Before you were born I wondered if you would look like your brother and if you would have the same personality. After a short, 4 1/2 hours of labor (luckily!) you were born with your head full of blond hair. I was in love as soon as I held you. You had no problems nursing, like your brother did, and you were a pretty good sleeper from the start. Many times the nurses had to wake you up to bring you to me so you could eat. Ayden was in awe, but at the same time, not quite sure what to think. He became a great big brother though and helped me and loved to try to interact with you. I'm pretty sure you had colic until 3-4 months though because in the late afternoons and evenings you were not happy unless you were nursing or being held. This was your cranky time, and if you got overtired....watch out! No one but Mommy could help you during these times. There were even times I couldn't get you to calm down. You would just cry yourself out until you fell asleep. I couldn't go anywhere in the afternoon or evenings because you would get mad if someone else watched you. You also didn't like taking bottles so that was hard. You preferred Mommy until you were about 6 months old. Finally, at that age you would let Daddy give you bottles so I could actually go somewhere without you! Once you were about 3 or 4 months old you were a happy baby almost all the time, except when someone tried to get you to take a bottle. You colic was finally gone, you were a great sleeper, and you loved to watch your big brother. He could and still can make you laugh and smile like no one else. You still squeal with joy when he's around and playing with you.
You are so smiley and happy. I can't believe how easy-going you are and how you love to take in the world around you. You also love stroller rides and get excited when we first go outside. Your favorite foods have been yogurt, bananas, cheese, waffles, and baby cheese puffs. You still let us feed you, but you are pretty good at feeding yourself if it is stuff you enjoy. Now that you are crawling all over and starting to walk it seems like you never stop moving. You also get into more trouble now that you are more mobile. We have to keep toilet lids and bathroom doors closed because you love to eat toilet paper and you also like to dip your hands in the toilet. You love your baths and have no fear of getting your head wet or water in your eyes. Ayden loves to play with you in the tub, and is disappointed when it's time for you to get out. You love your brother and follow him around. You also like to copy things that he does and take his toys (which he does not enjoy). Ayden will get down on the floor and crawl around with you and you get so excited and squeal with joy. You laugh and laugh, and he will laugh, and then you will laugh some more. I love hearing the two of you have so much fun together. You love music and will bounce up and down on your knees sometimes when you hear music. You love your musical toys, and you love to carry around drumsticks, whether they are wooden, plastic, or chewy. You now have 6 teeth, and do become irritable and cranky when you are teething, We can always tell when you are getting teeth because you aren't your normal happy self.
I love that I am able to stay at home and take care of you instead of having to send you to a babysitter or daycare. I love how happy you always are, and how attached to me you are. You almost always prefer me over anyone else, and I know that makes your Daddy feel bad sometimes, but I think it's normal since you are around me more than anyone else. I also nursed you for a whole year so I'm sure that is part of why you prefer me, too. You have been going through a phase lately where you only want Mommy and will often fuss if someone else is holding you. If I leave the room or move away from you, you get upset. Usually it's worse when we are not at home and are at someone else's house or at Kindermusik.
You love going to Kindermusik and you're really observant and seem to take in everything that is going on. You love to people watch, too! You are curious and love to explore new things and everything still goes in your mouth. I love how vocal you are and how you speak in your own gibberish language. You love to shriek and hear your own voice. Sometimes you and Ayden have shrieking contests. You know what the camera is for, and smile whenever I have it out to take your pictures. You are turning into quite the ham! I love that you love to cuddle and will if I am sitting on the floor you will come over often and crawl into my lap. You get tons of kisses and hugs daily, and I love to snuggle with you and rock before naps and bedtime. You still take two naps, a morning and an afternoon one. If you miss your morning nap because we have something going on, you don't even get cranky. You fall asleep pretty quickly and don't really cry. At night you are in bed and asleep around 7:00 pm and wake around 6:30 am, and I love that you always sleep through the whole night!
You are such a great baby, and I can't believe how lucky we are! So happy and laid back! I love your little personality and the squeals and smiles you give me. The first year of your life was amazing to watch and experience. I hope you know how special you are and how much I (and Daddy) love you. I can't wait to see what year two brings! Stay sweet little boy, and I will always love you!
Love always,
Mommy
Newborn
12 months
