Because you were born so close to Christmas your check-ups are always a little later than typical. So, we had your 18 month check-up when you were really 19 months old. Because Auntie was here visiting she got to go with us to your appointment (this was your FIRST time having someone else there besides Mommy and Daddy - in fact, Daddy stayed at work this time).
We arrived with just a few extra minutes (its a lot different driving from grandpa's house than our old house just up the street). The nurse first had to take your measurements.
You have not grown that much little man! You are still growing but only by the tiniest bit each time. Nolan is as big as you now! But, good things come in little packages and you are a VERY good thing!
As a reminder - here are your prior stats:
While waiting for the doctor to come in your played with the paper on the table. You enjoyed playing peek-a-boo with Auntie and ripping the paper to shreds!
You did have to get one shot this time around (Auntie did not like watching that) and because she was such a good girl and you were a good boy (no nursing and you only cried for a minute) I took you guys our for ice cream. This was your first ice cream cone.
You got so messy the owner asked if we wanted extra napkins or a bowl. Nope - I just let you go to town and you rode back to grandpa's house in your diaper and sweatshirt and your clothes went right into the wash :)
Our next appointment will be in January for your 24/25 month check-up - that's a long way away so I can't wait to see how much you change! Just think - at your next appointment you will have been a big brother for at least 2 months!
Since there are 80 days or so until your arrival your mom would like to request that you move up a little bit. I swear baby boy, you are hanging so low that some nights I don't think I can stand up after rocking your BIG brother to sleep! Your position also means that Mom's back has been hurting and sitting in Grandpa's comfy reclining couch has become a problem - well, sitting in general is a problem! So, be a good boy and mind your Mommy!
I can tell how busy you are growing and making a name for yourself already. My stomach is in a constant state of movement and this afternoon while Conor was laying on my tummy you up and kicked him! He was shocked and wasn't sure what to do (he ended up pushing you back and laying his head back down - I hope this isn't foreshadowing of what's in store!).
Besides trying to bust out early and kick your brother, you are growing. We had a check-in the last week of July and weight we have gained (finally)!!! Combined we weigh a healthy 148 pounds which I am happy to report is smack in the MIDDLE of the range of where we should be. Blood pressure is good (despite all the stress of July) and swelling is minimal! My belly button has already popped out but there's nothing I can do about that.
What's in a name? Well, Daddy and I are almost sure we know what your name will be but until we are 100% sure we aren't sharing with anyone! You seem to respond to the final contenders and Conor still wants to name you Elmo (sometimes he says E for Ernie - but don't worry we won't entertain those names).
Glucose and Iron testing was today and while I am sure that both you and I are good to go I always get worried when tests are taken (call it the perfectionist in me but I always want to get a good report!) so we shall see in a few days. We have an appointment in two weeks to check in (31 weeks - YIKES) and then it will be visits every 2-3 weeks until you make your arrival. I can't believe how fast time is flying!
Hope you are cozy and comfy (but not too comfy - you need to move up a bit remember?)!
Just looking back at this blog reaffirms my feeling that this past year has been full of so many firsts, an incredible amount of love, and the growth of a bond between you and I that simply can't be explained in words or measured in any way shape or form.
For nine months and 2 weeks you grew inside me. I gave you shelter, kept you warm, and kept you safe from the world you were not ready to enter. Now, 365 days later, I still give you shelter, keep you warm and safe. I wrap my arms around you when you are hungry, tired, overwhelmed, or in need of reassurance. My arms provide you the comfort you desire and act as a barrier to the sometimes overstimulating world we live in. When my arms encircle you I feel your body relax, your tears subside, and your breathing become calm and consistent. In that moment I feel like the most powerful woman in the world.....it is in these moments I understand a mother's undying desire to always ensure the safety and security of her children no matter how old they are. As I hold and rock you at night I know that one day my arms will no longer encircle you and you will no longer fit in my lap. So, on this night - more so than others I will hold you just a bit longer before putting you down to sleep.
In this last year you have taught me more about myself than I ever knew before. You have shown me that I am strong and I am brave - but most importantly you have taught your mother what it means to love unconditionally and without hesitation. You are my greatest accomplishment Conor - the thing in life I am most proud of. For this I will always be grateful.
While your Mommy has spent the last year learning about herself - you have spent the last year growing! You entered this world at 8lbs. 10.6 oz and one year later you are weighing in at 20lbs 5oz. You have grown roughly 8.5 inches. You spent your first week in newborn sized clothing and you are now wearing mostly 12 months and some 12-18. You have a size 4.5W foot that is no longer covered in cute little booties but wears Stride Rite shoes. You were born such a little round ball of pudge but now - you are lean. There are very few rolls left to be seen - your ankles, wrists, and knees are still undefined but the rest of you looks less and less like a baby and more and more like a toddler by the day.
Your blue eyes have grayed but your hair remains a ruddy brown. Many people marvel over the fact that your hair has the same highlights and lowlights that mine does and I love that we share that trait. Some strangers consider you to have auburn hair as it appears quite red in certain lights - your eyebrows have yet to come in so your true hair color remains to be seen.
You have your Grandma Mary's nose and at times your Grandma Janet's smile. You hair texture comes from your Grandpa Dennis but your profile and mannerisms are 100% your Grandpa Tom (you could be his twin). You are stubborn (like your Daddy) but smart and you are kind. You are a perfect combination of all the members of your family and they all love you so very much.
In one year you have learned to hold your head up, to push up on your arm, to sit, to crawl, to stand, to walk and to run. You have learned to eat with a spoon (though you sometimes miss) and therefore you have gone from just milk to sharing meals with Mommy and Daddy (sometimes). You drink from a straw and love water. You are a social butterfly and love eating in restaurants. You are not a napper and not the best sleeper but I know it won't be like this forever so for now, I cherish the extra time late at night or early in the morning that I get with you (though sometimes even I forget this when I am really tired).
You don't have a special comfort item or a favorite toy but you LOVE books. You are an avid reader and always want to bring books every where you go. You love your wagon and most recently your sled. You observe the world around you so carefully I always wonder what you are thinking and can't wait for the day when your words come easily and fluidly. When you were born you could barely utter a sound other than a strained cry and now you laugh, yell, and have an ever growing vocabulary (dad, hunter, mamma, read, book, duck, quack, moo, yes, this, up). You are learning to sign "more" and "milk". You communicate by pointing and waiting for us to follow you. You still love baths.
One of the memories I will never forget from this year Conor is when you were learning to walk. You would hold my fingers so tightly and in the other hand you would hold a tiny leaf, stick, or little treasure - as though it was helping you to keep your balance. It reminded me so much of the moment in Dumbo when he is learning to fly and he holds tight to a feather. Now, barely a week later you have taken flight and you have left my fingers and your "feather" behind. But not matter how far you go you will always be that "Baby of Mine."
Happy FIRST Birthday to my Sweet Baby Boy.......thank you for choosing me to be your Mommy!
Somehow along the way I forgot to post about you being 10 months!!! You turned 10 months on October 14th and looking back you have changed SO much since you turned 9 months.
Just before turning 10 months you had your 9 months check-up on October 11, 2012. When you were weighed you tipped the scale at 20.11 lbs (40%); you were 27.5 inches tall (17%) and your head was 47 cm (83%). The percentages are quite deceiving because everyone you meet comments on what a big boy you are - I think they must be looking at your cute round head because you are a short and rather lean little thing from the neck down (though you do have broad shoulders which I believe runs in both families).
In the last 30-31 days you have gotten teeth (two beautiful bottom teeth that pushed through on 9/20/12), you have begun music classes (which you love) and we are once again participating in swimming lessons. You had started walking a lot more (while pushing an item) and you are speaking! You have a few words that you say often: Hunter, Quack, Duck, Hi, Mom, Dad, Yes. You like to do pretend sneezes and coughs and you have started to understand and follow direction (for example when we ask you to stop doing something you do). You are wearing a mix of 9 month and 12 months clothes depending on the brand and what article of clothes it is. You have beautiful gray eyes and your hair is brown but has strong red undertones to it - so much that many people comment on your 'auburn' hair.
Photographing you for your monthly pictures continues to be a struggle as you do not like to sit still very long and you always want to reach for the sticker! Because I want this blog to be a true reflection of what life is like - here are some outtakes from your photo session!
Stop - no more!
nope - the distraction didn't work - you still went after the sticker
Daddy trying to keep your attention from the sticker while he placed it
you got it - and then rolled off the pillow (Daddy was right there - I cropped him from the frame)
I don't even know what to say about this one C-man!
You certainly changed quite a bit between these two months and I can't wait to see the changes that happen in the next 30 days.....its been an amazing 10 months little man!
Mommy is having a hard time with your monthly post this month as you are 9 months old. You have now been a little part of this giant world for as long as you were a tiny person-to-be inside Mommy's tummy. I have done my best to protect you, shelter you, and gain your trust in these last 9 months so that you know now and will know forever how much you are loved. I have worked hard to comfort you and anticipate your every need so that you never felt abandoned or neglected. I've tried to introduce you to the world in ways that encourage you to participate in it and not just observe; to be cautious but not afraid of all it has to offer. I have made you my focus in order to show you that I would always give you all of me whenever you required it and at those times that you don't. I promise you that no matter what else Mommy has on her plate YOU are the most important and will always come FIRST.
Nine months little man - you are wearing 9 and 12 month clothing. You are growing leaner and therefore clothes are fitting you for longer periods of time (our wallets appreciate this!). The pants are always still too long on you but since you are not walking yet that is ok as it helps keep your legs covered when you are in the backpack.
You have started to accept food a tad bit more regularly though not each day. I have stared only offering it to you every few days in order to not pressure you. Since you are so inconsistent with eating I have stopped making your food by hand as I don't feel it stays fresh long enough so you are eating "Happy Baby" brand as well a few other all organic pouches. You tend to like to suck the food from the pouch instead of using a spoon and that is ok by me (for now). You also really like puffs.
You are now officially unstoppable! You are crawling everywhere and over everything! You can crawl over humps and under bridges and its been real fun to watch you go (and also trying to always keep one step ahead of you). You also pull up on everything and you have started holding onto things with only 1 hand - you aren't supporting yourself unassisted at this time but I'm sure in one month I will be writing about you doing just that. You have started becoming more vocal and both Daddy and I LOVE your little voice and all its octaves!
You have such a a great personality. You are truly a very happy baby. You are typically all smiles all day unless you are hungry or have an unmet need (which isn't often). You have started getting upset when things you want are taken away from you or someone you want leaves the room (usually mommy when I am trying to get a drink before sitting down to nurse you). You have a little bit of stranger anxiety (mostly towards men) but you easily come around when/if the man is able to spend a little time making you feel comfortable.
You are also fearful of animals. You get very nervous when they come into the room or come near you on the street. You want to be as far away from them as possible and you shriek very loudly and start crying if you are not picked up or the animal moved away. Your Daddy and I want you to love animals but as your Mommy used to be fearful of them when she was a little girl she understands that we need to support your fear until you are ready to explore them further. So for now we make sure that Grandma and Grandpa Jakan's dogs are not around and that anyone else we know who has animals is able to put them away when we visit (and for the most part they are).
You are still not a fabulous sleeper. You tend to go to sleep between 7 and 8:15 and you will sleep until 11pm or so. At that time you nurse for about 10 minutes until you fall back asleep. You wake up next around 3:15am and at that point you nurse for a little bit longer. Some nights I struggle to get you to go back to bed at this time and so you are up for a good hour - but this is not every night. You are usually up for the day around 6:30am unless I nurse you a little bit more before I go to work -then you will sleep for Daddy until 7:30am or if I get to sleep in and pull you into bed with me you will often sleep until 7:30am. Your Daddy and I talked about sleep training but we feel you simply aren't ready yet so we will be talking to your pediatrician about our concerns and if you need to be eating so much at night (so far what Mommy reads says that you do because you are not eating a lot during the day - mostly at night and you aren't eating much solids).
You are moving further and further away from being my baby and closer and closer to being my 'big boy' and while Mommy is sad she is loving every minute she gets to watch you grow and learn new things. I love you so much little man and I can't WAIT to continue to watch you grow.
On July 9th we went to the doctor's office for your 6 month check-up. You were scheduled to receive 3 shots and to have your 'stats' taken. Our doctor had just gotten back, that day in fact, from maternity leave so you saw Dr. Brooks instead. She is very nice and we have actually seen her once before when you went in for an emergency visit.
We started the visit with your measurements. I put all your measurement stickers in the back of your baby book so that we can compare as you grow. This visit your head circumference went back to the track that it had been on when you were born which told us (and your doctor) that your work with Dr. Erika was a success and well worth it! Your weight has slowed down considerably. Instead of gaining about a pound a week or every two weeks you are not gaining a pound a month based on this month's weigh check vs. your 4month check. And even though you have grown a lot taller - you are still pretty compact. But, there are no worries - you have plenty of time to grow :)
You wore your owl diapers to the doctor's office and she said that your skin looked great as did your ears and eyes! We visited in the sports room.
Waiting on the Doctor.
After you visited with Dr. Brooks we were told to get you dressed and ready for your shots. Mommy always plans ahead and I had you wear a romper and Baby Legs so that you could be fully dressed but the nurse could have access to your legs for those horrible shots. You were scheduled to get 3 and because another child there was having a difficult time with her shots we had to wait a while for the nurse to come in. We kept you entertained by reading and you decided to busy yourself with ripping up the paper liner on the bench!
You did pretty well with your shots - though you moved your leg very fast and the needle grazed your skin on the last shot causing you to bleed. The nurse was very upset but we weren't too worried about it. Next time Mommy will just have to hold your leg a little tighter. You recovered with a little nursing and some love before getting in the car. You continued to do well at home. Shots do not seem to phase you too much though this time you were a little extra fussy the following day but I can't say it was 100% due to shots because you didn't take your naps.....
Our next appointment is in October - I wonder what room we will visit in!
I truly can't believe it - seven months! You are now closer to being ONE than being a newborn! Mommy has some great ideas for your first birthday and since the days are now flying by I better get started on the planning!
While physically you haven't grown that much in the last month developmentally you have blossomed. You have become so much more mobile. You use your arms to reach for things to grab and then you pull yourself towards those items. When you can't reach something you use your toes to push off the floor or any object behind you to give you some momentum. You are also pulling yourself up onto your hands and knees and rocking back and forth. You also now LOVE to stand and walk! Taking you to see Erika the Chiropractor has really made a difference in your gait and stability. You are walking much straighter now and you are using both legs equally. While you right step is still shorter than your left we are very happy with your progress.
You love to observe things. You take them into your hands and you turn them around and around or you drop them and pick them back up. You explore your toys in this manner - sometimes shaking them so much that we watch you bop yourself in the head!
You are very aware of your surroundings. You look for us when we come down the stairs if you hear the creaking of the steps. You cry/whine when someone you want to play with leaves the room, you turn to the voice of both Daddy and I when you hear us somewhere in the house call your name. You are such a smart little boy already!
We took you for your 6 month check-up (which was really at 7 months) and here are your stats: weight 18obs 14oz (58%); height 26 inches (20%); head 45cm (72%). You were such a good boy at the doctor's office until the final shot. Once it was in your leg you gave a swift kick and the needle tracked down your thigh. The nurse felt terrible because she wounded you. I felt terrible because I hadn't held you tightly enough and Daddy felt bad because the nurse felt bad. We all laughed and said next time we were going to put you in a straight jacket but on your legs!
While we waited for the doctor you had a great time ripping up the paper on the exam table!
Of course, as soon as we got home I had to check and see how your stats compared to your old ones - here they are (in order):
As you can see, your weight gain has slowed down and instead of gaining 2lbs a month you are gained 2 pounds in almost 3 months. Your head circumference is back up which is a good thing because it means you will not be evaluated for further treatment on your flat spot (more on that later). You are still a little shorty but you have plenty of time to grow so no one is worried since you are still growing. They would only be worried if you had stopped!
I don't know what else to say Conor except you are wonderful in every way!
Happy 7 month birthday!
xoxo
Mom
PS. Look how you have grown! As each month passes its getting harder and harder to remember you as the little red faced baby in the first picture!
I can't believe that you turned 3 months old this past week. I am simply in awe at how quickly time is passing us by. It honestly feels like you have been apart of this family for more than 3 months but it also feels like just yesterday we were in the hospital together. It's hard to describe how both of these feelings can co-exist when their concepts are so different - but don't question your Mom because they just do :)
This month has been a month of growth for all of us. You have moved out of size 0-3 clothes and are solidly in a Size 3, some 3-6 and some 6 (if you are wearing cloth diapers or if the item is cut rather small). You have gained weight and on 3/14/2012 you weighed 14lbs. 4 oz. I don't have your length as you do not have a doctor's visit this month but based on your little legs and the fact that you don't fit in certain clothes because of your growth I am certain you are longer as well.
When in disposable diapers you wear a Size 2 and when in cloth you are on the first snap. This month we started you in cloth diapers. You tend to not like to be in wet diapers and beg to be changed even if they are the slightest bit wet. Because of this you were going through many many diapers a day (almost as many as when you were a newborn) and so the cost of diapers was getting to be very expensive! Originally Daddy had wanted to do all cloth but I didn't know much about them and with my work I didn't have time to learn so I said no. But, I have since met many moms that use them and so I was drawn to them as both a money saving option and a comfort option for you. You currently wear them at night (Bum Genius Freestyle) and during the day when we are both at home (FreeStyle & Pockets). We have not worn them out of the house yet because we are still waiting on some supplies to come in (wet bags, Grovia inserts). We may try them on Tuesdays for group if things continue to go well. I am also looking into prefolds with covers because they are not as bulky under your pants.
Your first time in cloth - 3/5/2012
Tummy time in cloth - 3/7/2012
Smiles in cloth - 3/18/2012
This month you have really come into your own. You are smiling a lot more and you spend a good portion of your day 'talking' to us. We don't baby-talk to you but instead ask you questions and wait for your response. We prompt you to share in a conversation with us. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't - but I like to think that by giving you the chance to talk you will always know that what you have to say is important to us!
[video to come soon]
You continue to love your mat and your penguin mirror. But, we have also started sitting you in your little seat. You are still working at holding your neck up straight so you can't spend too much time in this chair but when you have been in it - you appear to enjoy it. I also bought you a little rocker because you loved the one at Jill's house and because it reclines a bit it is better for you than the little seat right now. You love the rocker and its activity bar!
You have started to uncurl your hands and so your Daddy and I work hard to help you grasp and reach for toys. We even went out and bought you some lighter weight toys to help you be able to grasp them better. You are not quite ready to reach and hold things on your own but we work with you every day on it.
This month we also started putting you in your stroller seat instead of just the carseat. You are not quite big enough for the straps but I can't stand to see you in the carseat for long periods of time or when we are going for walks in the neighborhood. You seem to like the stroller seat and since I can tip it back - you are able to sit at the same incline as your swing and Rock n' Play.
On a beach walk with Hunter 3.8.12
Strolling Back Cove with Friends 3.13.12
3.13.12 Waiting for Group to start.
Speaking of your Rock n' Play - you are still sleeping in it at night on my side of the bed. You now go to sleep between 8pm and 9pm (unless you have been very busy during the day and haven't gotten any quality naps in) and you wake up again between 1 and 2 to eat. After that - depending on your mood you go back to sleep in the RNP or you are moved into bed with Daddy, Hunter and I. No matter where you are sleeping you wake up again around 4 and then again at 6 and 7 when we get up for the day. You have been taking naps in your swing in the morning. You typically go down between 9 and 10 and you sleep for about 2 hours. This has given your Daddy and I some much needed time to shower and/or get some work done. (In fact, I am typing this now as you sleep).
You have now been on your medicine for about a month and while you still have trouble between 5pm and 7pm (if you are not napping which you have been doing in the last week) we do not have the trouble with you when you are awake that we had been having before the medicine. I have to attribute your change in behavior to the medicine because it was almost immediate and therefore while your growth might contribute a small bit to the change it simply can't be responsible for the larger part of it. We plan to continue your medicine until you are on solids and then I hope to wean you off to see how things go.
You have had several playdates this past month that I will blog about but they included a trip to Boston, Portland, and a St. Patrick's Day Party! You are a very social baby!
We love you so very much Conor and can't imagine our lives without you - Happy 3rd Month!
