Veinte y seis

Dear Skyler,Alright, so for now I am keeping the monthly letters. Who knows if I will manage it after this month though, in eight days you aren't going to be the only one whose milestones I will need to take notice of. Eight more days and you are going to be a big brother kiddo. There will be two of us (parents) and two of you (little monkeys).


This past month has just been a blur of cognitive advances for you. I realized today that when you sing the ABC song you actually sing the ABC's. Before it was just the tune and an occasional intelligible vowel. Now you clearly say each letter, and even finish off the ditty by requesting that next time we sing with meeeee! It's amazing, and I am not sure I can pinpoint exactly when that change took place. You are so much better at putting thoughts and sentences together. You clearly understand what is going on around you and can even think outside of what is there and present. You continue to love being active and above all else outside. I think you would be perfectly content to spend hours 'mowing' the lawn and dragging your tools around behind you. Daddy even took advantage of your enthusiasm for outdoor chores the other day and put you to work gathering rocks out of the lawn. Very few people would gain as much pleasure from collecting and then disposing of rocks, running back and forth across the back lawn to do so, as you did. You love to be a helper.


We also sprung something pretty big on you this month, a brand new bed. We let it sit side by side with your crib for a few nights before making the grand switch, but truly it seems our greatest of fears are yet unfounded since you are sleeping quite well in it (even now as I type). At night you like to sit on the end of 'Skye-guy car bed' and let your feet dangle as we read your nightly stories to you. Then, all of your night time ablutions attended to, you willingly climb right in and lay down for the night. I am still marvelling at your acceptance of this change, perhaps you are more willing to grow up than we are to let you.


I won't say that two months past two has been all roses, you have been providing us with a fair amount of disciplinary challenges and general toddler trouble. But with all your big hugs, 'need' kisses, and willingness to share any treat you come across I can see how parents (and their children) survive to year three. Happy 26 big man, and I hope you enjoyed it as your last as a single child.

Ch-ch-changes

We are doing our best to get some big changes in Skyler's life out of the way before the greatest shift of them all occurs with Mason's arrival in just a few *gulp* short weeks. We are "pursuing" potty training, though not on an overly active basis. We moved out Skyler's dresser into Mason's room. And now, now we have removed his crib and replaced it with this:

Skyler's big boy bed, his race car chariot to dreamland. We made the transition slowly, partially out of our desire to be sensitive to Skyler's dislike of change though largely due to lack of courage and love for our own sleep. We had no idea what this new bed would bring out in Skyler, we still don't really as this is only day three of it being in full use. So far so good, though I am not sure he has fully grasped just how much freedom he truly has in this new bed. It frightened him a bit the first night, though only when we got down to the business of getting him to sleep in the bed. He loved the idea of a bed he could 'drive' and he didn't really seem to notice (or at least mention) the lack of his crib. He has slept as he usually has otherwise, which frankly I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop. I am sure it can't be this easy.

I also made some changes to the decor in Skye's room. It has always been largely dominated by dinosaurs, but it has become quite clear over the last year that his true love is cars. So with the introduction of the car bed I thought some more car themed decoration would be appropriate. I painted the roads onto his walls and still plan to get some little cars up there as well. It's a work in progress. Hopefully it will all pull together before Mason arrives, including Skyler's full acceptance of this new sleeping arrangement.

That's new

We are "potty training" the mister. I use that term oh so loosely, because really we aren't doing anything active in this endeavor beyond asking him if he wants to use the potty every hour or so, and assisting him if he assents. He uses it about five times a day, give or take, and hasn't really shown any dislike towards the process. This all leads to my story about how I was just summoned by our sleepy child so that he could use the potty. Now Skyler, and I am sure many other two year olds, uses any number of excuses to avoid bedtime. Saying he needs to potty could likely have been one of them, but since we are trying this "training" I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. Sure enough he had to go, and did, and then pulled up his own little pants, flushed the toilet and allowed himself to be put back to bed. That's new.

And so that you aren't left with all story and no pictures. Some other things that are new:

Skyler tries to take pictures of himself, with varying levels of success. Mostly he just holds the (wrong side) of the lens up to his eyeball and says "Skylah cheese!". I helped him with this one.


My child likes to pick things up and hold them with his toes. This lovely and strange trait is sadly inherited from me.

Skyler is getting better at handling, and not eating, play doh. He was rolling out 'snakes' here, which always live a short life before being mauled flat into a birthday cake.

One last "new" thing. Be sure to stop over and congratulate Carrie and family on their new arrival, baby Kyla. She is especially new as she entered this world a bit early. Be sure to leave a nice encouraging comment as they go through this new phase of life.

Dos

Dear Skyler-

Today you are two years old. In your own words today is "Skyla's Der-day!". I tried to show you how to display your age with your fingers, a little peace sign. When I asked you to repeat this act you looked at your hands confused why they didn't form the number two like you expected. You know that you are two though, you can tell us loudly and whisper it to yourself.

I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone. You turned one and I looked into the future to the day when you would turn two, this day. I had no idea the little person that you would become. I didn't know that you would have such a deep, passionate love for cars. I had no notion that coats would become your prized possessions. I couldn't have guessed at how capable you are at articulating yourself, your vocabulary would have surprised me. You love the outside, you enjoy reading books with us while we all sit on the floor, you like spaghetti and pizza - and most recently strawberries, you hate having your clothes changed and would live in shoes and a jacket if we let you, you are adventurous and timid all at once, you like to climb couches and stairs but refuse to go down slides, you are a ham bone and do things you know are silly to make us laugh, you are so very particular - things must be just so, you are sweet and loving and the most amazing little monkey we could have asked for.

So now I look towards this upcoming year, and moving towards three, and wonder what will be. I know that this year you will become a big brother, and that you will likely become an even more independent (and likely stubborn) little bug. Everything else I know is up to you, all the little bits and pieces that you will put together to form your sense of self and who you are in this world. Happy Birthday big little man, congratulations on officially being two.

Love, Mommy (and Daddy)

Now for the birthday-ness, Skyler had quite the full and fun day. He woke up to a brand new (motorized) ride on tractor from us. He will sit on it, and let us push the button while he rides, but he is still a bit wary about taking the full reign on his own. He then spent the rest of the day being spoiled alternately by us and the rest of the family. All in all his haul included new cars, a train set, a wagon, some play food, a little lawn mower, and some more outside toys. He also actually enjoyed his cake this year, though I wasn't too concerned about that as he has honed his sweet tooth significantly over this past year. He finished it all out with his favorite meal of spaghetti and is now sleeping soundly, likely with his head full of wonderment over how one day can be more special than another. The birthday concept itself is still forming itself in his head, but one can't ask too many questions when cake and presents are involved.

Veinte y tres

Twenty three months today. Your dad says that after you turn two it will be a little odd to continue counting your age in months, he might be right. He also decided that yesterday night was his last night calling you our baby, you're the big boy now. In a few short months your brother Mason will be here to fill in the position of resident "baby" and he doesn't want you to feel like your title has been usurped. So from now on you are our big man, big boy - not a baby anymore. Not that you seem much like a baby anyways, nor have you for a while.


Your vocabulary and comprehension has exploded over the last month, even just the last week. You are much more specific when requesting something, asking for the blue towel or wanting to see the red cool car. Of course you will still be stubborn when in the right (or wrong) mood and refuse to "use your words" sometimes, but we know you have them as you use them all the time. Unfortunately you seem to have inherited my stubbornness. Your dad claims it's all from me, not a bit of his own. Though I disagree with him openly, I secretly agree. You have my stubbornness and my particular ways. You like things just so. Fortunately you have also inherited your father's goofiness and sweet nature to counteract these things. You are an amazing mix of the two of us, and an entirely amazing little person of your own.


In a month you will officially be a two year old. This last year, your second year, has flown by ridiculously fast. Of course a lot of things occurred over the course of this past year to make it disappear even quicker, but it seems like you hopped straight from one to two in a short period of time. You are such a funny and engaging little boy, I can't wait to see what more you will become. We love you, big boy.

Veinte y dos

Dear Mister-

Do you realize that there are only two months between now and your second birthday? Not that this period of time has anything to do with some monumental transition in how you behave, I am already convinced (and apparently so are you) that you are already a two year old at heart, if not perhaps three. You are such a big little man. You want to do everything for yourself, you have become very adamant in being treated as a little boy and not a baby. You no longer sit in a high chair at home, you sit in a regular chair. This has made dining out at restaurants a new challenge, as you abhor sitting in their high chairs and make no bones about expressing this. I just fear the freedom of a booster seat, you don't share this concern.

Your vocabulary is astounding, you enjoy pointing out everyday objects and telling us what it is. You will tell us that this is Daddy's coat, or this car is blue, and so on. It is strange and wonderful all at the same time to almost be able to converse with you. Of course some who meet you may not realize just how verbal you are because you have suddenly become very shy. I think this is because you have now become so very self aware, you know that you are you and you alone. This is an interesting development and I will look to see where it leads.

Despite this newfound social shyness you are just as adventurous as ever, if not more so. You have become quite the little climber, I think we need to get you to a jungle gym. Tables, chairs, the random baby furniture we have started to pull out for your brother - you try to conquer it all. I think you have truly come into your own in recognizing your little body's capabilities, and are ready to exercise it. You are very much a little monkey.

We love you so much and are so amazed by the affectionate and sweet little person you are becoming. Happy 22 kiddo!

Diez y nueve, belated

Dear Mister-

So I am a little late this month, seven days actually. Time flies by so fast lately it hardly occurred to me that I had missed this update until today when I was remembering that you are indeed nineteen months old now. Not going to lie kiddo, I also have been have a rough couple of weeks incubating this new sibling of yours. So it has been hard to blog, or to remember to blog, when I generally fall asleep about a half hour after you do at 8:00.You are such a big boy now, and here's how I know. You say please and thank you when you want and get something. You have a name for so many things now, always pointing out the apples, airplanes, and keys in our world. When climbing the stairs, you now want to "walk" up them, using the railing as your guide. You are getting better about holding our hands, and enjoy getting out an about to see the great wide world. You have also become very self aware, even telling us when you need to go to the bathroom. True, sometimes you tell us when it is too late, and you have already committed the act, but you are really very good about this. The M&M treat you get after using the potty might have something to do with that.

A little story about your awareness, and a small character portrait of you at this point in time. We went out for an ice cream run the other evening, Daddy insisted that you should get a cone. No bowl and spoon for this little boy. Considering that the ride home was conducted in near pitch black conditions, and this was your first encounter with ice cream in a cone; well the results were a bit messy. It was worth it though, regardless of how sticky and chocolatey you came out of it. We got you out of the car and into the house, where the light let you see the brown mess that had become your little fingers. You insisted that I clean them. You don't really care to be messy. I wiped off your hands but only took a cursory swipe at your face since it was almost bath time, and you were ready to move on to more interesting things. Come bath time though you stood up in front of the mirror to brush your teeth, like every night, and you came face to face with what should have been your clean and smiling likeness. Not so. You knew that you were looking at yourself, but your self did not look quite right with all the smudges and smears. Before we could move any further forward with the teeth brushing (a favorite activity, I must add), you wanted your face cleaned and back to normal. As I wiped away the chocolate you kept pointing to different spots that I had missed or not gotten yet. Finally you saw you again, and that made you happy. It may not seem like a big thing, but it just shows me once again what a smart and sensitive little person you are becoming.

You are also a big boy, size wise. We so often see other children your age who are literally almost a foot shorter than you are. You are hovering around three feet, and weigh in at about thirty pounds. You also wear a size 8 shoe. Big boy.

Thank you for another good month bug bear, we love you.

Reason #137 why he will be supremely embarrassed by me later in life

I know, I know, a picture of my child on the potty is the ultimate in embarrassing momness... but still, look at how cute he is being a big boy! And that hat, oh man, the ranger hat. He got it as part of a full outfit from his Nana and he loves wearing the hat, all the time. Even, apparently, while on the commode. We have started trying to get him to use a seat reducer on the big potty and it really seems to work. He has even come close to an accident and then stopped, told us he needs to potty, and then waited until he was sitting to go! Very exciting, and he is so proud of himself.

In other news, I am exhausted. All the time. I am exhausted right now, but I figured it has been almost a week since I pushed myself to stay up past 8:00 and even used the internet. No promises, I will likely be asleep in twenty minutes. But oh my goodness, this pregnant thing is wearing me out. Alright, even more tired just thinking about it. Expect another post from me again in likely another week, I'll be sleeping.

Potty training?

MR went pee today, amazing I know. But it was, because instead of his usual diaper wetting he went pee in the potty. He's one and a half years old and he went pee in the potty. Incredible. This kid just keeps surprising us. Not to denigrate our parenting abilities, I think we are perfectly wonderful parents, but the mister certainly makes things easier on us. He is such a clever little kiddo, and so observant. Lately he has begun to let us know, sometimes, when he has to go or when he does go. He is fully aware of what he has down there (just ask him where his "peh-peh" is, he's very forthcoming), and he seems pretty interested in dealing with it like the big people do. Today he told BL "Ah peh-peh" (I pee pee), to which Andy asked him if he needed to go. MR ran into the bathroom and with BL's assistance used the toilet. He, and we, were very excited. Andy went out and got him his own little potty, which he has already asked for (and used) three times since. Don't worry, we do possess a healthy amount of hubris and aren't going to count our chickens before they hatch- but it is pretty cool that he is even approaching the subject of toilet training. And with enthusiasm. We figure we will strike while the iron is hot and see where it gets us. Having number one trained by the time number two arrives would be almost too much to ask for, but it won't stop us from trying.

Uno y medio

One and a half! MR is eighteen months old today, meaning six months ago he was just turning one year old and in six months from now he will turning two. Every day his little boy body reminds me that he is getting bigger, smarter, and grander in every proportion. He runs with gleeful abandonment of one who has yet to learn that running can be tiresome, he uses two word sentences regularly, he works to figure out how things work and is a credit and a joy to us.

He is a strong willed and determined little boy, BL says he is very particular like his mother. He likes to put things where they belong and use items as he knows they are supposed to be used. This doesn't mean that he doesn't enjoy tossing things and making a mess too. He is really starting to understand the art of conversation, especially the correct context of words. He frequently says thank you (day too) when we give him something he wanted, or take away something he didn't. He recognizes so many objects, and likes to point them out to us with relish. He dances like a fiend, climbs like a little monkey, and sings like an out of tune jukebox. Another thing inherited from me, but definitely from BL as well.

We are so proud and amazed at what a little person he has become. He is sweet and thoughtful, and unfailingly personable. We are so lucky to have such a healthy and happy boy. He gives us kisses at night and always welcomes each day with open arms. Happy one and a half bug bear.

Diez y siete

MR was seventeen months old (yesterday). I think, don't correct me if I am wrong, this was the first month where I didn't manage to write his monthly post on the exact day. Yesterday was a strange day in general, so I will let it pass.

I cannot describe just how much our child has changed. I have never been under the impression that MRwas anything other than human- but it is truly shocking, and thrilling, to be able to interact with him on a human level. He responds to simple requests, like sitting down to let me put on his shoes or take his diaper off for bathtime. He asks, sometimes prematurely, to be all done with meal time. If he wants water, he asks. He gives hugs and kisses, and says buh-bye when we leave and say goodnight. He dances to music and will repeat back little pieces of songs when you sing them to him.

We are not the only ones in this relationship aware of this new level of interaction. He can read us just as well as we can him. He knows what actions elicit laughs, and he understands what events can lead to sympathy. The other day he was playing around inside his playgate area when he stumbled and lightly bumped the side of his head against the side of the gate. It was nothing that should have led to crying, and probably didn't hurt at all, but he knew that bumps and falls mean crying and hugs. He looked to me to see if I had noticed his stumble, and finding me less than sympathetic he returned to the same spot, turned his head, and intentionally bonked his noggin on the side of the gate when he knew I was watching. He then proceeded to cry. The kid's no fool.

Next month he will be a year and half old, which is incredible to me. Somedays he seems so much older than that, others I can't believe how far he has come from being a squidgy little babe. Happy seventeen months bug.

Diez y seis

Today my little bug is sixteen months old, and he is a little boy. There still lingers the look of a baby, but even that is starting to fade. He runs and plays like a little boy, he certainly squeals like one. He understands how to play basic games, he likes to race after a ball to beat you to it. I always let him win. He continues to be his own little independent self, sometimes to his and/or our detriment. He runs into everything now, sometimes at high speed. He loves to get in and out of chairs, he especially likes to get into the recliner and lean back like a big boy. He also can...

-Point to his toes, nose, hair, mouth and bellybutton. Sometimes his mouth.

-Say hi, bye, daddy, doggy, birdie, tweet, all done, more, car, truck, chair, water(wa wa), juice, blue, yellow, backpack (thanks Dora), Rusty (the dog's name), shoes, and Pa

-Dance to music, and by dance I mean bounce up and down. Sometimes a little stomping around.

Unfortunately he can also be a little pill who asserts himself more and more frequently. He must be growing up, funny how that happens. Happy sixteen months big boy!

Quince

MR is fifteen months old today. He also said the word yellow for the first time today too, though to be completely accurate he actually said lello. He has a book of colors that uses different animals to demonstrate the different hues. Lion is yellow. Tonight while I was getting him ready for bed and we were brushing his teeth he looked down at his toothbrush, pointed at the little lion on it, and said 'Lello'. I asked him what color the lion is, he looked at me and then the lion and said it again, 'Lello'. Now the question is does he only think lions are lello, or does he recognize the color lello in general. Time will tell.

It is incredible, this last week alone has been monumental in the mister's development. He suddenly has a vocabulary and he is walking everywhere. He does a thousand little endearing things that serve to remind me that he is growing and learning. He knows where his hair is and he knows that a brush is meant to be used on said hair. He knows shoes go on feet and hats go on heads, he also gets very frustrated when these items don't go on quite as he plans. He's been trying to use a fork lately, his favorite utensil by the way, but he often tries to use it with the tines facing the wrong direction. It's a start, but he also does not like to be corrected. He is a very independent little boy.

He has also become a very sweet and affectionate little bug. He waves hi and bye, and we are trying to teach him how to give kisses. One time I took a piece of grass and used it to tickle his upper lip. He made the most adorable little hissing sound in lieu of a giggle, smiling because it tickled. Now every time he picks up a stray piece of paper or bit of string he will hold it up to his lip and make his hiss hiss sound, then come over smiling to try and tickle us with his treasure.

I can't imagine what else our little man has in store for us, he has already shown us so many new and amazing things in such a short period of time. Happy fifteen months sweet bear.

Life update

So I haven't really done much (or any) updating on my life in the greater scheme of things. Mostly because things have evened out and there isn't really much to update on, but also because I think it would end up sounding like a broken record. We are still here with my parents, though it hasn't even been quite two months it often feels like longer. It took a lot of readjusting for all of us to learn how to live "comfortably" under the same roof. I use parentheses because there are still glaring areas of discomfort, mostly focused around my lazy-ass brother and the obvious anxieties that come along with trying to live amongst other people's belongings with a toddler. We have come back around to a semblance of a schedule with the mister, which makes everything a little bit better. He has finally accommodated to his new surroundings and really seems to be thriving in his new proximity to all of the family members (both in and out of this house).

BL has been extremely diligent in his search for a job, a process that has had both highs and lows. The great thing is that in the small period of time that we have been here there has been an exponential increase in the number of interviews and opportunities that he has been fielding. We spent almost a year prior to moving with him trying to find a job remotely and he only went on one interview. Since the move he has been on atleast four or five, and he continues to find more options. Of course the downside is that none of these has come to fruition. One offering turned out to be a scam, the latest possibility just wouldn't produce sufficient income soon enough. I continue to be impressed by BL's ability to rebound and endure through all of this, he really has thrown himself wholeheartedly into this search. Good things are bound to happen.


As for me, I am continuing to adjust myself to being back in the office and away from my baby. I have gotten used to the new schedule, and I do enjoy the interaction and reason to shower daily, but it is still incredibly hard to walk out that door every morning knowing that I won't see my sweet boy's face for another eight hours. It's hard, especially at this age when so many changes are occurring and my little guy is growing bigger every day.


Speaking of the MR, he has been doing big things as of late. He has started walking small distances unassisted. He won't use walking as a consistent mode of transportation, but he has taken up to ten steps forward all on his own. We figure his continued hesitance is more of a mental block. He is more than physically capable, he will literally run in circles while holding one of our hands. It is just hard for him to compute that our hands are not what is keeping him upright, his little legs are. The kiddo has also started building up his vocabulary. He now says hi, bye, more, dog, dada, mama (sounds more like meh-meh), and best/worst of all - ow. He started saying ow because I said ow when he bit me one day. I stood him in front of me and told him no, ow, biting hurts mama. And what does the little booger do? Looks me straight in the eye, grins, and says loud and clear 'Ow!'. He continues to mock me with this particularly when he is feeling impish or extra tired.


To top this off and call it good here are some pictures from the past weekend. It has been hot and sunny round here and we have been taking full advantage of it all. We took a walk down to the local farmer's market with a couple of our childless friends on Saturday, and then on Sunday we met back up with our other pair of friends who have the sweetest little girl Mae. She is a little over ten months old and brimming with vitality. She and the MR have had playdates off and on over the past months but this was the first time where their age difference didn't seem to matter since she can now crawl around on her own. Overall a pretty good way to spend a weekend.

Catorce

Fourteen months old. Seriously? My baby, my boy, is fourteen months old now. He looks older and acts older, and I can't help but feel a little older myself lately with all the energy this guy expounds. Up the stairs, down the stairs, inside then outside. He's everywhere, and I am always trailing a few steps behind him. I love, love, love what a sweet little adventurer he has become. I can't think of anything cuter than when he kicks his heels into our hips as if to say 'Giddyup!' so that we will help him chase the other parent in his favorite game of tag. He does everything with a little extra thought now, most often with some form of premeditation tinged with impishness. He's such a goob.

He had his first big fall the other day. Every once and a while the kiddo will end up in our bed by the morning, and when this happens I will quietly ease myself out from next to him when I leave for my morning shower. I know that if I say something to BL to signal my absence either BL will make a noise and wake the MR or the MR will wake at my voice itself. So I have been playing an unsafe gamble that BL will be aware I am gone and/or MR will not stray to close or over the edge. I lost that bet the other morning when the kiddo did get too close to the edge and did roll off. My poor baby now has a few small bruises on his little cheek to show for my carelessness. Sure I didn't actively contribute to his tumble, but I also didn't work proactively to prevent it. I also know that this is only a sign of bumps and bruises to come. *Sigh*

Happy fourteen months, my big bruiser boy.

In the blink of an eye

It's funny how our children have those sudden bursts of accomplishment, periods where they seem to learn and grow by leaps and bounds. The growing process in general entails a lot of generation and maturing that goes on unnoticed, even though it's continuous. MR is going through one of these strides right now, he's putting together skills and thoughts that just a week or so before seemed unlikely. Aside from the fact that he is currently growing four (yes four!) new teeth simultaneously, he is throwing new mental and motor skills into the mix. As mentioned before, he is definitely saying dog now. Anytime he see or hears a dog he yells out 'Dah!'. Now today he starting waving, saying what sounds like hi, and while using his 'more' sign he has now started to say the word more (though sporadically).

We recently met up with a friend who hadn't seen MR for several months. She was so in awe of how much boy he was and how little baby. He really is a little boy now, he just has to keep on reminding me.

And in this corner

We had the one year check-up today, and MR braved it out as best he could. He didn't even notice the first shot, the second one he definitely did. He was also kind enough to take a huge poo right before the doctor came in. I am sure that was pleasant for the next occupants of that room. He's doing well though, still a big healthy man impressing the nurses with his size (and hair). Here are the stats:

Height: 34 (almost three feet tall!)

Weight: 26.5 lbs

Head: 19

I'm a big boy now?

Uno

There, got the mush out of the way- now for the fun stuff. So I had every intention of making a healthy (read: low sugar) cake for the MR's birthday. We did make a carrot cake, but -erm- it probably wasn't too healthy. BL had his own wants for MR's first birthday cake, so our compromise was a traditional carrot cake, sugary frosting and all. There's carrots in there too, right? Meh, it could have been a mountain of chocolate so I think we did reach a mid-ground of sorts. At any rate MR didn't want to have anything to do with it once he got that first bit past his lips. I have to recall that the word cake means nothing to him, as far as he knows the world's food all tastes like fruit or vegetables. Sure he has a bite of what we eat here and there, but never has he been subjected to the sweetness of frosting. Not really a bad thing, more cake for us.

I can has cake?

He was much happier once released from the cake's presence and we moved on to presents. Considering the whole pile of stuff he had already received from his grandparents we really didn't feel the need to go out and buy the MR a whole other pile. We got him a new little ride-on toy full of bells and whistles and covered with Winnie the Pooh, as well as a few other little toys for the tub and a ball.

He was pretty enthralled by all the new noises his toy made, so I think we did pretty good. Then again he was equally thrilled with the box, so who's to say.


And to top it off, I have a video! I am not so artistically inclined as some I know, so it's nothing too fancy just BL and I singing happy birthday to the MR. Please to excuse the clutter of our kitchen, remember we are moving and there is crap everywhere. It's current state is no reflection upon it's usual cleanliness *cough*, really.

Bittersweet

MR turned one year old today! I don't even know how this happened so quickly, BL keeps saying he wishes it would all slow down and I have to say I agree with him. Considering how quickly this last year went, I am afraid the many to follow will pass with the same velocity. I am so amazed by my big little man and all that he has managed to become in this past year. You know we have to walk down memory lane to commemorate this event. Here we go...

Ah, hello very pregnant self. Here I am waiting for the anesthesiologist to take me away so they could shoot me full of epidural. Several things led up to this moment. We knew the mister was going to be a big boy, our shared genes and my gestational diabetes assured that. With the risk factors hovering around the tail end of my pregnancy we decided to have a c-section. I can't say I was disappointed by this outcome, I was never very attached to how the birth would occur as long as it ended with a healthy baby in my arms. So when my trusted doctor pronounced this as his medical opinion, we went with it. The receptionist went to check the schedule and came back to us with 'How's tomorrow?'. Tomorrow would be April 11th, six days before my anticipated due date. We were shocked, who knew it could be so routine to schedule the arrival of our child. Did we want to be parents tomorrow?

So we got up that next morning, prepared ourselves as much as we could and left for the hospital. Which led to the moment above. Which then led to this moment, at 3:59 p.m.

Look at that squidgy little face, that there is 8lbs 15oz of baby chunk. 21 inches long, for posterity. The next few weeks, really months, that followed were a blur. By the time we managed to catch our breath and feel a little more on the ball he was already growing so fast, and time just flew by. And now I have a one year old, and doesn't he know it. He is every where and into everything. He laughs when his daddy tickles his tummy, and he growls (yes growls) when he wants to be a ham. Which is quite frequent, our little boy is such a goof. He loves to hear us laugh and when he catches us laughing at something he has done, he repeats it. He plays peekaboo and patty cake, and he loves to chase after all his little balls and toys. He's just so big.

Happy One Year bug, we love you

Wordless Wednesday- Grandpa's birthday