The big little guy!

It's getting to the point where calling him "Baby Crash" makes less and less sense. He's getting so big!

At his last appointment, his progress with eating got him several pounds bigger!

He's also gaining language! I must have forgotten how easy sign language is for like guys, because we just kind of decided to teach him a few, and he's already got "milk" and "change" and "more".

As for spoken language, he's said three things, though he's not reliable at saying them: "Hi," "Ball," and "Dip." But you can tell he understands so much more. Just this morning, I asked DanPar for a plate, but instead, who should open the cabinet and hang me one but the Unstoppable Crash Boy!

The boys are also, finally, playing well together. Problems with sharing seem to have no end in sight, but the sweet boys love to run around, chasing each other, falling down, and going down slides.

But oh man. Crash is also undergoing sleep regression, when he starts to sleep more like a newborn at night. And he's got some molars coming in, which are causing him trouble. So he's a real handful at night, and it's got me thinking about how nice it would be to not have kids. You can't call in sick, any free time you get has to be negotiated, and even taking a shower takes forethought. And when I do get time to myself, it's simply the good and healthy thing to take a nap and try and get some sleep back. But man, not much free time awake means all the things I want to do have to take a backseat.

I spent New Year's organizing the basement, and it was amazing. Just to have free time spent not doing something for the kids, and not having to consider the kids.

Creepy!

Getting a head start on taxes. Smart boy!

But they are sweet boys. Good boys. Being a Dad is what I'm best at (although I'm far from perfect), and if I hadn't had these kids, I don't think I ever would've wanted to do anything with my free time beyond play videogames and think about the things I'd make when I'm not lazy. Being forced to not be lazy is quite a powerful medicine.

But I'm getting off-track. Crash is getting older, smarter, and stronger. He's learning to be a fun brother and cooperative son. And every day, he smiles more and more, even though his ability to walk has earned him more than a few bumps and bruises. We are truly a family that knows how to rub some dirt in it, and keep going.