My First Cake

If you didn't already see them, Dad put up the pictures of me dealing with my birthday cake. It was good stuff! Too bad I dropped it before I got very much.

Happy Birthday To Me

Hey everyone! This is just going to be a quickie with the vitals on the day, since I didn't get to upload new pictures this week.

Yep, it's my birthday! I'm a whole year old now, and I'm really happy with how it's gone so far. I've got a warm bed, a family that loves me, and lots of encouragement to keep growing and learning. It's awesome.

Today I went to see Dr. B for my one-year checkup. I know, you're all appalled at me going to the doctor on my birthday, especially when I needed to get shots. But it was better to do it today than try to squeeze it in next week before we go to New Mexico. Besides, my Orlando party isn't until tomorrow, and I'm already over the ill effects.

Oh right, some of you keep track of this:
Height: 29 1/4 inches
Weight: 21 pounds, 14 ouncesSo I'm two ounces shy of being able to turn the car seat around. Probably by the time we get back from our trip, Dad can do that for me. It'll probably be cooler to watch out the windshield when he's driving than just staring at the headliner.

I guess that's it for now! I'll try to update again Monday or Tuesday with party pictures.

Almost There

Sorry, everyone. I've been too busy running around lately to come update my blog. No, not by myself yet, but when Dad's just sitting there at the computer I'd much rather make him get up and help me trot around the house. Walking is within my grasp, but so is Dad's finger and I feel more secure if I have him helping me.

It's not like I haven't been exploring more things, though. In the last couple weeks, we've been going outside and playing in the grass. Dad prefers to take me into the front yard, in the shade of the big tree, where the grass is shorter and less weedy and not full of ant hills and dog poops. Plus it's a good place to sit and watch the neighborhood kids play basketball. I'm having fun picking up leaves, pulling blades of grass, and just sort of experimenting with the feel of it between my toes. Being outside in general is fun, and the opportunity to explore a new surface out there is one I can't pass up. The bugs can get annoying, but otherwise it's a lot of fun. We're going to try going to the park next.

These last two weeks have been kind of hard on my schedule, too. Mom's working the night shift again this month, which basically means that my main source of comfort in the night is gone. This is where all you experienced parents will shake your heads at Mom and Dad for letting me co-sleep. Hey, I'm comfortable, and that's what matters, right? Plus, in their defense, it's hard for my parents to have a consistent plan and attack when Mom's work schedule changes so drastically every month.

In case you forgot, my birthday is at the end of the week. Mom and Dad already gave me my presents, though ... I guess they couldn't wait to play with them either. They got me the Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn House, and it's awesome. I love opening the door and the window to hear the songs, or pressing the doorbell or flipping the switch to watch the porch light go on and off. They got me a couple smaller things too -- a Tampa Bay Rays padded mini baseball bat, a few new elephants, and a swing for the porch (which Dad hasn't installed yet). This weekend a few of my local friends are coming over for a barbecue and to play some games in the backyard. (Guess Dad'll have to clean it up some.)

It's just about my bedtime now. Good night!

April Showers

Wow, I've done a lot in the last two weeks. No real new developments ... er ... developmentally (other than my increased inclination to feed myself and/or throw food off the high chair), but we've been to a lot of places.

Last weekend, to celebrate Mom's birthday (which was a while ago, but she didn't have a full weekend off then) we went to Savannah, Georgia. I'm not sure why we went -- I guess it looked interesting and fun to her, but all I knew about Savannah was when Dad sometimes watches Paula Deen's TV show. Still, I'm glad we went, because we had fun. We tried to go to Paula's restaurant on Sunday, actually, but when we got there an hour before it opened, the line already went down the street and around the corner -- and that was just to put your name on the list! So instead we ate at the Pirate's House, which was really good. (I just had the cornbread, but it was awesome. Mom and Dad really liked the fried chicken and sweet potatoes.)

We spent Saturday walking around the town squares, looking at the old statues and beautiful landscaping and architecture. That night, we tried to go to a bluegrass concert, but I wanted to dance in the seat and the people around us got agitated, so we just left rather than bugging them. (We did get to dance and hang out in the upstairs lobby of the theater for a while, because they were piping the music out from the hall.) On the ride back to Orlando, I was so tired that I slept for more than three hours, which meant by the time I woke up we were almost home.

We went bowling again this week with some of Mom's friends from work. I had more fun this time, because I've been playing with balls at home and so I was interested in them. Did you know bowling balls are really heavy? I couldn't pick one up, but I pushed it down the lane (with Dad's help, though). But then Dad wouldn't let me crawl down the gutter to check out the pins, because there was oil on the floor or something and he didn't want me to get hurt or too messy. Whatever, Dad!

This weekend we went to the Magic Kingdom again. It was just as fun as ever. We rode the Haunted Mansion (it was my first time, but Mom says they updated it and made it cooler than it used to be), It's a Small World (still my favorite) and thought about Dumbo -- but then it started raining. (That's not why I'm wet in the picture -- I played in the kid fountain for a while before the rain started. It's a good thing Mom and Dad brought me a change of clothes!) The 'rents were hungry at that point, so we decided to go to Epcot and get an early dinner at the new Japanese restaurant. Dad says it's pretty authentic, but I just had Cheerios, so I wouldn't know.

My birthday is at the end of this month! I've sent out party invitations to a lot of my family and friends, and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. Just as a quick note: I don't really want or need anything for my birthday. I have lots of clothes and toys, so I request no gifts. However, I know that my grandparents and great-grandparents are going to scoff and do what they want anyway, and some of you might want to do the same. So Dad helped me put together a wish list, and if you insist on getting me a gift but are short on ideas, these are things I think would be fun.

Wow, long one this week. See you next time!