The Age of Understanding

We've had many laughs the past couple of weeks as Van keeps demonstrating his increased understanding of the world around him.

  • When walking backwards he yells "beep, beep, beep," just like a truck in reverse.
  • When told to eat his toast, he promptly pointed at his toes.
  • Anything that comes from his nose or is found in the floor is labeled as "ewww."
  • He has started giving Derek and me small bites of his food, saying "bite" followed by throwing the food at us. After many frustrated meals, I figured out that he was feeding us like ducks, one of his favorite activities to enjoy with Granny and Pawpaw.
  • This morning during our wake-up negotiations (where he rolls around in his bed so I can't get him out) I asked, do you want to go to school to see your friends? No. Want to stay home with momma? No. What do you want to do Van? Pawpaw. (He has a one-track mind for his grandparents)
Along with increased awareness, he has also become very interested in anything involved with poo poo or pee pee. We bought all the potty training essentials yesterday, we'll see how it goes.

In addition, we've been trying to figure out what Van should be for Halloween. Last year, he was a cuddly baby elephant. This year, we are trying to pick something that he likes. Here are some of our ideas, feel free to make suggestions!
  • Giant chocolate chip cookie
  • Hershey kiss
  • Michael Phelps (complete with speedo, googles, and fake muscles)
  • Bob Stoops or OU football player
  • Pawpaw (all ready for his Sunday sermon)

Is Van the Next Michael Phelps?

Michael Phelp's post-swim dinner:

  • Pound of pasta
  • 1 whole pizza
  • Another 1,000 calories worth of energy drinks

Van's post-swim dinner:
  • 2 individual containers of diced carrots
  • 1 hot dog
  • 1 slice of large Papa Murphy's garlic chicken pizza
  • 1 individual container of applesauce
  • A bite of salad
  • 2 snack-size Krackle bars

He's a Perfect 10: Van's Love of Diving

Van picked up some cute habits during the Olympics. First, he knew that when a swimming race started, he was supposed to yell, "go, go, go." Secondly, he felt very connected to the gymnasts and would raise his hands over his head after a dismount.


But the boy's absolute favorite sport was diving. Why? It combined his other two favorite sports, swimming and gymnastics. Van was so inspired by diving that he would cry when commercials interrupted the coverage. I also caught him standing at the ledge of our fireplace ready to dive off... that was a heart stopper! 

To help this swimmer/diver in-training, we decided to enroll him in the parent/child swim class at the YMCA (aka mommy and me swim class). Today was the first day. And, it took Van a little time to warm up to swimming. For the first half of the class, he decided to cling on to me for dear life. But then, the teacher suggested we do a little jumping. After one jump, Van was hooked. All he wanted to do was jump off the edge into my arms. As I told Derek, I'm predicting this kid will be diver.

Here is a video of Van giving his impression of Michael Phelps.


My Blog List

  • Determined moms choose Jif! - This photo essay is a run down of determination to have a PB&J sammich for lunch! I call it "Determined, desperate moms choose Jif!" On my way home from t...
    6 years ago
  • 大阪にある女性向け性感マッサージ体験談 - 大阪市の某性感マッサージ店で性感マッサージを受けました。 店はホームページで検索してから知った店で、セラピストは全員女性。 セラピストのプロフィールを一通り確認して、僕と同じ野球が趣味のセラピストが在籍してたので、ほのセラピストを指名する事にしました。 料金システムは初めてという事もあり、最安値の60分800...
    6 years ago
  • Obedience - I went walking tonight. After dinner. At 8:30. In the dreadful humidity. By myself. The even crazier thing? This marks day 11 of having completed some sort...
    8 years ago
  • Happy 3rd Birthday, Owen Pete! - My Sweet Owen, Happy birthday! It’s finally here, after asking almost every day since your brother’s birthday if it was your turn. I’m writing this after...
    11 years ago
  • 18 Months - My baby is not a baby anymore! Caden is running and talking up a storm these days. I used to be able to count the number of words he knows, but it seems l...
    11 years ago
  • Canola Pictures - In the business of having a newborn, I did manage to steal a few minutes away to take some pictures of my oldest child (that still sounds weird to me...
    12 years ago
  • - Is it weird that I said I would get four blog posts out in 2011? Yes, yes, it is. 2011 is a blur. And here we are at the beginning of another year -- 2012 ...
    12 years ago
  • I've moved!! - New name, new location, new blog altogether: Chalk on the Walls Join me on a journey of motherhood, wife-hood, decorating, baking and more! [image: Pho...
    13 years ago
  • Hurricane Nate? - Well, my namesake is on the list of potential named storms in the Atlantic this year. Which got me thinking....is this a good thing or a bad thing? If Hurr...
    13 years ago
  • First two weeks of summer vacation = Pure Awesomeness - Summer haircut! Swimming in Grandmom's pool! Claire started off not even wanting to jump in from the side, but got braver and braver, until she was jumping...
    13 years ago
  • Everything has moved - This blog has moved to soonercary.wordpress.com. Happy reading!
    13 years ago
  • Birthday Month! - It's finally here, my birthday month. This is a BIG birthday....I'm turning 30!!!!!!!! I thought I would be "Poor me, I'm old and 30, my life is over," but...
    14 years ago
  • sweet thing - he melts my heart. [image: Free Hit Counters] Website Counters
    14 years ago
  • Iowa and Christmas party - We went to Iowa for Thanksgiving. The girls had a blast and the weather was actually nice. Strange for Iowa. On the way up, we stopped in KC to see my coll...
    14 years ago
  • Fall - October and November 09 Jude is a professional walker now!! He’s fast and physically adept, steering the popper toy around one handed, pulling out (and bre...
    14 years ago
  • MaMaMaMaMaMa - This evening has been very...eventful. Nathan flew out this afternoon for an auditor's conference so it was All Girl's Night at the Blais'. Anna Jane fell ...
    15 years ago
  • Open Adoption - So really, I do have a final post for this blog in my head...but I haven't had time to do what I want to do and I haven't moved all my links over to Anderso...
    15 years ago
  • My Blog Has Moved!!! - Hi everyone! Sorry for the inconvenience, but I have moved my blog over to WordPress. You can now catch up with me at http://oupamrobe.wordpress.com I hav...
    15 years ago
  • It's been an odd day! - As most of you have probably already heard, I was in a car accident this morning. I will now answer your questions that you are thinking in your head Yes, ...
    16 years ago
  • AWESOME!!! - I don't think there is anything more funny than watching Gremlins in spanish!!!
    16 years ago

Search This Blog

Blog Archive