And theTables Have Turned...

Well - as we speak - Ross is still experimenting with his new found tactic - tantrums when it's nap time.  I thought this wouldn't happen until he was at least 18 months or older.  He's quite the performer.  He started it yesterday.  Steve and I were both bewildered when he was screaming his little guts out for about 15 minutes before passing out into dreamland.  Ross NEVER does that.  He has ALWAYS been so good about going to sleep.  If anything he would just chatter to himself until he fell asleep after being put in his bed.  It seems as of yesterday his room was as nice a place as roaming through a barren desert.  We'd walk in there with him to change him or get something and he would start his fake crying.  When he first started his tantrum during nap time, Steve and I thought something was wrong - so we got him back up twice...both times the second you picked him up - happiness and laughter...the kind of laughter that makes you feel like the victim of a bad joke.  Now we parents may be a bit thick - but after the third time of getting him up we caught on...and after 15 minutes of tantrumming he was out for the count in the weirdest position you could imagine.  A favorite of mine was having his face smashed up against the netting of one of the sides with his leg propped up on the other.  Should have taken a picture - darn.
Today apparently is no different.  He's given up though after 5 minutes this time.  Hopefully he'll catch on.  He's had a bit of a runny/congested nose lately - so the blue bulb has become a foe of his.  I used to be able to give him a toy to distract him and he wouldn't care, but after a few times - this smart cookie caught on - he's fought me every time the bulb comes in sight.  I've found though - he's been fake crying more and more.  Huge tantrum this morning while I was sucking his nose out, but the second I was done - happy as a pig in a poke...so - it's time to figure out the tantrum stage I guess and not jump every time he cries.  
Cute Ross is getting more independent as we speak.  He loves practicing standing up - unless he's in a position that he thinks is too tricky for him.  He likes scaling the couch and sometimes practicing walking around - his feet are still trying to catch on to that one.  He loves to play with cords...and doesn't like being taken away from them.  If you call him on it - he just tries to throw you one of his winning smiles to assure you he has everything under control.  And then looks at you with disbelief and a touch of disdain as you drag him away from the "not for babies" area.  I think one of his favorite toys is a toy hammer used to smack balls into a drum bucket.  We like to yell "Hammer!" like Thor whenever he's playing with it.  
Ross also likes to use you to get where he's going.  He has no problem grabbing, twisting, pulling, or smacking any part of you to scramble to something he sees.  He has become the ultimate bottomless pit when it comes to finger foods or any real people food you give him.  I have to stop him eating at times because I'm worried he's over doing it and will get a belly ache.  Today he ate yogurt, cheeries, scrambled egg, toast, and a bit of sausage...and I had to stop it again.  He could care less about strained foods now and gets mad when you offer it to him.  
I've also found Ross is a player.  Last night we went with our friends the Listers to Red Robin for dinner (I had to get out after 3 days of Ross's cold and being stuck inside).  The waitress doted over him and was trying to get him to smile when we first sat down...he just stared at her with his big blue eyes and then showed off how he can put cheerios in his mouth.  When she came back - another waitress had stopped to coo at him and he smiled at the her right in front of our waitress.  Of course jealousy occurred and Ross just relished in it.  He would try and slump all "Joe Cool" like in his high chair swinging his legs nonchalantly drinking his sippy cup and snacking on his cheerios.  Finally towards the end he gave our waitress a smile.  Obviously he wanted to leave with her wanting more.  Haha - I'm not sure what we're going to do with him.  ;)  We had a good laugh though.
I think I could go on for ages about Ross - how he likes to poke out his belly when he's getting frustrated or likes to be swung around everywhere, or still sucks on his toes, and gives slobbery mouth kisses, or will choose one person that makes him cry whenever he looks at them (when he's in a grumpy mood) and then will love them the next day.  How he loves baths and trying to stand up in the bath, or watching cars go by outside.  He just is a bundle of fun.
Steve survived another grueling week of tests.  He didn't come home each night until at least 8 - which made for pretty long days.  It was like being in single mom mode.  He did well though - and we're happy.
We did pretty well with our tax return which has allowed the moon and stars to align so I can get a nice SLR camera.  I'm so excited - I've been researching for a while.  I have just resurfaced as well because I got addicted to another book.  Yes - that's why blogging has taken a bit.  The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton is quite the read.  I couldn't put it down.  It's about a girl that was found on a dock from a voyage from England to Australia with no one to claim her.  A family takes her in, she grows up, finds out half the mystery and then passes away only for her granddaughter to solve the rest.  The characters were so bright and then dark and the mystery was killing me the whole time.  It was super tempting to read the end of the book about a bajillion times.  I was kind of creeped out the entire read too.  I loved it because it would jump from time periods giving you clues here and there of what had happened.  I totally recommend it if you want a page turner.  Absolutely delicious.  
I supposed I need to start cleaning again and being productive when Ross is asleep instead of curling up with my book every spare moment.  That's what happens - every time!  
Anyway - there's an update. :)

Attempting to climb up...

The "stuck" position

Halfway there...

He has so many hilarious little faces...what a goof :)

So this is my Valentine's wreath - yes a DIY one - I've finally started on one of those things.  It's supposed to be a heart - but I couldn't find one, and was happy just to get a wreath itself!  This is where I got the idea.

What a cute boy...mmmm - just love him!

    
Ross is playing with his toys above and showing off his new learned skills below. :)