A Southern Belle From New Jersey

Twelve Months Old

ONE YEAR OLD

September 19, 2013

Your Monthly Stats

These are the official stats from your 1-Year Well Check-Up at the Pediatrician.

Height: 29.75 inches (44%ile)

Weight: 23.1 pounds (76%ile)

Head Circumference: 18.75 in. (66%ile)

Hair: Blond and Curly on Top--Daddy wants you to get a haircut soon, but that is not happening! Those curls are too cute!

Eyes: Blue, Blue, Blue!

Teeth: 10 teeth total

This has been a ROUGH month of teething. Getting new teeth is REALLY hard on you (and Mommy too). They always come in multiples and seem to take forever to cut through. Sometimes you get fevers, a runny nose, a diaper rash, and loss of sleep over getting new teeth. This month, you got three of your 1-year molars. So far you have these teeth: 4 top teeth, 3 bottom teeth, 2 molars (top and bottom right), and 1 molar (top left).

Diaper Size: We moved up to size 4 diapers this month. We also moved to Nighttime diapers for bedtime. They hold a lot more!

Clothes: Mommy had to go on a shopping spree. (Actually, I didn't mind too much!) Up until this point, I've hardly bought you any clothes. Your friends and family have been so generous with gifts that you have always been a well-dressed little guy. But, you outgrew a lot of clothes and were starting to look like the "flood was coming". Currently you have almost outgrown your 12-18 month jammies, so we're going to up-size those soon. For the most part, you're in 12 month tops/bottoms/jammies. You're wearing 12-24 month socks and size 4 1/2 shoes. Can we talk about your little shoes? My current favorites: your tiny Tom's and your tiny Crocs. They are the cutest!

Tiny Tom's

A Man in his Crocs

Eating:

This month, you've explored lots of new foods---and liked ALL of them! Even better--you haven't had any negative reactions to new foods. PHEW! Here are the new foods you've tried this month:

*LOTS of cakes (chocolate and vanilla). You haven't met a cake that you don't like!

*Cheese (your favorites are mozzarella, provolone, and mild cheddar)

*Brown Rice Cakes

*Graham Crackers

*Black Olives--You love them! Mommy and Daddy do too!

*Chicken Breast

*Turkey Breast

*Animal Crackers

*Freeze Dried Fruits (bananas, mangoes, and strawberries)

*Baby shortbread cookies

*Pineapple

*Rice

*Smoothies (Usually I make them with Greek Yogurt, spinach, chia seeds, a frozen banana, and some kind of berry.)

Next month, we will visit the allergist for a follow-up visit. We're going to try a food challenge for "eggs". You'll try small amounts of scrambled eggs in the doctor's office to see if you have a reaction. Fingers crossed that we have outgrown these allergies!

We made it to ONE YEAR of exclusive breastfeeding. I have to admit that I am SO proud of both of us. I feel a huge sense of accomplishment in knowing that I was able to provide you with breastmilk has helped you to grow and develop into this amazing little guy. And I have to thank your Daddy for being SO supportive in our breastfeeding journey. He knew how important it was for me to do this, and he supported us every step of the way--even when it was hard for him to bond with you because you always wanted Mommy. I love the special time we share when you are nursing and I know that you do too. Along with providing great nourishment and antibodies against illnesses, nursing has saved us from many meltdowns when you have hurt yourself or are so tired that you just need Mommy. I have no plans to "wean you", but you've naturally already cut back to 3-4 nursings a day. So, I'm sure it won't be too much longer. For now, we'll keep enjoying our time together.

Strength:

You are a big kid now. You want to do everything on your own. You watch us do things and try to copy us. You are walking and RUNNING like crazy. You rarely crawl anymore except to go up the stairs. You love to pick up and carry things that are almost as big as you. You are pretty steady while walking now, except for when you get tired. Then you start stumbling around and usually end up bonking your head on something. You're tough and definitely ALL BOY.

Look at my belly!

Likes:

*Tractors--You say brrrrrooom, brrooooooom when we see one. 'Tis the season for tractors at the apple orchard, pumpkin patch, and the farm down the street. You're in heaven.

*Wind Chimes--You've always loved them at Lulu and Pops' house. And they were nice enough to bring some over to our house. We can hear them from your bedroom and when we're snuggling after nap time or in the morning, you get a big smile and point to the window when you hear them.

*Our neighbor Mia--If I ask you where Mia is, you run to the front door and look out the window at Mia's house. You love her hugs and going for walks together. I think the feeling is mutual.

*Eating--This is still one of your favorite things to do. You're getting very particular about which "snacks" you want to eat. You like to pull out your favorite snacks from your basket in the pantry. Sometimes I have to hide the baby cookies so you make a healthier choice!

*Playing Tag---As soon as I say "I'm going to get you", you RUN in the opposite direction, then turn around and give me a sideways smile and a big giggle. It cracks you up!

*Reading Books--I love when you bring books over to me and sit in my lap.

*Pushing anything with wheels--Your cars, push toys, even your high chair! And you always make sound effects as you push.

Love this picture--look at Lucy's legs!

Dislikes:

*When we take something away--you love all things you shouldn't have (plugs, remote controls, phones, everything made out of glass). We try to distract you with other things, but you are too smart. You usually catch on quickly.

*Being told NO. Oh the tantrums. They are exhausting.

*Being separated from Mommy. This has gotten a little better this month. But, you've started to get very shy when we're in new places with new people. After a few minutes of warming up, you're ready to join in the fun.

No, you may not have any more cookies.

Social Skills:
You are a flirt. When we're at the grocery store, in church, or at the mall, you flash those twinkly eyes and the dimples at any lady who looks at you. And then you coyly tilt your head and give the shy smile. It is so sweet. And it gets them everytime. Lady killer.

Sleep:

Those miserable teeth have kept us up for months. Once they pop through, we have a good night or two of sleep. And then usually another tooth pops through. You're taking one good nap (an hour-an hour 1/2) in the morning and usually another shorter one in the afternoon. When you take two naps during the day, you sleep much better at night. So, we try to enforce the nap times when we're home. We're hoping to be regularly sleeping through the night soon.

Talking:

Words From Past Months:

~mama *This started when you were crying in your crib refusing to take a nap. Not exactly how I pictured you saying Mama for the first time, but I'll take it.

~Daddy

~wawa (water)

~ba (ball)

~uh-oh (when you drop something you repeat this after I say it)

~"eh, eh, eh" (what I say when you're going near something you're not supposed to touch. See this on video here.

~truck

~car

~baby

~firetruck

~kitty cat

~woof (for dog)

New Words This Month:

~hot (You are OBSESSED with the stove, microwave, toaster oven, and coffee maker.) As soon as you hear these turned on or beeping, you run into the kitchen and say "hot, hot, hot" OVER and OVER again. This is probably your most clear word that you say.

~quack

~yea

~careful (I'm not sure how to spell your version of this word. You always say it right after I say "be careful" though. So I think that's what you're saying.

*These words may not sound exactly like the real words, but they definitely have the correct meaning.

We can't wait to hear you saying more words soon!

New Tricks:

~Sniffing: Anything that smells--you want to smell. It started with flowers that Daddy got me for our anniversary. Then, it was candles. Then my cup of coffee. And now you like to hold a tissue up to your nose like you're blowing your nose, but you just sniff it. And then say "aaahhhhhh". Haha.

~Swiping all of your leftover food off of the high chair tray when you're finished. We can thank Lulu for this. And since we don't have dogs like she does, Mommy gets to clean it all up.

~Sitting on your little rocking chair and rocking yourself

~Hiding things in every kitchen cabinet. Chances are that if I can't find something (like my cell phone), I will find it in the Tupperware cabinet.

A Few Hours Old: September 19, 2012

One Year Old: September 19, 2013

My Sweet Little LoveBug,

I have been putting off writing this letter, because I get emotional every time I think about the fact that you are now a year old. You are a mini-toddler. This time last year, we were just getting to know each other. And now, I can't even really remember a time without you. Our lives are so much richer and full, because we have you. Your smile is infectious. Your hugs are the best. Your sneakiness and silly faces show your BIG personality.

Even though it's a little sad that you aren't a baby anymore, I love watching you grow and learn new things. You are SO smart. And I'm not just saying that because I'm your mom. You pick up on everything we do and try to imitate us almost immediately. You're listening to directions and respond appropriately when we ask you to do something. You're trying to communicate through your own language or through pointing. You even know the names of all of your flashcards and can pick them out when asked---this makes your dorky teacher mama proud. We've celebrated every small (and BIG) milestone and we'll continue to do that. I still remember the first time you smiled--I cried. We love you more than anything and are excited to watch you grow. Always stay the same sweet boy you are today...XOXO

Love,

Mommy

Pages

Thursday, October 10, 2013

I have a toddler.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Twelve Months Old

Monday, September 23, 2013

A Mustache Bash!