Now that our Handsome is a year old and more than half of the year has passed, it is time for a check in of our New Years Baby Resolutions. Seriously - when we made these, Justin was only 4 months old. Crazy. Let's get started shall we . . .
1. Watch our language - We don't want JFrog to become 'That Baby' - the one who drops the Fbomb at daycare. I would much rather hear 'Momma' before any other expletive (or dad for that matter ;) )
Technically 'Mama' beat out everything else (he really is a smart boy), but we could do a better job of this. Overall the bad words have decreased, and when one of us slips up (ahem, usually me), the other (ahem, Mitch) will gently remind (ahem, nag - and then let one slip himself).
2. Watch less television - We've been addicted to a few shows lately - one being Breaking Bad which focuses around a high school chemistry teacher who cooks meth. JFrog's medicine comes in bottles with syringes to measure out the appropriate dosage. Again, we hope he doesn't see one lying around and try to put it in his elbow
So, Breaking Bad is an incredibly fabulous, and incredibly non-kid-friendly, show. We are happy to report that our son has yet to react to any television show, and to be honest, really has not seen any TV of note. We don't watch any while he is awake, and he doesn't see any at daycare. We don't find ourselves to be crazy, TV-hating parents; we just don't get much time with Justin during the work week and would rather spend that time playing or going for walks. Around Tank's birthday I realized that he has no idea who Elmo, Big Bird, Mickey Mouse, or Spongebob is; and I am perfectly okay with that.
3. Instill Appropriate Values in JFrog - the basics - that he should respect his elders, not trust strangers, not be prejudiced, and avoid scientologists, the french, and republicans like the plague
Possibly my proudest moment as a Mama came last week when Justin got the TV remote and turned from The Today Show (I really don't understand the hype around Good Morning America) to FOX News. Now, I know what you are thinking - something like "OOOOOOOOOOHHHHH MMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYY GGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDD NNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO". Trust me - that was my exact thought as well. But then - he pushed the mute button, and I realized that my baby is a liberal genius, and I was so proud :)
4. That we act appropriately financially so JFrog doesn't starve - We're hoping (jinx) to make a major purchase this year so we've been good at monitoring our budget. Plus, our little tank is already over 17.5 pounds (that's an average 'rate of gain' of more than 0.5 pounds a week - his grandpas will appreciate that terminology)
We bought our house in May and have yet to default on anything - yay! We are taking more steps to become financially aware and take control of everything financial, so we hope to continue this. Also, Justin is about 25 pounds, so we have obviously been able to afford his food. I consider that to be an amazing feat of greatness as well.
5. Play nicely with Izzers - Izzers is not a fan of being grabbed by small children, as we learned with Annabanana (she only got a small handful), so we need to teach Justin early to 'pet nicely'. Annabanana is very curious and tries to catch Izzers - it's pretty cute.
This could use some work. Justin loves Izzers. He sticks his hand out to her; she licks it; he laughs; all is great with the world. Until he gets the crazy eyes that is, and with one loud shriek, he grabs for her tail with his chubby little hands and we have to pry her fur out of his hands. We'll label this one 'in progress'.
6. Teach Justin while playing with him - Much of the first three months was spent trying to calm Justin when his 'colic flared' so we spent lots of time rocking. carrying, swinging, or trying to distract/stimulate him with lights and sounds. We now can actually play with him and it's been great! Hopefully we can help him develop many skills along the way.
I think not watching TV while he is awake has helped a lot with this one. We do all sorts of things - we play with his riding toys, have him walk holding onto our hands, play with blocks, read books, etc. It is so fun to see him make little connections in his mind and figure things out.
7. Foster Justin's Sense of Humor - We need to teach him what is funny and what is not - for example - Making farting noises = Funny, Pulling Momma's Hair = Not Funny; Daddy's Dance Moves = Funny, Turning on the Waterworks while getting his diaper changed = Not Funny
Still needs work. He has replaced Mama's hair with Mama's glasses. The waterworks have stopped - though luckily he was never bad with that - he only erupted a dozen or so times. A good razzie will get him still, and if you need him to laugh, Aunt Issa can come up with something that will make him giggle.
8. Raise a Gentleman - I refuse to believe that 'Boys will be Boys', and will do my best to raise Justin to be kind, courteous, and an all-around little Gentleman
Well, he has yet to open the door for me, and sometimes will fart at the dinner table, so we have some room for progress here. However, he doesn't smack Annabanana when she takes his toys (which happens often :) ), so that is a plus.
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