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!

Kai is O-N-E!!

The celebrating isn't over yet, but Kai has had his fair share of gifts and partying already!!  We still have his birthday party on Saturday with family and close friends and that will wrap up his week of celebrations!! 


On Tuesday, I used my personal day to stay home with Kai!  We had pictures scheduled for 10:30am and were just going to play the rest of the day by ear.  I was hoping to go to the park or at least for a walk.  Well, the rain ruined almost all of our plans - including birthday pictures!!  We improvised and went to the Malcolm's to play with Ava and Ella instead!


I had planned to make pancakes for Kai's birthday breakfast, but I found out as I was getting my ingredients ready that I didn't have enough milk (mommy fail!!). 

After breakfast, we headed out in the rain to get some books from my brother in-law that I wanted for Kai's pictures.  Soon after we got back home, Kai fell asleep and pictures were rescheduled.  (I guess we didn't have to go out in the rain after all). 

Headed out in the rain in jammies!

Sleepy boy!

 While Kai slept, I kept myself busy by baking a cake (for later use).  After Kai's nap, I got him dressed in his BIRTHDAY BOY shirt and off we went to the Malcolm's. 

 We played and ate lunch, then headed back home.  Kai fell asleep in the van, so I hauled my sleeping baby into his crib for another nap when we got home.  This time while Kai slept, I crumbled up my perfect strawberry cake, mixed it with strawberry frosting, and rolled it into cake balls.  These were for Kai to take to daycare on Wednesday.  

After Kai woke up, we headed out to get ingredients for homemade pizza for supper!  Tyson got home soon after we got back, so while the boys played, I got creative with the pizza!  

This kid LOVES pizza and baked beans.  His bananas, on the other hand, were already on the floor!

 After supper, Kai opened his presents from us, and then we went to get him an ice cream cone from 4 Queens.  However, when we pulled out of the drive-thru, I noticed that our birthday boy was snoozing in the backseat!!  When we got home, he didn't even open his eyes as I unstrapped him from his car seat.  I took off his jacket & jeans and put our sleeping one year old to bed, still wearing his BIRTHDAY BOY onesie.  :)  This boy can only handle so much excitement in one day!!  I'm wondering what Saturday will look like!!   

Today (Wednesday), Kai got to celebrate his birthday at daycare!!  I didn't drop him off or pick him up today, but Tyson said the house was decorated with streamers!  Kai came home with an armful of gifts and said the cake balls were a hit!!  After supper and a bath, Kai enjoyed his ice cream cone - but I think it was a little too cold because he kept grabbing his tongue.

Cake balls and daycare presents!!

Yummy ice cream!

We had a great two days of celebrations!  Now we have our pictures on Friday after work and party on Saturday!  Kai's 12-month check-up is Monday, so I'll be back with his update next week!

Has it really been a whole year?!?!

Dear Kai (a birthday letter)...

Exactly one year ago today, you made me the happiest mommy in the world.  I cannot even remember what it was like without you here.  I will never forget the first time that I laid eyes on you.  I could not believe that this tiny, beautiful baby boy was really mine and that you were FINALLY here!

Some of my favorite things about you right now is the way that you (usually) go down for naps and to bed so easily.  This has taken a lot of long nights and loud cries, but it was all because I love you.  Another favorite is how good of an eater you are!! You love just about everything we put in front of you, although you've become a little picky about fruit.  I think you'll eventually enjoy fruit again someday, but for now I'm not worried.  I love watching you play outside!! It is just becoming nice enough to play outside and you seem to LOVE it.  My favorite thing about you right now is that even though you are becoming incredibly independent, there are times when you still need your mommy.  Today was one of those days.  You wanted to be held and cuddle most of the day and it was just what I needed today too.

Today was a bittersweet day as I'm not ready for my baby to grow up yet, but I am so excited to see what else you will learn to do and say.  Thank you for making me the happiest mommy in the world!

I love you sweet boy.

Mommy

Happy Easter!

This year was Kai's first Easter as he arrived the day after last year.

Easter 2012

We woke up this morning to find that the Easter Bunny left Kai some goodies by the fireplace.  In his basket he got some squeezie fruit and vegetable packets (we just tried these on Friday and he loved them!), a new shirt, a bigger hooded towel (he's outgrowing his infant ones), an Easter book, and a chick sippy/straw cup.  Next to his basket was also a basketball hoop for the bathtub.

Checking out the loot!

We had a few hours before church, so Kai ate breakfast and played for awhile.  Because we let him sleep in this morning, he went down for a late nap - about 30 minutes before we needed to leave for church.  Luckily he was still in a good mood, just a little slow to want to get up. :)

The church service at Prairie Lakes was great!  It was about remembering that "It is finished!" and because Jesus died for us, we can forget about our past mistakes and move on.  After church we picked up Kai in the nursery who was cuddling one of the girls working in his room.  She said she thought he might have dozed off for a few minutes at the end.  I guess that's what happens when he only gets a 30 minute nap!  We ate a late lunch and then played some more.  Kai must have been worn out because he took almost a 2 1/2 hour nap!  I also enjoyed a nap. :)

Trying out his chick cup!

We had planned to go on a walk when Kai woke up but that wind was way too strong and the temperature was not as warm as I had thought it was going to be.  So instead, Kai and I drove to Walgreen's to return a Redbox DVD and picked up some whole milk for him to start trying this week!!

Oh!  During lunch we also discovered that Kai's 2nd tooth has popped through!  We didn't even know he was teething this time.