13 Months

Dear Sam,

You are 13 months old today!  Time must be speeding up, because it just seems like we celebrated you birthday.  You are becoming such a little person and learning more and more each day.  In these pictures you are wearing one of Daddy's outfits.  Hopefully we can do a little work on it and make it last through the summer.

You went to the doctor Tuesday because you were running a fever and had a cough.  Surprise, surprise, your left ear was infected.  Avery's bad ear was her right, and it looks like yours is your left.  At the doctor, Daddy said you weighed about 23 pounds.  Your clothes range in size from 12-18 months.  I am buying 18 months for the summer.  You wear a size 4 diaper and shoe.

The biggest change this month has been in your eating habits.  You are now down to 2 bottles of milk a day: in the morning and at night.  We are slowly cutting back your morning bottle, and you are not a fan.  You expect those bottles at those times of day.  You did pretty well getting rid of the 2 daytime bottles, but you still cry if you see Natalie's bottle at Jen-Jen's.  Avery was done with bottles by 13 months, and that was my goal for you, but we'll be a few weeks off.  That's just fine by me.  I couldn't take anything away this week with you sick.  Another big change is that you are completely off baby food.  This was not a choice of yours either, but it was time since you were only eating stage 2.  I was sending the baby food as back up to Jen-Jen's and you would get upset when you saw it.  Eating has been a bit of struggle.  You like carbs and fruits, but we really need to add some vegetables and protein to the mix.  You will take a taste or two of something then be done, without making a face that you don't like it.  You're just done, and when you're done, you're done.  You get frustrated at lunch and dinner and fuss and squeeze your fists together.  Breakfast is easy with oatmeal, pancakes, waffles, etc.  The other 2 meals are tough.  You would eat grilled cheese, meatballs, yogurt, applesauce, bananas, and fruit cups all day.  There are some other things you'll eat, but not many.  We'll keep trying, though, because we are an eating family.  You drink a ton of water from your cup and some milk.  You now have 12 teeth.

I used the chair to take your picture because I needed to contain you.  I've written it for many months, but you are a mover.  You finally gave up your army crawl this month for the traditional way of doing it.  You are cruising more an more, especially in the family room between the couch, tables, and chairs.  You walk behind push toys and with our fingers, but you haven't stood on your own yet.  Stairs are a piece of cake, and you're starting to get up on your toes like you want to climb things. You talk a lot but we don't know what you're saying.  You still say "uh oh" and either "bye bye" or "pie pie."  You are starting to understand what we say.  You get excited if I ask if you want to eat eat, and you put Ducky back in your bed when I tell you to.

You entertain yourself so well as long as you have things to explore.  You are happy with a basket of toys that you can pull out and inspect.  You really like to put things in something, and you like to tap things together.  You love balls and like to throw them then go get them.  There isn't one toy yet that you really love; you're just happy to play.  I'm looking forward to the warmer temperatures so that we can get outside and swing and blow bubbles.  Those two things always put a smile on your face.  We have not done as good reading to you Sam, and I promise we'll do better.  You really like books that have flaps that we can peekaboo with.

Your new love this month is Mickey.  You've seen much more TV than your sister did at this age.  You get so excited when they guide comes on the screen, because you think we're turning it to Mickey.  An episode doesn't hold your attention unless you're tired or sick, but you do watch some.  Let the Hot Dog Dance come on though, and all bets are off.  No matter where you are, you start swinging your arms and dancing.

Sam, you have brought so much joy to our lives.  Each day is so special as we interact with you and watch you and Avery grow closer and closer.  We love you when you are busy and when you are still.  I watched a young teenage boy today as we walked.  He was busy trying to get a hunting truck started and was walking around with his fire pager on his hip.  I stopped and thought about you reaching that age, and if you'll be so proud to be doing grown-up things.  I know of course that you will, and we will be proud too.  But, you'll always be my little boy, so there's no need to grow up too fast.  We love you to bits and pieces.

Mommy and Daddy