Happy, Happy Birthday!

I had a fantastic first birthday. I had a good time with my parents, got presents, and ate good food. I did a gift exchange with Mama's internet friends and my partner was a very cute guy named Matthew (what is it with me and Matthews?). He got me a really neat wooden book with magnetic pieces. I was so fascinated that I didn't look at the camera again once it was unwrapped.I got a picture of Matthew to tuck away in the corner of my mirror. Yes, Mama put it up there for me.
Mama took a brief break with the presents to get a picture of the mullet. Party in the back!I prefer to exercise when I look at books. Deep squats are my specialty.Matthew also gave me some peekaboo blocks that I threw at Mama.We went swimming at the rec center for a while in the afternoon. I hadn't been in a pool since August and it was even more fun than I remembered. I kicked a lot and dipped my face in. It's really fun to be able to walk in the water and I couldn't do that before.I opened the rest of my presents once Dada got home. I was still sleepy from my nap when I opened my dance CDs and beads.Gavin and Vanessa's parents gave me some really cool toys (hangers) and a neat outfit too. It's just my size!We went to Old Country Buffet for dinner so I could try some different foods. I particularly enjoyed the mac 'n cheese, spaghetti, buttery rolls, and cinnamon applesauce. I ate a lot of other stuff too and Mama didn't have to cook!They gave me a cupcake to see what I'd do. It looks like I went crazy for it, but I actually put it down after I got a bite of it. I think that cupcake may have been old because it wasn't very soft. I hope my cake is better on Saturday!

We went over to the mall play area for a few slides before we went home.Right before bed, Dada reminded Mama that I hadn't gotten my zebra yet. I got to play on it for a minute and then it was time to nurse, snuggle, and go to bed.

I talked and talked to Mama after she nursed me. That's my new thing. I talk a bunch and then settle down almost immediately once she lays me down in my bed. She's so happy that she doesn't have to sneak out of the room anymore. It was a wonderful first birthday and Mama assures me that she'll do her best to make every year special.

Goodbye, Baby!

Hello, big girl! I'm going to be one tomorrow!!! That means today is the anniversary of Mama's "labor day." Yuck. She had her epidural by this time, but it wasn't pretty.

Since I'm a big girl now, that means I get to drink coffee while I sit in my easy chair.Most of the Christmas pictures aren't too great because Mama and Dada were too busy enjoying me to have the camera out the whole time. I love my new fire truck. I can ride on it, push it, and store stuff in the seat. Santa gave it to me. Maybe he isn't so bad after all.Dada got Mama a funny shirt. She'll explain it to you if you don't understand. Math dork!I tried cow's milk for the first time on Christmas. Do you like my outfit? I really wasn't too impressed with the cow's milk. I'll just keep drinking my milk from Mama I think. I have found that it's fun to spit milk across the room. It gets a reaction!I am awesome at climbing. Dada looks nervous.Mama finally got to meet Vanessa on Friday. She took a nice long nap on Mama and Mama got a touch of baby fever.Gavin and Vanessa's grandpa is a nice guy. My parents were surprised that I liked him right away and let him carry me around.Vanessa was wide awake when we left. She's gorgeous! I can't wait until she's older so we can play together.I've been so happy because my daddy has been home a lot the last few days. Who would want to leave this?I was very serious before lunch today. Some day I'll figure out what to do with puzzles.Yet another funny face in my repertoire.Two of my teeth broke through yesterday so all is right in the world. My parents were surprised that it was B and I that came through and L is still hiding under the surface. I'll work on that during my nap this afternoon. I wish I could smile even bigger so you could see my new molars.I now stick my tongue out on command. I usually accompany it with silly giggles.I tried to hide from Mama, but she's good at finding me.
Dada is working tomorrow so I don't know what we're doing for my birthday. I bet I'll get some yummy food and presents from my parents.

ABC

Aunt Claudia caught the not so subtle hint and now my ABC book is on order! Mama still hasn't let me see it, but you can get a preview of it here. We used Pampers points and got the first twenty pages for free. Woot!

No "L", Noel

Check out our moves! http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/1edDDt6JHB4bM0um

We've had a lot going on around here, but I'm pleased to report there is no "L" tooth erupting after all. It's still swollen, but I'm not in pain and my parents have given up on my teeth coming in. No one cares as long as I'm happy.

Dada's parents were here this weekend and we celebrated Christmas. I loved all the bows. I helped Mama open her new food processor. She's going to use it to make lots of yummy food.
My new chair is sooooo soft and nice.I love it.Who does this remind you of? Yep, I'm just like Mama. She rarely sits in a chair correctly.I love my new alphabet elephant too. It will go well with my alphabet book once Aunt Claudia sends us a picture. Mama is going to order it this week. She'll share the link after it's completely done.I have my very first puzzle. Numbers!!!!What am I supposed to do with it?I used Sunday morning to catch up on some required reading.I got my daddy!This is the life.Euclid isn't getting any presents this year because he's on the naughty list. Don't worry, Mr. Duck was rescued before he came to any harm.Mama forgot to post the Thanksgiving before and after pictures so here you go. Last year.This year.I'm so jealous that Matthew is in Florida without me. He really left at a good time and is enjoying fun in the sun. He'll be back soon my mommy assures me. I have a playdate with a couple of other kids today and might go visit Vanessa tomorrow if the weather cooperates (which is looking doubtful).

Tooth L

Tooth L is coming in and it hurts! I'm cranky and in pain and so is Mama from listening to me all day. She rubs my swollen gums with her finger and that feels good at least. My sleep has been disturbed too. I woke up for the day at 4:30 on Monday, 3:30 yesterday, and slept in until 6:30 today. I was so tired yesterday morning that I fell asleep in my baby prison. I only slept in this position for about half an hour, but took a four hour nap later on. I imagine my neck would have been sore if I would slept like this for very long. I'm definitely less grumpy today than I was the last couple of days. We're hoping my tooth comes in soon. Dada and Mama think that tooth "I" seems like it might come in too.

Nutty Christmas

Mama had a fun time with the Christmas cards this year. This was the picture of me we ended up using. I smiled and sat by Dog (who has special meaning for Mama).In fact, I smiled for a few of the pictures. Mama loves this one because you can see my pearly whites.

I wasn't entirely cooperative the whole time. I hated the antlers.

I'm sitting here. What more do you want?

Gangsta lean

Mmmm...antlers...

I was semi-cooperative during the first of the three photo shoots, but we noticed the tag needed to be removed from the antlers. I tried to tell them.

The Buddy wasn't much more cooperative than me. He tried to lick the camera.

He was just a little too excited about getting his picture taken, if you can see what I mean.

He looked so ready to lead Santa's sleigh.

The outdoor photo shoot resulted in a wet camera, wet antlers, and cold hands. Euclid refused to look at the camera.

Another great shot of the dog.

Mama's self portrait. She thought this was too flattering to go in the Christmas card. Heaven forbid she look kind of normal or something. This one was a little too scary though. We call this the crazed reindeer look.Not only does Dada look crazy, but the picture is blurry. We should have used this one!

I hope you enjoyed our card. I wonder what we'll do next year!