1 YEAR OLD!!

  I can't believe that one year ago today, I was awakened by stomach pains only to realize that 16 hours later, I would be brining my son into this world.  What a wonderful journey that has been.  I look back at this last year and cannot help but thank the Lord for the beautiful child.  Yes, even when he is screaming his lungs out, having a full blown melt down, and pouring all of the water from his cup onto the floor in front of the tub!  He is THE MOST AMAZING thing that has ever happened to me!  As I look over this past year, I cannot even begin to thank the good Lord for this amazing child.  He has brought so much joy to not only our lives, but to our family, as well.  I love watching my parents play with him on the floor, as he snaps his fingers with Grandpa, and as he blesses my mom as she leaves my house.  I love as he runs across the floor to Grandma B, and as he plays with his uncle Mikey, making "that face" that only Uncle Mikey can make!  I love to watch him with his Aunt Melinda and Aunt Cathy, as they dote over their nephew, loving him in ways that only an Aunt can love!  I would have never imagined that in one year, we would be watching Jonathan crawl up the stairs (and the furniture), walk across the house like its nobody's business, and sit at the table as he attempts to feed himself spaghetti with his own fork!  I mean it when I say, I am in total AWE of this child.  He has his own personality, his own little laugh, and definitely his own little temper!  I want so badly to be able to protect him from anything that can hurt him, but I know that this is just the beginning of "letting go."

We celebrated my best friend, Amanda's, wedding on November 10th.  Jonathan had a blast!  We thought since it was late, he'd be ready for bed.  Well, the music started and he was wanting to be out on that dance floor.  At first, I stood with him at the edge of the dance floor so he could still see everyone, but not be trampled by all of the people dancing.  At first, he stood at the edge of the dance floor and danced!  Then, he looked up at me, reached for my hand and started pulling me to the middle of the dance floor.  He wanted to be in the middle of it all.  Amanda came and took him to the middle to dance and you should have seen the smile on his face!  He was having the time of his life!  He pumped his fists in the air, he bopped his head back and forth in rhythm with the music, and squealed with delight!  He is definitely going to be my social butterfly!

On November 17th, we celebrated Jonathan's first birthday.  It was a Sesame Street theme, and had the blue smash cake to go with it.  It was wonderful.  He had a blast, and he loved being around all of his family and friends.  He played with all of his new toys, ate pizza and cake and had everyone laughing and smiling!

He is now a "hefty" 20lbs and 29inches tall.  We have been bottle free for almost a month now, and he has graduated from formula to whole milk!  He is just a little man now.  We now go for walks down the street.  He loves to pick up as many leaves as he can, play in the rocks in the front of the house, and break sticks in half like he's the Hulk!  He is so little boy!  If I'd let him, he would just sit in the dirt and dig, but mommy isn't ready for that yet.  He has his own little WWE move where he body slams you if your are lying on the floor, and if you go to kiss him while he is on his back lying down, he brings his legs up and pretends to kick you off of him!  Yes, soooo little boy!  I will leave the wrestling moves for him and Daddy!  This past month, he also start talking more.  When I say talking, I mean more babbling, but the babbles are more consistent for things like "banana", "light" and for "grandma" and "grandpa"!  He did say "Elmo" the other day when he saw him on a poster!  He even surprised Steve and me the other day when he was walking across the kitchen, stooped to pick up a toy and kept walking.  The PT in me said, "that's not supposed to happen until 15 or 18 months!"  Yes, he is amazing, yes, he is my precious gift from God, and yes, Steve and I will do all we can (with the help of the good Lord) to raise this child right.  To direct his energy in the right direction, to give him those life lessons that are so important, and to ensure that he has the love of Christ.  Well, one year, has already come and gone and Steve and I can't wait to see what the next year brings!  Wait, that's the terrible two's....maybe we will just keep him one for awhile!!

                                    

                          

Party like a rock star!

...the next morning!

     

Future drummer!

11 months old!

Yep, 11 months already.  We are officially walking!  We took our first steps two weeks ago with grandma.  She tried to get him to wait until mom and dad got home.  But what has started off as 2 steps into your arms, has now turned into full blown walk across the living room!  I have yet to get this on video, though.  I still don't feel comfortable letting him go at it alone, but he loves to walk away from me!  He get so excited and if there is a pillow around on the floor, he throws himself down with a big ol' laugh!  He also loves to climb...anything.  This week, I thought he was playing on the floor.  I was at the counter in the living room sorting through mail.  I turned around and found him on top of the couch, trying to pull up on the blinds!!  Talk about giving me a heart attack.  It didn't phase him.  He laughed and tried to crawl away from me as fast as he could!!  He has no fear, and that does scare me a bit, but I do love watching my son explore the world.  Being able to see it through his eyes is amazing!  We had our first trip to the zoo this month.  I think his favorite part were the snakes and amphibians!  Him and daddy loved watching the frogs, and the snakes, too!  Bath times are so much fun now that he can sit in the tub by himself.  He loves to run his hand through the water and splash and get me and Steven all wet!  He has so much fun playing with his toys, and pouring the water out of his pitcher.  He continues to sleep through the night.  Sometimes, he will cry out with a scream, but usually by the time Steve or I get there, he is fast asleep again. Thank goodness!  That has been such a godsend!  He goes to bed around 8:30, and usually sleeps until 6:30 or 7:00.  He still doesn't like to be snuggled to sleep, and prefers to drink his bottle, read his books, and them be put down (still awake) and puts himself to sleep.
Feeding times have become a little more interesting.  Can we say PICKY EATER!  I can't believe how how picky he has gotten.  Before, he took down anything, and well.  We started introducing more textures, and he is not liking it.  We are starting to slowly ween him from the bottle, and introduce more "regular" foods.  He does like egg in the morning with daddy.  He loves his yogurt, mango, oatmeal, banana, wheat bread and crackers.  Getting him to eat much other than that has been a challenge.  I know, I keep hearing that this is a phase and that he will eventually he will begin eating different foods, but for now...well, lets just say that this is a challenge.
So by this time next month, we will be celebrating Jonathan's first birthday.  I am not ready for my baby to grown up, but my goodness, I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for this little boy.  My heart is so excited!

First Hair Cut!

I know, I know.  I never thought of taking Jonathan to a get a haircut this early.  Especially as he started off bald!  But, over these last few months, the curls have set in and people have been commenting of how long his hair has been getting.  I was crushed when someone came up and said, "oh she is so pretty."  Ok, that's it.  Mom made an executive decision and said, "We are taking him first thing tomorrow and getting a haircut." Steve came in after his bath that night with a comb and a pair of scissors, and said, "here, I'll cut it."  I love you, Angel, but NO!  So, Saturday morning, off we went to Sharkey's to get his hair cut.  This place was awesome.  Painted in bright, child like colors.  The lady has Jonathan sit on Steven's lap.  The big screen television in front of my son displayed his favorite Sesame Street character, Elmo, and he was content.  I even caught him moving to the side to watch his cartoon, as the sylist worked in front of him to trim those curls that I have come to love.  When it was all said and done, all I could think of was, "where did my baby go."  He looked like such a little boy, not a baby.  And no doubt about it, he looks just like his daddy.  So here we go, starting down the road of little boy things....haircuts to start.  I think next time, though, Steve might bring out the scissors again!

Ready to go!

Get out of my way lady, I'm watching Elmo!

All finished!!  Man, I look handsome!

10 months old!

We have hit the double digits!!  10 months old already.  Before you know it, I'll be planning his first birthday.  Ok, lets not think about that just yet.  Jonathan continues to be on the move!  We had our 9 month well check and he is a little over 17 pounds and 23 and 3/4 inches long.  I know he has grown more than that is the last 2 weeks.  Jonathan had his first illness this month.  On August 27th, he started with a slight fever.  But, as the night went on, the fever got worse, and my little man was not himself.  We had our well check visit that day, and the doc said that he definitely had a virus and to take some children's tylenol and watch him over the next 24 hours.  The max his fever went was 101.4.  Thank goodness that he responded well to the Tylenol.  That morning, my little man stayed on the couch with me for over 1 and 1/2 hours.  I know he wasn't feeling well.  Jonathan doesn't sit!!  He snuggled with me for a bit, and then would lie down on his pillow with his favorite stuffed monkey, Buddy.  He did break his two top teeth later that week.  The doc told me that there is no evidence that children get fevers before their teeth come in, but I bed to differ.  I think otherwise.  The last two times teeth have cut, he has gotten a fever.  This was a bit more severe breaking two teeth at once!  As of now, he has his two top, bottom, and two others (one on top and bottom) that are on the verge of busting through!  Lookout!
Jonathan is becoming more and more talkative, too.  He likes to imitate you, which Steve and I really have to watch.  He says "nana" for his banana in the morning and I swear he says "mamaw" for grandma and "papa" for grandpa.  I can't get it too consistent, but its getting there!  He will say "mumum" for his paci.  We still haven't figured out that one yet!  He plays pat-a-cake, claps when you say "yeah" and, just in time for football season, throws his arms overhead when you say "touchdown!" He will point to his head and his nose when you ask where each is, and when you ask him to give you something, or "let me have it", he will give you what he has, even if you don't put your hand out to cue him.  He is on a good sleeping schedule.  He takes two naps through the day for 1-2 hours at a time.  Usually when he starts getting fussy, you can tell him, "Jonathan lets go take a nap."  When we get to his room, he points to the ceiling to turn on his music and lights, and he will just lie in bed.  Usually you hear him talking to himself, or banging on the toy with his foot.  Before you know it.  It gets really quiet, and he's out!  He does the same for bedtime, too.  He doesn't like to be rocked but will go to his bed without a fight, and put himself to sleep.
Jonathan is eating great, too!  We introduced chicken this month.  He wasn't too crazy about it on his own, but when all else fails, add sweet potato!  He eats like a champ.  Some of his foods include:  sweet potato, peas, carrots, green beans, banana, oatmeal, yogurt, mango, pineapple, apples, whole wheat past, wheat bread, avocado.  He also tried refried beans for the first time, too and loved them!!  He continues to drink his bottle, too and loves his cold water in his sippy cup.  I even caught his feeding his cereal to Caesar the other day; a habit we are working on breaking!  Caesar loves it, though.  He continues to walk with his walker, wait, I should say RUN with his walker.  He doesn't quite have the turns down, but he can walk 10 laps around the kitchen and living room if you let him!!  He continues to crawl up the stairs on his own, without any trouble, and has just started getting down by staying on his stomach and scooting himself backwards down the stairs on his own.  He still crawls up on the couch (an action I still haven't caught on video) and he lets himself down by scooting onto his stomach, turning around and feeling for the floor with his feet.  He has given me a slight heart attack each time he does this!!
So as you can see, Jonathan is growing quick.  He is moving quickly into the toddler stage and is losing his baby features by the day.  Steve and him love watching cartoons in the morning and football in the weekends!  I am just trying to savor each moment, and his is growing quickly and leaving little room for slowing down!

9 months old!

Nine months already!  I can't believe that in just 3 short months, we will be celebrating one year!!  Jonathan has done nothing short of keeping Steve and me on our toes!!  Over this past month, we have had a few firsts:

Beach trip
walk with push toy
climb up on to the couch (yes, up to the couch by himself!)
said "cracker" (but we think that was a fluke!)
starts to mimic when you ask, "how does the dog go?"  Jonathan responds, "ugh, ugh"  We'll get it!

He continues to be a mover!  Nothing is safe.  He loves to move his pack n play across the floor, and pull the bar stools back and forth.  We will sometimes put his tray from his high chair under the chair, resting on the cross bars.  Well, one morning after breakfast, Steve went to go put his dishes up and by the time he got back, Jonathan was caught under the chair, lying on his high chair tray.  He has closed himself into our bedroom closet and it took him awhile to realize that he had to move first in order for me to open the door to let him out.  He got pretty scared with that one!  On August 18th, Steve and I were sitting watching him play in the living room, and he kept trying to walk up the side of the couch to climb up.  I had no sooner said, "give him a month, and he'll be up there by himself."  Well, he did it!  He climbed up onto the couch, sat in the corner that Steve likes to sit it, propped his feet up and just smiled with this overwhelming sense of accomplishment!  It was amazing!

He is starting to be a little bit of a booger, though!  He is getting a little more clingy, and the whole "stranger anxiety" is really setting in.  There are some days when he just wants to be carried, and then others, he just wants to be on the floor and moving.  I am using the Baby Bjorn more with him.  Especially on the nights when Steve works late and I have to walk the dogs, too.  (The stroller and the dogs...not that easy!)  He is really verbalizing now.  He will let you know when he doesn't like something, and he continues to say "mama" and "dada" very distinctively.  Jonathan continues to have a great appetite.  He is eating different foods...we started yogurt (not too much of a succes, but we will keep trying), broccoli, cauliflower, and peas.  He loves his peas, and is still working on the yogurt!  He is just an amazing little Angel.  I thank God everyday for Jonathan.  He has brought so much joy to our lives.  Yes, everyday is still a challenge.  Managing working full time, a house, family, being a wife, mom, and trying to fit it all into one day is tough, but I know that my life wouldn't have been complete without Jonathan in it.  Steve is having so much fun, he actually asked me, "are you ready for another one?"   ***Brakes Squeal***  Hang on there, buddy.  Let's just get through this first year first!  :) 

First time with his toes in the sand!

My little intellectual!!

I finally got a picture with his teeth!!

8 months old!

MOBILE, MOBILE, MOBILE!!  This little guy doesn't slow down and I know I am having a hard time keeping up with him.  I can't believe 8 months have gone by already.  Before you know it, I will be planning a 1 year old's birthday party!  Jonathan continues to be on the move.  He has been crawling since he was 6 months old, pulling up onto the couch, crawling over mom and dad when we lie down on the floor (and anything else that stands in his way!) he has discovered the stairs and is able to climb up the entire flight of stairs (with us right behind) and to his room.  I just wish that he got the concept that you CANNOT go down the stairs face first.  Luckily he has not attempted it, but is still pretty curious as to how he's going to get down.  Just this past week, he is starting to let go of whatever his standing on, and making attempts to take a step.  I know...I'm not ready for that one yet.  You cannot take your eyes off of him.  Gross motor wise, it is unbelievable what he can do.  Fine motor is getting better, too!  Steve is really holding out for a lefty!  He is hoping to train Jonathan to be a left handed pitcher!!  He does have a small football toy that he likes to play with and he often tries to throw it overhand to daddy.  He is mastering the pincer grip to pick up his cereal, and is getting better with getting the cereal to his mouth versus all over the floor!  He is still eating great!  This last month he really took off with his eating.  We had to up his serving sizes to 3.5 oz of food followed by a 4.5oz bottle.  I was worried about his little belly being able to tolerate that much food, but doesn't seem to be problem right now!  He has mastered holding his bottle on his own!  I know this sounds selfish, but that has been so helpful allowing me to keep one hand free while I am feeding!!  He has 2 bottom teeth that finally came in, but I have yet to get a picture of those!  Hopefully I can catch a picture of those soon!
Jonathan is now becoming more vocal!  He has been saying "dad" or "dadda" and now says "ma" or "mom".  For some reason, though, he only seems to say "mom" or should I say cry "mom" when he's hungry or tired.  He woke up one night (because I think he moved too far up in the bed and hit his head) and I heard a very distinct "Mom!"  in the monitor.  I went in to check, but by the time I got there, he was back to sleep.  He will make a "unh" sound to call the dogs, and will sometimes just "bababa" while we are in the car driving.  He is finally working his way out of his 6 month clothes and the 6-9 mo, and 9 mo clothes are fitting better.  We still take him to the pool 1-2x a week and he wants to just let go of Steve or me and take off in the water.  One time, I let him go and let him go under water for a while, and when I brought him back up, he just caught his breath and went on about his business.  He never cries, or fusses.  He loves the water!!
A part of me is a little sad because I used to treasure the time at night with Jonathan when he was just dozing off and would just snuggle on my chest.  Now, he doesn't want to be held and the other night, actually reached out for his crib and didn't want to be held.  I know, I know, all of my veteran mommies are telling me to just go with it.  It is a true blessing, but I sure do miss my snuggle time with him.  So he we go again, off to another month.  After I write this, I am always so anxious to see what the next month will bring!

7 months old!!

Ok, I thought six months was the month of milestones....this month has put the rest to shame.  It is just amazing what Jonathan has been up to this month.  First of all, I can't believe it has been 7 months already.  Before we know it, I will be celebrating a one year birthday!  He is 27 inches tall and 16-17#.  Trust me, Daddy and Mommy are getting a work out carrying him, and the carrier now!  Jonathan is eating like a champ.  I am still making his food and his menu consists of:  avocado, sweet potato, carrots, white potato, apple, oatmeal, banana, and brown rice.  I like to mix them up and give him some variety.  He LOVES to eat.  He is now getting to the point where he will whine if we don't fix the food fast enough (which is a habit we are working on breaking).  He is starting to drink juice and water from a sippy cup (we are still perfecting that) and he feeds himself rice crackers.  He is still using the raking grasp, which is normal for this stage, and is working on perfecting the pincer grip (for my OT friends out there).  Sleeping is definitely more in a pattern.  He usually takes 2 good 1-2 hour naps during the day.  Occasionally he will cat nap when we take him on a run or walk, and in the car.  He now sleeps through the night from 9/9:30p-7/7:30a.  That is heaven.  He even puts himself to bed.  I was really dreading the whole night routine because I have heard horror stories.  We usually give J a bottle, and sit up for about 15-20 minutes reading a book.  He gets pretty drowsy, but never falls asleep.  We just put his little music box on with the pictures playing on the ceiling, kiss him goodnight and listen to him talk and move around for 10-15 minutes on the monitor before it gets quiet.  When we go to check on him, he is sound asleep!  That has really been a blessing!

MOBILITY...Holy cow!  Where do I start.  We had the military crawl perfected pretty well.  Before we knew it, he was on all fours, but unable to coordinate the hands and legs.  Well, not long after, he was off!  Nothing was safe.  We had to baby proof, and quick!!  Not long after he perfected the crawling, he mastered pulling himself up on to you if you were lying on the floor.  He then moved on to crawling over you completely, and now pulls himself up on to things like the couch, the window sill so he can watch the dogs in the backyard, and the walls.  At first, going from stand to the floor was more of just a flop!  Now, he evaluates his surroundings before he does his controlled fall!  Occasionally he gets that look like "watch what I can do" and belly dives onto the nearby pillows.  Gave me a heart attack the first time he did that!  Yes, we have had a few falls, and bumps to the head.  We even had our first bloody lip.  He was sitting in the bathroom upstairs and just fell face first with his paci in his mouth.  It was the paci that caused the busted lip, but I think it prevented a broken nose!  He cried for about 2 minutes, I let him chew on a cold rag, and some ice, and was back on the floor crawling!  Like it never happened!

Jonathan has also learned to shake his head "no".  It's actually pretty cute, but, another habit we need to break.  He started one night when I told him, "Jonathan, its time to go take a bath and get ready for bed."  He was sitting on the couch with daddy, and he looked right at me and shook his head "no"!  I was in total shock!  Did my little boy just tell me no?  Well, that was the start of it!

He is getting so big, so quick!  Here is a break down of what he has done this month:

Waves bye-bye 6/1
says dada when looking at Steven 6/9
Crawling across the floor
pull to stand 6/7
pull to stand in crib 6/19
sitting completely on own
feeding self crackers
teeth are nearly in 6/19
first pool visit 6/6

GO SPURS GO!!