Daddy has the coolest job EVER!

Daddy is a boys PE teacher at a Christian school. According to BJ, it is the coolest job ever. Why? Because there are balls galore to play with when we go visit daddy! Since we only live 2 miles from the school, BJ and I try to make a date with daddy at least once a week during a free period.

As soon as BJ recognizes the gym building, he starts saying, "ball, Ball, BALL!" (Yes, he gets louder as we approach the building). The (first) ball that is referring to is the tennis ball that sits on Daddy's bookcase in his office, set aside specifically for BJ.

As soon as BJ gets his hands on the tennis ball he throws it. Then he starts saying, "ball, ball, ball" and points to the corner of the office where, low and behold, 6 basketballs are kept.

But daddy's job doesn't only have balls. They have other cool things like scarfs...

gymnastic mats...

and, well, more balls!!!

In case you're wondering, BJ only has 1 word in his vocabulary...ball. Anything and everything that is round is a ball (tomatoes, lights, tops of banisters and railings). BJ is very observant and will point out these "balls" wherever we go. Kinda makes you wonder if he specifically looks for them as we go out.

Patuxent Wildlife Refuge

A few weekends ago the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge had a 108th Birthday celebration. It was a free event (we like free!) and there was live animals (mostly reptiles) and fun birthday activities (like tattoos and a scavenger hunt). We had a great time enjoying God's creation!

BJ holding a turtle shell. He really liked the shell and called it a "ball."

BJ petting a beaver (don't worry...it is not alive!)

Strolling around the indoor exhibits with Daddy.

Learning about the ocean.

BJ's first tattoo! Hopefully, all future tattoos will be temporary as well. Or at least say "MOM" :)

Exploring one of the nature trails.

Posing in front of the pond.

This is my kind of gym!

Today, BJ and I went to the Elite Gym for a drop-in tumble session. (Usually, we go to Ladies Bible Study at our church on Fridays but we didn't have it due to the couples retreat this weekend.) BJ had a blast and it only costs $4 per session! We might make this a weekly event!

BJ LOVED the foam block pit! He just sat in it and tossed the blocks out of the pit.

Of course, it wouldn't be a good day if we didn't play with balls!

14 months is so much fun!

BJ is really starting to show some personality. He makes me laugh all the time at the crazy things he does.
He found a new favorite place to play:


A fun, cozy place to read books:


When he yells, BJ makes an "L" with his fingers (he thinks this is hilarious!).


BJ only likes to feed himself with the left hand (but he holds his spoon with the right hand).

BJ is starting to walk a lot more now. Crawling is still faster but he chooses to walk every once in a while. He is also starting to exhibit "stranger danger," which makes church, food shopping, and just going out in public a little more difficult. BJ doesn't even like people looking at him. And since BJ is just so stinking cute SO many people like to say hi :) Eventually he'll grow out of it. But until then, I'll just enjoy the cuddle time while he cries.

All in a Week's Work

There has been a lot of activity in the Deschaine household this past week. I have been wanting to post a blog for a while but things keep coming up! So I am taking advantage of BJ's nap today to post a few pictures.

Last week (could've been the week before) we had about 4 inches of snow. Brian and I were so excited to bring BJ outside. He has boots and snow pants that he has not worn yet! So I bundled him all up while Brian was shoveling the snow. When we brought BJ outside...well, let's just say it's good that it doesn't snow that often in Maryland! BJ did NOT like the snow at all! He wouldn't touch it, didn't want to sit in it. All he wanted was to be held. Needless to say, we didn't stay outside too long.

My poor attempt at a snowman. I haven't made one in years and since BJ didn't enjoy being outside I didn't put much effort into it. The snowman only had a body. No head, no arms, no nothing.


BJ is slightly content on daddy's lap.

Don't let me touch the snow, daddy!

Now that BJ is getting older we needed to pack up some of his "baby" toys. Brian took apart some of BJ's larger toys (walker, jumper, etc.). After months of neglect BJ suddenly became very interested in the toys that were being put away.

And for the BIG news...BJ took his first steps on February 4th! Every night Brian and I help BJ walk between the two of us. He very much prefers crawling and only walks when we make him do it. He only takes 3 or 4 steps on his own. Pretty soon he'll be running!!

One Year, One Month, One Day, One Hour, One Minute Old

Yes, I actually timed this to take the photo at 6:08pm on January 30th.

The Joys of Parenting

There are so many times that I just laugh out loud at BJ. He is now putting things"in" and "on". In the bathtub he has 3 plastic balls that he likes to put "in" the rinse cup. Today, BJ and daddy were playing in the kitchen and daddy had a cup of apple juice. Daddy was momentarily distracted and BJ put one of his balls in the cup! It was too funny!

We also made a fort in the living room today. BJ loved it!