17 months

This month has been rough for me.  I haven't liked going back to work.  It is just hard leaving Caleb and going to a place where I completely feel overwhelmed.  Caleb is learning to transition back to me being away from him too.  He has had a few cranky nights and I think he is just plain worn out!  He doesn't nap as much now that I'm away and he lets me know at night.  But, we still manage to sneak in a lot of fun!

New Things: Continuing from above he has taken to sleeping til 10 am a couple of times this month. Last week I started putting him to bed around 8-8:30 instead of 9-9:30 and he is still sleeping long.

He has gained so much confidence and now climbs EVERYTHING!  He can get himself on the couch. I decided to put our couch cushions on the floor because he loves to jump and I would prefer him to fall from 1 foot instead of 3 or 4.  He is fearless when it comes to slides.  Slides that are much too big for him at Ambuc's park, he would happily dive down face first if I let him.

We had our last family swim at Crystal Lake on Labor Day weekend and we had fun!

We have been trying to keep our weekends fun and family-oriented as much as possible.  Just Sunday, we went to Curtis Orchard and just played.  And a couple weeks ago we went to the Urbana Sweet Corn Festival which was great!

Caleb is watching my every move and really likes to mimic my sounds.  He is "counting" to three to initiate games and he is so proud of himself and claps when he gets me to do them.  He is still a huge fan of Grandpa but he also likes Uncle Ben.  Last week, he said "Uncle Ben" as clear as could be once but I couldn't get him to say it again since.  (At least Ben heard it too.)

Caleb has starting walking on our walks and I'm impressed with how far he wants to go.  Sometimes we do have to ride back in a stroller but others, he is happy to walk alongside me.  He even wants to hold Cooper's leash sometimes!

He got to have fun last Tuesday night playing with his cousin. They always have gotten along very well!

STATISTICS:
Height: 32 inches
Weight: 23.6 lbs
Clothes: 18 months shirts 12/18 month pants (12 getting short but still big around the waist) shoes 4 diapers 3
Teeth: 6 on top, 5 on bottom
Words: here, go go, no
Phrases: here you go, Uh-oh, thank-you
He can definitely understand what I mean when I say, brush teeth, go outside, pet Cooper among many other things.  We have such fun!!

16 months

This past month has been bittersweet for me.  I just have soaked in every second with this kiddo. I would certainly say that this was the month of pools, parks and play!  I go back to work tomorrow. One day after he turns 16 months.  I have enjoyed all our summer time together.

He has really grown a lot this month.  He now has 6 teeth on top (1 top left molar and 1 popping in on the right) and 4 bottom teeth.  He is still Mr. Opinionated but mostly just that he wants to be with mommy.  He loves to sing and dance and climb.  This month he discovered how to climb up on the kitchen chair and thus the kitchen table... sheesh.

We did a lot this month but I think the best part was our beach vacation in South Padre Island in Texas with the whole family.  Caleb learned so much on that trip about beaches.   He learned about feeding seagulls and the taste of sand and saltwater.  He wasn't too fond of the texture of sand to walk in and he didn't want to get near the water but he loved just sitting with sand toys digging in the sand. He also had this really cool floaty that I wish I discovered earlier in the summer.  It sat him and just had a ring in front so I could just relax; hands-free pool time is the best.  He also seemed to really remember the protocol for airplanes. He understood he would be on my lap and didn't fight it.  He slept some on the way there and back and overall it wasn't too bad.   He also gained a love for his cousin Josh and Olivia on this trip.  I loved seeing him pursue Josh to give him a hug and follow him around.  He was mimicking him too!

Speaking of mimicking, he has been fake sneezing trying to get people to say, "Bless You!" and then repeating it back.  He also has starting mimicking "thank you".  He doesn't quite produce too many words still be he definitely understands a ton.  He definitely will ignore directions if he doesn't want to do something but when he does listen he gets a lot of positive reinforcement for being a good listener.

Other noteworthy things about this month was our family fun time in Homer Lake.  We had everyone out for a picnic dinner and playing in the lake.  I could safely say that a good time was had by all!!



He has gotten better at brushing his teeth.  He started petting Cooper gently this month but I still worry that he is going to throw something too roughly at him.  He gives me back rubs when I hold him when he is tired.  He still does the "poop face" when pooing.  (He'll thank me later for this info.) He loves to eat Plum pouches, milk, grapes, clementines, macaroni and much more.

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He continues to amaze me and make everyday so much fun!  I love this little man more than I could have ever dreamed possible.

STATISTICS
Height: 31/5 in 46%
Weight:23.4 lbs 52%
Clothes: Shirts: 18 months; Shorts 12 months; shoes: 4; diaper: 3
Teeth: 6 on top; 4 on bottom
Words: Go, Dada, Mama, yeah, oh no, no, uh oh

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15 months- summer loving

Summer is the best thing to happen to this teacher.  I have loved my uninterrupted-by-work schedule with Caleb.  This past month was super busy with photo sessions but I just did my last scheduled session for the summer.  I'm happy to have this extra time to bond with Caleb.  I love this boy more than words can describe but I'll try.  I love that with each grump, squeak, noise, look I (mostly) understand what he wants/needs.  Today at lunch Chris said to Caleb, "Mommy knows you better than you do."  Those words made me feel amazing.  My little introvert can be moody at times with certain people but he also has some seriously big room for love too.

We recently traveled for three days to North Carolina and it was a major blast traveling with him.  I had a lot of fears going into traveling via plane with a 14 month old but he did just fine. We just kept plenty of snacks and toys to keep him entertained.  I'm so glad I thought at the last minute to grab five mega blocks. He played with those for twenty minutes at a time.

Caleb has become much more steady on his feet and is practically running.  He still loses his balance a lot when tired. I noticed just the other day how much more confident he is on different surfaces. He has also developed a love for climbing on things and we have had to hide some chairs.  He will climb them by himself and luckily so far when he gets to the top he screeches for help down. He just discovered sand and seemed to like it.  He loves slides and pools.  He loves music of any kind.  It usually makes him clap and dance. He can sing along a bit with some songs now, "If you're Happy and You Know It", he says "hooray" and claps his hands.  I also swear he started to sing the Paw Patrol intro song the other day. He is really interested in how things work and tries to figure it out.  He still loves Cooper and tries to initiate games with him all the time. Cooper rarely is interested in games with Caleb but does come quick when Caleb is offering him food. He doesn't have many new (real) words since last month other than to say that he says, "crackers" and "up" occasionally.

He still gets up at 8-8:30, naps around 10:45-12:30; lunch play nap 4-5:30 and then up til about 9. We really messed up that schedule the last week but that seems to be sticking overall.

He loves most foods but is getting pickier than in the past.  Some foods he won't eat are meat and things that make his hands messy.  He loves holding a spoon.  We introduced the toothbrush and he tries to brush his hair and belly with it.  He definitely recognizes what a brush does just not a toothbrush.  I need to do some modeling as I usually do that after he goes to bed or before his is up.

He really enjoyed our last airplane ride.  He pointed out everything outside the window from workers to trucks to buildings to other airplanes.

Statistics

Height: 33" Head 19"
Weight: 22.0 lbs
Clothes: Shirts: 18 months; Shorts 12 months; shoes: 4; diaper: 3
Teeth: 9 teeth (5 top, 4 bottom)

14 months

Today someone asked me how old my son is while we were sitting at Lap Time at the library.  I had to stop and realize that he was 14 months today.  13 months was probably one of my favorite months (although I say that every month)!  He has learned so much!

He has become a very steady walker.  He is still learning about uneven surfaces but has level ground down!  He is so fast and he really wants to climb!  Stairs, objects, couches, he attempts it all! I just try my best to keep up with him!  He wants to be extremely independent.  I mean I was trying to keep him in my front yard the other day and he wasn't so sure footed just yet with our driveway (which has a steep decline) and he started crawling down our driveway towards the street.  He did not want me to stop him.

Overall, I'd say his personality is one of very happy and content.  Everywhere we go, I get told what a happy baby.  In fact just on Friday, two of my best friends commented on that in the same day.  He is just a happy boy when mommy is around! ;-)

I love him to pieces!  Everything I do is funny and interesting!  This month he became "Mr. Chatterbox"!  Seriously, the kid picks up any random object and uses it as a "phone" and just gabs away.  He is starting to form real words.  He says "go" and just today "doggie".  He tries to say "Cooper" and "All Done" but they aren't clear yet.  It is funny though because today I was scolding Cooper to be quiet and he was "giving Cooper an earful" too!

Caleb loves: momma, dada, Grandpa Reinhart, Cooper, stairs, food, playing with legos, building, running on sidewalks, water, baths, singing/dancing, clapping, smiling, stroller rides, Paw Patrol charming everyone he meets!

Caleb doesn't love: eggs, grass, getting dressed, diaper changes

Caleb is getting a daily routine now that I have been home with him just over one week.  He gets up between 8-8:30 and we go pointing and looking for dada.  He finds him and gabs his ear off and then snuggles him and wants momma again.  Then we nurse, eat breakfast and play and nap at 10:45-12:30.  He eats a good lunch and we play again til 4.  He naps til 5:30.  Dinner and stroller ride.  It has been a good gig.  We watch Paw Patrol and wind down with a bottle every night before bed.

Statistics:

Weight:
Height:
Clothes: Shirt: 18 months; Pants: 12 months; Shoe size 4

13 months

Where does the time go?  Years have always gone fast but this is insanity!  I have a 13 month old today!

What's new?

He is a pro tantrum-thrower.  If he wants something and doesn't get in in .2 seconds of him thinking of it; he is arching his back and screaming.  I seriously am amazed.  Where does he learn this stuff?

He is also starting to learn other important skills. He is taking several independent steps at a time.  He isn't quite walking yet but when his mind is set, he does get in 5-6 steady steps before falling to the ground.  He is starting to try more and more daily.

He loves all food except plain scrambled eggs- that he will make a face that makes you think he is choking and you will need to do the Heimlich.  LOL- we were eating Mother's day brunch and I stated that I was glad that someone made eggs because we rarely eat them at home.  I wanted him to get exposure since I really don't care much for eggs. His face was too funny!

He loves his new water table!  Like you must see the video!  He gets totally soaked but just loves it. Also we started taking baths in the big kid tub and that was going well until tonight when he decided to run away from the water being poured on his head and tried to break his back.  Generally though, we love bath night!

Caleb has mastered the "alligator roll" when it comes to diapers or clothing change.  He can wiggle his way right out.

He recently has started pointed to everything indicating he wants us to walk there together.  He also loves to point out lights.  He actually says the word "light" clear as day. He also can say "Caleb" but it sounds more like "Tay- lub".  I love it!

I will work on the stats and update this post later but I wanted to at least get these memories down before I forget!

Weight: 22.0 lbs
Height: ?
Shoe size: 3
Clothes: Shirts-18 months; pants 12 months

12 months- one year!

I'm not sure how it happened but a year just whizzed on by!  Somehow my newborn is now a babbling pre-toddler.  He is trying so hard to walk and stand independently.  He is developing a super great personality.  He has his opinions and he lets them known.  He is beginning to challenge me as a "single mom" in the evenings but I love it all!  He is quite possibly the best thing to happen to me.  I really wish that I could have stayed home with him this past year and really gotten to savour all those baby moments.  But, I'm thankful he has been in good care during the days while I am away.

Food:  He eats about every soft food that I give him.  I'm too chicken to just hand him crunchy veggies so he drinks his veggies in pouches that I make.  He just started on cow's milk and he is doing great.  We mix it with breastmilk and warm it and he drinks it just fine!

Sleep:  Finally, we have a baby who sleeps through the night.  Once in a while he'll need to nurse in the night but overall I have been getting 7-8 consecutive hours of sleep when I go to bed at a decent time!  It feels amazing!

New things: Steps- he has been taking them a short distance. I extend my arms as far as I can and he walks to me.  He gets so proud of himself and has his own sound he makes when he gets to me.  It is similar to my high-pitched "Yay!" when he gets to my arms.  Then he hugs me tight.  Best feeling ever!

He continues to love dogs, balls and clanking items together.  He is my little engineer because he is always turning things over trying to figure out how everything works.  He loves trucks, my dad and his funny noises.  He loves to watch Paw Patrol snuggled on my chest with  a bottle.  He has a short attention span for books but the board books with puzzle keep his attention.  He just loves to hear mommy's voice.  He is still a morning person but generally is happy all day.  His best time is definitely morning though.  He is growing so much and generally just loves life.  I am so proud to call him my son!

Ordinary Night

Just in case you wondered what an ordinary night with my 11 month old looks like...