18 months

Dear Milo,

You are a year and a half old now. Can you believe it? In just the past couple of days, you have been acting like such a big boy. Maybe it's because your Great-Aunt Dianna is here to visit you. Maybe it's because you really are a big boy now. Whatever the reason, you have started surprising me by doing things like repeating words when I ask you to. You are saying new things almost daily. Just today you said "apple" and tried to say "whistle." I still can't get you to say "mommy" though.

You are doing things at The Little Gym that we've been trying to get you to do for a long time. All of a sudden, you are hanging from the bars. You are climbing on things and balancing. You are doing those things and others without prompting and without help. I'm so proud of you sometimes I almost cry. And not just because of what you do at The Little Gym.

You are so much fun to be around. You love getting out and doing things. You are practically fearless, and that can be scary for Mommy. Today, you climbed the jungle gym and went down the slide with almost no help at all.

There are some things that I'm not thrilled with -- you biting me the other night is one. But I do love when you grab me and give me big hugs. And I love when you kiss me. You can be so sweet. Most of the time. You're less consistent with your napping right now and sometimes you get cranky from lack of sleep. And you have a whole bunch of molars coming in, so I guess you're allowed to be a little angry once in awhile.

You can be quite demanding when you want something, including wanting Daddy and me to dance with you when a favorite song comes on. But it's worth it to see you smile and hear you laugh. Your laugh is the absolute best. I wish I could bottle it to use when I'm having a bad day.

Even when you're testing limits and my patience, you amaze me. You thrill me daily. Some days, I still can't believe I'm your mom.  I know you're not technically a baby anymore, but you'll always be my baby. You make me so happy. I love you like crazy, little man.

Love,
Mommy

Look at my teeth!

Wordless Wednesday

Saturday Smiles

Gotta love spontaneous naps.

Milo's first art session

We turned Milo loose with finger paints this evening.

He is quite the artiste, don't you think?

He obviously thinks so.

Saturday smiles

Some things are universal.

Things like orange-slice smiles.

Saturday smiles

Eating macaroni

1 year

Dear Milo,

You are snoozing away right now, after a full weekend with parties and friends and cake. Then you had another long day today.

You spent the first part of the last month getting over a nasty infection. Despite that, you have changed so much. You now walk everywhere.

You have started saying, "All done" and signing "milk" in context. You aren't a baby anymore. You are such a big boy. You aren't content to just sit around -- whether it's at home or in stores. When we have to go shopping, you'd rather push the cart than sit in it.

You're such a little flirt. You are now much friendlier with everybody, even though you still don't much like other people holding you.

You make me laugh every day. I wish I could bottle your giggles for a rainy day. You are so sweet and make me feel like I'm the greatest thing since sliced bed. You light up when you see me, and it makes me melt.

We had such a good time celebrating your birthday. We had a party at The Little Gym because you love it there so much. It makes me smile just to see how happy you get doing simple things.

Bubbles and balls are some of your favorite things.

I'm pretty sure you knew the day was all about you.

This past year has been the most amazing, exhilarating, exhausting, joyous, life-affirming 12 months I've ever experienced. For every frustration, there are at least a dozen things that make me thankful beyond words that I'm your mommy. You are the greatest blessing of my life. I wouldn't trade one second of the past year for anything in the world.

Happy birthday, my little miracle man. I love you beyond measure.

Love,

Mommy

Mostly Wordless Wednesday

Milo mugs for the camera.

Have I mentioned how awesome I think this kid is?

Saturday Smiles

This is how I found my little man sleeping this morning.

Who doesn't love Pooh Bear?

Saturday Smiles

Milo's busy morning

Good morning, Mommy!

I think I'll wear this today.

Time for a little breakfast

And a manicure

And he's ready to start his day.

Saturday Smiles

Milo took a few steps all by himself this afternoon. Because I don't want to experience his entire life through a camera's viewfinder, I don't have a picture of that. I do, however, have a picture of how proud he was of his accomplishment.

Big smile!

Saturday Smiles

 

If there's anything sweeter than a baby falling asleep in my arms, I have yet to discover it.

Sunday Smile

Not only can you see Milo's second tooth coming in, you can see me reflected in his eyes.

Biker boy

Milo got a trike for Christmas. And he loves it.

Do babies dream of baby sheep?

Whatever he was dreaming about must have been nice.

I promise to post things other than ridiculously cute pictures of my baby. Give me a few weeks to recover from my C-section and get used to the odd sleeping hours.

Extra points for getting today's post title.