Happy Birthday Thomas Everett!

I have to admit my baby boy I have been putting off writing your one year post.  This is bitter sweet for me.  I just cannot get over the fact that you are rapidly becoming a toddler.  I have always felt like I have held on and kept you a baby longer than your sister.  You have done everything just a little but later than she and I think it's partially because I haven't 'pushed' you (in a sense) as I did her.  I guess with your sister I just KNEW you would come along and that I would have these experiences all over again and yet now you very well could be my last baby and I MAY not ever get this again.  *SOB* BUT, little Tommy, you are turning ONE and that is cause for celebration of all you have accomplished in just one short year and all that Mommy and Daddy have been through-good and trying-is also a cause to celebrate!  While I may stop and tear up this day of your birth, please know that there are also tears of joy in there (and only a few screaming "Where is my squishy little baby!").

Looking back on this year I can only smile.  It was both wonderful and challenging balancing you and your sister and it took some getting used to.  I think your daddy and I finally have a handle on things and it helps you are sleeping MUCH better now!  You have grown into a little man with so much personality and so much tenacity!  You are also sweet and loving-I love when you throw your little arms around me in the morning.  You love giving (sloppy) kisses too!

 
Just one year ago you were a newborn and now you are walking!  After starting to take some steps and cruising around the house holding on to walls and furniture you are walking.  You have really started to stabilize yourself and use walking as you main form of transportation around the house.  You still crawl when you want to be somewhere fast but you practice daily and can make it further and further.  I think you are trying to run-Lord help us!

You have also developed a love for climbing.  The other day you pushed an empty Pampers box over to our end table and climbed right on up.  You also love to climb up to the second step, turn around, and just sit.

You have become more independent this month.  You no longer want me to feed you your yogurt-you want to do it all by yourself.  I have to say I am pretty impressed with your spoon skills!

 

You are definitely starting to communicate more and babbling some words.  You say guck which can mean yuck, stuck, truck, or duck.  You say mama and dada and something sort of resembling a growl for Lilly (It is always the same noise when we ask you to say Lilly so at least we know what you mean!).  You point to things you want, when you want food you say "nom nom nom".  You shake your head yes and you dance when you hear music-you especially like the DJ shuffle song on Disney even singing "DDDDD".

You LOVE to eat.  Some of your favorites are chicken, peas, mac n cheese, meatballs, baked beans and yogurt.  You had your first peanut butter and jelly sandwich this month and you LOVED it!  You have started transitioning to whole milk too and you seem to be liking it.  So far we have been adding small amounts to your bottles and slowly increasing the amount.

 
This month has been fairly uneventful but we have been taking full advantage of the nice weather to get out doors.  We have been taking hikes and lots of walks lately and simply just hanging outside and playing on our play set!  You LOVE being outside!!  Seriously- you throw a fit sometimes when we have to bring you in and run back to the door crying.  Once you start learning to open doors we are in trouble!

You had your first experience with sand and once you got used to it you of course started to eat it, and throw it, and you just had a blast!

Here is a video I took of you and your sister throwing rocks in a stream on a trail we like to walk.  We had a close call here! 

You also celebrated your First Easter!  I lied in last months update-I believe I said St. Paddy's day was your last first holiday but in fact it was Easter!  We had a great day and you loved playing with your new toys and enjoying your treats! 

I don't have official stats for you since your 12 month check up isn't until next week but you are around 20 pounds, wearing size 12 months, size 4 shoe, and size 4 diapers.  You have two bottom teeth and your two side teeth up top have broken through.  I can see your two front teeth coming down but they aren't quite in just yet!   

  
We finally have you on a pretty good schedule.  You are sleeping all night now which is WONDERFUL!  You still are an early riser waking anywhere from 5:30-6am but you are ready for bed at night between 7pm and 7:30pm.  You take 2 naps during the day and still need them and you are taking 3-4 bottles in between naps and our normal meal times.  You are generally a pretty happy baby but you have your moments and you can be a mama's boy at times!  I am not complaining.  :) 

 

I have to add a little bit about you and your sister of course!  You just adore her!  It's been harder and harder to get a picture of you two sitting still these days.  You are starting to get into her things more and she's working on playing WITH you and trying to distract you with your toys.  I know it's hard for her at times but I love the fact that you are playing together.  She is such a good big sister and looks out for you!  I also love taking this time to look back at what your sister was doing at your age! 

 Here is a comparison of you and your sister at 12 months-I think you guys look similar but you can start to see more differences in you two as well:

We are having your birthday celebration this weekend and I cannot wait!  We are having some of your favorite foods (ham, mac n cheese, and meatballs!) and the theme is Bubbles!!  You love bubbles!  I am so excited to celebrate you baby boy!  I still cannot believe you are one year old!  Happy Birthday baby-mommy, daddy, and Lilly love you so much.  You are such a joy and you complete our little family.  I am looking forward to the many adventures we have ahead-I know they will be GREAT!