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Almost 13 months old – September 14, 2015
THIRTEENTH MONTH
AUGUST 21 – SEPTEMBER 21 (2015)
THIRTEENTH MONTH “FIRSTS”
- 1st birthday! (8/21)
- 1st time clapping hands together (8/26)
- 1st time saying “car” (8/26)
- 1st time stepping up a curb (legs only) (8/30)
- 1st time stepping down a curb (legs only) (9/2)
- 1st “play date” (9/8)
- 1st birthday party (9/13)
- 1st & 2nd full days with Eric while I worked (9/19 & 9/20)
1st birthday party – September 13, 2015
WORDS
- car (sounds like “gah”)
- he says car for real cars, toy cars, cars in books and on TV
- ball (sounds like “bah”)
- he says ball for real balls, balls in books and on TV
1st full day with dada – September 19, 2015
OTHER SPEECH/LANGUAGE
- new sounds: “um bucka bucka”/”a buckum buckum”
- he makes a “nam” sound when it’s time to eat
- he directly addressed one of the kids (“Emil”) we’d just met at the park by name (8/30)
- he might have said his name (9/5)
- he might have said “I love you” (he said to both Eric & I separately)
- he knows what “pillow blanket” means and will look for it (same goes for balls)
FOLLOWING COMMANDS
- “clap your hands” (no gestural cues) (9/1)
- “stomp your feet” (9/2)
- “high five” (9/3)
- “brush my hair” (9/7)
- “take your bib off” (he also does on his own) (9/10)
- “skinny cat” (which means raise arms to help having shirt removed)
- “throw it” (either a ball or something “yucky” that he picks up outside)
- “down dog” (9/15)
- “where’s your ball/pillow blanket?” (he’ll go looking)
MISC MOTOR
- he walked backward repeatedly with his Little Tikes car (8/25)
- he stepped over the couch armrest (from the coffee table) using just his legs (8/31)
- he steps up & down curbs (with & without help)
- sitting on his Little Tikes car, he “drove” it forward with feet by leaning way forward (9/10)
- he climbed into a kitchen cupboard (9/16)
- possible right hand dominance (i.e. when eating)
- he started doing “down dog” yoga pose before I realized that’s what he was doing (he sees me doing it regularly)
- he doesn’t just walk, he runs!
- he trips less frequently
- he rarely hits his head when falling backward because his abdominal strength is so good
Climbing into a cupboard – September 16, 2015
FUN TIMES AT HOME
- “dancing”
- making us laugh doing his funny “shaky thing”
- throwing/bouncing balls
- making “baskets” in the basketball hoop & Pack ‘n Play
- driving his little cars across the floor (or walls)
- turning pages of books
- he laughs hysterically while chasing & being chased, then falls into pillows
- I cut 1 panel out of a Pack ‘n Play to make him a “fort”
- putting blocks in container & trying to close lid (9/8)
- play date with Piper (9/8)
- watching Sesame Street, Mister Rogers
- he gets very interested in music documentaries (stops to listen and/or dance)
- 1st birthday party (9/13)
HE LOVES GOING OUTSIDE!
- outdoor “roaming” the yard
- running down the sidewalk (9/9)
- visiting & petting the neighbor’s dogs
- 1st mud puddle (9/17)
- rides in the stroller (walking, rollerblading)
- hot tub “swim”
- sitting on the skateboard for rides with Eric
Petting the neighbor’s dogs – September 9, 2015
GOING PLACES
- playing at Imagine Children’s Museum for his birthday (8/21)
- looking at the animals at Petco (9/2)
- hiking (with Ergo carrier) at the Pilchuck Tree Farm (9/5)
- dining at The Shire Cafe (9/5)
- “Touch A Truck” (9/12)
- we started Kindermusik (9/15)
- he loves shopping cart rides at stores
Touch A Truck – September 12, 2015
HEALTH
- he had a runny nose and sneezing that lasted ~2 days (8/24-25)
- 12 month pediatrician visit (8/25)
- Weight = 19 lbs at 12 months
- he got his MMR & Hep A vaccines, but I declined the chickenpox vaccine (9/2)
New clothes from Todd’s Great Aunt – August 22, 2015
ORAL HAPPENINGS
- he kept handing his spoon back to me after taking bites (instead of resisting letting go like usual) (8/23)
- he started gnawing on crib rails (so I covered them!)
- he has a strong tendency for “chewing” (i.e. he’s destructive to board books)
- we try to brush his teeth daily but it can be almost impossible!
BBQ tempeh – August 30, 2015
RANDOM STUFF
- he put his pillow blanket in the kitchen drawer, then closed the drawer (and repeated it) (9/1)
- he sometimes claps for himself (9/4)
- he tried to put the dish towel back on fridge, and tried to pull open fridge door (9/14)
- he tries to put rose petals back, after he pulls them off
Hiking at the Pilchuck Tree Farm – September 5, 2015
BEING ONE
- he protests when he can’t have something
- increasingly distracted sitting in my glider chair in the morning and before naps
- he resists being picked up by raising arms and arching head and body waaaay back
He carried that step stool up there all by himself – September 17, 2015
FORMULA & BOTTLE WEANING
- started formula weaning (8/27)
- started using Green Sprouts Glass Sip ‘n Straw Cup instead of bottles (8/31)
- initially his organic soy formula was mixed with a little hemp milk (3:1 ratio)
- homemade cashew rice milk was added in (9/2)
- I started making cashew oat milk instead of cashew rice milk
- at month’s end he gets a blend of (equal parts): formula, hemp milk, cashew oat milk and soy milk
- at month’s end we’re half way through formula can #71
- he had ~2.5 cans of formula this month which is half as much as last month
Green Sprouts sippy & “pillow blanket” & Seahawks fuzzy slippers – September 14, 2015
SLEEP
- best sleep month to date!
- he woke up at night only twice (one was a “rough” night because he stayed awake/restless from 1:30 – 3:30 AM)
- 1x he woke up at 4:30 AM so I had him sleep in my bed with me for another hour before we got up
- fell asleep on floor 45 min before bed (9/9)
- shortest nap: 30 minutes
- longest nap: 2.75 hours
- average nap: 1.75 hours
- wears size 18 month sleepers
Asleep on the floor – September 9, 2015
POTTY TALK
- more solid food = more poop!
- he poops about twice per day
- 33 poops were done on the toilet
- 32 poops were “misses”
- while sitting on the toilet, he reaches as far down into the toilet as he can
- increasingly resists staying on the toilet seat (twists to get off)
Outside roaming – September 8, 2015
All for now!
6.5 months old – March 4, 2015
SEVENTH MONTH (FEBRUARY 21 – MARCH 21)
WEEK 27 (PARTIAL WEEK)
Isn’t this an interesting way to start a blog post…
On February 25th, Todd started his morning by pooping in the toilet for the 41st consecutive day. He went a lot so I figured he was done. After I put him on the incontinent bed pad that I use for his “diaper free” time, I walked away briefly to start some laundry. When I came back, I discovered that he’d pooped on the mat. More?! Yikes!! Fortunately, he hadn’t yet rolled in it. Phew…crisis averted!
Later that day, I gave Todd his first taste of (organic) 100% peanut butter by letting him suck a thin smear off my finger. So far, so good re: food allergies. Check out this article…
Study finds peanut consumption in infancy prevents peanut allergy (NIH clinical trial)
February 25, 2015
Here’s a BIG milestone! This week Todd sat himself up for the first time! For a few days prior, he’d gotten so close. On February 26th, he did it for Eric, but I was in another room. I missed the first instance, but then Todd repeated his new skill 3 more times within about 10 minutes. He showed that he could do it with a bulky diaper on, too.
To sit up from his belly, he starts on all fours, then he gets himself into something like a “pigeon” yoga pose (with one leg drawn way up so that his foot is right under his butt), then he manages to bring the other leg under/around, and finally pushes up with his arms.
Highlights:
- 1st sit-to-stand without help – by pulling up with the wooden rods of a chair (at Mission Ridge, 2/22)
- took one arm out of his long sleeve shirt (2/22)
- doing “down dog” and “pigeon” yoga poses to attempt sitting up or crawling
- record sleep, 11.75 hrs (2/24 to 2/25)
- using fingertip to deliberately feel the corner of a book (2/25)
- 1st time sitting up from belly (2/26)
New (vegan) foods this week:
- minestrone soup
- chickpea fritter & Romesco sauce (made with pistachio, roasted red pepper, kidney beans & more)
- lick of peanut butter
- chocolate “shake” (made with frozen bananas, coconut milk, soy milk & cocoa powder)
- peach oatmeal banana jarred organic baby food
- angel hair & pasta sauce with Field Roast Italian Sausage
“Green” (brown) smoothie aftermath – February 26, 2015
WEEK 28
Geez, Louise! Now that Todd learned how to sit up, he will NOT stay on his back for dressing and diaper changes. He whips over to his belly and launches himself up to sitting in literally less than 5 seconds. I had to break out the larger (size medium) cloth diaper covers to give myself more room for error, as I fasten his diaper while attempting to restrain Todd in a sitting position. It’s not always easy!
In the last week, I noticed that Todd’s ability to weight shift when standing has gotten to where he now purposefully adjusts his feet after he’s up, to seek better traction and balance. Before, his feet would remain where initially planted.
He’s a little boy, not a baby – February 28, 2015
Developmental Highlights:
- 1st time sitting up in his bed (2/27)
- 1st time (briefly) sitting with legs extended instead of flexed (3/1)
- 1st unsupported standing of ~10 seconds (after assist to be “placed,” 3/3)
- sit-to-stands with close supervision but no assist, using dresser drawers, couch, and stacked couch cushions. Todd lets go with one hand, then both.
- from standing, when he “plops” down, it’s more often straight down on his butt rather than doing the “Nestea Plunge.”
Sitting up in bed – March 3, 2015
Other Highlights:
- during his bath, Todd kept wanting to drink the water (3/1)
- repeatedly flicking the nipple of his bottle with his left index finger
- started using size medium cloth diaper covers (3/2)
- started using #4 (Fast Flow) Philips Avent bottle nipples (3/3)
- tapping toys together to make noises
- moving mouth like he’s chewing gum
- loves his daily green smoothies
Bath time – March 1, 2015
New (vegan) foods this week:
- dried fig (loved it!)
- cucumber stick
WEEK 29
Scary moment! On March 5th, I was going to brush my teeth, so I put Todd in the middle of my queen-sized bed, completely surrounded by 2 body pillows and 2 regular pillows. He was playing with a toy when I took my eyes off him for just a minute to step into the bathroom. When I came out, I saw him frog-leaping so fast toward the corner of the bed. He was nearly over a pillow and he would have certainly gone over the edge next, if I hadn’t launched through the air and grabbed him.
It used to be that pillows were an easy way to put up a “barrier” or to “cushion” hard surfaces while he sat. Now– we have to be very careful because the pillows are acting as an invitation for Todd to leap-frog and scramble over them…or he does a seated lurch toward them…or he tries to use them to stand up.
This video is from Week 30 but it shows what he does…
Eric took a vacation day on Friday March 6th, so we stopped for lunch in Leavenworth, at the Munchen Haus Bavarian Grill & Beer Garden, on the way to our condo in Wenatchee. Eric and I enjoyed the Vegetarian Wurst (made with Field Roast) and a porter. Todd enjoyed the bun!
Munchen Haus Bavarian Grill & Beer Garden – March 6, 2015
Exploring the condo grounds – March 6, 2015
March 10th was the day that Todd “finally” pooped in his diaper. It was just a little bit, and I was able to get him to the toilet to finish a lot more. Then it happened again that evening. So, for the record, he officially went 52 days without pooping in his diaper. Not too shabby, eh?
March 9, 2015
Developmental Highlights:
- 1st time “butt walking” from sitting (he kind of bounced himself forward) (3/6)
- from sitting, he started lurching forward with a lot of momentum– toward a toy or something that he wanted to use for standing himself up
- gets in and out of a half-kneeling position frequently
- 1st full kneeling, in crib– to reach up for his musical aquarium (3/9)
- rapid inhales/exhales so that his lower lip moves in and out, often done when concentrating
Kneeling in crib – March 9, 2015
Other Highlights:
- lots of smiles and laughs daily
- gets very excited about various things: mouth agape and arms wave
- shaking toys
- does not like to stay put for diaper changes and often cries in protest
- loves to help play the guitar with Eric
- 1st time using the portable high chair for eating at a restaurant (Cafe Rio, 3/7)
- visitors at home: Eric’s parents and brothers (Jeff and Darren, 3/11)
- 1st time meeting Uncle Darren (3/11)
Todd meets his Uncle Darren – March 11, 2015
New (vegan) foods this week:
- homemade corn muffin
- corn tortilla
- spicy BBQ sauce with broccoli
Eating broccoli – March 9, 2015
WEEK 30 (AND PART OF 31)
On March 12th, we had a nice family gathering because Eric’s brother, Darren, was in town visiting from Wyoming. We went out to eat at Jimmy’s Pizza & Pasta, in Stanwood, where you can get a superb vegan pizza. Todd loved being the center of attention and he enjoyed tearing apart tomato slices!
Todd with his Grammie, Cousin Kylie, Uncle Darren, Uncle Jeff, mama & dada – March 12, 2015
Todd with Cousin Kylie & Grand dad – March 12, 2015
Cousin love! – March 12, 2015
Jimmy’s Pizza & Pasta – March 12, 2015
On March 14th one year ago, we found out that our 18 week old fetus was going to be Todd Patrick…a boy…instead of Emmy Todd…a girl. This outfit was one of 3 that I purchased for Eric back then, to tell him the news. Little Dude, Big Plans! (See this “20 Week Ultrasound” post for the picture of Eric holding up this onesie one year ago.)
Little Dude, Big Plans –
March 14, 2015
On March 16th, I decided it was time to stop writing down the amount of every bottle fed to Todd during the day and night. It’s a not a bad idea after almost 7 months, huh?
Standing alone – March 12, 2015
Developmental Highlights:
- sometimes able to sit down in control (instead of always “plopping” down)
- more receptive to spoon feeding and helps pull spoon to mouth
- improving ability to move food in his mouth: “chewing,” tongue lateralization, managing particles (to swallow or bring forward and out)
- 1st time “kissing” me and trying to “feed” me some of his dinner (3/13)
- 1st 20-second unsupported standing and without assist for placement (3/18)
- 1st coordinated crawl across living room (3/18)
- 1st stand up in crib (3/19)
- beginning “couch cruising” after standing himself up with couch (3/19)
- able to pick up and drop green peas
Other highlights:
- loves frog-leaping on my bed into pillows surrounding him, like a pinball machine
- sitting at the keyboard in his booster seat to play piano
- no more changing table…too unsafe!
- noticeable preference for rubbing items (including bottle nipple) against his left upper “molars”
- sucks his lips in so he looks like an old man without his dentures in
- likes touching our faces with index finger during bottle feedings
- says “ma ma ma” and “a ba ba” frequently
- making clicking sounds with his mouth
- Out to eat at Jimmy’s Pizza & Pasta with Eric’s parents, Eric’s 2 brothers, and our niece (3/12)
- Visit to a friend’s house (Sebastian & family, 3/12)
- appeared very scared by me folding some tissue paper (3/13)
Playing the keyboard – March 14, 2015
New foods this week:
- dark chocolate
- tomato slices
- steamed cauliflower
- homemade tempeh bacon
- homemade tempeh Rueben with sauerkraut
- Gardein Fishless Filet & Crispy Tenders
- coleslaw & cabbage leaf
- homemade peanut butter and banana muffin
- pears and mango jarred organic baby food
- sweet potato jarred organic baby food
Eating Tempeh Rueben – March 16, 2015
SEVENTH MONTH WRAP-UP
Food–> Todd seems to be an adventurous eater and his fine motor skills are improving rapidly. I try to feed him solids about twice per day. In the morning, I consistently give him green smoothie and maybe a pancake/mini muffin. In the evening, I give him bits of whatever dinner we’re having.
As of the end of this month, he’s down to the bottom of his 39th can of organic soy formula. Every time we open a new can, I record the number! How many cans do you think we’ll go through before he’s all done with “formula milk?”
Sleep–> Todd continues to sleep ~10-ish hours per night, and he might wake up once in the night ~1-3x per week. One thing that’s changed in the last week is that he’s back to being basically asleep when I put him in his crib at night. He literally wears himself out all day and he’s ready to crash after his last bottle feeding. I’ve been enjoying extra cuddle time rocking him in my glider chair before I put him in bed.
Snuggles before bed – March 17, 2015
Toileting–> After his “off day” on March 10th, Todd’s been back to doing all poops in the toilet ever since!
Well, I guess this post started and ended on the topic of poop. I swear I didn’t plan it that way, haha!
See you next month!
Freeheel Vegan 