1 year Check-Up

Today Jayden and I headed to Springfield for his 1 year check-up. Our appointment was at 9:15 and we were actually early for the first time ever! Jayden wasn't too happy about getting check out by the doctor or the nurses. I think he remembers the horror he went through when he was a little guy, so I don't blame him. He did smile when they told him he was cute. Maybe that is the key to making him happy when he is there. He is right on track with his growth pattern. After much wiggling and squirming, Jayden weighed in at 19 lbs 11 oz which is in the 13th percentile, so basically he is skinny although he seems so heavy to carry around. He is now 30.5" long which puts him into the 67 percentile. So tall and skinny. Sounds like me when I was a child! However, he did hit a home run on head circumference. Jayden went from the 38th to the 85th percentile for head circumference. I guess that is why Aaron calls him "Big Head".

After he was checked, he had 2 shots and his blood drawn for lead testing. Needless to say, this meant I had no chance to let anyone, not even Aaron, know how much Jayden had grown. It was very sad to watch Jayden get his shots and blood drawn, but on the bright side, we do not go back until October.

Jayden was granted permission to start drinking whole milk from formula. We are going to keep him on step 2 formula mixed with a bit of whole milk for a while just to make sure he is getting all of the vitamins he needs.

His sleeping patters also need to be improved. Dr. Murrary (who some do not like) told us to put him to bed at the same time each night, but not fully asleep. If he wakes up and we know he is not sick or hurt, we are supposed to let him cry it out until he goes back to sleep. She said after a week, he should be back into sleeping patterns.

We talked about separation anxiety and she said it is completely appropriate for his age. We are supposed to gradually give him time to adjust to new surroundings and new people. I am going to try and send him to his new sitter a few times next week so he can adjust to a new surrounding. Unfortunately, we are leaving this weekend so I guess he will learn cold turkey for 3 days. At least I know he is in good hands, will be at his own home, and will get plenty of love while we are gone. I am sure he will survive. Next question is will I? To be determined.

May May Came to Play with J!

On Monday, I traveled to Chicago for a day of shopping in the big city. I loved being able to have a day for myself, but I sure missed my little man. Due to the fact I had to leave home at 5am, I had to get creative in order to find a sitter for Jayden all day. I could of had Aaron drop him off in Pawnee on his way to work, but that would have been TOO much for both of the boys to handle so early in the morning. Instead, Katie K. came over to watch Jayden until my Mom could get to town. Thanks, Katie! Needless to say, Jayden wasn't too thrilled that BOTH his Mommy and Daddy left him, all day. He cried a lot for Katie, but she was able to feed him breakfast, rock him to a nap, and even play with him (tears and all). He pretty much cried in heartbreak until May May came over to play. Jayden just adores Madeline as most little kids do. She just plays with him, totes him around, and makes him feel safe.

Thanks May May for coming to play with JJ!

Jayden's Birthday Party!!

Jayden celebrated his 1st Birthday on Saturday with family and friends. We had a nice turn out of guest who came to share in this special day with Jayden. Aunt Kim, Uncle John, and the boys made the drive up. It was so sweet of them to make the long trip. Jayden had fun playing with his cousins. Aunt Kay, Uncle Tim, and Sean made the drive too. Thank, guys for coming. I think next year we will have two parties for both sides of the family. Melanie will be getting married the last weekend in July, so it will work out perfectly!

Nana took care of ordering Jayden's cake and was kind enough to bring it up all the way from down south. It was perfect! We also had a baseball cake which I will use for Jayden's 1 year pictures.

After the rain stopped and the temperature dropped, we were able to head outside to the garage for cake and gifts. Jayden liked the cake and loved when everyone sang him "Happy Birthday".

He got me on the face with his cake afterwards so we headed inside for a quick bath and change of clothes!

Happy 1st Birthday, Jayden!

Jessica Reid Photography

On Jayden's birthday, we took him to a photo shoot with Springfield's newest photographer, Jessica Reid. I think it may have been the hottest day of the month, but we all survived. She did a wonderful job capturing Jayden. I think she only had to sing "Happy Birthday" to him 89 times because he was intrigued by Washington Park. You can click here to take you to the other photos of Jayden. Thank you, Jessica! You did an awesome job!

Happy 1st Birthday, Jayden

Dear Jayden,

Happy 1st Birthday!! I cannot believe that it has been one year since you were born. It seems like yesterday we were on our way to the hospital just waiting and now we are getting ready to celebrate your first year of life. Isn't that crazy? This has truly been the best year of our lives watching you grow and change and show us what love really is. I've had a lot of sleepless night and maybe Daddy too, shed a lot of tears (because I was tired), smiled even more, but most of all grown into a better person all because of you. You have gone from a helpless little (big) baby boy to a big boy who wants to play with trucks, clear out the cabinets, climb the stairs, throw food on the ground, drink out of a big boy cup, and give Mommy kisses. You have been my best sidekick this last year, going where I go because you don't have a choice, but also because you are a Momma's boy. Just recently you started talking back when I talk to you and I love to listen to you talk. We have taken you several places this year, but my favorite was our first family vacation. Nothing was much better than sitting on the beach watching you play with no cell phones, computers, or anything to take us away from the moment. You loved the sand, the ocean, but mostly having your Mommy and Daddy with you all day and night for five days straight. You have made new friends this year, both young and old. You have touched the lives of so many people, both those you know and those you do not and I hope that stays with you forever. The old ladies and old men at the stores love you and make our grocery trips extra long. You look at everyone with your big brown eyes and little smile and they fall in love and have to talk to you. I don't blame them one bit because you are the cutest little man I have ever met and how can you resist big brown eyes and a beautiful smile? This is also part of the reason why the camera is in your face all of the time. There is something special about the way you light up when someone you know walks in the door or even more importantly when we walk in the door from work. Your excitement is contagious. I have loved spending my summer with you playing, napping, singing, dancing, and teaching you so many new things. You quit drinking a bottle last week, but because your my baby I gave you a bottle before bed last night. It was so sweet to just sit and rock you in peace and quiet. No tv. Just us. Just one more time. There is something special about giving a baby a bottle that is calming to the soul. (Now I understand, Mom). We are looking forward to all the years to come and all the memories we are going to make with you! Happy 1st Birthday, Jayden. We love you!

Love Always, Mommy

Here are Jayden's 1 year milestones:

1. The scale at home still says Jayden is weighing in at 20 lbs. He is doing a lot of crawling so it doesn't surprise me that he hasn't gained any weight. He is measuring out to be 29 inches long. We will go to the doctor on July 28th for his 1 year check-up.

2.He is still wearing size 12 to 18 month clothing and size 4 diapers. He likes to help get dressed. When I change his diaper, I sing "The Wheels on the Bus" and he likes to sing along too.

3.Jayden has become very brave. He has stood by himself several times, he is just not ready for his first step. It is coming soon!

4. He still loves all of his toys. He has been caught climbing into his toy box on occasion. Aaron has also been able to spend some more time with him, so he is really loving that!

5. Jayden gave up his bottle last week. He drinks from a sippy cup and doesn't mind it one bit. He did recently ask for a bottle.

6.He loves food so there is nothing new about that! He now eats a little snack before bed while he drinks his milk.

7. He has 4 teeth and now he likes to grind them together!

8. He still loves to swim and jump in on 3. He loves to swing and go down the slide.

9. Sleeping has become better. Instead of waking up every few hours, he cries around 4 or 5 am. We let him cry it out and he sleeps until 8 or so. His little body and brain need that much sleep!

10. Jayden is a talker! He generally talks the most when we are driving in the van. I ask him questions, he answers. The most sense he has made out of his words were "baba,mama". He likes when I sing him "Apples and Bananas" and says "guh" when I say eat. He mastered holding up #1 when we ask him how old he will be. Sometimes he gets a little shy and won't show #1.

ONE day until the big O-N-E

Only one more day until Jayden is 1. This week has sure went fast! All three of us were home at the same time tonight so we were actually able to enjoy a nice family dinner. After dinner and play time, we gave Jayden an early birthday gift. He loves his new hoop!

What I did learn from dinner is that Jayden loves spaghetti just like his momma and he is messy just like his daddy. I had to take a picture of him before he had a bath because he just looked so funny!

Happy Early Birthday, Jayden

Jayden was a very lucky boy today. He had a play date with his friends this morning, enjoyed a birthday lunch with some friends shortly after, enjoyed shopping with Mommy, dinner with friends, and FINALLY an early birthday party! He wasn't too sure what to do at first and then he figured it out! My Dad, Marcy, and Madeline wanted Jayden to have a few days to play with his toys before his birthday, so we celebrated tonight!

Hmmm...which truck should I play with??? They only bought me 8 trucks!?!?!?! One of each brand from the "boy toy" aisle at Toys R' Us. I think my Dad was happy to finally be able to shop for boy toys instead of everything PINK!

Mickey Mouse is Jayden's favorite character! He now has a singing Mickey to sing him the "Hot Dog" song at the touch of a button! He must have been doing something funny because the look on Grandpa's face says it all!

Just when I thought he received enough....in came more! A new water/sand table for Jayden to play with this fall and winter! He LOVED splashing the water!

And finally, his last gift came in the house. Jayden's first 4-wheeler! He zoomed around the living room. I am thinking in a few weeks he might be addicted! He just has to push a little button with his finger. He gave everyone kisses (and a lick on the face) for his birthday presents! Jayden is really one lucky boy!

3 more days

Only 3 more days until Jayden is ONE!! This week is flying by! His Nana sent him a new shirt in the mail today so we took some pictures at Amy's tonight. I will post them on his birthday!

No more bottle

Jayden hasn't had a bottle in 3 days! I finally found a sippy cup that he will drink milk from rather than water and juice. He has his "milk only cups" and "juice only cups". Picky, just like his momma.

This morning when he woke up, he said "baba momma, baba momma". I didn't give in, just told him he was a big boy and we would use his sippy cup. He drank all of his milk and he was happy. I didn't think it would be this easy. Lucky me!

1

Jayden was showing off today at Curvey Real Estate for all of the ladies. He kept showing them "1" and they would clap for him. He decided to show off again for our visitors tonight.

ONE week until ONE little boy is ONE

Only one week until our little boy is ONE! This year has flown by! We are counting down the days until Jayden turns the big O-N-E!

Christian County Fair

Last week the fair was in town like it is every July. We had to go and grab some yummy fair food and walk around just for a little bit before heading home. Jayden enjoyed his first corn dog with Daddy and really liked sitting in the big tire on the John Deere tractor.

We visited the interactive farm which was full of animals and germs. We saw a pony, llama, pigs, baby chick, and a few other little animals. I liked the fake cow the best. Thank goodness for the hand sanitizer at the door!

I like to eat....

Here is a video that I took back in June but never had a chance to upload it. Please excuse my singing. I am not very good at it, but Jayden loves it!

Ahh....

When we were on vacation, we had the luxury of sleeping in a king size bed. It was great because there was enough room for all 3 of us. Jayden was a pretty good sleeper while we were gone. He would wake at 4:30 each day and snuggle into bed with us until about 9am. He is getting back on his regular sleep schedule (thank goodness) just in time for me to go back to work in a few weeks (boo).

It's a small world.....

It's a small world after all and we know it for a fact. On our way home from vacation we were driving on I-44 in Tennessee. I saw a white Ford about a mile ahead of us. I told Aaron it had to be Aunt Lori who would be on her way home from visiting a friend in Georgia. That is a one in a million chance. What do you know? It was! Maybe I had my Mom's twin vibe going on with her. OK, maybe not. Anyway, we drove up, honked the horn and waved. She called a few minutes later to ask if we passed them. Yes indeed, we did! We played the "I follow you, you follow me" game all the way past Nashville and enjoyed a nice dinner with them! This could have never happened if we planned it--but it did and it made me smile.

Jake and his friend would always do something to make us laugh when they passed us. My favorite is when they were pretending to run. They were pumping their arms like they were in a very competitive race. It was funny! Oh and we liked when Uncle Mike flexed his muscles (click picture). I had to do it back. Obviously, mine are not as big.

The one and only "MOTOMA 1"!

Sand is.....

Sand is....good for packing a dump truck. Sand is...good for building an awesome sand castle!

Sand is....good to eat!?!?!

Sand is.....good for digging and making your truck go vroom.

Sand is....a lot of fun for Jayden!

Photo Shoot with Mom

If you know me, you know I am obsessed with taking pictures. I have taken a million pictures (ok, only 2,500 pictures) of Jayden since he has been born so he is really good at photo shoots. He is the perfect little model. It's a good thing we don't live closer to Hollywood. These are a few of my favorite ones from our little photo shoot on the beach.

Wave Runner...I mean wave crawler

Waves didn't stop Jayden!

Talking to Mommy

Jayden had a lot to say on our way to Hilton Head!

Family Pictures

While we were on vacation, we met the nicest people on the beach from Alabama. She had two of the cutest little boys who were busy playing in the sand and the ocean. It gave me a chance to see what I will be doing soon---following around a little man who can walk! We ended up talking a bit more and she offered to take some family pictures of us at the beach. These are just a few of what she sent me and I love them!

The Atlantic Ocean

Jayden had his first swim in the Atlantic Ocean last week! He wasn't sure of what to think of it at first.

After a while of playing in the water, he couldn't get enough of the waves. He would laugh hysterically every time the wave would come and splash him. He loved it!