Dayton ~ 12 Months

Dayton Thomas,

   It's here. You're 12 months old baby boy. How is this even possible? It feels like just yesterday, the doctor was handing you to me and I was holding you in my arms for the very first time. Oh baby boy, I cannot even begin to tell you the emotions that I am going through right now. You're my first born. My first born is one year old. It's no secret that I am not the most eloquent writer and I am definitely not the best at describing my feelings. There is so much I want to say, but I don't quite know how to get it out. I'll do my best though.
 
   Dayton, I thought I was happy before you. Now I realize that you've made my heart complete. I've wanted so badly to be a mama my whole life. As in, I was ready to have kids when I was a kid. I've been dreaming of being a mama for a loooong time and now it's here. I knew I would love it, but I didn't know I would love it and you this much. You are my whole world. I absolutely loved being pregnant and carrying you with me always. When you arrived, I loved every second of being around you. I know a lot of people will read this and say, "That can't be true." But it's just different for me. I don't ask your daddy for breaks from you because I just want to hang out with you. If I go out, you go with me. You're my little buddy. You're the happiest and most easy going little guy I have ever met.

   It's been an absolute miracle watching you grow. You were so tiny when you came out (7 lb 3 oz) and you were even smaller when we brought you home (6 lb 11 oz). I couldn't believe how small you were, but you grew so stinkin' fast! I knew it would happen. Everyone told me it would, but I was still so surprised that it flew by as fast as it did. We had the best summer that I can remember. We had four long months of just you and me and I would do it over and over again if I got the chance. (Last summer makes me so excited for this summer!!)

  Anyways, I could go on and on and maybe some day I will, but for now all I want to say is, I love you baby boy. To the moon and back. You're what puts a smile on my face every morning. (You and your daddy). I am the luckiest girl in all the world!

Love,
Mama

__________________________

Size: 25.6 lb | 30 in.

Hair: Brown - your hair is getting longer, but you still really don't have much hair! It's okay though, I love your bald-ish little head.

Eyes: Dark brown.

Teeth: You have 7 teeth - 4 on the top and 3 on the bottom.

Food:

Your schedule is-
7 am - nurse
8 am - breakfast and sippy cup of breast milk
9:30 am - snack and sippy cup of breast milk
11:30 am - lunch and sippy cup of breast milk
12:30 pm - sippy cup of milk
3:30 pm - snack and sippy cup of breast milk
5:30 pm - dinner and breast milk
7 pm - nurse

You eat everything we put in front of you! You will be starting to eat daycare food on Monday, instead of what mama brings you. I'll tell you about that at a later date.

We are still breastfeeding in the morning and at night. I am trying to wean off of pumping, but my supply is still very string. This may be harder than I thought! NOT COMPLAINING!!!

Sleep: You sleep a solid 12 hours a night. It is incredibly rare if you wake up or even make a peep during the night. Your bed time is 7 pm and I usually wake you up at 7 am so that we can get ready for the day. On the weekends, you usually sleep till about 7:30 and sometimes 8 am.

You take one nap during the day and it usually lasts for about 2 1/2-3 hours. Lucky me!

Clothes: You wear 12-18 month clothes, but you're already moving into the 18 month batch.

Words: You say mama and dada the most. As in, you say mama and come looking for me. When daddy gets home, I say "who is that?" and you answer "Dada!" You love it when dada gets home! You also still tell us what a lion says. If the word "lion" even comes out of our mouths you automatically "raaaaa" like a lion. I love it.

You talk a. lot. Sometimes very excitedly too! It cracks me up when you "gaga" "baba" "wawa" "raaa" all over the house telling us about whatever you think you're saying. You also make the "brrrrmmm" sound when you're moving your trucks around. You love your trucks.

You also know what the following words mean: cup, up, open, close, bye-bye, clap clap, dance, Belle, Abe, come here, and other objects like ball.

Development/Activity: You are one busy boy! Just ask Nanny and Poppy. When we Skype with them, the computer screen holds your attention for a few minutes and then you're off! Busy, bouncing baby boy to a T!

You walk all over the place, like a boss. You got that down no problem. You've even started trying to "run." Again, cracks me up! You're almost standing up on your own off of the ground, but you still need to pull yourself up and then off you go! It is very rare for you to crawl. And boy are you happy about walking. You've shown a whole new level of happiness. Seriously, whose kid are you and why do we get to keep you? Easiest. baby. ever.

Don't get me wrong, you have your moments. We had a few fits, but daddy and I ignored you and just walked away. You pretty much stopped "throwing fits" after about 2 of them I'm sure they'll come back though. I mean, the "three-nagers" are in our future. (Yes, my friends. That's what they are calling them now. Three-nagers. Ha!)

Temperament: As I said above, you're a happy guy and you're really happy now that you're walking! You laugh, a lot, and I love every single little laugh that comes out of your mouth. I need to get you on video walking around with that big open grin laughing at yourself. Love.

Likes: You like walking, clapping, opening and closing cabinets and drawers, pulling out clothes from my drawers, the tupperware drawer, chasing and petting Belle and Abe, going outside, looking out the window, talking, laughing, "flying" with daddy, playing peek-a-boo, dancing, giving hugs, and cuddling with mama.

Dislikes: You don't like getting your diaper changed or your clothes changed, you hate getting your nose wiped, and you don't like being hungry or sleepy.

Small Moments: Do I have to have a small moment this month? I love all of our moments. I love you through and through! but I really do love your hugs!! Your wrap your arms around my neck and squeeze hugs.