Mathew Alan Jr.'s 1 Year Stats

MJ had his one-year well baby visit this week. His current stats are:

Weight: 21 lbs. 5 oz., in the 25th percentile

Head: 46 1/2 cm., in the 50th percentile

Height: 30 1/4. in., in the 55th percentile

He received all his vaccinations and had his blood drawn to do a lead level check as well. Of course he was not too fond of any of it, and as always it breaks my heart, but I'm glad it's done. We're now done with the monthly Synagis shots as well so the good news is that as long as he stays healthy, we don't have to visit the pediatrician or get any shots for a whole 6 months!!

MJ seems to be developing right on track. All the typical benchmarks and milestones they asked us about he seems to have already met or be working towards. When I think how many concerns we had this time last year as he was still in the NICU, it's just amazing how wonderfully healthy he's turned out! No breathing complications or delays in milestones as we were prepared could be expected. Besides getting RSV at 11 months, we went nearly a whole year without a single call or trip to the doctor with a sick baby....not so much as a diaper rash even!

So, at one year, what is the little guy up to? He loves drinking from his sippy cup now. He usually has a few glasses of whole milk and we're trying to be better about incorporating a glass of water in a day as well too. He is still a great eater. I wouldn't mind plumping him up a bit more, but he already eats just about anything and everything we give him. He likes exploring a little bit with his own fork or spoon, but doesn't quite grasp it. He eats just about anything that we eat, just in tinier pieces of course. He's still a great sleeper...sleeping about 12 hours at night and either one long or two shorter naps during the day depending upon our schedule. He's pretty consistently wearing 12 month clothes now, but the longer he gets, I think we'll be on to 18 month pants before we know it. He loves playing, and his new favorite toy is his VTech Learning Train that he got for his birthday. He also still loves books, books, books! Of course despite all the toys and books, what he really wants to get his hands on the most is the TV remote! What's with boys and their remotes?!

MJ will be taking his first long road trip and vacation a week from today. We are heading to Florida for some spring training fun and time with family and friends. We decided to drive. We broke down and bought a little DVD player for the car to help keep him entertained on the long drive. We tested it out on our way home from St. Louis after this birthday weekend, and it seemed to be a hit. He watched Baby Einstein like nobodies business. Hopefully we'll be able to drive during his naps, a few hours of his night time sleep, and take some nice long rest breaks at parks or mall play areas so he can get some playtime in. Any traveling tips with a one year old are welcome! :)

I just can not believe how much my sweet little boy has changed in one year. To go from a tiny little guy who was unable to breathe on his own, grasp a pacifier, or smile at me to a running, giggling, 6-tooth, wonder just AMAZES me. I'm in awe of God's work!