One Year Old! And beyond.

I've gotten a bit behind on posting....  Oops!

So here is what's been going on since he turned one!  I can't believe our little guy is already over a year old!  Time has flown by so quickly.  It's been an amazing, challenging, tiring, wonderful year- that's for sure!

So Robby... he's been doing... mostly great!  We are officially moved back home to the Chicago 'burbs.  However, since we moved back, Robby's been pretty consistently sick, unfortunately.  He's had ear infections, a cold, a throat virus, a gastro virus, more ear infections, another throat virus, croup, more ear infections, and most recently... Hand, Foot, and Mouth.  It's been exhausting.  Our pediatrician explained that it is likely due to the fact that moving to a different area, he is now being exposed to different germs and allergens than he was previously.  However, with this last bout of sickness... I've officially decided to go ahead and have ear tubes put in Robby.  This will hopefully let the fluids drain like they're supposed to, decrease the amount of ear infections, and help keep him healthier overall.  Fingers crossed!  Poor guy... he's just been constantly feeling miserable.  We've also gotten quite a few teeth recently... he's up to 10 teeth now and has officially gotten his first molar!  Ouch.

At 14 months, Robby currently weighs over 27.5 pounds and is almost 32 inches long.  He is in 24 month clothes, but also has some 2T clothing he fits into!  Yep, he continues to be a big boy!  Though he's definitely become slightly more picky, he still loves his food.  He's now pickier with his veggies, which he used to LOVE.  So now I have to hide them more in food than I ever did.  He's extremely interested in everything everyone else is eating, and we try to give him tastes of as much as we can.  However, he definitely is still sensitive to dairy and we have to be careful of what and how much he gets.  His favorite foods continue to be bananas and avocado, along with blueberries, eggs, and crackers.  He also loves greek yogurt.

Just before 11 months, Robby started cruising on furniture, and right after his first birthday, he took his first steps.  He was very proud of himself once he started being able to really walk!  Now he tries to run... which is so adorable because it's not actually much faster than his walking... just more wobbly :)

Robby also is now saying quite a few words.  He's now consistently saying 'dada' for Daddy, 'ba' for ball, 'uh' or 'uh uh' for Uh Oh, papa, and 'buh' for book.  He'll say 'mama' and 'nana'... though only on his own terms.  He'll tell you what a lion, dog, owl, bear, and cow say.  He can identify his head/hair, tongue, belly, eyes, teeth/mouth, and nose and feet (on his own terms)!  He points at everything he wants, he's really quite opinionated!  He tries to imitate everything you do- whether it's movements or words.  He has a 'made-up' sign that he uses for 'more'... but has really been using it whenever he wants ANYTHING!  He'll also consistently sign 'eat' when he's hungry.  He has also gotten really good at following simple directions.  I can ask him to bring/get me things and he will do it (sometimes he gets side-tracked of course!).  For example, when it's time to change his diaper, I can tell him to get me the diaper or wipes, etc. and he'll bring it to me.  It's been great because it actually helps me out and he gets very proud of himself!

Robby just loves, LOVES, his Kona and our gentle giant is so wonderful with him.  He is constantly all over her, sitting between her front legs, 'petting' her, banging his toys on her back, trying to get her to lick his hands (and LAUGHING when she does!).  He just absolutely adores her.  Kona... hasn't quite reciprocated the amount of love... but she's really so good with him! :)

Robby also loves (the word 'loves' doesn't even do it justice) his books.  This kid will seriously read book after book to himself, and will ask us to read him a book 5 times in a row.  You can tell him to go get you a specific book, and he'll go to another room, find the book, and bring it back to you (then throw it at your face as his way of telling you he wants it- we're working on that...).  It's adorable and makes his book-worm of a mother extremely happy and proud!!! :)

We've recently moved into our new home (though we have quite a bit more work to do here!) and it's been awesome.  Both Robby and Kona love all the space to run around and scatter toys... and they love the yard to play in!  With Robby being so sick we haven't gotten outside as much as we'd all like... but we will!

Medically- Robby had an ultrasound on his kidneys done when we first moved back, which looked good.  He's still exhibiting reflux in his left kidney and dilation of the right.  But compared to his last u/s, it's to the same degree if not less.  In the beginning of December we'll go back to have the full VCUG and another u/s done and that will give us much more information on what's going on, how severe, and if anything has gotten worse or better.  We also had an allergist appointment to look at how he reacts to dairy and to environmental allergens.  And actually... everything we tested for was negative (dog, mold, dust mites, dairy, and one more that I can't think of...).  So while we were thrilled he's NOT allergic to dogs.... (!) I was almost hoping he had seasonal allergies that were contributing to his constant state of being sick.  But that's not the case!  Which is, of course, good news.  However, the dairy issue... he showed a negative result, which just means that he doesn't have a true dairy allergy- so if he gets dairy, we don't have to worry about him having a serious allergic reaction.  But this does NOT mean he isn't sensitive to dairy in another system of the body- for example, the gi system.  Just because the allergic system doesn't react to dairy, doesn't mean his gi system isn't reacting to dairy.  But at least we KNOW that right now we don't have to worry about a serious reaction to dairy.  I just have to continue being cautious with it and introducing it slowly until I can determine how much dairy he can handle without getting sick.

Never a dull moment around here!

That's all I can think of for now!  Updates will definitely be less often as we have so much going on now... but I will try to keep up with it as best I can!

And of course.... pictures!

Love,
Carrie

July 5, 2013

July 5, 2013


Today, my sweet baby boy, you are one year old.


Exactly one year ago today, you gave me the one thing I've wanted my entire life: you made me a mother.


Every day, but especially today....

I think about all we went through to get you here.

I am grateful for all we didn't have to go through to get you here.

I remember the day you entered the world: you screamed, we cried.

I cherish all the moments I cuddled your newborn body in my arms before you grew so quickly.

I am in awe of the amazing little boy you are becoming.

I am so proud of how smart you already are.

I am honored to be your mother.


I love you, my beautiful boy.


Happy First Birthday!

Love,
Mommy

Videos!

So Big!

 

Serious about his food...

 

Learning to Crawl

 

Giving mommy High-Five!

9 Months

While Robby has been doing great... it's been a rough month for him!  Robby never had an illness the first 8 months of his life.  Within this past month, he's had pink eye that turned out to be part of a viral throat infection, then a double ear infection, a stomach bug that had him vomiting with diarrhea, then he came down with a nasty cold that ended with another ear infection.  Poor baby!  Building up that immune system I suppose... hopefully we're on the mend!

 

Robby had his 9 month check-up and weighs 23lbs, 11oz and is 30in long!  (We've had an appointment since then... where he measured over 24lbs and 31in long... so he's somewhere around there and definitely growing like a weed!)  Doctor says he's going to be a tall boy.  He is currently in 18 month clothes- and growing out of them.  He has two teeth on the bottom, but no sign of more as of right now!  Robby loves to clap (especially when you clap first), do 'So big!', and give high fives.  He's also starting to give kisses (open mouth, tongue out half the time).  He's eating 3 'meals' a day and is mostly eating finger foods.  He loves to feed himself finger foods- but continues to love eating from a spoon and 'feeding himself' from the spoon.  He had his first taste of meat- ground turkey- and LOVED it!  He really eats a much larger variety of foods now, which he of course loves.  This kid pounds food like you've never seen!  We've also introduced a few foods with milk baked-in: eggless French toast and a few bites of dinner rolls at a restaurant.  He broke out a little bit on his face, but overall was able to handle a small amount pretty well!  We still have to be careful of what we give him and can't give him a large amount of food with baked-in dairy, but we're getting there!  So far we've added into our repertoire: blueberries, plums, beets, brown-rice toast, avocado (he's been eating it for a while, but will once again eat it plain- it's one of his favorite finger foods, along with carrots), lentils (doesn't love these, but he will eat a small amount mixed with other foods), broccoli, black beans, and green beans (again, not his favorite, but will eat it mixed with other foods).  I'm sure there are more foods he's tasted or had small amounts of that I didn't list, but those are the consistent ones!  He also loves drinking from his straw cup so much that he's decided day-time bottles are a thing of the past!

Robby is officially crawling!  At right about 9 and 1/2 months he just started to crawl a few 'steps'... and within a few days he was getting the coordination down and really able to crawl!  Even though he wasn't crawling prior to that... he was still extremely mobile!  He could get at anything he wanted by rolling, sitting up, flipping to the other side while sitting, getting on all fours, launching himself forward, and repeating it all over and over.  He's so happy now that he can quickly get to whatever he wants by crawling.  Robby also will pull himself to standing using anything low to the ground- and kind of stand in a downward-dog position. :)  He tries so hard to pull himself to standing into an upright position... he's still working on that.

We took an unexpected trip home this month.  And while Robby got to see his family and took his first trip to the park, it unfortunately was a sad visit.  My grandma, Robby's Omi, passed away unexpectedly.  We will miss her more than words can possibly express, but we are so fortunate that she was able to be a part of Robby's life for his first 9 months.  We know she loved him with all her heart and we all loved her with all ours.

October 2012

On that note... let's enjoy some pictures of this adorable baby boy because Omi loved looking at his pictures!

Robby's First Easter!

 



 

-Carrie :)

8 Months

Robby's turning into such a little man.  He's growing so fast we can't believe it!  He's continuing to do great.  He's such a good baby.  Sleeping at night has been awesome- he goes to bed around 5:30-5:45pm (early, I know... but it makes a HUGE difference in how he sleeps at night), wakes up around 5am for a bottle, then plays in his crib until he falls back asleep (he'll sleep on and off for about another hour).  So he usually wakes up around 6:45-7:00am.  His naps have been changing a bit.  Sometimes he takes his short, power naps.  Sometimes we'll get at least one 1 and 1/2 hour nap per day.

 

Robby's not yet crawling... but at about 6 and 1/2 months, he started rolling to get around his entire room!  He'd just roll and roll and roll... stop, take a breather... then roll and roll some more!  At just over 7 months, he started getting up on his hands and knees and rocking.  He's now trying so hard to move forward on his hands and knees (he can scoot backwards)... but usually just ends up faceplanting as he tries to launch himself forwards!

Robby's continuing to be what you'd call a "good eater"... in other words, this kid will eat and eat and never stop!  He loves his food.  So far, we've added a few new foods: peas, green beans, kale (mixed with banana), peaches, and oatmeal with cinnamon and steamed apples (yes, he'll finally eat oatmeal... but only Earth's Best oatmeal... still hates my homemade!).  Robby still only gets solids twice a day... but he eats a LOT in one sitting!  He LOVES to feed himself with the spoon.  At the end of every meal, I hand him the spoon with some food on it and it goes straight into the mouth and he sucks all the food off (he also plays with the spoon/food.. which is Kona's favorite part of the meal)!  Robby has just started picking up food with his hands and putting it in his mouth... he does best so far with organic Puffs and whole peas.  He's also started drinking out of his straw cup... He picked up on it immediately and absolutely loves drinking from it! He amazed us at how quickly he learned what to do, and he looks like such a big boy doing so!

 

Robby's now in size 4 diapers and size 12 month clothing... and even some of the 12 month sleepers are a bit snug on him!  His spring jacket is 18 months, and as long as we roll the sleeves up a bit... it fits him now!  He's a giant.

We've also been getting to hear lots of 'stories' from Robby!  He's been really starting to babble... along with continuing to squeal and scream.  Daddy's been trying to get him to say 'Dada'... and while there is no meaning behind it yet, he really does say 'dadada' quite a bit!  Along with 'bababa' and other random gutteral sounds and screams.  His favorite thing to do is still laughing... we (especially Daddy) can get Robby laughing so hard he loses his breath!  It's the best :)  He is also MUCH more interested in Kona (Kona interested in Robby? not so much...) lately.  He smiles when he sees her walk by and laughs when she licks his hand.  Kona has a couple toys that Robby is terrified of... and when she squeaks one in particular he bursts into full blown tears!  Poor guy. 

 

 

Robby finally got his first tooth!  He was extremely fussy the other day and we finally felt the razor-sharp edge of a tooth coming through on the bottom front.  We think another one is working it's way out as well!

And last but not least... Robby got a new cousin!  Robby's cousin Gianna (Auntie Rachel and Uncle Dan's baby girl) was born 3/3/13 just before midnight.  Robby is officially not the youngest cousin anymore :)  We all can't wait to meet her!

Photo Bomb!


 

First Valentine's Day with Robby!



Naked Storytime

Oatmeal Playtime

Puma Baby!

 

Peek-a-boo!

Trying to get the bubbles.

 

Here's a short video of Robby 'talking'!

-Carrie :)

 

6 Months

Can't believe Robby is already over 6 months old!

Our big boy has been doing wonderfully!  He just had his 6 month check-up... and is 20lbs, 6oz and 27.5in long!  Big boy.  The doctor said everything looks great- he's hitting his milestones, eating well (obviously), and she had no concerns.  He's also officially off all reflux meds and doing great.  He's been sleeping really well at night- he usually goes to bed around 6:30pm, wakes up around 5am for a bottle, then goes back to sleep until 7-7:30am (the past few nights he's been waking more- which the dr said is normal at this age as they start to develop more 'adult-like' sleeping patterns and have to learn to just go back to sleep when they wake up throughout the night).  He's doing well napping, just doesn't take long naps!  He generally takes three 45 minutes naps throughout the day.  He rolled from back to tummy in the middle of the night around 5 1/2 months, and has been a tummy sleeper ever since!  He flips right over if you lay him on his back.  Just before Robby turned 6 months... he started sitting up on his own!  He loves to sit up and play with his toys (but he still also LOVES to lay on his kick 'n play piano mat).  He doesn't do too much true babbling yet, but loves to squeal, gurgle, and do all sorts of vocal play (noises, etc.).

At right around 5 1/2 months... Robby had his first solid foods!  He had been showing the signs that he was ready, and he's such a big boy, we figured we'll try and see how he does... well he was DEFINITELY ready!  Sweet potatoes were his first... and he LOVED them!  Since then, he's had avocado/banana, squash, pears, carrots (which he didn't love initially, but has started eating!  these are the only foods I actually puree for him... the rest we just mash up and he does great!) and he's tried oatmeal, which hasn't gone over very well (made with steel cut oats... no matter what I tried, they just were too grainy for him to handle right now- we'll try again soon).  Let's just say... he's a GOOD eater.  :)  He takes a bite and barely finishes swallowing before he's got his mouth wide open, leaning forward towards the spoon, and grabbing/pulling our fingers to help put the spoon in his mouth!  As of right now, he gets food twice a day.

(Notice how he's grabbing my pinky finger - this is how he  gets the food into his mouth faster!)

We also started swim class right at 6 months!  He's been doing great- loves the water!  As soon as he gets in the water, he kicks and kicks his legs!  He's been dunked under water a few times now, and he still gets a bit frazzled by it... but he'll get used to it in time.  :)  We take the class with a friend of mine from work and her daughter, who is a month older than Robby.  Daddy makes sure to be at every class- and hopefully he'll join Robby in the water soon!

No teeth have popped through yet... but we think (and HOPE) at least one is well on it's way.  No signs when you look in his mouth as of right now- but he is drooling like I've never seen him drool and is fiercely shoving everything he can into his mouth and chewing/gnawing on whatever he can.  Fingers crossed for the poor guy!

We all got to go back home to visit for about 10 days over the holidays!  It was so nice to see everyone.  Robby did better this time... but still got a bit overwhelmed around all the people.  He slept better for the most part... but still slept a lot on Mommy while we were home.  Luckily, he went right back to his awesome sleeping habits as soon as we got back!  Robby was a lucky boy- he got so many awesome gifts from all our family and friends!  We had to ship everything back because there was no way we could fit it in our car... He loves playing with all his new toys!

Robby's latest little personality trait?  Serious baby.  Whenever we are around new people or a group of people... Robby is extremely serious.  He doesn't smile for people... just stares.  Which is crazy because for us (and our sitter), he is an extremely smiley, happy baby and he loves to laugh!  Stinker.  :)

Here are some new pictures!

Helping with laundry



Looking at the giraffes on his first trip to the zoo!

Check out Robby's 6 month photos!

Carrie :)