PKB: Month 12

1 year. 12 months. 52 weeks. 365 days. 8,760 hours. 525,600 minutes. 31,536,000 seconds. You've come a long way, Baby!

It still blows my mind that our "sign days" have come to an end. *Sigh.*

I'm not at all surprised that this past month has flown like the eleven that came before it. Here's what you have to show for it:

• You are not yet walking. I suspect we may not have to wait too much longer to see you take those exciting first steps; however, since crawling and cruising get you around so quickly, I know there's a good chance you'll put off walking and stick to what works for you for now! You really enjoy pushing your shopping cart and Winnie the Pooh car around our living room and kitchen. You stood on your own for several seconds (on accident) for the first time on 9/30, and since then have repeated your "trick" a handful of times, always while busy playing. 

• You have become a pro at climbing our stairs, and though you are usually supervised, I'd be lying if I didn't admit that you've snuck up solo -- and made it all the way with no problem -- several times. I'm so happy that you've caught on to how to come down safely on your tummy. Normally I get you started by turning you around at the top, and then you just scoot on down one step at a time (to the sound of me cheering, of course). A couple of weeks ago, I was surprised to watch you turn yourself around and descend with zero assistance. You're getting to be quite the independent kiddo!

• You are now drinking around 18-20 ounces every day, split up between breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime. This past week, I started mixing a couple of ounces of whole milk in with your formula; I'll continue to serve up this cocktail until your 1-year checkup the week after next, when we'll hopefully get the okay to move to 100% milk. We've nixed the bottle, and I'm proud to say you've even branched out from beloved Munchkin and are willing to drink from the same Gerber sippy as Kaiser. Considering how vehemently opposed you were to other cups in the past, that's progress!

• Eating is still not really your #1 priority, but we're doing what we can to offer you nutritious foods that also are high in the calorie department. You seem to very much dislike meat and eggs; fortunately, you are willing to eat beans, so I am able to get some protein in that body of yours. Last week I also took the plunge and gave you a peanut butter sandwich for the first time; it was a HUGE hit! I'm excited to have another lunchtime option for you. You're good with most fruits (kiwi is a definite fave) and veggies are hit or miss (avocado, peas, and zucchini are at the top of your list). If you don't care for a food, you are not afraid to spit it out immediately. (This is so foreign to me, as your Big Brother loved/loves everything and only ever rejected spinach!) When you want to be, you are about as hard-headed as they come, and no amount of convincing will get you to do/eat something you don't want to!

• Along those lines, you, my man, are possibly the MESSIEST eater in the history of babes. In addition to the food that comes back out of your mouth, you tend to smear anything smushy or liquidy all over your highchair, your chest, and even in your hair. (In your defense, this hasn't been entirely intentional; it usually happened when your helmet was removed and your head was feeling particularly itchy!)

• Last week, we said goodbye to full-time helmet wear and also bid farewell to quite a bit of your long blonde hair! I'm not the only one who's diggin' your new, cleaner look; you've received countless compliments from family, friends, and strangers. We have also gotten many questions as to where you get your towheaded-ness. Without a doubt, you have none other than this guy to thank.

• You still keep a good sleep schedule, although I've been wondering lately when you'll decide to drop your morning nap. Some days you fall asleep immediately, some days you squawk for a while and then finally crash, and some days you completely boycott it. You always get solid rest in the afternoons from 2:00 to around 4:30 or 5:00. Bedtime for you is between 7:30 and 7:45pm, and your day starts between those same hours in the morn. I'm ever-thankful for how sweet and smiley you are when I lay you down and when you wake up!

• You're chugging along in the tooth department, with the appearance of #6 (upper left lateral incisor) on 10/1. I'm trying my best to keep your lovely chompers white by scrubbing them with baking soda periodically (gag!), as your twice daily iron supplements keep trying to turn them gray on us. 

• You battled your first bad infection this month. :( After three weeks of persistent cough and nasty congestion, I finally took you in to see the pediatrician, where you were diagnosed with acute sinusitis and prescribed Amoxicillin to treat it. Fortunately, the meds worked their magic, and you were completely cleared up within just a few days! Hallelujah!

• Let's face it: You are a LOUDMOUTH. Well, maybe not all the time, but you are continuing to find your voice, and strive your best to make it known. Throughout the day, we hear many shrieks of excitement, shouts of protest, and random strings of boisterous jibber-jabber. Still no discernible words, but I've told your daddy on many occasions that when you are able to speak intelligibly, you're going to let me have it! With all of the hilarious facial expressions that accompany your noisiness, I can't wait to hear what's on your mind. :)

• You are a musical fella and still enjoy banging on the piano or the drum. You've also recently started to "dance", which at this point basically consists of you holding on to the couch, a chair, or the fridge and bouncing up and down on your knees. Oh, and we can't forget the adorable head-shake you do when especially moved by Mommy's vocal talent!

• As much as you love music and a beat, one would think you'd be clapping by now. I am trying my darndest to convince/teach you to do so, thus far to no avail! You think it's hilarious when Mommy, Daddy, or Kaiser do it, but when we ask you to clap your hands, you just grin and flap your right arm up and down.

• I would like to imagine that Mommy is the coolest person in your one-year-old world, but I'm quite certain that title is firmly held by your brother. Kaiser is your playmate, your idol, your entertainer, your very best friend. When he laughs, you laugh. Wherever he is, you want to be. Whatever he's doing, you want to do. Lately you've taken to literally pulling up on and crawling on top of Big Bro to let him know that you want in on the action. Of course, there are times when this intense love and admiration leave Kaiser feeling a bit overwhelmed and -- dare I say it? -- annoyed. For instance, when he's trying to clean up his toys, and you race over to dump out the tub of trucks or pull all of the puzzle pieces out of the box, I can't blame him for getting frustrated. (As an older sister myself, I know that this comes with the territory of having a younger sibling!) Fortunately, the sweet moments far outweigh the sour.

• You absolutely love books. Your face just lights up when I carry you toward the bookshelf that hangs on your bedroom wall, and you grab onto its rails and hang on tight! You love to listen to Mommy read, but are somewhat impatient and really just want to get your hands on the pages and flip them. So, often I just set you on the floor with an assortment of board books, and you are perfectly happy to explore. At this time, your favorites are Goodnight Moon (which we read every night before bed), I See a Monster, Bathtime Peek-a-Boo!, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

• You seem to be getting more and more attached to Ziggy, the tiger blankie with which you sleep. When I hand him to you right before laying you down in your crib, you smile big, grab him tight, and immediately stick him in your mouth (just like Kaiser did/does with Buster). Unfortunately, beloved Ziggy also gets the brunt of your frustration when you wake up and are ready to get out of bed; I've found him thrown onto the floor many times when coming to fetch you first thing in the morning and after naptimes. Poor Lovey.

• You are doing such a great job growing, Buddy! Love, love that belly of yours. You're still not all that tall, but you are finally starting to legitimately fit into some of your 12 month clothes. Hooray! You are wearing size 3 diapers all the time now, but I may start putting you in a size 4 at nighttime soon.

I've posted a boatload of cute Porter pics this past month. Here are just a few more:

"Busy learning here."

"Beans, beans, they're good for your heart..."

Handing the mic over to Mommy.

PKB, I could go on and on about just how fantastic you are, how proud of you we are, how loved you are, how big of a blessing you are. But I've done that...and will undoubtedly continue to do that in the months (and years) to come. Tons of hugs and kisses to you, Stinker.