A Flavorful Adventure: 2014

We've had a wonderful week! This past weekend, we took Tucker camping for the first time. We spent one night in Whitewater State Park, and we went hiking, swimming in the river, and of course, had a bonfire. Tucker is not usually a little boy that will sit in one spot for more than a few moments, but while we were camping, he sat in his Scooby Doo chair by the fire like such a big boy. The only challenge that we had was sleeping. We assumed that he would boycott his nap, which he did. We were able to sneak in a short thirty minute nap during a walk, but night time was a different story. I got him asleep and in his cot at bedtime, but he woke up as I was leaving and refused to go back down. We let him stay up for a few extra hours, and I was able to get him asleep several times but he kept waking up when I laid him down. I eventually got him asleep on his cot, but when he woke up, he crawled over to me and we slept the rest of the night cuddled up. Normally, I would love to cuddle up and sleep together; however, on the floor of a tent was sleepless and uncomfortable. Even with no sleep, it was all worth it when he woke up for good in the morning with a big grin. We'll tweak a few things before our next family camping trip, but we had a great time!

He has also learned an adorable new "trick." He has a toothbrush that we used to use on his hair when he was an infant, and now he plays with it. We'll say "brush the puppy's teeth," and he will actually brush them! Maybe he will be a dentist!

Sometimes, I share a toothbrush with my puppy.

Just reading my book.

Playing my "cooler drum."

Having a snack in my big boy Scooby Doo chair.

I sat here and watched Dad put up the tent during my snack. It was very interesting!

Getting my swim suit on. I can't wait to go swimming!

Belly shot!

Graham crackers with Mommy by the fire!

Mommy made me a "hobo packet" for supper just like hers and Daddy's!

This is what I think of bedtime on a camping trip!

I'm busting out of here!

I love "sleeping" with Mommy and Daddy.

So this button makes it dark?

Aren't you glad that I fought sleep so that we could get a family camping picture??

Well, Tucker is 1!! He also had hand, foot, and mouth disease which is part of the reason I'm trying to play catch up. I'll get to that in a minute. First of all, week 52 was a nice, laid-back week, and we got some wonderful family time for Tucker's birthday. He loves tacos and ice cream, so that is what we had for his birthday dinner. Of course, there were lots of adorable tears when the ice cream was gone, but he got over it quickly. We had already opened gifts at his party, so we spent the rest of the night playing before bedtime. It was low-key, but we finally got a family picture where we are all looking at the camera (and Tucker is even sort of smiling).

Tucker got his first haircut a couple days after turning one. We only wanted a trim to even up the ends, get the hair out of his eyes and ears, and to shorten up the back. The stylist did a great job, and we no longer have to worry about him developing a mullet. Tucker sat pretty still until the end, and he didn't cry at all.

Tucker also had his 12 month check up along with vaccinations. He weighed about 22 pounds, which is about 50th percentile, and he was 29 inches long, which is about the 21st percentile. He had to get three shots which he did really well for. He cried big crocodile tears, but sat very still on my lap and I was able to soothe him pretty quickly. Luckily, he didn't get any fevers with these vaccinations, and he didn't seem to be sore at all the next day.

Unfortunately, there is no vaccination for hand, foot, and mouth disease which Tucker picked up at daycare. I got a call from daycare after my night shift that he had a temperature of 102.5 and by the time I got him home an hour later, it was up to 104. His fever lasted a few days, and he had been sleeping 13-14 hours a night during that time. We were struggling to get enough fluids in him because the sores in his mouth hurt too much. He is back to his normal self again with only a few healing sores left on his legs.

A couple days before he got sick, Tucker took his first steps!! We were playing before Daddy went to work one morning. I was holding him and when I let go, he took 3 or 4 steps! He did it several more times that day and the next, but I think the sores on his legs made it too painful to walk because he wanted to be carried more. Knowing Tucker, I'm sure that once he really starts walking, there will be no slowing him down!

Here are the pictures of my favorite 1 year old!