52 Weeks

Vocabulary:

• "Heeeeee dada" ("Hey, Daddy!" when he enters after work.)
• "Ga Ba", said with your arm extended and your finger pointing ("Go! Boodog" when Boodog comes over during meals)

Estimated stats:

• 18.5 lbs.
• 27.5 in.
• Still rather tiny

Diet:
Things you never throw on the floor:

• Pirate Booty, Veggie is your favorite
• Cereal bars, especially love Kashi apple
• Homemade banana bread
• Butter toast
• Cookies
  
• cake
• Whole milk, You're up to about 8 oz cold milk in a cup per day with meals
  

Things you sometimes throw on the floor:

• Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
• Banana
• Cheese toast
• Chicken chunks
  

Things Mama feeds you:

• Cream of wheat
• Oatmeal with applesauce
• Sweet potato with butter and salt
• Earth's Best tender beef and spinach baby food

Nursing:

• First thing in the morning (5am-ish)
• Last thing at night (7pm-ish)

Working on:

• Walking. You've pretty much given up on taking steps right now. Your daddy thinks this is because you've got a language explosion going on and there is not much room in your brain for much else.
• Talking. You're babbling up a storm. You carry on conversations and are so animated. You chatter away when you are looking at books or interacting with the dogs.
  
• Eating with utensils and dishes, when you're not making music with them. You are pretty insistent that you get the bowl too these days. You put your food in the bowl and out of the bowl and in the bowl a few times before it gets to your mouth.
• More teeth. You've got three on top and three on the bottom and more coming.

Favorite pastimes:

• Flushing the toilet, but Mama has to watch this because you often head to the roll of toilet paper next.
  
• Carrying around your toothbrush. Your spoon now comes second to your toothbrush.
• Banging on your drum.
• Closing doors and cabinets and drawers.
• Playing chase. You look over your shoulder, squeal, an take off expecting me to come after you.
• Talking on the phone. You love to put that cellphone to your ear and then talk and carry on with your arms waving around for emphasis.
  
• Stroller rides. So much to look at these days, my guy, so you haven't been dozing on our walks.

Likes:

• Cuddling. You put that head on my shoulder and give a tight squeeze and sometimes a pat on the back.
• Baths. And ya just gotta hold your penis the entire time.
  
• Being tickled, especially little pinches on the inside of your thighs
• Kisses on your toes and hands

Dislikes:

• Getting dressed, although now you cooperate more often by pushing hands through and offering the right foot for your sock and shoe.
• Getting your face wiped, but you are fussing a whole lot less about it lately.

Personality:

• Outgoing! You've got me talking to people whether I want to or not. You'll look and look and look until they finally make eye contact with you and then you tilt your head to the side and give a big ole cheesy grin.
• Strong willed. You are making it known what you want and don't want.
  

Your birthday is tomorrow. This time last year I was walking in the park when I knew my water had broken and you'd be showing up real soon. I called your Daddy and he met me at the hospital where we waited for you. A year ago, Buggers, a whole year! I know it's your special day, but it will always be a special day for me and your Daddy too.

We love you.

**I hope to update later tonight with more photos. We're travelling today, so things are hectic!**

51 Weeks

Oh my goodness. 51 weeks. I cannot believe we are at 51 weeks and only one more weekly installment remains.


You've got two new teeth this week, so that makes three on top and three on the bottom. You've got two more cookin' so you're still getting some fussin' on.


I'm sitting here trying to compose this weekly post but am stuck, Buggers. You've got lots and lots going on this week, but honestly I cannot organize my thoughts and think of any of it. All I can think about is that you are going to be ONE, a year old, and how different life is for your Daddy and me now. How much we wanted you and waited for you and how being a family of three brings us so much joy.

50 Weeks

Buggers, sorry to say but it is another pajama day around here with Mama being sick. You don't seem to mind. You actually slipped right into your tater suit for the parade last night with your pjs on and then again to go to the grocery store to get some milk. Who ever would have thought that I'd be going to the grocery because we were out of milk?


The weather outside is rather yucky, but I still drag you out. All the ladies like to fuss because I take you out in bad weather. They stop me, put your hood on your head, grab my hand and look me square in the eye and tell me to get you home. Today I got some of that at the deli counter in the market from a little old lady, but her sweet husband said you were beautiful and then commented how *happy* you are. "He is one happy baby. I know that's a sign he's got a happy mama and daddy."


It's your first Mardi Gras and I should have known by all that moving you did in my belly last year during the parades that you'd be a dancing fool. I can't even imagine what you are thinking watching those floats roll by...the colors and the lights!


I love how yow you imitate us. You are holding that phone to your ear and babbling away, even throwing in some hand motions. Oh my. I also love when you give hugs now that you give some back pats along with it. Cannot wait to see what you come up with next.

Listening carefully to Daddy who is about to brush your teeth.

You are taking steps on your own here and there but you're still very cautious. You really prefer to pound across the floor on your hands and knees, especially if you're being chased.

Pirate Booty!

Still waiting on some teeth to come in. One on the top and one on the bottom are just about ready to make an appearance. I am more than ready to finally see them, as are you I'm sure. You haven't been so interested in eating, but today you discovered Pirate's Booty. Yummy.


We're in the final stretch to the big O-N-E little man. Sigh. We've gotten here much too quickly.

49 Weeks

You're still a sickie this week, hating having your nose wiped, but I hope the end of all this crud is near. The stuffiness really only seems to make you uncomfortable when you're trying to get some sleep.


You're not eating much this week. I am trying not to resort to an all king cake diet, but I hate not seeing you eat anything at all.


We're still working on walking, forcing you to let go when I am able to pry those fingers off of me. No matter how far away I am from you, you manage to take just enough steps to get you into the range to just collapse into my lap. That gets you giggling.

You make this face often....silly.

When we eat dinner together if your Daddy and I laugh about something you join in, giving a big grin and a hearty chuckle, as if you know just what we're talking about.


I am looking forward to getting you to some parades. The neighborhood high school band has been marching through the neighborhood practicing and when you hear them you stop what you are doing and start bouncing or swaying from side to side. You sure do know how to get that backfield in motion, my dear.


You are all about your daddy this week...Dada! Dada! You are beside yourself when you catch sight of him, calling to him and wiggling until he scoops you up.


3 weeks until we celebrate your 1st birthday. Seriously Buggers, this has been the fast year ever.

48 Weeks

You are sick this week, my dear. Hard to tell by looking at some of these pictures but you are feeling pretty puny. But here you are coughing.


You've been coughing a lot. And sniffing a lot. I just hope you don't end up with a sinus or ear infection. We've been sticking you in the steamy bathroom to help break things up in your nose and chest and it seems to be working.


Well, your most notable change this week has been your steps. On your own! You won't do it very often for just me. As a matter of fact you have the death grip most of the time on my fingers. But today you walked away from me and manged a good five or six steps before falling on your face. I was totally shocked and am not even sure what prompted it. You just decided to take off.


You have become the master of impersonating sounds. Best yet is your mimicking my sneezes.


You are clapping now too which is so much fun, especially when you get it going with some head bobbing to the music.


You're not eating much lately. Maybe you're protesting since I am finally pushing you to only two nursings a day. You never really nursed to sleep, but nursing sure helped that nap happen. We're working on a naptime routine. Lots of cuddling.


My very favorite moment of the day was sitting on the porch swing with you and the moment you caught site of your Daddy approaching the gate you said , "Dada, Dada, Dada!"

Love you, sweet boy.

47 Weeks

You are up at and 'em this week, moving all around. You have figured out how to turn your walker and put it in reverse to make your way around obstacles. You're standing on your own for a few seconds here and there and have a controlled "plop" back to your bottom. No steps just yet though.


We are back to routine with sleep. Your bedtime has shifted later, almost 7.00pm, and you are still getting up about 5.00am to nurse. You are letting me put you down in the crib awake with a few minutes of patting on the bottom and I am able to leave you awake lying there. You're generally asleep in 5-10 minutes and you don't seem to mind being alone for a bit of quiet time.


Eating has been interesting this week. I am trying to lay off the pureed fruits and veggies and move to as much finger food as possible. That has meant that what you're willing to eat is pretty limited. The dogs have been feasting. You love carbs and will hold out for some goldfish, cheerios, or banana bread. You did scarf up some meat sauce so I see another pot of that in our future.

Daddy coming in to help me keep you still for one minute.

You like handing me things. And today you decided to feed me goldfish. When I leaned in for one to be placed in my mouth you yanked it and popped into your own mouth. Psyche, Mama. When I protested you took it out of your mouth and handed it back to me. It's really all for you, sweet boy. You've been testing out those teeth. It gives me chills to hear you grind them. You also like chomping down on a goldfish and eating it in two bites.


You are very into hugging and will hug your lamby. You'll give the dolls and animals hugs and kisses. Love those tight squeezes.

Well, we've reached a point where I am counting down to your first birthday. I am trying not to do it. Trying not to look too far ahead. Trying to enjoy each moment and not wanting to miss anything.

46 Weeks

Buggers, you give the best hugs. Nothing makes Mama (and Daddy) feel better than scooping you up and feeling your arms squeezing around my neck and shoulders.

6 weeks until you are one. I wish I could stop time.

45 Weeks

Likes:

• Putting things into containers or bags
• Having your picture taken
  
• Music and music making, which can be mistaken for banging when you're not dancing along with it.
  
• Books, looking at them by yourself or flipping through or reading with someone else
• Stroller rides, especially in the umbrella stroller where you can sit straight up and lean around the sides and really get a good look at things.
• Hanging upside down. You throw yourself backwards when someone is holding you to get the game going.
• Kisses on your toes and fingers. I get the picture when you're waving your toes in front of me incessantly, my dear.

Dislikes:

• Getting dressed
• Wearing hats
• Getting your face wiped, at least 80% of the time
  
• Having your nose wiped, 100% of the time
• There aren't very many, my guy. You're a rather agreeable fellow.

Vocabulary:

• Fussing during mealtime: often an indication that you want your "sip." After a few swigs of water you toss it on the ground. And you do NOT want it back. It's in your way on your tray so don't even attempt to put it there because it just ends up right back on the floor. You'll fuss when you're ready for it. Perhaps I need to work more on the sign for "cup" with you.
  
• Babble, babble, babble, complete with hand motions for emphasis.
• Lots of Mamas, and Dadas when appropriate.

Diet:

• 5.00am-ish: Nurse
  
• 7.00ish: Breakfast: 1/2-1 banana with 3-4 oz pureed apple or pear, 2 tablespoons oatmeal, and sometimes with a few blueberries, 3-4 oz whole milk yogurt, and then some goldfish or cereal bar (favorites: apple and blueberry)
• 10.00ish: Snack: Usually nursing, but we're working on dropping this nursing (but there is usually still a nap at this time and the nursing helps the nap) so I am starting to offer you other options....crackers, cereal, oranges, berries.
• 12.00ish: Lunch: 4-6 oz pureed veggie with rice cereal, a jar of your favorite baby food tender beef in spinach or vegetable turkey dinner or some cheese or other protein, and more goldfish.
  
• 2:00ish: Snack: Nurse. This goes with a nap.
  
• 5:00ish: Dinner: I am trying more and more to give you what we are having for dinner. The different textures often elicit a scrunched nose from you and some refusal, but I'll keep trying. But, more pureed fruits and vegetables are offered as well.
• 6.00ish: Nurse. It's bedtime.
• *This estimated eating schedule is WAY off with us out of town this week!*

Working on:

• Walking! You are so steady on your feet now, moving anywhere you want. You are letting go more and more to use your hands for other business, balancing or steadying yourself with your tummy on the furniture. You're still pretty cautious. I imagine 2 busted, swollen, bleeding lips would do that to a guy.
• Teeth? You've been drooling off and on and really gnawing on stuff, but I am not seeing any signs on your gums that more teeth are on their way.
• Drinking out of a cup, not a sippy! You have gotten the sippy down, both the soft and hard spouts. You are very interested in my drinks and like taking sips when offered. I'm getting better about not drowning you when tilting the glass in your direction.
• Taking bites of food offered to you. You really want to jam the entire piece of bagel or orange into your mouth but usually give in pretty quickly when you see I am not letting go and take a big bite with your front teeth.
• "Not for your mouth." We say this a lot. I know you are exploring but I want you to learn that food and drink goes in your mouth. I have not read anything about when or if this course of "training" is appropriate for your development, but I think you may be catching on to what I am talking about at least.

Personality:

• You love people, kids especially. When you see kids you lean in and give them a hug and sometimes an open mouth kiss. Sometimes you are a little cautious with new people and take a while to observe their face and gestures and listen to their voice before you crack a smile.
• I find you to be whiny sometimes. I think this is more a "just for Mama" thing. I try to recognize it as a cue that you need something but I am thinking it is just an "I'm a mama's boy" whine, much to your Daddy's disapproval. I'm working on ignoring it when appropriate.
• You are very much into giving hugs. You give a tight squeeze, and sometimes pull away only for a second before going in for more hugs.
• You laugh when we laugh. And then we laugh some more. Your laugh is sometimes a giggle, LOVE this, and sometimes it is this silliness where your nose is scrunched and you are breathing heavily in and out through your nose...kinda like a snorty laugh like your Mama.

44 Weeks

Week 44 has been busy, Mr. Spaghetti. It is your first New Year's Eve and at 7.30 pm I am sitting here listening to you cry in the room downstairs. Traveling and sleeping haven't really mixed well for you this time around. Having your first cold this week hasn't helped much with the sleep. You've had 3 days of stuffiness and restless sleep, but seem to be all better today.


Thumb sucker? Yep, you've been jamming that thumb into your mouth. You did it every so often when you were itty bitty, but this seems to be a more regular thing. I also wonder though if it is a teething thing because I sometimes see you gnawing on it or your other fingers.


You have stayed with your Gammie while Daddy and I have gone skiing a few days this week. You've been very sweet to Gammie, showing her how things are to go and you even tossed in a few naps.


We've gone for a hike in the snow but you're yet to get a hold of any. I think tomorrow may be the day for that. Seems like a good way to start the new year.

43 Weeks + 1 day

Well, dearest, I missed your Thursday photo shoot so we're a day late. We are in Denver this week for the holidays so things have been hectic. You're handling everything in stride.

Most notable at 43 weeks:

• You are a waving maniac. You sit straight up in your stroller at wave at each and ever person we pass in the park. It's the queen's wave.
  
• I am sure if these photos do it justice, but you flash a cheesy grin as soon as you seem the camera. You're a ham.
  
• You're carrying on conversations with your babbling, complete with expressive hand gestures. Is that the New Orleans yat shining through?

That's all baby doll. It's been a long day, and we're enjoying every minute of you.

42 Weeks

It's official...you will not sit down, or sit still, at all. Period. Not even for a picture.


I'll make do since you're just so darn cute.

Jamming in another goldfish

I will go ahead and say that I think you've got the Mama and Dada applied to the right folks. I also think you say "Heeeeeeyyyyy!" and "dog" but I am not certain of that just yet. You are certainly saying something and your eyebrows are just a going along with your mouth, moving up and down.


You are interested in everything, especially the tiny stuff. You spot something and you make your way to it and slowly pull out your right index finger to examine it. I am very interested to see what you'll do in the snow next week.


You're still dancing and my favorite move is the "shake a leg". IF you are crawling along and hear a beat that you like you'll stick your leg out and wiggle it around before moving on. You'll also get your head a bobbing. I, of course, get right to dancing when I see you doing it.



You love your Daddy and I love watching you love him. Everything stops when you hear him come home in the evenings. You lean over and crane your neck to try to get a glimpse of him as he comes around the corner and into the room. And then when you lock eyes...oh boy.