Love Letter Number 4 (though it's really an update)

My Little 1 Year Old,

This could be a potential love letter, but your current sleeping patterns are making this more of a letter of complaint. You were doing so well, taking 2 naps a day in your crib and sleeping 7-10 hour increments at a time. What is it now, little boy? Daddy thinks your gassy (I did give you a tiny bite of my beans last night), but could it be teeth (you're suddenly nursing every 2 minutes)? I don't know, but it's been rough. You've been waking up pissed every 2-3 hours. Ugh.

You see, there were better photos of you and me from our snowy walk this morning, but the bags under my eyes were aging me too far. So for selfish reasons, this is the one I'm posting. Anyway, you were so tired after being so snugly in your sling on my back and under my jacket, that you almost fell asleep. Of course, it only makes sense. Why sleep in the nice, soft, warm, dry, dark comforts of your crib? It only seems right that you want to sleep in the cold, wet, snowy conditions of outside. Right.

Anyway, this past month you turned 1 year old. We didn't make a big deal about it, in fact, I bought you 1 gift because I felt I should. You could have cared less. We made homemade cinnamon rolls and had some fellow 1 year old friends over. You proved you were a stinker that morning and didn't nap at all. That's ok, the rolls were so yummy that you forgot all about being tired.

For your year appointment, you got a whopping 5 shots (one for lead and iron test). You screamed to the high heavens, but quickly forgot about them all. You weighed in at 22 lbs. and I can't for the life of me remember how long you are. Sorry. Mommy has a bad memory due to the not sleeping and all. Your doctor said you were tall, like your sister, and you even took a few steps for her. She was impressed! Your sister had many words at this age, and you have very few. But the doctor said Sylvia was hyper-verbal, and your normal. I hope you don't have to hear that your whole life!!

A week later, on my birthday, you surprised us all by officially walking. And boy are you impressed with yourself! You walk around in a drunken stupor finding new things at the higher levels you now reach. Like the toilet handle. And the stove knobs. Both things your sister never, ever messed with. We have to keep our eyes on you, you are getting quicker and more cunning by the second. Us parents are learning that if it's quiet, you're into something. Or your sister has a noose around your neck. You know, either or.

Anyway, your sweetness surrounds your every move. You reach out, wrap your arms around someone near, and say "ahhhhhhhh" with love. Then you rest your head on their shoulder (or if Sylvia, her chest). It is the freaking cutest thing ever, and shows us how full of love and affection you are. I've always heard this about little boys, but you are certainly showing us first hand!

Things you now say are ball, dada, mama (very rarely), and uh-oh. You also know the signs for milk (nursing) and more, both of which we had taught your sister too. When we ask you how big you are, you raise your hands to the skies, and if I say where's the baby, you pat yourself. This shows me that though you are not so verbal, you know exactly what is being said. Oops.

So as you enter you second year on this planet, and in this family, I hope you keep all this sweetness and zest for play. I can't wait to experience the little man you are becoming. I'm so amazed at the smile and glee you have on your face, especially when we pick you up after you've been screaming for 10 minutes. The sadness fades quickly to total joy. And you are so happy to be in our arms, as opposed to the confines of your crib-prison.