Memory

I always find fall to be a reflective time.  This year especially, for some reason, I keep reflecting back on what was going on at this time last year.  Today was my first day of maternity leave from work.  I was impatiently awaiting the arrival of Baby Buddy.  Absolutely certain he would be here before Halloween!  My parents were going to be visiting in a few days.  Tia's vomiting had begun, but it was not to a point where it was really causing much alarm just yet.  We thought she had just eaten something and was trying to work it through her system.  :(  Needless to say, there was a lot of "memorable" stuff going on. 
 The other day I found myself wondering what the moogle recalls about this time last year.  Her life as well was about to undergo a major change.  Does she remember any of it?  So I asked if she remembered Kyle being in Mommy's tummy.  She said yes and that she was in Mommy's tummy too.  Ok, so she knows babies come from their Mommy's tummy, not really proof that she does, in fact, remember. 
Moving forward.  Do you remember going to see Mommy and Daddy in the hospital last year when Baby Buddy came out of Mommy's tummy?  "Yes, I stayed with Grandma and Grandpa and we came to see Mommy and Daddy at the hospital."  Ok, this is better.... 
"Was Baby Buddy still in Mommy's Tummy?" "Nooooo!"  "Where was Baby Buddy?"  "He gave me a teddy bear." At this point I do a double take.  All that she had said so far may have possibly been mentioned to her again at some point in the last year.  But the teddy bear....  does she really remember?  I didn't even remember at first.  "What teddy bear?"  "The pink one.  Mommy, where is the teddy bear?"  A light bulb pops on in my head.  She is absolutely right.  It was a little pink "breast cancer" bear I had picked up as a big sister gift for her.  I can't remember the last time I saw it.  It had never been a favorite and was most likely tucked away with some other less loved stuffed animals.  Needless to say, I take this as definite proof that on some level she remembers the time when her brother was born.

This is the only picture I could find with the bear.  See it tucked under her arm?

She continued on to tell me how she had pizza with Grandma, Grandpa and Daddy "but Mommy and Buddy stayed at the hospital."  "Then Daddy went back to the "hotel" and stayed with Mommy and Buddy.  Daddy brought Mommy and Buddy pizza."
Love Love hearing her memories!  It's so amazing what she picks up on and remembers about life.  I wonder how much of these memories will stay with her as she grows.   

Is The Baby Walking Yet?

I've been hearing this question a good amount as we near Buddy's first Birthday, so I thought I'd post a little update.  No, he is not walking yet.  But, as his teacher at day care says "We're pretty sure he can walk, but he just doesn't want to right now."  It's so true!  He has perfect balance and can stand for as long as he wants with out holding onto anything.  He squats down and picks things up and stands right back up without holding onto anything.  He even will take a few steps between objects.  But, when he wants to go somewhere, he wants to get there as fast as he can!  Meaning, he doesn't want to take the time to walk there because he knows he can crawl there quickly. 

As for carrying stuff around with him (something a lot of people say is a motivation to walk), he seems to have no issues getting what he wants where he wants it.  He carries things in one hand or in his mouth.  He will also hold things in both hands and scoot along on his bottom or "walk" on his knees.  If it's something really big he will push it or pull it.  In other words, not walking doesn't seem to keep him from doing what he wants and getting what he wants!  He is so curious about EVERYTHING and BUSY BUSY BUSY!  Don't worry, I'll let everyone know when he decides to slow down and take those first unsteady steps (and then learns that he can run! :P).     

Siblings

 

A snapshot in time....  Buddy just adores his sister. :)  So glad we got to get out to the park and enjoy some of this amazing weather today!