Dear Tavin: 1 year old!!

Dear Tavin,

It's official!  You are now 1!!!  This year seemed to go so slow but yet so fast!

This last month of your first year was pretty uneventful.  Thankfully!

Just some of you hanging out with your "new" toy

We made a trip out to Grandma and Grandpa D's (without Dad) on February 16.  We did surprisingly well.  No major meltdowns or declining to take a nap.

The next couple weekends we just stayed home:  cleaning, running errands, trips to the dog park/Briqs.  Yes Briqs!  You had your first taste on February 23 and after you got past the coldness of it you liked it!

We also realized you were too small for the front carrier on walks ala

So we upgraded you to the back carrier.  You seem to like it just as much.  Seems like when we get it out, you know that you're going for a walk and don't mind getting all bundled up!

You've been eating like a champ lately.  We really can't spoon feed you anymore because you'd rather do it yourself so it makes for some very very messy meals.  One recently so messy that we had to take your clothes off afterwards.  Since it was getting close to bedtime I didn't feel like redressing you so I put in a robe.  You were hamming it up.  I absolutely love these pics!

Just waiting for the ladies to call...

On March 10, we went to see Great Grandpa and the E family.  Great Grandma passed away on February 18 ::sniffle sniffle:: and it was a little remembrance for her.  You were mostly good considering you only had a 45 minute nap on the drive up.  You really enjoyed the little ramp that was at Great Grandpa's house.  You would try to run down it to see if your little body could keep up.  By the end of the day, you had mastered it!

This last week of your first year has been a little rough.  You've been extremely irritable/crabby/clinging/______(insert descriptive toddler word here).  Thankfully, you've been sleeping like a champ!  But we aren't sure if it's teeth, growth spurt or what!

Thankfully the crabbiness wore off before your party and you were the little ham we know!

Your last day as a baby:

Some pre-party visitors

Your birthday outfit

Before everyone arrived, we laid you down for your afternoon nap.  Shortly after people arrived, you were up and in a state of shock that so many people filled the house.  But after a few snuggles, you were fine and off to exploring...

Still needing a few more snuggles!

Time to open presents!

Giving everyone hugs after opening gifts

Your homemade birthday cake!

Stripping down for the cake smash

As we all began to sing "Happy Birthday", you were in such awe.  

And the not so sure about this

The "okay I can eat cheerios"

Checking out what's underneath

So happy it's your birthday!

And the day after before Grandma and Grandpa left

Saying "goodbye"

And your final monthly picture

Loving on Minnie

It's amazing the changes you have gone through (and us as well)!  While it was really hard in the beginning, you were all worth it!  You are one amazing, special, and lovable little boy!

Thanks for making our very first, first year a great one!

Love,
Mama

Dear Tavin: Month 11

Dear Tavin,

:sniff sniff:  It's your last month before your very first birthday!  Can you believe it!!!  Those first few days that seemed like they would never end to now being only a month away from your birthday!!  Crazy!

Anyway, this month started out very normal.  The rhythm of your/our life is going good.

The weekend of January 19 and 20, we laid low.  Dad worked Saturday morning and by the time he got home it was nice enough that we could all take a walk with Sadie!  Then Saturday night, we went out to eat/margaritas.  You did excellent and even had some of the great food (guacamole and rice).  I left early to put you to bed.  You slept like a rock...thank goodness for fresh air!

Sunday was uneventful.  Just lots of playing and getting things done around the house.

Monday our smooth flowing rhythm got sidetracked.  One of the daycare ladies got sick, so you had to stay home with Dad.  Tuesday was back to normal.  Wednesday they were sick again so you got to come to work with me (read:  exhausting!).  By the end of the week were a little bit back to normal.

On Saturday (1/26), you were doing great throughout the day....even (gasp) walking!!!

And then there is the monthly illness/cold that rears it's ugly head and throws everything out of whack!
Saturday night, you cheeks were sooo rosy red.  It looked like you were left out in the sun for 10 hours....you didn't have much of a fever and slept great.  Sunday, Dad and I went to the movies while our friend, Val, came over to watch you.  You did great for her (even though I was worried)!  Sunday night your cheeks were rosy red again but your fever wasn't too bad.  You slept great again.  But Monday morning when you woke, you had a fever of 101.  So I had to stay home with you.....it was a rough day!  We took you into the walk-in and the doctor thought you had strep but that test came back negative.  So he basically said he had no idea what it was and prescribed some stuff, likely to help us feel better (it was complete crap!)

So after the doctor visit, you got better...pretty quickly. Just had a runny nose that felt like we couldn't keep up with (pun intended).

One of the rare mornings where you were still sleeping and had to be woken up

Thankfully you recovered quickly because we were heading to Grandma and Grandpa D's house that weekend for.....RADIO TRIVIA!!  Your very first.

Although you had no interest in it, you definitely had interest in us being on the computer!  Seems you know that all the computer is good for is watching your videos--Classical Baby Music show and Mambo from the Dance Show are your favorite!

When it was time to lay you down for bed, your protested quite heavily.  Grandma and Aunt Angie had to sing/rock you to sleep!  Too bad they aren't around more often.  It was like magic!  When the night was over we decided to move you back to Grandmas house.  Let's just say that didn't go so smoothly!  You woke up during the car ride and would not go back to sleep for 2 hours!!!  Both Dad and I were so exhausted....but not you!  You taught us a very valuable lesson that night....DO NOT WAKE  A SLEEPING BABY!

Sunday you showed off your made new skill....hands free WALKING!!!!

VIDEO TO COME....

Sunday afternoon we headed back before the Superbowl started so we could get settled and get you to bed on time since it was sort of a rough weekend.

Surprisingly the next week was really good.  Good sleep.  Good mood.  Good eating.  It was heavenly!

The weekend that followed was uneventful.  We got a lot of cleaning done and transitioning your clothes (again).  So crazy how fast you are growing out of things!

We also snapped a few pictures for V-day cards!  It was quite the spectacle.  I think Dad had more fun watching me trying to get everything set than actually taking your pictures!

On February 13, daycare took you outside to play in the snow!  They snapped a few pictures for us!  Quite comical I'd say.  And yes, that is a very old snowsuit.  I think I may have worn it when I was your age!

And another video of your walking skills:

So here's what you've been up to this month:

• Full blown walking on your own!
• Trying to copy things we say (especially "meow" and "mama")
• Smacking your lips (in an attempt to blow kisses)
• Clicking your tongue

::sniffle sniffle:  I'm so not ready for next month!

Love,
Mama

Dear Tavin: Month 10

Dear Tavin,

Well it's the busiest time of the year and our schedule reflects it!! Felt like we were go go go all the time!

First up was your 9 month pictures!  Since it was the holidays we had some fun with them :)

The week before Christmas was filled with lots of running around getting last minute gifts.  Thank goodness we live close by all the prime shopping places so that one of us could make quick runs after you went to bed!

Our first Christmas stop was Great Grandma and Grandpa's.  Ah what fun.....creating memories.....

Then it was off to Grandma and Grandpa D's for the long haul!  You did so great with all the hustle and bustle.  Sleeping in your pack and play at your Great Aunt's and Uncle Keith's house!  You also managed to sleep a little bit with a house full of people!  I was so impressed!

Your pre-sneeze face...

Ripping off the paper...

The whole gang

Your cousin Jake got this cool Packers outfit for Christmas and he was so excited that he HAD to try it on right away.  You were pretty much in awe of him...it was cute to watch you together

I also tried to get some of you in front of the tree on Christmas night....but you did not want to sight still for anything!

After coming back home on Wednesday it was back to the grind on Thursday.

And then with the New Year looming you decided to stay up most of the night....teething!  Your top teeth were coming through (left front, and right eye tooth).  Good thing I only had to work a half day!  I was TIRED!

We didn't do any crazy celebrating...just watched a movie (Brave) and you were up every so often. New Year's Day was like any other day...housework and more housework!

It was so nice being able to spend extra time with you over the holidays!    And it was time to get back to reality and a more normal schedule.....but not before you got sick!

Sunday (January 6) you were mostly yourself during the day...a little crabbier than normal but then that night your fever spiked (made it to 103..yikes!).  I thought for sure you had an ear infection or something else major, so I took you to the doctor and guess what....nothing!!  I was shocked!  So we left there and since you still had a fever, I took you to work with me.  You were in a decent mode most of the day.  You slept much better Monday night and were able to go to daycare on Tuesday.

Wednesday (January 9) we had your 9 month check up.  You weighed in at 19.5 lbs, 2'3.5".  You definitely are quite the short chunker!  The doctor didn't have any major concerns.  It was a quick and pain free visit!  Next visit though won't be as fun as you'll have to get your shots :(

Later in the week you developed a cough and runny nose.  I had to pick you up on Friday from daycare because they were worried about your cough.  You came back to work with me and were your normal self, except for your cough.  I even took you for a walk with Sadie to help calm your cough down and it worked!  After dinner Friday night, we took you for a quick walk around the block.  Thank goodness for warmer than normal temps!  With you carrying the cold bug, Dad and I both managed to get sick too :(  So Saturday for lunch I made Broccoli Cheese Soup.  It was your first meal with us that you could eat!  You really enjoyed it.  Saturday night your cough was still bothering you.  It was like a tickle in the back of your throat and every time we laid you down you would wake back up with it.  So I made Dad run and get you some cough syrup.  But in the process of him being out, I managed to get you to sleep.  Go me!  The Packers also played this night and since we were trying to get you to sleep we didn't get to watch it until 10:30 p.m.  It was major bummer that we stayed up so late only to watch them lose.....

Sunday (January 12) was a pretty much a bum-and-do-nothing-so-we-can-feel-better day!  Dad let me take a nap in the morning and then helped get you down (and stay down) for a nap.  The next week was actually the first normal week we've had in a LONG time!  It was nice to get back in to the rhythm of daycare/work/home stuff! Let's hope we have more weeks like this in our future!

So here's what you've been up to this month:

• terrorizing the kitchen (pulling things out of the drawers and cabinets)
• pushing anything that will move so you can "walk"
• climbing up and then down steps.  You caught on pretty fast
• wanting to feed yourself.  You'll take the spoon away from us and fling it.  But as soon as we put food on your tray, you'll gobble it up.

It's amazing to watch you now.  You are like a little sponge soaking up every little detail about life and people!

Love,
Mama