BJ's thoughts

Since turning one, BJ has had quite the streak of independence, although I suspect that it will last more than a streak!

So in the true sense of his independence, I've decided to let him blog for you what has been happenening lately at our house.

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(I'll have to help him with some spelling here).

So my mommy says since I'm one, I can help blog some too now. I'm really big you know! I can walk all over by myself, take only one nap a day, and can climb up and down the stairs myself!! Obviously, I'm a great typer and love to help mom and dad on the computer. Pretty soon I'm going to need my own email (and maybe a cell phone!!) I've been pretty busy since turning one. I went to the doctor a while ago and they said I couldn't eat some things- milk, cheese (which I love, bummer), eggs, and peanuts. They got this shot thing that they will give me if I mess up and eat what I'm not supposed to. Mommy is learning how to bake without eggs, and I really like what she has found! A few weeks ago I started coughing a lot and it was hard to breathe. My mom took me to my favorite doctor and PA and they said my oxygen was low. So my mommy and I got to go to this cool place- I thought it was a hotel cuz they had these people who parked our car for us, but my mommy said it was a hospital- like the one my mommy works in. They made me stay in a room without leaving for a long time without many toys and these funny people with masks and gowns kept coming in to check my oxygen. I guess it was low cuz they made me sleep in this metal cage overnight there and put these things in my nose. Now I really want to know how that helps- if I can't breath- why stick things up my nose? But the next day we got to go home as long as mommy put those things in my nose to help me breathe (Cassi's note: oxygen) at night at home. I guess it was kind of scary cuz mom spent a lot of time at home with me and had a sleepover with me in my room for almost a week! She said the doctors at the hospital called it adeno and rhino virus- how did I get rhino virus? I've never met one!?! But now, Mommy and Daddy decided with all my sicknesses that I should go to a different daycare. So now, I go to play with my friend Kirina (who is 6 days older than me, but she's not really bigger than me) and her mommy helps take care of us. I really like it- Mommy and Daddy say it is a blessing from God. Mommy and Daddy have been making my house even prettier with decorations for Christmas- which I haven't broken yet, but they are really sparkle-y. They say we get to go to visit Grammy and Papa and Grandpa and Grandma soon- and I really like them. Plus they live close to my cousin Anson, who I think is pretty cool- I hear he is working on crawling, so hopefully he is moving around by Christmas so we can play together. Anyway, Mommy said it is time for a nap-so I better go, just don't tell her I'm going to stay up and read in my crib instead!!

Love you guys,

Beej

Mommy and Me for Halloween, I was a lion, she was my trainer

Daddy and Me playing football, I catch good!

Mommy and Daddy at the Nebraska vs. Colorado game, GO BIG RED!

My favorite- cheerios!!

Talking to Elmo on my cell phone!

Swine Flu Birthday

BJ is officially one!! Crazy to think how time has flown! We spent Wed. night playing with his blocks- a new toy from Mommy and Daddy and had a family birthday party with both sets of grandparents on Saturday. But we did have an uninvited guest- BJ got H1N1 from daycare. We're pretty sure he's gotten every childhood illness possible these days from daycare! Poor guy. So the party was limited to adults- no cousins coming over to infect after he spiked a fever. What a memory for all of us. Luckily with a bit of Motrin he was fairly social!

BJ at one year

Nicknames: Beej, little man, stinker, lovebug, bug, Captain poopypants, bud, Stink, Little stink, baby boy (I'll have to stop that one), Mister, Babycakes
Weight & Height: 21.5 lbs (according to our scale) He had dropped about 2 lbs with his recent rotavirus and according to our doctor will probably stay in the 50% now for a while. I think height wise he was 29" last doc appt.
Hair: Blonde
Favorite foods: cheerios, any kind of meat, applesauce, eating fruit whole
Favorite toys: blocks, kitchen utensils, books, Diego car (he pushes it around and rides it), remotes, cups, and balls (any ball)
Favorite stuffed animal: doesn't really have one
Bedtime: 7 p.m.
Wake-up time: 6 a.m.
Naps:. down to one nap at 11:45 a.m.- at home around 2 hours, at daycare, it varies
Favorite person: definitely Mommy
Latest Accomplishment: walking, having milk in a sippy cup, moving to Toddler 1 room (from Infant 2) next week
Likes: playing with Mommy and Daddy, "reading", going for walks, "cooking", hiding balls, nursing, knocking over towers, "driving" the car (with Daddy into the garage)
Dislikes: his inhalers, having to go to bed, getting dropped off at daycare, doors/drawers that won't open, having daycare workers cheer him on walking
What gets said about BJ most often: how cute he is
Best known for:
Fears: suffocating with his inhaler?
Health: this year has been a rough one for BJ's health- with RSV, rotavirus, H1N1, ear infections, asthma, eczema, and allergies- we're hoping his immune system will be amazing when he gets to kindergarden
How he's like Daddy: he likes Mommy, has a mischevious grin at times, loves to "drive the car", mostly laid back personality (although that is changing)
How he's like Mommy: his coloring, his hugs

Playing blocks with Daddy

Finally- sugar!! Loved the frosting, spit out the cake

Opening presents with daddy

"I want you Mommy!"

Big Boy!!

BJ is growing up in leaps and bounds!! The quick update- he is feeling better- was finally diagnosed with Rotavirus (bad gastrointestinal virus) and an ear infection, but it doing much better. He has started drinking his milk during the day out of a sippy cup, is moving to one nap a day, and last night took 10 steps unassisted!! We are still practicing for the real thing, but it was pretty cool! Today he had his first big boy haircut!! Here are some pics. . .

Getting into the Halloween Spirit!

Eating an apple whole- "all by myself"

Before- "What is going on?"

After. . .

Later the same afternoon- after a 3 hour nap relaxed the hairspray- playing with the pumpkin!

Sick fam :(

Wow, I guess I did not blog in September- so sorry! The short update is that I had a very difficult last month at work- being on call and having some bad outcomes- namely having two fetal demises in one night- really rocked me a lot. Also, the thought of having one of those turn into a lawsuit has been really emotional for me. (Note: no lawsuit yet, just a really upset family with a mother of the patient blaming me). Needless to say we are very happy it is October!! I can't believe in just a few short weeks BJ will be 1! When did my baby grow up? We are planning a family party later this month to celebrate- it will be great!

We have also had a month of illness. 3 weeks ago BJ starting not wanting to eat many things-eating mostly bread or puffs. Then he had a day or 2 of a fever before he started into 2 weeks of diarrhea. He, for the most part, didn't know he was sick, but defintely had a decrease in his appetite. So when I took him for his follow up appointment last week at the pulmonologist, he was actually 1 lb down from his weight 2 months ago. Which means my cutie chunk of a baby has dropped below the 50th percentile for weight. There could be many reasons for this (his increased activity, being sick, etc.) but for someone who is supposed to gain weight each month it is a little concerning that he is down a lb since 2 months ago. Our doctors are somewhat concerned, and I am taking him in on Monday for a sweat test to rule out Cystic Fibrosis (a very minute possibility but one we should rule out). Then the day after I take BJ to the pulmonologist, the gastroenteritis (read:stomach flu) bug hit us all. It was nasty. I had to take Brandon to the ER for IV fluids and IV meds so he wouldn't faint, and then come home to take care of an 11 month old who doesn't understand vomiting. Did I say we were glad September was over? I think today we are mostly on the mend- although BJ is still refusing most foods- but loves saltines and Pedialyte.

Despite such a difficult month, he continues to be super mobile- loving to cruise on the furniture, and take 2 steps on his own before diving into a parent's arms! He loves to play with books, tupperware, phones/pagers/computers, and remotes (and anything that mom and dad have). He has mastered climbing up and down the stairs- although still needs supervision.

I am busy working on my resume for work (still) and hope to send it out this coming week to a few clinics- Aspen Family Care, Kaiser, and a handful of others.

Brandon's job has changed some- he now works in a different department at work, and is missing his old department- so we pray daily for interesting challenges to keep him intrigued at work!

That's probably enough of an update for now. BJ is sleeping so I need to get the things done that need to be done without little helper hands!

Brandon and I at a Rockies Game for date night!

One of BJ's favorite pasttimes- pulling all the books off the shelf to read!

Learning early not to give up the remote just because it is time to eat!

Playing with tupperware- again- on hat day!

Vacation!

Last week we were able to spend time as a family at the Lund Cabin in northern Minnesota. It was a much needed week of relaxation and family time. The weather was a bit cooler than we had hoped (Brandon and I actually skiied and kneeboarded in 58 degree weather) but we had a blast. We spent all week with my parents, sister, brother-in-law, and 5 month old nephew. BJ was very interested in playing with his cousin, Anson, but we kept a healthy distance most of the week since BJ had viral conjunctivitis- isn't daycare great?!? Despite the cooler weather the boys got to swim some. BJ really enjoyed it (unless it was too cold). He floated in his baby float, splashed in the water, made sand castles, rode with mommy on the tube behind the jetski, even drove the jetski with daddy. He loved the water, the great toys Grammy brought, and playing with mommy and daddy all week. The only down side was sleeping in a pack-n-play in our room all week, and the naps his terrible parents made him take (oh and the bath in strange colored water- it is red tinted up there in the iron range). We went on a few walks, played lots of cards at night, ate well, and had a great time. I even read a great book during the week- Into Thin Air- thanks to Miranda and Jason for recommending it! After our great week off, it was tough to get back into the swing of things- especially having to go back to daycare. It seems separation anxiety has hit in full force, but BJ has survived! We'll see how it goes when mommy starts back on inpatient service and has nights she doesn't come home starting next week.

BJ hamming it up for the camera on daycare's "Hat Day"

Getting in his life jacket for the jetski

Anson under mosquito netting for his walk- his hat was a little small.

BJ on his walk- he doesn't look too thrilled, but he liked it

BJ, Anson, Daddy, and Grammy at the lake

Driving the Jetski with Daddy

Pulmonologist

So after 11 weeks of waiting, we finally made it to the pulmonologist. After a very long visit (right in the middle of naptime), we left with her recommendations. It seems the pulmicort that we have been giving BJ is immediately aerosolized and really doesn't do well as a "blow-by" medicine we had been doing it as at home. And although it is really impossible to objectiviely diagnose asthma or reactive airways disease in someone his age, his history gave at least a few clues that he may be in the early stages of that. So she has switched him over to another inhaled steroid- Flovent and albuterol in inhaler form. We started that shortly after his visit, but will take a few weeks for it to take full effect.

Our other "trial" at this time in BJ's life is the fight with naps- not that he fights naps- which is fairly typical at his age, but that daycare doesn't think he needs as many naps as he seems to require at home, and he hasbeen coming home exhausted many days. So we've moved up his bedtime, and they've moved his crib- and we've yet to see how it has improved, but we are hoping. As I write this it is 7:11 a.m. and he is almost asleep in his highchair- but daycare insists that he doesn't need an early morning nap. Maybe he is just more interactive there because there is so much to do. I'm not sure. We're trying to keep his schedule the same both places, but struggle with a tired boy. We'll keep you updated on the nap drama.

In other milestones- BJ s crawling everywhere, pulling himself to stand and even cruising some. He loves "walking" with Mommy and Daddy (when you hold his hands and he walks). And he has been working more on finger foods for meals. We're all anxiously awaiting vacation in 1 week at the family cabin in Minnesota- so fun!

He has become quite the Momma's boy- wanting me whenever he can get me, but is still quite social and only throws a mini fit if I hand him to someone else. But after a minute or so, decides that person can't be to bad and starts to play.

His favorite food by far at the moment are "puffs"- which Brandon pointed out probably have the most sugar of anything he gets- since everything else is fresh veggies, fruits, or lean meats. I'm trying to encourage healthy eating here- so he will likely not get any cake at the b-day party today. Brandon said he was okay with that for now- but doesn't want him to be the kid who has to bring carrots to the party because his mom won't let him have cake. Don't worry, later on, sugar in moderation will be okay. (Maybe after he is one?) But Brandon let him know that I will probably not let him have Mountain Dew until he is in college. I'm still debating on that one:)

We've also had his 9 month well child check- his stats- 21 lbs 15 oz for weight (75%), 25.5 in for length (90%) and I think 18.5 for head (off the chart).

In our lives- Brandon won employee of the month in June and received an extra day of vacation (to use in Nov. for hunting). Also, he had one of his biggest months in July as far as revenue goes for CH Robinson. I've finished my first month of call out of 3 for the year. Now, I'm working on my CV and cover letter to send out to potential employers. My #1 pick at the moment has an opening and will be planning on hiring someone by Dec., but I want to check out a few places also. Anyway, I know I should really blog more often and shorter posts- life with a kiddo can be busy sometimes!! We take what we can get!

With Daddy at mud volleyball

Chowing down on Mommy's apple

My punk rocker for crazy hair day! His outfit says mommy and daddy rock!

Milestones

BJ has been busy meeting lots of milestones recently. We are quickly learning that we need to babyproof even more as BJ has started crawling!! I thought we had things pretty good until I found him on the 2nd step the other day- time for a gate!! He started July 4th weekend and has been speeding up ever since. The same weekend he pulled himself up to stand and has found he loves to stand and play. He just is still working on being able to get down! He is working on his 6th tooth, and just the other day figured out how to pick up a puff (cheerio like thing for those without little kids) and put it in his mouth. He gets about 50% in, the rest in his lap, on the floor etc, but he loves it!! He is still a very social guy- real laid back and loves to talk! At daycare we are told he doesn't let the older kids take his toys- he has a strong grip. AND he has a little girl who is enamored with watching him. He even accidentally sat on her leg and she just giggled. (He is the older man). Brandon and I spend so much time just playing with him- he loves the simplest toys (which is good since we haven't bought a lot!). Some of his favorites include the soccer ball ($4 at Target), wooden spoons, water bottles, baseball, and the wok lid). Plus he loves facebooking! He always wants to type when I'm on! Also he enjoyed swimming with his second cousins (I think that is the right relation) in Steamboat 4th of July weekend. He lounged in the pool while they took him around in float. It was a busy weekend- but lots of fun- he even slept through his first parade!! Needless to say, Brandon and I feel very blessed by God with our sweet little BJ!

Another new favorite- getting all the tupperware out!

Like I said 50% in the mouth!