1, 1, 1!

Hooray! Who knew that turning 1 was going to be so great? There was a huge party with hats and balloons and singing and presents AND a cupcake just for me! First everyone sang to Jack and then they sang to me and I was so totally delighted. I was clapping and smiling along. The picture doesn't really do it justice.

Time is just flying by so quickly and I'm growing and getting into things in a big way. The latest developments include mastery over the stairs - going up and down, as you can see. I also spend a lot of time "cooking" in the little kitchen. I can say a few words like mama, dada, baba (that means Jack), clock, car, cup, and up when I want someone to pick me up.

I'm not really one to sit still, though I'm not walking yet. I'm still pulling up and making my way by holding onto things, though I'm not particularly interested in taking any unassisted steps yet. In fact, I'm kind of slacker about standing. I can stand alone but I'd just rather not. All the other kids at the babysitters house, even the two who are a few months younger than me, are already walking but I'm just biding my time. I don't see what the fuss is about. I am a ridiculously fast crawler and climber so I not in a huge rush to go all wobbly on two feet yet.

If I am sitting, I am working something out - a puzzle, a car, putting some mulch in a cup... I've got great fine motor skills and I've got to be poking or discovering something all the time, especially if it is small and intricate. This makes mom's job a bit difficult where the chocking hazards are concerned because not only do I love small things, but I also love to eat!

It's a good thing I have six teeth now and a few more on the way, because I really do eat EVERYTHING. Mom and dad have to ration my food because if they put too much on my highchair tray, I shove it all in my mouth at once. Hahaha! My favorite is fruit, especially berries, grapes, bananas.

The doctor is really pleased with my progress. She said she can tell I am a really happy, and good-natured guy. I'm 28 lbs and 30 inches, which puts in me in the 90th percentile. Mom looked back and I am as tall as my brother was at this same age but I totally outweigh him. That didn't surprise mom at all. I still have some really nice fat thighs and I have really big hands and feet. I can't even fit in the shoes that Jack was wearing in the summer after he turned one!