MY SHADOW

I love these pictures.  The sun was just right today at the park and as we were walking along, I noticed that my little shadow (literally) was following me, so I decided to capture it.

BEST FRIENDS

As much as I complain about Nollie these days and threaten to put her on Craigslist (settle down, it's just a threat), I could never, ever, ever take her away from Rome.  They truly are the best of friends.  The other night I was in my own world cleaning up from dinner or something and noticed that Rome was being quiet.  I turned the corner and found this.  I mean, if that ain't love, I don't know what is.  Rome will randomly walk up to Nollie and just hug her out of nowhere.  He also gives her kisses good night.  I love his kindness and playfulness toward her.  It's a special bond, and one I hope lasts long enough for him to remember.

THIS FACE!

Ok, so Rome has started making this face.  A lot.  I'm not in love with it, but there is part of me that thinks damn, that's cute.  It's his new way of expressing his frustration (which is non-stop these days).  Not unlike me, this kid is an open book.  If he's mad, you're gonna know about it.  If he wants you to shut up, you're gonna know about it.  We were just at daycare the other day and another Mom was picking up her kid and she was talking to Lisa about the day and apparently Rome had something to say and everyone was supposed to shut up and listen.  He made this face, while throwing his arms in the air at the other mother and yelling "eehhhhh!  no, no, no, no".  Luckily, it was at another mother who has the wisdom of knowing that this is, indeed, a normal kid.  I know he'll grow out of it, but I also want to remember this expressive face and phase of his life.  I get it...it must be extremely frustrating living in a world where you understand most of what is happening around you, but you can't respond appropriately by expressing yourself through verbal communication quite yet.  We'll get there, but until we do....eehhhhh!

SUMMER HUT TRIP

Aaaaaahhhh!  One of our most treasured Colorado gems - the "hut trip".  We could never thank our friends Courtney and Ozzie enough for introducing us to the 10th Mountain Division Huts.  What a treat!  If you've been following the blog for a while, you know this wasn't our first hut trip.  This was Rome's 3rd tour.  This time, we rented out two of the cabins and had about 15 adults and 5 kids.  It was an absolute blast and always nice to escape the city livin' for a weekend (not to mention the record-setting heat wave we've had this summer)!

Daddy showin' Rome some grillin' techniques

My lover boys

Rome and Finley - they both look like "what'd I do?  it wasn't me, I swear"

Hiking

Momma took over carrying for a while so Daddy could rest his knee

Love this face

Deep contemplation...

What up dude?

Rome trying to make a friend...she doesn't seem interested.

Bah!

Yes, that's a beer can.

ROME - 15 MONTHS

Rome Robert Bostic AKA Mr. Independent.

I love you more and more each and every day.  You are becoming so grown up and it's harder and harder for me to let go of the "baby" in you.  You are still an inquisitive little monkey.  You love to see and touch new things, and you still put most things in your mouth for a taste, although you're getting better at knowing what is meant for eating and what is not.  You now know the word "no" quite well.  In fact, you use it when you know you're doing something wrong.  You'll look at me with your mischievous grin, then start to do something (like put sticks in your mouth) and then look back at me like "just kidding...wink, wink" while you shake your head and say "no, no".

You're starting to make animal noises.  Doggies are your favorite.  Anytime you see a dog you say "woof, woof".  Actually, anytime you hear a siren from inside the house, you say it too.  We actually just recently figured out that you're probably barking at sirens because that's what all the dogs do (they're so much smarter than we think)!  Here's a list of other words you're saying:

Doggie, Stick, Tree, Truck, Thank You, Please, This, That, Bus, Airplane (only happened once, but sounded like airplane), All Clean (when brushing the sand off your hands), Snack (referring to any type of food)...and more.

However, you mostly say "eh, eh, eh" while pointing to something.  You also like to sing and hum.  You sing in the car and in the stroller and you hum whenever you walk.  You've always been my little caveman, and you still make those prehistoric sounds too.  Just recently, you've been exploring your soprano voice and screaming at the top of your lungs when you get excited.  I know, I know...it must be a lot to think about all at once.  Putting one foot in front of the other, looking at a whole new world from a new level, discovering new things, and trying to tell me what you want all at the same time.  We do our best at communicating and when we can't communicate effectively, we just try to make each other laugh instead.  I hope that's how we stay forever.

I love you Mr. Independent!  And if you do, indeed, stay independent forever, I'll just keep encouraging you and I'll be right behind you every step you take...hanging on to that sweet little baby in you that changed my life forever.