I can't believe that my tiny baby is one already...
The year has flown by!
His fiery personality never ceases to amaze me...
He's either laughing,
Or crying...
There really isn't a middle ground.
And when he knows what he wants,
he makes sure he gets it (or you'll hear from him!)
Happy first birthday, my beautiful baby!
A lot of thoughts have been running through my head these past few weeks. My anniversary of my due date came and passed. Oddly enough, as a contrast to last year's ice storms, this year was unseasonably warm and balmy. Makes it hard to believe that a year ago, Scott was out in the driveway shoveling the ice as it fell, and cleaning off the car on the street "just in case" Sam decided to make his appearance.
He didn't. January 30th came and went, without any indications of labor. As the days ticked by, and I was no longer at work (maternity leave had started!), I got to spend precious time with Charlie. We played in the house, cleaned, went to the museum (when roads were open!) and just enjoyed being mommy and toddler.
On February 8th we had dinner at my parents to celebrate my dad's birthday. I was having minor contractions, but nothing that made me think it was the real deal. When we got home that night, and put Charlie to bed, they went away. Again. And I remember going to bed thinking I would be pregnant forever!
Just a few hours later, I awoke to my first real contraction, and knew it was time. We enjoyed our time at home packing the last few things, making tea, kissing Charlie goodbye. We arrived at the hospital around 5:30 in the morning, and Sam was born just after 9am--a perfect 7lbs7oz healthy little guy! The birth without meds ("natural un-medicated childbirth) was the most amazing experience of my lifetime. I loved that I was able to snuggle and nurse Sam for over an hour before they took measurements. I stood next to him while he got his first bath. I carried him to the scale to see his weight. And I was ready to leave the hospital a few hours later! (unfortunately, we had to stick around)
The past year has been a roller coaster. Sam demanded attention his first 4 months and refused to be set down. While he still has a demanding presence (constant noisemaker), he is happy as long as someone is near him. He gets into everything, eats almost anything (and throws what he doesn't want to eat) and LOVES his big brother. Some days I just sit at the top of the stairs and listen to my two boys playing in the playroom together, interacting, Charlie loves to make Sam laugh and he's good at it!
I'm so excited for what's in store for us!
At one year, Sam
-still nurses 3x/day, but will soon be down to 2 (morning and bedtime)
-goes down around 7:30pm and wakes around 6am
-takes one nap/day, usually 1.5 or 2 hours
-eats 3 meals/day plus a few snacks--everything we eat!
-his favorite food is still avocado! the kid can eat an entire one himself.
-walks, when he wants to, but prefers to crawl. just started to walk without encouragement.
-yells, laughs, generally makes noise ALL THE TIME
-loves the swings and slides at the park
-loves books, and sits by himself and turns pages
-likely weighs around 21 lbs (we go for a checkup next week)
-wearing mostly 12/18 month clothes
-has only two teeth! (the two bottom ones); which came in around 9.5 months but still aren't all the way in.
-his most clear word..."da dy!"
-LOVES balls, sits in the playroom, throws a ball and says "boom!" and then picks it up and does it again
-LOVES climbing the stairs...every time I turn around in the basement, he's halfway up. yikes.
-dances on cue
The "big" birthday party is Saturday--should be a fun time!
