The time has finally come….I’ve oficially used up my last monthly tie because my baby turned 1 year on Sunday! (I’ll do a separate  Part 1 Birthday post tomorrow…part 2 will follow after his party this weekend)

It’s a bittersweet moment for me, and hard to believe that he is no longer my little baby, but he has now oficially entered the toddler era.  Some say that they don’t consider their kids toddlers until they are at least walking (which G is not doing alone yet) but other websites consider them to be toddlers once they’ve reached the 1 year mark.  Either way, this has been the best, most challenging, but also the most incredible year of my life, and I am so proud of my little man.  He’s taught his Dad and I so much about life and we are thrilled to be his parents!

G had his 1 year check-up yesterday complete with 4 shots and a finger prick!!  Poor little guy, he was a tropper although he really hates being poked and prodded (don’t we all!)

Here are his 12 months stats!!

• Height: 33.5 inches (>97%)
• Weight: 22 lbs 14 oz (50%)
• Head Circumference: 47cm (75%)

Our Pediatrician always tells us what a Good Job we’re doing whenver we see him, which is reassuring coming from a Dr.  He’s given us the go ahead to wean G off of all bottles (which we have pretty much done already)  He gets a sippy cup of whole milk in the morning when he wakes up (about 5oz) before his morning and afternoon naps (about 4oz each time) and a bottle before bed (about 6-7oz)  So total, he gets around 20 oz of milk per day along with his 3 meals and a snack (water with all of these)  Our Pediatrician says he should be getting between 10-20 oz of milk each day so I guess we’re doing alright.  If he doesn’t want all of his milk, he won’t drink it, and his eating habits have stayed strong, so we’re going to continue on the higher end of the milk/per day with the hopes that all the calcium will give him the strenth to be able to walk unassisted sooner rather than later.

• He has no problem walking and actually prefers it as long as he has something or someone’s finger to hold on to while doing it.  I think he’s just a little bit scared, and I’m sure he will get it on his own soon enough

• He’s still pulling up on everything, and cruising along furniture all of the time

• He’s learned with just a small hand signal from me that he has to turn himself around before safely going down the stairs

• If he doesn’t like the way something feels on his knees he will bear crawl his way across it

• Hes likes to take things off or out of something and then put them back on or in, and constantly finds things to do this with

• He’s a great eater, and drinker
• Wears size 12-18 month clothes
• Size 6 shoes
• Size 3 or 4 diaper
• Loves to be outside

• Specifically with his doggies

• Still has 8 teeth and I think some of his molars are starting to work their way in
• He smiles, laughs and giggles all of the time, especially when Daddy throws him up in the air and catches him

It’s hard to believe that in just 12 short months, he has gone from this…

To this…

Garrett…you are the best thing that has ever happened to your Dad and I.  We couldn’t be happier or feel more lucky that we were the ones chosen to be your parents.  Everything about you is infectious….I can’t help but stare in wonder of all of the things you do.  Your giggles make my heart smile, and your smile will light up an entire room!  You continue to amaze us every day of our lives and we are so proud of the little person you have already become.

Thank you for giving our lives a purpose, you are the best and most handsome little man in this entire world, and we love you more than you will ever know!