Parenthood and More

So, I began this post a while ago...hence the 2008-2009 transition:

Wow, it's hard to believe that 2009 is already here!!!! Looking back on 2008, so much has taken place in our lives. If you have been reading along, then you are well aware of most of the major comings and goings of our family. 2008 truly was a year marked by much joy and celebration!

Fastforward now to Christmas 2008, and oh boy did we ever have fun this year! Although we should reassure family and friends here of our enjoyment of past holiday get-togethers as well. 2008 had more of a magical and complete feel to it. Dave and I have longed for children for a very long time. While I will spare you the recount of our own journey through infertility, I will say that Jonatan has been far more than we ever fathomed in a son or daughter. As the holidays, birthdays, and typical get-togethers have flown by, we have always felt a void in our own family.

It was an absolute delight to watch as Jonatan woke up Christmas morning to gifts at his bedside. His wide-eyed excitement as he tore into gifts--and, I must say with much more zeal and confidence than even in September at his birthday!

And now, as we approach February, Jonatan is welcoming his last molar and completed this morning 4 nights of solid sleep in his own bed and room! We were actually thinking that the independent sleeping would be a long challenge for all of us, but it turns out that he seems very comfortable in his new room and bed. I think that it has helped that there has always been a bed in that room, we have played in there with him all along, and even slept in there as a family when our house was full at Thanksgiving. So, all said, we are hoping that he continues to feel just as comfortable, as Papa and Mama are so very excited to have their room back! Ha!

Today, Dave and I were completely cracking up over how much Jonatan can eat! We are thinking that he is now venturing into another growth spurt...let me just recount two meals in the last day of eating...so, yesterday, he actually ate a little more than 1/2 a rotisserie chicken (not 1/2 cup...an actual half a bird!), about 1/2 cup of rice and beans, cauliflower, and a banana at one meal...this was after having 2 helpings of cheerios, yogurt, and blueberries for breakfast and a midmorning snack of fish crackers, raisins, and nuts! And then tonight(Dave took us to one of his favorite Chinese buffets) he ate about 1/2 cup of green beans and brocolli, 1/2 cup of rice, 3 wings, 2 cheese puff somethings, a slice of turkey, a helping of salmon, a 1/2 dozen or so clams, 4 king crab legs and an actually half crab (the crab and clams were actually intended for me, but I ended up feeding him all of it!!!!!), 1 spring roll, some kiwi and ice cream to top it all off! Holy cow! It is so hard to believe that a toddler can pack that much food away! You wouldn't even know it by looking at him! Crazy! (And, just to dispell any possible wonderings...he has no intestinal parasites that we are aware of...we cleared those tests back in the summer! Ha!)

Parenthood continues to be a journey. Jonatan is a sweet and gentle little guy. He is an absolute cuddle bug and has a love language that begs for time spent and touch. It is so very fun watching him grow and take in new things and experiences. He has a real desire to learn and is constantly investigating the things of our house and surrounding area. Walks around the block can take the better part of an hour because he is so fascinated with everything from hugging trees to smelling things like bushes that don't have much of a smell at this time of year! Too cute! He is a real socialite once he warms up to folks. We are finding that he enjoys sort of hanging back and taking things in when he first meets people, but typically warms up pretty quickly. He loves to talk, sing, jump, and play football and hockey these days. As for language learning, he has now mastered 1-5 in English and Spanish and is on his way to singing the alphabet in English and Spanish. One thing that has fascinated me with his development in this area is how intrigued he is when he sees letters on signs, shirts, cars, etc. He is quick to announce "There's the alphabet Papa/Mama!", and then will want to take the time to review letters (another reason why our walk around the block takes so long...realty signs are very intriguing these days! Smile.).

This will have to be a post to be continued...until then, ¡Buenas noches y Dios bendice!