January 2012: 16 months

Dear Patrick, starting off the new year this month:

• I bought a children’s song CD to play in the car and you love it.  Especially the “Ants go Marching” but you really love all songs.  If you are ever upset and someone begins to sing any melody at all - you will forget your worries and stop to listen.
• You love the moon and look for it in the sky all the time now - day or night.  You point upwards and say “moooon.”
• You play “ah-boo” with Dad on his iphone.  And then you bring the game to the dining room table when you peek over the top to look at us on the other side.  I can't see your mouth (only your eyes) but I know you are smiling.  Your height amazes me since just last month, we watched you walk under the table without bumping your head.  
• If you are talking to us and we aren’t giving you our full attention (the quality attention you deserve!) you pull our faces to look at you.
• Uncky and your father do push-ups in the living room and you run over and jump on their backs.
• We took you to the Mexican place around the corner for dinner the night of Monday 1/16 and you had no desire to sit at the table in the high chair they provided.  Good thing its so loud in there.  Your father and I took turns noisily walking the length of the restaurant as you visited other patrons, splashed in the fountain, banged on the windows.
• You have both bottom molars in now.
• You are going to bed closer to 8:00pm vs 7:30.
• You can open the front door, which is scary.  So it now has to stay locked at all times because you desperately want to get outside.  Even when you are wearing nothing but a diaper...in the middle of winter.  Did I mention its January?  
• You love to taunt Cooper.  You demand to have a bone (“bonga”) from the pantry only to wave it in Cooper’s face and run in the other direction.  And when Cooper does finally take it, you cry buckets of tears in surprise.
• You don’t say “please” often but when you do it sounds like “plah.”
• We sing “Naked Baby Time” and no matter where you are in the house you go running for the bathroom to stand by the tub.
• You were always a good eater, but you’ve become a little picky lately.  Your father has gone so far as to write on the grocery list not actual "things" but instead phrases like “More exciting dinners for P” or “Ideas for breakfast?” We are trying.

December 2011: 15 months

Dear Patrick, during this month of December...

• You pronounce “spoon” as “poon” and you said “bowl” and something that sounded like “truck” and “okey-dokey” to me the evening of 12/8.  The most common word you say is “more” and you grunt for things you want.  There is a lot of grunting this month.
• We put the Christmas tree up the first weekend of the month and you love the ornaments and lights.  “Careful,” we say when you get too close.  And you always back away very politely.
• You do not believe me when I tell you that Baker is not always a nice kitty and will scratch the $%&*@ out of you.
• You scoot and slide backwards on your belly, pushing with your hands.  Sometimes all the way down the hall.  Why can’t I get this on film.  Its awesome.
• On 12/16 we asked you your name and you said “Pat-Pat,” which is what Virginia Whitaker calls you.  It actually sounds more like “Bat-Bat” but we know what you mean.
• You are getting another tooth!  I put my finger in your mouth to feel it the other day and you bit down so hard that I will never do that again.  Seriously, it was like you were a wild animal and I was stuck in the jaws of life.
• I’ve never seen a child love the mail man as much as you do.  You will say “mouw-mouw” for entire hours at a time.  Mr Johnny the mail man is very nice to you.  He even delivered you a post card addressed to you to thank you for our Christmas gift to him.
• You passed out candy-canes at my office and your father’s office this month (with some help from Grammy and Biggie).  Once you figured out that you could eat the candy however, you stopped giving it away.
• Cousin Marie came Saturday 12/17 and we all went to dinner together at “Trap Door,” which was entertaining because sitting at a table is not really what you want to do any longer now that you’ve learned to walk.  Cousin Ree-Ree let your father and I sleep in Sunday morning and you two played together.
• Uncky brought you a stuffed animal bear (which you pronounce “baar”).  Its really a foot-stool and very solid.  You can’t quite climb on his back alone, but with a little help you like to ride your new pet.  He is just your size.
• For Christmas, your Uncle Jono and Aunt Jen brought you many construction and truck books, so now the whole family knows the difference between a Front-Loader and a Digger.  Your other big surprise this holiday was "Pockets the horse."   

November 2011: 14 months

Dear Patrick, this month of November:

• You love to eat cold green peas.
• We are done with formula completely.  Your drink warm 2% organic milk for bottles now.
• At least once a day you wave to “James Oglethorpe” - the red plate Judge Fitzpatrick gave us for our wedding present.  I have no idea why you like Mr. Oglethorpe so much, but you smile big every time you notice him.
• The time change came this month (extra hour) and you did just fine.
• New bigger car seat that faces front was installed in my car for you.
• I’m sewing you a pair of Turkey overalls for Thanksgiving with help from Helen.
• You say “More” now -- it sounds like “Mauha” and we’re working on “mauha pweese.”
• We’ve started recording Sesame Street to watch in the mornings with you while you are still a bit sleepy and cuddly.
• You have eight teeth this month - four on the top and four on the bottom.
• You learned to walk on November 18 while we were in New York.  Our welcome home gift was watching you cross the living room for a hug.
• When you walk you hold your arms straight out in front for balance so that you look like a drunk Frankenstein
• You have full-on jibber-jabber conversations... not words exactly, but they very clearly mean something to you.
• Not much of a meat eater, but you like to try most foods.  You do better when you are distracted while eating - like if we give you a spoon to hold or a toy to chew on between bites.  You’ve expressed some interest in feeding yourself, but only like to hold the spoon for a wobbly bite or two.
• You called Sonny, Jono, Uncky and Mitch “da-da” over Thanksgiving.
• You say “tick-a-tick-a-tick-a” as you chew on Biggie’s watch.  More amazing - Biggie lets you chew and slobber on his watch.  He may not even care about the time and in fact only wear a watch for you to eat.
• I can walk standing upright while holding your hand - you are so much taller this month.
• You called Winnie “Babu” (repeatedly) over Thanksgiving in Macon.  And you sat at the table with us - you had your very own bowl and spoon and sippy cup.
• Your Pop taught you to climb up and down the long staircase in Macon.
• You clearly say “book” now - you absolutely love to read.  Your Aunt Jen and I both found some “Golden Books,” which are still a bit old for you, but we look at the pictures without reading all the words.

52 weeks: October

Dear Patrick,

• You slept in the bed with me for the first time while your dad was out of town on 10/17.  From 4:00am on, you slept great!  I, however, was afraid to sleep for fear of squashing you.  So I just watched you sleep and it was so nice...and exhausting.  We cuddled and hugged until you were sound asleep and then I removed myself and surrounded you with pillows.
• We moved you to a more milk-based formula at bottle time.  You sip on organic whole milk with meals, but you really don’t like it much.
• Now that you are officially a year old, you can eat everything.
• You had an ear infection and “hooves disease,” (hand/nose/mouth) this month.  Your throat had a rash (as well as the rest of the truck of your body), but it hurt to swallow.  The lack of eating, sleeping and medicine all make for a rough couple of days.
• We put a box in the living room and you love it!  We play in that box every night (and we have some cute photos, which are Papa’s new favorites.
• You can walk holding a single finger, but refuse to do it on your own.  
• “Little Blue Truck” a new book from April Turner on your first birthday, is one of our favorites this month.
• You love to kiss the fish in the bath-tub.
• You wave good bye in great spirits to me and your father, but you cry when Grammy leaves.
• Getting another new tooth this month (top left).
• On the morning of 10/20, we brought you back to our bed and even though your father and I had to get ready for work - we laid in the covers and tickled you for an extra 15 mins and it was so sweet.  You seemed so happy just to lay there and let us fawn over you.
• You are trying to blow a kiss this month and you use the back of your hand.
• We took a video of you parroting: “wow, yuck, ah-oh and tickle.”
• You were the perfect “Charlie Brown” for Halloween with Snoopy-Coopy by your side.
• We got you a new carseat at the end of the month for big boys!  The package says it holds 5 - 100 lbs so I basically could sit in it too!

48 weeks: September

Dear Patrick,
This past Saturday, we celebrated your FIRST birthday with a farm-themed party at the house.  Omi and Pops came into town and it was a wonderful blur of family, friends, cowboy hats, straw, pinatas and animal shaped everything from balloons to cupcakes. There was also a very clear moment when Lisa Howell next door said to me, "Well, I guess baby Patrick is not a baby anymore." And she is right.  You are growing up and I am so very happy to watch your transformation into a little man.  But let's get this clear right now: you will always and forever be my baby.

A few notes from the month:

• A new tooth (your third!) came in up top at the beginning of the month.  And the beginnings of number 4, 5 and 6 have quickly followed just in time for Halloween, my little jack-o-lantern.
• You wear a size “3.5 Extra Wide” shoe.  Grammie and Biggie took you to Stride Rite in the mall to get your first real pair of white leather kickers.
• The other day when we were playing outside, you looked straight up and put your hands out to feel the air. Grammie has been teaching you “sky” and “wind” and it was amazing to watch you stop and appreciate them both.  
• The blue sweater and hat Omi knitted for you fits.  We tried them on this month when the weather dipped cooler and you looked so cute - like a little blue knight.
• I caught you talking to the photo of the baby pictured on the diaper box.  In fact, we kept that box in the center of the living room for a week just because we didn’t want to separate you from your new "friend."
• You like to watch the lawn care men cut the grass.  You stand on the couch to look out the living room window and make the sound of the motors.
• You are experimenting with a scowl face this month.  Its the kinda face that should follow, “what you talkin’ about Willis?”    
• You can use your musical walker to walk the length of the living room.  You don’t understand how to turn and need help at the ends, but you walk holding on very well.
• I’ve seen you take a few running steps from me to your daddy.  You try to do it really fast so its more like flying than walking.
• One of your favorite books this month is “Beep, Beep, I’m a Jeep” and you like all motor sounds.
• You said “ut-oh” on Wednesday 9/21 when you dropped something on the floor.
• You love to look at yourself in the bath-tub drain “mirror” so I bought you an actual mirror made for the tub.  Now every time you see the handsome baby reflection, you laugh.  Apparently, you are the best part of your own day.   
• On Thursday 9/22, you woke up from a sound-sleep at 9:00pm crying.  I have to admit that your father and I were a bit un-nerved since you have never done this before.  But we cleaned your nose, changed your diaper, rocked you with another bottle and you went back to sleep within the hour.  I guess sometimes we can all can use a second dinner and some extra love.
• Your Uncky has been working on the paperwork for your German citizenship this month.
• At the end of the month, you started staying up through your first nap - never really getting tired.  And now it appears that you may be moving to only one nap per day (1:00pm - 3:00pm) vs the standard two naps you’ve been taking (10:00am - 12:00 and 3:00pm - 5:00pm).
• Omi and Pop recorded a "Winnie the Pooh" book for your birthday.  Pooh says things like "Oh, baathaa, Piglet" (instead of "oh, bother.")  Did you know Pooh was from Boston?
• The made up songs we sing to you that you seem to like most are, "Naked Time" and "The powder is our favorite part."  Yes, these are real songs with actual lyrics.

One. Year. Old.  Wow.  With all my love,  

Mom 

44 weeks: August

Dear Patrick,
In honor of you turning 11 months old, your father and I spiked your hair into a mohawk last night and gave you guacamole - how's that for celebration?! We also made the following notes for you, our wonderful wild man:

• You ate dog food the morning of August 5th when Grammy and I weren’t looking.  We suspected as much when we saw the over-turned bowl, but then you drooled red "meat flavored" puddles on the kitchen floor, and we knew for sure.
• You have been quietly playing by yourself in your crib during nap-times lately. You think you are being so stealthy but we watch you on PTV talk to yourself and your animals when you should be resting. In fact, your Omi and Tia and Uncky and I watched you play on PTV for a full 20 mins when you were suppose to be sleeping. We piled on the master bed and it was such a fun show.
• You should never go anywhere without puffs.  “Puffs in a cup!”
• You can walk holding onto one hand for a few steps.
• Your father had foot had surgery this month to remove a mole. Its a narly wound.  Let this be a lesson to you to always wear sunscreen.
• Sometimes when I hold you, you rest your little arm across my shoulders and you run your fingers through my hair.  Its so lovely - like a little comb.  In fact, this morning I deliberately dried by hair after my morning shower so that your fingers wouldn’t get tangled. Nothing says love like tangle-free hair.  
• You usually lay on the guest room bed while we change your diaper or clothes, and I love when we finally pick you up to standing because you squeal and give such a huge hug!  Its like you missed us so much horizontal and being vertical is something to celebrate!
• Your Tia rolled her “r”s for you the other day and you mimicked her this month.  You use this sound for cars and trucks when prompted.
• We put your pack&play on the deck and sat outside for happy hour while you played the evening of 8/15 and wondered why we didn’t do this more often.
• I pointed to the light switch and asked if you wanted to turn it off and you did it without any help - just reached your little fingers up and pulled down.  Such a pro!
• The family went to Pawley’s for a whole week with Omi and your grandfather, Tia, Uncky and the Hopes.  Dance party, dinner cook-offs, reading while you napped (I finished a whole book!), massages, turbans...And we survived Hurricane Irene - only coming home a day early to avoid rain.
• On 8/24 you hit yourself in the head with a pot and gave yourself your first shiner at the beach.
• When we ask you, “Where is Mommy?” you turn and look at me!  Its amazing - you are beginning to really understand!  You can pick out Tia, Uncky, Omi, Grammy, Biggie and Daddy really well too!
• We still practice with the sign language: eat, drink, all done, fan, diaper, more, up, milk, cat. You haven't done any signs back yet and I have to admit sometimes I feel a little silly, but we're all trying to give you tools of expression, which is an important thing in life.
• You love to smell flowers - real and in books.  And now you anticipate the pages where flowers appear in “Pat the Bunny” and the “Words” books by sniffing early.
• You repeat, “No no no” (na-na-na) when you head toward the trashcan in the kitchen.
• Your grandfather taught you to raise your hands in the air above your head in a celebratory salute.  Now you celebrate everything: food, the waitresses at the Cracker Barrel, Cooper...and everyone around you cheers too. In fact, I'm celebrating you right now with hands raised high. Happy 11 months, Patrick.  

I love you, 

Mom

40 Weeks: July

Dear Patrick,

• You were not crawling at the beginning of the month, but now you can!  And you can now also stand by yourself for a few seconds. You seem to like to practice your balance.  With your feet on the floor and your hands on the stool, you rise to standing and look so proud of yourself.  
• We have removed the coffee table and rug from the living room and put up gates in the arches.  We call this new decorating style “potential walker in the house.”
• We gave you a teething biscuit at the Moca’s house and you slobbered on it until cookie mush ran down your arms and shirt.  When I finally took the whittled nub away, you pitched such a fit!
• If you are in the arms of one person, you reach out for the arms of another.  The grass is always greener this month, my son.
• We sing, “Good Morning to you” (to the tune of Happy Birthday) every time we enter your room because it just seems appropriate for you to wake from a nap with a song and sense of celebration!    
• When you “walk” (with us holding your arms), the tops of your little feet drag against the floor.  Other times you lift your knees up high, like a toy solider...a drunk, wobbly solider who isn’t sure which way to the war.   
• You love the vents in the floor that blow cold air.  You lean over them and close your eyes as it blows your hair.  I’ve found myself hugging a very chilly baby lately.
• Grammy cooked for you this month and stored single serving meals in little plastic tubs in the freezer.  Oh, and you have tried a lot of new food this month - cous-cous is a new favorite.   
• You waved good-bye to me for the first time on Saturday 7/16.  Your dad was holding you and your little arm went up & down just for me.  
• You have your very own round, plastic pool, which gives you more room to splash outside on the porch.
• Your 9 month appointment was on Tuesday 7/19 at 8:30am with Dr. Bass and you are 97% height and 67% weight - so tall and thin.
• Your pouty bottom lip could resolve the recent debt crisis this month.
• Mom’s 14 year old Honda got stolen this month from her office parking lot and we purchased a new Honda CRV with you in mind!  
• You have learned to make this little smacking sound with your gums when you taste something yummy. I suppose it helps that you don’t have any upper teeth.   
• At the end of the month, we went into your room to wake you up and you were standing up in the crib! 
• And the biggest news this month (and I type this while knocking on wood) - you don't spit up as much as you use to!  Its amazing!  Smaller meals and more snacks - that's the answer.

Here's to being 10 months old, my sweet boy.  I love you so much,

Mom