Brady's 1 Year Appointment

I wanted to blog after Brady's 1 year check up on the 16^th, but I decided to wait until I had more information. The visit didn't go exactly as we would've liked, but what ever does?! I knew going in that Brady was probably a little thin. He's been thin-er since about 7 months, but after being sick the week of his birthday (diarrhea, vomiting, and LOW appetite), I was pretty sure he lost at least a pound. That's a lot for a baby! The nurse weighed Brady in at 20 lbs 10 oz. Only up 4 oz since he was 9 months. Even knowing he had been sick, that shocked me. For being 32.5 in long, he's pretty skinny. Babies generally triple their birth weight by 1 year. Brady was 8 lbs 5 oz at birth so he would need to be almost 25 lbs. Dr. Haney told us that based on Brady's growth his first year (using his weight at each appointment), he should be at least 23 lbs. I explained his being sick and picky eating habits. We go back August 16 to check on his weight gain. Brady has been drinking plenty of whole milk, and has had a stronger appetite lately, so I'm very hopeful he will catch up!

Now to the walking. He's not. Brady crawled later so I knew he'd walk later too. But he is 3 days shy of 13 months, and just now showing interest in really standing and moving around. At the time of his appointment, he wasn't doing that though. I told her all this, and this coupled with his low weight, concerned her. She said he is strong physically, but we needed to get him more interested now, so he wasn't late to walk (older than 15 months). She gave us a referral to Early Childhood Intervention, which is an organization run through the school district. They will come to our house to evaluate and work with him (It's been a slow process but we should have an appointment next week). 

When Dr. Haney said this, I felt like crying. It was hard to hear, to say the least. Eric and I have talked about it a lot since and are actually excited about it now. We know there is nothing “wrong” with Brady. He is smart and strong and develops every day. He just needs a stronger push than most babies and I need help with how to do it. I can tell he thinks about trying something new physically (like crawling, pulling up, walking) and it will take him a while to decide to actually do it. I can't complain about that really. Maybe he will always be so careful and I'll never have to worry about him getting hurt?! ;) My mom said I was the exact same way as a baby. And guess what? I'm not a retard! :) Sorry to put it so bluntly, but sometimes I think people need the reminder. 

Moms put so much pressure on babies to be 'advanced' these days and expect other moms to be perfect. I mentioned Brady being later to do things to a mommy friend in my meetup group, and she told me her oldest son was the same way. Crawled at 10 months, walked at 15. I'd be willing to bet she wouldn't have told me that first, if I hadn't brought up Brady being that way. So many people think every baby walks at 9 months because that's what they hear. Then think it's so strange to hear of a baby not doing that. But think about it. Moms aren't running to facebook to announce “My baby is NOT walking yet!” Every mom is proud of their baby and should be! I'm just saying don't judge. We each have different babies and different experiences. I'm glad I get to share the hoops Brady makes me jump through :) Every baby gives their parents different challenges. If I find myself getting jealous of other babies moving so fast, I remind myself what a quiet, easy going newborn Brady was. Few parents get that! I will be elated when he walks, but for now I enjoy my little booger reaching his arms up for me to get him when he's stuck :)

Brady has 2 molars that just broke through for a total of 8 teeth!! He's all about kisses these days and we are LOVING it! He's really such a sweet, happy boy. 3 days after his doctor's appointment, he pulled himself all the way up on the coffee table and walked around it holding on. HUGE for him. It's like he could hear us talking about him and finally said, “Oh alright, I guess I'll do it.” :) 

Nothin but a Fairytale

Lately, I've had a lot on my mind about marriage. I've got a few friends and friends of friends going through hard times in their marriages, possibly facing divorce. Every marriage goes through highs and lows, but these are some of the lowest lows. Hearing about other husbands lying, cheating, never coming home (plenty of wives are guilty too) makes me incredibly grateful for my husband and the strength in our relationship. But it isn't just luck. We put a lot of hard work into our marriage and it surely isn't perfect. We've said hateful things to each other when we are low on patience, but we are quick to take them back and apologize. When we screw up, we learn from it.

I used to think 'our generation' would do better than our parents. I know plenty of happily married couples that seem to be doing their best to make it work. When we say 'I do', we are promising to stick it out through anything. Sounds simple, but promising to be with each other when you have no clue what hardships you may face in the future, isn't for sissies. Selfishness and immaturity are great ways to screw up a marriage. Certainly, some people marry the wrong person and aren't meant to last. I'm talking more about the people who get stuck always thinking the grass is greener somewhere else. Focusing on what we DO have and what IS good will only make things better.

When Eric and I got married, I never thought we would live in Houston. I had no idea what recruiting entailed or how hard it is raising babies away from my family. I put all my faith on the fact that I was marrying the right man, and whatever we faced, we would manage it together. After only 2 ½ years of marriage, we've faced quite a bit, and only God knows what else is yet to be thrown our way. I rely on the fact that the hard times don't last forever and sticking it out through a hard day, or a hard year, is worth it. Couples that celebrate their 25^th or 50^th wedding anniversary, don't do so looking back on nothing but a fairytale. When Eric and I clink our champagne glasses on April 10^th of any year, I will smile, laugh, and shed a tear. It's tough, but it's beautiful. And we earned it!

My Big 1 Year Old!

No one has asked us yet, “how old is he?' I'm waiting for it and know it'll be so weird to say “1”. His birthday party was perfect. Brady was in a great mood, napped when we needed him to so it stayed that way :), smashed his cake, and played with the other babies. It was HOT, but we did a good job keeping cool with the fans, tent, water, and kiddie pool. We are so thankful to have had our family and local friends there to celebrate. It's truly a celebration for Brady and us. As a family, we have come so far in a year. Really longer than that counting the time I was pregnant and we were preparing for him. It was bittersweet to say so long to having a 'baby' and bring on the toddler! I still call him my baby of course and told him I won't ever give that up! :)

He's finally getting over a tummy virus that he picked up at the party. He and two other kids ended up with diarrhea the next week :/ Brady was the only one that had vomiting as well. He never got a fever thank God, but his appetite was LOW to non existent. My skinny little boy doesn't need to lose an ounce, so it really broke my heart. He doesn't like pedialyte and now we are set WAY back on weaning from bottles and formula. After a few days, I could tell he was just sick of being sick. I always got like that as a kid, which my Mom reminded me of and which I do remember somewhat. He got really fussy after the 3^rd and 4^th day of being sick. I swear I saw him thinking, “Really Mom? When is this gonna go away?!” I realize this is the first time he's really been sick and for that I'm grateful!!

It was fabulous to have my family in town again. My Mom, sister, and brother-in-law hadn't been here since Brady was born and my Dad's visit was last November. I've been back to St. Louis since then, but it's different to have them here in our home with Brady in his environment. Brady is a great traveler, but he does get a little off his normal schedule. We went shopping, out to eat, and got everything ready for Brady's party. We definitely couldn't have had such a fun, smoothly running party without them. My Dad stayed for the whole week. He, Eric, Brady, and I went to the Houston Space Center and Grandpa watched Brady Thursday night for an hour so we could go get ice cream for a mini date night. I'm looking at plane tickets so Brady and I can hopefully make a trip to STL in September ish.

On Brady's actual birthday, he was still sick and it was a rainy day so we took it easy. We woke him up singing happy birthday, went for a walk, grocery shopped, and watched movies while we played. It was pretty perfect (minus him not feeling himself) since we had already had his party. Eric and I are now on a serious detox until my birthday! 23 days to go!! :)