I can't believe it's been a year since Niko was born. Well, a year and almost two weeks now, whoops. To read the excitement of his birth story, click here. For specifics on the birth photography (amazing), click here.
A lot has changed in the last year, but a few things stick out to me that haven't. Niko still loves to snuggle and be held. Not all the time anymore, but at least a couple times a day. When he nurses, he likes to hold my hand. I remember on day 0, that was the only way he'd eat. He likes most anyone, and gets so excited when he sees Trevor, but he has a special soft spot for his mama.
Once again, I don't know how to put my kid into words. This has been a big year for us. Niko himself has been really easy on us, but the rest of life has kept us on our toes. Besides liking to be held...a lot (who could blame him?)...Niko has been very easygoing from day one. He is the happiest baby ever!
Playing at ECFE open gym on his actual birthday
Lately, he has become a big fan of clapping, to include clapping games (the "Niko's here today" chant from ECFE) and anywhere we hear a round of applause he just lights up. He also thinks he is pretty cool when he does "so big!" and Myra likes to get him to do it, too. He loves to throw his food on the floor which is obnoxious and messy. Niko knows what he likes, so he usually picks out the stuff he doesn't want to eat and throws that, then eats the good stuff. He really seems to like yogurt and Italian food (pizza, spaghetti). I have started making more smoothies because the kids both love them and they're great for calories and fitting in some nutrition. Niko weighed the same on his birthday as he did six weeks earlier, though he has had some illness in between. He's also very fast with the crawling and much more active lately. Not really worried about his weight, just like to make sure he's getting enough calories--plus it seems to help him sleep better!
As of his first birthday, he was nursing four times a day and if he woke at night (once, sometimes twice, but quickly so whatever). Since then, I have eliminated two of those day time nursing sessions, so it's just morning and bedtime and if he wakes at night, which he's been doing less. Bonus: he is less distracted these days. I can actually nurse him while sitting down and sometimes I can do it with other chaos going on. For so long, I'd have to pace around and even then sometimes he would get distracted. Now it doesn't even really matter since I don't nurse throughout the day anymore.
Niko loves to crawl and pull up on stuff. He has stood independently for a few seconds a handful of times. Six teeth have poked through, minimal drama there. He says "mama" and "dada" for us, on top of lots of other babbling. He loves to hear his own echo ("AH! AH!") Today he seemed to be saying "ba ba ba" for book. Speaking of books, his favorite thing to do is pull all the books off the bookshelf over and over. He's very tolerant of Myra holding him, burping him, and a variety of other things he outgrew a while ago that she still enjoys doing. Sometimes he even enjoys it, too.
Saying Mama then thinking he's pretty funny.
Myra reading Niko his bedtime book.
Niko on his birthday!
We had a really fun dual birthday party. For the last three years we have basically kept it to our immediate families and godparents, but I still wasn't about to plan that twice in less than three weeks. And I didn't want to try and fit everyone in our house, so we found a great indoor playground nearby and it was a great time!
Attempts at a group photo...
I'm so excited to see what the next year brings. Trevor and I recently went through and watched a bunch of videos of Myra as a one year old and got all sentimental about some of the ways she used to pronounce things ("I Yuh You" for I love you), but it really does just keep getting better. I'm not one to rush through stages, but I will be excited when walking comes (crawling is not my favorite stage) and the morning nap goes away. Everyone is happier when we don't mess with our kids' sleep, but honoring naps can get pretty restricting. It won't last forever, I know, so I try to enjoy the quiet for now.
Niko fell asleep being rocked in ECFE sibling care
If you haven't met Niko, maybe you should. He's cheerful, fun, silly, and that big grin is contagious. Niko been the perfect addition to our family, slipped right in like he was always there just like so many people told me would happen.
I love you, buddy! We are so looking forward to getting to know you more.
AHH! The last one until a birthday post, where does the time go?? Niko is a busy guy, and continues to be a very happy baby! These photos are near impossible to get. He's fascinated by the stickers.
Niko is right around 22 pounds, maybe a bit over that. Growing well, still nursing like a champ (never nursed an 11 month old baby until yesterday, high five!). He loves food, too, especially meat - chicken, pork, ground beef, you name it. He is legit crawling now after spending quite some time doing this army crawl/worm thing. He pulls up on everything and just the other day he let go and stood independently for a few seconds. He has five teeth and it would appear he is working on his sixth right now. I am trying really hard to get him to attach to his swaddle blankets because man, having a lovey is so handy. At least he has his thumb!
He loves playing with anything he can get his hands on, particularly non-toys (mixing bowls, spatulas, index cards, the plastic case for my retainer, and SHOES - gross). ECFE starts back up today, looking forward to seeing him in that environment. Niko has such a fun personality and he usually thinks Myra is hilarious. She doesn't realize there isn't much of a weight difference between them, so when she tries to carry (drag) him around, it doesn't always end with smiles. Myra is a very kind and helpful big sister, always giving him his food or cup when he drops it and good about finding him a new toy when she takes the one he's playing with...
Niko nurses an average of 5, maybe 6, times a day and eats three meals a day. If he's awake when Myra gets a snack, he gets one, too. At this point, I'd say we're home free on breastfeeding and will definitely make it to a year. I have no intention to stop nursing him at a year unless he initiates that, but I think I'll create some boundaries and work towards nursing twice a day at wake up and bed time. I am getting really sick of my nursing-friendly wardrobe and would love to not need to pump while away (because I get away SO often - HA!). We recently night weaned him (post in the works about that). I'm grateful nursing has worked out for us, minus the epic thrush battles of 2015, and would love to keep providing the calories, nutrition, and especially immunity for a while longer. And, bonus, nursing has some very real benefits to me as well. While I don't see myself nursing for years to come, I feel like this is a good time to reference one of my favorite extended breastfeeding posts. So many people think it's bizarre to nurse a toddler, but when does it stop being normal and start being "weird"? On their first birthday? The day before? The day after? Two weeks later? I used to think if a baby could pull on your shirt in an attempt to get it themselves, that was too old, but I now know that happens when they're very much so still babies because babies are wild. Or, when a kid could ask for it, but lots of babies can sign milk very young, too. And they "ask for it" from day one by crying, so that's silly. Anyway, there's my rambling for the day.
Don't be alarmed, I nursed here by choice. We were at MOA for the morning and I was changing Niko's diaper then he needed to eat. He gets so distracted, there was no way he'd nurse at Camp Snoopy (or whatever it's called now). I know MOA has quiet, nice lounge rooms for this, but I'm far too lazy to walk that far to feed him (which takes 5-10 minutes itself). So, here we are!
Niko and Godfather Nick
I keep meaning to get my hands on Trevor's baby photos, but here is one of mine:
A year ago we were so anxious to meet our baby, so nervous if baby would come when Trevor was home or not...before or after Myra's birthday? So much has happened in the last year and I can't believe less than a month from now he'll be a one year old! It's been an honor to be Niko's parents and get to know him and we can't wait for more. Gotta run, I'm sure something around here needs cleaning (myself??)!
I missed a nine month post, Niko turned 10 months on December 11, and I am already procrastinating this one in the name of waiting until I "really have time to sit down and write it." #thingsthatwillneverhappen So, here goes a speed post. Photos first because I accidentally did it that way and I'm too lazy to redo it.
So proud of himself
Pulling up in the crib that has since been lowered
Children's Museum
Children's Museum
He crosses his fingers while sucking his thumb
Chili
We all got slammed with a nasty cold
Sick baby
Spaghetti
Niko now has four teeth with a fifth on the way. He is completely mobile now, does this dolphin kick/worm thing to get around, though he can actually crawl, too. He is pulling up on anything and everything and we finally lowered his crib more so he can't flip himself out of it. We're making good progress with solid foods, he loves pizza, spaghetti, yogurt, and any of the melty baby treats (puffs and the like). No concerns about FPIES or allergies, though we haven't given him peanuts yet (no specific reason, just hasn't happened, maybe tomorrow!). He's starting to figure out sippy cups and straw cups, but they're mostly fun to bang around. "Dada" was first, but "Mama" is his new favorite. He dolphin kicks his way to me and climbs on me while repeating "MAMAMAMAMAMA." I haven't weighed him, but maybe I will tomorrow and edit this for posterity. At his 9 month check up, he was 21.5 pounds (80%ile) and 28.8 inches (70%ile)...with a 18.5 inch head (93.5%ile). As amazing as my memory is, no, I did not remember that. I just looked it up on our clinic portal. He's in 18 month clothes, some 24 month, and growing quickly. Still the happiest baby ever, Niko is a big, jolly fella who smiles with his whole face. The ladies who watch Niko at Myra's school during her class know when he's ready for a nap because he simply stops smiling so much.
Niko usually thinks Myra is great. She likes to stretch him and roll him over, neither of which he actually needs assistance doing. They make each other laugh and she's a little protective of "her" things, but very good about giving him something else instead so he doesn't usually mind. Rowdy is getting a lot more attention from Niko these days, now that he can follow him around.
I'm sure I could add plenty more, but this will have to do!
Gone are the days of baby not realizing there's a giant sticker on his shirt.
Niko hit 8 months on October 11, so all of this is as of that date even though I'm a little behind. He is 21 pounds and wearing size 18 month clothes for most things, some 12 month stuff. The 8 month mark was a big day for Niko. His first two teeth poked through (his mandibular central incisors, to be specific...since that's how we talk around here now).
OK, I fibbed, this photo was taken on October 17.
I was letting Niko air out his bum by doing some naked time on a blanket. He pooped and before I realized it was poop and not a fart, he ate some. Excellent! So, he got a bath, a diaper, and some clothes. After that, he pushed himself into a seated position from tummy time--another first. The grand finale of the day was when he barfed a little, twice, at bedtime. As it turns out, poop does not agree with him. Imagine that.
Niko is doing well with solid foods, still going slowly but we are almost through enough 'risky' foods to set him free and stop being so cautious. He seems fine with grains and dairy. We'll be careful through soy, eggs, and peanuts then relax.
He still wakes to nurse at night, usually "only" twice. I blame how distracted he gets while nursing during the day and the fact that he's not actually ingesting much for solids yet. Though I'm not totally convinced the latter has much to do with it.
Still the happiest baby in the history of the world, still Myra's most favorite little brother ever, still adores his big sister.
And, the best part, photos of Niko at 8 months old.
Here are a bunch of photos of stuff we have been up to lately. We're getting back into a good routine and I'm trying to work blogging into it, too. (Broken record, I know)
Trevor's Guard unit's family picnic
Trevor's Guard unit's family picnic
Trevor's Guard unit's family picnic
Trevor's Guard unit's family picnic
Being adorable
Babywearing and borrowing friend's wraps
Ed Sheeran / Christina Perri concert
Check up time!
Thinking she's cool at Gampa's office
First day at her new school (ECFE)!
Trevor's White Coat Ceremony
Trevor's White Coat Ceremony
Snoozin through the White Coat Ceremony
Take a guess...
I LOVE WATER IN ALL FORMS, even cold+rain
Playing at the park with friends
Sleeping at school
Exploring the nature center
*My* great aunt and uncle (so Myra and Niko's great-great) came to visit
More playing with friends (they really were there, just not in the photos...)
Dental school buddies
Dinosaurs! (Check out those baby thighs)
Myra's first sleeve
Apple orchard, they just went for the wagon ride
"I'm driving the combine!" Close...
7.5 months old and I can finally sit on my own!
Local brewstillery had a fun event last weekend, went with my dad and a friend of his
There, all caught up. Part of my problem with blogging is that I get overwhelmed when I get too far behind. That's when these photo dump posts usually happen as a cheater way to play catch up.
