12 months - BLM

Our lil man turned one on December 20th. It's crazy how fast a year can go by and how much changes in 12 months. We went from bringing home this bundle of joy

 that grew up to be this little firecracker in a short 12 months.

**Note** I wrote this post two weeks ago and was waiting to take a pic with his 12 months sticker and never found it, so if I do- it will most likely be a 13 month pic (just one month late!).

He has definitely taken off this past month. He is still not walking, but took a step on Thanksgiving day and will occasionally take 1-2 steps whenever he feels like it. He clearly says Mama, Dada, Bye, Hi, and we think he says ya or yes as well as trying to say his name. We will say Bradley and he will fire back with Ba-ley. I still think he only has the 6 teeth. His four 1 year molars can be clearly seen through his gums as well as 1 or 2 other teeth, but nothing has poked through yet. He had a good check-up at the doctor; our lil skinny mini keeps shrinking in weight. His stats were:

Height - 31" (88%)
Head - 18.75" (87%)
Weight - 20 lbs. 10.5 oz (41%)

Poor guy was having a rough day during his check-up. He was still getting over RSV and just not quite his normal self, not to mention, ready for a nap! All cuddled up with dad, clinging to his shirt.

So his head blew up and he basically gained 1 lb in 3 months. He is a pretty good eater (especially on purees). We have actually gotten him to eat cracker, tortilla chips, Nutrigrain bars, french fries, and toast over the past 10 days. He does seem to love his carbs, but isn't willing to try much else at the moment. He still will put too much in his mouth or not chew all the way and ends up choking which really scares him. Hopefully over the next month, we'll be able to add a longer list of foods to his menu. He has gotten the whole shaking his head no thing down pat. When he is finished eating or doesn't like what we offer him, he shakes his head vigorously back and forth while squinting his eyes and scrunching his nose up. But when he does like something he starts shaking his head yes, while kind of rolling his whole body with the head nodding. It's like he is thinking to himself, "mmmm this is good." He takes four 8 oz. bottles a day of half and half mix of formula/whole milk. Pretty sure he would switch solely to whole milk, but I still had formula left and couldn't throw it away!!! He does love to grab Ryan's cups and seems to get the hang of it, but if I give him a cup of water, he doesn't have much interest in it.

His sleep habits have been wonderful this past month. For the most part, he doesn't stir at all during the night and sleeps from 7:30 pm until 7:15 am, then takes a 1-1.5 hour nap around 10am and another 1-1.5 hour nap around 2:30pm. He is in 12-18 months clothes, size 3 diapers, and his hooked on his pacifier and lovey.

Speaking of the lovey......we had a horrible incident with it right after Christmas. We went to meet the Correas for dinner at one of our favorite places, Crisp. Wes had loaded B up and carried him in to the restaurant. We had a nice dinner, nothing seemed off, and when we were driving home, I started to wonder where his lovey was. We didn't see it in the car, so assumed B left it at home (which he never, ever does). Of course, when we get home, it is no where to be found. I start to panic and my stomach sinks. It is already pretty late and B is tired. Within 5 minutes, we don't find it, so decide it's better to just get him ready for bed and then continue to look. We get him in bed, and the tears start flowing. Upset was an understatement. We tore the house apart, no lovey to be found. Wes drove back to the restaurant, waiters and hostesses searched (although neither of us remember him actually having it at dinner) and he searched around where our car was parked. No lovey. I continue tearing through the house and at that point, we were stumped. B finally fell asleep an hour and 10 minutes later. I knew though the first time he woke up looking for it during the night was going to be bad. real bad. That was at 4:15 am. He screamed and bawled like I have never heard before. We wanted him to try and work it out because at this point, we assumed the lovey was gone for good and he was going to have to learn to cope and move on. Finally, at 5:50 am when he had not stopped crying for over and hour and a half, I couldn't take it anymore and went in there to console him. Literally the second I picked him up and went to rock him, he was asleep. We rocked and he slept until 7:15 in which he woke up in an almost decent mood. That quickly changed by about 8:30 when he became exhausted. Wes tried to put him down for a nap and at 10:10 am he was still screaming. I decided to drive back up to the restaurant for one final check because by this point, we were desperate. As I am pulling in the parking lot, I see a glimpse of a bright yellow something staring back at me. Lo and behold, the lovey!!!! Sitting right in the middle of the parking lot - no tire marks, nothing! I was screaming with joy. It was seriously a miracle :) Needless to say B was excited to get his best friend back, but it did take a good 24 hours for him to fully recover. He was super clingy and easily upset for the next day. I think he thought we were punishing him. We now have new rules for where all the lovey can go since that is the only one that will do!

B's favorite things to do these days include pushing the shopping cart around or chairs or anything else that will scoot or roll on the floor.

He has really been enjoying bathtime with his brother lately. He gets absolutely wild in there - kicking, splashing, just going crazy.

Ready to go outside and play. He LOVES the cold weather. He seriously get a huge grin on his face and starts making monkey like sounds (who, who, ha, ha type stuff) in a really excited manner when we walk out.

 When he can't go outside, this is his response......

He is still OBSESSED with all things technology, but especially the computer. He sneaks over to it when we aren't looking, lifts the top, and goes to town. He thinks he is being sneaky, but we are wise to his games.

He also loves to put the phone up to his hear and pretend like he his talking.

Probably one his favorite gifts so far. A Jake and the Neverland Pirates lil chair that folds out into a bed. He just loves it and rolls around in it all giddy. Here's a sweet brotherly love moment.

Finally getting big enough to somewhat enjoy the slides. This was from Christmas day at GiGi's park.

He has also mastered waving and clapping as well as pointing at everything now. He has learned if he points and grunts for something, he just may get it. The other day we were eating some Cheddar n Sour Cream Baked Lays and he started the whole pointing and grunting routine, so we gave him one thinking he would hate it. Nope, wrong. He is in love! He is obsessed with them and can hover 5-6 whole chips in a sitting. We may have a problem....He has also mastered the TV remote and has learned to point it at the TV, press buttons, and viola - things start happening! He can also start following simple commands. If we say "are you tired?" he grabs his lovey, puts it up to his face, and lays his head down. Or if I tell him to put his head on my chest, he will lie down so, so sweetly.  We love you buddy, you sure have made our life a lot different around here (but definitely for the better!).