Every night, for the most part, we have a nightly routine with Titus before bed. Daddy reads him a story or two and Mommy rocks him to sleep. Many of nights he will fuss or ask for Mommy when he is finished reading books with Daddy. After Mommy takes him, he waves goodnight to Daddy. I wish I could record moments, but in the midst of his fussing as I was taking him down to his bedroom last night, as clear as day, Titus said, "All done, Da Da."
It brought tears to my eyes to hear my baby talk so clearly. Usually he just jibbers and jabbers. In the midst of the jibberish, we are blessed with words. Words such as Ma Ma and Da Da, to be treasured so dearly.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
1 Year Photo Session
We decided to do Titus' One Year Pictures ourselves. He had his bout with pink eye and a few bruises around his birthday, so these were not actually taken until the 28th of November. With all the photo editing programs there are, we knew we could make them look close to professional. However, I did find it difficult to keep the kid in one place with all of his crawling and pulling up on everything. Thanks to Aaron he was able to edit big time, because I did not want to go through it all again even though the background left something to be desired. These first three pictures are some of my favorites that we did not take the time to edit. They are just of Titus having fun and being the ham that he is naturally.
This is his hand print at one year also. That was also another of Aaron's great ideas. I'm glad we had it done.
Well, I know I have been slacking with updating Titus' blog lately. I will post more soon hopefully. We have been cookie decorating, taking photo shoots in a Santa hat, and of course Christmas.
Here are the two final products after the great editing job, done by Aaron.
This is his hand print at one year also. That was also another of Aaron's great ideas. I'm glad we had it done.
Well, I know I have been slacking with updating Titus' blog lately. I will post more soon hopefully. We have been cookie decorating, taking photo shoots in a Santa hat, and of course Christmas.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thanksgiving 2011
For Thanksgiving this year, we went to my Great-Grandparent Gaither's house. I loved having quality time with Grandpa and Grandma. The other baby is my mom's cousin's second child. That is Daddy in the background.
Where's the turkey?
The Gaither Great-Grandparents have a play room for all of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren who come to visit. There are quite a few of us.
Great-Grandpa Gaither got on the floor and played with me. He loves kids a lot!
Mommy had fun watching me try and figure out how to get up the stair with two toys.
I did finally figure it out. You throw the toys in front of you and then climb the stair. I just wanted to do it without letting go of the toys.
On Friday, I helped Grandma Lori decorate. Mommy is silly for making me a tree.
The final product is so not baby-proof.
On Saturday morning, we went to breakfast at my mom's friend Julia's house. We met her new baby, Stella. This is her son, my friend Isaac.
After breakfast we went to Great-Grandpa Johnson's house in Richmond, IN. He will be turning 100 in May. We visited Grandpa Thom in Connersville, but forgot to take pictures.
We had a very good Thanksgiving visiting family and some friends! Hopefully, next year I get turkey though and not just fruit salad.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Pink Eye and Other Things
Titus caught his first virus outside of the common cold. What was it? Pink Eye. He woke up Monday morning on the 14th and the whites of his right eye was red. By about noon his eye was half shut and started gunking up. I had his one year appointment scheduled for December 6th, but went ahead and rescheduled it for Monday while they checked out his eye. He weighed in at 23lbs. 13 ounces and is 31" tall. He gained 1lb and 1 ounce in 3 months and grew 1 1/4 inches. They had no mercy on the poor little guy. He was given 2 shots in each leg. He didn't cry too bad and didn't cry at all when they drew blood from his finger. He has had a rough week though. I'm not sure if it was the Pink Eye, the shots, teething or a combination of everything. He started seeming normal yesterday. His appetite seems to have returned. He put his fingers to his mouth to sign, "Eat." He also seemed less sleepy. Just before all this I was in the process of taking him down to two naps. Maybe in a couple weeks I will try again.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Titus vs. The Smash Cake
Titus thought the smash cake was the best thing ever. I believe he has a sweet tooth like his Mamma. Here are my favorite pictures of the event. The others can be viewed here.
This last picture is the final product. Grandma Lori cleaned him up and Daddy gave him a bath.
This last picture is the final product. Grandma Lori cleaned him up and Daddy gave him a bath.
Titus' First Birthday Party
My friend, Nikki, came up from Evansville, IN on Friday night. My mom and step-dad drove up Saturday morning. I don't know how I could have pulled the party off without them, along with Aaron. Nikki made a beautiful cake of Curious George. Here are two pictures. The first picture is of the main cake and the second is of the smash cake. The sides of the smash cake read: Happy 1st Birthday Titus.
The highlight of every 1st birthday party is of the smash cake. How did Titus do? He dug in quick and ate as much as he could before his parents took it away. Pictures of this will be posted later. I tried to download a video, but Blogger seems to hate videos. They never download for me.
More pictures can be found here on Facebook and more will be added later when I get them. I ended up using another person's camera, while Aaron took the video with our video card.
The highlight of every 1st birthday party is of the smash cake. How did Titus do? He dug in quick and ate as much as he could before his parents took it away. Pictures of this will be posted later. I tried to download a video, but Blogger seems to hate videos. They never download for me.
More pictures can be found here on Facebook and more will be added later when I get them. I ended up using another person's camera, while Aaron took the video with our video card.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Titus' One Year Letter
My Little Titus (who isn't so little anymore) -
I have loved this past year with you. It is still hard to believe you were once a tiny little screaming newborn. I couldn't have pictured your personality and how much I love you more and more every day had I tried. You are such a happy baby and just absolutely love people. After eating your chili at your birthday party I put you down on the floor. You sat is awe of all the people for a good 20 minutes. Then, you dug right into playing with your friends and toys. I kind of forgot to keep an eye on you and about an hour later I figured I should probably check to see how you were doing. You were in the playroom making yourself at home in the midst of your friends and their parents.
There are other things that make you light up, besides people. There have been occasions when you will be crying when we take you out of your crib or you want your mommy and you will catch a glimpse of a light. You will brighten up and say, "Dis." We aren't sure how you came up with the word "Dis" for light, but we love it.
You absolutely love bath time. It doesn't matter what room you are in, when we run the bath water you come crawling to the bathtub as fast as your little body will let you. Another highlight in your life is outside. I have let you crawl around outside and you just explore anywhere you can go. There isn't a day that passes by where you don't point out the back sliding glass door to show me outside, often times wanting to go out. I hate that it has been too cold lately.
You adore our dog, Zoey. You have grown on her, even though she won't admit it. When you notice her you clap your hand to your leg and say, "Gug." We think that is close enough to saying, "dog." You do pretty good with her, using your gentle hands and petting her. Zoey still has a hard time with jealousy and she has a fear of you pulling on her fur. Usually you just pull on her hair when you are trying to pull up to a standing position.
You are absolutely in love with music, balls and books. These are your attention-getters. There is a corner in your playroom I can put you in and you entertain yourself just looking at books and listening to music. The books you love most right now are touch-and-feel. However, you will sit still for a long time while mommy and daddy read you any book. I find this unusual for a toddler. You also love Pandora, as does mommy. I have gotten many of chores done by getting out your musical instruments and turning on Pandora. The drumsticks are your favorite. When Grandma Sjostrand first gave them to you, you wouldn't put them down for anything. You nursed with them and took a nap with them. It was the first item you showed real displeasure for having something taken from you. There have been other items you have taken to, but not like your drumsticks.
Your face lights up when someone sits down to throw a ball with you. If no one is around to play ball, you simply push it and chase it around the room. We love to see you throw. When you throw other things, such as toys, it is hard to speak harsh to you because it is still such a delight to watch you interact. However, your little throws will one day become bigger and cause harm.
Another game you love right now is Peek-a-boo. We use to put you on the bed before you could roll over and play Peek-a-boo with a blanket. You then started grabbing anything within reach that resembled a blanket. Now, you will use your hands, shower curtain, toys, a book and any other numerous items to play this favorite game.
You are such a delight to us. We love your little voice. Daddy and I could listen to you chatter forever. We love to hear you talk/sing yourself to sleep. Many of babies cry themselves to sleep and wake up crying/complaining. You just talk, talk and talk until you fall asleep. When you wake up you "ask" to get out of your crib by "talking" loudly. If we don't come right away, you entertain yourself by talking to your crib animals (Brownie the dog, Agoo the monkey, and a lion) or put yourself back to sleep. Sometimes mommy has worried because you are so happy in your crib. You also sleep more than most babies. You sleep 12 hours at night and take three 1 1/2 -2 hour naps. Therefore, you are only awake 8-10 hours in a 24 hour period. I have tried to cut back your sleeping time, but unless we are out and about you really can't cope. I want so much to have more time with you throughout the day. I guess the day will come soon enough.
It wasn't until you hit around 10 - 11 months that you started letting mommy and daddy cuddle with you. Even then, it is only at night before bed. You have never been big into cuddling. You do, however, love to give hugs. They are so sweet and I treasure them so much. You also love to blow kisses and smile when we blow them to you. Two other affectionate things you do are giving "high fives," and waving bye when going to bed. You use to wave good-bye when people left your presence, but now you save them for going to bed.
One thing you do that I have to really watch is your touchiness. You don't mean any harm, but sometimes other kids your age do not know how to handle it or are not always in the mood for it. You like to get right in their faces or crawl all over them to say, "Hi." You like to put your fingers in their mouths and check out their eyes. Most of it is curiosity, but we still have to keep you in check.
For the most part, you eat about anything. You do tell us when you are all done, by using baby sign language. Although, you use the signs for "more" and "all done" to say "all done." The only other baby sign language you like to use is the sign for, "up." Usually you use it to say, "all done," also. You first started using the sign, "up," when you wanted up after nursing in bed with mommy and daddy in the morning. Now, you just crawl away and we have to catch you before you tumble off the bed.
There are so many things to love about you. The thing I love the most though is your interaction. I love interacting with you. I love seeing you interact with objects. I love seeing you interact with other people. I love seeing you interact with other children. I love seeing you interact with Zoey. You want so much to talk. I have a feeling that once you start really talking, there will be no stopping you.
Well, as this first year comes to a close I am looking forward to the years ahead. I am looking forward to seeing your growth verbally, physically and mentally. Most of all, I desire to see your spiritual growth. Sometimes I fear that your daddy and I aren't good enough examples for you. Many of times my prayer has been that you would rely on God and look to Him. I pray that one day you would have your own personal relationship with Him. I pray you would look past the faults of your parents and look to the One True Perfect God. There is no one else on the earth that can fill that gap.
We love you, Titus! Happy 1st birthday baby!
Mommy and Daddy
I have loved this past year with you. It is still hard to believe you were once a tiny little screaming newborn. I couldn't have pictured your personality and how much I love you more and more every day had I tried. You are such a happy baby and just absolutely love people. After eating your chili at your birthday party I put you down on the floor. You sat is awe of all the people for a good 20 minutes. Then, you dug right into playing with your friends and toys. I kind of forgot to keep an eye on you and about an hour later I figured I should probably check to see how you were doing. You were in the playroom making yourself at home in the midst of your friends and their parents.
There are other things that make you light up, besides people. There have been occasions when you will be crying when we take you out of your crib or you want your mommy and you will catch a glimpse of a light. You will brighten up and say, "Dis." We aren't sure how you came up with the word "Dis" for light, but we love it.
You absolutely love bath time. It doesn't matter what room you are in, when we run the bath water you come crawling to the bathtub as fast as your little body will let you. Another highlight in your life is outside. I have let you crawl around outside and you just explore anywhere you can go. There isn't a day that passes by where you don't point out the back sliding glass door to show me outside, often times wanting to go out. I hate that it has been too cold lately.
You adore our dog, Zoey. You have grown on her, even though she won't admit it. When you notice her you clap your hand to your leg and say, "Gug." We think that is close enough to saying, "dog." You do pretty good with her, using your gentle hands and petting her. Zoey still has a hard time with jealousy and she has a fear of you pulling on her fur. Usually you just pull on her hair when you are trying to pull up to a standing position.
You are absolutely in love with music, balls and books. These are your attention-getters. There is a corner in your playroom I can put you in and you entertain yourself just looking at books and listening to music. The books you love most right now are touch-and-feel. However, you will sit still for a long time while mommy and daddy read you any book. I find this unusual for a toddler. You also love Pandora, as does mommy. I have gotten many of chores done by getting out your musical instruments and turning on Pandora. The drumsticks are your favorite. When Grandma Sjostrand first gave them to you, you wouldn't put them down for anything. You nursed with them and took a nap with them. It was the first item you showed real displeasure for having something taken from you. There have been other items you have taken to, but not like your drumsticks.
Your face lights up when someone sits down to throw a ball with you. If no one is around to play ball, you simply push it and chase it around the room. We love to see you throw. When you throw other things, such as toys, it is hard to speak harsh to you because it is still such a delight to watch you interact. However, your little throws will one day become bigger and cause harm.
Another game you love right now is Peek-a-boo. We use to put you on the bed before you could roll over and play Peek-a-boo with a blanket. You then started grabbing anything within reach that resembled a blanket. Now, you will use your hands, shower curtain, toys, a book and any other numerous items to play this favorite game.
You are such a delight to us. We love your little voice. Daddy and I could listen to you chatter forever. We love to hear you talk/sing yourself to sleep. Many of babies cry themselves to sleep and wake up crying/complaining. You just talk, talk and talk until you fall asleep. When you wake up you "ask" to get out of your crib by "talking" loudly. If we don't come right away, you entertain yourself by talking to your crib animals (Brownie the dog, Agoo the monkey, and a lion) or put yourself back to sleep. Sometimes mommy has worried because you are so happy in your crib. You also sleep more than most babies. You sleep 12 hours at night and take three 1 1/2 -2 hour naps. Therefore, you are only awake 8-10 hours in a 24 hour period. I have tried to cut back your sleeping time, but unless we are out and about you really can't cope. I want so much to have more time with you throughout the day. I guess the day will come soon enough.
It wasn't until you hit around 10 - 11 months that you started letting mommy and daddy cuddle with you. Even then, it is only at night before bed. You have never been big into cuddling. You do, however, love to give hugs. They are so sweet and I treasure them so much. You also love to blow kisses and smile when we blow them to you. Two other affectionate things you do are giving "high fives," and waving bye when going to bed. You use to wave good-bye when people left your presence, but now you save them for going to bed.
One thing you do that I have to really watch is your touchiness. You don't mean any harm, but sometimes other kids your age do not know how to handle it or are not always in the mood for it. You like to get right in their faces or crawl all over them to say, "Hi." You like to put your fingers in their mouths and check out their eyes. Most of it is curiosity, but we still have to keep you in check.
For the most part, you eat about anything. You do tell us when you are all done, by using baby sign language. Although, you use the signs for "more" and "all done" to say "all done." The only other baby sign language you like to use is the sign for, "up." Usually you use it to say, "all done," also. You first started using the sign, "up," when you wanted up after nursing in bed with mommy and daddy in the morning. Now, you just crawl away and we have to catch you before you tumble off the bed.
There are so many things to love about you. The thing I love the most though is your interaction. I love interacting with you. I love seeing you interact with objects. I love seeing you interact with other people. I love seeing you interact with other children. I love seeing you interact with Zoey. You want so much to talk. I have a feeling that once you start really talking, there will be no stopping you.
Well, as this first year comes to a close I am looking forward to the years ahead. I am looking forward to seeing your growth verbally, physically and mentally. Most of all, I desire to see your spiritual growth. Sometimes I fear that your daddy and I aren't good enough examples for you. Many of times my prayer has been that you would rely on God and look to Him. I pray that one day you would have your own personal relationship with Him. I pray you would look past the faults of your parents and look to the One True Perfect God. There is no one else on the earth that can fill that gap.
We love you, Titus! Happy 1st birthday baby!
Mommy and Daddy
Titus Turns One!
I am not only sad to be done with Titus 365, but am also sad that I didn't get to add today's picture to Titus 365, because it is actually Day 366. To see Titus 365 click on the following links:
Days 1 - 100
Days 101 - 200
Days 201 - 365
Aaron tried to celebrate Titus' birthday with him by taking him swimming at the YMCA, but open swim was not until 7:20pm. Daddy had him all ready when the lifeguard approached him and told him the sad news. The big celebration is on Saturday, so there will be pictures at a later date. We had Pumpkin Spice pancakes for dinner. Next year Titus will hopefully be able to pick out his birthday dinner, but this year Mommy had dibs.
I have started a birthday letter to Titus, which will also be posted at a later date.
And now for Picture 366:
And a rewind back through time to Day 8:
I guess this Mommy moves on from having a baby to having a toddler...Oh, the laughs that are ahead, I can hardly imagine.
Days 1 - 100
Days 101 - 200
Days 201 - 365
Aaron tried to celebrate Titus' birthday with him by taking him swimming at the YMCA, but open swim was not until 7:20pm. Daddy had him all ready when the lifeguard approached him and told him the sad news. The big celebration is on Saturday, so there will be pictures at a later date. We had Pumpkin Spice pancakes for dinner. Next year Titus will hopefully be able to pick out his birthday dinner, but this year Mommy had dibs.
I have started a birthday letter to Titus, which will also be posted at a later date.
And now for Picture 366:
And a rewind back through time to Day 8:
I guess this Mommy moves on from having a baby to having a toddler...Oh, the laughs that are ahead, I can hardly imagine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)