Gone for 15 Months

In just 6 days the hubby and I are going away. We are going to be separated from Mateo for the first time! What a change that will be! I comfort myself with the thought that it will be rougher for us, than for him. He is going to love having 2 older sisters for a week and then staying with Oma for the remaining few days.

We will be away when he turns 15 months, so I thought I would most a few photos from today. I would love to take him to a pumpkin patch and take adorable photos like I see friends doing, but, helaas, there are no patches around here. Next best thing? The 3 pumpkins from my SIL's garden.

I had some cute ideas, but Mateo was totally uncooperative.

Mateo is not only walking, but running and CLIMBING! He pushes his truck to the coffee table, balances on the car, then steps onto the table and jumps onto the couch.

He has mastered waving. Whenever he hears "bye" he starts waving. It is so precious. He also is starting to do kisses. If you make kissing sounds or say "kiss," if he is in the mood he will make the sounds or come maul my face.

14 Months

25 Lbs/11.3Kgs-I haven't measured his height.

Mateo is still our happy, smiley guy! He likes to make people smile. He knows when he is getting attention or now. Right now it is ok, but later may be a problem. If he is not getting attention, he tries hard to get it. Going to church is very exciting for Mateo. He thinks everyone is there for him. We can't stay long in the service, because he is making people laugh or he is laughing at the kids.

Another side we are starting to see is how stubborn a 1 year old can be. He knows what he wants and will push until he (or I) gets it. If he can’t get what he wants, there is a likely chance of some screaming. In tired cases, it is face on the floor and some kicking. Thankfully he is still pretty easily distracted.  He is not saying many words, but can COMMUNICATE. Lots of pointing, grunting, screaming and then happy sounds and clapping.

Little man is a brave fellow. He gets into everything and climbs in/out/up/down just about anything.  Even though he seems pretty fearless, there is a super sensitive side! He knows when people are laughing at him for a 'bad' reason. Then he gets this sad, offended look and cries and hugs mommy.

He is very tough as far as falling and getting bumps, but he doesn't like abrupt, loud sounds or screaming...

Changing diapers is an awful thing around here. I have complained about it and had the feeling no one believed me, until THEY had to try it! It often takes 2 people to get the job done or one mom chasing around a half naked little boy trying to do one step at a time.

Mateo is NOT a cuddler. Let's just say that is how we knew he was sick 2 weeks ago. When he just sat still on our laps.

Until next month...

Bad Mommy!

I posted that Mateo had Roseola. This week he has a cough, so Sunday afternoon I gave him cough syrup. I gave him some in the evening, then happened to look at the bottle...that read, Pain Killer/Fever Reliever. Hm? That is strange? I went to find the cough syrup and found it in the pain killer box. *gasp* I recognize that bottle. It is what I gave him for his fever. Poor child. Thank heavens he is fine!

13 months-oops

A few weeks later...I loved the outfit Mateo was wearing for this! One of the FEW things I have bought for him. Old Navy shorts for 1.99 and a Children's Place shirt for 2.99. Sad that he can't wear it next year.

 

It was nearly impossible to take any photos. Mateo didn't want to cooperate. He didn't want the sign this time, he wanted the CAMERA. I gave him a bobin to play with, I thought it was little and you wouldn't see it in the photo. *eh* wrong!

Mateo isn't walking yet. He takes some steps, but just doesn't feel like putting in the effort. He can climb on the couch and climb over the end of it onto the other one and then fall off it onto the guitar. He also knows how to climb stairs and get out of the bathtub alone (don't ask how I know).

Like most kids, water and sand are favorites! Dirt, leaves and grass are also lots of fun.

As of last week Mateo is weaned. I didn't set a stopping date. I decided I would know after that it was the last time. Save any sad emotions. He is doing fine without. I think he was ready for it.

Mateo had the "6th sickness" (roseola) in the weekend. Maybe he had it before, but we discovered it early Sunday morning at Oma's when he was burning up. It was the first time he had a fever.

More to come about the little man in his 14 month post.

Little Traveller

 

I thought I should post one of Mateo looking grumpy. He is normally a cheerful little guy...UNLESS he doesn't get his way. In this case, he was being dragged off the playground.

He is still adorable when he is upset, even when he is crying. Sometimes I like to just look at his facial expressions when he is upset, then his dad gets mad that I am making him suffer longer.

Our little guy was so good on our last trip. We didn't know in the beginning if we would take him or if he would stay with Oma. We were able to go for a week, so we decided he would come with. Especially since he wasn't weaned yet.

We left at 3:15pm and arrived to the apartment at 12:45. I think he only was out of his seat 3x. 2x for a diaper and one time to crawl for a few minutes. He was such a trooper! A teeny bit of whining, but that was fixed with some food and later Franklin. Just the last half an hour he started crying. I told him I understood and wanted to cry also.

The way back he did even better. He didn't play as much with his toys as I would have expected, but he did like to look out the window and read his books. We had a few longer stops, so that helped.

Baby Belgium is 1

Look who had his birthday! We had his party a few weeks early, but it was still a special day.

I feel like I should be posting about what our year has been like, but it is late and we need to sleep.

I don't feel like anything came much as a shock. I guess I had read enough to know what to expect.

What is still difficult for me is how long it takes ready to get out the door. Trying to remember everything that may be necessary. Yikes! It can take an hour to get to the grocery store...

Mateo went for his shots today. His measurments are 23 lbs (10.88kg) and 31.25 in (79.5cm).  He is a super crawler and stood yesterday for the first time alone. I think he is lazy in the walking department, but that is fine with me. He has 16 teeth-yes, you read that right. All the growth from his head went to his teeth instead of hair.

He already has a strong, but sensative personality. He is a very happy and social little man.

His first word was "pretty." He regularly says "yay" and something that sounds like "Leah." He is starting to imitate our words. So far only English ones <insert big smile>. We have heard him say "mommy," "my head," "all done" and "baaa."

Anything else you'd like to know? Just ask <wink>

11+ Months UNO party

I am behind on the 11 month post, but ahead on the birthday party post! We had Mateo's party when my parents were here, so it was a few weeks early. I finally put some of my Pinterest inspiration to use. Mateo is turning UNO.

This was the invitation. Notice him holding the 1's

 My mom made the chocolate-with-truffle-filling cake and decorated them both.

 My super talented neighbor whipped out this felt item for his shirt. 

She also let us use her yard, tents, dishes, tables, ETC!!!

 And the same neighbor made a delicious lemon cake.

 He was very interested in his balloon when it was present time, so he didn't seem very excited. He loved the Little People jail and these books with wiggly eyes. His mom loves all the cute clothes he received.

I think I said before I had him that I would never do a 1st birthday party. It seems the kid is either unhappy or sleeping, but Mateo behaved great! He woke up right before and was happy the whole time. He really liked people looking at him and to see all the kids.