Let's Eat: 12 Months

Utensils are still a work in progress. He's so close to stabbing things with forks, but not quite there still. truly we don't work on this every dinner, and I don't really force the issue. I probably should soon, but for now, eat on kiddo. He was able to eat yogurt with a spoon mostly on his own. It was messy and his OCD Daddy about had a heart attack.


Schedule:

7/8am: Wake, 4ounce bottle,

*banana/Plum mish mosh breakfast pouch, get ready for school

I still don't give solids every morning

9:00 am: Snack (puffs, fruit, or wafer cookie) & 4 ounce bottle

11:00 am: Lunch (meat, vegetable & fruit) & 4 ounce bottle

3:00 pm: Snack (puffs, fruit or wafer cookie) & 4 ounce bottle

6:00pm/6:30 pm: Dinner (meat/eggs/fruit/vegetable/yogurt)

6:45 pm/7:15 pm: 1-4 ounces of bottle

Our schedule hasn't changed much over the last month, except for this sleepyhead likes to snooze much later in the morning. Hey, no one is complaining over here... until we need to get to work early, then its a slight problem.

This month was mostly formula. I think we got a good week or so out of the last of my breast milk (so hard to see it all go) but he transitioned to formula without a flinch. We used Plum Organics formula, for no other reason than we use a lot of their products (snacks, pouches for on the go, meatballs, etc.) If we had to do long term formula I am sure we would have found a more cost effective product since he didn't have any tummy issues or anything with the switch. We are now in the process of introducing whole milk. I made the switch with two of his bottles at first and he didn't seem to know the difference even though I served it cold. I sent his lunch bottle in a sippy cup today, so we will see how that went... empty bottle in his backpack in case they entered meltdown city. At G's wellness check Dr Pass said that we had until 15 months to get him off of the bottle, but I hope to do it much sooner than that. I don't think it will be an issue except that he sees all of the babes at school with them. Until he starts walking he will stay in the infant room at school. So this could hinder the process a bit.

This month G was picky and not picky, depended on the day. I cannot put fruit out at all or else mealtime is over until he gets those berries. School told me that they cant give any of the kids fruit until its time for G to get his... ::hanging my head in shame:: I mean, at least its healthy?! Funniest part is I craved fruit like a crazy person when I was pregnant with him!

I didn't document as well this month as I did previously, but we tried a lot of new things and are continuing to do so while mixing in some goodies and favorites:

Crock Pot Beef & Broccoli with Steamed Rice and Blueberries

Parmesan Crusted Tilapia, Spanish Rice, Mushrooms & Peas

Chicken Wild Rice Casserole, Broccoli & Strawberries

Slower Cooker BBQ Chicken, Mushrooms, Potato Salad, Green Beans & Strawberries

Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti, Apricot & Mushrooms

Torilla Mini Pizzas, Sautéed Zucchini and Raspberries

Other things we tried, but aren't pictured:

Sausage Jambalaya

Spaghetti Squash

Baked Tofu Nuggets

Cottage Cheese

Crockpot Chicken Burrito Bowl

Garlic Parm Butternut Squash

I had also been sending homemade pouches to school for G that were simple snacks. Fruits or veggies combines with yogurt or oatmeal. Then this month I decided to get weird on him and do crazy combos. Most of which were flops... but you never know what your babe will like until you have them try it!

Sweet Potato, Carrot & Pear

Blueberry, Apple & Spinach

Blackberry, Apple & Kale

Blueberry, Banana & Oatmeal

Strawberry, Banana & Yogurt

Butternut Squash & Peach

Cauliflower, Peas & Sweet Potato

Avocado, Banana, & Kiwi

Don't let me fool you, most of them weren't a success and now I have some stashed in the freezer that he likely wont eat. Meh - you win some, you lose some.

Now that we have officially turned one, I got the green light on all nut spreads and pretty much anything else we want to feed him. Dr Pass only said she would still stay away from shellfish; which isn't a problem, as we don't make too much shrimp around our house anyway.

Grayson Daniel: 12 Months

Better late than never on this one... G's one year wellness check wasn't until Tuesday this week, and I wanted official stats and not guessing games this go around. Hard to believe one has already come, but I am loving this stage of life with this little man, and I know its just going to get better.

Measurements:

Height: 31" (85th%)

Weight: 24lb14oz (80th%)

eat. still eating great. Two snacks a day, lunch and dinner. I had still been offering 20ounces of formula this month and I would say he probably ate 12 - 15 of those ounces a day. The last bottle at night seems to be a formality. He will pretend to drink for about 30 seconds and then just want his paci and bed. So most nights that bottle didn't get a dent in it. Some mornings I would make him breakfast, but most mornings, he was on his way to school with just his morning bottle and his first snack time is at 9am. As we start transitioning to whole milk, I know that making breakfast will become more important, but making a scrambled egg in the morning is easy peasy.

sleep. Thankfully he has still been an amazing sleeper. He is down around 7 every night and up by 8. His naps have been about 1.5-2 hours... although for the last week or two he's been a sleepy baby. Snoozing later even though he goes to sleep at the same time and his naps have been more common on the two hour side. Growth spurt I suppose?

I did not take a single picture this month of this nugget sleeping... Bad Mama!

play. Goodness we play hard around here. His absolute favorite thing is going outside. If we let Layla out and don't let him go outside, meltdown city. Once he gets outside he automatically makes his way to the swing and insists to get in. We have been enjoying the water table, sprinkler and splash pool in the yard. Hes loved the swim sessions we have had too! Bubbles, his walker, Jeep, cars, and this random old school duck from my grandma's house are among his favorites. Playing catch is so fun, and playing chase with Layla is also one of his favorites. He is walking with the walker like a pro. Starting to stand on his own so it will be no time before we have a true toddler in the house. Lord help us. He loves to take all of his utensils and bowls out of the cabinet. 9 times out of 10 when you see him, he is bound to be holding a spoon. He's starting to really "hold conversation" its no longer just repetitive "dadadadada" or "mamamamamama" lots of sounds and putting them together as if he is truly trying to speak. His teachers asked me this month who in our house is the "talker" (both of us) and said he speaks really loudly... (oops!) He loves books. And is super bossy. I cant imagine where these things come from. He is getting very brave, climbing stairs, getting on top of the coffee tables, climbing up on the fireplace mantle. its just a matter of time until he gets his first big bruise...

miscellaneous:

• His molars are making their way in. The past few days he is STRUGGLING. His appetite has gone down a bit and he is cranky. His gums are so swollen. Poor dude. I hope they break soon!
• biting. ugh. hes bitten me, j, my mom and one of his teachers. Its when he's overly excited... and luckily its only happen a few times. but goodness I hope this stage doesn't stick around.
• "What does a Dog say?" tongue out and starts panting. stop it.
• Dance parties are a favorite. hands up in the air!
• Ice cubes - loves em.
• He's started to socially laugh. If we are all laughing - he will fake laugh... its awesome. hes so smart (says every mommy in the world.)
• He's started clicking his tongue
• Imitating what you do is also a fun new hobby. Have you read "Pat the Bunny" kid loves it. Even learned to "smell the roses" by watching J&I do it. Today I was blowing on his food and telling  him it was hot. Before each bite he was blowing on them. too funny. I cant wait until he can make all the silly faces we make. that my friends, will be picture overload time (as if there aren't a million too many photos already - hahah!)





Big G Turns One: Party Sneak Peek

This party was the most fun to plan of all parties I have ever thrown. I don't like to make gender generalizations, but I do find myself often thinking "he's all boy" and this  party was a fun way to reflect that. He loves to throw balls and catch, etc.


Here are a few pics from my phone... official pics should be up and ready for next week!