Happy 18 months, Banjo!

Banjo, Banjo, Banjo...how did we get SO LUCKY to have the easiest, sweetest, happiest, cutest boy ever?? Don't get me wrong, your brother gives you a run for your money, however we never described him as "EASY" or "Happiest." He was (and still is) strong willed, challenging, way too smart, and endearing. BUT YOU - you are perfectly perfect in so many ways. {Don't you worry Nicky - your 32 month letter is next} Since your last check up, so much has changed! You've had a little verbal word explosion and we are so thrilled with your recent developments. You can say over 20 words now, but can repeat much more when asked. We got rid of the baba and your are so much more vocal. You've put together your first sentences:

• Here you go!
• I see you!

You have really started to get into books, and every night we sit down with you and go through all your favorite ones. You're walking so much better and our concerns about any excessive drooling have stopped.

At every wellness check we get your vitals and you are finally TALLER then your head is BIGGER! You are 32 inches - 75% and 26 pounds - 50%. You've thinned out and your baby beer belly is almost gone. You are in a size 6 shoe now and 18 - 24 month clothes.

Remember last month? when you decided not too sleep? Well, thank god you've put an end to that craziness. Once again - you are the best sleeper - we put you down with minimal crying or fussing and you pretty much sleep through the night again. If in fact, we do have to go up and check on you, you make us take you downstairs to watch Wonder Pets or Oobi. We watch for a while, and then you get to say "buh-bye" and go back upstairs. You sleep until about 730 every morning and sometimes I have to wake you so we aren't late for school.

You love to play with anything that Nicky has, and you love pushing tea carts and lawnmowers all over the house. You love balls, bubbles, and the doggies. You love to point out buses and you yell "beep beep" when you see a big truck go by. You also have a sweet tooth.

And we can hardly believe in 6 months you will be 2! never forget, you are our little ray of sunshine and you have made such a huge and positive impact in our lives. We adore everything about you.

And as always, I went back to check and compare Nicky's 18 month update.

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Words

Banjo doesn't say much....yet
Maybe its because Nicky talks for him or he is happy staying silent
We've been patiently working with him and have seen some progress
Over the last 2 weeks, he has added some new words to his vocabulary
His new words are:
Strawberry
Juice
Up
Apple
More

If you notice, mostly words about FOOD

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Dear Brandon - 15 months

Dear Brandon,

You turned 15 months on October 10th and we celebrated with a wellness check. You do very well at the Dr's. You "talk" to everyone and are growing well on the chart, a perfect curve, but you are chunkier than you are tall. You weigh 25 pounds (55%), height 30.75 inches (45%), head 47.7 cent (50%). Your little feet fit into a little size 5 shoe and 12 - 18 months clothes are starting to get tight. You knew mommy had her hands full with Nicky, so you sleep 7 - 7  for me and you can nap almost 3 hours a day. You have the most perfect smile and the blondest silkiest hair. No haircut yet...maybe next month.  Your eyes are amazing -  still a stormy blue grey and you have 16 sharp teeth. You love to laugh, play, and kiss. You do this special little butt dance on me, and never do I feel more loved and treasured. These are the little things a mom holds on to. You do have a little temper and you are starting to show a preference for daddy. You are very agile, and like to stack blocks, ride tricycles, and climb. You can moos when we say cow, and kinda woofs when we say dog. You can point to your head, knows shoes go on your feet, and can throw away garbage. You pick up the phone and says Hi. You still are not talking much, but you make your presence known. You can say mama, dada, up, hi, more, wawa (for water or chocolate. ha), and occasionally you will throw out a thank you or naked. We took you last week to have your hearing tested to make sure you weren't partially deaf from all the ear infections and you passed. There could be some delay if your ears where blocked for periods of time, but they do not predict any delays in development. We continue to work with you, and we've seen an increase in your vocabulary and mumblings even in the last week. These last 15 months have been crazy but worth it. lI love you, Banjo.

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Our Hospital Visit

As many of you know, last weekend we had to rush Banjo to Dell Children's Hospital. Dan and I were in Santa Barbara relaxing and attending a wedding, when we arrived home, we walked in to find B with a slightly swollen eye that grew worse over the evening.

We watched it, thinking it could just be a bug bite...our Pediatrician told us to watch for redness, heat, and fever. He didn't experience any of that until Tuesday...his fever was 101. We were not really that concerned, despite him not being himself, and even sent him to school on Wednesday.

Wednesday afternoon the school called us because he was lethargic and had 102 fever. An hour later, B was sleepy, distressed and his fever had climbed to 104. We called our after hours on call Dr, and scheduled an appointment for the following day. We gave him alternating Motrin and Tylenol every 3 hours. B was very tired and lazy and not his usual happy self. Thursday, we took him to the Dr. and his fever was still 104, he was coughing, and had a runny nose. They wanted to rule out Pneumonia, so we took him for chest xrays. He hated that. The news came back clear: No pneumonia, but we still didn't know what was wrong.

By now, if he wasn't sleeping, he was screaming. We knew he was miserable and angry. We made it through Thursday night with a high fever and still no understanding of what was wrong. Friday we had to send B to a babysitter so Dan and I could go back to work. In the afternoon, his fever broke, but we discovered tat his urine output had decreased to almost 1 diaper a day and there was no BM since Wednesday. We called the Dr again and if he wasn't better by Saturday morning to try a suppository.

By end of day Saturday we had tried 2 suppositories, and we had a little luck and he seemed better. But he never stopped screaming and sleeping and we grew more concerned. Sunday morning another suppository and an enema. A rash broke out all over his body and we decided it was enough. We also noticed we was walking funny and kept slipping and falling.

We arrived to the ER around 4 and by 8 we were admitted. the Dr's thought his symptoms were strange; the swollen eye, high fever's, constipation, rash and dizziness. They kept saying a virus, but the dizziness made them think it could be much worse. They did an ultra sound to make sure there was no blockage and check his bladder for urine. His bladder was producing urine, so that was a good sign, and his colon showed  no blockage. Another good sign. After another enema in the hospital, more blood work, and a catheter, Brandon was hooked up to an IV and sent upstairs. The blood showed elevated Liver enzymes and swollen lymph nodes. I tried to calm down and not think the worst, but its hard when your baby is lying there so sick.

Dan went home with Nick as we settled in for the night B and I spent a long miserable night with Dr's - boy are they thorough! I went through my family history at least 20 times.  Thankfully B slept through most of the prodding and poking and by 5 am, it was decided he needed an MRI to rule out any type of swelling in the lower part of his brain. Dan arrived in the morning, and we held a now very awake, and screaming angry boy, who wanted nothing to do with the needle/IV in his arm.  So we waited.

The MRI was pretty uneventful. They put him, under, and I think that's were i finally lost it. Watching him be put under was terrible. He just flopped in Dan's arms. I kissed him good bye and we waited for the hour test to be completed. I bought him a big bear to give to him when he woke up. He was a champ through the test and woke up alert and angry. He was finally allowed to eat and drink and he downed 18 ounces of Pedialyte. Much better.

So we got the results back, they say he is healthy and no issue and other than the weird symptoms, and constipation it was probably just a bad virus. We were sent home. Within a day, he was back to his happy self, he had no issues with the bathroom area and is sleeping 12 hours a night. We are very happy to have our boy back. And have no plans to go back to Dell anytime soon!

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The Perfect Pout

This is what happens when you yell
"NO Brandon!"
He pouts.
and looks adorable.

He sat there for a very long time.
Pouting.

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....and now you are One

 Dearest Brandon,

It's probably not fair that I write you a letter on your birthday, and you have to share this with Nicky.  I sat down and contemplated how fast this year has gone. A year ago, you arrived tiny and small, and squishy. You stole my heart immediatley. I wasn't able to hold Nicky until hours after I delivered him...with you, I saw your precious face within seconds. You looked nothing like Nicky, and somehow I wasn't prepared for that. Speaking of Nicky, your brother did not know what to make of you. He screamed pretty loudly the first time he saw you in my arms. Right away you had so many nick names, Banjo (the one I dreamt before you were born) Brando, BB, Baby B, and soon Brandy Boy.

You have proven to be easier than your brother, and even now, you are so happy. You always have the biggest smile. Most people say that you are such an easy baby, so smiley, so infectious. Little do they know that you have developed quite the temper, but we are lucky that you haven't started actual temper tantrums as early as Nicky did.

You are very vocal now, and have conquered Ma, Da, Hi, Yeah, Uh-oh, and mayyybe we got a Bye. I think I heard Apple too. You use all these sounds interchangeably and now that you are in the Young Toddlers class at school, I wonder how quickly your vocabulary will blossom. You started walking right at 11 months, and you won't let anyone stop you. And you are so quick toddling around like a drunk sailor! You love the stairs and are a climber. You want to be as high and as tall as you can. You are also so agile, and have great balance and coordination. You are very good at stacking and putting things into their holes/spots. Your attention span seems to be lengthier than Nicky's was - IS -  even to this day.

You have 12 teeth, and teething has been miserable for you, as bad as it was for Nicky. Your hair is a couple shades lighter, and as you fall to sleep, you lightly tug on your hair. This must comfort you - kind of like when Nicky takes the tags on his bays and puts them in his ear as he falls asleep. I love to watch you sleep. You have not become attached to any toys, blankets, or bays like Nicky, but you do love your nini.

Your eyes are a curious grey/blue/grey - and the shape is definately mine. In fact you are pretty much my spittin' image.  Actually there are 2 camps that think you and Nicky look like me, or that you and Nicky look like Dan. It's just so strange to me that you guys look NOTHING alike, but at times so similar. Your features are so different, so special, so beautiful, so Dan and Me.

At your 1 year wellness check you got the 45th percentile trifecta - weight, height, and head circumference. You clocked in at 23 pounds, 29.5 inches and your head is perfectly right below average - and thanks to your helmet, just P E R F E C T.

To compare, at 1 year Nicky was 25 pounds - 80th percentile, 30 inches - 75th percentile, and his head was in the 40th percentile.

As I have said before watching you grow up has become one of my greatest pleasures. You and your brother bring me so much joy that its obvious why I am here. For You. For Nicky. Forever.

 Below is the update I sent out right before Nicky's 1st Birthday.

Nicholas had a good weekend, 2 more weeks and he is 1 years old! I can't believe it. 4 more teeth are coming in - 2 top molars and 2 bottom molars for a total of 12 teeth and lots of long and miserable screaming fits. Honestly, no one tells you about the teething. Its just terrible and he doesn't handle pain very well - just like his mommy. Nicholas has also become prone to some tantrums recently. My favorite is when he throws his hands up and falls flat on the grown and lays there crying. I have to try not to laugh, its so cute. We went Strawberry picking this weekend at a farm about an hour away and he enjoyed the berries and mud. Nicholas met a horse for the first time and i can't wait until he is old enough for some lessons. Yesterday during our walk, we stopped and watched a flag football game with all these little boys. He was fascinated and I am pretty sure we may have a little Tom Brady in the making! (I'm hoping for early retirement :) ) Nicky now says momma, dadda, "gat" for cat "goud" for dog, and duck. I think we've heard nanna for banana and ne ne for something else, not sure yet.  Today was the second day in a row that he did not cry when I dropped him off at school and that made ME happy!

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Look at ME, I'm standing!

Dear Mommy and Daddy

I'm 9 months and standing...all by myself.

Watch out, I will be walking soon!

Love, Banjo

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Coxsackie viruses, you have overstayed your welcome

I forgot to mention yesterday that my little Banjo is very sick. He was sent home on Monday with a 104 fever. He has red bumps and ulcers on his palms, feet, and mouth. It makes it so hard to eat and drink. He cries all the time, and is in a lot of pain. He can't sleep for more than an hour at a time, and he is so uncomfortable. Thankfully, with a lot of Motrin, Tylenol, prescription antibiotics (for the EAR INFECTION too), Malox and some Benadrly, he is on the mend.

Today, Friday, was the first day back at school. He was so happy, talking and chattering away. I knew he was in a good mood when he stole Nicky's nini. To commemorate his wellness, I bought him this...

Oops, that was for me.

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Dear Brandon, Happy 9 months!

 Dear Brandon,

Happy 9 months, my little man! It feels like it was just yesterday I was driving to the hospital to meet you. I can't believe you are growing so much and so fast and becoming so independent. Over the last nine months, you have collected quite a list of nicknames: Brandy Boy from the ladies at School, Brando from Valerie, BB from Josh. Before you were born I dreamt of you and in my dreams, you were my little Banjo. That's my pet name for you. But your Daddy and I, just love you. Nicky calls you "NO Brandon, Move". That's his way of loving you too.


I also refer to you as the Happiest Baby of the Block. You continue to remind me, that not only were you another gift, but that baby boys can be easy and happy. I am constantly surprised that you like to play by yourself, how easy it is to rock you to sleep, to give you a toy to keep you busy, to HOLD you. and STAY there. It's quite a nice and refreshing change. It lets us chase after your brother!

You had your 9 month wellness check today and there was good news to report. You are growing strong and healthy.

weight 21.8 ounces - 70th percentile
Height: 29 inches - 75th percentile
Head - 46 cm - 70% percentile

You have 7 teeth and another poking through. You can't clap yet or high five, but you get SO excited when we ask you to. We'll be working on it.

You're crawling all over, and sometimes when we turn our heads you are half way up the stairs now! Time to get more baby gates! You are enjoying school and doing so well. You are eating lots of solids and finger foods. Your normal schedule is cheerios/life/puffs in the morning before school, and at school you get 2-3 servings of baby food. You love pears and peaches, and yogurt. You also have a special place in your heart for Maddie, a girl at school who you share your treats.







You are starting to cruise and let go. Even stand for a bit by yourself. I captured this video yesterday of you "walking" with Nicky's Dump Truck (we won't tell him)


I am so proud of you my little Banjo. As always I like to see how you are doing in comparison to Nicky. Below are notes I took from his 9 month check up as well as a picture from his 9th month. He was a little stronger, heavier and taller, and already clapping, but we have time. I have no doubt you will shine in your own way. And you already do in our hearts. Never doubt that.

we love you, banjo.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Nicky started clapping and High Fives. he takes a couple steps now and is getting so big. At this last check -up for 9 months he was in the 75% for height, 85% from weight (up from 70% at 6 months) and still in the 40% for head. He has gained some weight and is really filled out. His weighs about 22 pounds now.

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Dear Brandon - a 6 month letter from Mommy

 Dear Brandon,

I am sorry this is so late. I have been so busy at work and haven't had time to sit down and write you a proper letter once you completed your 6th month wellness check. On January 10th you turned 6 months old and have changed so much in the last month. You are in the 75th percentile for weight (18 lbs) and height (27 inches) and 60th for head circumference. You've grown, my little man. You had your third round of shots and did very well, just minimal crying and and some angry looks directed at me. During the check-up the dr checked all your vitals and tracked your milestone progress...sitting up? check. eating solids? check. reaching for toys? check. Responding to name? check. Teeth? check - 2 of them. We got the OK for finger foods and sippy cup with water.

Our only concern at this point is the shape of your head. Until recently, you have been content to just lay on your back watching and patiently waiting...no hustle and bustle about you. All this laying down, has caused a slight lopsidedness to the back of your head and we are considering a helmet for you to wear for a couple months. If we do this, please know we are doing it because we love you and want you to have a nice head. :) 

You already getting on all fours and starting to scoot around. You don't get very far and usually end in a face plant, but you are trying.You so badly want to run and play with your brother. The way you look at him melts my heart, you are in total awe. Nicky is still a little indifferent for now, but we are starting to see some protective attitude when you are surrounded by other kids.

At 6 months, you love to smile and laugh and you are easily amused. You love to play with toys and will spend long periods of time cooing and rolling all over the ground. You can stay busy watching the dogs run in circles, and we get such joy out of your giggles. You've already learned that doggies give kisses and just like Nicky, you love when they lick you all over. You love to jump in the jumper, and spending time outside makes you happy. The only other thing that makes you squeal for joy is the bath. You already love to spend hours soaking in the tub and we pass the time reading books and playing with the foam ABCs. Tomorrow you start swim lessons with your brothers so you will be ready for this summer!

Now that you have had 5 weeks of "sleep training" under your belt, you are sleeping so much better. You go to bed around 6:30 pm and sleep until 3 am or 4 am. Then you will usually sleep until 6 or 7. Daddy usually goes upstairs and brings you down to me in the morning. You love to lay right next to me and snuggle. That hour before Nicky gets up is our special time to catch up and dicsuss the day ahead. You are such a happy baby and so easy going.I am so lucky to have such a sweet boy. Watching you grow up to be a little man has become one of my greatest pleasures. I can't wait to see what you can do. I love you to the moon and back, my little Banjo.

xoxo,

Mommy

PS. I thought it would be fun to see a picture of Nicky at 6 months and see what I had to say about him at the same time in his development and how different/same they are.

Nicholas went for his 6 month his 3rd round of vaccines this week. He is in the 60th percentile in weight, 70th in height, and 30th in head. He weights 18.9 pounds. He is still in some 3-6, but starting to wear 6-12 months now. The dr told us to start feeding him 2 x a day and we can start him on finger foods. He eats apples, bananas, peaches, grapes, rice cereal, carrots, sweet peas, sweet potatoes, and green beans. He is starting to drink from a sippy cup some water. He is almost crawling, and he hops when he tries. He is a very good jumper now. 4 teeth have come in. his 2 middle bottom and his 2 "vampire" teeth. We also had to have him "cry it out" this week. It took 19 minutes the first time. He slept through the night. so far the longest he has cried since was that first night. We also went to Palm Dessert for the weeknd to celebrate Craig's 30th. Nicky was great on the plane - his 4th trip and 8th plane ride!! Grandma Lenore(Booba) flew to the desert to babysit. We had a blast! He also spent a lot of time in the pool. Nicky loves the water.

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