Two of a kind

The other day I decided that I should try to take a picture of Titus in his ACU Wildcats onesie so that I can mail it in to hopefully be published in their quarterly magazine. That morning when Aaris woke up she wanted to wear her new Ariel necklace and insisted that she needed to pick a shirt with purple and in it to match the necklace. Of course everything I picked out was not right in her opinion. She finally spotted her ACU onesie (don't ask me why her 12 month sized onesie was still in her closet) and decided that was the perfect match for her necklace. Much to my surprise, we were actually able to snap her onesie on her. So, I just had to take pictures of my two kids in their matching (literally same size and all) ACU Wildcat onesies!!!

check-up shocker

Today was Titus's 12 month doctor's check-up. He got a good report. But, I must say that there was on obvious observation which the doctor and I discussed and tried to solve: his drop in weight. When they put him on the scale I was expecting a number in the 20's, but my jaw dropped and I was completely shocked to see that he was only 17.8 lbs. This is only a 0.8 weight gain since his 9 month appointment, and it puts him in the -5% for his age. After thinking about it, it made more sense. Titus never even tried to move until he was 9 months. So all of his movement and activity has only occurred in the last 3 months. Plus, he's a very picky eater (unless you are talking about dessert)!!! And, well, let's face it, his daddy is a very strong man, but not the biggest in stature. So, Titus, you (and maybe your buddy, Cohen) might just need to consider an activity like soccer in the future where you can be fast and strong, but you don't have to be tall or big. Oh, and by the way Titus did grow 1 1/2 inches (29 total) which puts him in the 25%, and he has a head circumference in the 50% (hope that means he's really smart :) ). And, I had to post this picture of Titus I took today because it just makes me laugh. No one can tell him that he's not tough and a force to be reckoned with! :)

Titus's Birthday Party

Titus is not going to be a party animal. And, as we discovered, he really doesn't like parties at all...especially ones that involve singing "Happy Birthday" and a lit candle! We had some of his other baby friends over on Thursday night of his actual birthday for a party. He cried at his cake, but managed to eat one or two bites. Then, he was interested in some presents, but not in the opening of the presents in general. But, after most everyone left and we got the toys out of the boxes, he was so happy and excited. He really, really likes his new drums! We did stop to take a family picture. I'm so proud of the family God has blessed me with. They are loving and Christ focused and that makes my life fulfilled and successful. On Friday we went up to Lewisville because my very talented brother was performing with his amazing all men's choir called Vocal Majority. On Saturday morning we had another birthday celebration for Titus. We lit the candle and started to sing when all of the sudden Titus cried and screamed in sheer terror. He really was upset at the cake, candle, and singing. So, we had to take the cake away, out of his sight completely. (Oh, and Aaris just loves singing "Happy Birthday" in all of her pretend play, but that too drives him to tears). We opened some fun presents from his Mimi, Papaw, and his Aunt and Uncles. He again, didn't care about opening anything, but he did want to help mom assemble toys. Part of being a parent is appreciating each child for their unique differences. Titus is nothing like me in his social demeanor, much too reserved and introverted for my taste, but he is such a cuddle bug and loving boy one-on-one, and that is something I treasure and wouldn't change. So, go on Titus and be your unique self.

In celebration of his past 12 months, here are 12 things about Titus:

12. He voices his opinion

11. He loves to wave at people especially when he is accomplishing something that he is proud of (like climbing the playscape at Chick-fil-a)

10. He likes to turn pages in books, point, play peek-a-boo, and brush his hair if you give him a brush (just another sign of being stuck in a situation where he mainly observes us girls all day long).

9. He loves to play with toys that require a skill and concentration

8. He babbles lots of sounds like mama, dada, ba (ball), and even papa (papaw), but I'm not sure if he always directs them to things purposely

7. He cruises furniture, pushes his walker, and likes to walk holding your hand

6. He adores Aaris and wants to be wherever she is and do whatever she does

5. He totally understands the word "no" and will completely obey and stop whatever he was doing wrong....I doubt this will always be the case, but I'll enjoy it while it lasts

4. He loves to play "I'm going to get you" (game of tag and tickle), and a "copy me" game where he does something and he wants you to copy him (shake head, blink his eyes, click his tongue)

3. He loves to sing!!! His favorite tune is the melody from the "Little Mermaid" when Ariel losses her voice. (No, it's not very masculine, but Aaris sings it constantly, so the boy doesn't have much choice)

2. I sing him a song in the rocking chair right before every nap, but I can never make it through without Titus giving me at least 2-3 (sometime, 9-10) huge, open mouth kisses.

1. He has the best smile ever!!! A true Titus smile includes showing both his top teeth and bottom teeth, and of course wrinkling his nose

Titus is ONE!!!!

Today Joe Titus Dennington is One year old!!! He was born on September 20, 2006 at 10:10 am and weighed in at 5 lbs 9 oz and 19 inches long.

Here's a look back over the last 12 months:

Ready, but not quite willing

Today I went and bought Titus his official first pair of walking shoes. I think he really liked them because tonight was the first time he ever pushed one of my hands away and wanted to walk around all over the place just holding one of my hands. And, he did everything he could to keep walking by avoiding anything that was an obstacle. So, now he is ready to go, but not quite willing to let go, yet.

Oh, and as a side note...those are shorts, but the poor boy inherited my short legs, so they look like capris on him. :)

Which will it be?

Today was an interesting day. Aaris's little personality fights between trying to be a big kid, but still naturally needing to stay the child that she is. I pulled out her Halloween costume from last year to see if it fit because she says she wants to be Tigger again this year. We tried it on, and even though it could possibly work, I think we will still be looking for a new one...but Aaris doesn't think so yet. At nap time she didn't want me to take it off of her. She was just having too much fun pretending to be Tigger. So when I went in her room to get her up from nap, I found her sound asleep still wearing Tigger...hood and all. It was so precious, and I just loved seeing my little girl like that. So, then after dinner we decided to pull out the roller skates Aaris got for her birthday. In the past she has been very timid of them because of her lack of control in them. But, tonight, as soon as I put them on her, she refused to let me help her and insisted that she could skate all by herself. She said, "I want to be a big kid like the other big kids". She was so brave and went from holding onto furniture to letting go and beaming with self-confidence. She really did so great rolling all over the place downstairs. We did hold her hands on the way to mailbox because we live on a hill. On the way back I told her she had done a good job and we could just pull her back home as a treat. But, she said, "No, this is good exercise right?" Of course, I said yes. "Exercise will make me feel good, right?", was her reply. I answered back, "Yes, it makes you healthy and strong". Aaris then determinedly said, "Then, I don't won't to roll back, I want to exercise." Oh, sometimes she so desperately wants to grow up fast and be that big kid. She keeps me guessing each day...which will it be today: the little girl I don't want to go away yet, or the big kid that is fighting inside of her to grow up fast. They both amaze me.

A league of her own

Tonight we played outside after Aaron got home. Aaris decided to show us how baseball players hit the ball. This usually lasts about 2-3 swings. Well, tonight it lasted about 100. She just kept going and going. She was very upset when I made her finally stop so we could go in for baths. Of course I'm her mom and very biased, but I must say that she was very good. I played softball two seasons and tried my hardest to get walked every time up to bat because I just really was not good at it. It really is one of my least favorite sports to watch because the pace it too slow... frankly, I'm just not the most patient person (really praying about that these days). But, if she keeps this up, I just might have to enjoy it anyway. :)

(These pictures are definitely worth clicking on and enlarging...her expressions are too cute)