1 year
12 months
52.17 weeks
365.24 days
8765.81 hours
525949 minutes
.......and counting
I did not expect to be so emotional by this monument as our son turned one year old. This year has seemed like a whirlwind as I'm sure most new parents feel. Over the last 12 months Garrick's rapid development has forced us to constantly evolve in meeting his needs and preparing for the next step. At this twelve month marker he is taking steps of his own and losing his baby-ness as he becomes a toddler. This is most bittersweet. My mother told me "the days are long but the years are short" and this sentiment will likely stick with me the next 17+ years as our baby continues to grow and change. It was a "battle" teaching Garrick to self-soothe and become a good sleeper, one which we finally accomplished! And yet I often find myself yearning for the days when a tiny Garrick would fall asleep quickly in my arms; now he reaches for the crib to settle himself. I miss the days when he could not escape my kisses!! Now he can get annoyed by my smothering and has even gone so far as to give a little girl a kiss yet deny me. Breaking my heart already!! But with each new stage of his babyhood I have truly thought to myself "this is the best part yet" over and over again. Although I am sad for the newborn baby that is no more, I am so excited for al he is to become!
About our one year old:
- Weight: 21 lbs. Has 12 teeth, two of which are only partially broken through.
- Garrick is sleeping around 11 hours at night and will take 1-2 naps during the day.
- Garrick is a bit of a wild child. He tries to climb everything including the rock wall surrounding our fireplace, window sills, and high chairs. He will try to fling himself off almost anything. He has become a head-banger! I don't know where he came up with it but he likes to shake his head "no" really fast or bang it up and down like he's listening to heavy metal and then giggle when he falls over. He also will put his arms up and "leap" onto anything like his parents, small children, the dogs, the couch, coffee table, up stairs, a toy.
- Garrick can say "go," "yeah," "boo," "mama," and his favorite, "dad!" He loves to point at the dogs and tell them to "GO!"
- He can point to what he wants and expects to get it immediately. Especially things out of his reach (like those put there for a reason! i.e.: pens, knives, etc!)
- Garrick loves the blue blanket from his Grandma. He has become quite attached to it and there's been failed naps without it.
- Garrick is a good eater but is starting to become more particular. Some of his favorite foods are strawberries, bananas, pasta, crackers, red meat, and french fries.
- He can use his own sippy cup and still drinks a bottle in the morning and before bed which he can hold himself. However his preferred drink of choice is whatever mom's having!
- Garrick is an expert crawler. He will often "crab crawl" when he needs to get somewhere at top speeds. At twelve months Garrick is also walking! He is getting better everyday but still seems frustrated by his own limitations. Knowing Garrick he will be running by next month!
- Garrick loves to play peekaboo, be chased, be tickled all over, "rough house", play with the dogs, and be tossed in the air. He is obsessed with being outside and playing in water.
- Some of Garrick's less-than-desireable behaviors: throwing food on the ground, playing in the dog dish/toilet, screeching, tantrums, and trying to share food and pacifier/toys with dogs.
- Garrick gives people, dogs, and stuffed animals slobbery kisses that sometimes turn into bites.
- For fun, Garrick imitates actions/noises like coughing, sneezing, spitting, kissing, and barking.
