Twelve Months Of Trenton {Twelve}

Dear Trenton;

It happened. a whole twelve months have passed since you came into the world. Despite my efforts to make the year happen as slowly as possible, it flew by, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.
You're a whole year old.

It seems like someone flipped a switch the minute you turned one. Your words sound clearer, your steps are strong and determined, you know exactly what you want.
You have lots of words now, "Mama, Dada, Baba, Milk, Yeah..." I think my favourites are when you call your sister.. you go toddling toward her room with a firm, "Heeeyeeeee!" She loves it as much as I do. The other is when you see the cat, Otep. You point, and smack your lips and say "Owwwww" which means Otep, we know, because it's the only time we hear that sound come from your mouth. It's pretty much the cutest thing ever.

You're not only walking, you're almost running now. You love being able to walk on your own outside and explore. It will be so much fun watching you toddle around in your snowsuit and discover the snow for the first time.
You seem to like daycare, but you only just stopped crying at dropoff.. but every time I pick you up, you are all smiles.
You're incredibly cheeky.. you know exactly what "No" means, and when we say it, you give us this hilarious grin that says "What are you going to do about it?"

Your personality develops a little more with each passing day and I am having a blast getting to know the little you. I could just explode, I love you so much.

I am happy that this project is done, I don't think we would have successfully gotten another photo... you were not having it by the end.. but I know I'll be glad that we stuck through and did it together. It will be nice to look back on.

I love you, little man. Here's to the next year.

Twelve Months of Trenton {Eleven}

I am seriously, unforgivably, inexcusably late in writing this update. I only have one more of these to go.. can you believe it? It's a blessing in disguise though, because I don't think we'd be able to continue even if I wanted to.. it has become next to impossible to take a decent picture of you, you are all.over.the.place.
You wiggle and laugh and roll and turn and shoot me this look that says, "Lay still? Mama, you cannot be serious." You don't even look like yourself in these shots!
As hard as it is to take your picture these last few months, I'm so, so happy that we did this little project together.. seeing the changes, watching you grow before my eyes, writing all about your personality and milestones.. it's been a challenge, but one that I can enjoy for the rest of my life.

This month, at the very, very end, you took your first steps. It wasn't even so much that you took the steps that was so emotional, it was how.
Oma and Opa came over for a visit on this day.. but it wasn't the good kind. Oma sat me down on the couch and explained that they wouldn't be joining us for Thanksgiving dinner, as planned.. that she was having surgery on the friday before, and that it was because they were removing a lump from her breast. She was telling me that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
With the blink of an eye our light and airy visit turned heavy, as I harboured and processed the news that the only family we have here is sick. I watched the woman whom I consider to be one of the strongest, break down right there in my living room, telling me that giving me this news is the hardest thing she's ever done.
Soon after, Daddy, Hailey, Kaleb and Opa joined us in the living room, and we went on pretending all was well.. for you and your siblings, of course...
I sat on the floor with you.You stood, using my legs as support, and just like that, took 5 whole steps to Oma. 5 steps that meant the world to us at that moment.

You haven't stopped since. You were cautious at first, as soon as you'd realize there was nobody holding onto you, you'd drop down on your bum. Now, you can stand up, unsupported from sitting, and take brave steps all the time.
You're walking into your second year on this earth, without fear.. because you know that Mama and Daddy and right there behind you, and always will be.

Happy 11 months, baby boy. Thank you for being you.

Twelve Months Of Trenton {Ten}

Baby boy, you are ten months old.

Something about ten months sounds less like infant and more like toddler.. maybe it's the double digits.

Speaking of toddler, you are close to toddling. You take larger and larger strides (while holding furniture and legs and anything else you can grasp) and are gaining balance and confidence with every shaky but strong step your little legs take.
You crawl like the wind, and have recently discovered that it's much easier on your little old man knees if you crawl on your feet, something your dad and I liken to looking like a komodo dragon.. especially when you think we aren't looking and the stairs are unguarded.. you are fast, but we are still faster.

You have no fear. If it weren't for us, you'd crawl right off the edge of the bed or the top of the stairs.. we should really work on teaching you how to go backwards, or it isn't going to end well.

You have more and more words and sounds all the time. You babble all the time, but never on command... we ask you to say "Mama" and you grin and stay silent. Obviously, you are nobody's puppet.
You make this growling sound when the food doesn't come fast enough, it's pretty much the funniest thing ever. You have a crazy funny personality that is much like your big brother.
One time, this past month, Hailey gave you a piece of romaine lettuce while I was making salad. You put it in your mouth and made a face like we were trying to feed you Anthrax.. you threw the lettuce down on your tray and slapped it repeatedly, as to make sure the lettuce would never try to reach your lips again.. OH the horror!!!

You're still an itty bitty thing, you are in size 3 diapers and have barely gained 7 pounds. I guess you decided to gain it all inside me, as to end my child bearing days with a bang.
I don't mind.. as long as you are healthy you can stay little forever as far as I'm concerned, but I know that won't be the case. One day, you'll be bigger and taller and stronger than your mama, and while those days come quicker and quicker, trust me when I say this;


"...as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be."

Twelve Months Of Trenton {Nine}

9 months later, and here we are.

You turned 9 months old on Wednesday, little love, and on Thursday you had spent exactly as much time growing and learning in this world as you spent inside my body.
Forty weeks and one day.
That's how much time I've spent looking at your face and falling more and more in love with you as each second passes.
Eighty weeks and two days.
That's how long I've loved you, and it continues to grow and grow and grow.

This month you are officially a little terror on two legs. You crawl like a maniac and you stand and you climb. You choose the most dangerous things like the stairs and the slide and the wall unit. We moved the coffee table out of the living room this month because we learned the hard way with Hailey and we won't go down that road again.
Speaking of Hailey.. do you know how much your big sister loves you?? She dotes on you.. she talks to you about the world and is always right there behind you. We joke that her children will be wrapped in bubble wrap because she is so scared of, "what if he falls??".
You are loved, little one. More than you'll know.
You have words this month, you say, "Dada" and "Mama" and "Ya!Ya!Ya!". You say "mmmMih!" when you want milk and you try your hardest to say "Hi", which was your big brother's first word, by the way.
You wave on cue, and everytime we walk outside, even if there's nobody there to wave at and it's just about the cutest thing ever.
Your hair is getting so long and it has curls and it makes me die from the cuteness. You have 6 teeth and you. eat. everything.
Have I mentioned that I love you?

Weight/Length: 17.2lb 27.5in
Size: 6 month clothes, size 3 diapers.

By the way, these pictures are getting harder and harder to take. You do not like sitting still. :)

Twelve Months of Trenton {Eight}

I'm writing this a day late. You know how the weekends go during the summer, it's like you can barely sit down and breathe let alone write a blog post to your eight month old son.
I digress.

Trenton, you are eight months old. This month you have learned and discovered so many new things, it has made time fly by even faster, if that's even possible at this point.
You are crawling. You're like a little machine! You figured out one day, while on your tummy, that if you smack your hands down and then use them to drag your body, it takes you places! It didn't take long for you to figure out that you could go faster and faster. every day when Dada gets home from work, you drag your little body across the floor to greet him.
Speaking of dada, you can say "Dada!" although, most often you're talking to my boobs when you want milk. I guess we'll have to work on that one. You can also say, "Mama!" but again, out of context. It's okay though, I don't mind. I also hear the "Ba" sound from time to time, mostly when you're talking to you toys. sometimes you will put all your sounds together and it sounds like this:
"Ahh-dabahbahmmmama!" I can tell that you are very serious when you say this.
You smile and laugh ALWAYS. Funny tht I say that because in this particulr month's photo you were absolutely not interested in having your picture taken, would not smile, and would not have any part in it unless you soother was in your mouth. I probably should have waited until after nap time.
Speking of sleeping, you're pretty good at it. You will usually hve 2 naps throughout the day and are out for the count by 8ish-pm. You still wake up 1-2 times per night for milk, and I still get sympathetic looks from people, telling me that I need to remedy that situation for some reason. Baby, let's make something clear.. you can need me at night for as long as you want. I don't mind one little bit.
This month, you have almost mastered sitting up unassisted. You can do it for a few minutes before you start to lean, and sometimes you're too distracted to put out your hand to catch yourself.
OH. And on Saturday, you know, the day before you turned 8 months, you decided to STAND in your crib. I came in to get you from your nap and there you were, standing, and crying. Down the crib mattress went.
This month, you grew 4 more teeth, you porr little soul. You now have both bottom, both top and one and a half eye teeth. So far we haven't had any biting incidents. Let's keep it that way, deal?

Weight/Length: 16.7lb, 28in.
Size: Finally a size 3 diaper, 3month onesies, 3-6 & 6 sleepers.
Favourites: You love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and your Jolly Jumper. Also, I don't hear a peep from you if you're outside. You're not too sure about the pool.
Foods: You eat everything. You love sweet potatos and fruit. Especially watermelon and banana. Watching you eat peas is really funny because you chase them all over the place, and you don't quite have the pincer grasp down yet, so like I said, funny.

Oh, and you're beautiful.

Twelve Months of Trenton {Seven}

Seven months old.

No matter what I do, you won't stop growing. You grow and you grow and you grow and it's so bittersweet. I love seeing you learn and thrive and discover the world around you, but I want to keep you small and in my arms forever.

You're much more attached to me than your siblings were. Sure, they were snuggly and Mama-suckers in their own right, but you.. Oh, you... You *love* your Mama.. you make me feel so, so needed.. as if you know, somehow that you are the last baby and are telling me in your own way that, "Yes.. Mama.. I need you, and I always will."

With each passing month I feel your first birthday inching closer and closer. Summers fly by, love. They always do, and once summer is gone.. you'll be one. The thought just tears a hold right through my heart in a way that I couldn't ever even try to articulate.

You are amazing.

You are inches away from crawling and leaving me behind in the dust. You rock slowly, with uncertainty. That's new, this month. You can get up on your hands and your toes, but then you get stuck and upset. You can turn in a complete circle when you're on your belly. You love your bathtime and I never hear a peep from you when we are out for our daily walks. You love being worn in the sling but sometimes you like being in the stroller so you can be free to look around. You're eating and reaching for everything around you. You don't like it when I am out of your line of sight.. especially when there are new faces in the room. You are almost sitting unassisted, well you are, but you don't know yet to put out your hand to catch yourself when you start to lean. You still wake up at least twice a night to nurse but I don't mind one tiny little bit.

Weight/Length: You are almost 27 inches long and weigh 15lb, 8oz.
Size: You wear a size 2 diapers and are still in 3-6 month clothing. You wear 3 month onesies. You tiny thing. You're almost in a size 3 shoe!

You're beautiful, Baby.. & I love you so, so, so much.

Twelve Months of Trenton {Six}

Six months? Really? Six? That's half a year. That's halfway to the point when we are blowing out birthday candles and watching you chase balloons around the room, stumbling on your new walking legs like a little drunk.
How has half a year passed us by since you came into our lives?? At this rate, next week you'll  be off to school and the week after that, you'll be shaving. Slow down little one!!!

Six Months:
Size: You are still so tiny..albeit tall. You wear size 3m onesies, and 3-6 month sleepers. Your feet are huge and you wear 6-12 and 12-18 socks and size 2 shoes. You are still in size 2 diapers.

Weight/Length: You were weighed last 2 weeks ago and you were 14.2, I think by now you're just under 15lbs. You're about 26 inches long, which is crazy tall! Your sister was that height at around one. I think you will take after your great-pepere and be tall as an adult. Lord knows you don't get it from Mom & Dad.

Your new favourite thing this month is your Jolly Jumper. You go crazy in it! You look like a little jack-rabbit. The first time we put you in it, you made Mom & Dad laugh so hard, we were crying. Hailey and Kaleb fell on the floor laughing at you.

You're eating solids! Your favourites so far are barley, sweet potatoes, squash and pears. Mmm. Dada bought me a new food processer for Mother's Day, so I can get busy making all sorts of delicious food for your tummy.

We are still nursing like champs with no end in sight. You still wake up once or twice in the night to nurse, but I don't mind at all. You usually go right back to sleep after and I like our quiet time together. I will remember to cherish those moments.

You talk and laugh all the time. You are always smiling. it makes us all so happy to see you smile. You're a pretty happy baby. You prefer being held, but you don't mind being put down in your bouncer every so often so I can get things done. You love, love, love being outside and I don't hear a peep from you when we're in the car or walking outside.

Thanks for the past 6 months, little buddy, here's to the next 6. :)

Twelve Months of Trenton (5)

Weight: Apprx 14lb
Length: aprx 26 Inches
10-20th Percentile for weight, 90th Percentile for height
Size: 0-3M onesies & pants & 3M hoodies & sleepers, some 3-6M sleepers Size 2 diapers
He is such a small guy.. considering his weight at birth.

Milestones:
-Chatterbox
-Has 2 bottom teeth!
-Can put things from point A to mouth.
-Squeals like a banshee
-Sleeps from 8pm-7ish am, waking once or twice
-Is starting to reach for people.
-Can roll from tummy to back & back to tummy.
-Giggles
-Eats feet.

Favourite things:
-Boobs
-Soother
-His crinkly yellow dog
-Bathtime
-Music
-His big fleece blanket. He wants it touching his face if he is going to sleep
-Books. He LOVES being read to.

Twelve Months of Trenton (4)

Weight: 13Lb 6Oz
Length: aprx 25-26 Inches
10-25th Percentile for weight, 90th Percentile for height
Size: 0-3M onesies & pants & 3M hoodies & sleepers, some 3-6M sleepers Size 2 diapers

Milestones:
-Babbles all the time
-Smiles at everything.
-Can fully reach out and grab toys that are in front of him
-Squeals. Loud
-Sleeps from 8pm-7ish am, waking twice usually.
-Knows "Mama" and "Dada" and will look at the person when he hears the name.
-Can roll from tummy to back
-Rolls onto his side by arching his back. Has to be strapped in everywhere now, no matter what.
-Finally laughed!!

Favourite things:
-Boobs!
-Soother
-His crinkly yellow dog
-Bathtime
-Music
-His lovey. either the cuski or his little blanket.
-His big fleece blanket. He wants it touching his face if he is going to sleep
-Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. I know.

This month, Trenton finally giggled at us. He makes us work HARD for laughs, and doesnt laugh from his gut yet, but boy do those little giggles ever make my day.



Twelve Months of Trenton (3)

Weight: aprx 13.5
Length: aprx 25 Inches
25-30th Percentile.
Size: 0-3M onesies & pants & 3M hoodies & sleepers, Size 2 diapers

Milestones:
-Makes a throaty "guuhhh" sound (kind of like Chewbacca)
-Smiles at everything.
-Holds thing that are placed in his hand.
-Learning to squeal.
-Is starting to grab at toys when placed in front of him.
-Initially sleeps a 5-6 hour stretch at night.
-Can awkwardly get his nummy into his mouth.
-Knows his name and turns/smiles when he hears it.
-Can roll from tummy to back

Favourite things:
-Boob juice
-Soother (Still addicted)
-Being naked
-Bathtime
-Music
-Mornings
-Tummy Time

This month, Trent figured out (while sitting in his swing) how to kick off his blanket. Dada was sitting in front of him & kept placing it on his legs. Trenton would then smile, squeal, and promptly kick it back off. Lather, Rinse, Repeat.
No laughs yet, but we can tell they're coming.

12 months of Trenton (2)

Trenton- Two Months

Weight: 12.4
Length: 23 Inches
25-50th Percentile.
Size: 0-3M & 3M clothing, Size 2 diapers (Though he still fits a Size 1)

Milestones:
-Starting to bat at dangling toys.
-Smiles at everyone who talks to him.
-Sticks out tongue at said person.
-Has discovered fists and noms on them alldaylong.
-Has developed excellent strength in head and neck.
-Coos and babbles.

Favourite things:
-Boobs (Mama's in particular)
-Soother (a bit of an addict)
-Being on his change table
-Hailey or Kaleb. Doesn't matter who, as long as it's one of them.
-Floating paper latern in the living room
-Listening to music with Dada

Looking at his one month photo I cannot believe how much his features have changed. His personality has developed quite a bit too. He is so expressive! We're all as happy as can be. :)