1 Year Old, A Reflection

I can't believe that next week will mark Rowan's 1st birthday. It seems like it was just yesterday that we were anxiously awaiting his arrival. Little did I know I would end up being 10 days late. I started contractions on Christmas Eve and FINALLY Rowan decided to make an appearance on Boxing Day (The day after Christmas). THUS ended the WORST Christmas EVER! I am very much looking forward to this Christmas and not being in labour during one of my favorite holidays.

Here is my sweet husband painting my toes a few days before Christmas.

We have had a busy year to say the least. Trips we made with Rowan:

1. St. Croix USVI
2. Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Montenegro 
3. New York/ North Carolina (and Canada for a day)
4. California

He is a well traveled baby. 1 yr and has seen 6 countries. 

Additional Trips Raymond made:

1. Rome
2. Vienna

I'm still in the mindset that I never want to travel anywhere ever again, but I know we'll be back in the States in September/October for dear friends' weddings. I'm sure by then I'll have the travel itch once again. I'm going to write a separate blog on traveling with an infant. I'm pretty sure I'm an expert by now. 

Now on the sweet, sweet Baby Rowan... or is it Toddler Rowan? When does that switch? He's been toddling around since 9 months... I'm so confused. I think I'll start calling him a toddler when the drama bombs start dropping in full force.

Rowan is an observer. He will walk to the middle of a room and watch everyone. He's very intrigued by older kids and will follow his cousins around anywhere! 

When people meet Rowan, we always hear, "Is he always like this?".  The answer is YES. He's a dream baby. He can entertain himself, he's super sweet and smiley, and he isn't much for screaming in public. He can fall asleep pretty much anywhere so we can stay as late at friends' houses as we want. He has more or less slept through the night since he was 8 weeks old. 

We have family that assure us that when we have more kids they will NEVER be as good as Rowan. I'm hoping they are wrong but will brace myself non the less. 

Rowan LOVES:

Dancing/Music

Anything with Wheels

The Washing Machine

Climbing

Playing Chase

Playing Pee-Pie

I can't believe how much joy he has brought to our family. I don't remember how I filled my time before he arrived. Being a parent is so awesome, and I am so grateful and blessed that God entrusted us with this sweet little boy.

3 Months: Ahead and Behind

I though I needed to write down what Rowan has been up to in order to remember and also to share his development with friends and family!

Things Rowan enjoys:

• Playing with Mr Cow and his bear named Hamish
• He's obsessed with his play mat/baby gym 
• An off brand Johnny Jump-up called Tippie Toes. 
• Standing
• Smiling in the mornings
• Grabbing his toes
• Kisses on his tummy (See Video Below)

At 3 months and 5 days Rowan accidentally rolled from back to front. Then, deciding it was so terrible (he mostly hated being on his tummy), he spend the rest of the afternoon practising this new trick screaming the whole way through.  Now I realise that babies are suppose to roll from front to back first but no one explained this to him. He does it all the time now and he's even started to nap on his tummy, on occasion. I once found him on his belly with his feet curled up underneath him, butt in the air. He's pretty cute.

This is the part of the blog where Rowan is ahead of the curve. He's so active. HATES to be laying down unless he's sleeping or on his play mat. The rest of the time if you aren't helping him stand he is NOT happy about it. (save me the lecture on how standing this early is bad for him)

Behind:

Rowan's weight is still a problem. The medication for his throwing up has helped but his weight just isn't improving. We thought things were getting better but at the last weigh in he dropped back down to the 9th percentile. When he was born he was in the 75th. He looks so dang skinny because of how crazy long this little bugger is. He's in the 91st percentile for length. Still looks like a lollipop. We had a Pediactric appointment on Tuesday and they have put him on another medication that will hopefully help his pain.

Rowan's first time swimming with his Aunt La

Rowan did so good in St. Croix. The 24 and 27 hr travel days going and coming back were rough but he was a total trooper. I love this kid.

First Beach Trip

He makes me so happy!

Later Days

Oh Snaps, no really, so many SNAPS

Guess what? We had a BABY! haha 

I haven't blogged in forever, mainly because I've been busy with other things. *GASP* Like figuring out how on earth I'm suppose to stop Rowan from putting his feet in his poop while changing his diaper. 

I think I've got this small task figured out but Raymond won't kiss Rowan's little feet for fear of Poop in Mouth. It doesn't sway this Mom though! Those feet are just too scrumptious to pass up, though I do have to double check before giving them kisses. 

Poop free? OKAY let the kissing commence! 

Rowan and I both have colds. Nothing is sadder than a little 3 month old with a stuffy nose and a cough. The sneezes are hysterical. He sneezes with his entire body, hands and feet go flying! 

Can we just talk about Snaps for a second. I have never snapped so much in my entire life. Almost all his clothes are snaps and his diapers are snaps! I can even tell you the different kinds of snaps and which I prefer! ha I've turned into a snap connoisseur. One of the many joys of motherhood. 

BUT honestly. I LOVE IT. Being a mom is so flippin' awesome and so much fun. I talk and sing to him all day long and I get to dress him up! Poor kid. If I put him in something that I don't like I take his clothes off and start again. Sometimes he's not too happy about this but he gets over it when he sees how awesome he looks. :) 

Rowan Scott Clyde Morehouse UPDATE: 

Rowan is 13 weeks old and one day

He enjoys playing in his baby gym (jungle themed) staring at his fingers and trying to shove his entire hand in his mouth. He LOVES music and I'm really getting sick of his favorite song: Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. It soothes him within seconds. He really loves to stand and hates being held like a baby unless he's on the verge of sleep. 

Rowan is having a hard time gaining weight and has been diagnosed with Reflux. Man can that kid barf! 

He went from the 75th percentile to the 9th and is slowly climbing his way back up the charts. He is however in the 91st percentile for height so he looks like a cute Lollipop, big ol' head SKINNY long body. He has HUGE hands and feet and LONG LONG legs like me his great granddaddy he was named after Clyde Wood. 

I'm starting to work on a blog about my last month of pregnancy and the few weeks after. Get ready for that roller coaster ride.

Later days