Fifteen Months

Updated July 18 with new and forgotten (by mommy) words

This summer is just flying by and yesterday Kai reached the 15 month mark.  We had his doctor's appointment this morning which resulted in 2 shots (little did Mommy know).  Kai currently weighs 23lbs 5oz and is 31in tall.  He's gained just over one pound and grown one inch since his 12 month appointment.  He's still right around the 50th percentile for height and weight.  Kai did really well with his shots this time.  Of course he cried for about a minute afterward but we went to a play date when we were done and everyone said they couldn't believe he had just gotten shots.  Tough little boy!

At fifteen months Kai is:
-wearing size 4 diapers
-wearing 12-18month or 18month clothes
-wearing size 4 shoes
-drinking between 8-16oz of whole milk a day (somedays he won't finish a whole sippy cup throughout the day, other days we have to refill it)
-SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT - usually about 12hours
-running. everywhere.
-sitting in a convertible car seat forward facing (as of 7.2.13)
-saying lots of words (I'll list them at the bottom)
-giving hugs and kisses when asked
-taking one nap a day
-Mommy's boy
-still only showing 2 teeth, but it looks like some are coming soon on the top

Words at 15 months include:
-mama
-dada
-daddy
-Mickey
-Papa
-puppy (still sounds like puckey)
-doggie
-bubble 
-wa-wa
-ball
-ow
-num num num (for a snack)
-hi
-bye
-hotdog (sounds like dadog - from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse)
-no
-binky
-blankie (sounds like binky but you can tell by what he's pointing at)
-uh oh
-stuck
-down
-up (just the /p/ sound)
-please
-thank you
-Ella (???)
-out (usually signaling that he is "all done")
-go
-nigh-nigh



Kai can also point to his nose, toes, ears, and show you his belly when asked.  When asked what sound a puppy makes he usually roars, which is what he did at most animals during our zoo visit.  He is really good at pointing to people when asked where they are as well as pictures in books when we ask.  Kai is still a lover of books, his blankie, binky, and being outside.

Summer Vacay!!

**This is a really long post, so feel free to just browse the pictures.  You'll get the idea!!***

Last Tuesday night, we loaded up the mini van and started our vacation!  With myself, Kai, Wendy, Ella, and Ava in my van and Tyson, Darren, my dad, Josh, and Marley (Josh's dog) in the Tahoe, we began our 8 hour journey north.  (My mom headed up the day before us with my cousins.)  We decided it was best to drive through the night so all the littles would sleep.  Sleep they did not.  Well, sort of.  We left Dumont just before 8:30pm and both babies were out by 9:30.  However, we made a pit stop for gas an hour later and woke up the whole car!  Dang it.  It then took Kai 2 hours to fall back sleep, putting us after midnight!!  He was waking up Ella and Ava in the process as well.  He was tired but his body just would not let him sleep!!  Anyway, after yet another stop and kiddos waking again, we finally made it to Sleepy Hollow Resort in Northome, Minnesota at 4:00am!  My mom greeted us at the door and we quickly transferred kids into their beds.

Kai (our alarm clock) woke us up at 8:00am Wednesday morning.  So after 4 hours of sleep, we ate a pancake breakfast by the late and got ready to spend the day in the water!  (Side note: Sleepy Hollow Resort is owned by my aunt and uncle)  Kai "swam" in the lake for the first time but would only let mommy hold him!  He didn't really know what to think.  The water was a little chilly when we first got in but is really the perfect temperature once you've taken the plunge and gotten all the way in.  He cruised around in a floaty until lunch and nap time.  While Kai and Ella slept, we jumped on the trampoline, tried out the water bike, paddle boats, and kayaks.  They had so many funs things to do at their resort!  After a day in the water, we ate a big supper, went fishing, and struggled to get kids to sleep.  They didn't want the day to end!

Lake-side breakfast                                                                                    Papa's babies!

Don't let these sweet faces fool you!! They are partners in crime!

Biker boy!

                                        Love these three!!                                                                                    Nana's boy!

On Thursday (Happy 4th of July!!) we woke up a little later, ate brunch, dressed in patriotic colors, and took Kai on his first boat ride!!  He didn't love the life jacket but I was prepared with snacks!  About 10 minutes into the ride, he fell asleep on Nana's lap.  Just before reaching the dock, we slipped his life jacket off and Nana carried him inside to sleep.  This time while Kai napped, the girls went tubing!  We ate an early supper this night so we could all go out fishing (guys on one boat, girls and kids on the other).  This time, Kai wore a different life jacket and REALLY hated it!!  When we got to a fishing spot and stopped, enough was enough and I just took the jacket off.  I didn't do any fishing because I decided not to get a license, but it was exciting enough to watch!  The girls were definitely catching more fish than the guys.  While all of this action was going on, Kai was content playing with the leeches that were being used for bait.  I know...total boy right?!  We ended the night in the Rec Room playing games after the mosquitos were too bad during our campfire.

                                                      First boat ride!

                                                                                          Ava loves her Joshie!

                                   

Leeches!

Friday was another beautiful day!  Ava didn't want to go swimming and Ella hadn't really loved the lake water, so Mari (my aunt) set up a baby pool that we filled with half hot water and half lake water.  It was the perfect temperature!  The guys were out trying to fish again.  When they got back, we handed off the kids and the girls loaded up the pontoon with drinks and books and went out on the lake.  We found a spot out of the wind, tied up our floaties to the the boat and each other, and laid out.  After realizing we were all probably burnt, we called it a day after about 3 hours!  We spent another night in the Rec Room after supper.

Attempting some cousin pictures.....

....now we've lost Ava...

Snack time in the jammies

On Saturday, we woke up to colder weather and off & on rain.  This was our last day at Sleepy Hollow so we ended up doing a lot of reading, napping, and packing anyway.  A perfect day to catch up on sleep!  We had decided to try driving at night again, so after an early supper, we loaded up the two vehicles and trailer and headed for Minneapolis.  We weren't feeling brave enough to try the 8 hour drive again.  We arrived at our hotel around 11:30pm and Kai was WOUND up!!  As soon as we got in our room, he started running around and checking out everything!  When I was trying to get him to go to sleep, he kept laughing nonstop.  Silly boy.  It took about an hour to get him settled down and to sleep.

Oh look!! Tyson was on vacation with us!

Family pic!

Sunday morning came bright and early but we were excited to take the kids to the Como Zoo.  It's a zoo in St. Paul that is free will donation (they recommend $3/adult & $2/kid).  It took us just under 2 hours to get through it all.  Tyson and I agree that this zoo is the perfect size for Kai right now and probably even next summer.  He loved all of the animals, although most he called puppies or roared at them.  Attached to the zoo is an amusement park that we might have to try out next summer.  It would be a perfect weekend getaway!  We stopped for a quick lunch after leaving the zoo and then headed back home, arriving in Cedar Falls at about 6:00pm.

Fishies!!

My favorite guys!

Burton family of 4?

An attempt at Nana & Papa w/ grandkids picture....

Waving at the tiger!

Standing right next to the lion

Mommy & Kai....the best picture we could get

Love this loud little girl! :)

Nana & Kai with his souvenir monkey

Even though Kai didn't sleep great or really want anything to do with anyone but mommy, we still had a GREAT time!!  He is at a perfect age for fun getaways like this and it doesn't take much to keep him entertained!

Dear Kai...

There are so many things at 14 months that I never want to forget.  I am so thankful that I am able to spend the summer months at home with you and learn more and more about you every day.

You have recently gotten "hooked" on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  I say "hooked" because it usually only lasts about 10 minutes or so before you are off and doing something else, but this is the most you've ever watched t.v.  It all started one morning when you woke up before I was finished getting ready for work.  I plunked you on the bed and turned on the Disney Channel.  You were glued!  Now, our summer routine has become: wake up, watch Mickey for 10 minutes, realize you are hungry for breakfast, finish watching Mickey while eating breakfast. 

Speaking of breakfast, you are definitely good at knowing meal and snack times!!  In the morning, you will go over to your highchair when you are ready for breakfast.  Then at snack time, all I say is "Kai, do you want a snack?" and you are headed for your chair.  Lunch and supper is a little difficult.  As soon as you know that food is being prepared, you want to be up in your chair eating!!  For awhile you went on a kick where you wouldn't eat fruit and now it's the first (and sometimes only) thing you eat!!  

At 14 months, you are incredibly social!  You LOVE playing with the kids in our neighborhood and if you were older, I could probably let you wander on your own while I watched from the driveway.  Sorry buddy, you'll have to wait a couple of years before I let that happen.  Although I'm sure the older kids would take great care of you.  Besides the 6 month old baby next door, the closest in age to you is 3.5 years old and they sure do love you!  

I've said this many times, but I sure do love your sweetness too.  In the morning and after a long morning of play, you can usually be found snuggled up on the couch with your binky and blankie.  I don't know if I've seen anything sweeter.  

For the longest time I was so sad to see you growing.  Of course I wanted you to be healthy and grow, but I was so sad to be losing my baby.  I think I'm finally okay with it because I'm seeing that your love for your mama is still strong and you are so fun at this age!  

Happy 14 months baby boy!  

I'm baaaack!!!

Wow, it's been awhile!  I had to be reminded by a friend to blog.  Sad.  Maybe I should have kept up with monthly posts just so I had something to write about.  However, my lack of blogging is definitely NOT because I have nothing to say, it's actually the opposite of that!  I'll try my best to fill you in on what Kai has been up to since his birthday!

Kai had a series of ear infections that we just couldn't get rid of starting on Easter weekend.  He was on antibiotic after antibiotic and then we added allergy medicine to the mix.  We finally decided to make a trip to the chiropractor before we went back to visit the doctor again.  Kai had 3 appointments with the chiro and guess what?!!  The infection is gone!! However, there was still some fluid in one ear so we have an appointment (on Thursday) with an ENT.  We'll see what he recommends, but for now, we are thankful to be medicine and infection free (although Kai really loved the medicine)!!

He LOVES playing outside!!  Lately, he will bring us his shoes to put on and then ours and stand by the door waiting to go outside.  It's pathetic really, especially with all of the rain we've had lately and not being able to play outside as much.  He is definitely happier outside.  That makes this mama happy because I'm looking forward to a tan this summer!!  We weren't able to spend much time outside last summer because it was just too hot for a teeny baby!

Thanks to daycare, we have gotten into an amazing routine!  He takes naps so wonderfully, but about 3 weeks ago he gave up his morning nap.  One day he took a morning nap and the next he didn't, but he wasn't fussy or acting tired without it, so now he is down to one afternoon nap (about 2-3 hours).


The sleeping issue has always been a touchy subject around here.  I'm sure you all remember reading my monthly posts saying "still not sleeping through the night."  Well guess what?!  He's finally sleeping all night!!!  Kai gave up bottles and breastmilk about a week before his birthday, however, I was still breastfeeding at night IF he wanted to.  This lasted about 2 weeks after his birthday.  Finally, I stopped altogether and he slept through the night!!!  It was like I flipped a switch: no breastfeeding = sleeping baby.  I'll remember that for baby #2 someday. :)


Words from our 13 month old:
Boo
Mama
Dada
Hi
Hi Dada
Puppy (sounds like pu-key)
No
Ball
Yucky (maybe..??)
Hot (sounds like ot)
Wa-wa (water)
Baby
Nigh-nigh
I think I've maybe heard a version of "book"


A lot of these words he'll only say if we say them first, but it seems like he's adding a new word daily!!

Oh, and we definitely have a binky and blankie lover!! He's always been a binky lover, but he knows that we keep them on the counter and he'll go over to the wall under the counter and reach up and cry for one.  The love of the blankie just occurred within the last month or so.  When he gets up in the morning, he'll usually point to it for us to grab it.  Then he cuddles up with it...so cute!!  As busy as this little boy is, he sure does give some good cuddles when he's tired!!  His last day of daycare was Friday (for the summer) and our provider even said that she would sure miss his hugs!  Sweet boy!!

I'll try to keep you updated on our summer adventures!

Twelve Months = ONE

Really?  It's been 365(+) days?!  Wow...time really does fly!  Our appointment wasn't until today (4/15/13) and along with three shots - 2 new ones (chicken pox & MMR), we also found out that Kai's ear infection is still there!  He's now on a stronger antibiotic for the next 10 days and we'll go back to check in 2 weeks.  Poor baby - but he's showing NO signs!  Anyway, Kai tipped the scale at 22lbs 1oz, which was more than I thought he would weigh!  He's right at 30 inches which puts him just over the 50th percentile for both height and weight.

At twelve months Kai is:
-wearing size 3 diapers
-wearing size 12 month clothes
-wearing size 3 shoes
-drinking whole milk from sippy cups at meals and water at snacks - I still have a few frozen bags of breastmilk that I've been thawing and giving in a sippy cup before bed.
-going to bed between 7:30-7:45pm and waking up around 7:00am
-still taking 2 naps (9:00-10:00 & 1:00-3:00ish) - his afternoon nap sometimes ranges from 90minutes to 3 hours! :)
-not sleeping through the night but getting SO close!  Maybe once we are past this darn ear infection it will happen
-pointing at things he wants and saying "Oh!"
-walking. everywhere. (officially on 4/1/13)
-sporting two tiny bottom teeth
-sitting in a convertible car seat but still rear facing (we got the go ahead to turn him around whenever we want)

"Can I take this sticker off now, Mom?!"

Other things about Kai at twelve months:
-two favorite places: next to the front door and the bathroom - this is the same at daycare
-getting into lots of "trouble" through his exploring of the house
-loves to push things: boxes, puzzles, cars, motorcycle, basically anything that isn't nailed down or too heavy
-hasn't shown much interest in t.v. yet, unless cousin Ava is around. Then he'll sit on the couch and cuddle with her.  They are too sweet!!!
-loves sugar - this was proven with his smash cake and birthday cupcake.  He's just like his mommy!!
-ALL BOY!!!

One of his favorite spots & it's a good thing these monthly sticker pictures are done - the last few months have been difficult to get a good picture!!!

Welcome to Seussville!

Kai's first birthday was...you guessed it....Dr. Seuss theme!!  There were touches of aqua and red in almost all parts of the house.  The party started at 5:00 and as guests arrived, they were first greeted by a balloon wreath, made by yours truly, on the front door.  Upon entering the house, guests could guess the number of M&Ms in the jar and then sign the "guest book", which was actually the book Happy Birthday to You! by Dr. Seuss!

The other decorations:

Hard to see but his monthly pictures on display

 While we waited for Tyson to finish grilling the hotdogs and burgers, Kai entertained everyone with his new walking skills.  Speaking of food, the theme continued in the kitchen as well (although I never got a picture of all the food set up...boo!)

Here's what was on the menu (all items had a Dr. Seuss themed place card as well - see cupcakes above):

Hotdogs rolled up in buns (Happy Birthday to You!)
Hamburgers (no creative name or book)
Oodles of Noodles (Fox in Socks) - pasta salad
Green Eggs & Ham (Green Eggs and Ham) - green deviled eggs
Truffula Fruit (The Lorax) - frozen fruit cups
Pink Ink Drink (One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish) - raspberry lemonade
Chips (no catchy name or book here either)

The only pictures I have of some of the food is me getting it ready.  (Mommy fail!!)

Everyone grabbed their food and made their way to the (unfinished) basement where we had tables set up.  After supper, it was time for presents!!  I had several people begging for a cupcake so I tried to make the gift opening as quick as possible.  Kai was less than interested in opening any presents, so I did the majority of it with the help of a few other little friends.  Kai was seriously spoiled at his party!!

Next was time to sing Happy Birthday and eat cupcakes & ice cream!!  I had a birthday candle all ready for Kai, but didn't end up using it because I wanted to undress him before he ate his cupcake and I didn't want to tick off the birthday boy by taking away his cupcake.  We'll just save the candles for future celebrations!  Kai had a "Thing 1 & Thing 2 Cupcake" topped with blue cotton candy.  He demolished the whole thing and then shared some ice cream with great aunt Mari!

The kid LOVES sugar - not sure where he gets that from.  ;)

The guests started leaving soon after this and Kai was starting to show signs that he was ready for the party to come to an end.  Around 7:30, I could tell that he was ready for his p.j.s and was then in bed by 8:00.  He was one TIRED birthday boy!!

Father & Daughter - winners of the M&M jars! Hannah guessed exactly right - 172!

Sunday afternoon with ALL of his party gifts!