ONE YEAR!

Weight: 24 lbs 5 oz
Length: 31 inches

Well, it happened. My baby turned one. Looking at old pictures of him when he was such a tiny thing, I remember acutely all the emotions of his first months. Did I handle myself well as a first time mother? Umm...I was scared to be alone with him in the hospital room or when we finally went home...so...probably not. It took weeks months a year to feel comfortable caring for him. The constant anxiety finally diminished some time over the summer but I still get momentary panic attacks about not being up for the task of Mom. He has survived though and is flourishing. The Sweet Pea is as resilient as they come. He has grown in all the ways a baby does and I'm impressed daily by his unique selfhood. He definitely has his own view of the world already and his personality is emerging more and more.

His Mickey Mouse Clubhouse birthday party was attended by both grandparents, Jess' Aunt Connie and Uncle Steve, the Chambers, the Phelans and my cousins, the Saligas. He handled the crowd pretty well and soon it was time to let him at his cake. I was so sure he would dive in to the cake with relish but, once again, he surprised me with his own unique reaction. He tentatively stuck a hand in and felt the frosting but didn't seem to know what to do with it or why all these people were staring at him. Daddy came to the rescue and smashed the cake himself to get the Sweet Pea started. After he tasted the cake and saw what he was supposed to do, he thoroughly enjoyed it. He did not devour it like an animal but had fun sticking his whole fist in, grabbing handfuls and tasting it. We finally decided to stop him because it became apparent that he wasn't going to stop himself, despite a huge cake belly.

My parents were staying with us for the week so they got plenty of baby time. They got him walking around (with assistance) and zooming around in his walker thingy. It still makes me laugh to see him running around in that thing, backing up, making turns, etc. He has really good spatial recognition like his Momma. :) We even got to take him to the Ft. Worth Zoo for the first time. I don't know what he thought of the animals except that he laughed when he saw the zebras running, got wide-eyed at the elephants, and starting hooting like a scared monkey at the lion roaring. (Speaking of the hooting or 'who-ing'...it is officially contagious; my parents were hooting and who-ing and huh-ing right along with the rest of us in imitation. Sweet Pea, you ask so many questions!)

First steps were officially taken on September 17th (11 months). We've been trying ever since then to lure him into more. He'll stand forever unaided but seems to debate whether to walk or crawl and almost always chooses crawling. Judging by how he runs in his walker, we'll have enough trouble keeping up with him when he does start walking on his own so I'm in no hurry!



Big fan of Dad

Sweet Pea, you can be one opinionated guy when you want to be but for the most part you are THE undisputed, happiest baby on the planet. You love hugs and kisses (though I wish you would kiss us once in awhile and not just your bear pillow, mirrors and FaceTime grandparents); you love smiling and laughing and often seem to laugh for no good reason except that it feels good; you love the attention of your many admirers but also like some down time to yourself (pleasing so many adoring fans does tax one's energy...); you now prefer a quick hug before being plopped in your crib to being held and rocked (let me just wipe that tear away from my eye.); and you love a few books in your astounding collection. The sweetest time with my Sweet Pea is sitting down with you to read your moo cow book because you actually sit still and let me hold you for more than a minute!

You still stare studiously at new things with those eyebrows pursed and would rather crawl over to something than be walked over to it with someone's help. If you can't do it by yourself, you just don't want to do it. I thought because of your easy-peasy personality, we'd bypass a lot of the minor tantrums over inappropriate objects being taken away or little bodies being moved from off-limit areas but...doesn't look like it. While Grandma and Grandpa were in town, you learned how to shriek. And throw food on the floor. I'm not saying it's their fault but you weren't doing it before they got to town. (Ha!) The food throwing totally benefits the dogs so I prefer to think that you have a generous spirit. And you do - you now like sharing your toys as long as you get them back immediately and half chewed food. You especially like feeding people food...I guess it is fair since you get fed by others all the time.


This year has been a whirlwind with you but I would not have wanted it any other way. You are a true blessing from God and we are thankful every day.

Love you and happy birthday!


Not a fan of Mr. Cheese



Anything can work as a pacie when desperate