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2.18.2015

Jack | 12 Months

And just like that my baby's ONE!
 ^post-nap Jack face^
 12 month old Jack loves...
his dino paci
Huck and Herschel
being outside
being chased by daddy
bath time!
the slide at the park
his new lawn mower from Gma and Gpa Carroll
cars, trucks, and anything that goes VROOM!
 12 month old Jack hates...
getting his diaper changed
being told 'no'
having anything taken away from him
being put in his carseat
naps!
Health: At Jack Jack's 12 month checkup he weighed 22 lbs and was 30 1/2 in tall. I can't believe how big my little man has gotten! He also got another bit of a cold this month... it was right after I finally got the nerve to leave him in the nursery for the first time! Took me a year to leave him in the nursery and he gets sick the first time... validation that I'm not a crazy person ;) and was right when I said everyone brings their sick kids to church (which [seriously] you should just stop doing now... so stop). But I digress...  Jack also got 2 new teeth on the bottom this month (8 teeth in all now), he has moved up to a size 4 diaper, and is still mostly in 12 month clothes... although I've had to move quite a few onesies to the too small box as of late. *tear*

Food (Nursing): Really no change because I still haven't introduced cow's milk in place of any of our nursing sessions at this point. So he's nursing about 4 times a day and twice at night (bad nights a lot more though).

Food (Solids): Man, has this little guy formed quite an opinion regarding food! He loves eggs, toast with cream cheese or avocado, and strawberries and blueberries. He is pretty much refusing to eat anything green expect for avocado. I did put some spinach in his mac and cheese the other night and he didn't seem to notice. I'm pretty sure everything taste better covered in cheese.

Sleep: When Jack started cutting his two new teeth on bottom we definitely experienced some sleep regression.. I'm not going to lie, there was a 2 week period or so where I thought I was going to drop over dead from lack of sleep. He would wake after only and hour or two in his crib at night and refuse to go back down. I gave up and just put him in bed with me but he nursed what felt like non.stop.all.night.long. I seriously didn't know if I could take it anymore. I was feeling very frazzled and impatient with him and was basically a terrible person. True story. Now that those two teeth are in (THANK YOU, JESUS) he's been sleeping like his usual self.. which is still pretty terrible but the usual terrible that I am used to.

Naps twice a day most days. Except these last two days he's taken one 2 hour nap. I'm not sure if he's ready to drop that second nap or not at this point.. we'll see how it goes! At night he is still going down around 7 and waking up around 6:30/7. Wakes two or three times to nurse in that 12 hour period. I talked to my pediatrician about night weaning him at his last checkup, so I may share the journey a bit later on as things improve (crossing fingers).

New this Month: 
+ We bought a Dyson vacuum cleaner and Jack is obsessed with it! He loves to push it around and help me vacuum and he throws a huge tantrum when we put it away!

+We've had a couple sunny days this month and have taken advantage of it by going to the park. I was shocked to find out Jack hates swinging! He kicks his legs and throws a fit (I have to admit it's sort of hilarious)... I wasn't expecting that at all! I definitely thought he'd love to swing. On the bright side though, he does love the slide.

+Following simple commands. Lately if I say "give mommy a kiss" or "bring mommy the ball" Jack is able to understand what I'm asking and follow through. It's so fun to be able to communicate with him more and more! I'm really surprised with how much they do understand at such a young age.

+Jack has definitely been showing a more independent strike, especially when it comes to feeding. He loves to use his own spoon and fork now. He isn't really coordinated enough to get a lot in his mouth but I know he has fun trying so I welcome the mess.

+Jack moved out of his infant carseat into a big boy carseat. It was a pretty sad day for me! I do notice that he is much happier during car rides now though. He still hates actually being put in his carseat however and uses his lungs with much gusto to let everyone in the parking lot know it.

+Jack celebrated his first birthday! We had a lumberjack themed birthday party at our home last Sunday. Jack had such a blast and was so spoiled. Photos to come later this week hopefully.
Jack, I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone.
Truly, it's been the best year of my life. 
The hardest, but the best.
Your daddy and I love you so, so much and are so thankful for you!
Thank you for bringing us so much joy this past year.
Now stop growing up, will ya!?!?


2.11.2015

Happy Birthday, Jack!

On the night you were born,
the moon smiled with such wonder
that the stars peeked in to see you
and the night wind whispered,
"Life will never be the same."

Because there had never been anyone like you...
ever in the world.
Today my sweet, cuddly, rambunctious, curious, strong willed, and (unarguably) adorable baby boy turns ONE! My heart is so full that I feel as though it might burst. I am so in love with this most perfect being that God blessed me with.  
So enchanted with you were the wind and the rain 
that they whispered the sound of your wonderful name.

It sailed through the farmland high on the breeze...
over the ocean... and through the trees... 
Until everyone heard it and everyone knew
of the one and only ever you.

Jack, this past year has been such a whirlwind! I feel as though I've blinked and you became a toddler! I love watching you grow and seeing you learn and discover each and every day, yet a part of me just wants to bottle you up and keep you from growing any more! Each and every milestone you hit has been bittersweet for me. I can't help but be your biggest cheerleader at each and every step, but your growing independence leaves a lump in my throat!
Not once had there been such eyes, such a nose,
such silly, wiggly, wonderful toes.

But I have so thoroughly enjoyed each and every stage we've been through together so far! I marvel at how the simplest things bring so much wonder to your eyes, like the leaves on the ground and the rocks in the driveway. And I can't help but smile in amazement when you laugh hysterically at the silliest things, like Huckleberry eating the food you throw on the floor or daddy flipping you upside down. Seeing the world anew from your eyes has been such a pleasure. 
When the polar bears heard, they danced until dawn.
From far away places, the geese flew home.
The moon stayed up until morning next day.
And none of the ladybugs flew away.

From the beginning I knew you were one strong willed little man! Man, I never knew it was possible to break a sweat changing a baby's diaper! And naps... definitely not your forte! But you are so undeniably sweet at the same time. I love that at one year old you still fall asleep snuggled up to me in the rocking chair, stroking my hair. You are a cuddle bug and I am so grateful for that.
So whenever you doubt just how special you are
and wonder who loves you, how much and how far,
listen for geese honking high in the sky.
(They're singing a song to remember you by.)
Or notice the bears asleep at the zoo.
(It's because they've been dancing all night for you!)
Or drift off to sleep to the sound of the wind.
(Listen closely... it's whispering your name again!)

I love when you stand up in the tub and lean over just to give me a big kiss! I love that you use your Ikea fort as a hamster ball (although at first it scared me to death!). I love that you love to make others laugh. Anything you do that entices a laugh from me or your dad is sure to be done over, and over, and over again. I love how you are so easy to make laugh in return! I love how you sit on the floor flipping through your books and "reading" aloud every morning. I love your curiosity and adventurousness even though it often leads to a battle of the wills between me and you.    
If the moon stays up until morning one day,
or a ladybug lands and decides to stay,
or a little bird sits at your window awhile,
it's because they're all hoping to see you smile...

I just love you so much, baby bear! I honestly never knew I had the capacity to love another the way I l love you and I thank God every day for allowing me to be your momma and experience this depth of love. 
For never before in story or rhyme
(not even once upon a time)
has the world ever known a you, my friend,
and it never will, not ever again...

I want you to know how much joy you have brought your dad and me. I'm sure I will never tell you enough. You've changed us both for the better and I'm so excited to see the three of us grow together and continue to live life side by side. I am so proud of you, so grateful for you, and so excited to continue to see you grow day by day.  
Happy Birthday, Jack Jack!
You are so, so loved!

Heaven blew every trumpet and played every horn
on the wonderful, marvelous night you were born.
                                                                      - Nancy Tillman