15-month update

While we were in Orange County, Iver hit the 15-month milestone.

He:

- probably weighs about 19 lbs (although I always seem to overestimate; we haven't weighed him officially since 12 months; his well child check is in another couple of weeks). He's probably still less than 10% for weight, but seems to be about average height. He wears some 9- month clothes still, but is in about 12-month pants, and size 3-4 shoes

- is still breastfed and will drink small amounts of thawed (I have a freezer full) breastmilk or whole milk from a cup (except at daycare where he goes on strike).  He doesn't seem to be anywhere near weaning himself, although my weaning him is up for discussion in order to encourage better solids consumption and better behavior, as he seems to be more whiny and ask (sign) for milk constantly when I'm around, and forgo normal eating (I am reluctant, however, for bonding, immunological, and "then will I be worth anything as a mom?" reasons).  I don't pump anymore, unless I'm stuck at the hospital for many hours and can't get home, or I have a lunch meeting and can't visit him at daycare midday (or I go to a two-day tennis tournament!). He still hates being strapped in the high-chair, but now will eat meals or snacks sitting on our lap/counter or standing at a small child's table or "low" chair with only a waist strap (or being chased. This is not something I condone but I feel pressure to get any calories in him). He started taking better to solids around 13 months and will, if in the mood, takes very small amounts of food, but overall still seems more interested in playing (or breastfeeding). He likes to feed himself, including with a fork or spoon and hands.  He still loves fruit of all kinds, particularly blueberries and grapes, and crunchy snacks like veggie straws and puffs. His favorite veggies include broccoli and green beans. He has eight (four upper, four lower) teeth. 

-  was adjusting better to daycare, where, after eight weeks, he got to a point where he didn't cry when I dropped him off (he cried today when Kelvin took him, but I think it was brief).  He's had four febrile illnesses and a chronically runny nose since he's been enrolled, but seems to enjoy himself when he's there. 

- is sleeping better, with our goal to have him officially night weaned (i.e. no breastfeeding before 5-6 am) this week (previously, I was feeding him only once around the 3 a.m. wake-up). He goes to be around 730-8 pm and will wake for the day around 0530 or 6 a.m. with about 1-2 wakings inbetween (we are hoping to get him to soothe himself back to sleep but sometimes requires us to lie with him).  On our trip, he preferred sleeping on a mattress on the floor (and was able to put himself to sleep with his blanky) to a crib or pack and play, and definitely slept better/longer with me in a separate room (Kelvin took one for the team and slept with/next to him for several days at his parents' house). I find that I've been happier when I haven't had "expectations" about what he should be doing/how (long) he should be sleeping, but at this point, 8 hours of consistent continuous sleep (from him! If only I could make myself go to bed when he does instead of having me-time) would be amazing.  This is improving. But I wouldn't say he "sleeps through the night."

- is not saying any recognizable words other than "yeah," and maybe "bear" (I thought I heard a "banana" this weekend but it may have been a fluke) but is making many signs, including "dog" (his first sign), "milk," "more," "eat," "water," "hat," "please," and "thank you. He points to several (eye, ear, mouth, nose, belly button) body parts when asked, and will kiss/hug on command.  I am having fun learning sign language (babysignlanguage.com has great videos in their dictionary).  

-  still wears cloth diapers when we're home (and size 3 Huggies overnights), and will poop on the potty every morning and 1-2 more times during the day, and pee when the diaper comes off (sometimes in the potty, for Kelvin, or on the floor or tub for me). 

- Is very loving. He is not shy and will walk up to total strangers (he especially loves kids), at the airport for example, and give them a big grin or hold out his hand. He loves to give hugs and kisses. He is not much of a cuddler, though, unless it's nighttime, and doesn't hang out on a lap for very long, but does like to be held on your hip. 

- He is still very adventurous. He tries to run.  He loves to climb onto high places. He can go down the stairs alone on his backside. His favorite toys are stacking cups, our phones, empty water bottles, the contents (disposable silverware and chopsticks) of our lowest kitchen drawer, and electrical cords, and we've been pretty much minimalists in the toy department, but I'm thinking of getting him a play kitchen and some stacking blocks to encourage him to stay away from our stuff :).

- is very passionate and stubborn. He hates being restrained in carseats or strollers and will scream for whole car rides, which is exhausting.  He likes to ride front-facing in the Lillebaby carrier still. This article describes a lot about how I feel about our "wild child." 

One and a quarter years down! 

Here are some family photos from last week!

Wrestling with Kingston

Awake from naptime!

with the grandparents

I can't seem to get the videos that Katherine took of him signing (please/thankyou) to upload. Bummer!  They'll have to stay on my phone for now.

Relax and Reconnect

We have had a few free days in Orange County to be able to make some plans and meet up with old friends.

It was great to see Kimie (a friend from residency, and med school for Kelvin), (Vin,) and little Adeline, just about three weeks old.

napping babes

We met up with Debbie (UCLA friend who officiated our wedding), Rick, Ruth and Steven (4.5 months) at Redondo Beach Veterans' Park, and walked to the Pier for some delicious shave ice.

Amy (another bud from Kelvin's UCLA days), John, and little David joined us for the tasty treat.

Kieu and Jimmy, old OC friends, who are settling back here after a year abroad teaching in Korea, came over bearing some delicious spicy crawfish, and then we caught up with Tina (middle school friend of K's) for Taiwainese hot pot and massages yesterday.

There's been a lot of family time interspersed there, but alas, we are getting a bit lazy in the photo department there.  What a relaxing time we've had!

Back to Deuce: Toddler-free tennis time at BNP Paribas

On Thursday, Kelvin and I headed to Indian Wells (about two hours east of Orange County) for two days of relaxing tennis-watching. It was so relaxing mainly because we were baby-free for about 50 hours! After an AirBnB rental house fell through and we had to scramble for cost-inflated lodging due to the BNP Paribas tournament, Kelvin's mom graciously agreed to watch Iver back home in OC so that we could just crash at a motel and enjoy toddler-free tennis. It was the first time (except for when I've been stuck at the birth center with laboring patients) that I've been away from Iver overnight and our first 24+ hour "week-end" as a couple since he was born, almost fifteen months ago.

I feel slightly guilty saying this (that I enjoyed my toddler-free time so immensely-- as it makes me feel that I selfishly don't love spending time with my son), but I am an honest person, so here it is.... IT. WAS. AWESOME.  There are very few (or possibly none) things that I enjoy more than watching tennis (live or TV) and reading books, and I was able to do almost exclusively both in this two-day-getaway, along with not having to deal with any food-, sleep-, or carseat-fighting fits. I powered through another Liane Moriarty novel, The Last Anniversary, and got partway through another book on Wendi's recommendation, Dear Mr. Knightley, on my Kindle when we had downtime waiting for matches to start. And I just relished in the warm, dry, weather watching some great tennis.  I did pump milk four times each day to keep up supply for my not-ready-to-wean toddler, which was pretty easy with the many outlets and extremely clean bathrooms available at this upscale tournament, but I got about 8 hours of sleep for two nights, and have returned refreshed and happy.   Enjoy the photos!

I am not sure why there was a bagpiper at the entrance, but here he was-- playing loudly (which is why I, familiar as an ex-Highlander, appear to be standing a bit farther away in this photo).

Here is me with two of my favorite players-- RF and the Djoker.  Really wanting to see Roger Federer before he retires, Kelvin and I were so disappointed and very surprised to hear he withdrew from this tournament with a knee injury, as he has stayed so very injury-free during his remarkable career.  We are hopeful that we can maybe see him next year! Roger has signed up to play in the Miami Open coming up, so I think he's knee is ok.

In the stands

We caught some glimpses of Tsonga goofing around on the soccer field...

 pump break overlooking the practice courts

The Goffin-Cilic quarterfinal was a good one, where little "David" defeated the big-serving Goliath.

We saw the Wimbledon Champion North American doubles team of Jack Sock and Vasek Pospisil defeat the European duo Kohlschreiber/Thiem.

Rafa headed to the practice courts for a late afternoon session

Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka double-bageled her night session Czech opponent, Magdalena Rybarikova.

Raonic-Monfils was an entertaining matchup, but was not as competitive as we'd hoped (with big-serving Raonic out hitting the wily Frenchman).

Katherine and Eddie joined us for the second day of tennis, and they were also thrilled at seeing some great players and great matches!

The first match on Friday was Rafael Nadal vs. Kei Nishikori. Not being a Rafa fan in the least and tending to root for the underdog, I was in the minority in cheering for the Japanese, and found the (VAMOS!!!) cheers of the Rafa fans to be quite annoying. However, Nadal, the 14-time Grand Slam Champion, came away the victor.

Kelvin even caught his ritualistic, unhygienic wedgie-picking on camera.

That match was followed by Djokovic-Tsonga, which was really close at 7-6, 7-6 and with some unbelievable shots from both men, with the Serbian and World #1 the winner.

We enjoyed a nice afternoon break and some delicious double-scoop ice cream.

check out photobombing Kelvin with Eddie's massive tennis ball!

Our night concluded with watching the matchup between legendary world No. 1 Serena Williams and Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland. Serena recently returned to play Indian Wells after a long history of boycotting the tournament, claiming racist spectators. I am not a fan of either of these players (and not for reasons of race), but found the matchup really interesting, and it was actually an exciting match, with Radwanska's counterpunching keeping many otherwise unplayable balls from a big hitter in play.

Serena's serve was pretty darn spectacular. She hit one 122-mph service winner (Radwanska actually got her racket on it!)

 

Radwanska retrieved like her life depended on it, and did a great job, but it wasn't good enough for Serena's angry winners.  She lost the second set in a tiebreak and therefore the match.

We got periodic updates from Kelvin's mom while we were gone. Apparently, other than a few-hour period of time after a Facetime attempt with us (BAD. IDEA!) when he was inconsolable missing us, Iver did really well in our absence. He ate well, drank milk from a cup, played with Kingston, napped, and only woke up once per night (I'm so glad he didn't give my in-laws a hard time at night! Now if he can do the same now that we're back). He was happy (but didn't appear ecstatic) to see us back.  I think it's time to night wean! And I think that, for my (/our) sanity, Kelvin and I may try to get away some more, just the two of us, if even for a few hours.  The week's end was a success for all!