Tristan's Story

We took Tristan to a drive-through Christmas park and he had a BLAST! =)

Tristan has been talking more and more lately. His language exploded after he turned 18 months old, and he's been saying dozens of new words every day. He's started putting them into short sentences ("All done", "Let's go") and uses them in the right context. It's SO incredible to watch.

Anyway, today, I was standing in front of the mirror, trying to decide if my new shirt looked decent. Tristan was behind me, watching Ice Age 2 on tv, so I never thought anything of it. All of a sudden, I felt a little pat, pat on my back -- and Tristan said "Mama cute. Cute, mama." I said "What?? Did you say mama looks cute?" He looked right at me and said "Cute mama" and then threw his little arms around my neck.

This is what it's all about. He is such a sweet baby, my big boy now, and I *love* these moments.

Yesterday, Tristan had his very first haircut. I didn't want to cut much off of it; he's still my baby and I'm not ready for him to look like a big boy just yet! But it was starting to hang over his ears, and the back was long enough that his curls were getting pretty unruly.

I wanted to take him somewhere that I knew they would do what I wanted, so I let my godmother's friend Cathy have the honors. She is a former beautician-turned-nurse, so she knows what she's doing. And Tristan has known her since he was born, so it wasn't like taking him to a totally new place and letting a stranger cut his hair.

He did great! He sat up in the chair and never cried or anything. He wasn't great at sitting still, but with a little coaxing he did excellent for a one-year old. She didn't cut much off, but it's enough that you can tell the difference. Especially when he first wakes up!

Tristan went on his first-ever fishing trip today. I took him to the Mill Creek Reservoir here in Canton to meet up with his dad and grandpa. We had already bought him a Mickey Mouse fishing pole and a little red life jacket for just such an occasion. His daddy has been wanting to take him fishing since before he was born, so this was a huge day for them. I put on lots of sunscreen and dressed him appropriately - Crocs, blue jean shorts and his "Future Bass Fisherman" t-shirt that, of course, his dad bought.

He did great! He really enjoyed it for over an hour, which is much longer than I thought he would last. And he caught 3 fish! He was in awe of the fish, and even touched it - which is more than his mommy would ever do! :) I'm so proud of my little fisherman, and I know his dad and grandpa were SO excited to have today!

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Today, Brandon and I took Tristan to the Discovery Science Place in Tyler. It's a small science museum that we both remember visiting in elementary school. It was a little bit of a disappointment to us, but Tristan seemed to love it. He ran through the cave, experienced an "earthquake", steered the ship, rode the Magic School Bus, toured an ambulance, worked in construction and much more. He was exhausted - and starving - by the time we got finished!

After the museum, we headed to On The Border for an early dinner. Tristan was so cute - he was winking and waving at all the waitresses while we waited for our food. He had everyone there laughing and talking to him! He also spent a lot of time picking the cheese out of his quesadilla - I joked that next time we should order a quesadilla, hold the dilla. =) He also enjoyed the chips/salsa/queso -- he ate so much of it that his eyes and nose were watering! On the way out, all the waitresses told him bye and waved... he was so excited to be getting that much attention.

We realized later that we had forgotten his pacifier at the restaurant, but luckily we found a spare in my purse. After settling down with his new binky, we got back on the road and I happened to look in the rearview mirror - Tristan was sitting in his car seat with his blankie over his head, just grinning and waiting for us to see him and laugh. Once he got the reaction he wanted, he quickly fell asleep. He never ceases to amaze me! =)

Yesterday, Nana and I took Tristan on his first-ever trip to McDonald's to celebrate his 16 month birthday. He enjoyed some chicken nuggets and orange soda before tackling the nice, new indoor playground. He even went down the slide on his own, for the very first time!!

Today, we found out that they moved him to the next room at daycare. He's now in with the 18 month olds, even though he's a little younger than them. We will really miss his old teacher, but hopefully things will go well in this new room.

Happy Birthday, sweet baby Tristan!

My little one is officially 16 months old today. And while I don't always celebrate these occasions, I'm feel somewhat nostalgic about this one. I can't believe how big (and my smart) my kiddo is getting!

He says over 30 words: doggy, mama, daddy, nana, nena, annie, go, bye, teeth, eye, zebra, lion, monkey, penguin, elmo, mickey, no, uh-huh, bubbles, balloons, turtle, elephant, gator, juice, eat, fish, ball, car, truck, gunner, apple, banana, cookie, beaver, peacock, and probably a LOT more that I can't remember right now.

He has 9 teeth and is cutting 2 more molars.

And he just amazes us every day with all the new things he learns!

I'm working at Tristan's daycare now. He still can't quite figure out why I would come to his school during the day and stay there, instead of picking him up and going home. On Thursday and Friday, I worked in the Pre-K room, but yesterday, I was with Tristan in the infant room. He loved being with mommy, but wasn't too sure about sharing me. Either way, it was nice to see my sweet boy 'in his element' at school and it's nice to have a job this summer, of course!

I've been thinking a lot lately, how becoming a mommy has made me a different person, a better person. My sweet baby boy turned 15 months old today. And not a day goes by that he doesn't absolutely amaze me. He already has so much more personality than I will ever have -- he has an amazing sense of humor and can make all the girls smile. He dances like a professional and has this crazy, infectious laugh that will brighten your whole day. He's learning so much these days... he can point to all of his most obvious body parts and calls all of his favorite people by name. He has 9 teeth, and a full head of gorgeous (but thin) curly hair. He loves to cuddle with his "doggy", Gunner. His favorite toys are his Little People farm animals and any book that he can get his hands on. I know that these are the days I need to hold near to my heart, that I need to remember forever. His sweet baby hugs that can make you cry, and his slobbery kisses that make you laugh.

I've been reading this blog: http://www.remembermaddie.com - and it has made me realize, again, just how incredibly blessed I am. I have a happy, healthy, smart, sweet baby boy and I take him for granted all too often. I know that my busy schedule is necessary - I'm trying to give him a better life. But I just hope that I don't forget to live this one, in the meantime.

I know that being a mother can happen to anyone. But being a *mommy* is special. And it changes your life.

Tristan had an appointment with his new ENT, Dr. Keech, this afternoon. As of today, Tristan will be getting tubes in his ears on March 16th. He has a lot of fluid in both ears, and it's causing the the back-to-back ear infections. Hopefully, this will take care of that problem and he won't be in so much pain all the time!

Today was Tristan's last day of his latest round of antibiotics... he woke up with splotches on his face. As the morning went on and we started getting ready for school, they turned darker and spread all over his neck, tummy and back. =-0

Annie came home from work to look at them, and then his dad came back so that I could head off to school. I was so worried about my sweet boy! Brandon took him to the doctor at 10:30 and she confirmed that it was hives - he has a sulfa allergy, apparently. So we're discontinuing the antibiotics and giving Benadryl until his rash goes away. My sweet boy is itching and scratching and miserable, but it does seem to be getting a little better with each Benadryl dose.

He got a referral to the ENT, so we should be having that appointment soon... Hopefully we can come up with something that will keep him from having an ear infection all the time.

Tristan was up all night last night... he would just wake up screaming. I brought him to bed with me, but he just tossed and turned. I gave him some Tylenol this morning so that he could rest and it seemed to help a lot. I still really just thought that he was teething, since he hasn't had any fever or congestion.

Much to my _____, I took him to daycare this morning. I thought the change of scenery would do him some good and really, I needed a break. When I got home, I called and made him a doctor's appointment.

I went back a couple of hours later and picked him up (they said he did great). As it turns out, he still has a double inner ear infection. His chest is clear this time, at least. He had another really painful shot of Rocephin and they gave him a new prescription and some ear drops. She said that if this doesn't clear up, or if it recurs again in the near future, then he's headed to an ENT, to possibly get tubes in his ears. I would hate for him to have to do that, but he just can't seem to get rid of these ear infections. :(

He's asleep now, with his nana. Hopefully he'll feel better soon!

I do realize that Tristan's birthday party was over 10 days ago and that I never came back with an update. I'm a horrible mommy. Being a full-time mom and student is getting to be a little harder than I imagined. Though I just spent the better part of 36 hours reading this blog: Matt Logelin and that makes it seem like I have such a simple job.

Tristan is doing great... he had his 12-month check-up and shots, which broke my heart. He's older now so all the emotions just seem more real. Also, as of 1/27, he moved up to the "big kid" (12-18 mos) room at daycare. He now only takes 1 nap a day, goes to recess, does art activities and is just generally growing up right before my eyes.

On all other fronts, he's doing great. He now has seven teeth (for the most part). He can walk, run, climb and a number of other special maneuvers. He LOVES to read his (huge array of) books and now divides his time between reading, riding his 4-wheeler and sweeping/mopping. He's going to make some girl a wonderful husband some day. ;0)

I'm adding some pictures from his birthday and party, to make up for the belated update.

Happy 1st Birthday to my sweet baby boy!

I can't believe how fast this year has gone by! It seems like just yesterday, I was holding my beautiful baby for the very first time.

We had a WIC appointment this morning and he is now at 23 pounds and 28 inches. When he was born, he weighed 8 lbs. 15 oz. and was 21 inches long. What a difference a year makes! He's now walking/running and talking and eating table foods and working on getting rid of his formula/bottles. Before we know it, he'll be off to kindergarten!

A year ago today, I was at the hospital, having contractions. This was right about the time when I got there, too. We stayed there for about four hours, seeing if my labor was going to progress or not. When it didn't, we started home... tired, a little bit disappointed, a lot anxious. I got a few hours of sleep and then at 5am on January 13th, I woke up with really strong contractions. I let Brandon sleep a while longer, then started getting ready and we headed for the hospital. I was admitted at noon and labored throughout that Sunday and then, finally, at 3:57 am on Monday, January 14, 2008, my beautiful, sweet baby boy came into the world.

It's sad, thinking of how fast this year has gone by, and all of the moments I will never have back. But as my sweet angel baby sleeps in the next room, I am so thankful for all of those moments, and for all the moments to come. My baby is handsome and sweet and smart, more than any mom could want. He's growing and learning every day and I can't wait to see the amazing person that he is becoming. :)