Happy Birthday!

Ian had a great first birthday. He woke at his usual time of 6 AM sharp and was ready to get his day started! He enjoyed opening his first present but lost interest shortly thereafter and instead wanted to drink some milk while his sister helped open the rest. He napped at 7:30 but was ready for a day at the zoo shortly thereafter. His favorite by far was the bear who he got a really good look at. He snoozed after lunch and didn't wake until the ride home. He loved his first taste of ice cream, complements of Jenny at Coldstone. He loved playing with both sets of grandparents to end his day. He was wiped and headed for upstairs when asked if ready for bed. Nothing gets in the way of sleep when there is a Nuk and a penguin nearby!

Dear Ian,

Tomorrow, you turn 1. You most certainly are more a toddler than a baby. You now toddle into the kitchen. Just strolling in to see what's going on. You are a laid back, go with the flow kind of guy. Unless it's time for a meal or a snack. Or you are ready for your 8 AM nap (!). As Dr. M mentioned at your last appt, you have really just fit in so well to our family.

This birthday is bittersweet for me. You are my little boy. Growing much too fast. Tonight, when I arrived to pick you up, I spotted you immediately. Sitting in the grass. Outside with the big kids. You were just soaking it all in. The others were running, but your legs must have given out in the grassy incline. I heard your teacher asking if you were going to join the fun. You started toward me as soon as your tracked my voice, and I was of course so glad to scoop you up. I know that you will be taking that grassy incline in no time, and keeping up with the big kids. But, for now, I love that little boy just soaking up all around.

So, we close your first year. With four teeth. Two more starting to peek thru. With words including mama, dada, and 'what's that?'. Signs for more, please, bath, and all done. A love for flags. And your daddy. And baths. And Murray Monster. And Audrey. And swings. Did I mention flags?

We can't wait to spend the day with you tomorrow. Your first trip to the zoo. Bet you'll especially love all the flags. :)

Love, Mommy

Memorial Day weekend

Ian had a great holiday weekend. He had the best seat in the house riding on Eric's back for a hike through the woods at Brown County State Park, but would not keep his hands inside the moving vehicle. He just had to have his arm extended for the entirety of the hike, much to my horror as I was concerned his arm was going to be broken by all the trees within close proximity. (This is the best I got of Ian and Eric. Probably is an actual eye roll from Eric after all the pictures...)

He also loved his first dip in the pool. He got the hang of splashing his sister more quickly than expected...

There was some crying though when told his pool time was up, but thankfully the next stop was the bath. For which he cries every night when dinner is over. Adamantly signing "please" and "bath" until we oblige. This little water baby definitely didn't inherit that from me!

11 Months!

Audrey asked me today why I was so sad. Eleven months! That's why! I can't believe Ian is almost a year old. Such a great little boy. He's been up to a lot of moving around this month. No longer can I give him a haircut as he moves around too much, despite Audrey's best attempts to distract him. He's taking 6-7 steps at time and started pivoting and doing squats this evening! Such a show-off! He loves, loves, loves his swing. Cries if he's told it's time to get off before he's ready. He desperately signs, 'please' to go outside, especially for that swing! Audrey remains the bees knees. He's starting to say 'nana' for banana and continues to say 'mama' and 'dada'. We think he's working on tooth #5 (and maybe #6).

I did attempt to get a picture of him in the chair. He almost fell out of the chair when trying to stand and climb back out of the chair. Audrey and I get a workout trying to get these pictures!

Walking

My first attempt at getting some video of Ian walking...must copy and paste the link given some IT issues.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVBJGrTqZow

Mother's Day

I had a great first Mother's Day with my little boy. He was ready to begin the day by 6 AM, and Eric thankfully entertained him while I slept in a bit. The rest of us were no entertainment for him during brunch as he people watched and enjoyed some balloons celebrating Mother's Day. I think though, without a doubt, the highlight of Ian's day was riding on his swing.

Oh how he LOVES his swing. Loves it. Cries if not warned that the fun is about to end. Could swing all day. I took many pics of him on the swing and when reviewing them later, he was smiling from ear to ear in each of them. Oh what a fun summer we will have!

I so love being this little guy's mommy. Just a year ago he was kicking and doing somersaults that made me stop in my tracks. Now he just glances my way, cocks his head, and gives a big grin.

Love this easygoing guy.

And...

we have walking!!!