Keagan has a New 'Do!

Keagan has his first haircut last Friday.  He was one year, two days old.  It was the quickest I could get him into my hair dresser!  Poor little dude.  He had pippi-longstocking hair.  Some called it a mullet.  Others called him a pretty little girl (to joke and for-real.  Yes.  People said I had a beautiful little girl despite all the blue he wore).  Still others said I needed to cut his hair to make him cuter.  REALLY?!  How could he get much cuter??  It would hurt me if he got much cuter.

Well, the haircut made him cuter.  I am hurt.  But I couldn't cut his hair before a year old.  I just couldn't part with the randomly-scattered-about-his-head newborn locks.  But then I got tired of them, and tucking them behind his ear.  I felt like the boy needed a head band.  If a boy needs a clippy, something is wrong. 

So, we got his hair cut.  And he didn't mind one bit:

 First snip.  I get the feeling Keagan isn't going to miss his hair! 

"Ohhhh.  That feels goooooood"  Who doesn't love having their hair played with??

Introducing:  MAGIC!  Keagan's started to get restless, so we gave him a sucker.  He was in heaven from then on (until we took it away! that was the only time he cried) 

Finished Product:  So Handsome!!  He looks like a little man now! 

The day after his haircut, he started putting his hands through his hair (he never did this before) as if his head felt lighter.  It cracked me up.  I love that feeling too, buddy!

Twelve Months

Life with a 12-month old is busy.  Keagan definitely keeps me on my toes!  Today we took some pictures to round out his monthly "photo shoots" and let me tell you: it was tough!  He moves around so much now and didn't want to do what mommy wanted him to do!  I am not thrilled with any of these pics from a photography light; however they fully capture Keagan and his personality(ies).  

At 12 months old, Keagan weighs 21-lbs 7-oz and is 29 inches long.  I reaaaaaally think the height measurement the nurse took is off.  She doesn't spend much time measuring and I think she docked him a couple inches.  He is tall by all relative standards (other kids in his class) and I have been asked by strangers if he was a year old since he was 9 months old.  However, the nurse said he was short and the doctor said she expects a growth spurt soon. 

Keagan has grown into a lovely child.  He is a lot of fun and has a ton of personality.  He loves to dance anytime he hears a catchy tune.  He plays well by himself, and will stack blocks or drive cars around the room independently for a good 30 minutes before looking for us.  But on the same token, he wants to know where mom and dad are at all times.  He doesn't like when one of us leaves the room or goes "bye-bye."  Speaking of, he is saying bye-bye, dada, vroooooooooooooom, and (most recently) mama.  He jabbers a lot, too, and then looks at us like we should understand it.  He even has facial expression while he jabbers away.  It is so cute!  He hates laying down for diaper changes and will challenge you for all you're worth when you lay him down. It drives me crazy.  Keagan loves bath time, swimming, brushing his teeth, and drinking from his straw cup.  He is completely on table-food now, slowly getting rid of his bottles (he takes 2-3 a day and the rest of his milk comes from a straw-cup), and we have completely weaned from breast-feeding.  This was a bittersweet moment for me, but I have to say that it was really led by him.  I had plans to give it up by his first birthday but it truly came down to his dis-interest in it.  And he was completely weaned a few days before he turned a year old.  Keagan isn't walking yet, but he is getting close.  He is pretty efficient with crawling so it might be a while!  But that's ok with me!  He isn't a snuggler, but he shows his affection by laying his head on my shoulder and pat-pat-patting me.  While he and Oscar are still buddies, Keagan has recently started treating Oscar like a pesky little brother and even gets frustrated with Oscar when he is too close!  It is funny but we are constantly telling Keagan to "Be Nice!" and giving extra love to Oscar.  Poor dog.  Keagan has started throwing temper-tantrums.  They are not wonderful and he will throw his head back and scream during them.  Oooooh it makes me mad!  He does this anytime he doesn't get his way or something is taken away from him, or if you pick him up/put him down and he wants to stay put.  I recently was head-butted in the nose by a very unhappy Keagan.  It didn't feel good at all and didn't help the situation.  So, I pretend-cried and this turned the tables a bit.  Keagan gets upset when he thinks he's really hurt me, and then becomes sweet and clingy.  Keagan is a sweet baby for the most part, but sometimes he is like that box-of-chocolates: you never know what you're gonna get!

So, the necklace.  I am certain you are wondering why in the world I would let my little boy wear a necklace.  OK.  I completely agree with you, but hear me out.  This is an amber teething necklace. They are about $20, so not cheap for something that could potentially choke a baby.  But this necklace has been said to have natural pain-relieving powers.  Magic.  I am a very skeptical person and don't normally buy into crap like this.  I am a science-driven, show-me-the-research kinda gal.  I don't put much stock in holistic medicine that has no real backing.  BUT, I have also recently become a desperate mom.  One whose child is teething and getting 4 teeth at one time and has become difficult to live with.  I had heard good things about these necklaces, and knew where to get one.  So, the other day after a particularly painful morning (for both mother and child) I bought one out of sheer desperation.  I don't know if it is coincidence or if it really works, but my kid has been happy and his only cries are of the temper-tantrum type.  No long, drawn out, painful tears.  So, does it work?  I don't know.  Is it working for us?  YES.  (but know, he doesn't sleep in it.)

Happy FIRST Birthday!!

On Wednesday, June 22, our sweet baby turned ONE! It is so difficult for me to believe that we have reached this point so quickly. Time has flown for me. I guess the old adage is true about time flying when having fun. I am so sad that we are leaving the baby stages and entering toddler-hood. Well, I guess I shouldn't say I am sad about entering the toddler stages, I am just sad that the baby stages are over. Keagan has been the ultimate blessing in our lives and we thank God every day for him. I honestly can't imagine my life without him. He has made us a family, and it is the BEST feeling in the world to be a family, not just a couple. As I have been preparing for Keagan's first birthday party (which isn't until July 9th) I have revisited the pictures from the very beginning. I thought I would let you re-visit them also. It is amazing to me how far he has come!

Zero

One

 Two

 Three

 Four

 Five

 Six

 Seven

 Eight

 Nine

 Ten

 Eleven

Twelve

Keagan's Birth Day was a busy one:  He had shots and a finger stick at a morning doctor's appointment and then swimming lessons right after.  He also has 4 teeth coming in so he hasn't been feeling so hot.  This can be seen in all these pics, he is Mr. Serious.  I feel quite bad for the little fella, but this too shall pass.  (p.s. I actually bought him a teething necklace and he has been doing quite well since...maybe these things work?  More on this in another blog..) 
After a rather long day, we decided to do a low-key celebration and our friends Stacey and Jarrett and Tassie came over to eat cupcakes (homemade by moi!) and sing Happy Birthday to the Birthday Boy. 

 It's My Party and I'll Cry if I Want To...(it was brief)

 Cupcakes were a hit!  

 Stacey wants to be One again! :)   

Time for PRESENTS!  (Unfortunately, Keagan really wasn't interested in opening presents.  In fact, we STILL have a bunch to open!  We are taking it slowly and letting him open them at his pace...there may still be presents left by Christmas! Haha!  The fun thing is, he is enjoying each toy/gift as he opens it.) 

 Keagan's first golf clubs from "Aunt" Tassie!

 Reading his card from "Aunt" Stacey and "Uncle" Jarrett...they got him a cool push mower and blower!

 A present from daddy!  (a tractor...he loves it and makes the noise of a tractor as he pushes it!)

 Lots of cool stuff from Great Grandma Gail!  

 Look, mommy!  This is how it goes! 

 Opening a present from Great Aunt Angie and Cousin Hunter... 

Well, if you have reached the end of this blog and are still awake, I applaud you.  It took me forever to get this together.  I appreciate everyone who has made (and continues to make) Keagan's First Birthday special.  He is one special kid and we love to celebrate him!!

I have LOTS more to post about this week (Keagan's 12-month stats and "official" month pics, swimming lessons, first haircut) but it will have to wait.  I am so worn out from this week!  But I hope to have some more posts up in a couple of days b/c I know you are waiting on the edge of your seat to see this boy swimming and his new "big boy" haircut!  Plus, I gotta get them up before the next couple week's events happen! HA!  SO much to do, so little time.