Twelve Months Old

Is this big boy my baby? When did that happen?

Dear Will,

Wow. Just wow. I can't believe you are an entire year old. It literally feels like we just brought you home from the hospital at a mere 6 pounds, 8 ounces. Now you're nearly a toddler (so close to walking!), weighing in at a whopping 21 pounds. Actually, that's a bit small for your age (28 percentile), but it seems huge compared to where we started. I honestly can't believe how far we've come in twelve short months.

You continue to be a very busy boy. You are cruising, crawling and constantly grabbing for our fingers to help you walk. You started walking with the assistance of only one hand this month, which has been a life saver on our backs. Plus now you have a hand free to explore! You also like to walk behind your push walker. It was so wild to see you propel yourself across the floor on your own. You're quite good at orienting the walker where you want it to go, and moving it when you reach an obstacle.

Daddy and I both believe you could walk on your own (you have the balance and the coordination), but you like the security of a little extra help. So we continue to indulge you (most of the time). When we let go of your hand, you will take a few steps before you realize you're on your own, then promptly sit down. Or simply stand there bewildered and slowly lower yourself to the ground. As with most things, you will walk when you're good and ready (and not a moment before).

You are downright obsessed with wheels. Wherever there's a wheel, you must stop and inspect it. Doesn't matter if it's on a car, stroller, grill, toy truck, etc. If there's a wheel, you're there. You also love big trucks and airplanes. You get so excited when I point out an airplane to you in the sky. And if a truck passes us, your eyes get as big as saucers and you will crane your neck to watch it as long as possible.

You simply adore Stella. Whenever we come home you squeal when you see her on the couch. You love to play with her tail and poke her nose. And you recently started pushing in her nipples (ha!). She's so good with you though. She lets you crawl all over her, waiting patiently until you're done to seek refuge on the couch or in her bed. She gets rewarded for her tolerance though. You feed her quite generously from your high chair several times a day.

One of your favorite games is sorting objects, especially putting things in containers. This has been exceptionally helpful when we need to tidy things up. Every night Daddy gets you undressed and tells you to put your clothes in the hamper. You pick up the garments, crawl over to your hamper, pull yourself up, and methodically drop them in. It's so cute!

You started waving bye-bye this month, which is so sweet. I love seeing your little hand bobbing up and down. And you love the attention that people give you when you do it! Many times you get stage fright though, and can't seem to wave bye-bye on the spot. I can't tell you how many times I've tried to get you to wave bye-bye to the store clerk or a friend, only to have you start waving a few minutes later (after they're long gone).

A year is a major milestone, not only for you, but for us as parents. We did it! We made it! We kept him alive for a year! (Just kidding. Sort of.) At all your friends birthday parties, amid showering the birthday boy or girl with well wishes, I also make it a point to congratulate the parents. It's a big moment for the entire family.

We love you, darling boy. Thank you for the best, most chaotic, most joyful, most incredible year of our lives. You literally make our world go round.

Love,

Mama