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When pregnant I wanted to do everything right for my son. I read every book. I watched what I ate, took my vitamins, slept, drank water, and exercised.

I promised myself that my son wouldn’t watch television until he was three, that I would read to him every night, I’d cloth diaper, I’d potty train early, I would provide routine for him, I would do baby sign,  and I would feed him all natural, organic, homemade food.

 

 
Yep, I was that pregnant woman. I didn’t live up to most of my hopes for parenting. Reality quickly settled in. I know some parents can do it. I’m amazed by them and I admire them. But, hell, I admire most parents nowadays. I’m in awe that we as a people can do this job and not screw up entirely.
 
Anyways, we tried baby sign. We felt entirely silly signing to a baby who was unresponsive, and often screaming. We stopped being consistent. We never saw any sign that he was getting it. So we gave it up. 
 
Then, I kept seeing babies do it. I saw them everywhere. They were signing please when they wanted something. Sorry when they did something wrong. Thank you when you gave them something. It was unreal how many babies were getting it. 
 
So, we tried it again. We decided to keep it with two signs because we knew our inability to be consistent. We worked on “All Done” and “More.”
 
And, after about a month… he got it. Suddenly he was repeating us and saying “All Done” or “More” with his hands. They aren’t perfect signs. His “All Done” is usually a certain movement with one of his hands instead of both of his hands. But, he is communicating to us and we understand. He is still learning to do it all the time. He mostly repeats us. But, occasionally he will do it all on his own when he wants more food or when he is all done with some activity. And, I’m in love with it. It is so nice that he doesn’t have to be frustrated with us for not understanding him.
 
Next on our list of signs to work on? Please and Thank You. 
 
Did you do baby sign? What are your tips on making it work?
 

One of the things I really, really want to do as a mom (that I feel my parents did for me) is make each and every birthday extra special. It doesn’t need to be anything crazy, like a huge party. It needs to be something special though.

X’s First Birthday was on a different day than his party. We didn’t know what to do for him, because honestly he won’t remember much and not a whole lot of stuff leaves a huge impact on him. We decided to have a big family breakfast and then go to the beach during the day that day. (X loves the beach.)
We had decided to not purchase him a gift from us, and instead throw his birthday party. At ten in the evening, the night before his birthday, I got really sad that he wouldn’t have a gift to open on his actual birthday. I wanted something for him to open, that would not sit around the house and collect dust, and that would engage him. Thus came this idea…

First Birthday Surprise

Our little man felt like he needed to climb in the box rather than open it the traditional way.

But, he was still pretty surprised!

DIRECTIONS:
1. Inflate balloons with helium. I used a disposable helium tank that I had already and “Happy Birthday” balloons.
2. Pack balloons into a large box. Tape box shut— I used painters tape and only on the edges so that my son would have an easier time getting the box open.
3. Wrap box. (Do not use a lot of tape so that the wrapping is easy to get open.)
4. Let the kiddo wake up and have a blast opening his/her surprise!

“Where did all the balloons go!?”

Son,

Before I had you I wondered often why people said “13 months” or “18 months” instead of “just over a year” or “a year and a half.” Then you came along. And, each and every day something new happens. You learn something new. Or, you do something new. Or, you say something new. 
If I could say, “He is 412 days old,” and not look like a weirdo then I totally would. 
You amaze me. And, saying that you are a year old doesn’t quite express all of the amazing things you have accomplished in this year. 
Take today for instance:
This morning you cuddled with me on bed and then you said, “nana, nana.” “Nana,” is your word for banana and really, any food in general. That let me know that you were hungry. So, I put you down on the ground, handed you your bottle and said, “bring this into the living room and we will get breakfast.” You took the bottle and walked into the living room. You were so in control and you understood me!

After handing your bottle to dad you looked at me and followed me into the kitchen. When I grabbed a banana you looked at me and clapped your hands. “Nana!” you said excitedly. You are associating objects with names which makes me thrilled beyond reason. 

In the afternoon you danced in circles to the sounds of the music playing in the background. You did a few new moves that I’d never seen before. You clapped because you knew you were doing something awesome.

After you had “done your business” you walked up to me with a package of wipes that you had gotten out of your diaper bag. You handed them to me expectantly and then followed me into your room when I suggested we change your diaper. 

Sure, we had to do a time out today. You like to test me when I tell you that you can’t go into the kitchen. But, it sure is hard not to smile when I see that you know what you need to do and keep looking to see if I am watching you. The way you barely put your foot over the line that separates the kitchen from the living room makes me laugh all over on the inside (even if I say no sternly on the outside). 
And then, this evening you melted my heart when you greeted your father with a huge hug. You didn’t want to let him out of your sight. You followed him everywhere as soon as he got home. You then went outside with him and walked around the house, picking up the apples that had fallen from the trees. 
Part of me wishes you could remember today. The other part is thankful that years from now you won’t have to remember what it was like to have your mom clean your backside or how it feels for those four teeth cutting through your gums. But, today you were happy and you learned so much. Today, number 412, was a day I will never ever let myself forget. 
I love you,
Mom