One

Oh little boy, life has completely run away with me and for the past four months I have been meaning to write your monthly updates, but I haven't.  Life with you feels so full and so busy, and I wouldn't change a thing.  One week ago, you turned one.  One year ago I was wondering who you were going to be, who this little person was who kicked me non stop for months and months.  And now I know.  I have a little face and voice and personality and mannerisms that I have come to know and love more than I ever imagined possible.  This first year has been quite the crazy ride, full of ups and downs, joy, laughter, some tears, a lot of middle of the night bonding sessions, many trips, and a whole lot of learning for both of us!

Everyone told me not to blink, that the weeks go by so quickly, and they weren't kidding.  You change and learn something new almost daily, certainly weekly, so that makes it feel even more as if time were racing past.  Somewhere around November, when you were 10 months old, I found myself exclaiming one day "where is the pause button??  I want to keep you just like this for just a little longer!!"  Each stage has brought new delight, new challenges, has endeared you a little more to my heart.  Here is your round up of milestones at your first birthday.

You aren't walking or talking yet, but you love standing and pull yourself up on anything and everything you can reach.  Your balance is improving more and more each day and you'll let go of whatever you're holding onto if you get distracted by something.  Once you realize you're standing alone you immediately sit down, but you're getting more and more steady!  You babble non stop!  If you're awake, you're talking!  Your favorite sound is a repetitive "ma ma ma mama" sound, although you haven't seemed to connect the sound with my name.  You love to clap your hands and wave your arms in a flapping fashion when you hear music or when you get excited.  It's pretty dang precious.  You eat anything and everything we put in front of you--and now that you're one we've introduced peanut butter (which you LOVE and are not allergic to!) and milk (which you don't seem to be such a huge fan of but it's only been two days...)

You are still not sleeping through the night, but you are getting longer and longer with your stretches of sleep.  If I let you cry it out more than I do I'm sure you'd be better at sleeping, but your screaming breaks my heart.  One of these days we'll get back to sleep training you now that all our crazy holiday travel is over!  You love your giraffe lovey that you snuggle with each night, and you love looking at your books (when you decide to sit still for a bit!), splashing in the bath tub, and shoes and socks.  You are obsessed with your shoes and socks.  You bring me pairs of socks when you find them and point to your feet as if you need to be wearing them even if you're already wearing a pair.  My money is on "shoes" being one of your first words.  You also love playing at My Gym, and you will climb anything you find. 

You are no longer afraid to be left in the church nursery--you love having a new room of toys to explore and you've figured out that Mommy will be back.  You've had several baby sitters this past month too and you've done well with them, even letting them put you to bed which is a huge step!

Aidan this year has flown by in so many ways.  Your daddy and I are crazy about you.  I don't think I have ever been so fascinated by anything in my life as I am with watching you learn and grow.  Watching you play with your hands, clapping them, folding them, waving them.  Watching you find your toes and your head and my belly button.  Seeing the delight in your eyes as we walk under a tree that is waving its branches in the wind.  Watching you "dance" to music you hear and with your buddy Ellen on TV each afternoon.  Seeing the wonder in your expression as you pass a puppy dog on the sidewalk.  The list goes on and on.  I'm astounded watching God's perfect little creation discover the world around him.  There are way too many precious moments to record or put into words, from family snuggle times, to reading stories, to traveling, tickling matches, your first Christmas, and your first birthday party.  We can't wait to see how you continue growing and learning, and we have a feeling you are going to keep us on our toes! We love you baby boy!!