Our New Routine(s)

We have been living in our rental apartment in suburbia for 8 weeks.  Going from living in a  home with a backyard to living in a small, temporary apartment and no yard with a toddler and a very energetic 80 lb dog has presented me with more than a few challenges.  I sort of feel like we are living in a cross between a poorly decorated hotel and a large playroom for a toddler.  Our largest respite these past weeks has been that the weather has been very un-Oregon, allowing us to really enjoy our close vicinity to the river and the lake.  Emmett, Vivian and I literally get up every day, have breakfast and then head outside for a jog or a walk.  If I wait too long after breakfast to get us outside, Emmett grabs Vivian's leash and climbs into his stroller himself while Vivian waits at the door staring at it as if she can will it to open with her gaze.  These morning outings are necessary to keep Vivian happy (and not so hyper I want to let her go play in traffic).  I am also hoping that on some level all of this activity will resonate with Emmett later in life and even if it's subconscious he will feel that getting out everyday for some exercise and fresh air is a mandatory activity.  A mom can dream, right?

Another part of being living space challenged is that Emmett and I are doing everything we can to participate in activities outside the house.  I joined a great Mom's group in Lake Oswego, and through this group we have been doing Gymboree, other children's "gyms", book time at the library, going on play dates and walks and are even trying our first "Art" class this Friday. (The last one should be an experience!)  I've also gotten to attend a few Mom's nights out and socials, which have been a great way for me to learn about our new community.

The only real curve ball in our activity has been Emmett's schedule.  For the last 6+ months, we have had a beautiful, wonderful, predictable schedule.  Emmett would sleep 12 hours a night.  He would wake up and we would play and go for our morning exercise and then he would take a 1-2 hour nap 2 hours after he woke up.  3 hours after his morning nap, we would repeat the process for his afternoon nap.  Bedtime was 7 pm.  It was glorious.  It was like clockwork and I knew what to expect every day.  These days, it is less so.  We are in an awkward transition period where Emmett is between needing 1 and 2 naps a day.  It is more like he needs 1.25 per day.  I never know which child I am going to get in the morning- the kid who wants to play until noon and then snooze until 2 pm or the baby who needs his 3 hours of naps in the morning and afternoon.  When I misjudge, meltdown doesn't begin to describe the situation.  It also makes getting to our scheduled activities more challenging.  We really have to play it one day at a time and make a lot of loose plans.  Fortunately, we have run into a number of parents with older kids recently who have commiserated with us and told us that 12-18 months was a really rough phase for their toddlers and that magically at 18 months they entered into another golden period.  I cannot wait!

Beyond the whole napping and ensuing tantrum issues, Emmett is wonderful. He is adorable and healthy.  He chats up a storm.  Only he and his beloved stuffed bunny understand most of the conversation, but they seem to be having a lot of laughs.  We have 5 words that Todd and I understand- Mama, Dada, cat (CA), dog (DA), banana (BAbaba) and occasionally up. He has gone from walking to running.  Everywhere.  Preferably away from his parents in public. At the same time he is also still appropriately, and wonderfully clingy.  Whenever he is warming up to a situation or is unsure, he makes it very clear he still needs reassurance from his Mom or Dad and we are happy to oblige. :)  He loves his parents, his pets and he loves to PLAY!

Where we run every day.  There are worse views in the world.

Emmett walking his dog.  Yes, our crazy 80 lb dog lets the baby walk her. Until she sees a squirrel, that is.

We recently took a vacation with my parents.  They rented a lovely house on San Juan Island.  This is one of the incredible sunsets we had looking out at Orcas and Lopez Islands from the balconey.

Baby beach attire in the Northwest.

He loved the water.  He would have just gone right in if we hadn't held on to him!

The bay at Roche Harbor was calmer than the water in the previous photo AND there were little fish he could see. He was determined to sit in the ~50 degree water and catch them.  Obviously we didn't allow that to happen...

"They won't let me sit in the water...sob...I just want to sit in the water and play with the fishies.  NO pictures."

Our little water baby.

Grandma and Grandpa always get smiles. :)