Reality has set in

My baby boy is going to be 1 years old in 11 days. How can that be?! As I was singing him to sleep as I do most nights I couldn't help, but let the tears fall. It all of the sudden hit me as I was softly telling him about what I was doing this time last year, just before he fell asleep. He was just looking at me with those big beautiful blue eyes and it hit me. What a crazy, but amazing year it has been. I couldn't have asked for a better baby boy. Even his crazy out of control temper tantrums make me happy. His contagious smile, his dopey look, his funny big toes, his fat knuckles, and his sloppy wet open mouth kisses will forever be treasured in my memories. I just can't believe the first year is almost over!

Tonight was also the first time he has gone to sleep without nursing since he was born. I started weaning him from day time feedings late last week and that went well, but I didn't think he would wean easily from his morning and night time feedings. Those are like winning the lottery to him! He has been signing milk for about 2 months now and for a long time it was his favorite sign. I was really worried about the weaning process, but just recently he finally started to sign drink instead of milk. Last week he was still getting two feedings in the morning, the first around 6:30-7 the other around 9, but we eliminated the 9:00 one and either don't have anything and go back to sleep or get up and have a sippy cup of almond milk. The days I have to go into work or class the sitter gives him the sippy cup of milk before his naps if he asks for it. She says that is going well and I haven't had any problems when I am home all day either. Tonight though was the first time he didn't ask for milk or a drink and just went to sleep, which kind of makes me sad. Our before bed feedings have always been my favorite so it is bittersweet to see the end in sight.

It is crazy to me that I just wrote that. I nursed Rowan for a year, possibly more. My goal was always a year, but I wasn't sure I would make it after those first few months. It started out easy then got really hard and then really frustrating. We finally set into a routine and figured it all out together, but I wasn't sure that would happen at one point. I never did figure out pumping, it just never worked for me. I don't know if it was my pump or just me, but we did not get along. It still frustrates me that I wasn't able to figure it out because I did have to give Rowan formula when the sitter was here a couple times a week, but in the big picture I met and succeeded my goal and that makes me happy. I do plan on nursing him till he stops showing interest or asking for it. I don't think that will be much longer for the night time feedings, but I don't see the 6:30-7 feedings slowing anytime soon. It is just part of our routine. He wakes up around then, Ryan goes to get him and brings him to me in bed, I feed him and we all go back to sleep till 9 when Ryan gets up for work. If it is a good day Rowan and I go back to sleep after a brief play session in our bed and sleep till 10 or 11! I LOVE that Rowan has the same sleeping habits as Ryan and I. It works out so well especially on the weekends when we all stay up later. On most nights Rowan goes to bed between 9 and 10, but sometimes it is closer to 11. Ryan and I are usually up till 12 or 1 so we still have our time to ourselves to do as we please. It is fantastic. It is especially nice since Ryan doesn't usually get home from work till 8 on a good day which means dinner is at 8 or later. I'm glad Ryan gets to spend time with him in the evening before Ro goes to bed, I love watching them interact!

Rowan is so much like his dad it scares me sometimes! I'm in for a real treat when Rowan gets older if this continues! Rowan absolutely loves when Ryan plays his mandolin or makes drumming noises with his mouth and hands. We definitely have a musical child on our hands! He loves everything music and singing and bangs just about anything he gets his hands on. He is also quite destructive and pulls apart anything he can. He loves to pull around both of his walking toys and to climb on his new chair. Balls are a new favorite toy along with cars. Being outside is a favorite as well, especially his swing. I am excited for his birthday because there are a few outside toys on the list.

He is almost walking, but not quite there yet. For a couple weeks he was really interested in trying and loved to "walk" between Ryan and I. That fad has died out so we will see when he actually starts off on his own! He is a master at going between furniture and walking around with his walking toys and anything else he can push. He also likes to get around by "walking" on his knees.

As I said before he has been signing milk for a couple months now, but he also signs "more", "drink", "eat", and "book". We are working on all done, but that usually looks like book or drink. For about 2 weeks he knew where his eyes and nose were, but he won't do that anymore. He does know his ears though. He is excellent at giving kisses and just this week he has learned how to give a hug which is awesome! It melts my heart cause he always has a big smile on his face too. Besides mama and dada he doesn't say anything but "ba" which is his go to word. He points at everything though so that is helpful. I will never forget the day he looked right at me and said mama, I'm pretty sure I cried a little! Our cellphones are new favorite toys and he will hold it right up to his ear and start "talking". I think he has said "hi" or "hey" a few times, but they may have just been flukes. I did ask him one day who he was talking to and he said dada which was pretty cool even though I'm pretty sure he didn't really know what I was talking about! I love watching him try to figure things out, he gets such a serious look on his face. It cracks me up!

Since my last update he has been on his first plane ride which went great, celebrated Easter with family, and gotten 2 more teeth. We are working on 4 more which I think will all pop through at the same time. His birthday party invites have been sent out and the rest of the plans are in the works. We are hosting the party at our house in Kentucky so I'm excited to have all the family down to help us celebrate our "lil man"!

We had 1 year pictures taken when we were home for Easter so look for those to be coming soon and I only have 2 weeks left in my masters program so hopefully that means more frequent updates!

-Nicki

UPDATE!!!!

Has it really been 3 months since I last updated! I am such a horrible blogger! Rowan has been growing so much and Ryan and I have just been soaking in every moment. Here is the lowdown on the last three months.

7 months:

We were in Illinois for Thanksgiving and got to spend time with my brother and his family who live in Colorado and my grandparents who live in Florida. We also spent some time with Ryan's family. I love watching Rowan interact with his cousins. He is so intrigued by them! Some highlights from month 7 included lots of pulling himself up on furniture and starting to walk along the furniture. We continued to try out lots of new foods and so far have only discovered that he does not like peas when they are by themselves and mashed potatoes. He loves everything else though! We usually just give him a variation of what we are having. He absolutely LOVES any type of berry, but especially blueberries. He could eat an entire container in one sitting if I would let him! His little personality really started showing during this month as well. I could just eat him up!

8 months:

We were back in Illinois for Christmas and spent most of our time with Ryan's family. Rowan had a blast opening up presents and playing with all his new toys. He is one spoiled little boy! He got a couple walking assistance toys and liked being able to pull himself up but was unsure of actually walking with them though. It only took a couple weeks though and he was all over the place with them! He gets the biggest smile on his face when he gets going. He is so proud of himself! He absolutely loves anything to do with music. He got a musical instrument set from my brother and he was so excited! One of the instruments is usually the first toy of choice to this day. He also really likes it when Ryan gets his mandolin out to play. He definitely got his dads musical genes! We also moved from our apartment to our house during this month. The move was a little crazy, but I am so excited to be back in a house. Rowan loves all the space and things to pull himself up on. He knows where his room is and will crawl back and forth between his room and the living room to play. He is quite the independent little boy, goes where he wants when he wants too! I'm sure I will not like this trait when he is older! I went back to school at the beginning of January and luckily our babysitter was able to make her schedule work to still work for us. Rowan loves her and I'm really glad she can help us out a few hours a week. He continued to eat new foods and does really well with everything. Spending our first Christmas with our little man was more then I could have imagined. I can't wait to start making more traditions with him and watching him grow!

9 months:

Rowan had his well check this month and all went well. He was 18.6 pounds which the doctor wasn't real happy about, but said it wasn't a real concern at this point. His concern was that he dropped his percentage level, but said he just needs to gain 3 pounds by his 1 year well check. I'm not worried since he eats like a crazy man! We have made the choice to raise Rowan on a plant based, whole foods diet so no meat or dairy. Ryan and I adopted this diet this past summer after doing some research and have been enjoying the benefits and wanted to pass them along to Rowan. He has started standing on his own for long amount of times and really cruises along furniture. He has really gotten into his books which makes this literacy masters student momma really happy! He usually goes for a book before other toys when playing independently. He really likes when we read to him as well and turns the pages as we go along. He is quite the little stinker these past couple weeks. He has started throwing fits when he doesn't get what he wants or we take something from him. He also gets frustrated when he can't figure something out. He is very persistent though and eventually figures it out! I am definitely going to have my hands full when he gets older! He has really started showing more of a personality in his facial expressions. I love watching him try to figure things out, you can see the wheels turning! We FINALLY got a tooth! It only took almost 5 months of teething symptoms for one to start popping through. It is not all the way through yet, but you can see it and feel it so it is only a matter of time. I think there a couple more that are on the verge as well.

Rowan will be 10 months next week and I can't believe it. Time is going way to fast! I have started planning for his birthday and I'm pretty sure Ryan thinks I'm crazy! I'm really looking forward to this summer not only because I'll be done with school, but we can get outside and go camping! I really hope Rowan loves it as much as his daddy and I do! Hopefully I will be a better blogger these next few months so you all can stay up-to-date on my handsome little man!

Nicki