TODDLER TALK // LU LATELY

i haven't done a recent luca stat post in some time & i just have to share with you some of the funny things that have been coming out of this little man's mouth lately. it's so astonishing to me what a world of difference six short months make for. i dropped lu off at the gym's childcare the other day & as i was signing him in i spotted the cutest little boy wobbling around trying to steady his sea legs. he must have been about one year old. he was so squishy and itty bitty. i couldn't help but reminisce to the days when L was that small. little L looks nothing like a baby anymore, and with a heavy heart i confess we have officially entered the toddler phase. please hold for a moment as i grab myself a tissue to wipe my tears. motherhood is so so bittersweet.

i've collected myself, ok deep breath, back to the point...

lu and all his new unique little mannerisms rule the roost over here. if it's ok with you, i thought i would compile a list of some of our best moments lately. i'll try to keep it short and sweet, but this is a mom talking about her child, so i'm not making any promises.

the latest stats of luca lennox wood:
age: 19 months
height: in the 97th percentile, at 37 inches (aka 3'1")
weight: in the 97th percentile, at 29 lbs
favorite toy: bouncy balls and cars/trains
favorite book: "little blue truck leads the way" by Alice Schertle
favorite shows: mickey mouse clubhouse, tickety tock, jake & the neverland pirates, and zou
favorite movies: the grinch (original cartoon), any of the "wee sing" collection, but his favorites are the marvelous musical mansion, the big rock candy mountains, and wee sing together. these are older films from when i was a kid, but i assure you they stand the test of time. if your little loves music & loves to dance, i highly recommend them. and bonus, they are embedded with tons of good lessons for your baby with themes like sharing, friendship, and kindness!
favorite activity: dancing
favorite food: cheese (this is a wood family thing)
favorite songs: the itsy bitsy spider, "hot dog" from mickey mouse clubhouse and "snuggle puppy" by eric stoltz
favorite word: more! or "mo!!!!!" with mouth in the shape of an "o"
favorite ipad app (yep, went there): Peekaboo Barn (i'll do a post on our favorite apps soon)

the many quirks and peculiarities of mr. luca lennox:

we have a mini decision maker in the house, although miles and i often question the democracy over here.
the inevitable "no" has made its way into lu's vocabulary...
me: "lu, do you want to eat dinner?"
luca: "NO!"
me: "do you need a diaper change?"
luca: "NO!"
me: "want to read this book?"
luca: "NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!"
sometimes theres an "uhhhh...(long pause)....no!" which makes me feel slightly better knowing that at least he gave it some thought, right?

we also know "yes," although this word is used more sparingly.
me: want to watch mickey mouse clubhouse?
luca: "yaaaaaa!"
me: "want some snacks?"
luca: "yaaaaaa!"
me: "want to go to granny's house?"
luca: "ya ya ya yaaaaa!"
are you seeing the trend of what he answers yes to?

i always swore i wouldn't be a mother to bargain with her children. well, this mama recants. it's a continuous barter system over here at casa de wood. when lu becomes upset because of a diaper change or whatever, i'll say, "bath time?!" to which L  screams "baaaaa!" (bath!)  in approval as he starts shedding clothes and running to the tub. & when he's livid about bath time coming to an end, i'll come in with "how about we read "little blue truck!" & just like that, the pout concludes.

lu can now count up to four, although his favorite number is "theee!"

while watching one of his favorite shows, 'jake and the neverland pirates,' lu sings along with the theme song (the best to his ability). you'll hear him humming along and nodding his head with approval, and then he'll chime in right at the end. the end of the song sings, "jake and the neverland pirates and me!" he'll bounce around with anticipation, and then finally he'll hop in & scream at the top of his lungs, "and meeeeeeeeeee!" and of course he knows the pirate password, do you? well i'll let you in on a little secret it's, "yo ho ho!"

lu's favorite thing in the world is skateboarding. he loves watching skateboarding, any apparel with skateboards on it, going to the skatepark with "daaa," i could go on and on. but the cutest thing is how he says skateboard.  "duboard."

while holding lu in my arms he'll point to me "mama" and then point to himself "bee bee." and then he'll come in with puckered lips for a big smooch. my heart melts away and everything is right in the world.

lu is really into mickey "mouuuu," not mouse. and he loves his mickey stuffed doll. he tucks him into bed, he tosses him in the air like we do to him.  he hugs him and loves on him, and since lu was never into stuffed animals before, this is the cutest thing i've ever seen. when i think about having another baby in the future, this just confirms to my heart how great of a big brother lu will be.

manners are a must & thankfully luca is polite as can be, always asking for things with a "peas" and upon his receiving, he'll sign thank you (which looks like he's blowing you a kiss) and he'll hum the sound of thank you in a "hmm hm."

miles taught lu to say "peace!" with the coordinating peace sign. it's so freakin' adorable, i cannot stand it. luca will throw up two fingers into peace and with squinted eyes and a smile overtaking his face, he'll utter "peeeeaaaaaas!" not to be confused with "please" aka "peas."

lu knows every animal sound in the book, and loves to yell "wuff wuff" at any dog we see, but miles and i agree that our favorite is his imitation of a kitty cat which is a squeal in some form of meow. i'll upload a video soon, so we can share in this hilariousness.

this is where i'll end (for now) because, like any other mother, i could go on & on. i'll share more soon, but hope you enjoyed a small snapshot of lu lately.