Hans and Franz

Freddie does this crazy pose to show his muscles.  Funny stuff.  And of course H-man has picked up on it and shows his muscles routinely as well.  He's been posing quite often lately since there's been frequent mention of muscles lately with Freddie experiencing growing pains.  I can only imagine what else he's going to learn from his big brother.

Vaccination Visit

Vaccinations:

• Hep A, 1st dose
• PCV, 4th dose

At this appointment I mentioned Hans also seems to have a constant runny nose.  It seems as the cold he had so many months ago never totally resolved itself although generally mild, the severity does tend to fluctuate.  He also tends to snore.  (The plot thickens, Dr. A commented.)  She checked his tonsils and said they were a bit enlarged and should be monitored.  Both ears are also filled with fluid.  It could very well be allergies, as Charlie suffers with allergies and asthma.  It could be mucus associated with teething, as he's definitely on the cusp of cutting two teeth.  Not much to do at this time but monitor it.

I asked about potential issue with language development because of the (constant?) fluid in the ears. Perhaps.  I'm finding Hans' language development to be completely typical currently and she agreed that his vocabulary seemed appropriate.  Something else on the radar but not worrisome at this time. 

We'll return on August 13th for varicella.  Want to make sure no one contracts the chicken pox.  We'll also do the lead test at that time.  Today we had a long wait and Hans was ready to go so I wasn't in the mood for attempting a blood draw.

Lovin'

• Quiet rides home from the beach
• Proclamations of one day "having fur in my armpits like my Dada"
• Clearance sales
• Christmas shopping (See above)
• Practicing steps across the living room floor
• A cheering big brother
• Anticipation of football season
• Painted toenails
• (Re)Organizing
• Requests to watch the "Lympics" (specifically swimming, but I think he will enjoy gymnastics)
• Hearing snoring through the monitor

Walking is for Sissies

Sorry for the bad angle, but I had to be close enough to catch him, which wasn't ever necessary. He did this at least ten times, sometimes getting to the top and sliding down on his belly. He did like getting all situated on his bottom and then putting his hands out to help him slide down. I have to watch this one!

Walkin'

 

He likes going back and forth from Mama to Dada and back again.  He pushes our hands off of him with a little grunt when he's ready to go as if to say "I've got this, Mama."

13 Months (and 1 day)

Appearance:

• Still at eight teeth
• Blonde, blonde, blonde
• Little curls coming in along the back of your neck
• About 24 lbs
• About 32 inches
• Wearing 12-18 month clothes, and looking much like a sausage.  Can't these just last through the summer, please?
• Your flexible sole shoes are not fitting well any more.  I thought I'd try to wait it out and not buy any more until you are walking, but I'm not so sure you can go barefoot until then.
• Chub!
• Thunder thighs
• Long lashes

Your bulldog face.  You do this and grin your teeth. 

Diet:

• You love salad, especially tomatoes.
• You eat just about everything put in front of you, except eggs.  I am still trying.  Perhaps a cheese omelet  will sway your opinion.
• You can eat an enormous amount of watermelon.
• 16 ounces of milk per day

Personality:

• All smiles lately...for the most part.  
• You can be rather feisty, especially when it comes to taking a stand against Freddie.  
• There had been an "only Mama" phase the past few weeks, but I think Papi broke you of that in New Orleans.  You will let go of me and let me pass you off now, although you weren't thrilled to have me leave you with the flight attendant on our most recent flights.

Vocabulary:

• Mamama...you call me, but this also seems to be your general call for help.
• Dada
• Night night
• Bye bye, with a wave, but often after the person is gone
• Moo
• Ruff ruff
• Who who
•  Milk
• You understand so much and can follow many commands.  When asked you hand me most objects, close doors, come to another room, find Freddie, look for Dada...it is pretty amazing how much you understand.
• You can point to your belly, head, mouth, teeth, tongue, toes, hair, eyes.

Motor skills:

• You took some steps not long after your birthday.  You are stringing more and more steps together, but you're awfully wobbly.
• You are standing without holding on all the time now and it tickles you every single time.
• You scurry up the stairs, but we're working on coming down.  You'll get on your bottom and scoot down, but I'd like to see you go down legs first on your belly.
• You're climbing onto everything and especially love to climb onto something to just sit...chairs, stools, tables.
• I've been seeing you squat down to get things more and more and with better balance.

Busted!

Likes:

• The musical instrument bin.  You love picking up anything to shake it and get some music. 
• You sway your arms and clap when you hear a rhythm.
• Being chased
• Stacking the blocks
• Organizing the cabinets
• Throwing the ball back and forth
• Leaning in for kisses and snuggles
• Books
• Giving raspberries...I think you like giving more than receiving

Dislikes:

• Diaper changes
• Getting dressed, although you are starting to give in and cooperate sometimes.
• Being told "No."  Sigh.  A meltdown ensues. 

"Come over here, Hans."

Sleep:

• 11-12 hours at night, 7pm-7am
• 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon, 12pm-3pm
• You're in your crib, although you sometimes nap in your travel crib for nap if Freddie needs to be alone in the room.
• You put your head on your tiny pillow at night when I place you in the crib.  You smile as I walk away.

New Orleans Visit

Just a few photos.  I really didn't take many more than this.  Always disappointed when I don't take more photos.  Ah well, there's always next time, and I'm sure there will be lots and lots and lots more of all of this...

Cousin time...

Yummy meals...

Pool time...

Playground visits...

Carousel rides...

Snowballs...

Aquarium visits...

Feeding birds (and the ducks!)...

Goofy aunts...

Shoulder rides...

Birthday celebrations...

Wii challenges...

For Dada

He wanted on that diving board as soon as he saw it.  Mama was too chicken to let him go without his float since I wasn't going to be at the end waiting for him.

And he's putting his face under to swim for short stints.  He's very proud of himself for being a "real swimmer."  I think he'll be swimming to the bottom of the pool before the end of the summer.

Missing

We're down south, soaking up the heat and humidity along with everything else New Orleans has to offer...food, family, fun.

Sorry for the lack of posting. I'm pretty worn out, and picture taking has been minimal.

 Hoping to get the momentum going again and return to regular posting soon.

Motivated

Freddie has recently moved to a new class at school.  At the front door is a little desk and clipboard where the kids can "sign in" when they arrive.  Freddie is *determined* to sign in.  Currently the routine is we do "hand over hand" and I help him, but there is not much benefit to that practice in that setting at that time for him.  He is busy scanning the room to see what's going on rather than focusing on what we're writing.  Hopefully soon he'll take the leap and write his name on his own.

At home he's been playing school quite often.  Sometimes he lets me be the teacher and demonstrate some letter formation.  Most of the time he is too stubborn to take the role of student. 

He let me demonstrate on the bottom.  He ran out of room so the I and E got written on top of the other E. 

He's at the stage where he isn't quite aware (or willing to believe Mama) of the order of the letters making a difference in the meaning. 

It has always been a favorite part of teaching to see kids progress through the stages of literacy, and I've had the privilege of seeing it in so many children, but seeing it develop in Freddie absolutely amazes me. 

38

I have a good life. 

Sandy Snuggles

It's been a long, long time since I held this guy as he slept.  It was short lived, not to mention HOT, but I enjoyed every minute.

While Mama's away

After swimming....and why does Hans look about 13 years old?!?

Charlie promises Hans had a great weekend without me, although I am not totally convinced.

Apparently no one wore a shirt all weekend long.

1 Year Well Visit

At 12 months, 1 week:

Stats:
Weight:  22.8 lbs (75th percentile)
Length:  77 cm (60th percentile)
Head circumference: 47 cm (75th percentile)

Vaccinations:

• MMR
• DTaP

Today we saw Dr. A who has joined Dr. G.  She is also a developmental pediatrician which is nice to have someone who specializes in child development checking in on milestones.  She thought Hans looked great and commented that he looked like the Gerber baby.  

Next appointment:  July 30th, 10 am.  More vaccinations and a lead test.

Down the Cape

Jessica is wearing a pair of my sunglasses, and people noticed.  And asked.

• Catching up
• Child free weekend
• Shopping
• Chats over coffee
• Chats over cocktails
• Beach margaritas 
• Scheming
• Sandy toes
• Chow-dah
• Sunshine
• Sleeping in
• Laughing
• Long uninterrupted meals
• Trashy television
• Late bedtimes
• Ice cream cones 
• People watching
• Planning