J's First Birthday

We don't really know anyone here yet, so we decided to do J's party when we visit family in Alabama. But we still wanted to do something he would enjoy, so we went to the Aquarium of the Pacific on Sunday. My father-in-law was in town for a business trip and came with us.

J loved it! Like most babies, he's really curious and observant, so he loved looking at the different animals and splashing in the stingray pool.

On Tuesday, his birthday, we ate at a Mexican restaurant. They sang to him and gave him flan.

 Then we did a little family cake-and-presents thing.

I got all this for $15. But he doesn't have a learning table yet, so I'm working on finding one for him.

He had his 12-month check-up today. Here's his stats:

Weight: 18 lbs. 4 oz. (finally doubled his birth weight!)

Height: 27.75"

Teeth: 5

Cruising: like a pro

Walking: no

Words: loves saying "dad," only says "mama" occasionally (and I guess you could count his grunting as GIVE IT TO ME NOW!)

Hands: does his "hula hands" and looks/grunts at something to show he wants it, just started clapping, can't wave "bye" or point yet

Favorite game: Peekaboo (he hides his face and I "look" for him)

Favorite book: Smile! (a book with smiling babies)

Favorite toy: a rubber bracelet I had and his aspirator

Favorite TV show: tie between Dora and The Backyardigans

Favorite activities: eating, playing with toys, going to the park, slamming doors in my face

Favorite food: bananas 

Favorite thing ever: cell phones

Other favorites: sticking out his tongue, flirting with ladies

My husband was trying to get J to take a step the day before his birthday so he could say that J was walking at 11 months. He got J to crash into the couch with his hands not touching anything and wanted to count that, but...not sure if I'm writing it down in his baby book as the "official" first step yet.

I did, however, consign to recognize "dad" as his first word. I tried to write it off as babbling for as long as possible because I really wanted his first word to be "mama." But he's been saying "dad" so often and for so long, that I finally caved.

I'm glad I didn't schedule J's 12-month appointment on his birthday. He had to get 4 shots and was NOT happy. J's pediatrician made me feel like a bad mom, though. He's so good with J in the way that he interacts with him, but he talks down to me and acts like I put him in a corner and ignore him all day just because he can't walk and only says two words. He gave me ominous warnings about physical therapy if he isn't walking by 15 months and speech therapy if he isn't saying more words by 15 months. J can't point, so Dr. Ong assumed that I don't read to him or point things out to him. He gave me a handout explaining why parents should read to babies. If we weren't moving in less than a year, I'd find another pediatrician. The last time I checked, milestones were not races.