Marco's One Year Wellness Checkup

Marco had his one year check up on January 26. I was anxious to see his stats to see if this little guy had put on any weight from our last visit. I was thrilled to find out he had gained more weight, but bummed to realize he had stayed in the same percentile (6%).

Height: 29 in. (73.7 cm.) 17%

Weight: 18 lb. 1 oz. (8.2kg.) 6%

Head Circumference: 45.7 cm (18 in.) 38%

While we waited for the doctor we had lots of fun playing and making Marco laugh.

And once the doctor arrived the kids were more interested in her name tag than anything else.

Marco had to get his blood drawn (and get shots). He didn't cry at all when he got his finger pricked. (Lily just looks at the finger-pricking needle and starts crying). But she was really concerned for her brother and wanted to make sure that he was okay.

Marco's shots really knocked him out. For some reason, whenever my kids get shots all they want to do is cuddle or sleep. Usually it's the latter. They go to sleep within an hour of their shots and wake up the next morning. I just need to make sure I don't have anything planned away from home and that we can make the rest of the day slow and uneventful. 

On this particular doctor visit, Marco just wanted to cuddle. He is not a cuddly baby and so I was overly excited to get the chance to sit and rock and cuddle my baby boy. These cuddle sessions are so seldom, that when they do occur - I treasure them and make sure that I take full advantage of him in my arms. 

Snowmaggedon 2016

About once or twice a year North Carolina gets hit with some pretty intense snow. Usually the second wave is much more severe than the first, with the first having only an inch of snow and school being cancelled for a week.

People take preparation for the snowstorm pretty seriously. I hardly ever see anyone shopping at the local Neighborhood Walmart near us, but when I went to buy some groceries... everything was out of stock. 

The only bread left was hot dog and hamburger buns.

The sugar was ravaged through (must be serious about our treats and sugar supply when a storm hits).

The only milk left was expired or organize $5.79 (or higher) a gallon prices. Yup... I got stuck with the expensive milk because I didn't know I was supposed to run to the grocery store with everyone else.

But when the time came to go outside and enjoy the snow, we were prepared. When we were in Utah 3 weeks prior, we purchased snow gear for the kids so they could enjoy the cold weather. And even though they were warm, Marco was definitely not sure he was liking our outside adventures in the snow.

Lily was loving the snow. She managed to get her feet and hands soaking wet (we didn't plan ahead with good boots and gloves), and was still asking to go outside to make Olaf or to shovel the snow.

Daddy was even kind enough to get all bundled up when Lily was begging to go outside and play in the snow. She kept asking to go play like Elsa.

Every time the snow came down, Lily went and got her gear on before even asking us if we could go outside. I can't believe that snow made her that motivated to get ready in the morning.

One morning, when I wasn't paying attention, Lily got all her gear on, and went outside and started sliding down the hill on her bum. By the time I noticed her gone, I realized her fingers weren't in her gloves properly and her shoes were on the wrong feet - but she didn't mind - she just wanted to play. Our sleds didn't work, and the snow was so hard that with the nylon material in her snow pants, it created a perfect catalyst for her to slide down the hill. It wasn't as fun as sliding down the stairs (check out our YouTube video of that). But, bless her heart, she just wanted to play and slide so badly in the snow.

I knew that once this snowstorm was over, we wouldn't have any others large enough to create a reason to get all dressed up in snow gear. So, when all the sleds went on sale, and any warm clothing as well, I purchased them so that we would be prepared for next year's big snow storms and the kids would have much more fun playing in the snow than this year!

Opening Gifts

Opening gifts is the best part of any birthday...

especially when they come early and are from Grammy and Grandpa and Babcia. They always get much cooler gifts than Mommy and Daddy buy for them.

But of course, Lily feels like it is her sisterly duty to make sure Marco is opening his gifts properly.

Marco is one... so gift were really low key this year. He was happy with his new toy cars and his curious George monkey to sleep with. And overall, Marco is a trouble maker and really just enjoys taking Lily's toys and playing with them. 

Cake Smash

While Marco was sleeping, Lily helped make me a cake for Marco's Birthday. We wanted to get some great cake-smash photos.

Here's how our little lovely cake turned out. Lily had fun helping me put the sprinkles on it and I am still finding sprinkles in my house from this cake!

At first Marco wasn't so sure about what to do with his cake.

But with Lily's coaching, he figured out that he was to eat the cake!

I truly wish I understood and knew how to capture good photos on my camera. One of these days, I'll look back and just be amazed at how far I've come with taking pictures, but for now... these amateur shots will have to suffice.

Michal, on the other hand, is an expert. He takes the camera while I'm cleaning up the mess... takes a total of 4 pictures... and 3 of them look AMAZING! (They are the three below). I wish I had his talent and his natural eye!

(Grumpy face from Lily because we wouldn't let her eat any cake until Marco was done making his mess and getting his picture taken).

This wasn't really the pictures I was envisioning or hoping to capture, but... oh well.  You live, you learn (or hopefully I'll learn) and next time it will look even better!

In any case, Happy Birthday Marco! We hoped you enjoyed your cake. Next one will be chocolate!

Marco - Month by Month

I was feeling nostalgic and wanted to take a look back at how much this little boy has grown over the last year.

Birth

1 week

4 weeks

6 weeks

2 months

3 months and 4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

10 months

11 months

12 months

He sure has grown and I love seeing how his little personality has just blossomed. It's amazing how when you are living day to day it goes by so slow, but recollecting the past, time seems to fly by!

Happy Birthday Marco! We love you and can't wait to see how much you grow from now until your next birthday!