Twelve Months of Sully

Leigh Ann
Sep 27, 2019
4 min read

My wild thing,

One. The smallest number with the biggest feelings: I have typed and typed and typed posts for you, but I'm not saving any of them. My brain cannot express what my heart has felt this past year.

Instead, I'll take this opportunity to praise God for you, to thank him for each and every moment of your life so far. The seemingly smallest memories are nothing short of a miracle to me: from morning couch snuggles, to rocking you for naps, for play time on your carpet before bath, to the giggle you give me when we make eye contact in the car mirrors. God has immensely blessed your dad and me, and we thank Him in advance for the thousands of miraculous moments to come.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3: 20-21

Happy birthday, my sweet little boy.

One Second Every Day: One Whole Year

Size/New Developments:

-We have an appointment next week, but as of now from our scale at home, you weigh 20.2 pounds. You are still in 12 month clothes, but barely.

-You rolled from your back to belly for the first time on September 16, and you are obsessed with standing up; I have a feeling you will be crawling or walking soon! To be honest, I have to check myself sometimes in the comparison department with your friends. Most are crawling or walking. But this I know-you are chatty; you are so happy and smiley; you eat like a champion; your fine motor skills are pretty solid. You will do things in your own time, and I am okay with that!

-You love that saying "more" communicates what you want! It's fun to watch your face connect what you are saying with what you get! I'm trying to teach you other signs and words to help you show us what you want.

-You have 4 teeth (two bottom and your two vampire teeth) and the two fronts ones growing in. Your bottom two are adorable!!

-You scrunch your eyebrows and shake your hand at us when you disapprove of something. It's really funny, but we try not to laugh because we don't want you to learn to have an attitude before you even turn one!

Milk/Eating:

We are in the home stretch, my friend! Most days, you take 4-5 bottles of 4 ounces in addition to three meals and two snacks. I really think you don't need all of those bottles, but I have the milk and you love it. You are officially weaning, though, and while it has been a blessing and privilege to feed you this long, Mom is ready for a pumping break. You eat on average 16 ounces, and I'm pumping around 24, so I am able to freeze a good bit each week. My plan is to keep pumping at this rate for at least another month to build my freezer stash and then help you wean. We are not planning on transferring you to a milk substitute, but instead, straight to just solids and water.

Sleep:

You have been an early riser lately, and while I do love mornings, 5:00 comes a little too soon some days. Evenstill, though, you have been a rock star sleeper! You take two naps a day, and regardless of how early you get up or how long you nap, your night time schedule stays about the same. A few nights, you've literally gone to sleep around 6:15, but those were fussy days when your teeth were coming through.

Favorite Moments:

-You and I tagged along to Memphis, Tennessee for Dad's work conference. It worked out so nicely because the conference was in the hotel where we stayed, so we got to spend lots of good time in the mornings, at lunch, and at night with him! You and I spent a lot of the time snuggling on the trip because you didn't want to nap in your Pack And Play, and I was totally okay with it! You rarely let me snuggle you to sleep these days, so I soaked up every second of it! We also watched the ducks parade at the Peabody, ate your first (but certainly not last) Rendezvous ribs, visited the zoo, went to Bass Pro, and ate other yummy food! The trip home was a little longer than we wanted because of traffic and construction, but we made the best of it!

-You and I have been loving story time at the library! It's such a fun time of singing, picking out new books, and playing with friends. Reading is a huge part of my life, and Dad and I are doing all we can to inspire that same love for you! We also joined a Baby Praise small group, and you love it! Add in our Monday strolls, and we've got a fun week!

-Our house is coming along, and it has been fun to visit! We went out a couple of weeks ago to write Bible verses on the studs. Our new place is more than a house to us; it will be home, a new place for memories to be made, friends to be played with, meals to be shared, and we want God's word everywhere!

-I spent my second night away from you this month, and it was your dad's first night overnight with you! Y'all did great! We also have two new babysitters; you are still getting used to us leaving, but I know you'll warm up to them soon! They are so sweet, and Mom and Dad are getting to go on more date nights and small groups!

-We celebrated Dad's birthday on the 11th. Because you two love to watch construction, you and I made and bought construction themed goodies. We had a couch picnic, opened presents, and let Dad go to the movies.

Dad told me the other day that it doesn't feel like we have a baby, but instead, it's like our new best friend lives at our home. I couldn't agree more: you are a treat, a treasure, the culmination of all things good in the world are reflected in you.

And just like I tell you before I lay you down: Mama loves you; Dad loves you; and Jesus loves you most of all.