HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY JACK!!

I was actually sitting here on the night of Jack's actual birthday to write this, but the snowstorm made the power blink and my computer turned off. So I took it as a sign just to go to bed! I had a lot on my mind as I thought about the past year and all that has happened. We've come a long way with baby!

So now, more than a week later... I will actually share some pictures and thoughts!

First of all, Jack had a great birthday. His dad stayed home from work (well, he was puking) and we put streamers in all the doors that Jack frequented. He really enjoyed the streamers. He also enjoys balloons, so we had a bunch of those too.

It seems odd that he can run around like a maniac and only one year ago he just squirmed in his baby burrito. Those days of colic seem really far away! All the things Scott and I worried about because we were 'new at this' we look back and chuckle now. He has recently started climbing, so we have to make sure there is nothing he can stand on near the couch or coffee table. Yesterday he got up on the coffee table and started dancing with his singing dog, Scout! Maybe the step-stool was the wrong idea! But he does love to use it to look out the window.

He also seems to enjoy cake, but I guess chocolate is an acquired taste. While he scarfed down the vanilla cake at the joint party, he ate this cupcake one crumb at a time. Eventually I had to help just to move things along, ha ha ha!

Speaking of eating we have reached another milestone just today. Jack is having his first day without "Mommy Milk". It is going to be a tough transition for both of us, at least emotionally. However, it is good for him, and required for me to maintain my health enough to run around after him. But more on that in another blog. He is a Big Boy now, and he showed us by crying this morning when Scott went to get him instead of me!

Jack had his 12 month appointment on Monday, and everything was fine. He measured 29 inches tall and was 17 lbs. 8 oz. He doesn't weigh enough to turn around and face forward in his car seat yet (needs to be 20 lbs.) but he is on the "Jack growth curve" and has reached all his developmental milestones. We are so excited for him!

He is taking to eating regular food pretty well, and tries to say words that we say. Right now his vocabulary is "Ca" [cat] "Ba-tumb" [bath tub, or bath time] "Da da da" and "ba ba ba" [dad and mom] and a very forceful "down!" [no translation required]. Not too shabby.

He has taken 2 naps in a row now, so we are hopeful this is a new and exciting trend that will continue. His personality is shining through every day and we see a little bit of each of us in him. He is inquisitive, but easily frustrated when it does not work out his way quickly. He is also stubborn, and quite grumpy when he wakes up from a nap (who isn't?). Also, he is super cheerful and finds everything fascinating and you never know what will make him squeal with delight. He is able to play alone, but supervised for a fair amount of time, but still had needy moments (I am glad for this!!).

Overall he has come a long way and it has been fascinating to watch. Most nights after Jack has gone to bed (on his own!!) we sit chatting and end up commenting "He is just neat". And he is!

So Happy Birthday Milkshake! Mom and Dad are proud of you and can't wait to see you grow up!