One-derful

Yes, I know it's been over a month since my adorable little buddy turned one, but I can't miss the opportunity to spend a moment reflecting on his first year and documenting a little about what he's like at this point in his life.

Normally, when my babes turn one I do a happy dance.  There are great things about the first year, but usually it's still pretty hard and when they turn one things seem to start to stabilize.  But, Graham has been such an unbelievably pleasant baby, that I haven't wished the year away one bit.  Aubree concurs.  She's been telling Graham for months, "you can turn one after you turn eighteen."  

Perhaps as a result of our attitudes, right up until his first birthday, Graham still acted like our baby.  He was content to be held and cuddled, wasn't walking or talking much, and seemed really young when compared to other babes around his age (while still being developmentally appropriate).

Immediately after his birthday, however, he decided perhaps he didn't want to be a baby forever.  Within the week, he'd mastered going up (and mostly) down the stairs, standing and taking a few steps (he's still not walking, though), saying a few words ("hi," "up,"), exploring all the cabinets in the kitchen, wanting to join with Thane and Bryce in their play (though he's wisely wary of Thane), and expressing his independence and opinions.

Despite these developments, he's still loving and calm and fun and observant and quick to smile.  

He remains the main attraction among a few of the older neighborhood kids.  They are so amazing with him and seek him out first thing when we get together.  The feeling seems to be reciprocal; Graham leans out of my arms for them to hold him, and has learned many fun "tricks" from his big friends.

A couple months ago Mark got home from work and I greeted him by saying, "I've got bad news.  Graham has discovered the bookshelf and officially entered his 'destructo' phase."  Nothing Mark likes more than a kid who can de-shelve books in a flash. 

When it's time for Graham to go to bed or take a nap, he always lays his head on your shoulder and tucks his arms in under his body.  Mark once told me, "It's so hard when he does that, because I know I'm supposed to put him in bed, but when he's so cuddly, the last thing I want to do is lay him down!"

As a matter of stats, I took him in for his well-child visit last week and was amazed that he'd actually hit the 20 lb. milestone!  That puts him around the 15th percentile for weight.  He was 31" in length, which  is around the 90th percentile.  Long and thin...wish I could say he inherited that from me!  And his deceptively large noggin was also in the 95th percentile).

All told, we feel so blessed to have Graham in our family.  It's been a wonderful year and we look forward to all the rest yet to come.