Weston James - 1 year!!

The Christmas season has been magical with this baby boy and his siblings. Weston loved Christmas and all the festivities, mostly just taking brother and sister's lead. We did a lot of celebrating this month, from Addie's dance recital, mom and Pawpaw's birthday's, brother's birthday, meeting Santa (not a fan), looking at Christmas lights, riding the Polar Express, family Christmas party, Addie's school program, crafting with friends, Christmas Eve service at church and of course, the big day. He loved all his new toys, when his brother and sister would let him actually look at them. He didn't do much opening (again, something about those siblings of his ...) but he did like all the bows, boxes and bags. He tried to "help" Addie and me wrap several of Jordan's gifts, which resulted in shredded paper, broken boxes from sitting in them and bows and tape everywhere.

He's added more words to his vocabulary and says mama occasionally. He also took his first step a week before Christmas, and is starting to put a few steps together. Won't be long before he's all over the house. He also loves to climb the stairs at every chance. 

Weston has spent the last week really sick ... pink eye, a virus, high fever and now bronchiolitis. Yuck. He's been pretty pitiful, but I haven't minded the extra snuggles. We had to cancel his birthday party, scheduled for this morning. But grandparents joined us and we partied with our family. He immediately dug into his cake like he knew exactly what to do. He didn't care for his party hat, but he loved all the decorations, especially all the balloons, or "balls."

When I think about this time last year and the first moment I saw his sweet face ... I can't believe we are here. I remember immediately thinking he looked exactly like his sister and being overwhelmingly relieved that he was here and healthy after so many scares during my pregnancy. I vividly remember the first time he latched on and began to nurse. I'm pretty emotional about my last baby being one and his true babyhood being behind us ... but I'm also looking forward to all that lies ahead. Weston is so gregarious, so joyful and such a delight to us. I know the best is yet to come. 
Weight: 22 lbs, 6 oz
Length: 28.75 inches

New things:

• More new words! New words are uh-oh, hat, gentle, Santa, Ho Ho Ho, ball. 
• First steps! He took his first official step a week before Christmas, and in the last two days has put 3-4 steps together. Still unsteady, but he loves how much we clap and get excited when he does it. He usually squeals and claps for himself, too.
• Drinking almond milk from his cup
• Trying a few things not allowed before age 1, like honey and a little bit of dairy. 
• Making car noises. 

Likes:

• Opening and hiding things in the warming drawer 
• Balloons 
• Waving at all people, especially girls. He has a special affinity for Addie and Hutch's teachers and the receptionist at the doctor's office
• Boxes, tissue paper and bags 
• Phones and cameras. Sister gave him a play cell phone for Christmas, and he puts it to the side of his head like he knows just how to use it
• Bathtime and bath toys
• Sugar, apparently. He didn't eat much of his cake, and made a few faces like it was too sweet (reminded me exactly of Addie), but the part he ate he certainly enjoyed
• His new anywhere chair. He's been overtaking brother and sister's chairs for awhile now
• Drumming on everything. The boy's been missing music class
• Playing peekaboo
• Hot dogs
• Riding in the cart at the grocery store
• Calling Lola
• Opening and shutting the blinds, and doors
• Climbing the stairs, especially while being told no
• Looking at pictures of himself, or his siblings
• Puffs. No. 1 food
• Playing outside. Especially riding in the Cozy Coupe
• All toys with small pieces
• Playing kitchen with brother and sister
• His octopus toy
• Trucks and cars
• Walking with the Ybike, chairs or anything else he can move
• Coco our elf

Dislikes:

• Having his teeth brushed
• Coats, hats, shoes and socks
• Sitting still for photos
• Being removed from the stairs
• Eye drops

Weston James - 11 months

When I think about this time last year ... waiting for our home remodel to be done, praying this baby boy wouldn't come too early, trying to get in the holiday spirit while feeling lousy, celebrating another baby boy turning 2 ... I can hardly believe THIS baby boy is almost 1! I was so nervous about having a third baby ... and another boy ... but God knew Weston James was exactly what our family needed. He brings us tremendous joy and we love him so dearly. 

He talking up a storm, just like those other two babies did at his age. He's cruising and standing alone but no steps yet. Who needs to walk when your siblings do everything for you?? He loves looking at (and gently touching) the Christmas tree and decorations, and no major catastrophes so far! He is SO BUSY. ALL THE TIME. He and Hutch have been spending more time together while sister's at school or activities, and they absolutely delight in each other. Weston loves to imitate everything Hutch does, especially saying words, acting silly or blowing bubbles in the bathtub. Hutch was made to be a big brother. 

He loves being around people and is more social than his siblings at this age. He was so sad when he couldn't go to the nursery last week (thank you croup) ... when I dropped Hutch next door to Weston's classroom he strained and reached for his teachers. Be still my heart. 

He loves to eat all carbs and puffs. Most meats are OK. He'll eat fruit and veggies most of the time. His sippee cup is No. 1. He's nursing just a few times a day, which makes this mama sad. 

Can't wait to continue to celebrate my favorite time of the year with this sweet baby boy, and then to cap off our year celebrating him turning 1!

Weight: 24ish pounds
Length: 28.75 inches

New things:

• Talking SO MUCH. He says Dada, Adda, Bubba, Lola, Pawpaw, all done, thank you, Coco (our elf ;)), mama (sometimes). He signs for more and milk. 
• Standing on his own without any assistance, often in the middle of the room. Lots of crusiing and using kitchen chairs or his Y bike to get around. 
• Down to 3 nursing sessions a day. He says/signs all done and more while nursing which makes me laugh every time. 
• Six whole teeth!
• Imitating more animal noises. Cow and horse are favorites. He'll repeat any animal that roars. Still pants at Lola (and calls all other dogs Lola) and will quack and make fish noises, too.

Likes:

• Music class is his favorite time of the week. He loves the teacher, loves sitting right next to her and dancing and playing the instruments, usually right on the beat. He also still loves to drum on any and everything.
• Knocking on all hard surfaces
• Blowing bubbles in the bathtub. Also still trying to stand up, escape and pull up the drain constantly.
• Cars and trucks of any kind
• When anyone comes in our back door - he strains to see who it is and usually starts saying Dada as soon as he hears it.
• Vacuums
• Remotes and phones
• Dancing. He (mostly) loved sister's dance recitals - he was in the carrier and dancing and clapping constantly
• Pumpkin muffins are his favorite food
• The church nursery - his teachers and his friends. He now refuses to nap there because there are way too many interesting things to do.
• All Christmas lights
• Anything we're eating that he's not supposed to have
• Taking a bottle. This is the first time I've ever written this about any of my children. He doesn't have to have one often, but when he does, he's excellent. Finally.
• Feeding Lola.
• Imitating brother and sister

Dislikes:

• Getting in the carseat
• Wearing a coat
• Wearing socks or shoes (Jordan recently cleaned out my car of no less than 20 socks, most unmatched
• Being told no

Weston James - 10 months

Watching this boy's personality come to life is such a joy. And deja vu. He reminds me so much of these other two babes who live here. He's perhaps more independent than they were at this age, and maybe also more demanding? He's working on a few more words, but definitely gets frustrated when he wants (or doesn't want) something and can't convey it to us. 

He is into EVERYTHING. He loves to open cabinets, pull things out, open doors, unroll toilet paper, touch the toilets, eat the dog food, attempt to climb the stairs, play drums on the side table .... whew! He wears me out, but thankfully I have two little helpers with way more energy than I can usually manage. His favorite place to play is often opening and closing the warming drawer or opening the cabinet that houses the toaster so he can drum on it. Bathroom and utility doors are usually closed tight to prevent the toilet touching/dog food eating. 

He's eating pretty much everything, with favorites being green pancakes, puffs, apples and any type of carb. He drinks really well from his cup, although we usually force him to let us help, otherwise he'd be pouring milk everywhere because he thinks it's funny. Speaking of funny, he loves to make us laugh, loves to laugh at his siblings, loves to imitate us and for us to imitate him. His belly laugh is just the best. 

He's doing great in the church nursery, but is still reluctant for other people to take him from his mama, especially in a crowd. He thought Halloween was pretty great, other than wearing his costume for any length of time. He loved watching all the people at our Fall Festival and riding in his stroller to see brother and sister trick-or-treat (though he let us know very LOUDLY when he was done). 

Weight: 22ish pounds
Length: 28.75 inches

New things:

• Standing on his own for a little longer periods of time. 
• Down to 3 serious nursing sessions a day and 2 he could take or leave.  
• Sleeping so well (usually) in his room still, typically from about 7:45 till 5 or 6, then back to sleep till 7 or 7:30. He wins the sleeping.
• Trying out some new sounds. When I ask him to say "mama" he generally responds with a kissing noise :) He has said it a few times. He also seems to be saying Lola and Bubba.
• Trying out animal noises, too. He loves the horse (probably because to him to horse spits everywhere) and he LOVES to pant at Lola whenever he sees her or we talk about her or another dog.
• More teeth! Two of his left top teeth are coming in, and I think the right two aren't far behind. Also swollen gums on the bottom, so more likely coming in there as well.
• Clapping or rocking or using instruments on the beat at music class. Reminds me of another baby boy I used to take there!
• Giving sweet kisses when we ask for them. Although sometimes he merely just presents his forehead for a kiss. And making sweet kissing sounds when we say kiss or he hears/sees someone else kiss. 

Likes:

• Getting into brother and sister's toys, especially when they aren't home
• Opening and closing doors, or banging on them when they are closed. 
• Opening all the cabinets.
• Remotes remain a favorite. He SCREAMS when we take them away or he can see them but can't reach them
• Dancing to all music. 
• The big drum at music class. He cries when she puts it away.
• Lola. 
• When daddy comes home. He always says "dada" or sometimes "hi dada" and squeals and crawls to him as fast as he can. If daddy doesn't pick him up immediately he cries as if his heart would break
• Throwing food on the floor to waiting Lola
• Vacuums 
• Clapping and waving on command. Waving anytime he hears the words hi or bye. Clapping when he hears cheering or others clapping. Clapping when Addie performs for him and at her soccer games
• Trucks, cars, etc.
• His Little People farm and zoo toys
• Books, although he likes to be in charge of page turning
• Bathtime

Dislikes:

• Waiting for food, a drink, to nurse, for a toy he wants ... really for anything
• His carseat 
• Being told no. Not being able to reach something he wants