this one is for the grandparents: 19 months

baby suspendersBefore Mateo was born, I had big ideas of taking monthly (possibly weekly?) photos of the little bear and saving all of his milestones along with every photo. Then I realized that I didn’t know how to use my fancy camera, that babies don’t usually cooperate in “photo shoots,” and that I was mighty tired. (and a bit  unorganized). I did take photos (almost) every month but I barely edited any of them. I threw a few on facebook, but honestly most are lost somewhere on my giant hard drive. Shame, shame.

The IDEA was to create a fun photo book to remember that first crazy whirlwind of a year and print off copies for all of the grandparents as well.

For those of you who are awesome and have accomplished taking photos of your children *and* making them into photo books, you guys rock. I see you all over the internet. I wish I was that awesome. Mateo’s grandparents wish I was too. Sorry Noni, Papa, Baka, and Dida.

So Mateo is 19 months old. And hey, now we have the blog! As I said in my introductory post, “let’s document things!” (totally just quoted myself). It’s time to record a few things for the grandparents, and for Mateo to be able to look back one day.

I’ve learned a lot more about my camera since Mateo was born which helps since he’s still not huge fan of photo shoots most of the time. Paparazzi are annoying. I get that.

baby suspenders, 19 months

HERE’S WHAT’S UP @ 19 months (that’s a year & 1/2 + 1 month in normal time):

You flew to Florida to visit your cousins (highlights were being able to run around outside without a jacket and digging in every patch of sand you could find).

In FL you wore a sun hat, fedora, or sunglasses almost the entire time. Um, LOVE that. Last year we couldn’t get you to keep a hat on your head for more than 2 seconds. This year you realize that cute accessories are sometimes practical. You hate the sun glaring in your eyes, and whenever it does, you yell “EYES.”

You were amazing on the plane and I thank you very much. Please let that be a foreshadow to our trip to Europe this summer.

You’re starting to become a very affectionate boy. (at least with mama). You kiss and hug me all the time and I love it. I’ve been WAITING for this!

You LOVE being outside (“Ow-SIGH”) and try to break out of “inside” any chance you get.

You had your first Easter Egg hunt with your buddy, Lawrence. You RAN out there with your basket and I was so proud of what a big boy you were…haha, you were actually making a b-line for a pinecone. You kicked a few eggs, threw a few others, but mainly picked up pine cones. You crack me up. :)

You seriously hate coats, but you’re okay with mittens.

baby-suspenders-focusedYou LOVE playgrounds and especially slides. It’s your happy place.

You know how to eat with a fork and a spoon but you still make a ridiculous mess.

You love elephants, giraffes, and trains (choo choo). The Elmo obsession is still strong but “grouch” and “cookie” are sneaking up. (Oscar the grouch and Cookie Monster). side note: You call Big Bird “Apple” for some reason.

If you see me on Pinterest, you insist that I search for and show you photos of “booo” (making the noise of an elephant while lifting your arm as a trunk) or a “waff.” (giraffe). Apparently you don’t care about fashion, interior design or photography as much as I do. That’s okay, I’m glad you “get” Pinterest. ;)

You have taken to calling yourself “you” and like to point to “you” whenever you want something or feel that injustice has happened to “you.”

You’ve been taking the bus a lot with Tata (Aki) and me but you prefer the train a lot more. You love downtown because of all of the elevated trains. (Choo! Choo!!).

You really like pockets. Coat pockets, pants pockets, sweater pockets…

You have a step stool that you like to push around to give yourself a little height boost. I really have to watch you though because you really do push it around everywhere.

You and Tata (“Dad” in Croatian) are no longer on a first name basis. Phew, looks like that was just a phase. BUT, whenever we are having a serious conversation and not paying attention to you, you yell “AKIIIII” and it totally makes us stop, look at you and laugh. Clever boy!

It’s so funny how (without fail) whenever you see a squirrel, or truck, or a train, bus, or plane you always look at me and say, “more.” I don’t quite have the power you think I have. ;)

baby-suspenders-tiptoe

It should be mentioned that although I don’t really like Mateo watching TV or movies, in order to take these photos, I absolutely put on the movie, “Cars” so he wouldn’t run away. I admit it. And it Totally worked. Too bad I didn’t catch him smiling, or ever really figure out the right exposure for taking photos in front of a sunny window…but whatever, I’m glad I turned on the TV and captured him at 19 months. He looked mighty dapper in his handsome outfit.


Because it seems that quite a few people land on this page by googling “toddler suspenders” or “baby suspenders” I thought I should add that Mateo’s pants (and attached suspenders) are from Zara. I don’t know whether his particular trousers are in stock or not, but they always carry some adorable version of shorts or pants with suspenders. So go and put some suspenders on your baby!

 

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32 Thoughts on “this one is for the grandparents: 19 months

  1. JaeHi:

    Thank you Henna
    I will treasure this post FOREVER! You know what? I created a photo book from your Facebook. And I love it. All the pictures I LOVE are there…
    I love you Teo. You make me SO happy! Noni

    • that little boy loves his Noni. That’s for sure! :) xo

  2. Valerie:

    Thank you, thank you for this Mateo post. I feel like I know him a little – and what a special little hunk he’s turning into. All my love!

    • You are one of those faraway friends I think of when I write about Mateo. glad you can feel a little closer! :) (holy cow, I tried to figure whether I should be adding a “that,” “who,” “whom” and then just gave up). So hard writing to a professional editor. I know you love me anyway…despite my unconventional punctuation and suuchhhh.

  3. OMG! I just found your blog and these pictures are amazing! My favorite! I am obsessed! What a cutie!!
    xx
    b

    • looking forward to hearing about your adventures in Italy!

  4. Gifford Neill:

    Good work Henna.

  5. Psssst. You need to get Aki a matching outfit. :-) Super cute pix of the Tomato!

    • now that would be hilarious. ;) funny enough, they do actually have a few matching sweaters. ha.

  6. Jessica Kraybill:

    Read this post and it made me feel warm and fuzzy. You are a great Mom and you will both appreciate this years to come. Blogging is so different than diaries and I wonder how access to this information will be in years to come? I had a LiveJournal in highschool and in college, and looking back on it now, (yay it still exists) I’m so thankful for all the varieties of posts that blogging captures. It’s just so amazing to see your frame of thought at that moment in time. Anyway, I thought I’d let you know that I also felt sad after reading this post. Mateo is a young boy now and not a little baby like I last saw him. It’s made me realize how long it’s been since I’ve last seen you. I know we keep trying to make plans to catch up, but I really miss you, Aki, Mateo, and your dogs–phew (you have a large family now). Okay, let’s make plans soon? Miss you guys! <3 Jess

    • yes! this month! I remember being so excited that you guys were going to stay in Chicago…we really need to take advantage of that fact! Also, still waiting to try Filipino cuisine with youuuuu.

  7. Marijana:

    Henna, you have a great blog and I enjoy reading it!
    Mateo is soooo cute and every time I look at th pictures of him I’m amazed what great “combination” he is: sometimes I see Aki, and sometimes he is just like you. As I know Andrija since childhood It’s so funny to see his “expression” in Mateo!
    Thank you for sharing these photos and anectodes with us.

    • Marijana! So glad that you’re reading. It’s so that you can still be a part of Andrija’s life from so far away! :) Made me smile that you can see Aki’s expressions in Mateo. :)

  8. oh so cute *_*

  9. Noe:

    I just stumbled upon your blog, and am loving it already. These photos of your little one are adorable. Looks like you’re doing a good job at learning how to better use your camera. I’m still in the learning phase too, ha.

    I look forward to following along :)

  10. Such a sweet post! I’d love to do the same for my little guy who’s just turned 4 weeks today!

    Maria xx
    http://www.cheekypinktulip.blogspot.com

  11. elise:

    Clever way to keep him occupied for taking pictures. Ha.

    • it’s good to have a few tricks up your sleeve, right? even if one of them is the TV ;)

  12. What can I say? Mateo is C.H.A.R.M.I.N.G!

  13. What a cutie patootie! He looks so much bigger than 19 months. He’s like the perfect combo of you and your husband!

    • He’s pretty big for his age…but ha, probably the “little man” outfits don’t hurt either. :) He really is a combo of us…and we don’t even know how it’s possible since we’re such opposites physically!

  14. Oh my God this stylish cutie, I can’t even… Your photo book project idea is excellent, go through with it. The photos are amazing, love the way they’re edited, the letter is beautifully written.

  15. Marie:

    Aaawwwww he’s adorable! Love his outfit ;)

    http://smittenbyangels.blogspot.com

  16. Karen:

    Adorable! Just adorable x

  17. Oh that outfit! It’s too much for me to handle! Too cute!!

    xo,
    Katie
    hellolittlebean.com

  18. Oh that outfit! It’s too much for me to handle! Too cute!!

    xo,
    Katie

  19. oh my, look at him workin the camera! those skinnies and the suspenders-seriously topping the charts of cuteness!!
    xo,
    d

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  21. This is really special, such beautiful moments in your writing. And that kid is about as cute as they come.

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