Elliott:
I cannot believe you are 1-year-old! In some ways it feels like only yesterday we were at the hospital when you were born, but in others it feels like you have always been here with us. It's truly hard to remember life without you. We celebrated your birthday with family and friends at our house this past Saturday. You are loved by so many, and we couldn't be more proud of you! Here's what you've been doing this month:
-We had your 1 year check up today, and you weighed 20 pounds 1 ounce and measured 29 inches long, putting you in the 25th percentile for height and weight.
-We took you to Arkansas Allergy and Asthma Clinic this month to see f we could get some answers to why you haven't been able to shake this cough and chest congestion for the past 6 months. We had a good visit with Dr. Shields, and we did finally get some answers. Based on your medical history, (ear infections, reflux, bronchulitis, pneumonia, persistent cough and rattling in your chest that is helped by an inhaler, etc.) he was able to quickly conclude that you have asthma. He did also do some allergy testing for things in the air, (pets, dust, mold, grass, bugs, etc.) but you tested negative for all of them. So, he told us to keep doing what we're doing (daily Zantac and Singulair, as well as the Albuterol inhaler when needed), but he also added a "control inhaler" (Alvesco) that you use every night before bed. We'll go back later this month for him to check your progress and he'll tell us if we need to adjust anything we're doing. I'm thankful to finally know why you haven't been able to get well no matter what we do, and thankful that it is very treatable, even something you'll likely outgrow.
-You're still napping twice a day (when you are at home) for about 2 hours in the morning and 1 hour in the afternoon, and you are napping much better at daycare (about an hour).
-You sleep from about 8pm to 7am most nights. You go right down for naps and bedtime without fighting.
-You sleep from about 8pm to 7am most nights. You go right down for naps and bedtime without fighting.
-You are wearing 9-12 month clothes, size 3 diapers, and a size 2 or 3 in shoes.
-You are getting better at finger foods, and you eat 3 meals and 2 snacks a day. This month a new favorite has been string cheese.
- When you had your stomach bug last month, you refused to nurse, so I decided to just wean you completely to bottles since we only had one month until your first birthday (when I had planned to wean you anyway). You fought us on bottles most of the month until we tried switching you to Gerber Good Start. Apparently it tastes more like breast milk. You take around 20-24 ounces of formula a day.
-You are getting the hang of the sippy cup. You like using one with a straw.
- When you had your stomach bug last month, you refused to nurse, so I decided to just wean you completely to bottles since we only had one month until your first birthday (when I had planned to wean you anyway). You fought us on bottles most of the month until we tried switching you to Gerber Good Start. Apparently it tastes more like breast milk. You take around 20-24 ounces of formula a day.
-You are getting the hang of the sippy cup. You like using one with a straw.
-You got 2 new teeth this month. The tooth to your right of the bottom middle tooth and the first molar on your top left! You now have a total of 9 teeth, 5 on top and 4 on bottom.
-You are cruising along furniture to get to things and even switching from one piece of furniture to another if they are in close proximity. You are letting go of things and standing well on your own for longer periods of time. You have even started taking a couple of steps before stumbling or sitting down. You have also started standing up without pulling up sometimes. You love to push your little walker all around the house. I think you'll be walking by the time you are 13 months.
-You are talking more and more! Mrs. Leslie says you are the best at talking in your class, which makes us so proud since you are the youngest! In addition to saying Mama, Dada, Papa (bopa), Lola, uh oh, night night, hello (o-low), and juice (use), you've added this, (you say "dis?" and point when you want something) more (along with the baby sign language!), bottle, bye bye, ball, cheese and light to your vocabulary. You can point to the light or your bottle when you say it, and you have started holding any and everything up to your ear like a phone and saying "hello?" this month. It is absolutely adorable!
-You love Lola! Anytime you are near a window you ask about her. You think she lives in everyone's back yard. You also say her name when you hear her bark, and can tell us what sound she makes, "uff uff". We think you're a pretty smart little boy.
-You love Lola! Anytime you are near a window you ask about her. You think she lives in everyone's back yard. You also say her name when you hear her bark, and can tell us what sound she makes, "uff uff". We think you're a pretty smart little boy.
-You love your "Bopa"(Poppy, my Dad). When you see him you say his name over and over and wave at him or reach for him. Naturally, he's eating this up.
-You've started to get a little attitude this month, throwing a screaming fit if we take something away from you or tell you no. We've started getting nervous about learning to discipline you. I can tell you are going to be very strong willed, and it's just so hard to say no to you! I think we're in trouble...
-You learned to give kisses this month. We love your slobbery open mouth kisses and we take one whenever you are willing to hand them out!
What a difference a year makes! You have grown and learned so much in such a short period of time. I'm looking forward to watching you grow from a toddler to a little boy this year. I know we have many more exciting milestones to come, and I look forward to celebrating each one with you.
Happy Birthday sweet boy!
-Momma
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