Sammy Jay: 11 & 12 Month Update

Again, I know this is late but better late than never! These last two months have been pretty fun and exciting because Sammy has changed quite a bit- so I knew it was important to make sure I got this final post in. But first here are his 11 month and 12 month/ 1 year pictures:

(Sammy wouldn't sit still for the first time we tried to take the picture, so Sam holding him upside-down was the best we could do!) 

(Here the "official". It's a little weird/ fitting that the monkey hoodie Sammy is wear is the only clothing my dad ever bought him and this picture was taken just days before his passing.) 

(Not counting months anymore. He's 1 year old!)

I have to say getting the pictures and has become quite a major undertaking. It usually involves both Sam and I coordinating efforts- one of us distracting him from touching the chalkboard, and the other trying to get him to look at the camera while trying to take the picture all at the same time.

Clothes- He still fits into all his 12 month clothes, but being that he has very few 12 month size most of the clothes he wears is 18 month size. Actually seeing him wear pants that are a little too big for him is pretty darn cute. Well- until he slips because he's walking on the back of the pants- then that's not so cute. Also, we're still really bad about having him wearing shoes on a regular basis. Anytime we put them on him - they are off and thrown across the room/ car within the first 3 minutes of him having them on. I think I've created a "no shoes" monster.

(He loves to play in the cabinets! - And grandma lets him.)

Movement & Talking: He is a walking champ! He really started walking at 10 months but it took him about a whole month to get it down pat. But he has been walking strong for the past few weeks, and you only see him clawing if he's extremely tired.

As for talking he has his own language he loves to express himself in- but nobody else knows what he's talking about. However, we've been working on teaching him some baby sign language to help him better communicate with us. What we have been work on is "All done." when he's eating. Before starting the sign language the only way we know he was done with his food is when he started throwing it all over the floor and just screamed at us. We are really liking the "all done" sign a lot better- plus our kitchen floor is staying a little bit cleaner.

Sleeping: In the past two months we have found that he has a favorite "blue blankey" that comforts him and helps him go to sleep a lot easier at night. He still will wake up typically once a night, but I'm hoping that will change in the next few months as he eats more before he goes to bed.

Also, we have pretty much worked him down to one nap a day. Sometimes it's as short as 45 minute nap and other days it's as long as 2 1/2 hours. However, his average is closer to an hour.

Eating: He's eating machine! You pretty much name it he'll eat it- except for beats. His great grandma tried to give him some beats and that is one food he was not having. Additionally, he normally does really well if we go out to eat- as long as he get food right away and you keep it coming!

Also, I am happy to report that I was able to reach my goal of nursing him for year! However this kid coming off the "juice" by Thanksgiving! I have already started putting in motion a "detox plan" where I am slowly starting to mix in whole milk with his pumped bottled. So if everything goes according to plan, he should be on whole milk only by Thanksgiving. I am looking forward to the holidays this year and not having to worry about nursing. I wish me luck!

Teething- From his 10 month update, he has doubled the number of teeth from 3 to 6. He has four on the top and two on the bottom. Currently I don't think any more are coming in right now but they seem to come in pretty quickly, so who knows when the next set will show up.

Other highlights for the past two months:

Farmer Sammy!

Between visiting my grandpa Jay who is a farmer, Sammy getting to sit/play on grandpa's tractor, and going the pumpkin farm (and petting the goats)- Sammy got to channel his in farmer this fall. I'm exciting for next year when he'll get to enjoy it even more!

Halloween!

Even though we didn't "trick or treat" or really do too much for Halloween- it was still fun seeing Sammy in his monkey costume  and letting the leaves in our front yard.

This year has gone by quick. It has had many highlights and memories that will last a lifetime. I don't think I'm going to try to keep up the "monthly" updates- but I know there will be many many more Sammy Jay posts to come!