12 Months / 1 Year!

Well folks, here's the post I've been counting down to.  The post that has come waaaay too fast.  It's the post where I talk about my son turning ONE YEAR OLD!

It's truly bittersweet.  Bitter because that first year where you have a sweet newborn baby is over.  Bitter because it makes you realize how fast they truly do grow.  Bitter because sometimes you wish you could freeze time and take in everything before it's over... Yet sweet because it happened.  Sweet because you survived.  Sweet because it's only the beginning.  And sweet because we're one year closer to doing it all over again (& if you know me, you know I cannot wait to have another!)

Right after he was born.

Ok enough of that, let's talk about the birthday boy!

At the beginning of the month he finally started traditional crawling!  Within two weeks, he was all over the house and moving fast.  This is about the time where I learned what parents mean when they say, "watch out!  you'll never have a resting moment again!" Boy is that true!  It's like they go straight toward all objects dangerous or disgusting (like shoes).

He started pulling himself up in his crib and the couch (big objects; he's been pulling up on smaller objects for a month now) just this week.  He's starting to cruise around the couch.  He climbed a full flight of stairs this week!  Let me explain the motivation - his partner in crime (Ginger) was at the top with her ball that Peyton wanted.  He literally climbed from the very bottom, turned the corner, and reached the top in record time.  Awesome, but scary! 

About mid-month I noticed that he's really playing with his toys now like a little boy.  He used to pick them up, look at them, and drop them.  Now he full on plays with them, crawls around with them (hilarious to watch), and knows what to do with them.

Within the first week of month 12, he stopped wearing his cranial band at night.  It's been a good month now since he's been officially done.  I looked back on his pictures and MAN is there a difference.  I have yet to do a before and after post on that topic.  Soon!

He got his first "black eye" this month.  His arm buckled when he was crawling and just so happened to be right above a drum stick when he went face first onto the playmat.  The drumstick rolled right over his eye and within one minute, he had a bruised eye.  I can still see it today, but it's much better.  He did his usual cry where his face gets red, his lips curls and he pauses and finally bolts out a cry.  Then within a few seconds, he was ok.  :)

That night (coincidentally?) was the first night he started giving us trouble at bedtime.  About 3-4 times a week he'll cry when he's put down and just wants to get out and play.  We've caved in about 5 times over the past few weeks, and finally decided it's not a good habit.  So we've been letting him cry-it-out and before long, he's fast asleep.  I hope this phase goes away quick.

He also cut three new teeth this month - a lower one which is already in.  Another lower one which the pediatrician pointed out.  And a lovely molar upstairs, which the pediatrician pointed out as well.  Perhaps the molar is another reason for his fussy bed time self?  So as of now, he's got 9 teeth total!  Only 19 more to go.  Ahh!

A few days before his first birthday he started whole milk.  We went cold turkey and crossed our fingers.  To our surprise, he's done great!  It's been two weeks and he's taken it very well.

He's still using a bottle and sippy cup.  Since he can use a sippy, we were told to cut the bottle out completely.  I want him to learn how to use a straw and eventually have him drinking everything out of a straw sippy (it's better for those 9 chompers!)

A few days before the big birthday, he started clapping.  So he's clapping, pointing & waving, which are all things that show he's cognitively developing appropriately.

He became attached to a blankie earlier this month and could melt your heart when he puts his fingers in his mouth and holds it.

He's saying doggie, dadda, and momma.  But really, he's definitely saying doggie, and most likely saying momma and dadda.  HA!  Just how I thought it would be!   He's really mimicking what we say very well and knows the meaning of simple things like doggie, milk, water, bottle, up, dad, mom, etc.

I've been pretty weak with the sign language, but he's been doing "milk" and just started doing "more."  Still not always on his own, usually when he sees me do it first.

We have yet to cut his hair.  Not sure when that'll happen, maybe this summer.

He's been getting super attached to me and actually cried when I left the dinner table last week.  Speaking of the dinner table, we learned he can chew hamburger meat, but not swallow it.  Funny kid!  And he's got down how to use a spoon - he'll put the spoon in the bowl, scoop, and into his mouth.  Now only if it were productive and not so messy.  That'll be awhile!

Now for the stats:
Weight: 24 lbs, 6 oz (70th%)
Height: 30.25 in (60th%)
Head: 18.25 in (45th%)

He's definitely slowing down on his growth and for the first time he's not topping the charts in height and weight.  He got three shots, one of which was the dreaded MMR (for those who ever thought it could be linked to autism).  That about sums it up!

12 Months!

Little man!

 Fun in the park!

"Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body."

-Elizabeth Stone