Stratton
Weight: 23lbs- 60th percentile
Height: 31.5 inches - 90th percentile
Head measurement: 18.5 inches- 50th percentile
See how much taller he sits up in the same highchair?? And his legs are SO long!
Arden
Weight: 19 lbs 13 oz- 50th percentile
Height: 29”- 40th percentile
Head circumference: 17.5” - 25th percentile
Arden’s one year appointment was on Monday. We didn’t get to see our normal doctor (she was out sick!) but we saw the nurse practitioner that see quite a bit and we like just as much. Her appointment was at 10:30, so I had to pick her up from daycare and she looked so sleepy, and of course she fell asleep on the way to the dr. office. Jarrod met us there and he got her out of the car and she was OUT. She stayed asleep while we waited and didn’t wake up till we were in a room and we had to undress her to get her weight. I was really afraid she would wake up cranky, but she was fine- actually she was in a really good mood!
She had to get her finger pricked for a blood test. She didn’t even flinch when she got pricked! And didn’t cry the whole time the nurse was getting the blood sample! I was shocked! Then the doctor came in and looked her over, she said she looked perfect! Her tubes are perfectly in place so hopefully they will hold through the winter.
She had to get a couple of shots and she didn’t like those at all! I really thought they might give her a flu shot, but they want us to wait another month to start that. Babies get 2 doses, so we will do the first in about a month and then the second one at her 15 month appointment.
One Year Stats:
Weight: 19 lbs 13 oz- 50th percentile
Height: 29”- 40th percentile
Head circumference: 17.5” - 25th percentile
She met all the developmental marks (the Dr even said she was doing some things that she wouldn’t expect a 12 month old to be doing yet). And we discussed sleep, eating and most importantly.. . .weaning off the bottle. {sigh} I am not ready!! She said it was fine to continue to give her one at night but we needed to start giving her a sippy cup during the day. (I’ve actually thought for about a month that she would be fine without a bottle, but I’m just not prepared for her to lose the one “baby” thing that’s left!) She suggested that since she’s had a sensitivity to milk based formula in the past to not going straight to milk like most babies do at one year. We are starting her on a toddler (Next Step) formula and upping her consumption of dairy products- like cheese and yogurts. We will probably stay on this formula for a couple of months before gradually starting on whole milk. As far as food goes, she told that she’s fine with us quitting the baby food. We’ve been giving her some table food (if appropriate) for months now, but she has really given us a fit about anything that has to be spoon fed lately. She will not eat it. She wants to feed herself! The doc said that is completely normal and to just give her what we are eating, but if it’s something new just give her a little to make sure she isn’t allergic.
After her appointment we grabbed some lunch at Lazzari’s. Arden was in a mood!! She was hilarious. I think one of those shots revved her up!! She was laughing at everything and shrieking at the littlest things! Everyone around us were laughing at her. This is how our “little lady” preferred to sit in her highchair. Yes, her feet are on the table. We’d put them down and she’d have them back up before we could blink!
I stayed home with her the rest of the afternoon and she took a pretty good nap but after that she was pretty cranky. We picked Stratton up from Excel (afterschool program) a little early and then we ran to Target to get some of the Next Step formula and a few other things. Stratton MADE me buy Pumpkin Spice Eggo waffles. (Okay, so it was my idea, but he was completely on board). And when we got home he wanted them for dinner with eggs. Sounds good to me! And Arden liked it too. . .
After the birthday party on Saturday, we took Stratton to the fair in Searcy. He had an absolute blast! We let him ride a few rides, he rode a pony, fed a bunch of animals in the petting zoo, walked through all the animal exhibits, visited with some Searcy folks we knew, watched the rodeo and the demolition derby! Whew! We got back to Jarrod’s mom and dads at around 10pm! That is super late for Stratton!
I wished we lived somewhere were we could have a goat. This boy could spend hours feeding and petting them!
I was surprised that he actually stayed on the entire time this year! Such a big boy! Now he wants a horse. . .oh boy!?!. . . .Uh, Pops????
That’s S in the orange. . .he thought he wanted to go alone, but then he got scared and then Jarrod had to go with him.
We HAD to get a candy apple and of course eat it when we got back to the house. He’s my kid for sure!
What a great day!
Saturday September 14th. We had a family birthday party for Arden at Terry and Margie’s house in Searcy!
Trying to get a decent picture of the four of us is IMPOSSIBLE.
Yummy Cake!!
This is what she did when we sang to her. . .
Ready for School in her birthday outfit!
Lunch with Gigi at Cracker Barrel
The girl loves some biscuits!
Her birthday cookie cake (we had planned to take with us to tailgate for the ASU game, but it was so stinking hot and they were calling for rain,so Arden and I decided to stay home! Jarrod and Stratton went though! They are true fans!
Yum! Cookie Cake!!
Gigi and Pops took Arden and I out for dinner then Arden got to go home with them for a couple of days! I think she had a good day!
Serious cuteness.
Happy birthday to our sweet baby!
Arden Grace is sweet and cheerful. She’s a easy going, good natured baby. She’s funny and most of the time loves to perform. She likes to flirt. She loves people and MUST be the center of attention. She is a little bit hot tempered and has a feisty side! Don’t take something away from her- she will bite!! Stratton can attest to this (on multiple accounts). She’s not usually fussy, but if she is unhappy, you will most certainly know about it! She can be mad one minute and smiling the next. She is busy, busy, busy. Curious and attentive and very alert to others around her and what they are doing. She’s very sociable, and just about every time we go out to eat she makes friends with at least one person sitting close to us. She’s either smiling at the kids beside us or waving to the lady across the room, she just has a way of engaging with others. We get stopped by so many people just so they can tell us how cute she is or they will just stop to ask us how old she is and make small talk. She is an absolute joy (with the exception of when she’s teething) and is instantly loved by everyone she meets. Honestly, you just can’t help but fall in love her. There is just something special about her. (And those exact words have been said to me by so many people, I can’t even count how many!) It’s not uncommon for her to “reach out” and want to be held by someone she doesn’t even know! She’s done this so many times and it always surprises the other person! She did this just a few weeks ago at church in Hickory Ridge to Mr. Sherman Cullum, he couldn’t have been happier who knows when the last time he held a baby was!- I’m telling you she has a way with people! She will just melt your heart and make you happy just by being around her. We are beyond blessed that the Lord placed her sweet precious soul in our family! We have our hands full to be sure, but we couldn’t imagine our family without her!
You know when you name a baby, in today’s world, most generally it’s before they are born. And I always wonder if it will fit them. Well, Arden Grace is owning her name like a champ. In Greek Arden means “to lift up high”, and it's Latin origin meaning "burning with enthusiasm". I think it’s 100% a perfect fit.
I still can’t believe she’s one. I feel like the past year has been a dream (or some days a nightmare!) but it’s just hard for me to grasp onto the fact that my BABY is a year old. I just want her to stay a baby forever. . .or ate least a little longer! But I don’t see that happening. All I can do is enjoy this moment, I know that in a blink of an eye we will be celebrating 2. . . .then 12. . .and I really can’t go thinking about anything further at this time without being completely moved to tears!!
