I could start with another line about how we are so close to you turning a year old. Yes, I'm sad about the fact that my baby is getting so big (and you are!). I'm also humbled by your presence every day, happy to witness all of your milestones and growth and blessed that you were give to your dad and I as ours. We love you so very much, and the last 11 months have been such an adventure and we wouldn't have it any other way!
We won't go back to the doctor until after your first birthday, so the following are just guesses:
Height: 30 in.
Weight: 23 lbs.
Diaper Size: Size 4
Clothing Size: 12 month and a few 12-18 month clothes
As usual, you were a busy boy this last month; here are a few of the things you have been up to:
You got to play in the snow for the very first time! We didn't really have great snow pants and shoes for you, nor did we have a sled, but we made do with what we had, and who knew that a plastic tote could also double as a great baby sled (sorry, mommy was too busy pulling the "sled" so I didn't get any pictures with you in it)!!
Snow baby!
It was freezing, but we had fun playing out in the snow!
We had planned to go to Great Grandma and Grandpa Hurley for family Christmas, but bad weather prevented us from making our trip the weekend before Christmas. We were bummed that our plans didn't work out, as you haven't seen that side of the family since cousin Julie's wedding in June!
We got to celebrate your first Christmas, on Christmas Day, at home this year, which mommy was so grateful and excited for. Even better, both sets of grandparents and Uncle Corbin made the trip up the Kansas City for the day. Needless to say, you were one spoiled little baby. You got a lot of John Deere green, farm animal related toys and a brand new car seat!! After opening some presents in the morning, everyone gathered in the dining room for lunch (soup was on the menu) and then afterward, the rest of the gifts were opened before nap time. Here are some of my favorite photos and videos from the day:
Opening your first Christmas gift, wrapped specially by Grandpa Blow with a feed sack and bailing twine!
Daddy and Uncle Corbin
Grandpa and Grammy McGuire
The center of attention!
Grandpa Blow helping unwrap
The best Christmas gift we've ever received
Merry Christmas from the McGuire's!
Happy baby!
Christmas reindeer from Great Grandma Hurley
You loved hugging on your reindeer
Opening your new car seat! Notice the outfit change courtesy of Grandpa Blow.
First Christmas!
I'm so grateful that we were able to have such a wonderful Christmas day, because the rest of the holiday break did not go as well. About 4 am the next morning, you woke up screaming bloody murder, which is so unusual for you, since you ALWAYS sleep through the night. When daddy and I went in to check on you we found that you were burning up with a 104 degree fever and wheezing and acting like it was difficult to even catch your breath, which scared us both to death. We called the nurses line our pediatrician uses after hours to find out if we needed to take you in to the emergency room. They told us that a fever at that level was not high enough to need to go to the ER, but we should watch you closely and take you in to the doctor when they opened later in the morning. We were able to rock you back to sleep for a little while but we could tell that you were miserable. After taking you to the pediatrician later that morning (and thank goodness our primary doctor was in the office!) we learned that you had RSV. Not only were you not feeling well, but also highly contagious, which meant we had to cancel our Christmas plans in Wichita, as we didn't want to get cousin Declan sick. You spent the next few days wanting only to be held by mommy (all the time). I can't say that I really minded, as it had been a while since you've been the snuggly, sit still baby. I'm so grateful that you were only under the weather for a couple of days, but it was definitely no fun to see you sick and miserable. Poor thing sounded like a 2 pack-a-day smoker!
Since our holiday plans were canceled and you were so contagious, we spent most of the Christmas break stuck in the house. By the time New Year's rolled around, I think everyone was ready to get back to our normal routine! We tried to entertain ourselves as best as we could in the mean time. We assembled some toys you got and you even tried to help!
Gage helping mommy put together toys...
After seeing that video, Grandpa McGuire was ready to come up to Kansas City and rescue you from your mean mommy!
You and daddy did go back to Mulvane the first weekend of January (without mommy since she had to work) for a make-up visit, which I think made Grammy and Grandpa really happy :). I can only image how spoiled you were during your visit!
You have quickly mastered the art of cruising the furniture in the house. You also love to take your push cart for a spin around the house and pull up on the doors and windows to look outside. To say that you are active may be an understatement, but it is so much fun to watch you develop some independence. Here's a video of you taking your push cart for a cruise:
Gage cruising and talking to the dogs
You son, are quite the talker. Your favorite thing has been to squeal loudly (in the ear piercing range), but still no mama. I'm (somewhat) patiently waiting for it! Something new you've learned this month though is to blow kisses, and it sure does melt my heart pretty quickly, it's so darn cute!
Blowing mommy kisses
You are starting to experience more foods this month and we are working with you on feeding yourself small things. For the most part you are still eating the food that mommy makes for you (though toward the end of the month we've had to start using more store bought food because mommy hasn't had much time to make more food). We have let you try eating small pieces of cut up chicken, steamed mixed veggies and bananas. Needless to say, our first attempts have not been all that successful (outside from puffs and crackers) but we will continue to work at it.
You are on a pretty regular schedule at this point where are you are eating four times a day. We have cereal with fruit for breakfast, and then what's left of your 6 oz bottle. You will eat 4 veggie cubes or 3 veggies and one meat for lunch and around 6 oz of formula. You get a 6 oz bottle and a yogurt for your late afternoon snack when you are at daycare, and then will have 3 or 4 veggie or fruit cubes for dinner. Sometimes a dinner we may supplement a cube or two with table food.
Nothing has really changed in the sleep department, you sleep between 11 - 12 hours at night, but only take an hour to hour and a half nap during the day. You seem to be in a pretty good routine at this point though with your schedule and do pretty well with it, which we appreciate!
No new teeth this month, but I'm sure there will be more coming soon! So far (knock on wood) you've been a champ through the teething process.
You continue to show more personality each day, and it's fun to be able to see how you act so much like your dad and I already (whether that's a good thing or not can be debated :). The one thing we do know for sure is that you are ornery, and you know it! I don't think we'll have too many dull moments with you.
Here are a few more of my favorite moments from this month:
Such attitude
Happy baby, even with snot running down your face!
Talking to Duke through the window
Love that smile!
Here are a few outtakes from your 11 month photo shoot. I had to bribe you with toys to even get you to sit still.
You can just see the ornery in that smile!
Making faces
Cheese!
Entertaining himself the camera lens cap
Gage, our ornery little man, we love you so much buddy!
