W: 21 lbs 9.6 oz
L: 30.25 in
Oh Pumpkin, what a year it has been! When I held your
peaceful, perfect little sleeping body in the hospital those first few days, I
had no idea what the next year would bring. There were definitely challenges
but you have brought such incredible joy to us too. You have changed so much,
as babies do, and we are getting to know you as the little person you are. You
have turned into a man of a thousand faces: anger, outrage, frustration, mirth,
glee, consternation, doubt, confusion, joy, and intrigue - they all cross your
face at some point, sometimes one right after another. You are starting to
experience emotions and will let them go in sudden bursts like machine gun
fire; they have the ability to take our breath away and worry for your mental
health. You’re also becoming an expert at the throw down tantrum. You collapse
on the floor in a sitting position with your head over your feet. I have no
idea how you do it with your rather large tummy but it is a feat of
flexibility. A few seconds later can see another flash of your megawatt smile
and we’re left wondering, again, at your sanity!
You have become such a little love bug and want cuddle time
every day with your Mama or Dada. J
You put your head on my shoulder as I rock you before bed and it’s really the
only time you manage to stay still for any length of time now. It is my
absolute favorite. I can’t tell you the happiness and peace you bring me in
those moments. It’s totally gone when I put you in your crib and you scream for
10 straight minutes but nonetheless…you want me to know that you’re not done
with cuddle time. You tend to like
sitting up on the couch with us, to drink your bottle or catch a bit of
television but usually are too busy to stay in one place for long. And when you
are let out of the baby cage – watch out! You have wheels, man, and will cruise
around and around the house without stop. Your brother is determined to play
with you and have you play his games. Most games turn into chasing you or being
chased by you because that is what you like and understand. If I utter the
words, “I’m gonna getchya” you take off as fast as your chubby legs can carry
you, squealing and laughing all the way. 
For the most part, you and your brother play very well.
There are times that he won’t let you do anything you want, the bossy boy he
is, and you stare at him with such fury I am surprised he doesn’t burst into
flames. Those times notwithstanding, you adore him and like nothing better than
playing with him, being in his room with his toys, or stealing his stuff. He is
still the one person that can make you laugh uncontrollably with his antics;
the rest of us have to tickle the laughter out of you. 
Little but mighty – that is the phrase I keep coming back to
in order to describe you. The weight and space you take in our home and hearts
is a 100 times bigger than your body. You seem ready to tackle the world at
some moments, yet still coyly, shyly smile at strangers the next. You can
babble up a storm, yell loud enough to bring the walls down, and give the
tightest hugs when you’re nervous. You’ll blatantly steal your brother’s prized
possessions and stare at him, daring him to do something about it with a
satisfied smile on your face; or beg me for my food with the same level of
confidence.
Movement – the Pumpkin learned to walk at 11 months and has
been a stellar performer. He really hasn’t had too many spills, bumps or
bruises considering that he loves to run everywhere now. He’s a pretty agile
mover. He’s also a strong baby, able to lift items twice his weight and size.
Which is dangerous because he loves throwing these things once they are lifted.
I think all of us have gotten beaned in the head by something courtesy of the
Pumpkin. His dad is hopeful of a MLB contract one day. He’s a bit of a daredevil
too – he loves being thrown up in the air, tossed on the bed or flipped upside down.
He loves doing back flips. He is all boy and we should probably buy him a
helmet and hair dye for mama.
Food - Pumpkin got his second set of teeth for Christmas –
his upper middle. It looks like the upper lateral incisors are getting ready to
make an appearance too. Cutting teeth has been difficult for the little guy but
once they’re out, he’s back to his chipper self. Meanwhile, he’s making pretty
good use out of the four teeth he has and his gums. He loooooves him some Gerber
Crunchies. They are basically like Cheetos for babies and apparently as
addictive. Saying that, maybe I shouldn’t be giving him so many but they have
to be one of his favorite foods. I’m not sure if it is because he can feed
himself with them or what but he shove one, sometimes two, of them in his mouth
at time. He is practicing at using a spoon too and enjoys the chance to feed
himself some baby food. He does a pretty good job with not as much mess as
you’d imagine. 
Sleep – Putting him to sleep is still a bit rough. Sometimes
he’ll go down without any urging. Most of the time, it requires a couple trips
to his room to refresh his bottle and put back everything that he’s thrown out
of his crib – blankets, pacies, bottles, everything. Once he’s asleep, he’s
good though and only wakes up once for another bottle. His preferred sleeping
position seems to be on his side curled up with at least one blanket.
Occasionally, he’ll sleep through the night. In the morning, he’s usually
pretty chipper and will lounge in his crib for a while before demanding to be
let out.
Halloween brought Grandma and Baba out. We tried the chicken
suit on the Pumpkin and he didn’t much appreciate it. Though, as I write this,
we should have dressed him up as a pumpkin – that would have been much more
appropriate though, probably, hated as much.
Pumpkin’s first birthday fell the day after Thanksgiving
this year. We were in Spring, TX with Nana and Papa and the rest of the Emersons.
His birthday was monster-themed because he is truly our little monster and we
love every little monster bit of him. He didn’t quite know what to do with his
cupcake but enjoyed the frosting immensely. Lots of Emerson relatives showed up
to shower the Pumpkin with love and we’re so appreciative. 
Pumpkin, we have been so blessed to have you in our family. It seems like you arrived the minute we starting dreaming of adding another child and we’ve been trying to catch our breaths ever since. You are the whirling dervish in my life and I can’t wait to see how you grow and take on the world! Love you my little monster.
