I know this is cliché, but I can’t believe a year has gone by already. Where did the time go? I am so enjoying this little boy everyday. This is such a fun age! Here he is after he had eaten his chocolate birthday cake. Usually the kids pick out what kind of cake they want, and since he doesn’t really understand birthdays, I always make my favorite – chocolate! He didn’t make too much of a mess on his face and hands, but the floor looked awesome the next day with cake smashed onto it.
I am one, guys!
A few things about Tommy. He is such a curious little boy, especially when it comes to anything requiring electricity, for example technology. He crawls like an alligator and has recently begun crawling around like a bear. He can almost stand straight up from the floor. He LOVES his siblings and of all of my kids, has a really special relationship with his daddy at this age. Usually, they are such momma’s kids at this age and daddy becomes the favorite when they get to be a little older. It is so fun to see Tommy’s excitement when Tom comes home from work. He now says daddy just right. And when he is trying to have a conversation, it is always, “Da-da-da-da?.!” He CAN say a lot of things, but after he says them pretty well the first time, they all turn into da-da. Some of the clearer things he says are: out, up, kitty (tiddi), mama, bread is bur, drink is dee often with some sort of signing to accompany it (milk or drink), all done, he tries to bark like a dog and every animal makes barks like a dog in his mind, he can meow like the kitties, and he makes the sound of a car while he is playing with a car (brrr. . brrr). He loves to pull everything out of my cupboards. This is generally what the house looks like on a good day.
He is starting to be a lot more independent than I remember my other kids being at this age. Lately he has seen that the rest of us eat with silverware at dinner time and he gets really upset until I give him a spoon to hold in his hand. He tries to use it and then just holds it and eats with the other hand. He also doesn’t like me to do things for him that he has worked hard at accomplishing. For example, he was in a really bad habit of throwing his sippy cup onto the floor every time he finished drinking from it, so I have been working with him to show him how to set it on the table next to him. He has really been doing well that last few days. It is amazing how far praise will go with one so young! This morning, without thinking, I took it from him when he was done drinking instead of letting him do it himself and he was heartbroken. In his eyes I could see the words, “Mom, I have been working so hard to do this right and now you won’t let me do it myself!” He also has found out that if he climbs onto our base board heaters in the dining/family room he can see the beautiful view out our windows. I love seeing that little boy peering under the curtains to his outside world of wonder!
He isn’t walking yet, but stands in the middle of the floor by himself. He took his first step tonight. I don’t think it will be long before he is toddling around. I hope he takes his time though. That is my selfish way of saying, “Don’t grow up too fast!” He is the sweetest, happiest boy. He greets every person that smiles at him with an exuberant “Hi!” Today in church, six people came up to me after telling me how much Tommy lights up their life. He definitely does that. Even though he plays in the toilet sometimes when the door/toilet seat is left open. 