May 30, 2010

One Year Update (Rant)

Jackson is still a very happy and bouncy little boy. He's walking (running) around and rarely crawls anymore. We really can't complain about his sleep habits either - two naps a day and usually sleeps from 8pm - 6am or 7am without a peep.

Our biggest challenge right now is getting him to eat his food. He will happily nibble on bread, cheerios and other baked goods. But when it comes to being spoon fed, he'll clamp his mouth shut and put his little arm over it. We want him to have well rounded meals, but it's impossible when he also tosses most vegetable/fruit finger foods we offer on the floor.

Almost everyone says to just let him skip a meal if he's not hungry and don't force the issue. Given that he's only in the 15th percentile in weight (he is very active though), I often can't bare the thought of him skipping any meals. So I end up making a variety of food, offering it often and at times pleading for an open mouth. Feeding him sometimes consumes my entire day (And especially since I am still breastfeeding him 3-4x a day as he won't drink much whole milk out of his sippy cup).

James tells me that as long as Jackson is happy and achieving the development milestones, I really shouldn't worry. I understand this but am still worried. Welcome to motherhood I guess! In any case, I know that this is a phase that will pass. I mean we don't see adults throwing food on the floor and refusing to eat, right?

May 3, 2010

First Birthday

We celebrated Jackson's first birthday today with our family and friends in Shanghai. What a year it has been for all of us! Jackson is now officially a toddler...but he'll always be our baby.

Birthday cake - Happy Jackson

Birthday boy with auntie Irene, uncle Rob and cousins Annika and Nik