The Talens' Tales

Funny: The other day, Joash was splashing in the tub and I stepped out to get a towel. When I came back, Joash was sitting in a tub with no water in it. He had pulled the stopper out of the drain and let all of the water out. When I tried to put more water in, he really didn't like and kept trying to pull the stopper out. Thankfully, this seems to have been a one time only incident. Not So Funny: Joash took a tumble down about 5 steps yesterday. I felt sick watching him tumble, not able to get there fast enough to do anything about it. Thankfully, he seems like his normal silly self today. Funny: While we were grocery shopping yesterday, Joash kept putting his hands in the air like the does while he is standing and squealing. I don't know if he thought he was standing or if he was testing out what it might be like to ride a roller coaster. It was funny made a lot of people smile.

M(om): Joash, even though it looks like you are having fun, can I interupt you for a minute? J(oash): Sure Mom. See, I have been busy just like you. I have been 13 months for a few days now, Mom. M: I know. So, what should people know about you at 13 months? J: Well, I am turning into a big boy. I can stand for while all by myself. But, sometimes I get so excited that I plop right down. I can eat big people food like you and Dad. I am using a spoon and I can make my wishes known by pointing. I can show you were my toes, mouth, and belly are at. Do you want to see? M: Maybe in a little bit. What are your favorite foods? J: I still really like bread, cheese and fruit. I am drinking more of my milk from a cup. I also had spaghetti for the first time and it was delicious! I didn't even need applesauce with that. M: I am glad that you like it. We will have it again sometime, I promise. What are your favorite toys right now? J: I still like my tractors a lot. And my books. I...

This is a pretty common sight right now. Joash practicing standing on his own. It is really funny because he will stand up next to something, and then puts his hands up in the air. We usually cheer and then he falls down. Then he gets into this crazy cycle of standing and falling, laughing the whole time. I think he finds falling on to his bum just a fun as standing on his own. We will see how soon he starts walking. In other news, it is snowing again. We are supposed to get 15 cm (6 inches) so here comes winter. I am also gearing up for my first craft fair with Usborne Books this weekend. Hopefully the roads will be fine by Friday and lots of people will want to get out to check out the craft fair. We shall see.

Joash seems to enjoy relaxing in his high chair. He likes to link his hands behind his neck and just sit for a bit while eating. It is pretty cute. He also getting more confident on his feet. He likes to stand up by us and then let go and balance for a bit. I hope walking is a ways off yet. I don't know if I am ready to chase after him yet.

Joash continues to eat pretty well, though eating is often an adventure. He is starting to feed himself more and more. When he is finished with things like bread, the likes to clear his tray off by dropping any leftovers on the floor or sticking them next to him down the side of the seat. You never really  know what you will find on his seat when you take him our after a meal. He is also trying to use a spoon a bit more, which can lead to experiments with applesauce as hair gel. This picture show some of the results. "Do you like my hair, Mom?" So, we put a sheet on our floor now so clean up is a bit easier. Because you never know what will happen while Joash is eating

We had a bit of a rough start to this week. First of all the time change really threw us for loop. Joash woke up at 5 am Sunday and Monday. Tuesday was a bit better and today we are back on track. Then Monday morning, I was dusting by the piano and Joash was behind me playing a little song. As I took a step, he was making the switch to lean on my legs. He fell down and somehow hit his face and got his first black eye. But things are looking much better today. Hopefully we are over the rough start of the week and we will have a nice end to the week.

Wanting a child more than anything, Jade Benson’s life is turned on its head when she learns her husband has a child with another woman.  As her world crumbles around her, Jade questions everything she has ever believed. Softly and Tenderly by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck follow Jade on a journey back to her childhood home. Her mother’s health, her marriage and her faith are all teetering in the balance. But coming home also helps Jade to understand that her life and her future doesn’t rest in her own power, but in the power of God. This is the second book in the Songbird Series and I loved it. I really want to go back and read the first novel and I eagerly look forward to the release of the third in the new year. It was a captivating novel and one to add to your list for a beach read for next summer. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com < http://BookSneeze®.com > book review bloggers program. I was not re...

I am amazed every day by what Joash can understand. He doesn't say any words yet, but he understands a lot of them. Here are some examples: "Joash, where is your tractor?" He makes his tractor noise and then looks around for his tractor and points or crawls over when he finds it. "Let's look at a book." He crawls over to his book basket and pulls one out and hands it to me. "Apple." He loves his applesauce and will always open his mouth for a taste when you remind him it is apples. And today I asked his where his barn and animals were and he crawled right over to his barn and showed me his pig. It is amazing to see a little mind in action.

Apparently Joash got the hang of tearing off wrapping paper from his birthday. He and dad had a bit of fun with fliers after we were finished with them this past week. Joash also had his 1 year check up and immunizations. He is 25 lbs 2 oz and 30 inches long. That puts him in the 70th and 50th percentiles, respectively, so he is a very average sized kid. His immunizations went really well. He only cried for the last of three pokes, and otherwise just looked very nonchalantly at the nurse. His top two teeth are slowly making their appearance. I still can't believe my little guy is a year old already! Where does the time go?