Blogging our first pregnancy and child rearing, all the ups and downs, tears and laughs and overthinking that not only comes with being knocked up and a new Momma, but with just being me.
12 Months
Emilio,
You are 1 year old! You have lived a whole year! We have had quite the year, haven’t we? I didn’t get to meet you quite how I’d planned, but that is a pretty distant memory now, and I’ll always be able to show you the little scar on the bottom of my stomach and let you know that’s where you, my big baby came out! We’ve been ringing in your birthday in style this weekend with a party, cake, friends, fun and play. Its been a blast! But let’s talk about you.
You my baby, are on your way to becoming quite the little boy. You are a walker, really you have been for the last week. You got somewhere to go? You’re walking! And, Sunday morning, on the eve of your first birthday you learned how to push yourself up to standing. Now, you don’t have to booty scootch or crawl to a surface to help you get up. Progress!
You are all about pointing, you want something, you’re pointing at it. You want to talk about something? You’re pointing at it. It is pretty funny to watch. Most of the time you’re asking to eat whatever I’m eating, or for a ball or balloon. Speaking of which, you learned how to say balloon at your birthday party, except you call them, bidoons. I might start calling them bidoons too.
You really love people Emilio. You are still hesitant around strangers, but once you get comfortable you are a social butterfly. We went to our favorite Steak House, Peter Luger, for your first Luger steak this month and as we were waiting for the meal I was following you around as you walked from table to table charming everyone in sight. Its a blast, and thank you for being the happy baby in a restaurant, it makes our meal much more fun! You definitely enjoy the Luger steak, and I think the broccoli was your favorite part of the meal, that or the fresh whipped cream. Now, you are staying to say bye-bye when you wave good bye to people. When Dad is home at night to be with us for bed-time routine, as he leaves the room, you’ll turn on my lap and wave to him and say, “bahbah”.
Let’s talk about sleep, shall we? We were on a pretty good role there for a while, waking up once a night, coming in to bed with us in the mornings and sleeping another couple of hours. On the weekends it was the sweetest, and I won’t lie, I didn’t really mind being late to work a few days. But now, we’re dealing with a little sleep regression. I’m sure we’ll get back in the groove soon, but my dear I’m a little tired. Aren’t you? Sure I like cuddling with you on the couch and listening to you fall asleep on my chest, but unfortunately I have to put you in the crib so I can do Mom-stuff. I know you don’t like it, but you’ve got some soft friends in there who like cuddling with you too! And, I promise, when you’re up in the middle of the night, I’ll bring you in bed with me and you can snuggle right up to me and put your arm around my neck like you like, okay?
Well, what did we get up to in the last month? A lot! It was the holiday season so we were a traveling bunch taking in all the sights, sounds and festitives of this time of year. We went to a Chanukah party at Great-Great Uncle Myron and Great-Great Aunt Rhonda’s house where you played cymbals with your Great Grandma Rose and hung out with your cousins. We lit the candles at home for Chanukah, and in Massachusetts over Christmas and you even lit them an extra night so you could celebrate with Grandma and Grandpa. We slept over at Great Grandmas and Great Grandpas for Christmas and opened presents, played with Uncle Sam and Maibe and had fun with the tree! Then, we got to visit your Great Aunts and Uncles and cousins for Christmas dinner. You charged around the house like a pro, showing everyone your walking skills. And, you got to meet a cat! We went to the petting zoo with your Auntie MJ and Uncle Sam and you were not happy. The animals scared you, but we still got some fun time on the playground!
You have become quite the fan of Khadijah. You see her and get so excited. As I was getting things ready for your birthday party you were chasing her around giving her her toys and cracking up as she would take them from you. It was a blast to watch. A few mornings in a row you’ve joined her on her pillow in our bedroom as we get ready for the day. The other morning, you laid on her like she was the pillow. Good old Dijjy, she didn’t mind at all.
You are still a great eater bud. You tried salmon this month and loved it. And, of course, now you’ve had cake too. But you already knew the joys of sugar from Thanksgiving. Your latest achievement is mastering the straw cup. Soon, you’ll start getting milk in there! Breast milk is still on the menu and you are still nursing many times a day. You like to come up to me and snuggle when you want to nurse. I love it.
You’re so thoughtful and loving, Emilio. You give everyone hugs and kisses, and love being around the people that love you. If we’re not in the room with you, you come find us. You’re never far away, and love just being with your family. When you’re tired, you’ll find a soft spot and put your head down and just smile up at me. Everyone that knows you and spends time with you, loves you, to their core. It is easy to see why, for me of course, but even in just my interactions with other children I can see what they see that’s different in you. I believe it is a beautiful blend of your Dad and me. You got all the good from us.
Your favorite toy remains a ball, any ball. You love to watch them bounce, it makes you laugh. You love to find them, pick them up and thrown them. You love to just walk around holding one. We blew up some beach balls for your party and you were loving having them around. As we were taking pictures, I told you to go find and get the ball, and wouldn’t you know it, you did!
There really isn’t much you aren’t up for Emilio, except having your diaper changed and getting dressed, and I’m so excited to see what is in store for us next. I’ll follow you anywhere you want to go big boy. Where to?
I love you more each moment,
Mama
