Brigs at 1 year.

On Monday morning, I took Brigham in for his 1 year check up.  He got 3 shots, and he cried much less for these than he did for the Rocephin shots at the end of February.  Stats are:

Brigham                                                               Boston
Weight:  19 lbs, 3 oz.  (5.63%)                            Weight:  20 lbs, 4 oz. 
Height:  28.74 inches (17.57%)                            Height:  29.75 inches
Head Circum:  18.11 inches (38.42%)

My notes from Boston's 1 year check up said that Dr. McKercher commented that Boston was one of his smiliest patients.  Brigham is exactly the same way, so smiley!  Maybe not so smiley at the doctor's office, but everywhere else!  Those darn Rocephin shots he had to have for his ear infections were torture.  I think I have said this before, but I will never have those given to my kids again.  Brigham crys and clings to me immediately after we are called back to the exam room for our appointment.  It obviously was a horrible experience if a 11-12 month old can remember something so well.  It makes me feel awful.

Another comment I had written in Boston's baby book was that Dr. McKercher was concerned about his weight, and the fact that he hadn't gained much from 9-12 months.  Again, exactly the same for Brigham, except for Brigs is even smaller yet.  Dr. mentioned running some tests to make sure he wasn't missing anything due to his petite size, but I opted out of them.  He is happy and healthy, very active and is eating much better, so I just feel like he's perfectly normal, just small!

Brigham is a very busy 1 year old!  Things I want to remember about him at this stage are:

• Consistently goes to bed between 7-8 PM, and wakes up between 7-8 AM. 
• Ever since we took him to the ENT to discuss getting tubes in his ears his ears have been completely fine and he has slept through the night every single night.  I just can't believe it!  I pray that he has grown out of the ear infection stage and we can get by without having to doctor anymore for it!
• Besides his mommy, daddy and brother, he next favorite thing in the world is his blanket.  He carry's it around the house, and snuggles it up while he is playing.  We can't leave the house without it. 
• He loves eating dry cereal in the morning and for snack.  His favorite is Lucky Charms.  He likes to pick all the marshmallows out and then whine for more!
• He loves to say mama, and also says 'Ooof, Ooof' a lot, for the noise that puppy's make.  Every time we see a dog when we are out on a walk, or if he sees a neighbor dog he says 'Ooof, Ooff'.  We are also working on all of the other animals too, but puppy is really the only one he consistently remembers.  He also is starting to say 'ack' (Snack/Eat) and 'Nah Nah' (Night Night/Bed Time/Nap). 
• He waves hello, bye bye and dances!
• Nap times are still quite inconsistent.  If we are home, he will usually take a morning and afternoon nap, but if we have babysitting kids or are out and about, he only gets 1 nap in the afternoon.  His nap times are not scheduled.  We go with the flow.  I've never been the kind of mom that planned her activities around nap time because it's never the same time every day!
• He loves to be outside.
• He is usually super quiet in the car because he loves to snuggle his blanket & suck his fingers while we drive.  This is a night & day difference from when he was a newborn! 
• Drinks all whole milk and gets Apple Juice in the morning and afternoon.  About a week before his 1st birthday we were done with formula and bottles.  I was a little worried that it would be hard to get his bottle away from him in the evenings but it went well and he is fine with any type of sippy cup, no favorite that we can't live without. 

On Brigham's actual birthday, Boston & I thought it would be fun to take him out for lunch.  Boston chose McDonald's..because they had Transformer Happy Meal toys!  We got Brigham a cookie for dessert.  He loved the chocolate chips!

 After his birthday lunch and nap, we took him to the park!  This was his first park experience and he loved it!

 Both of them begging to sit on the couch by their mama!

 Derek has wanted a new grill for a few summers, so we finally splurged.  He was extremely excited and thought the new grill needed a name.  Boston thought Buttons was a good name (because it has a lot of knobs!) but I suggested Thor and everyone agreed!  Thor it is! 

 Here is the little man all snuggled up for nap.  So precious!

 Cool dude!

 Yesterday Jaxon got all cleaned up at the groomers.  He looks SO much healthier! 

 Hard to believe Boston will be 6 in a few months! 

 He tripped and fell, so was laying on the floor pouting.

 He got up and went right for his blankie. That usually always makes him feel better.

 Such a sad face!  He fell yesterday and got a little cut on his cheek.  He's quite clumsy!

 
   

Sock Monkey Crafts

I mentioned weeks ago in a blog post that I had been working on some crafts.  I wanted to share pictures right away of what I was up too, but because the birthday party theme was a secret until the invites were sent out, I had to wait to post about it all!  I spent hours browsing different blogs and party websites for idea's, and I 'pinned' numerous sock monkey idea's on Pinterest.  I obviously had a budget, so I had to limit the craziness.  It just blows me away how some go ALL OUT for birthday parties these days! 

The birthday banners were simple.  I cut out a triangle shape and traced it numerous times on different pieces of scrapbook paper.  I used brown ribbon to thread the triangles together for a banner! 

I found a few different photo banner idea's that I liked, so I incorporated them all into one.  I cut out 12, 6x6 squares and glued a 4x4 picture on each one.  I hot glued the picture squares to brown ribbon, and then separated each picture with a clothes pin that I had decorated.  I do not own a Cricut.   This project would have been much easier if I did, but I made do!  This was my favorite craft!  After the party on Sunday I took the banner apart and made each picture page into a mini scrapbook! That idea was all my own!  Genius, I know.  :)  I'm going to write some of my favorite memories from each month in the scrapbook, but that is still a work in progress!   

The sock monkey puppet party favor was super cute!  Very time consuming, but well worth it.  I found the idea here, but there wasnt a template to use so I had to free hand all the monkey parts.  If anyone would like to make these, comment on the blog (include your email address) and I will happily email you a copy of my template to save you the time in making your own!  I packaged up each party favor in a ziplock bag with instructions.  I had a few of the pieces already put together, and they were all labeled, so it was simpler for the little ones.  I had thought of having a table set up for the kids to make them AT the party, but it was complete chaos with all the people in our tiny house so I just sent them home with the kids to do on their own.

 

The party hat took some brainstorming.  I had seen several cute party hats that you could purchase on Etsy, but I couldn't justify spending $20+ just on a hat!  This hat probably cost me $3 to make.  Not near as cute as the $20 ones, but still fun!  I made a cone shape with scrapbook paper and then covered it in felt.  The #1 was also made out of felt.  I added some scrapbook paper to the bottom of the hat and then tied on some ribbon.  This looked so cute on Brigham.....after the party was over!  I totally forgot to have him wear it at the party.   

I had so much fun making all of the party supplies and I love how it all turned out!

    

Brigham's 1st Birthday Party!

Today we had a house full of friends and family over to celebrate Brigham's 1st Birthday!  I fell in love with the Sock Monkey theme after seeing some adorable idea's on Pinterest, so I have been a very busy mama getting things ready for the party!

There were lots of munchies to eat & Banana Splits for dessert! 

Sock Monkey Puppet Party Favors!

Photo Banner!

 The Birthday hat that I worked so hard to make...and then I forgot to put it on him!

 Brigham's Smash Cake!  

Time to open presents!

He loves Mickey Mouse so as soon as he opened this book he really had no desire to open the others!

He got a lot of summer clothes, which he needed!

A new block puzzle!  I love Melissa & Doug toys! 

 Brigham got his very own matchbox cars and Boston wanted to open them right away!

 Very focused on the Mickey Mouse book!

 He loves his Elmo school bus from Great Grandpa Bud & Great Grandma Marty!

 Family Photo!  Derek must have been really excited about something?!

 He wasn't quite sure what to think of everyone singing to him!

 'Are you sure I can eat this mama!?'

 Sharing frosting with mom!

 'This is awesome!'

Thank you to everyone that came to help us celebrate Brigham's big day.  He is so blessed to have so many friends and family who love him as much as we do! 

Happy Birthday Brigs!  Your mama loves you to the moon and back!

To My Baby

Dear Brigham,

Today is your 1st Birthday!  Mommy woke up with a pep in her step & a smile on her face!  Birthday's are extra special around here and I was so excited to pick you up out of your crib and give you birthday kisses and sing to you.  You may have gotten up a little too early though because you cried when we sang 'Happy Birthday To You' and lit a candle on your birthday waffle.  But don't you worry little man, there are a lot more fun things planned to celebrate your special day! 

Thinking back on the events of your arrival day one year ago, brings back so many great memories. 
I will never forget:

• Your induction being postponed several hours and how mad I was!  I was just so anxious to finally meet you and was very upset it was not going as planned.  Now that I look back though, it was according to plan.. but God's plan and not my own.   
• Getting to help the doctor pull you out the last little bit!
• How tiny you were and how much you reminded me of Boston when I got my first look at you and held you.
• Mommy loved everyone saying that you looked like me!
• Your smushed little nose :)
• How fun it was to finally tell everyone you were a boy!  Your Auntie Lacey still didn't believe it.  She thought for sure mommy was having a girl!

Here are some of my favorite pictures of your first few days:

 Precious & Perfect

 Our first family of 4 picture!

 The paci was so huge on your face!

Your daddy was so in love too.   

 Your daddy is so proud that you carry on your Papa's nickname. 

 Boston loves you more than I ever imagined he would, and that makes me so happy!

Mommy has a confession to make Brigham..  When I was pregnant with you I really worried and wondered how on earth I could ever love another baby like I loved your big brother Boston.  I just didn't know if I had enough love to go around, or if I would favor Boston because he was my first born son.  God had it planned out perfectly though because the moment you were born, my heart was bursting with love for you.  Mommy has had plenty of love, kisses, hugs and cuddles for the both of you.  Your first year of life was just as special as Boston's first year, and all the years to come and all of the firsts to come for you will be documented and celebrated!   

Brigham, you are a child of God, and mommy thanks Him every day for your precious life and for the privilege to be your mommy.  I want you to know how much I love you and how much this last year has been so full of Blessings.  Our family wouldn't be the same without you.  It's absolutely perfect, and so are you. 

Love, Mommy   

'Get Your Wheels A Rollin..'

Last night, Derek and I took Boston to Carousel Skate while Brigs stayed home with Jason & Shana.  This was the first time in a long time that we had done something special with just Boston, so it was fun for all of us! 

When Derek and I were divorced, my cousin and I took Boston roller skating.  He was only 3 at the time, so we spent most of the time dragging him around the rink, one of us on each side of him.  Well, last night wasn't much different :)  He just isn't real graceful on wheels!  He did get much better towards the end of the night, but still preferred the carpet over the rink!  I'm thinking a pair of roller blades would be a great birthday gift this summer.  As much as I loved Keisha being a part of Boston's 1st roller skating experience a few years ago, it was much more fun being there as a family last night!
    
Derek and I each took turns skating around while the other helped Boston or sat by him while he watched.  Skating around really took me back in time!  We LIVED to roller skate when I was a young girl.  Almost everyone celebrated their birthday at the rink, and we took many school and church trips roller skating.  I do believe that Derek and I may have been the oldest people there last night.  There were lots of young kids zipping around and lots of girls flirting with the boys.  I just had to laugh because that's exactly what I did.  Derek and I skated together for 'couples skate' while B sat and watched us.  It was fun, and also a first for us!  Derek asked me if I wanted him to buy me an 'Atomic Fireball'.  I was confused at first and then he said it was what he always bought the girls he liked when he would roller skate as a kid.  :)

We ended the night at the Pizza Ranch!  Boston got to choose where we went.  He was debating between The Keg, Burger King & Pizza Ranch... He is so much like his dad! 

They may not have served green beer at Carousel Skate, but I couldn't think of a better way to have spent St. Patty's Day!