Noah's 12 Month Update
Noah Parker Groves,
You’re a whopping 19 pounds and 28.5 inches long. It’s almost time to switch you to a larger carseat (which we got on sale on Prime Day). Your 6th tooth popped up on 6/28. Oddly, it wasn’t the tooth that I thought was coming in; this one took me by surprise. Your 7th tooth popped about 3 days later and this WAS the one I knew was getting close.
You’re really good at clapping now and you can sign “more” but I don’t think you really know what it means as you’ll sign it but still have food on your plate. We’re still working on waving “hi” and “bye”
You’re really focused on sitting up on your own; especially when I’m trying to change your diaper. We had a few days of difficult naps because you wanted to practice getting yourself into a sitting position and standing. You even took a full nap sitting, but leaning forward. I remember when Sophia did this and once she even slept the whole night standing up. Now you’re able to pull yourself up on everything; the couch, the chairs, the crib, the baby gate, etc.
Your favorite toys are any type of car and pushing it across the floor; Hot Wheel cars, trucks, etc. Sticking your fingers in my mouth and nose while nursing is another favorite activity of yours.
Words you can say and know the meaning to:
Dada
Mama
“Kaw” for cat
No, no, no
Mmmm ma (kissing sound)
Mommy’s friend has been watching you a few times while I work, but thankfully work has been slowing down. You had a trial day at daycare and it went so well. You start in August and it’s so bittersweet.; I’m going to miss my little work buddy.
This summer we made a bucket list and were able to check a few things off this month. We went to the South Waterfront and ate Blue Star donuts (sorry bud, you didn’t get to try any), rode the sky tram, walked on the OHSU sky bridge, and then Daddy pushed you and Sophia in the bike trailer while I ran along the waterfront. It was a perfect day. Another weekend we walked (I ran) along the Spring Water Corridor in Gresham. You thought it was so funny to chase Sophia and I while we were running.
Last 4th of July we did sparklers with Sophia and I wasn’t really feeling up to that this year, so instead we introduced you and Sophia to the popper fireworks. Obviously you didn’t partake, but you enjoyed watching your sister throw them on the ground. We spent the afternoon at your friend Evan’s house and instead of staying up for fireworks, we showed you some on the TV. Both you and Sophia slept through all the loud fireworks that the neighbors did.
Other activities we did this month included: Having Maged over for dinner; having our old neighbor Paul over for dinner; taking you and Sophia to Jamba Juice; and celebrating our anniversary while you and Sophia played at a friend’s house.
Lately, you’ve been pushing your feet up against the table and leaning yourself back in the chair. We try to scoot you away from the table, but on 6/28 (7:30 am), you pushed hard enough and fell completely backwards. You cried for a bit but then calmed down. Two minutes later, as we were sending Sophia and Daddy off in the bike trailer, you threw up. We quickly did some googling and decided to take you to the ER. Everything was fairly normal aside from a suspected concussion and a huge goose egg on the back of your head.
That evening, as we were on our way to pick Daddy up from work, I heard you cough a few times in the carseat. I frantically tried to find a place to pull over to check if you had thrown up again and before I could park the car, I smelled the awful vomit smell. Sure enough, you threw up. We rushed to get Daddy and headed to the nearest ER to have you checked out again. We were having flashbacks from when Sophia had seizures as we visited all of these same hospitals. The doctor examined your goose egg and determined that it would be best to get a CT scan to make sure there were no fractures. You got to watch some Cocomelon while in the CT machine, but you hated every second of it.
A week and a half later you had a low-grade fever and were extremely tired (snuggly too!). Since you recently had a concussion, our naturopath suggested we go to the urgent care just to make sure nothing else is going on. Thankfully, everything looked good and you recovered quickly. Of course I hate seeing you sick, but I thoroughly enjoyed taking most of the day off work and getting to snuggle and comfort you.
The rest of the month was spent in Utah visiting all of your grandparents and family. We had so much fun!
Saturday - July 15th: We flew to Utah and you and Sophia both did so well on the airplane. You slept the entire flight and daddy entertained Sophia. She got a little bit loud a few times and kept saying, “I pooped / tooted on you, daddy.” We arrived to Grandma and Grandpa Groves’ house around 9 PM, so we played for a few minutes, ate a snack, and you both went to bed.
Sunday - July 16: You stayed home with Grandpa Danny to get a good nap, while the rest of us went to Grandma Karen’s church. Sophia didn’t want to leave, she was having so much fun in her class. After a delicious meal of biscuits and gravy, we loaded up the car and made the two hour drive to Grammy and Grandpa Kittelsrud’s house.
Monday - July 17: In the morning, went to the track so I could run. Sophia and Grammy played on the field and you and daddy walked around in the stroller. During your first nap, Grammy took Sophia to a friend’s house. During your second nap, Grandpa Jim and I took Sophia for a treat at the gas station, where she immediately went to the candy and chose sour patch watermelon. Yum! That evening, you and Sophia babysat Grammy and Grandpa Jim so Daddy and I could go on a double date with Tristen and Enoch for Tristen’s birthday. Next up is your first birthday!
Tuesday - July 18: Grammy took Sophia in the hills for a little hike and then to a park. That evening we walked to Yo Crazy for some frozen yogurt. You loved the few bites we gave to you.
Wednesday - July 19: Daddy and I took you on a run / walk while Sophia stayed home. We attempted to spend some time at the Manti Water Festival, but ended up leaving fairly quickly as Sophia had a really bad stomach ache. I was worried it was appendicitis since she said it hurt on her lower right side, but it resolved itself lafter her three hour nap.
Thursday - July 20: Today is your first birthday little man! We have no idea how a year flew by so quickly. To celebrate, Sophia got her nails professionally painted and later Grammy’s friend Shaneen came to visit. You enjoyed your very first (mini) cupcake, which you completely devoured.
Friday - July 21: In the morning, Grammy and I took Sophia to the local splash pad and park with Tristen and her kiddos, while you took your nap. We enjoyed a yummy lunch at the Chinese Restaurant to celebrate daddy and my upcoming birthdays. for dinner, Grammy’s friend Debbie came over to see you and Sophia.
Saturday - July 22: We took you and Sophia to your first parade. Portland has parades, but the parking is such a nightmare that we never go. We then ate lunch at Tristen’s and got to go on a side-by-side ride (sorry buddy, you didn’t get to go for a ride).
Sunday - July 23: Sunday was spent going to church and then driving back to Draper to spend a week with the Groves grandparents.
Monday - July 24: The 24th of July is Pioneer Day in Utah and we celebrated by attending Vickie and Bill’s party. There were lots of kids, toys, good food, and the best fireworks I’ve ever seen. You were mesmerized!
Tuesday - July 25 and Wednesday - July 26: We hung around the house, playing in the kiddie pool and walking around Gardner Village. You got to pet some animals at the petting zoo and take a little train ride.
Thursday - July 27 and Friday - July 28: These two days were fairly similar. On Thursday, it was daddy’s 31st birthday! We celebrated by going to Penny Anne’s for brunch (best pancakes ever!); spending time with Auntie Shelby in the kiddie pool; eating sushi at Tsunami; and having ice cream cake for dessert. We are so blessed to be able to celebrate another year of daddy’s life. Friday was also spent with Auntie Shelby and then we got family pictures taken in Park City.
Saturday - July 29: We had a family birthday party for you today with pizza and cupcakes. As expected, you loved the cupcake and were spoiled. We cannot believe that you are one, but are so proud of the little boy you’re becoming.
Sunday - July 30: You woke up with a fever so you stayed home with Grandpa while the rest of us went to church. You felt awful most of the day, but we all enjoyed the snuggles.
Most medical professionals will say that teething doesn’t cause a fever, but most parents will say that their babies had fevers when teething. I think you were majorly teething, but only time will tell. If our suspicions are correct, this is the most painful teething you’ve had yet.
Along with the wonderful trip to visit our families, this month brought lots of sickness, doctor appointments and ER visits. Can we take it easy next month? Life sure is a wild ride with two littles, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Love,
Mom and Dad
