I'm 12 Months Old

Hello blog friends,

I'm officially 12 months old and for those of you that aren't as smart as me, that means that I'm 1 year old.  Mommy said that since I'm sooo smart and sooo big that I could write my 12 month post.  I know it's been almost 2 weeks since I turned 1, but Mommy told me I couldn't write the post until after my doctor's appointment, which I went to today.  

Mommy knows that I'm the star of this blog, just like my bib says in this picture of me and Daddy.  Thanks, Aunt Angela, for the bib.  It's about time people recognized how awesome I am.  

I weigh 23 lbs. 11 oz. (75%), I'm 31 in. long (50%), and my head measures at 18 1/4 (50%).  I'm a growing boy, that's for sure.  Everyone says that I'm a solid boy and I'm okay with that.  

I still wear size 4 diapers during the day and size 4 overnight diapers when I go to bed.  

I wear size 5 shoes, but Mommy thinks that it won't be long before I move into size 6.

I'm walking like a champ and I even run sometimes.  I still fall every now and then, but I don't let it stop me.  I can stand back up without holding onto anything.  Crawling is for babies and I rarely do it anymore.  

I love to play with toys, especially my tunnel, tent, and bouncy balls.  While I love playing, I also love sitting and looking at books.  I've got a pretty awesome library thanks to my Mommy and my Nana.  

I'm finally sleeping through the night.  I go to bed around 8:30 and I sleep until 7 most mornings.  Sometimes, I'll make noises during the night and Daddy will come in to check on me.  Normally, my blankets have come off and he'll cover me up.  Most of the time, I never even know that he's been in my room.  

I say mama, dada, papa, nana, dog, yum yum (mum, mum), roscoe (gog go), Shannon (nan non)and trish (ish).  I also point to things, especially lights, and say ga.  I'm sure you're wondering what that means, but I can't tell.  It's my little secret.  

One thing, though, is that I don't perform.  I'll say stuff all day long, but if you ask me to do it, on skype for example, I get quiet.  I like to do things on my own time.  

I can wave and give high fives.  I can also show you where my hair is and where my mouth is if you ask me.  I also put my hands in the air when you ask me how big I am.  

I still have my glasses and I wear my patch for 2 hours everyday.  I go for my eye appointment on April 7th and they will let me know if I need to have surgery. It's really more when I will have surgery, not if.  The doctor told Daddy that surgery was pretty much a guarantee.

I eat three food meals a day:  breakfast, lunch, and supper.  I also get 4 bottles a day,  3 4-ounce bottles and then 1 6-ounce bottle before bed.  I drink out of sippie cups during meals and really love juice and water.  I also get snacks throughout the day, too.  I LOVE to eat.  

I'll eat just about anything that you give me.  I love fruits and vegetables, but my favorite thing is bread.  I eat meat, too, and I'm not picky about what it is.  My new favorite food:  black olives!  Yum, yum.    

Dr. E. told me today that I need to start drinking my milk in sippie cups instead of bottles, so Mommy gave me my afternoon milk in a sippie cup and I loved it.  They always worry about how I am going to do with new things, but I always surprise them.

I have 5 teeth on top, my four front and then my left molar.  I have 5 teeth on the bottom, my front four and my left molar.  My right molars are coming in, too.  Everyone said that they would hurt a lot, but they haven't bothered me too much.  Mommy and Daddy didn't even know that my molars were coming in.  They were shocked one night when they spotted my top molar.  

I've also learned the art of climbing stairs.  I saw them one day at Auntie Trish's house and I figured them out within a few minutes.  I haven't figured out how to come back down, but going up has quickly become one of my favorite activities at her house.  

I'm a big fan of being outside, so swinging and going down the slide are things that I love.  I also love riding in my seat on Mommy's bike.  I squeal while I ride around.  

Mommy and Daddy still hold me to go to sleep.  I love it that they hold me and comfort me.  It makes me feel sooo loved.  

I still take 1-3 naps a day, it all depends on how sleepy I am and what's going on that day.  If there's a lot going on, then I find it hard to sleep.  I hate sleeping and missing things.  I'd say that my normal is 2 naps, each about 1 hour long. 

I've just recently started crying when my Mommy leaves me.  I just want to be with her.  Can you blame me?  :)  

Well, it's way past my bedtime so I'd better get some rest.  Thanks for loving me.  

Later Gater!

Tater  

Busted

Tater just fell and busted his lip.  :(

The good news, his eyes look great in this picture.

God's Plan

I just had to tell you this story because it's another example of how God works.  It may be a little confusing, because I don't plan on using people's names, but just follow along, okay?

About a month ago, Dave was at work when he received a phone call from the attorney we used for Tater's adoption.  She asked him if we wanted another baby!!!!!  She had a situation with a birthmother and was looking for adoptive parents and thought of us.  We are in no way ready for another child, plus with our new journey about to begin, it's not the time to even consider adding to our family.

He told the attorney no, but when he got home and told me about the call, I decided to call her myself and and get some more information.  I got the information and passed it on to Friend A and Friend B.  They both spoke with the attorney, but neither one was able to move forward with the situation for various reasons.  

A couple of weeks later, Friend A was speaking with the attorney and the attorney mentioned that she still didn't have a family for this baby.  Immediately, Friend A thought about one of her friends, Friend C, who had been trying to have another child, but was not being successful.  She spoke with Friend C, Friend C called the attorney, and now......

Friend C is set to adopt this baby!  The adoption contract has been signed and she's even spoken with the birthmother.  How awesome is that!  God used me and Friend A to connect this little baby with Friend C.  It's just another example of God's plan.  It warms my heart to know that someone else will have the ability to experience the beauty of adoption.  :)

12 Months

I put together Tater's monthly pics today and before I delete them off of my desktop, I thought I'd share.  It's amazing to see how he's grown!

Newborn (His first picture)  

1 month 

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

10 months

11 months

12 months

My 1 year old son!!!

Tater's Room

With this week being my spring break, I decided it was time to start getting the house ready to go on the market.  We cleaned out the back bedroom and guest bathroom and are finished with those besides painting the back bedroom.  We are going to attempt to get that crossed off the list this weekend.  We have a whole gallon of paint left over from Tater's room, so that room will be the same at Tater's room.  

On Monday, I started working on his closet.  Man, it had been a long time since I'd cleaned and organized it.  Things just kept getting shoved in there.  

I wish I'd taken before pictures of his room, but oh well.  Here's the finished product.  

Today, while he napped, I finished up his 12 month picture frame.  

Happy Birthday, Auntie Trish!!!

Dear Auntie Trish,

Mommy told me that today was your birthday and that I could write you an awesome blog post as a present to you.  Isn't she wonderful?  She's so awesome that she let me post this picture of you.  

Try not to hurt her, okay?  :)  

Thank you for loving me and for praying for me even before you knew that I was going to be your Tater, the nickname that you would come up with once you heard that I was going to arrive.  

Do you remember the day I was born, Auntie Trish?  I remember seeing you looking at me through the nursery window, how tears of joy were in your eyes.  You knew that I was going to be special, didn't you?  I even heard that you brought doughnuts for everyone to celebrate my big day.  It's a shame that no one told me that there were doughnuts!  

Thank you for coming in and seeing me in the NICU, for crying with mommy right before you took this picture of me.  You were always there to love on me, even though you weren't allowed to hold me.  

Do you remember all those days and nights you came to see me?  I sure do.  

I even remember the first day you held me, even though it was against the rules.  Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.  

You even changed my diaper in the NICU and put my pacifier back in.  I loved it when you came to visit me.  

Do you remember the day I came home, Auntie Trish?  You went with Mommy and Daddy to the hospital and took pictures for them.  You even rode with me on my first car ride and made fun of daddy for driving so slow and for making us listen to There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea.  

And then, finally, you got to hold me without wires attached or nurses looking at us.  Oh, that day was wonderful!  Look at how tiny and bald I was!!!!!  

Do you remember my first Sunday at church?  I got to sit beside you.  I was extra quiet so that I could stay in big church with you. 

Thanks for going with Mommy to CIY so that I could go and for riding with me in the car for many hours.  And...thanks for my first taste of Jolly Rancher.  Even though Mommy says that she's upset about that, she's just joking.  

Do you remember how hot it was in that balcony at CIY?  Thanks for holding me even though we felt like we were melting.  

Then there was VBS and you came just to hang out with me.  You really do love your Tater.  

And bowling, we can't forget bowling, or watching bowling that is.  You always are so nice and let me chew on your fingers.  

I love your hugs, Auntie Trish.  

I always have the most fun playing with you.  

Thanks for hanging out with me at the Fall Festival and for making popcorn with Mommy.  

You know exactly how to make me giggle and laugh.  

And then, just last week, thanks for letting me come to your house to celebrate my birthday.  There's no other place I'd rather be, than with my Auntie Trish.  

Mommy said that if you want, you can come over and smash cake on your face.  You can even take a shower and she'll clean the bathtub for you, just like you did for me.  

 Even though I'll be moving soon, you will always be my Auntie Trish.  And don't worry, I'll make Mommy bring me for visits and we'll talk on Skype.  Plus, you promised me lots of yummy goodies like ice cream sandwiches, chocolate milk, oreos, etc, etc, etc.  I can't miss out on those things, right?

I love you, Auntie Trish.  I hope you have a wonderful birthday. 

Love,

Your Tater!