Memorial Day

We had a great Memorial Day together as Ross was home and the sun was shinning bright despite a rainy forecast. Ross and I worked in the yard during Wyatt's morning nap pulling weeds and filled up a wheelbarrow and half a trash can just from around the old rotten tree stump that sits smack dab in the middle of our yard. The previous owner tried to dress it up with big rocks around it and today we added some iris' but I'm not sure it did too much for our curb appeal. Hopefully this will be the last summer with that darn thing in the front yard!

We capped off the day with a barbecue complete with hamburgers, corn on the cob and chocolate chip cookies. Our back deck is the best place to be at dusk with the cool breeze and the rhododendrons just starting to bloom. We even heard some thunder off in the distance reminding us that you can never count on spring-like weather in the Northwest, even in the end of May, and what do you know, it poured buckets this evening.

Wyatt helped dad with the chores this morning, doing his part in unloading the dishwasher. He then helped me fold the laundry... well actually I folded it and he tossed it up the air over his head but who's keeping track.

Later, Wyatt practiced his walking, choosing to push his walker along instead of sitting inside of it. His walking has improved so much over the last few weeks and Ross even caught him standing up without holding onto anything today if only for a few seconds.

Wyatt is also beginning to understand certain words and phrases and it's so neat to see the light bulb go on when he finally gets what we are saying. Recent words/phrases he understands are...
-Juice? (He either shakes his head no or opens his mouth to answer this question).
-No! (Although he usually laughs at me when I say it and keeps doing whatever it is he is not supposed to be doing).
-No mouth! (Meaning don't suck on the diaper cream or put my slippers in your mouth).
-Come here. (He comes crawling as fast has his little arms and legs will take him).
-Go find mom/dad. (This is how we kick off our infamous hide-and-seek games).
-Good. (He says a word sounding similar to good when he likes the food we are feeding him).
-Snack?/Food? (This usually sends him charging toward us for something to eat).

Today he also waved goodbye for the first time when Ross left to take his truck to Jiffy Lube. Ross thought I was the one shaking Wyatt's arm like usual but was pretty excited to learn that the kiddo is figuring it out.

The best part of this week was when Wyatt started to give us kisses. He hasn't grasped the concept of puckering or that less is more when it comes to slobber but he puts his mouth on ours and it melts our hearts.

And in honor of Memorial Day, we can't thank those of you who have served in the armed forces enough for your sacrifices and service to our country. May God bless all of you.