12 Months!

Our baby is ONE! Everyone says that the first year goes by so fast, but I never really believed it until it happened to us. This is what trying to have a photo shoot with a one year old looks like:

He's drinking from a straw sippy!

He's walking!
First steps- 4.11.13; Walking- 4.19.13

Those curls- LOVE!

Parker,
During month 11 you went through so many changes. You:
*Got two more top teeth for a total of 6 (4 on top, 2 on bottom)
*Started drinking from a sippy! It took a little trial and error and several different types of sippy cups, but you decided you like the straw ones. That's just fine with me because that kind is supposed to be better for your oral development.
*Started eating a lot. For example, your birthday lunch = one package of steamed corn, string cheese, a handful of goldfish, 2 slices of tomato, 4 strawberries, 4 pieces of watermelon, a piece of cantaloupe and a piece of bread. It took you a full hour to eat all that. This was after a breakfast of blueberry muffin and yogurt and a snack of applesauce and cheerios. Other foods you're eating now: garbanzo beans, kiwi, apples, black eyed peas, grilled cheese, cheese pizza, quinoa with veggies, kidney beans, spaghetti with ground beef, and grilled tilapia. We've tried to give you chicken a few different times, but you don't like it. You also still don't like potatoes.
*Started drinking water. In the past when we gave you water you would make the worst face. Now you suck it down in between meals from your sippy.
*Got a new car seat. We opted for the Recaro ProRide and you love it. It sits up high and you like being able to see out of the windows now.
*You started walking! We bought you a walker toy that you figured out in seconds. You quickly became a pro using it- even backing up and turning around when you hit a wall or piece of furniture. On April 11, you took your first steps alone. You were standing at the ceramic garden stool in the living room (a favorite drum of yours) and turned and walked a couple of steps to me. You were so excited and squealed and laughed the whole time. On April 19 (your first birthday!) we were in the kitchen and suddenly you stood up from a squat without using anything for leverage. You had the biggest smile on your face. Keith walked in the door from work and you not only showed off your new standing trick, but you started walking! You pretty much haven't stopped since. You still like to hold on to our hands some too though because you can go faster.

You're also getting more and more fun! Every month I don't think it is possible, but you do. You:
*Give the BEST bear hugs! They are seriously my favorite!
*Have a best bud- Darcy. You love her. You're constantly trying to feed her, chase her, play with her toys and are laughing at her. You've learned that her hiding spots are under the beds. You'll crawl into a bedroom, go over to the bed and lay flat on the floor to look for her under it. It is so cute!
*Love being outside. You'll crawl (or walk!) over to the back door and reach for the handle. You love swinging (thanks Aunt Aimee and Uncle Nick for our backyard swing!) and going for wagon rides. We can't wait to break out the water table (thanks Mimi and Grandaddy!) this summer! For a while you were really funny about touching grass. I could put you down on a big blanket in the yard and you wouldn't go anywhere because you'd have to crawl over the grass. You've gotten over that though. We have to keep our eyes on you when we're outside because you'd eat rocks and mulch if we let you.
*Think it is hilarious when we step down from a ladder or chair  we're standing on. I have no idea why you think it is so funny, but of course we keep doing it just to make you laugh.
*Have the best time playing in your Pottery Barn chair we got you for Christmas. You treat it like some sort of climbing toy and rarely actually sit still in it.
*Are getting really good at entertaining yourself. You can sit and play with your toys happily for a little bit longer. You also talk and laugh at yourself when we put you in your crib at night. This lasts for about 15-20 minutes before you fall asleep.

We went to the doctor today for your one year check up. You are 29 inches long and weigh 20.5 pounds. I think you weighed a little bit more than this a couple of weeks ago, but in the past couple of weeks in addition to being more mobile you have dropped all but 2 bottles (one in the morning and one at night) and even though you're eating a lot more table food, I still think you may have lost some weight. You are completely proportional with your height and weight right around the 25th percentile. Your head is around the 30th percentile at 18.2 inches. You're right on track hitting your milestones and are perfectly healthy- except for an egg allergy. Your doctor seemed optimistic that you will outgrow it, especially since it doesn't seem serious (no itchiness and no breathing issues), but we got an EpiPen just in case. We were also told to avoid everything with egg in it since you got a little red around your mouth after eating your birthday cake. When you're 2 we will go to an allergist for some tests, but until then, no eggs for you!

It is so amazing how much we love you! I tear up thinking about it (shocking, I know). You have brought us so much joy and we have been so blessed by you! Happy Birthday, Little Pookie!!!*

*The "Little Pookie" books by Sandra Boynton are our current favorites. Keith and I laugh until we cry and Parker will look at us like we're crazy and then join in. Sweet, sweet moments!