14 months 11.12.11

Tillman at the Pumpkin Patch

Mr. T was 14 months old on Saturday.  Nick and I were actually away for this "birthday."  This was our first time away without one of us being with Tillman.  Nick and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary on 11.10.11, and we headed to Chicago and the Purdue vs OSU game (Purdue BEAT OSU in overtime...wonderful game).  Tillman was in great hands.  Cici, my mom, and Aunt Sylvia came down to keep Tillman Friday through Sunday.  

Nick and Me at Purdue Game 11.12.11

PURDUE WINS! 

Before going out of town, I was giving my mom the run down of Tillman's routine.  I realized after explaining everything,  A LOT has to be done for this child! 
Here it goes:

• Tillman gets an 8oz bottle (8oz milk, 20 drops of Echinacea) and his first round of antibotics when he wakes.
• 8:30AM, Tillman should be ready for breakfast (grits, waffles, yogert, cereal, oatmeal, etc are options)
• 10AM is snack time-water in sippy cup with gold fish or some type cracker
• 11:30AM is lunch time-we had things in the frig he could eat.
• 11:45AM is nap time-8oz bottle.  When at home to set the "nap time" tone, put him in his sleep sack and go into the bedroom to give him his bottle.  Once he finishes bottle, he should know that it is "nap time."
• Sleeps from then until 1:30 or 2PM usually
• 2PM snack time-water in sippy cup with gold fish or some type cracker
• 6PM dinner time
• 7PM bed time routine (bath, diaper, brush teeth, nose spray, dress in sleep sack, etc) and then 8oz bottle (8oz milk, 20 drops of Echinacea, and Zyrtec) and his second round of antibotics before bed.
• Sleeps 7PM - ~6:30AM

So, as you can tell by the routine, this child gets a lot of meds and herbs (we didn't even put herbal ear drops on the list), he has been fighting ear infections left and right.  We are trying every remedy out there before going to ear tubes.  We'll evaluate ear tubes at the end of the year once we've given these things a chance to work.
Also, you can tell by his schedule that he really does love his bottle.  No, we haven't given up the bottle yet.  Tillman LOVES it.  He doesn't use a pacifier or have a blanket, so I guess if he is stuck on the bottle, then that is his thing. We have transitioned to sippy cup for snack times, but will not drink milk from a sippy cup.  He really doesn't like to drink anything but water and milk (juices have so far been a "no thanks!").

Funny story from the weekend:

Tillman was put down for a nap.  He wasn't ready to go to bed, so he played around in the crib for a while.  When mom went to check on him, he took off his socks and pants and threw them out of the crib.  I guess he was hot?

Tillman is developing his little personality.  Independent would certainly rise to the top as one of his strongest characteristics.  He doesn't like to be tied down-doesn't enjoy the carseat or stroller.  We've gone to the wagon for walks and for the car....well...we just wrangle him into the carseat (yes, I've been kicked in the face by this child getting him into the carseat).  Mr. Independent *hates* getting his diaper changed as well.  As soon as we lift him to the changing table, he knows what is coming.  It is pretty much a war while we get the diaper changed each time.  Unsure why this is....maybe potty training will happen faster with his independent personality?
His independence has also been shown in his social skills.  He can now point to things he wants and go get things in reach that he'd like (ex: gold fish sitting by the high chair...he stands on his tippy toes to get them...not always a good thing).  He uses pointing a lot...not just for food.  When he is "talking" to us, of course we don't understand what he's talking about, but he often points to things, so now we can communicate better.  An example of him pointing while playing is, he will come over to you if you are sitting near the couch, he'll point at the couch, which means he wants to climb up you to get to the couch (once on the couch he loves to jump and do all things children shouldn't be allowed.)

14 month old Tillman has also brought the love of "rough housing."  He likes to wrestle, jump on furniture, slide down the slide head-first...this kids has no fear. 

Tillman and Nick checking out the farm animals
at Legare Farms after visiting the pumkin patch

This Independent, Rough-housing, 14 month old's stats:
Weight: ~22lbs
Diaper size: 3-Little Movers during the day and size 4 at night
Clothing size: 12-18 month, but it varies by brand
Shoe size: 4.5 (or 12-18 mo size)
Food: Drinking whole milk and eating more table food. Drinking water from a sippy cup and gets bottle at night and early morning.
Naps:1.5-2 hour naps
Sounds: Chatter box...loves to talk!
Playing: Walking, playing outside, wagon rides, dirt, climbing/jumping on couch, loves these tunnels they play with at daycare, and drawing/coloring with crayons