1 Year

Kai turned one on Sunday the 28th of Sept.

At his doctor's appointment on Wed. Oct 1st, he weighed in at a whopping 23.5 lbs and was just shy of 31"long - both in the 75th percentile. He had to get 4 shots which is always sad. He also had his 1 year checkup at the Nephrology clinic on Monday. He had another ultrasound on his kidney and everything checked out great. The doctor said we should come back when he is 2 and then if everything still looks good, there will be no need to return. He told us Kai should remain on formula until his second birthday. Apparently too much protein can damage the kidneys and cows milk has higher protein content than formula. As much of a bummer to the pocket book formula for an additional year is, if that is the worst thing they told us, I feel great about it!

Kai was funny during both of his doctor's appointments. He was highly energetic, borderline bouncing off the walls due to missed naps and really difficult to entertain while we waited for the doctors to arrive. Once the doctors entered the room he clapped and waved vigorously then when they examined him he was perfectly still with this intense curiosity. He let them fully exam him without a single protest. It was a little odd. Then they left the room and he buzzed around again like a little hurricane.

I like this picture below because I feel like this is how I see him most of the time - in a blur of motion!

He goes 100 miles an hour while he's awake...exploring, running, doing everything in repetition. He's started to pay attention to books but I don't think it's the book, I think it's figuring out that he can turn each page and then close the whole book. Over and over and over. I'm not even sure he's focusing on the pictures. It's fun to watch the gears turn as he figures things out.

His newest favorite activity is chinning up on anything he can reach above his head. He actually lifts both feet off the floor and you will find him hanging from the high chair tray or table if you turn away for even a moment. Climbing, chin-ups and walking down the stairs facing forward appear to be key this month. At first the walking down the stairs scared me but he is very aware that he needs to be holding a hand when he tries to do it. In fact when you give him one hand he'll even reach for your other hand and will not attempt to go until he knows he's safe. Everytime he does it (and it's been a lot lately since Cindy's been helping him on the stairs at work) he gives a proud little laugh at the end. I love that he is so happy with his accomplishments.

He's been "talking" a lot lately but we're just not sure what he's saying. One very clear word that emerged over the last few weeks is "eat". Be honest - you're aren't surprised...

There are so many things I want to write in this post about Kai but I can only find the time and the words to say so much. I just hope that I can remember how sweet he is; how excited he gets when I get home from work or even when I return from a half hour trip to the store. I hope I can always hear that little laugh he does when Lauren gets goofy in the back of the car next to him or when she runs up and hugs him. I hope even 20, 40, 50 years from now I can feel those little arms around me clutching me tightly. I'm still trying to comprehend that it's actually been a whole year since he came into our lives. I can't even remember what life was like without him and yet it seems like just yesterday that he was born. I can't wait to see what the next year brings!