Dear Grayson,

Happy 16 month birthday, Sweet Bubba. We’ve had quite a busy start to 2012…

You are working hard on so many things. Everyone was so excited to see you scoot (and lots of people cried too!) and you are all about exploring your world with your hands. You grab everything in reach- my hair, the dogs, your tube (grrr) and love to put all of it in your mouth. You much prefer dishes and bowls to actual food, and delight in making HUGE messes every mealtime.

You are finally starting to really like books. Of course, your favorite thing to do is chew on the pages, but you will listen to me read and tilt your head back to watch my mouth move. Your favorite book is Calm Down, Boris! because of the silly monster puppet in the book that tickles your neck while we read. You also LOVE music- you will lie so still and quiet and just listen.

You are definitely growing, big boy. With your second big-boy haircut and long and lean body (19 lbs, 3 oz, 30 inches) you’re trying to turn into a little boy without me noticing. You are wearing mostly 12-18 month clothing and size 3 diapers. You are taking about 25 oz./day through your tube, but still aren’t eating much at all by mouth. Again, you would rather play with your food than eat it. Sigh.

You are back to sleeping 12 hours at night and are still taking 2 naps during the day. I am so thankful you love your bed and almost always go down for the night and your naps without protest. What you are protesting, however, is the process of getting dressed and undressed. You hate it. And of course, because you hate putting clothes on and taking them off, your fight it, and it takes twice as long. Just sayin’. Another thing that is well, less than adorable, is your biting habit. No shoulder is safe from your razor sharp teeth, and when you do it, it HURTS. Please stop, k?

We have a big month ahead. This Thursday, you’ll be having surgery to get your feeding button and the surgeon is also going to take a little piece of muscle from your thigh. We’ll have to wait a few months for all the tests to come back, but we are hoping that tiny piece of muscle will give us lots of information and we can use that information to help you grow and develop to your best. Mommy is very sad that you have to go through this, and I’m really bummed you are going to have a scar on your leg (but Daddy says it will make you look tough, so we’re going with that). We were hoping to do your hearing test at the same time as your surgery, but the doctors don’t want you to be under anesthesia for that long. So your hearing test will be next month, right before Valentine’s Day.

I promise this month isn’t going to be all hospitals and doctors. We are going to have a lot of fun too. We love visiting all your friends, going to church, and of course swinging at the park. I want to make sure your days are full of smiles, fun and laughter. I love you GRB. Keep scootin’!

Love,
Mommy