16 months

Well. Another doctor appointment, another guessing game. Dr. W is still scratching her head about Christopher's growth - or lack thereof. At his appointment... 16.6 pounds, 28 1/2 inches and 17 1/2 head.

Thank you, God - he's otherwise healthy.

I know he is doing fine - walking, talking, whining and pitching fits just like the rest of the 16 month children in his playgroup. But, the girls want to pet him like a little puppy. They treat him like a baby. He IS my baby, but his classmates shouldn't feel the same way.

We are having some tests done. One test, a sweat test, is for ruling out Cystic Fibrosis. I know good and well that Christopher DOES NOT have CF. He has never had any type of respiratory issues in his life. But, he does have the "failure to thrive" and gastro issues that some children with CF have. So, to rule it out, we will be going to Children's at the end of the week.

The other test - a thyroid test, I believe - is for Growth Hormone Deficiency. I think this is far more likely to be the cause behind his short stature. Hopefully we will get those results by Friday.

I know he is perfect and that the answers that we seek are just to make him more comfortable in this world. He's fine and I love him. Just the way he is.

We have a WALKER!

Christopher decided that he would take his vacation off and learn to walk. He was determined and after a full "Labor Day" at the beach, he has pretty much perfected it. You should see how he smiles so big as he toddles around the house, looking to get into trouble! So precious.

Mr. Messy

I love him. And he drives me crazy sometimes. He's Mr. Messy. He will destroy all cleanliness and organization in seconds, when given the opportunity. His latest targets... folded laundry, opened drawers, toilet paper rolls and garbage bag hiding place. He also has a talent - grabbing his messy diapers out from under him while I am cleaning off his bum THEN he slings said messy diaper across the room. Lovely.


People need not wonder why my house is a disaster...

School Days

I cannot believe it. He started Mother's Day Out this week. And the kicker... He loves it. His teacher, Ms. Jennifer, is a blond. He loves blonds. I think he feels a special closeness with people who share his hair color - since he lives in the land of brunettes. He loves Ms. Bonnie and Ellie, too. Both blonds. Beautiful blonds, I must add. He's one smart cookie. Albeit a small cookie - the teeniest, tiniest near 15 month old in the class of "young toddlers". He doesn't have a clue... and I love that about him.

Doing GREAT!

I cannot tell you what a difference there is in Christopher. He is still as independent as ever, but he is so much healthier now! He isn't sick and even his acid reflux has stopped. He still takes about 30 oz of milk, pediasure or yogurt drink a day and loves his food, too. He isn't much for jars of baby food though. He would rather do it himself (note the independent part). He's very head-strong and if I cannot read his mind he gets rather upset. He LOVES swimming and I have signed him up for lessons with the 'swim nazi'. It should be interesting. He's not much for being told what to do. LOL! See this picture? He wants to drive all of the time and will fight you to the death for the car keys and the steering wheel. There is something in their blood. Most boys love balls and trains. My kids love to drive cars. Seriously, Christopher drives everything! He even pushes the remote control like a car. HA!

He's Going To Be A Chunker

OK. If Christopher keeps eating and drinking like he has been the past few days, he is going to have some major weight gain. This child LOVES peanut butter, cream cheese, french fries and pancakes. He drinks somewhere around 30-40 oz of whole milk, yogurt drink or pediasure a day. Seriously, if he doesn't gain a pound by our doctor appointment on the 7th, I will be scratching my head. I LOVE IT! Who would have thought?

The Adventures Continue

I have to say that little Christopher is about the cutest thing in the world! After a recent beach trip we learned that he loves sand. He is a real crab! He crawls around, much like a little sand crab. He leaves a trail just like a little baby sea turtle! LOVE him!

Another wonderful milestone hit - he's talking. Not your typical 10 month babble, either! He has WORDS. He picks up a new word every day. Today he is working on baby. Yesterday - bird. Saturday was "boo!" So we have mama, dada, baba, boo, bird, baby, bye-bye, all done, and maybe one or two others I can't remember now. Awesome, huh?! I am teaching sign language, too. We are working on: more, up, all done,   and a few others. I kinda think he will pick up the word before the sign. This is all very shocking to me, having had one non-verbal child!

Birthday Boy!!!

Happy Birthday, My Sweet One!

I cannot believe that Christopher is actually turning one on Monday. Just yesterday, we were looking at all 3 pounds of him in the NICU. Today he is crawling at lightning speed and cruising around the furniture like a pro. He has words - mama, dada, byebye, ba-ba, and he makes the greatest car sounds ever. He pitches fits just like a big boy and idolizes his brother. He still cuddles up next to me when he wants his ba-ba, so I have moments of baby time with my little cutie. We are looking forward to his celebration tomorrow. It will be lovely, just family, friends and my sweet boy.

Mac N Cheese and Brownies

Christopher has found new joy in food. He recently discovered the excitement of peas and carrots. He savors each bite of Annie's Organic Rice Flour Mac 'n Cheese. He squishes each morsel of green bean in his chubby little fingers. He didn't know what to think about Betty Crocker's GF Browines. But this makes mommy happy, because she loves them and she doesn't mind sharing them with him. :)

Planning for his party

I cannot believe that my baby is turning ONE in a week and a half! I have a lot of planning to do. I need to come up with a menu and start trying gluten-free cake mixes for his smash cake. Anyone have a favorite mix? I am willing to take suggestions!