CAN YOU BELEIVE IT?????? Preston is becoming a little man (um, and a terror).
Thinking back over everything this boy has accomplished this month is CRAZY to me.
1. He is REALLY loving his solids- we're almost completely done with any and all pureed foods. He loves to eat with his hands (and sometimes just his mouth directly off of the highchair). Some of the REAL foods he loved include: shredded chicken, spaghetti, mac and cheese, any and every fruit (watermelon, mangoes, apples), green beans, sweet potatoes, tomatoes (which I knew would happen considering I downed tomato juice throughout my pregnancy), eggs, grilled cheese, any type of bread (what can I say? He's his mother's son), and SO SO much more. He is really such a good eater and I REALLY REALLY hope that continues!
2. We have started transitioning him off of formula to whole milk. He only gets about an ounce per bottle at this point (and usually has a total of (4) 5-6 oz bottles a day). He LOVES him some whole milk. I give him a little "straight up" in a sippy every now and then and he gets so excited! By the time he is one, he will have completely dropped all formula and one of his four feedings! I have no doubt that he will drop the bottle with no problem as well. During the day, he is basically only on a sippy now anyway. It will just be his nighttime bottle. Lord help us because I don't like to change the boys nighttime routine because it ROCKS....
3. He is a master "pull-upper" and furniture walker. Yes, I said furniture. He basically refuses to walk anywhere with someone hold his hands. He's done it for Katie a few times- maybe 4 steps, but he is SO independent and wants to do it on his own. I don't know when he will officially walk, and honestly, I'm not stressing about it. For one, he can't get into stuff. Second, how many normal functioning kindergartners do you still see crawling? He'll do it when he's ready- just like his crawling!
4. He LOVES to play in his bed before and after naps and bed time. We just put him in there and he throws his pacis out, plays with his blankets, and loves on his giraffe. When I go in the to get him, EVERYTHING is usually out of his crib and he is standing up just looking at his hard work.
5. He still loves to wave, though he is still refusing to clap. I just think this is so weird considering he was doing this when he was six months old. Oh well- he'll pick it back up eventually.
6. He knows the word "no" and sometimes follows my directions. He has now started to shake his head back at me. I use the word "no" only for very important things. I try not to use it for simple things that could just be taken care of with a quick distraction. I don't want to over-use the word and have it eventually lose meaning. Recently though, I've been yelling "Jack no," outside because he barks constantly. Preston now yells "Ah (jack in baby talk) n- n- (no no)" and shakes his head. He copies exactly what I do- as long he isn't busy chewing on something or dancing!
7. He can play peek-a-boo. Sometimes the blanket doesn't even cover his face, but he loves to lift it up and down. Sometimes he plays it by HIMSELF in his crib before or after naps. Brad and I just watch him on his video monitor and it is HILARIOUS!!!!
8. He can put the rings on the pole toy thingy. Whatever it's called- he concentrates VERY hard on getting them on there. He does occasionally get very frustrated with the rings when they don't go on because his other hand is in the way, bur for the most part, he's pretty good at it and gets the silliest/ happiest look on his face EVERY TIME it goes on. We're working on saying "yay" when Preston does something great, and I think this qualifies...
9. He can open and shut the drain in the bathroom. ALL THANKS TO HIS DADDY. He thought it was cute, I think it's a pain- enough said.
10. He can throw a baseball and is definitely figuring out what it means to "go get your ball." Do I feel like I'm playing fetch with a dog when he goes and gets it and I throw it again? Yes, but don't judge.
11. He can stand up in high chairs (luckily not his because it's so fancy) and shopping carts. And believe me, he does! When we try to buckle him is, he screams. It's lovely. He doesn't like being confined to one place. He wants to move.
12. He HATES the sun shinning in his eyes while in his car seat. I thought this was only going to be until we turned his car seat around at one, but after Brad read everything they are recommending about car seats, and I've done some research- it seems the problem is going to persist until he's 18 months to 2 years!! So, turned around he will stay:) He doesn't mind it as long as the sun isn't right in his face- even with our tented windows.
13. He officially has no more "baby toys." We've put a majority in attic (in case we ever have a moment of insanity and think we need another child) over time... no more swing, bouncers, exersaucers, play gyms/ mats, Johnny jump-up, so on.
14. He's almost ready for 18 month closes. He is amazingly tall for his age. He's weight seems pretty average- I wouldn't even consider him being chunky- by for length in his abdomen and legs- 18 months is what we are going to be in.
15. He loves his paci! We are only giving it to him at night, nap time, and when we are out (Do you think we are THAT crazy?). Honestly, when he is playing or up around the house, if he doesn't see it, he is perfectly fine. I just hope it isn't too much of a battle to get him off of it for good. I know if he doesn't have it during play time it won't interfer with his speech, but I want to also make sure it won't mess up his teeth (well, his two current teeth I know aren't an issue- but I'm hoping he'll get more at some point).
16. He loves people. He can entertain a room of people like he has known them for years. He doesn't really seem to have any sort of stranger danger just yet. If you're willing to hold the crazy kid, he's willing to hang with you.
I can't wait to see what else he is going to accomplish in the next month! Oh my...
(11 month pictures to come soon- I planned on posting them with this- I just don't know if I'll ever find the time!!!)
(11 month pictures to come soon- I planned on posting them with this- I just don't know if I'll ever find the time!!!)
