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
