Happy Birthday (and farewell winter!)

My sweet baby boy,

I do believe this is the last day I can technically call you that, although I am sure I will continue to do so until the day your next sibling comes along (or perhaps longer!)...

I have a terrible memory that seems to be getting worse the more I delve into motherhood. But I do remember VERY well the day that you were born- not the pain, but the joy. Feelings and emotions that I have difficulty putting into words, but lets just say the beginning of a connection I never understood could exist. Truly, my bond with you is different from any other and I am grateful to be your mama. I am sorry we didn't do much on your special day, but I hope to make it up to you this week, as the weather continues to warm up and we can do more and more things you love outside. Today, however, I did let you climb up and down the stairs in our apartment for a very long time. We also took Roofus on an extra long walk, just you and me at 6:30 a.m., another favorite activity of yours these days. You didn't care much for your birthday breakfast of rhubarb and apple cobbler that I stayed up late making the night before, but surprisingly, and sadly for me, this has become the norm recently- I don't want to say just yet that you have become a picky eater, because your mood has been different all around lately so it could be something else, so I will wait it out for now.

Here are just a few pictures from April:

We discovered a beautiful little farm nearby, and oh how you love animals! Quite possibly as much as your sister!

Easter Sunday, out at the park with Daddy while Mom enjoyed cooking without interruption; it made for a lovely spring dinner.

I am finally beginning to accept your becoming a toddler, especially since it comes with some of my favorite milestones. You took your first steps on the eve of your birthday, and also started signing and saying "more" that day! You love the attention you get when you do something new or good, the look you get on your face is so cute. You have started getting more into cars and trains and make lots of sounds as you push them along. Your babbling is beginning to sound more adult-like: long strings of sentences with great prosodic variation but filled with total gibberish. Love it.

I hear you waking up (after a 5 hour stretch, wow!) so that is all for now. Love you lots,

Mama

Suntans and shorts

We recently experienced firsts of both of these.

I had already forgotten how HOT it gets in Arizona beginning in March! I had no shorts for you, so we had fun picking out some things at a kids' consignment shop in Phoenix. While I did put a bit of sunscreen on you at times, I certainly wasn't prepared for the little tan you got very quickly!

We had a fun time in Arizona, but for much of it you were clingy and teething. And still not sleeping well. By the very end of our trip you finally started letting others hold you whether I was in sight or not, which was refreshing. Here are a few pictures from our little vacation:

We enjoyed many evenings playing outside on the lawn at your Nana/Grandad's house in Phoenix. I don't know if I've mentioned that balls are your very favorite thing to play with these days, but here you are doing just that. You have also just learned how to roll the ball instead of just handing it to me :)

We also had a great time in Tucson visiting Grandpa Ed, Grandma Sue, Grammy, and your Great Aunt Dee Dee.

Here you are at the zoo enjoying a ride in this vibrant stroller:

And pointing, a favorite past-time:

With Mama, sporting those sun-kissed cheeks:

The ride-on toys were still a little big for you but you enjoyed them when we pushed you for a bit...

Back up in Phoenix, we enjoyed many gathering with aunts, uncles and cousins. Here you are reuniting with your Uncle Rhett:

And crushing your big sister...

One night we took you and your sister for a hike. You were squirming like crazy until I finally realized you wanted to walk for yourself. We had to take turns holding you because you wanted to get down so badly and it became rather difficult to contain you! We let you walk for little stretches, especially on the rocky parts which were your favorite.

We had many fun playdates, including a few with your good old friend Everett.

We met your new cousin, Atreyu (middle) and second cousin Quinn...I thought you were big until I met these two chubby little 6 month-olds! You are longer than both but actually weigh the same (or less in Quinn's case)!

Attempting to get a 'goodbye' shot with the infamous Bastian and Atreyu, but you kept crawling toward me (at least you are waving, which was appropriate)!

It's definitely good to be home. I didn't realize how attached you were to your daddy until we got back; it was so sweet to witness your reunion.

Love,

Mama

p.s. I almost forgot to mention the throwing up that put us behind on our way to the airport in Phoenix. And then there was the large amount of throw up that came up just as everyone fastened their seatbelts preparing for our flight to Boston. And yes, it splashed on the woman next to us. And need I mention that we were out of extra outfits at that point? Another reason our reunion with dad was so sweet :)

Eating and Drinking

Dear Bastian,

I meant to put a video on here of you figuring out how to take your first drinks from a straw, but couldn't figure out how. Here are pictures from the same occasion.

You still LOVE drinking and eating anything. Luthien skipped the sippy cup and went straight to the straw early like you, but had no difficulty. You seem to choke a bit more so I try to only give you water and not during meals; this proves to be difficult because you are constantly pointing and grabbing for every cup in sight. Your favorite foods right now are frozen blueberries and yogurt- if you see either you immediately start pointing and babbling like crazy. You will eat oranges, limes, and lemons whole, or you would if I didn't stop you! You start eating the rind and get a bit of a confused face but still chomp away until I give you the middle pieces only. You did start spitting out raw vegetables because you finally figured out you can't really chew them- you still attempt to eat them but then you start spitting out little bits. And finally, I have noticed you also seem to prefer meat.

Eating oranges (you also love to share with us, and especially your sister)...

After incessant pointing, shouting, and grabbing (we're working on that), enjoying a home-made orange julius drink with dad:

And here you are enjoying some spaghetti out on the patio in AZ. Nana seemed to think I was starving you because I decided when you were done eating. Apparently you are supposed to decide that, but after awhile even she commented on the fact that you would KEEP eating and you didn't seem to want to stop. Ever.

Love,

Mama