Baby Zwei: One Year Old.

Dear Keats,


You are one. Well, you have been one for a bit now, but, as things often go now, time has gotten away from me. You started crawling at 7.5 months old and have not stopped moving since. You army crawled at first, but it did not really slow you down. You pulled up to standing that same week. You always go big. By 9 months, you were moving full speed crawling and had started to climb. Climb. Anything and everything. There is no turning my back on you.


As a result of all this motion, you have dropped a full curve on your growth chart. I know better now than to worry about that though. At your 12 month appointment you were within a quarter of an inch in height and an ounce in weight as to where your brother was at his one year. How interesting. You are alike and different in so many ways.


You are still full of smiles. But you also have no issue demonstrating your disapproval or desires. You are a demanding, stubborn little man. You communicate in grunts to tell us what you want. You love pointing now too. And while your brother's selected 'word' to get us to look at something was 'ish' (this), you prefer to sort of just stick your tongue out and hiss at us 'tss.' You do know some signs and have started trying to say some words... 'Ah da--all done' 'duh--duck or maybe dog.' We do get mamas and dadas but I'm not yet convinced that you are actually referring to us and not just babbling. Soon enough.


On your birthday you had 10 teeth, counting 2 upper molars that had only partially erupted. These molars have been giving you a heck of a time. I hate teeth. You are sleeping in bed with us. Daddy has started getting a nice bedtime routine down with you. I nurse you and then go take care of big brother. Daddy reads you stories in the rocking chair, and sings The Beatles with you while you rock to sleep. I think he really enjoys your time together. You still nurse at night, but it varies greatly.


During the day, you nurse less frequently and are enjoying solids. As long as you get to feed yourself. By now I just put a bowl in front of you and you go to town. Favorites include yogurt, hummus, blueberries, pineapple, apple slices, spaghetti, pork chops, and chicken.


You are taking two naps a day still. We are lucky enough to have Oma with us often so you get undisturbed naps. I am blessed to be able to give you much of the same dedication and patience that your brother got.


On your birthday the four of us visited a local community center that has a playroom. You loved crawling and climbing. And even jumping on the trampoline! We also had a birthday party for you--Uno themed. You had fun then too and really dug in when it was time for cake.


I have not yet taken you for your first haircut, but it will probably be soon. It feels like the last bit of baby-ness that I am clinging to. Those fuzzy, feathery, baby hairs. Once those are gone, it's all over.




You love your brother. Almost always have a smile for him. You have also started playing rough, pushing him and tackling him. I'm in so much trouble with you two.


You are a joy. A stubborn, smiling, little daredevil. Cannot wait to see what the next year brings!


Love you bunches,

Momma