14 Months

Dear Sam,

 You are 14 months old today!  You are growing and learning at a rapid pace, and more and more people are telling me that you are losing your baby look.

We visited the doctor last week and you weighed just over 23 pounds.  You are wearing 12-18 month clothing and will probably need all 18 month for summer, especially in one-piece items.  You are still in a size 4 shoe and diaper, and you are holding steady at 12 teeth.

Sam, you are everywhere all at once!  You crawl at a rapid pace, cruise, push items to walk behind, and try to climb.  You are only happy in the excersaucer now if you approve of the TV choice and I am not in the room.  You are standing on your own often and think it's so great, probably because we cheer.  I haven't seen you take a step yet on your own.

I think there is nothing more amazing than a baby learning and developing, and you certainly are.  You clap, wave {when you feel like it}, point, play peek-a-boo, and clearly indicate what you want and do not want.  Uh-oh is still your only recognizable word, but you are trying hard to mimic us with thank-you, Duckie, and ball.  You babble Mama, Dada, Yaya, and bye bye.  You have a sister who talks enough for 6 children so you have been happy to speak and sing in your own language.  I love to hear you sing.  You are figuring out the world around you, from opening any cabinet or drawer to trying to put on your own sock.  You know where your bed is and throw Duckie back in after nap time.  You know cell phones are for talking and remotes should be pointed at the TV or ceiling fan.  I'm sure there is more that I have neglected to include and that you're really on your way to taking over the house.

Eating is still a time when the fussing, yelling, and fist making can appear.  Breakfast is always a hit with a waffle, pancake or oatmeal and fruit.  For lunch you like grilled cheese, meatballs, chicken nuggets, fruit, yogurt and cheese.  Those foods would be happily repeated at dinner, but I'm mean and try to get you to eat what we do.  You have done better with different kinds of chicken lately plus casseroles, pizza, or spaghetti/lasagna type dishes.  If it's breaded, you'll eat it, including tilapia and zucchini or green beens.  Vegetables must be breaded, in a casserole, or snuck into yogurt for you to partake right now.  I looked back at the blog and your sister was the same way.  Luckily for us there are expensive fruit and veggie pouches that guarantee some green gets in.  You are such a big boy that you can do them yourself.  You show interest in using the spoon but mainly just dip it in the bowl.  If we scoop it for you, you can feed yourself.  You love milk and drink it so well from your cup.  We have to limit you to 16 ounces a day.  We gave you a cup instead of a bottle before bedtime tonight.  It went well until you wanted to pop your pie-pie back in and I took it.  With your bottle you would take out the pie-pie to drink and never think of it again.  You wanted to hold it tonight with the cup, and that didn't work since you don't take it to bed.  You got so angry then got so upset that it was awhile before you finally gave up in your bed.  I promise all the crying is for your own good and hurts me as much as it hurts you.

You are happy go lucky, until you're occasionally not.  A temper tends to show during mealtimes or when something does not go your way.  You will yell and clench your fists together.  Meals upset Avery at this age as well, and I think the other times are you asserting yourself the only way you can right now.  We tell you no and to use a quiet voice and you smile and "yell" quietly.  I can count on one hand the fall down fits your sister had, so if I could keep both counts to my two hands that would be great.  I'm not so sure though!

You are happy as long as you have things to explore.  You still love to put things in containers and take them out, so the play kitchen and all the parts are really fun for you.  You like balls and are already throwing.  You have also started playing with a small toy truck and like to push it across the floor.  You like to swing and cruise around the play house outside.  You also like to turn on the water in my bathtub, push the tea table across the floor, and investigate the pet food and trash can.  You are very attached to Duckie and your pie-pie.

Things you don't like include being confined, unless it's a stroller that's not moving.  You do extremely well in the car but sometimes fuss when we put you in.  You don't care for Avery to be in your space sometimes, and those seem to be the time she's in it the most.  You no longer like to have your hair washed, and you don't like for meals to end, even if you've been unhappy for part of them.

Sam, you bring so much sunshine into our lives with your infectious laugh and bright smile.  You love your family, and we love you.  Summer is coming, and we have so many things that we are excited to do as a family of four.  Most importantly, we are excited to have more time together as a family to watch you grow.  We are so grateful for you and thank God each day for entrusting us with you.

We love you to bits and pieces!

Mommy and Daddy