14/15 Months

 

UPDATE: 

Dean can regularly go up and DOWN stairs without falling! It is such a relief! We can now breathe a little easier and not have our heart skip a beat every time he is on the steps. 

Cutting 3 more teeth, apparently they come in packs. Poor boy. So he is a little iritable lately which hasn't been fun. 

Struggles with Daddy back at work, Daddy calls it separation anxiety. Also struggling with not quite as much attention since kids are in virtual school and Mom's trying to maintain order. It’s exhausting.

He just started snuggling again! Maybe he’s just desperate and he knows Mom is low energy, although it would have been nice if this started a couple months ago, when Mom was really struggling. (Pregnancy 6, 4/5 Months) Maybe he is trying to soak up being the baby for as long as he can. 

Loves playing kisses games with Mommy, and Hide & Peek with Daddy. 

His above all favorite game in the world is PEEK A BOO! He dies in laughter over it and will play with anyone and everyone. His favorite way to play is in the curtains or walking around with his pjs on his head; of course we get the best giggles at bedtime when he’s slap happy ... which is scary because his balance is off and it gets a little dangerous, but no injuries yet. Thank Goodness!

He absolutley hates being chased or playing chase.  He thinks people are mad at him.  He especially hates it when daddy chases him.  Instead he goes up to daddy with his little fat lip and hugs his legs so the game stops.

Mornings. I love seeing this boy wake up and get giddy to start the day. 

FIRST BIRTHDAY

We celebrated DEAN turning ONE! It was a perfect summer day and we partied in the sun! He is the sweetest, fearless, dancing, little monster there is! He has us laughing every day, his giggles and sniff laughs are a family favorite. And we love singing to get him to dance or just cheer him up. This year has blown by, it brings me to tears to think he’s grown so much; my heart was broken as I looked through pictures of the past year trying to remember each and every moment of each and every stage. 

My Mom made her famous first birthday cupcakes and they were devoured. 

We also enjoyed splashing with some new toys and snuggling with all his favorite people. 

Loving his new vibrating teether already. 

Tried out his new water toy with his siblings,
wasn't so sure. 

Ended the party in brothers warm arms downing 
a full bottle. Best birthday ending. 

12 Months

Weight: 22 lbs 1 oz (60%)

Height: 29.25 (23%)

HC: 47.3 cm (81%)

And just like that we have a 12 monther. One year. Has it really been that long, it has felt too quick. And it breaks me to think it is already gone. It breaks me to think his baby days are numbered and toddlerhood is around the corner. But I am completely thrilled that this little boy is hear stealing our hearts day by day. How lucky we are!

Teeth update: Still 4 teeth. 

Movement update: Nonstop. He learned to walk and hasn't stopped since. He can run, but not well and not safely. It is more like he forgets how to stop, and doesn't care. He also rarely crawls which makes me kind of sad it all happened so quick and he seems so old now. I am not ready. I miss my cute little crawler. It was a little easier to keep track of him then too. 

Sleeping update: He has gotten sick and as long as were consistent although sometimes it is hard and even a battle he sleeps in his crib and we are pretty good about it. Even if he has some nights in ours and wants to stay, he is just too big and too used to his own. And honestly doesn't snuggle so it really is a lost cause and we don't really sleep. He fusses a bit but goes to sleep so well, everyone is always impressed. He is a champ. 

LIKES

Loves being outside, but not a super fan of grass. But deals with it because he has to keep moving. 

Intrigued by his shoes, wants to get them off to play with them. 

He loves the slide but it does get a little scary sometimes, even if his shoes stop him and he ends up stumbling down he is still ready for another go after a second of daddy cuddles. 

Daddy obsessed! He won’t even go to Mom sometimes. But it’s okay Mom enjoys the break a little. Daddy gets the biggest smiles, the biggest laughs, and when he’s hurt he runs to Daddy! Daddy is in heaven and trying to savor every second. 

One thing he really enjoys is Daddy's new beard.  Shea decided to grow one randomly one day and it has stuck around so far.  He loves to reach up and feel the prickly sensation on Daddy's scratchy beard.  Sometimes when he his napping with Shea or sleeping in our bed and is upset he just reaches up and feel that great man beard and knows that his Daddy is near and everything is going to be ok.

I’m loving that his hair is starting to curl on the ends. I never want to cut it and want it to grow forever. When we cut Connor's hair when he was little I missed it so much, and it was never the same. So bring on everyone mistaking him for a girl and all that hoopla this boy is going to have some cute curly locks forever, if he can stand it. 

Dancing! He dances to super simple songs by squatting repeatedly and sticking his hands out probably for balance, everyone’s favorite thing! We all love watching with him at night before bed and

singing with him. 

Laughing and smiling. Smiling is his favorite. I mean he is literally the sweetest so it is no shock. We are loving his sniff laughs lately. They are our absolute favorite things and we all die of laughter when we catch them. He loves making us laugh and smile too and loves all the attention. 

Loves to explore and discover new things. Sometimes it is hard to keep up with and it definitely keeps us on our toes. But we have lots of eyes watching and keeping him safe, through it all. 

Walking and showing off his new confidence. 

Playing ball.

Water play.

Watching his siblings play from thw window, he doesn't even mind. 

Gets annoyed with Mommy stalking him, but
it's fine everything is fine.
Dad deserves a turn at the favorite!

DISLIKES

He is quickly moving from the snuggler stage to the mover stage. And he wont snuggle for long anymore, which seems unfair. 

 

Not a super swing lover. He is ambivalent about it. 

Bye Bye Baby! Look out toddler world here I come!

11 Months

Sleep update: Still sleeping well, but I fear when it comes time to take away the night time bottle he may struggle. He does wake up every now and then mid-night screaming and Shea caves and brings him in bed with us. But most times Connor doesn't even notice so we try not to. 

Teeth update: He cut his 4th tooth! Those teeth are sharp, beware! 

Movement update: Walking, rarely crawls 

One of my favorite things is his tiny toes. Especially
 his turned in silly one. 

LIKES

Mommy loves how he uses his hand to make a grabbing motion when he wants something, like to be picked up. First steps of communication! So cute!

Obsessed with stairs. As good as he can go up them he is still struggling with going down them, I’m trying to teach him but he refuses to go backwards. I will say he’s made a mild improvement so I’m hoping it clicks soon. It will be so much easier when it does. 

Still loves the jumper although we think he’s getting too big. He loves to spin in it lately which is actually a little less dangerous. 

We are working on not screaming, and he thinks it is hilarious when we "shh" at him. 

Bathtime.

Loves peek-a-boo!

Daddy loves playing with Dean early in bed. Connor brings him to us in the mornings! It is Daddy's favorite part of the day. 

Food. His Highchair. Making big messes. He is the king. 

Swinging with Daddy!

Family walks, AKA stroller rides.

Brother.

DISLIKES

Stopping eating.

Too much loving.

Diapers.

Bedtime.