Once again another month has flown by and my little man is growing and changing so quickly.
We finally took Payton for his 12 month appt (more like 13 month) and he now weighs 18 lbs! This is exciting because he really is growing; he stayed at 16 lbs for so long I was beginning to worry a bit! I guess it is all that tofu he eats (thanks, again, Aunt Linda, for the tofu advice... it is seriously one of the best pieces of mommy advice I have ever received...) Moreover, his appt with the allergist confirmed his egg allergy so Payton will not get a flu shot or MMR shot as they contain egg proteins. I have mixed feelings about the vaccinations, but I am glad to have his allergy confirmed. He will go in for additional blood work to see just how severe his allergy is, but until then we have to carry an epipen to for Payton. I do hope he outgrows this allergy. (On a side note: One of my students (kid A) found out Payton was allergic to eggs. Kid A, " I feel so bad for him because he will never get to eat milk and cheese. Kid B responded, " Yes, he can!" Kid A, "No, he can't have any dairy products if he is allergic to eggs." Kid B, " You are dumb. Where do eggs come from?" Kid A, "Cows." Kid B, "No, chickens!" Rest of class: laughing so hard!!!!! ...and I should point out that this discussion was in a class full of 9th grade college prep kids ;).
Payton drinks about 24 ounces of whole milk a day and 7 ounces of water and juice and he eats mostly finger foods with tofu, green beans, cheerios, and fruit being his favorites-- he will only eat strawberries if I hold the entire strawberry for him to bite as he does not like little pieces of strawberry for some reason. He also enjoys rice and cheese (esp fresh mozzarella). He does not eat much meat because he consumes so much tofu that I think he is receiving more than enough protein. Overall, I think Payton is doing great. I do pray for his safety from "The Swine" (it is all over my school building). Most of my students that have had it say it is awful, but not as bad as some of their other flues from previous years. But still...I worry about my Sweet Pea.
Payton is also learning so many new skills. I am amazed when I sit back and watch him play. He can take things out of one basket and put them in another, stack blocks, understands the ideas of lids and fits them in like puzzles, "reads" books on his own, points to everything (esp the "doddies"- his latest name for the dogs), plays peek a boo, signs "music" and "more", stomps his feet and claps his hands on command, dances and dances and dances (his favorite song at the moment is "Clap Your Hands" by They Might Be Giants), and gives me the sweetest kisses.... I just
love this fun, interactive stage. While it is a joy to see Payton grow and change, it also brings sadness as I fear that I will forget how Payton was at the stage or not be able to slow down long enough to capture each special moment. The another nite I sat in the recliner and rocked him until 1230 am (he had been asleep since 10) but I just wanted to cherish and soak up every minute. I still cannot believe God entrusted Wes and I with this little life. He is a miracle and I pray that I will be the Mom he needs me to be! I love him so much that I can hardly stand it... (I should note that this makes it sound like being a mom is all peaches n cream, and, well, that ain't true! Payton is also in a tantrum stage and pitches little fits, as in throws his head back, arches his back, and SCREAMS, as soon as things don't go the way he wants. Granted, these fits are very short lived as he is easily distracted, but still they are frustrating at times. I guess this is a tiny taste of the terrible twos.)
Payton is FINALLY sleeping again. We started putting a blanket in his crib and he sleeps like a champ until 7 or so. I think that he was getting cold at night (I feel like a bad mom now)! I must say that Wes and I enjoy having the bed to ourselves again, but I don't mind when Payton wakes up on Saturday mornings and snuggles with us. I just did not feel like I could really sleep when he was waking up and getting in our bed at 2am. I don't have a problem with the idea of co sleeping, but I just found it hard to get real sleep because I constantly woke up to check on him. Ahhhh--- real sleep, 5+ hours at a time, is priceless. Thanks, sweet boy, for deciding to sleep again.
Another milestone: This past month Payton also trotted on his pony for the first time ( I was riding with him). We also walked over his first "jump." I cannot wait for him to actually sit on Daisy and ride by himself. He really does love his pony.
Still no walking... all in good time.
Sorry these posts are so jumbled, but it just helps me document how The Pate, as we sometimes call him, changes each month.
Daisy snoozin' ringside. Look at her pretty braids.
Our family having fun!
Sarah, Bandit's previous Mama, looks so proud!
