April Adventures

We had a very special visit from Nan and Pop!
Nan and Pop are Michael's honorary grandparents that live in Wyoming. They have been Rachel's "second set" of parents for about 25 years. We were thrilled they were able to come for a visit in April. Michael was spoiled absolutely rotten ~ he had Pop to fulfill each and every need/wish! Michael would probably tell you that one of the best things about Nan and Pop's visit was Ziva, their sweet Schnauzer. Michael of course fondly called her, "pup." We can't wait to go visit Nan and Pop in Wyoming!

Fun play dates with friends
Parker

Micah

Zachary

SUPER Fun trip to the Kemah Boardwalk
We went to Kemah with Michael's big buddy Zachary. We played on the splash pad, rode the train and then had to run in the rain!
Michael had the most fun I think I've ever seen him have on the splash pad. This boy loves water!

Easter

Easter Egg Hunt at church on Palm Sunday. He was fascinated by the bubbles bottle. He loves bubbles.

Michael's basket on Easter Sunday Morning

Easter Sunday

Easter Egg Hunt in our backyard
Michael really enjoyed hunting for eggs. He got the hang of it quickly and was so proud when he found each egg!

March Adventures

Planting a Tomato Garden with Daddy

Fun on a Rainy Day
I pulled him around the house in this laundry basket and he thought it was the greastest thing and laughed, laughed, laughed! He then decided to pull a few of his "friends."

Who knew how much fun you could have with a box of straws? He sat there for a solid five minutes entertaining himself.

Rodeo Fun with the Salzman Family
We were so excited to have the Salzman Family visit for a few days...Michael experienced life with 3 girls!

Zoo
We had a fun day with the Stanley's...should have taken a group photo! Micahel fed lettuce to the giraffes.

Michael at 18 months

Michael's stats at 18 months (March 9, 2012):
weight: 28.44 lbs ~ 80th percentile
height: 36 inches ~ 97th percentile
head circumference ~ 18.90 iches ~ 55th percentile

Favorite Things: his belly button, being on Daddy's shoulders, his sheep, his toy cookie monster, books, brushing his teeth, washing his hands, playing at the park and "cooking"

Favorite Books:
Our Life Book
The Story of Michael Addison Richards by Mommy & Daddy
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton (b/c it has the word "oops", he cracks up laughing every time)
My Very First Book of Words by Eric Carle - he likes to name all the pictures

Favorite Foods:
Grapes, Cheese, Yogurt

Favorite songs:
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
The Itsy Bitsy Spider
ABC's
Ring Around the Rosie (will grab your hands to play and say, "Wing, Wing")
This Little Light of Mine
I'm a Little Teapot (so cute to watch him act this out)
If You're Happy and You Know It

Lots of new words:
peese - "please"
K - okay
down
up
gook - "drink"
way - "put away"
tash - "trash"
graet - "grape"
op - "apple"
cook - can mean "to cook" or "cookie"
knock knock - this is what he says at doors, because when Daddy comes through the door each evening he says, "Knock Knock."
ot - "on" or "off" (light switches, tv, lamps, fans, etc...)
chish - "fish"
cup
hot
cold - he pretends to shiver and hug himself, so cute!
sheep
pup - "dog"
cat
house
plane - he looks for them when he hears them and shouts "plane, plane!"
pouch - he loves Happy Tot's fruit and veggie pouches
squeeze - he either wants us to squeeze his pouch or this refers to play dough
toes
clock
swing
play
bon - "Barney" He loves to watch Barney
spoon
ch - chair
baby - when he sees a baby
hat - he loves to wear hats and likes to point them out
uh-oh
oops
wet - for wet or a wipe
choo choo

We turned Michael's car seat around on his 18 month birthday because he is super long. He loves his new view of the world in his car seat now. He is wearing a size 2T in most things. He is wearing a size 6 or 7 depending on the shoe. He is our constant joy and is at such a super fun age. It is so fun to watch him explore and learn. He does know how to throw a temper tantrum, but they are mostly short lived. He is such a loving child and loves to give hugs and kisses ~ mommy's favorite!

Micahel and His Favorites

(As you can see, Michael likes to share!)

"Mama," Finally!

I know I am behind on my blogging...still need a March/April update, Easter, etc... BUT I have to do this blog update NOW! Michael, at 19 1/2 months, finally said, "MAMA" and has consistently called me "MAMA" for the last 4 days!! I am a VERY HAPPY MAMA!!! I was beginning to really get concerned. He has a large vocabulary, but yet wouldn't say my name until Wednesday. We were at a play date at Parker's house (super cute 2 year old buddy)and Parker was saying Mommy to get his mom's attention. I said to Michael, "See Michael, Parker says Mommy." Then, Michael looked at me and said "Mama!" Just like that. I love my boy and knew he would come around.

Richards Family of Three...For Now

Well, we are beginning our second adoption journey! We are excited to see how the Lord will complete us into a family of 4. We are working with the same wonderful adoption agency that we used for Michael, APO (Aggieland Pregnancy Outreach). We have a home study scheduled for April 13, and should be an "actively waiting" family by May. We are making a new lifebook and had a super fun photo session at Stevenson Park to capture some great pics for the life book (and to frame too!). We covet your prayers for this new journey as we prepare our home and ourselves for a new addition. Michael will be two in September and our hope is that he will become a big brother some time when is two. We will see how the Lord unfolds His plan for our precious family. We want to be on HIS timeline, not ours.