Got Milk?

We gone through some MAJOR changes here at the Charlton household! We are in the transition phase of switching Henry from his specialized (and expensive) formula, to a milk-based formula. We've been doing a slow transition, but so far he is doing excellent! It may just be a coincidence, however he seems much happier too...I would too just from the smell of the old formula! We are currently doing 3/4 milk-based to 1/4 specialized! This Sunday is the BIG day where I will try ALL milk-based!

You never really think about it, but when I was nursing him and had to give up milk and soy, there is milk and soy in EVERYTHING! It's been one of our biggest struggles with finger foods. In celebration, we went to Yogorino in the city this past Saturday. A little history about Yogorino - they only serve one flavor: original/tart, I was there daily when we lived in the city and I was prego (even during a blizzard), it's all natural with no additives, it's seriously like a cult in the city - you either hate it or LOVE it! Well from saying this, you can definitely tell he's my child! Henry fell in love with it as much as I did!

Yesterday was a big day for us. My friend Caitlin (from College) lives about an hour away from us so we decided to go and visit her for the day. Caitlin is a mother of almost 5; 3 girls, 1 boy and 1 boy on the way! She is also younger than me. She is such a good mommy and Henry had such a good time playing with all of them. They were all carrying dolls around, wish I would have taken a picture! Needless to say, I strapped him in the car for the drive home and he was out before I even left her driveway.

Today I have an appt with the Ob/Gyn so I'll let you all know how it goes!

All the right numbers

We had our hematology appointment today and I'm very happy to say it will be our last (unless something very rare occurs)! Henry's platelets were 293 (normal range 150-400). He did amazing with the arm stick, he whimpered a little when they inserted the needle, but then was immediately fine! The hardest part of the appointment was waiting for the results. It was a full house there, but you can't get upset because it's the oncology clinic as well so there are some very sick children there getting their chemo for the week. Henry didn't mind the wait at all because the have an amazing waiting room full of trucks and balls, all of his favorites!

Almost 11 month stats (with his clothes on) :

Weight: 19 lbs

Length: 29 inches

Newest loves: He has finally mastered clapping and can make noise with it - which makes him laugh, he has also learned to blow kisses - melts my heart!

I can't believe that on Saturday he'll be 11 months old, where did the time go? Each morning I fall in love with him more and more (if that's possible). I truly can't imagine life without him :)

(Cheap toy!)

Henry's sister was super generous and put a swing in the tree for Henry over 4th of July weekend...he was in love.

The FIRST step!

Today was a big day, for a few seconds at least! Henry did his first step from the couch to the coffee table. It's a short distance, but he was free standing and took a definite step to get to the table. Maybe it was only 1, but you have to start somewhere, right?! He's also getting quite good at free standing from sitting position (without the help of anything to hold onto).

We had a busy weekend with my bff from Scottsdale, AZ in town...it's always great to catch up in person!

Pregnancy notes: My nausea has been a lot less frequent!! I've finally started back into my exercise routine. There was a good 3 weeks that I didn't do too much just because I felt like I was going to get sick at any given moment. For the record, I've only been 'actually' sick once. The whole exercise, or lack there of, was a big deal for me. I haven't noticed anything really with my body, except the fact that some days I feel like I might be showing a bit and then realize it's most likely me being bloated! Fatigue is at it's highest right now. I'm sure it doesn't help that I'm chasing after an almost 11 month old ALL day. I have the same aversion as last time: chicken. It's not so bad if it's already cooked, but if I see it raw, that's the end of it.

Tomorrow also marks a big day. It's Henry's last hematology appointment, as long as his blood counts are in the normal range. A few prayers would be helpful!! I'll let you all know tomorrow how it goes.

Also, I will upload some new photos soon. I've been a slacker, I'll admit it!

Enjoy your Sunday evening.

My mom's banana bread...bittersweet

We had yet another wedding this past weekend, so my parents came to our place so that we could make the drive and stay over instead of having to rush home. It was a nice little date night, however I'll admit I can't sleep in anymore. I was up at 6am like clock work!

The wedding was beautiful and they could not have wished for better weather (especially since it was an outdoor wedding)! It was also a mini college reunion! Four of my closer friends from nursing school were there, 1 being the groom. We truly had such an amazing time!

My mom decided to take Monday off so that she could spend the day with Henry and I. It worked out great since (big) Henry had to leave for business Sunday night. My mom decided to bake me banana bread since I've had a huge craving for it lately (or always :)). I say it was 'bittersweet' just because for those of you that know my mom's baking abilities, "you can't just have one (slice)!" That being said, I ate the entire loaf (minus the 2 pieces my mom ate) in 1 day, yes, ONE day! With all this nausea I'm experiencing, in Henry's words: "At least you got your caloric intake for the day." Let's just say it was that good and I didn't feel the slightest bit guilty for doing it :) The worst part, I woke up today and could have really used a piece or 3 of it!

After saying that, I should probably go downstairs and run a few calories off, but I've opted to sit here and blog instead!

The Real Deal

Our family of 3 has recently become a family of 4. It was confirmed yesterday by ultrasound! Baby #2 is expected to arrive somewhere around January 27, 2012!

Henry saying 'hi' to his brother or sister!

We will post pics and updates from this past weekend soon!!! It was an awesome weekend and we're still winding down from it!

Our lil cowboy

Henry received a rocking horse as a gift a while back, however I never put batteries in it...until last night! I'm not really sure where he got his moves from, but I'd say he's a natural! Enjoy!

Our lil peanut

We had our (delayed, because Henry's doc was on vaca) 9 month appointment on Tuesday and here are the numbers:

Weight: 18lbs 6oz (11.41%)

Height: 27.75 in (21.81%)

So he's gained about a pound since his 6 month appointment and grown an inch. I blame the weight on the fact that he seriously can't sit still. We're almost out of his 9 month clothes and I really don't like the fact that a lot of companies do 0-3 month, 3-6 month and then 6-12 months. I mean, they grow a lot in that time period. We've been wearing a lot of rompers just because they are a no hassle way of getting dressed each day and it keeps him cool in this heat wave we're experiencing.

New milestones; more cruising around the furniture, more standing without holding onto anything and he keeps practicing standing solo from his knees/sitting position, but we're not quite there yet. He LOVES pulling all his toys out of his basket and taking each book out of the basket while looking at me and then dropping it on the ground and laughing! He LOVES feeding himself and has become quite independent. We're saying dada a lot, however we keep practicing mama and he continues to say dada and smiles.

Feeding; he will eat anything and he really is the greatest eater. We're still on our non-soy/non-milk based formula, however I got the ok to start weaning him onto a milk-based formula to see if he tolerates it. I'm going to wait until we get back from NE to start that just because I don't want him to have tummy aches there! Once he's tolerating the new formula, we can introduce him to foods with milk in them and then hopefully (crossing my fingers) we can start whole milk at 12 months. They won't send us for testing unless by 15 months he's still not tolerating milk. I have to admit that's the hardest part right now with feeding him. I can't just give him anything, I have to read each ingredient to make sure it doesn't contain any milk or soy or any of their proteins. That REALLY limits our variety so I just make everything myself for now.

We are really looking forward to next week! Henry's getting on his first big plane and visiting all the family in Nebraska. Henry's super excited to see all the puppies and cousins...and of course wear his tux!!

"Look no hands!"