Watch Me Grow: 12 Months

We made it. One year. Our baby is one-year old.

It's been 12 whole months since he came into this world and Brian and I are still those rambling, sappy, overly impressed parents you make fun of in public.

Every new experience, every milestone, every first-time happening and we are jumping around yelling how intelligent he is. I'm just like every other mom walking around thinking I have the cutest kid with the highest IQ. It is so annoying.

Carson's 12-month stats:

Weight: 21 lbs (50th percentile) 
Height: 29 in (25th percentile) 
Head circumference: 18 in

In the Closet: Mainly 12 months, some larger, some smaller (pants)

Diapers: Size 5, but finishing out the 4s. You blew through the 4s big boy.


Teeth: Six! Two on the bottom and four on top. I still blame all your fussiness on teething, in case you were wondering.

Grub: Anything we eat, you try. Sometimes you spit it out and shake your head, making it seem like we just fed you dirt. But, for the most part, you'll eat most things. You went through a short phase where you wouldn't even eat your favorites, but I think we are past that. You love blueberries, meatballs, spaghetti, squash, peas, craisins, grapes and bananas. That sweet tooth is still prominent.

Sleep: 11-12 hours at night. Two hour (+/-) nap during the day.

New Activity/Development: Walking, talking, waving, clapping, blowing kisses, giving hugs, high fives, shaking head no, nodding yes.

Loves: Still loves the stairs and phones. All his new toys! Making messes. Getting into everything. Mommy and daddy. Watching things fall. Taggie blanket.

Hates: Playing by himself. Being restrained. Going in the car seat if you don't want to. Still eerie of the vacuum.

Carson, thank you for giving your daddy and me the best year yet. I knew you would bring so much joy to our lives, but I had no idea we would feel this.

It's just amazing son, being your mom.

You're so big these days. And very independent. You want to do everything on your own, and get frustrated if you get into trouble. You're independent, but also clingy. You have shown your first signs of stranger anxiety ever these past few weeks. You'll play on your own, but you want us in your sight.

Dropping you off at daycare when you cry and walk towards me is heart wrenching. It's the first time I've actually regretted working and not staying home with you. Ok, second. That first day leaving you when you were three months old was really tough.

Leaving you will never get easier. I hate being away from you. Trust me kid, the feeling is mutual. I want to be with you all the time too.

Just like the Baby Center update told me, how you want to be with me and dad all the time and that's why you're going through this clingy stage. I love you sweetie, more than you'll ever know, and I'm working so we can send you to college someday.

You pooped in the bathtub for the first time the other night. It only took you a year. I screamed like a little girl and shouted to your dad to come help. Good job buddy, but this overly-clean, anal mom could do without those bathtub poops.

The newest game you love is what we call "monkey see, monkey do." You repeat everything we do. It's completely adorable. We laugh, you laugh. We shake our head no, you do the same. I fold laundry, you want to fold laundry. What are you trying to say? You want to be just like me?

If you're having one of your "moments," we can normally cheer you up by showing you a video of yourself (you're so vain), or making things crash to the floor. I don't know what it is, but you like watching things fall. Knocking over stacked up blocks, stacked up Kleenex boxes, you just love seeing things crash.

Telling you no makes you laugh. You think it's funny to get told no. In fact, you are doing it right this very moment with the tall vase downstairs. You have one hand on the vase and you're looking at me like, "Look at me mom, look what I'm doing. I know I'm not supposed to and am just waiting for you to tell me no."

You ornery little booger.

Hey, Elvis.

You transitioned to the new room at daycare two weeks ago. You're adjusting, but noticing the changes. The one nap is throwing you off a bit, but you did awesome with the transition to whole milk and no more use of the bottle. We pretty much switched cold turkey and it's like you don't even miss it!

You're having problems sharing. But you'll get there. We both will. See, my sweet boy, that's the fun part in all this. All these new experiences we are learning together. You, me and your Daddy. The three musketeers!

Well...until we give you a sibling someday. Yep, I hate to say it, but you won't be the favorite child forever.

But you know what? You will always be my first born. The one who changed our lives forever. The one who taught me everything. How to be a mom. And how to love like this. You make me so very happy.

I love you Big Boy. Love, Mommy

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