. We were all in check. All I had to do now was to make sure none of us tripped and fell in mud on the way into the studio. :)

We landed safely, put on our shirts (we wore our tees on the way over so not to wrinkle our outfits), and the shoot began. Melanie, the photographer and owner of Just Because, was great! She had our pre-determined shot list out, gave specific and clear direction, and had a number of fuzzy animals and quirky noises to aid in helping Preston show off his pearly whites.

He wasn't in a bad mood, he just wasn't in a good one. It's as if he was completely deaf and his attention span had dwindled into nothing. He was looking at the lights, the stuffed animals, outside, the doorway...everywhere but at Melanie. He also didn't like the sound of the background paper we were sitting on - I think it reminded him of the stuff at the pediatrician's office. To make the situation even more difficult, Preston decided he only wanted to be with Daddy. He didn't want me to touch him or hold him. Brilliant!

Despite the challenging 14-month-old, we moved rather quickly through the set list. Before I knew it it was time for Preston's wardrobe change and a snack of Cheerios. After the much-needed break, and a mysterious grouping of scratches and welts under his left eye, we continued.

Melanie, being a mother of two herself, didn't even break a sweat. She just went with whatever Preston wanted to do. She was totally calm. Jeremy was a little concerned. And you know me, I was nearly in freak-out mode. Preston, he decided to cry.

We moved 'Operation Family Pictures' to a nearby park. A change of scenery, a change of pace, and yes, still sporting the uncooperative baby. He still wants Dad. He wants to eat his snacks. He doesn't want to look at the camera. He doesn't want to smile. He wants to be P'Dub...ruler of all situations, the center of our worlds. And, he succeeds. And there was Melanie, chasing around P'Dub as he zig-zagged throughout the park...kind of like when you drop an important paper in a wind storm. And she thought nothing of it.

Yesterday I received an email from Melanie, allowing me a sneak peak of three shots from the shoot. Admittedly I was anxious, but couldn't stand not to look. And I couldn't have been more pleased. They were ahhhh-mazing. The pictures of Preston were adorable. Like I said, he was pretty much a busy body. But Melanie captured him at creative angles. P'Dub never was a straight-on, centered kind of baby anyhow! :)

The family picture brought tears to my eyes. It was the first time I actually 'looked' at us as a family. We don't have many pictures of the three of us, as I'm generally the one taking them. Plus, I wasn't all that comfortable in front the camera when still carrying a lot of baby weight. But here we were. All polished and pretty. My family.

And somehow I didn't look like a linebacker? It's no secret I have broad shoulders. Usually I look like I could tackle and kick ass in pictures, but here I just look like a Mom. And that makes me very happy.

[Pretend I'm standing up on a grand stage in a beautiful gown]
And I have all of you to thank for this moment of happiness. For the 'aha-this-is-my-family' moment. First I must thank my readers, family and friends for their loyalty and persistent voting, which enabled us to win the cutest photo contest. I must also thank Melanie of Just Because Studios, for being an outstanding and patient photographer; and for not wanting to kill me as I sent numerous emails prior to the sitting about clothing, poses, styles, etc. And last, but not least, Jeremy and Preston - thanks guys for not blinking.

Being a family rocks.