17 Months

Finally decided to take a nap.

 

We are ready for summer! You want to be outside all of the time and I am ready for vacation. Only one more day of work and then a couple of training days and then we get to spend all summer together!

 

Cousins!

Your molars have been torturing the whole family this month! At times you have been quite grouchy. The right top one has come in and the left top broke skin this week, but the others are refusing to break through. One day it looked like you had huge blisters in your mouth. Several times this month you just looked at us crying, it is very sad.

 

About two weeks ago you started having tantrums. If things aren’t going your way you will sit down and start crying. Then you will either fall forward and cry in to your hands, or you will fall back hitting you head not too hard on the floor. It is very dramatic and kind of funny but not when we are in the waiting room.

 

Meeting baby Jacob

We visited the ENT again last week. About a month and a half ago he said that you looked fine, but just wanted to double check in June. Well this time you had a little fluid, he said you had a pre-ear infection and we should get tubes. I disagree. You have only had 2 or 3 infections in 17 months. We are going to wait and see, and if you get sick again we will go visit a different doctor. This guy was pretty good with you, but not with me. I need someone that will answer all of my questions in a nonjudgmental way.

We went to Eugene for Memorial Day. You got to meet you new cousin Jacob, and play with your cousins. You loved it! But I think you were a little jealous when I was holding the baby.

Likes: “jumping” off furniture, sleeping in, picking up rocks, running, playing chase, unsnapping his diaper

Dislikes: waking up, being told no





Time for a trim.



I can see!







Hangin' with Daddy in the garden

16 Months

Running at the park



Happy Mother's Day!

We have had another wonderful month my sweet baby boy. As the sun continues to shine we are playing more outside. Last weekend we went to Wright Park for a picnic. You had an amazing time! You were tentative about the spray ground, but you loved the playground. I spend an hour chasing you around. You think that as long as you go down backward it doesn’t matter how big the step or drop off is! You tried to slide right off the top of the play structure. It was a little stressful for me and Dad, but you were having a wonderful time.

Our second Mother’s Day passed this month. Grandma came over and Dad made us brunch. It was a delicious relaxing day.  I also had a birthday this month. Dad made us dinner, and then I went out with my friends. As I was driving home I got 10 texts from your dad saying that you were screaming! I told him I would be home in 5 minutes, and by the time I got home you were both sleeping in each other’s arms. Very cute!

The snack of choice this month has been goldfish crackers, which might have been mine and Daddy’s choice, not yours. We are still waiting for your molars to come in. Finally one has broke skin. You are feeling much better.



Helpping Daddy rake.

You are still the happiest boy I know. You still think almost everything I do is hilarious, which I absolutely love. Most days after school we come home and chase Frida around the living room laughing. We are all very excited for summer so we can spend all day chasing you outside! Rowan you desperately need a haircut, but you already look like a real boy (not my baby) and we have not done it yet. You think that you are a big boy. At day care you started taking naps on a cot, not in the crib. I am so proud of you, but a little sad that my baby is growing up so fast.

 



Likes: Climbing, “stinging” people, pineapple, running outside, laughing, Tonka Trucks, dancing

Dislikes:  waking up, being told no

I don't want to get up!

Putting on your pants all by yourself!

15 Months

Another amazing month with you has flown by. We are starting to spend more time outside and you are loving it! Well, except when I took you for a long run on a cold Sunday morning. You usually love looking around while in the stroller. I learned my lesson and won’t take you out in the cold again. Your dad built us a garden and we are so excited for next year. Right now you mostly just dig around eating dirt, but next year I think you will really be able to help grow and pick veggies.

Dying eggs with family

We got to go to Eugene for Easter. We surprised Grandpa.  We had so much fun spending time with family. You went on two Easter egg hunts! The first one was on Saturday at a church in a baseball field. You were quite happy with the two plastic eggs you found. You were not very happy that I wouldn’t let you eat the candy inside the eggs! That evening we went to the Thompsons and you got to dye eggs.  It was so much fun, until you started drinking the dye!  Sunday after church, where you bit my shoulder because I wouldn’t nurse you during the middle of mass, we again headed to the Thompson’s for another egg hunt and wonderful dinner with family. I really wish that we could see our family more often.

Right before you started drinking the dye!

James and you had a wonderful time the few days that we were there. You spend hours outside digging and eating dirt, chasing Rex, chasing the hula-hoop around the yard and running around the yard. Since then he keeps asking where is Baby Rowan, and even went to the bedroom to check to see if you were taking a nap!

Looking for eggs



 

 

 

Your health hasn’t been wonderful this month. You got your second ear infection and today you had another temperature of 100.5. I am hoping to fight off this infection before it gets too bad. I made garlic oil today for your ears. You were crying and refusing to eat, but as soon and I put the drops in you started asking for food and playing. So, I think it worked. We’ll see you feel in the morning.

Helping plant the garden.

We are so happy this month that you have started shoving books at us and then climbing on our laps. One night we read one book about 10 times in a row. You kept climbing down from one lap when the book was done and going over to the other. It was really funny. When I told you that that was enough and you needed to go get another book you when around the couch to the shelf and picked another. That was when I realized that you pretty much understand everything that we say to you. You want to talk, but the words are not quite there. Soon I hope.

Fun at the park with Grandpa



Two weeks ago you started drooling again. Your molars are starting to come in. I still can’t see them, but your gums are swollen.  I hope they come in soon. It would be nice if your shirt wasn’t covered in drool two minutes after I put it on you.

 

Likes: playing Peek-a-boo, drinking shower and bath water, reading, playing outside

Dislikes:  waking up, having to come inside, changing your diaper

14 Months

Last Sunday we were at a St. Patrick’s Day party and people keep asking how old you were. I couldn’t believe I was saying fourteen months! This month has been a bit of a struggle health wise. We have all three struggled to be healthy. You got croup and then a week later you got an antibiotic resistant ear infection. I think you then got thrush after being on strong antibiotics. I decided to try some home remedies instead of going to the doctor again. It worked and we are all on our way to a healthy spring.

You have decided you like to wrestle! Every time I am on the ground stretching you come over and start climbing all over me. I tried to stop you, but you just laugh and keep coming back. Yesterday we were changing the sheets on our bed and you started body slamming the pillow! Again you thought it was hilarious.

People are always commenting on how happy you are. That is still mostly true. This month you have gotten a little clingy. A few times you have gotten upset when your dad dropped you off at day care, and you frequently get upset if you see me leave a room. I hope you get over this soon. We don’t like seeing you so unhappy for no reason.

As the weather is getting better, we are starting to spend more time outside. You love it! I am starting to let you walk in from the car, but a few times you have turned around and started to make a run for it. I think you just want to play outside. You usually enjoy riding in the stroller. Today was actually the first day you cried. It was very sad. We are pretty far away from home and the only think I could do was keep going. I tried to run faster, but you just cried harder. After about twenty minutes you calmed down and relaxed for the rest of the ride.

You continue to climb and test the rules. You start to slowly climb on the table looking at me to see what I will do. I can frequently get you to stop just by looking at you, but not all of the time. Unfortunately when I tell you no you often start to laugh. Not the response I am going for! But you are so cute I have to force myself not to laugh too.

This month we went to a few events where you were the baby. You do not know that you are still a baby and desperately want to play with the 3 year olds. You went up to some kids playing bean bag toss and just stood a few feet away watching. They ignored you! When they ran off you picked up the bag and tried to throw it. So adorable!!!!

You have recently started to feed yourself with a spoon. You can eat yogurt and apple sauce all by yourself. Sometimes when you are eating other things I put it on you spoon and you try getting it to your mouth. After a meal you usually need a new shirt, if not a bath! But you continue to be able to do more and more on your own.

Likes: Wrestling, tossing food to Frida, playing outside, climbing

Dislikes:  momma leaving, waking up

13 Months

This month you again got to travel internationally! For President’s weekend we went to Victoria. We got up very early Saturday morning, drove to Port Angles and hopped on the ferry. We had fun weekend exploring the city in the cold! We walked around ate some good and not so good food, and chased duck in the park. Unfortunately we all ended up feeling a little sick and the last night Chris went out and got pizza for us and after you and I took a nap we had dinner in our room.

After the trip home you and I relaxed for about an hour then we jumped back in the car and headed to Portland. We had a wonderful dinner with Jill, Eddie and Max. We slept wonderfully in the Muhm-Glover house, and then spent a fun morning hanging out with Jill and Max. We later met Grandpa and Abu for an afternoon of walking around Mississippi Street and sushi. You loved miso soup!

In both Portland and Victoria you enjoyed walking. You wanted to go in all of the shops and for some reason wanted to walk in the opposite direction we wanted to go in. When you got excited you waved your arms up and down as you ran. It is so adorable!  Everyone thought you were so cute. You smiled at everybody and pretended to be shy. Such a flirt!

So proud of yourself for getting on that chair

Little boy, this month you continued to climb. You can now get up and down off of all our furniture. You think you can get down from all furniture. Our bed in Victoria was pretty high. You tried to slide down, but you couldn’t reach the floor. You ended up falling and hitting the wall. We can’t take our eyes off of you for one second! You can also move up and down the stairs with no problem. I am amazed at how fast you are.

This month you got pink eye. I took you to the doctor on Saturday morning. But Wednesday your right eye was still red, and you left I was starting to look bad. We had to go back to the doctor for different eye drops. It was a struggle getting the drops in your eyes, especially after work when I had to do it all by myself. One time I had you pinned with my legs trying to keep you hands down as I was prying your eyelids open. Not fun. This week you have developed croup again. As I mentioned the whole family hasn’t been feeling great this week. You have had a couple of rough nights. On Friday you got to stay home with Daddy. A day at home seemed to help, but I think you need a little more rest before you are back to your normal happy self.

Walking to the park

You continue to develop you language. You are saying Mom and Dad frequently. You are signing more when you want more food. When we make the sign for changing your diaper you lay down by the diapers. It is exciting being able to communicate with you and it makes me excited for you to talk. You often babble and we know you have a lot to say. I just can’t wait to hear it!

Two weeks ago we walked down the block to the playground at Lowell.  You didn’t like the swings, and were mildly interested in the other structures. What you loved best was the freedom to walk around. You were so happy running around the playground. I can’t wait for the warm weather so we can spend more time outside.

Rowan you are getting so big! When I see you walking arcos the room or down the hall I can’t believe how old you look.

Likes: Playing chase, snuggling, climbing on everything

Dislikes: being alone, having nose wiped

Exploring the streets of Portland



Ready to slide!

One Year!

My 1st Christmas

My sweet little boy, it is so hard to believe that one year ago you were born! This has been the most amazing year my little boy. This month your personality has been such a joy. You are so sweet and still very happy.  You are starting to have conversations with us. We don’t know what you are saying yet, but you definitely have something to say! We had such a good time relaxing with family over the holiday break. We got to sleep in and snuggle in the morning. We also went on several walks in sunny cold weather. I thought that you would fall asleep on our walks, but you are usually too busy looking at everything to sleep.

We spent Christmas in Eugene and North Bend. I love seeing you interact with our family. All of the kids, especially James, are so sweet with you! I wish we got to see them more often.

Unfortunately you are not happy when you wake up anymore. You always used to wake up with a smile. Now, pretty much every time you wake up you are crying. It is very sad, and I hope you get out of this stage quickly.



Getting ready to read

You are starting to talk more. The other day you sat down with a book and read it out loud to me. It was so sweet. When we are driving home you sometimes yell at me to make sure I know you are still there. You are repeating words that we say and sometimes saying things, I think. Daycare seems to think you are talking, but I still don’t think you are using any words consistently. However, you are understanding a lot. You are consistently waving goodbye. Shawna taught you to say Yay and raise your hands above your head. It is so cute!

Right now you love being chased! On Monday I chased you into the dining room and thought I had trapped you. I asked you where you were going to go, you looked at me and dropped to the ground and headed under the table, laughing of course! Such a problem solver! You still like climbing the stairs, but this month I have taught you how to crawl down the stairs. I am so happy that you have learned how to do this.



My first drum lesson

This month you got you eighth tooth. I think you are getting some more, because the drool has started again. Your hair is getting quite long. It curls up over the back of your t-shirts. I love it. You’ll probably have to get a haircut pretty soon, but I am going to put that off as long as I can.

Thursday was your birthday, but we didn’t really do anything special, well besides a mega trip to Costco in preparation of your party. We had a wonderful party on Saturday. So many friends and family came to celebrate you! Your grandpa and I made a piñata for you. Abu made Grandma’s apple cake and she and Ryan decorated some very special cakes and cupcakes for you. We had a delicious lunch of enchiladas, rice, beans and salad. After many of our friends left, the family stayed around relaxing and playing games. It was a great party and a fabulous weekend! You are a special boy and our friends and family definitely showed you lots of love this weekend. We are very lucky!

Makin' Music

Likes: being chased, grabbing Frida’s legs, climbing on everything, getting my credit card out of my wallet(which I can’t find at this moment), and dance parties          

Dislikes: Getting your diaper changed, waking up, getting your nails cut

 

 

 

11 Months!

Another Happy Morning

As we get ready for Christmas I can’t help but think about last year and the fact that we had never met! This has been the most amazing year, you are almost one! For most of this month you have had six teeth, three on top and three on the bottom. But they don’t line up. It is so cute! You have had one on the left top and one on the right bottom. This week the right top finally started to come in. You also finally started using your teeth. You still rather stick the whole thing in your mouth rather than bite off anything, but you at least you are chewing your food now.

Trying to get downstairs.

This month you really got your balance. You walk around just like you have always been doing it, except when you start laughing. You frequently laugh so hard that you fall on the ground! It is hilarious. You have also discovered crawling up the stairs. If we have the gate down for one minute you are headed up stairs. This is particularly dangerous because you start laughing, and for you laughing equals a loss of balance.

You recently learned how to get off the bed and couch without any help. This means you are not “trapped” on the bed any more. This morning you woke up, slid right off and ran out the door! You are also getting taller and can now grab things that you couldn’t last month. Your favorite thing to grab is an iPad! This morning your dad set mine on the shelf and then when he turned around you reached up and grabbed it! It did hit you in the face, but you didn’t seem to mind. You sat down and started touching the screen waiting for something to happen.

Happy to be out of the rain.

We met Grandpa, Abu, Maggie and Daniel at the coast a couple of weeks ago. We celebrated Abu’s 60^th birthday! The weather was horrible, so we mostly just hung out.  You had a good time relaxing with your family.

Hat Hair!

This past week you came down with croup. Luckily you didn’t really act too sick, but you sounded horrible. The sound of you struggling to breath is very scary. But after lots of hot showers and going to bed early you are back to your wonderful self!

Likes: Dance parties in the living room, eating everything, chasing Frida around the house, getting face to face with me and then laughing, and laughing when I blow kissed at you through the car window.

Dislikes: taking naps, holding still while we change your diapers.