Our first official word is...

..."uh-oh!"

As of New Year's Day, Torin is officially talking, saying "uh-oh" all the time. Also, as of today, he can say "ca-ca" (for "cracker"). The folks at daycare have told me that he can also say "mo" (for "more"; he has been doing the sign for "more" for a couple of weeks now) and "meow" when shown a picture of a cat.

Just within the past couple of weeks, he has begun to make strides in his speech. We'll continue with his speech therapy to strengthen his tongue and facial muscles, and I'm sure he'll be saying plenty more in no time at all.

No more bottles = one sad mama

It's been 36 hours since Torin has had a bottle. I don't know whether I'm speaking too soon, but it looks as if we're finished with bottles for good. The transition has been a lot less painful than I had imagined. He has protested a little bit, but I think it's mainly because he's teething. We've been able to preoccupy him with toys and books and Yo Gabba Gabba. Because he is now able to eat three solid meals a day, plus snacks and sippy-cup drinks, it's simply time to move onward and upward.

My little Pookie isn't such a little Pookie anymore. He's my big boy. I'm so proud of him.

Happy New Year from the T family!

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day were a quiet affair for the T family this year. Joey and I watched several episodes of The Walking Dead last night, and we toasted 2012 with scotch (for me) and Diet Pepsi (for him) at midnight. Then today, after an oatmeal breakfast for Pookie, and later, lunch for us all at Culver's (one of our favorite places for burgers), we drove around in the country for a bit. Then we headed home and played outside with the Cozy Coupe. All was good and happy and peaceful. Just what I wanted.

With the arrival of 2012, I look forward to more loving and learning and living. Pookie has helped us all to grow so much as a family over the past 15 months, and just think of all the growing we still have ahead of us!