Everyday holds the possibility of a miracle...: One Year Old

Dear Nathaniel,

Little Man is a big boy! One year old!

Today, my sweet little boy, you are one year old! I have looked forward to this day with a mixture of apprehension and excitement. It's hard to believe that I am the mommy of a cheerful, toddling, one-year old now! So much has happened during your first year of life and I hope these letters that I have written to you in this blog will serve as a good record of your first year.

With Mommy on your birthday

The month of March was a busy one! Mommy and Daddy are just trying to catch our breath now! During March, Daddy went to Oregon on a business trip, you, Mommy, and Daddy ran a 5K in Morristown, Mommy was named "Teacher of the Year" at school, you participated in a St. Patrick's Day parade with Mommy's band, Mommy ran her first half marathon in NYC, you got to see your first musical at Mommy's school (Hairspray - Mommy was conducting the pit orchestra), and you had your first birthday party! Whew! It's exhausting just typing all of that out!

Morristown St. Patty's Day 5K

Getting ready to watch Hairspray

On our way out the door for the NYC Half Marathon

You are mostly wearing 12 month clothing now, and it doesn't seem like you will be wearing that size for long! Your 12 month pajamas are already starting to look a little small. You are still nursing, but will start some whole milk very soon. Mommy and Daddy have made the decision to let you lead the way when it comes to weaning. We trust your judgement, little boy! You have tried so many different foods and you don't seem to be very picky at all. Sometimes though, you will LOVE a food one night and not really want it very much a few days later. Fruit always seems to be a winner for you - especially bananas and grapes. Lately, you've been playing a "game" of reaching out and dropping food off of the side of your highchair - you think it is hysterical! Mommy and Daddy aren't so sure!

Munching on a bagel after the St. Pat's 5K

Messy food face

Your sleeping patterns have been mostly good. Sometimes you need Mommy or Daddy to come in and put your binky back in or just pat you on the bum to calm you back down to sleep. We are very grateful that you are such a good sleeper. At the babysitter's during the week you tend to take one nap just after lunch, but when you are home, you've been taking a mid-morning and mid-afternoon nap.

Sweet snoozer

Just a few days after turning 11 months old, you started to walk! Daddy had a business trip in Oregon at the beginning of the month, and we could tell you were close to walking, so Mommy was worried that you would start walking while Daddy was gone. You did, BUT, you ended up taking your first steps while we were talking to Daddy using FaceTime! So, he saw the whole thing. You are so smart and considerate, Little Man! You have so many different toys that you like to play with, it is hard to say that one is your favorite. You do really like anything that you can put other toys (or other objects) in and take them out of. You like to do this with your Little People barn - you load it up, close it, then bring it to whoever is closest to you to open it up again.

FaceTime with Daddy

Playing with your barn (yes, pants on the head, not the bum - we were being silly that afternoon!)

Your top two teeth finally came in and it looks like the next teeth beside them are on their way in any minute. One might have cut already, but it's hard to tell since you don't really like to let anyone take a look at your chompers! Some days your teeth seem to bother you more than others, but you are overall doing very well with your teeth.

"I have teeth but you can't see them!"

Tomorrow is your one year check-up with the pediatrician. Mommy will have to come back and update the blog with your "stats". You had a little bug last week with a fever and what seemed like an upset tummy, but you seem to have recovered well. You and Mommy did spend almost an entire day snuggling in the easy chair while watching some TV. You snoozed on and off all day and it seemed to do you a world of good. I was sad that you weren't feeling well, but I was very happy to snuggle with you.

Ready for March Madness

Unfortunately, this month, your Great-Great Aunt Emma passed away at the age of 91 after a short battle with cancer. She was a kind and quirky woman and she loved you very much. Mommy is very sad that she is gone, but will forever be grateful that she got to meet and spend time with you, sweet boy.

Christmas 2012

You still love to babble, but aside from syllables like "MaMa" and "DaDa", nothing seems to have any meaning behind it - to us! It seems like you are having full conversations though, we just wish that we could understand you! We are sure that once you really start talking, we'll regret saying this, but we can't wait until that day arrives! We'd love to know what is going on in your silly little head!

What's going on up there silly boy?

Nathaniel, you have taught your parents more over the past year than most people have over the course of their lifetimes. Being your Mommy and Daddy has been the greatest gift we could have ever asked for. You have given us joy beyond measure, and although you have only been with us for a year, it is hard to remember a time in our lives without you there at our side. You are the sweetest, funniest, cutest, most wonderful little boy on the planet and we love you so very much.