Happy Birthday, Baby!

Oh my goodness, I cannot believe I haven't written to you in so long! My apologies. You have been up to lots of stuff though, in my defense. Keeping you from getting your little grabby paws on my laptop cord is, in itself, a full-time occupation some days. You're crawling, you've acquired six teeth, you're sitting up and eating all sorts of things AND you know two words: Mama and cat. Guess which is my favorite?

Before I forget, you had an absolutely terrific birthday. Pop-Pop and Ms. Karen visited, we had butternut squash risotto, which both you and your sister thought was yummy, and then we had your great-grandma's chocolate cake with seven-minute frosting. And boy, did you go for it! After about two seconds of trying to pick up your little cupcake, you just went face first into it instead. You were adorable and you had frosting all over you. You went straight from the chair to the bathtub, and your sister climbed in too. (You absolutely love the water, by the way. You're like one of those little windup swimming toys and the minute you touch the water, both little arms start going like windmills and the water goes everywhere. It's hard to mind though because you are so clearly ecstatic.)

After we got you all cleaned up and redressed, we opened presents, which you, of course, as a one-year-old, had very little interest in. Daddy and I got you Panda Bear, Panda Bear and The Happy Man and His Dump Truck. Pop-Pop got you a little push toy to help you practice your walking (so far, you like to turn it over and mash it on the floor until it plays music...) and Ms. Karen got you a little remote control and contributed to your savings account. Poppy and Granny sent a savings contribution too, along with a bag for toys and some Mega Blocks (which you like to take apart a whole lot). You were charming and good-natured and everyone enjoyed you. And then you crashed because the night before, you'd thought it was a good idea to remind me of how much progress you'd made since you were a newborn by getting up three times between 2:30 and 6:30. That was the sixth tooth making an appearance. Yeah, I know, "Happy birthday!" huh?

And today you were a miserable little being. At one point, you fell over, hit your head, and when I came to get you, I found you just lying on your back like a little starfish, arms and legs all splayed out, just wailing tragically at the ceiling. You didn't want to nap this afternoon and you were so unhappy, and I was so unhappy because I had so much to do and wasn't able to console you half so well as I would have liked.

Fortunately, that was completely out of character, as you're usually a mischievous little person who smiles and grins and laughs. (Your sister has discovered how to tickle you. Sort of.) When I tell you not to do something, you immediately freeze and look at me blankly, and then this grin slowly spreads all over your face as you clearly say, "Oh, you wouldn't say no to meeee, would you?" Truly, people always talk about a smile "spreading" across someone's face, but your face is the first time I've ever truly seen that happen. You just have the best grin.

Let's see, what else do I know about you? You love string cheese and pear and carrots and the squash I roast for you with honey and rosemary. You also love dropping things you don't particularly love - peas, for instance - over the side of your chair in a very casual and - you think - discreet manner. You still reject all plastic - pacifiers and bottles - and we made it a whole year without either. (I have no idea how. That's been just a little on the tiring side, you know....) You love to talk to the cats and pet them, particularly Mr. Man, who lets you play with the tip of his tail and examine his toes, and Ms. Love, who puts up with so much that I question her self-preservation instincts. You love Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Hands, Hands, Finger, Thumb and Planting a Rainbow and you will shriek when we're nearing the end if you want me to read something again. You sleep very sweetly. I put you down and most times you just flip onto your stomach and snuggle up with Pooh Bear and drift right off. You are fascinated with all cords and will go to ridiculous lengths to get them. You are also fascinated by my phone, my laptop, and my Kindle. And the stove. Mostly every single mechanized or electronic object in the house. And the bathroom - where you are not, of course, allowed.

You make me smile every single day. You are just like a pure dose of sunshine and I can't tell you how much we enjoy your little grins and your giggles and your efforts to get into everything possible. I read back over this and I'm astounded because I know how much more I will know about you by the time your birthday rolls around again. Just enjoying finding out who you are and watching you find out too.

Love you so much, sweet little man!
Mama