Tatum Beau: 18 Months

Months 16, 17, 18... Tatum hit 18 months almost two weeks ago on April 16th... I can't believe my little guy is a year and a half! This is such a fun age, he's in such toddler mode and turning into a little boy instead of a baby.

Height, Weight & Health:
Tatum had a great 18 month checkup - about two weeks late.  He weighed in at 24 pounds, 12 ounces (55th percentile) and is 2 feet, 8 inches tall (25th percentile).

He had some bad eczema on his stomach, back and upper legs but we got in under control quickly with some cream.  We then finally thought it was an allergic reaction and went to the doctor but he just had a few bad flare ups and we got a steroid cream for in case it happens again (of course it hasn't, ha!)

After our trip to Florida he came home with a little cold (17 months) and had a pretty bad diaper rash right around when he hit 18 months but other than that he had a good few months!

Clothes:
To start he was in 18 month pajamas right away and still mostly in 12 month outfits with a few 18 months mixed in.  He spent most of these months in 12 months but we switched to 18 month recently even though a little bit.  He's still growing into the 18-24 months but hopefully he grows quickly since the seasons are changing!

Sleep:
Now that we're back on track after the Christmas break and being sick right after (15 months), he's been doing really well sleeping at night - usually goes down pretty well, sometimes needs a little extra rocking and sleeps about 8pm until 7-7:30am.  Since he's getting about 11+ hours overnight, his naps are sometimes shorter the doctor said.

At 15 months we got back into one nap - to get back into it, he'd usually need about a 20-30 minute catnap or quiet time in the morning and then anywhere from an hour to two hour afternoon nap.  Some days he'd just do a nap around 12:30 if we were home.

By the start of 16 months we were back into a good nap routine - Whatever morning activity we'd do, I'd try to be home by 11 or a little after so he didn't fall asleep in the car.  Lunch and then up to nap between 12-1 for a two to three hour nap.  The earlier he went down, usually the longer he napped.  If we were out longer in the morning (like days my mom watched him) he'd fall asleep on the way home and cuddle with me for a big longer before transferring into his crib.

17 months.. his naps are only about an hour 15 minutes to two hours (only will be three hours if he finishes the nap on our lap) - the doctor said this is because he sleeps so well/much at night.  He doesn't always want/need to be rocked to sleep before nap - we stopped his bottle right before 17 months and he's getting into the routine of being put into his crib, laying there for a bit then falling asleep on his own!

We've gotten into a solid bedtime routine each night - we usually go up anywhere between 7-7:30 to get it started - bath, lotion on his dry skin, pj's on and read a book, bottle and into the crib to sleep!  He usually sleeps until anywhere between 6:45 - 8:15/30.  It's usually close to a 7:30 wakeup though.

A couple weeks before 18 months we stopped the bottle completely - a big accomplishment for all because Tatum really counted on that for bedtime - we just eased up on it and within about a week he was able to just be rocked a few times and then learned how to put himself to sleep in the crib - hallelujah!!

Feeding:
Loves food!  Within the past few weeks we've stopped cutting his food up so small and let him bite into things - we are still working on the use of the fork!

Favorite Foods: Avacado, Grilled Cheese, Meatballs, Pizza, Any Type of Fruit, Any Type of Crackers, Graham Crackers, Pirate's Booty, Yogurt, Spinach Pouches, Etc.

Schedule:
Daily:  He used to be up just before 8am each day but as we got closer to 18 months it slowly got early and he's usually waking up at 6:45ish.  He usually lays in bed with us until about 7:30/45 and we come down for breakfast at 8.  The morning is spent at the gym usually or with my mom/the babysitter if I'm at the office.  Lunch is usually close to 11 and nap by noon.  He's up anywhere from 1:45 - 3 depending when he went down and the afternoon is spent playing or doing misc. activities.  He usually eats dinner between 5-6pm (unless on the weekend then usually later - he goes with the flow well) and bed is between 7-8pm, usually on the earlier side!

Weekly: We've tried to better structure our weeks so he has activity each day.  Usually three days a week he'll come to the gym with me to play at the daycare there.  One day he has a babysitter come and one morning he goes to my mom's house so I can go to the office on those days.  We also add in library, misc. activities out of the house and tons of playing.

Likes:
Golf clubs!  After always grabbing for real ones he now has a little set and will play with it endlessly.

Points if he wants a toy, snack or to go to a certain place or room (15 months).

Being outside!  He cries when it's time to come in and always points to the door to go outside.

Saying "no" and he means it.

Running - he could do a little better with his direction though!

Laughing - he has a few tickle spots and will just laugh so hard.

Playing with Stella - he looks to see if she's following him, takes her toy and throws it to her, hands her treats and pretends to feed her.

Learning:
How to use a spoon/fork - he likes to hold it during a meal now and occasionally picks up a piece of food on it or uses his hand to then take it off the fork.  Can use a spoon for ice cream though! (15 months)

His two new tricks - if we say "high five" and hold our hand up, he runs over to give us a high five.  Also if we say "cheers" and hold our cups out he'll reach his sippy cup out for a cheers.

Climbing onto/into things... Anything... All the time.  He knows how to turn around to go down just a few steps - not a whole staircase.  At 17 months he figured out how to go down the whole flight of steps and loves to.

He's snacking more instead of as many bottles - always has at least one or two morning and afternoon snacks - favorites are goldfish, graham crackers, crunchies and pouches.  He's also drinking out of a straw on occasion. (By 18 months loves the straw and no more bottles!)

Tatum likes flipping the pages of books, throwing balls, dancing to music, he's colored for the first time.

17 months... "Big hug" with our arms out and he runs over for a hug, asking him "Where's your belly button?" and he lifts his shirt, looks for it and points, and a trick with Daddy - "Fist bump"

Dislikes/Setbacks:
He had some sleep regression when he was sick - Didn't always sleep through the night, cried when being put to bed and wanted to nap with one of us.  Once we got passed all the sicknesses we really worked on his routine to get back on track (15 months).

He is totally in a hissy fit phase - if you take something he wants, he doesn't get his way, etc.  he'll go limp and just scream and throw himself down (15 months). Tantrums!!

At about 16/17 months he learned to pick his nose but luckily doesn't do it too often!

Milestones:
Not saying a ton of words but a new one is "uh oh" to go with his other two favorites - daddy and NO. Tries to say Thank you and uses noises and pointing a lot.

He had a double ear infection after his bad cold and stomach bug (15 months) and hated the medicine but after about 30 hours on it - he was already feeling much better.  He took amoxicillin twice a day for 10 days - a lot of times mixed into his yogurt so he didn't scream.

He had his first haircut and sat pretty well until he got a little squirmy and whiny at the end (15 months).  He had his second haircut just before 18 months and did really well!

Places:
We took Tatum back to Palm Beach for our annual winter getaway (15 months).  He loved swimming in the pool, eating every meal... along with dessert and really enjoyed the playground.  He also went back in April a couple weeks before he turned a year and a half.

He made a trip down to Washington, DC to see our friends - it was very cold out so he didn't see any of the landmarks but had fun visiting and got asked to be the Ring Bearer in their wedding.

He had tons of birthday parties the past few months and loved all the activity from a gym, to a play center to chasing after kids at home.

He spent two weekends at Lovie and Poppy's while Derek and I had events to attend out of town.

Favorites:
His miniature Mickey mouse & friends stuffed animals - Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto.

A Day in the Life (16 months)

I haven't done one of these since around Tatum's first birthday and they are my favorite to remember and look back on our uneventful days but ones that I want to remember! We're into a pretty good weekly schedule for Tatum - he has a nanny one day, a morning at Lovie's, playing at the gym daycare usually three times a week, a library day and lots of playing at home.  We've really been working on his one nap and getting into a schedule on that so I try to make sure we're home by 11-11:30 for lunch so he can get down.

I picked this past Monday the 18th to follow along which was also President's Day which through our schedule off a little but Derek was home and we had family over for dinner which was fun!

Morning:
Tatum usually wakes up anywhere between 7-8am and today he was right in the middle at 7:30.  I always say I'm going to try to get up and get a few things done before he wakes but that rarely happens - especially on a Monday so like many days if he's up on the "early" side for him, I go grab him, change his diaper and let him lay in bed with me for a little bit - he looks like he's coming down with a cold so he shuts his eyes and settles right in.  He plays in our bathroom while I get ready.

Next up is the morning craze.  I get Tatum into his highchair and he has a very simple breakfast since I forgot to boil his eggs the day before (I put them on the stove while he eats) and he has a pouch, banana and some mini muffins.  I get Stella out and fed, tidy up the kitchen, unload the dishwasher, etc.

His playroom is attached to my office so he plays while I get a couple things organized then we head off to the gym for our morning activity.  Just about to leave and he has a rare accident, full new outfit goes on and we're out the door a little bit late.

I get him signed in at daycare (he happily runs in each time we arrive - I love peeking in on him when I get back to watch him play before he notices me) and make my way upstairs to get my workout in and watch New Girl on my phone.

Afternoon:
When we get home he plays with Derek for a few minutes since he's home today so I can jump in the shower and freshen up for the day (usually I'd just put a show on for him to watch in his crib).  I've been working on feeding him lunch earlier around 11:30 because we've noticed the earlier he goes down to nap the longer he'll sleep.  Grilled cheese, strawberries, yogurt and veggie sticks for Tatum and tomato soup for both Derek and I.

Just after noon we're upstairs to get ready for nap - a few sips of his bottle and he's asleep quickly today because of the cold I think.  He's down to just two bottles a day - one before nap and one before bedtime.

Now that he just does the one longer nap I try to make the most of that time.  I get done as much as possible but also try to make a point to relax on the couch and take a few minutes for me to relax too. I prep some things for dinner, flip the laundry then settle down in the office to work on a couple vacation tasks as well as Tatum's second year scrapbook - he was 16 months on the 16th so I update it each month with pictures and stats (I also try to do a little reading on his age each month too).  I also take the time to sign him up for a music class at the library this Thursday.  I take the last bit of his nap to relax on the couch for a bit.

Once he's up we cuddle for a little then it's playtime!  I do a few things on my iPad in the rocking chair in his playroom while he runs all over.  I think because of his cold he's a little more cuddly so we have some quiet time on the couch with Mickey and then a little family playtime before getting dinner together.

Evening:
Around 5 I started prepping things for chili - it's a far cry from our usual later dinners but we've grown to like it!  Derek comes in to help and Tatum watches a show on his iPad and has a snack.

We had family over for a chili night - we were suppose to do it Sunday night but had to swap for Monday.  Usually on a typical Monday night we'd eat early around Tatum's schedule - about 5:30 then have family playtime until time for getting ready for bed at 7pm - tonight he gets to stay up a little bit late.

Everyone came over around 5:30 and Tatum got the run of the house for playing and all the attention. We had two kinds of chili and all the toppings.  My mom helped put him to bed tonight - Into pajamas, read a book, bottle and off to sleep!  He had a bath last night so we skip that tonight.

Since it's Monday, after we got cleaned up I crawled onto the couch for The Bachelor - usually these days I'm up in bed somewhere in the 9pm hour so tonight was a little later for me.  Right when it's over it's up to bed for some reading and then I doze off!

Tatum Beau: 15 Months

Now that Tatum's past his first year I figured for the second year I'd just do these posts every three months really just for my own memory!

 12 Months - End October

 13 Months - Early December 

14 Months - Christmas Day

Height, Weight & Health:
At his 15 month appointment he weighed 21 pounds, 12 ounces and was 30 inches  - his weight was down (34th percentile) since he'd been sick and his height was off we think because he'd either moved a lot at this appointment or the last one (10th percentile).  He also got three more shots at his appointment

Tatum was late with getting teeth but in addition to his bottom two his top four center teeth came in just about all at once between 12-13 months.  At 14-15 months his molars started coming in.

Clothes:
Tatum's wearing 12 month and 12-18 month clothing as well as size four diapers.

Sleep:
We're still doing two naps and depending what we have going on that day depends on which is longer. His morning nap is usually his more set at the same time each day and longer.  We tried doing one nap recently and while he did do a nice long nap he was cranky before and exhausted by dinner time (12 months).

At 13 months we started fighting the battle of one nap vs two.  Tatum wasn't always into two naps but not quite ready for one - it's been a progress to figure out our new schedule - occasionally he'll take one 3 hour or so long nap, some days it's two shorter naps and some days one average length nap (13 months).

When he was sick he got back into the habit of doing two naps... We'll see what next month brings!

Feeding:
Has learned to throw food from his tray and knows exactly what he's doing - he get's a little smirk as he drops a piece.  We've noticed at this age one day he'll love a food and one day not be into it - just hit or miss (12 months).

Perogies, Apple Cinnamon Donuts, Lasagna, Hamburger, Quesadilla and Mexican Rice, Hard Boiled Eggs, Goldfish, Chicken, Etc.

Schedule:
With the time change we usually do his bedtime routine earlier so he has his bottle right around 7 and falls asleep right after - some nights if we're out or have other things going on he does a little later and handles it well.  He's usually up a bit earlier now too anywhere from 6:30-7:30 in the morning (starting at 12 months).

Likes:
Really enjoys his bigger playsets that he got for his birthday from us/friends.  A little tikes food car and a little tikes garden play center (12 months).

Walking - everywhere!  He loves to grab toys to pickup and carry with him - big or small.  Waving to people.  We've been to a few events where he's gotten balloon animals and he loves them.

Playing in the pantry and mudroom.  Also climbing on anything he possibly can!  The vacuum cleaner and dust buster.

Has fun playing with his little people sets.  During the Christmas season he loved playing with one of Stella's Rudolph toys and the two would have so much fun stealing it from each other.

Ballon animals - we've been at a few events lately and he loves getting them and then playing with them (13 months).

Dislikes:
He had a big fall at his party party (12 months) and got a big bump and cut on his head but luckily the swelling went down quickly, a few nurses were at the party and said we were fine.

If he's walking/playing and doesn't want to be picked up - he'll let you know!

Doesn't always like wearing bibs.

Getting medicine and being sick.  He had a really bad cold and then the next week threw up twice and couldn't keep food down for the day (14 months).

He's started the stage of temper tantrums - if you take something he wanted, if he doesn't like something, etc (14 months).

Milestones:
Celebrated his second Halloween but his first that he could really partake in. (12 months)

Time to baby proof! He loves opening/shutting the cabinets, pulling things out, etc. (12 months)

Celebrated his second Thanksgiving and got his first taste of Thanksgiving food... and dessert (13 months).

Learned how to clap and is so proud of himself when he does it!  Claps when he does something right or fun, when something excites him, etc (13/14 months).

Celebrated his second Christmas - He loved opening presents and the wrapping paper, playing with everything and getting his first tastes of our traditional Christmas meal(s).

Had his first real sickness - a bad cold, throwing up, fever, etc.  He didn't have a big appetite and would only keep a few liquids down.  Spent an entire night not sleeping.

Started getting his molars in... the same time he was sick (14 months).

Places:
We visited Linvilla Farm to go to Pumpkinland, apple picking, seeing the animals and playing on the playground the week  before Halloween and he loved it all (12 months).

He made a few more visits up to State College to finish out the season. (12/13 months)

His first trip to Dallas and a visit to AT&T Stadium. (12 months).

He went to get his second Christmas tree, meet Santa, see Jack Frost at a local theater, a Santa parade, Brunch with Santa, and many more Christmas activities (13 months).

Tatum's first time to New York City (14 months).

He went to the mountains for a weekend with a few of his friends - his first time playing in the snow (14 months).

Favorites:
Little people, fisher price food truck, lil crunches, basketball hoop (12 months).

Step2 Christmas tree, little tikes rocking horse, paw patrol car, lil crunchies, throw away placemats (13/14 months).

Tatum's First Birthday

We did it - our little baby turned ONE on Tuesday! It was the best day - I cannot wait until his next birthday, Christmas, etc.  Even though he didn't get it, we had the best time celebrating him!  We started the day with balloons in his crib right when he woke up and we gave him one toy, a puzzle, which he loved.

*I can't even believe the amount of pictures I took in one day -- I'm hoping future birthdays I can tone it down, ha!*

Once we were up we went down to have breakfast and then went into see his toys!  We did some balloons which I want to do on all of his birthdays and we got an inflatable cake because I was looking for a tradition that we could do each year that he'd find fun and look forward to... and it was just that - so fun!  We kept the gift wrap on the toys easy to the opening could go fast and the playing could last longer.  Stella got a toy first because we don't want her to be left out and it kept her so happy the rest of the morning.

While Tatum took his morning nap I setup for his party that night with family and then the three of us went to lunch together and had the best time (and the best meal!)  We also went to the playground after and it was such fun. 

What's a first birthday without a few family photos?!  I had to get some with all four of us (including Stella)  as well as with the family that was there with us.

Like I've said before, Tatum loves ducks so when I found the duck toppers paired with party hats I knew we'd go cupcakes (cake will be for his birthday party) and he'd love it. I wanted classic birthday party decorations for him and was pleased with how it turned out and how easy it was! 

Tatum loves pasta so we got catering from a local favorite with many of his favorite foods and things that everyone else would like too!

He was more into opening gifts at night than he was in the morning, he'd reach into a bag and grab things out.  He was so pleased with himself and we were all so happy watching him.

We had a bunch of appetizers and then did presents while the dinner heated up.  We finished off with cupcakes and it was the first time we just let Tatum "go at it" and I'm pretty sure every one of us loved watching him attack that cupcake.  I think he loved it just as much

Tatum Beau: Twelve Months

Yesterday our little guy was a year old - I can't believe it!  We had so much fun celebrating yesterday - we had a fun day the three of us and then celebrated with family at night.  We'll have his first birthday party this weekend and we can't wait!  To think, last year on this day we were in our second day at the hospital and tomorrow we'd head home to start our new life!

Nicknames:
Tater Tot, Taters, Tay Tay, Tum Tum, TBS

Height/Weight/Health:
20 pounds, 29 inches

He has two teeth and is getting four more all right now.

Clothes:
He's in 12 month outfits and also some 6-12 that runs big or some 12-18 that runs a little bit smaller. Still in size 4 diapers.

Schedule:
The only real changes from last month are that his naps are a little earlier and he's going to bed/waking up a little bit earlier.

7:30: Wakeup (if up early, cuddles with Mom and Dad)

8am: Breakfast (fruit baby food and cheerios) then bottle on the couch

8:30am: Play time 

9:30/45am: Morning nap

Noon: Lunch (started the month with yogurt and puffs and now it can range from yogurt, a pouch, leftover noodles, fruit slices, ritz cracker, etc.)

*Afternoon Varies* Depending if we're home, at the office, running errands, etc.

2:30pm: Bottle and down for afternoon nap somewhere between here 

*play time once he wakes up*

6pm: Dinner (a pouch and a mix of foods)

*playing, etc.*

7:15: Head upstairs for bath time, getting ready for bed, bottle

7:30/45pm: Bedtime

Feedings:
He loves table food! Whenever we go out now we order for him on the menu so that's been really fun.  He gets so excited when he sees one of his favorites.

We've started adding a little bit of milk to his formula bottles to get him used to it.  Started with 7 ounces formula, 1 ounce milk and are slowly working on building up to all milk!

New tries this month... spaghetti and meatballs, chicken nuggets, fried zucchini, pizza, pancakes & eggs, fruit, casseroles or misc. things that we are having for dinner.

Favorites... mac n cheese, crackers, pouches, pizza

Sleep:
Sleeping well! He's been doing really great at night and usually spends about a half hour or hour falling back to sleep in our bed with us in the morning.

His morning nap is always great - afternoon nap the time can depend based on whatever we're doing - starting to consider working on just the one nap soon!

Activities:
Playing - lots of it.  He really is starting to more understand his toys and actually play -- putting the ball into the hole, putting blocks into the spot on his train, hammering on his tool bench, etc.

Loves stealing the dishtowels that I have hanging on the stove and dishwasher when he's either walking or riding in his walker. 

Has fun opening and shutting doors or flaps.

He loves waving hi and goodbye.

Likes:
Climbing up the steps, Playing outside in the fall weather, taking a few steps, holding his rubber ducks, riding in the shopping cart, laughing.

We've been letting him run outside in his walker this month now that it's not as hot and he seems to love that -- just him and plenty of space to go!

We just started watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and he loves it -- also likes to hold Mommy's phone on his own now to watch.

Dislikes:
Not too much at the moment.  Doesn't like being hungry, if you don't feed him fast enough and sometimes getting his diaper changed when he's tired, throws a little hissy fit if he doesn't like what's going on.

Milestones:
Took his first steps on September 20th!  Mom and Dad were both in the playroom watching him.  Ten days later on the 30th he started doing it repeatedly and much more but with help getting started from on of us or holding on to something to start. By the next week on October 7th he picked up more speed and could last longer with his walking before falling.  It just so happened all the walking milestones happened on Sundays. 

He can stand back up if he falls down - originally he'd need to climb up something for help.

Got measured for his first pair of real shoes... and started finally wearing them.

He seems to understand and stop when you say "NO!"

Adventures:

He had a stay in New Jersey for his aunt's wedding and the same weekend continued on up to Penn State for the Ohio State game - he watched from home with Lovie while everyone else went to the game.

He's mad a couple trips to pumpkin patches to get fall decorations. 

He went to his second Penn State game of the season - he does pretty well traveling in the car, usually with about less than an hour left he likes Mom to get in the backseat with him.

Other:
He had a little cold and cough for a few days this month but I guess we'll get used to that as we head into the colder months.

He crawls so fast now it's hard to keep up! He also is super speedy at climbing up the steps.

He loves to be holding a toy in one or both hands.

Twelve Month Favorites:
Lil crunchies, Yogurt pouches, Bath toys, camelbak water bottle & other sippy cups, 4moms highchair, ikea plates and bowls...