Dear Thomas,
What a busy weekend we have had so far. You have explored Jeff and Jenny's house and visited with them. Then, we spent the day at Pepere and Nana's. You had a good time there; you have gotten so good at riding the little firetruck and the train.

We have been teaching you a very important word, "No." You do not like it. You are the best little explorer, but many times you explore things that are dangerous and that we don't want you to get into. Actually, it seems that you mostly explore those things. So, we are working hard to teach you the word "No" so that you will leave those things alone. It's exhausting!

You love Cheerios. Cheerios are a great way to redirect you, because you instantly stop what you are doing and crawl over to them. Then, you happily take a break and eat them.

You are definitely back to normal health; sleeping great at night; off all medication... it's wonderful!

Dear Thomas,
Today we played an exciting game of chase. I started crawling around in your bedroom, and you loved it and started laughing. So, off I went crawling through the house and you stayed right on my tail. You laughed, crawling as fast as you could crawl. When we turned the corner to the living room, I hid behind the couch and jumped out at you. You jumped a foot and laughed. This has to be the best age yet!

your body is a temple

I have spent 10 months fretting about what goes in your body. Breast milk only for the first six months; organic soy formula when we finally introduced formula; organic baby food; organic yogurt. Sometimes I wonder why... I looked over at you tonight, and you had ripped a page out of a magazine and were happily eating the magazine page. Chunks of of it were sticking out of your mouth, as you looked up at me thinking, "what? I wanted a snack."

laughs

Dear Thomas,
Now that you are feeling better, I am reminded of all the things that make you laugh. I can really get you giggling during dinner by; pretending to eat your fingers; getting so close to you that our noses touch, and then moving away; and using my fingers to crawl up your arm, behind your neck and down the other arm.

Daddy and I are always trying to "get you" and you love it. Any attention from mommy and daddy is always welcomed with a huge smile and a laugh.

You have slept great for three nights in a row. We are just finishing up the drops in your right ear and we are doing three neb treatments a day. That's all!

Dear Thomas
Today we had the follow up appointment for your breathing; everything sounds great. You are doing so much better. We had a fun time tonight; daddy was in class, so it was just the two of us. You were your usual happy, energetic self.

Last night you slept great, only woke up once. I hope that this is the end of this cold for you, my dear, you deserve a break.

Have I mentioned yet how often we have to cut your nails? You are vicious when they are long, grabbing mom and dad's face while we are cuddling. Of course you don't mean us any harm, but boy it hurts. I can only cut them while you are sleeping, so sometimes they get a little long.

I tried to get a picture tonight of you giving me kisses. You love to give kisses, they are super sloppy. You just open your mouth and latch on to your victim's face. It's completely adorable!

Talking II

Dear Thomas,
How funny to look at my post yesterday because today you said TWO words! You have "mama" down and even used it when looking up at me today from your car seat. Later, daddy and I were pointing to the Emma and saying "kitty" and you said "kitty"! You're brilliant.

Your breathing is so much better, and last night you slept great. Unfortunately, today your other ear started leaking, so we are pretty sure that it is infected now. Poor kid, you can't catch a break.

Also, today I closed your finger in the bathroom door. I want to confess this now and get it off my chest. Really, I do feel awful and cried along with you this morning while you were in pain. I was watching one side of the door as I was closing it, but completely forgot about the hinge, and, of course, your finger was right there. There doesn't appear to be any damage, just a little divot on your finger for a while- it went away. I am sure you will have plenty of accidents, but I hope that you don't have anymore accidents that are my fault.

Talking

Dear Thomas,
Your baby babble sounds more and more like words everyday. Although we have not heard actual words yet (minus the "dada" episode), we think something might be coming soon. You have moved to "mamamama" type sounds; sometimes it's as if you are having your own little conversation!

Today you are feeling much better. The nebulizer treatments are going well, you sit with me and breath it in, as if it is no bother at all. We had a good night last night, you only woke a few times in addition to the times we got you up for you treatment. I hope you continue to improve tomorrow.

An outsider would never know you are sick. You are so happy and playful. Grammie and Grandpa came to visit today and you were laughing and putting on a show. Most of the morning you spent motoring around the house as if you had endless energy. This evening has been a little harder, since you woke from your nap you have been pretty grumpy. Even so, you are still playing and crawling around. (Now if only daddy and I had that energy, we could keep up with you)

ER

Dear Thomas,

Last night was your first visit to the emergency room.  We definitely should have brought you to the doctor's during the day because of your wheezing, but we decided to wait.  After watching you labor over breathing during your first few hours of sleep, we decided you should be seen.  So, we packed you up into a cold car seat, woke you from your slumber, and brought you into the freezing night.  We are so fortunate to have the hospital close by; we arrived in no time.  We hardly had to wait at all, and you were taken right in to see someone.  You were so happy about the whole thing, what a fun surprise in the middle of the night!  

We had the nicest doctor and nurse, you loved them.  They gave you a nebulizer treatment and some steroids.  You were very scared of the nebulizer, and started crying a bit when we gave you the treatment.  Mommy was holding you, and daddy was holding the tube.  You were frightened by the tube, and kept looking away and nestling into me.  The funny thing was that you kept looking back at it, so you were able to get the medicine.  And every once and a while, like a little puppy, you would sniff the tube and get a good dose of the medicine.  We had to keep you breathing the medication for about ten minutes.  When you were finished, we could instantly see the difference; you were talking more and breathing easily.  

We have a follow up appointment with Dr. Hemingway today.  Although I don't expect her to diagnose you with asthma, I am hoping she will find us a nebulizer.  Now that we know what to expect, we can certainly help you here at home.  We brought you to daycare today, so we could get some rest.  You were in such a good mood this morning (even though mommy and daddy were not).  It is so good to see you feeling better again.  I hope that you continue to feel better, and are on the mend.  

Dear Thomas,
It is hard to think of things to post, other than updates on your health. You have started wheezing, and daddy and I are very worried. I called the doctor today, we may bring you in tomorrow if things don't improve. You fell asleep very early tonight, I imagine you are exhausted and it will be a tough night again like last night. We spent a lot of time in your rocker last night. The same rocker that your Grammie used to rock your daddy in when he was sick. All of the sickness you have had this year is the same sickness your daddy had when he was little. You are just like him :)

Bath time is the most fun with you right now. You feel so much better in the hot steamy bath, and you have so much fun. Tonight, you had mommy and daddy laughing out loud because you were dancing and having a great time. I fill your bath toys with water and squirt you; you love that. You like to play with the cups and empty shampoo bottles; you mostly ignore all of your bath toys!

Today you are ten months old!

cat food

Dear Thomas, 

It was very hard to keep you happy today.  With the exception of a few peek-a-boo's and a giggle here and there, you were very grumpy.  I do hope you feel better soon.  

You tried your very first piece of cat food today.  We have been working very hard to keep the cat bowl away from you, but you found a stray piece.  I assumed you were chewing on a cheerio, but when I noticed you had been chewing way too long, I investigated.  Low and behold, I found a small kitty food nugget in that mouth.  You didn't seem too impressed with the food, but you still went after it for the rest of the day.  So, either you decided it wasn't bad and wanted more, or you haven't yet discovered that when something tastes bad, you shouldn't eat it.

  

Sharing

Dear Thomas,

 This evening, while we were cuddling and getting ready for sleep, you did an adorable thing.  You took your soothie and offered it to your stuffed animal.  You have been trying to give your soothie to me a lot lately, and I usually take it with my teeth and give it back to you.  Tonight, you though that the stuffed dog we were cuddling with should also have your soothie.  You are so good at sharing already.

Pretty grumpy today, I am anxious for this infection to be cleared.  It is very hard to see you feeling so bad.  You are definitely not the usual, happy Thomas.  Small things frustrate you much more quickly when you are sick.  You are determined to get past the barriers we built to keep you away from the DVD player.  Usually, you try a few times and we redirect you and tell you no.  Today, you kept trying, crying the entire time because you were getting stuck... and, of course, crying hysterically when I redirected you and said "no".  It was somewhat amusing to me, but you were not impressed.  Since this is one of the only two rooms we have to play in, you can imagine that this fight went on for a large part of our day.

Oh, you love apple slices.  I stick them in the freezer, and you get to suck on them and eat small pieces- one of your favorite snacks!

Heartbeat

Just a year ago you were just a heartbeat.  It's so hard to believe that last year at this time, I didn't know you.  Something happened tonight, I don't know what it was; it triggered the memory of hearing your heartbeat.  I miss that sound.  I loved hearing your heartbeat every time I went in for a check up.  I wish I could listen to your heartbeat again, right now.  That muffled "thump thump" beating so rapid.  When I was admitted to the hospital the night before you were born, I got to listen to your heartbeat all night.  It was wonderful. 

Now I get to hear all the wonderful sounds that let me know you are alive and growing.  Last year, I wanted nothing more than to hear your laughter, now I hear it everyday.  So, I don't want to leave the impression that I don't enjoy the new sounds I hear now that you are with us.  But, boy, do I miss that heartbeat!

Ear infection

Dear Thomas,
Daddy and I have learned to trust our instincts! Last night you were so unhappy, we have never seen you quite that bad. So, this morning we called the doctor to have you checked out. The nurse convinced us to wait and see if things got better or worse. You had a pretty good morning, so I took you with me to the grocery store. When we were almost out of the store, I noticed liquid draining from your ear. Apparently, you have another ear infection, and this time it ruptured. So, we ended up having to take you to the doctor's office anyway. The good news is, the tubes are doing their job, and the fluid from the infection is able to drain out. We have so antibiotics for you now, and I hope you get better.

Dear Thomas,
Happy Valentine's Day! Other than a short field trip to the mall, we stayed in today. You are still recovering from a cold and have been pretty grumpy. You have another tooth popping up, right next to the first one. Maybe that is why you have been so cranky... perhaps you will sleep better tonight.

You were very cute today; it's fun for daddy and I to get to watch you all day. It's like each task you do is so important- as if you are on a mission. I am now stopping you from climbing on top of books to get to the DVD player. You are very upset with me!

Personality traits

Dear Thomas,
We can already see your personality showing through your actions. You have the funniest quirks that we have noticed. We don't want to forget these:
the ball can not be attached to the tunnel. (see photo)
the phone can not be on the hook. (see photo)
you spend a lot of time banging things together and putting things
together (or trying to put things together that don't belong together)
you like it when we put things on your head (washcloth and toy
rings make you laugh particularly hard)

You have started playing peek-a-boo with the cover I use to protect me from getting peed on while I am changing you! It is cute/infuriating!

You are pulling your hair out in the back!! What's up with that? Mostly when you are tired... stress maybe?

Walking with my walker

Dear Thomas,
Today I stayed home with you because you were sick. We went to see the doctor, and are waiting for results from a strep swab. You were pretty grumpy most of the day, but there were a few times you were your happy self. One of those times, I recorded you walking around the condo. I followed you back and forth from your bedroom to the living room a dozen or so times! You were quite determined.

I feel like dancing

Dear Thomas,
Boy, can you dance?! You love to shake that little fanny to music. We have been listening to a lot of Toddler Tunes radio, and you love to dance to the songs; its completely adorable. This is the best video I can get right now, you are such a ham!




You had noodles for the first time today; you didn't get many in your mouth, but that's OK.

Going for a walk

Dear Thomas,

Today was beautiful!  It was sunny and warm (well, warm for January) so we went for a walk. You are such a GOOD BOY!  I put you in the Jeep carrier and you just looked around, you never fussed, we had such a good time.  We went to CVS to get valentines for your teachers and friends at daycare.  You love shopping and sat in the cart and looked around.  I love this phase with you because, I can take you anywhere.  It's great!

We think you said "dada" for the first time Sunday.  Your father and I have decided to officially declare it your first words.  You were snuggling with daddy in the morning, getting ready to settle back down to sleep and you said "dada".  I heard it from the other room, and it was pretty close!  I can't wait until you start talking because right now you are an endless stream of babbles and coos... I am sure you have a lot you are trying to tell us!

Daycare friend

Dear Thomas,
You have a best friend at daycare. His name is Derek, and today Meghan told me all about your adventures together! You and Derek spend most of the day together; you share toys, you play peek-a-boo and hide behind things, I am so pleased. I wish I could be a fly on the wall, and watch you and Derek play! Alas, as soon as I walk into daycare, all play stops and you just light up at the sight of me (I'm not complaining about that, don't get me wrong).

You are starting to do some naughty things... standing up in the tub, trying to get to the few places we keep telling you not to, and trying to eat the cat food. Today you cried when I said no and moved you away, so I think you are starting to get it, although you don't like it!

You have been fussy at night again, and we think you might have another tooth on the way! We'll see!

visiting with grandparents

Dear Thomas,
Today, we visited Pepere and Nana. Your Great Aunt Billie was there visiting, so you got to see her too! You have met her before when you were very small, you cried when you saw her, but then seemed to decide that she was O.K.
We are fixing up Pepere and Nana's house so that we can all live in it together. It is important to mommy and daddy that we keep that house in the family, and we think it will be a wonderful place for you to grow up! Today we did a lot of planning for the construction that has started. It was neat to think of you playing in each room.

Favorite toy today: a bag of sweet potatoes

You won't need dentures after all!

Dear Thomas,

  Today we felt it... your first tooth!! You won't let us get a good look in your mouth, but we know it's there.  We can feel it when you bite down.  I can't wait to see it!  Considering everything you have been through with colds, ear infections, etc. this went relatively smooth.  You have been sleeping well at night, and you don't seem to be in pain.  (Let's hope you aren't)  They say the longer the teeth take to come out, the healthier they are; if that's true, you will have some strong, and healthy teeth.

  We also visited Dr. Joseph today to have a hearing test.  We had to wait a very long time, and I lugged you all around Lewiston to the different offices; you did great!  I hear again and again, what a good natured baby you are.  People in public love you.  The hearing test was interesting. Because you are so little, they can't ask you raise your hand when you hear a noise... instead, they look for signs that you hear the noise like a pause in play or a turn to the direction of the noise.  It was a lot of fun to watch your reaction!  You love Dr. Joseph.  Every time we see him you light up!  He gives you tongue depressors, which you hang on to for the rest of the evening; they make good chew toys!

Feeding time

Dear Thomas,
You are trying to hold your own bottle during feedings. It is so cute, but also terribly messy as you are not very good at holding it steady. You are also drinking out of a sippy cup now, and today you were able to hold it yourself and drink from it! It is amazing how much the little things make daddy and I so happy! You are picking up cheerios and putting them in your mouth (you are also picking up things from the floor and putting them in your mouth). Its amazing how accurate you are, you can pick up even the smallest object and get it in your mouth!

Every time we turn our backs you make a break for the kitty food, both wet and dry. We are waiting for the day you get into it!!

This bag is not a toy

I used to laugh when I read the notice on plastic bags that said, "This bag is not a toy." I thought that was obvious, was it possible that people actually gave their kids a plastic bag as a toy?

It turns out, that bag IS a toy! Thomas has a great time playing with plastic bags (under supervision of course) and I just don't have the heart to take it away from him. It must be something about the noise a plastic bag makes that is appealing to young children. Toys are made to make that very noise... the crinkle is so satisfying to a baby.

So no matter what the safety guidelines suggest, Thomas is playing with plastic bags...

Favorite Things

Every night I sing this song to you

"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens.
Brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favorite things."

Here are a few of your favorite things:
paper-preferably newspaper that is easy to tear and makes a lot of noise
the kitty- you chase her relentlessly around the house
yogurt
peek-a-boo
flipping everything upside down
bath time
your day care mommies and friends
banging things together
dropping things from your high chair

Sleeping through the night

Dear Thomas,
Last night you did it!! Your very first time sleeping through the night. We never thought this day would come :) You may not appreciate this as you are reading it, but you will completely understand once you have kids of your own. (We don't expect that it will happen again anytime soon)

We see that first tooth getting ready to come out. We are so anxious. You have been drooling A LOT since three months old, and we keep saying, "maybe he is teething." When you are fussy and up at night we say "maybe he is teething." When you chew on our fingers, biting down as hard as you can we say " he must be teething." But, alas, a tooth has not appeared yet. Can't wait to see that first tooth come!

High chair shenanigans

At some point, every object in the house must pass the ultimate test by the supreme leader of the household Thomas. He will dangle said object from the highest point (his high chair) and listen to it plead for its life and explain why it should be spared... unfortunately, not many objects are deemed worthy, and most plummet to their death on the kitchen floor.

Firsts

Dear Thomas,
It has occurred to me (through the suggestion of others) that I should be keeping a journal of all of your wonderful adventures. Since you had your tubes put in on December, 29th, you have been meeting milestones daily. Its amazing (and a little scary) how fast you are growing.

Just today, you played peek-a-boo with me! It was after your bath and you kept pulling the towel over your face until I would say "where did Thomas go?" Then you would pull the towel away from your face and smile and laugh! How is possible you can do this?