Making Progress

We took Reese to the Gastroenterologist today for his year check up. I was excited to hear him say we can add soy to his diet and if all goes well at 18 months we can try real dairy products. My poor baby needs cheese and ice cream!

Little Rascal

Reese has been learning lots of new things lately. He has been demonstrating his new climbing skills for me quite a bit. One of his favorite new toys is his slide. We brought the slide home on a Sunday evening and tried to show him how to climb the two steps. He would have no part of the climbing, but loved for us to sit him on the top and let him slide.

To my surprise on Monday morning I turned around to find him climbing the steps and sitting himself on top of the slide. He loves it!

On an even more dangerous note, he has discovered that he can remove the covers from the electrical outlets. Last week I put a baby gate in front of the outlet that he targets. He quickly decided that he doesn't mind climbing behind the gate or just turning it over to get to the outlet.

Yesterday I put painters tape over the outlet and covers, but he proceeded to pull the tape off and sling it around the house. My next course of action was to move his toy shelf in front of the outlet. A few times he tried to squeeze behind the shelf, but eventually gave up. This morning he had a better idea... why not use those new climbing skills. This is how I caught him...

Oh my little rascal!

July 4th

We celebrated July 4th with the DeRoberts and Morgans. Though it was not Reese's first 4th, it was his first one with us. He had fun with the big boys!

Getting ready for the pool!
Mr Cool in Daddy's glasses

Drying off after a trip to the pool.

Cheering on the "big boys" playing corn hole

Going to sleep with Maw Maw

Water Park Fun

Last week we introduced Reese to the Water Park at our YMCA. The first day I was alone with him, so there aren't any pictures. (My hands were occupied holding on to him!) He wasn't sure about it at first, but he quickly warmed up to it and had fun. Later in the week, we went back (with Bryan this time) and he enjoyed it again.

A view of the water park.

Showing off his pool attire.

Inspecting the situation


Taking a juice break

Mr. Cool drying off before going home.

Summer Discoveries

Yesterday we took Reese to the dentist for the first time. I know, I am crazy for taking a 1 year old to the dentist. We have more than one reason why we felt like this was important, but I won't bore you with that. He did well for the most part. There were tears, but no meltdowns. Bryan went to the same practice when he was a child and all the long time staffers said that Reese is a better patient than his Daddy.

Reese also went to the play pool at the Y for the first time. He wasn't so sure about it at first, but he quickly warmed up and enjoyed himself. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures. Holding on to him in a pool takes both hands! Our next visit will definitely be a two man trip!

Back to the meltdowns... we have been having quite a few of those this week. I never knew my sweet baby could be so loud and obnoxious. He definitely has a temper on him! Dr. Kris said that he has 3 molars coming in, so maybe that explains some of the grumpiness.

Last night we went to dinner with Maw Maw & Paw Paw and Chris & Kathie. After dinner, Reese discovered his tongue! He loves to look at himself in the mirror and I was sticking my tongue out at him. He decided to try it and started sticking his tongue out at himself in the mirror. As soon as the tongue comes out he bursts into giggles.

We had our bi-annual Foster Care Review Board meeting this morning. They again made the recommendation to proceed with TPR and adoption. Following the meeting Crystal, Reese's case worker, hopped in the car with us and we went down the street to the Sheriff's department. We took Reese into a conference room and a deputy "served" papers to him. This was the official way of notifying him of our upcoming August court date. At that hearing we are hoping to get the date for the TPR hearing (Termination of Parental Rights). Crystal feels certain that we will be able to finalize by the end of the year. Let's hope she's right!