1 Year

My little DerBear turned one on Monday. So crazy! I had wanted to do a lunch with friends, but we all had a stomach bug last week and it lingered longest with Derek. I didn't think cake would go so well on an upset tummy. Soon, we'll have a little get-together and he'll get his cake :).

Monday was not without celebration, though. As a family we had dinner and cookies and opened presents. The boys--Payton more so than Derek, naturally--went nuts over the "new" toys. The thing is, all the gifts from Brandon and myself were toys of Payton's that had been put away over a year ago. Yes, we're cheap. But the boys haven't cared at all! I need to rotate toys more often.

Pizza for dinner:

Followed by gifts:

Derek did NOT like tissue paper! He kept backing away when I'd get it near him!

Birthday cookies:

Derek's one year stats:

Weight:  23.5lbs (60th percentile)

Length:  31.5 inches (60th percentile)

Head:  I don't remember the measurement, but it was the 90th percentile

I was surprised by Derek's weight. I have felt that he's lost weight since he started walking and because of the stomach virus, but I didn't think it'd be that low. Last time he was weighed, 6 weeks ago, he was 25 pounds. My little chunk is thinning out!

I don't even know what to say about Derek. It's overwhelming to try and describe your child on paper. How does one describe all the pieces that make a personality? I will try, though...

-Derek is clingy to me, and if he can see me he wants me to be holding him
-Derek LOVES to wrestle with Payton. They get quite intense, and Derek is always the winner. Payt is so gentle and never fights back.
-Derek loves music, and I often see his feet bouncing in his carseat as we drive around town listening to the radio
-Derek can say "Mama" and signs "milk" (which sign he uses as a generic 'feed me now'/'give me more food')
-Sometimes I wonder if he, too, has some sensory processing issues. I spoke with Dr. L about it and he said to give Derek another month of observance, but if certain things (like, for instance, head banging) do not go away then we'll have him evaluated by the same group that Payt receives therapy through.
-He is a climber!
-Derek has not grown out of his picky eating phase. These picky eating boys are driving me nuts. Seriously, it is a huge stress in my life. Our life, quite simply, is dictated by food and food allergies.
-Derek, like his brother, is an early riser. They both get up between 5:45 and 6:15 every morning.
-Derek's temperament has really evolved recently. He's no longer the chill baby. He has an opinion and he is quite loud in expressing it. I'm sure this new found use of his voice will be tailored as he gets older, but I can no longer say he is the calming influence in my life :). However this, I believe, comes with any 1-year-old's territory.
-Derek LOVES LOVES LOVES LOVES LOVES LOVES (I could go on with the "loves") his pacifier. I thought Payt had an addiction, but Derek's is far worse. haha. Derek also has also added two blankets to his lovey collection. His bird, Elvis, is still a must-have.
-He is shy, and not very quick to give a smile to a stranger. It can take a lot for Derek to feel calm/secure in new environments and around new people.

DerBear is a blessing in our lives. This year has flown by, and I can't imagine life without him. Derek, I truly believe, is a special gift to me from Heavenly Father. If I hadn't of had Derek I wouldn't have been going to the doctor and we would not have found the cancer. As I fought the cancer and all the emotions that come with such a diagnosis Derek was always there for me to hold. Many hours I'd just rock him, and I'd feel the love of not only my son, but my Heavenly Father's Son. Many days Derek has been the sole reason that I pressed on and didn't give into negative emotions. Not to say that Brandon and Payton aren't powerful influences in my life, but a newborn/young baby requires so much of its mother that I had to be strong for him. 

Thank you, Sweet Boy, for choosing us. I feel so blessed to be your mother and I love you with all my heart. Happy Birthday, Chunky Monkey.