What a year, what a year, oh my goodness what a year. Our little man is just amazing and perfect and so very smart. We regularly join the generations of parents before us who have said "we can't believe how much he's grown," and "we can't remember life before him," "he is absolutely the most handsome child out there," and "where has the time gone?!"

- His one-year check up says that's he's perfect and so very healthy! He handled all four shots with minimal screaming and a quick recovery. 30.75" tall (80th percentile!), 22lbs 12oz (71st percentile), 18" head circumference (40th percentile). We're not sure where he got his height but we'll take it! :-) He's 10" taller than when he was born and 15lbs 4oz (about 3x) heavier.

- It's no wonder he's grown given how much he eats. He's still a champion eater who shows preferences but will still finish what we give him, even if it's not his favorite and he requires some encouragement. Breakfast is usually a handful of Joe's O's cereal, a scrambled egg, a whole banana, and a serving of yogurt. Lunch is something like a handful of puffed rice, a piece of bread with almond butter, half a peach, and a half a cheese stick (he'd eat an entire cheese stick no problem but we try not to overload him on cheese). Whether he wants an afternoon snack depends on how long he naps, but if he wants a snack it's usually some blueberries & cottage cheese. And dinner is a handful of puffs, half a cheeseburger patty, a big pile of strawberries & blueberries, and a big scoop of green bean casserole. 

- 4 days before his birthday he nursed for the last time. He decided on his own that he was done (it was not a mutual decision with mom... those were rough days...). And when he stopped drinking milk from mom he got to start drinking cow's milk from his sippy cup. He loves it! He gets about half a sippy cup full after each meal and guzzles it right down. Seems to be like mom - likes his milk really, really cold. Which is funny since he would only drink it warm from a bottle.

- He still takes a morning and afternoon nap. And they’ve gotten longer and more consistent! Sometimes he sleeps up to two hours. And he's a real pro at putting himself to sleep and also occupying himself when he wakes up. He LOVES his music & light box that hangs from his crib rail. He turns on the music and falls right asleep or uses it to just hang out until we come get him up. He's also figured out his sleep sheep so he sometimes reaches through the rail to push buttons and change the sounds he's hearing.

- He has developed a favorite lovey - for better and worse. He has a white blanket with satin edges that has a lamb's head and feet on the corners. "Lamby" has become his absolute favorite and it seems he cannot go to sleep without it anymore (unless he's in the car). A couple times Lamby has been in the wash at nap time and after much fighting there was no nap. We're looking for a replacement/back-up lovey but have had no luck yet. 

- We can't remember the last time he took a pacifier. Sometime in the past month he decided he was really done with that. It's all thumb, all the time, now. Always his right thumb. In fact, he seems to favor his right hand for many things. He does wave primarily with his left hand. And he eats with both (can't shovel it in fast enough). But he turns book pages, reaches for toys, and carries toys mostly with his right hand. We'll see if that lasts. 

- Speaking of his love of music (in his crib), he starts dancing EVERY time he hears music. His dancing is mostly with his head but sometimes involves arms and/or butt. It's pretty adorable. :-) 

- For better or worse he can really watch TV now. We try not to use it often but watching a Disney movie or Curious George cartoon often occupies him or calms him down if it's a rough day. 

- His crawling has gone super speed! And he loves to chase around the family room. Sometimes you chase him, he runs out of room so he has to come back toward you, and he knows to go under you! How's he so smart?!? 

- He's also standing like a pro. He regularly lifts his hands off the couch or whatever he used to pull himself up to standing and he'll bounce/dance/pivot/squat and then stand back up firm as can be. Still no steps on his own but we figure it will be any day. (Fingers crossed it waits until after we move!) He will take a few steps if we're holding his hands and guiding him.

- His communication is getting better all the time. He can wave hello and goodbye and often does so when leaving a room or store without even being asked. And his wave has progressed from a whole hand/arm to just his fingers going up & down. He also has a modified sign for "all done" when he's done eating. It's not quite the "official" sign that we use but he waves both hands around and it's very clear he's saying "all done." He's not signing "more" yet but if you ask "do you want more (and sign)?" he'll smile and giggle if he does. He also claps all the time. As soon as you say "good job" he starts clapping. And he claps when other people do (like at the end of a performance). He can high-five when asked. And he shakes his head in both directions. Any time someone says "no" he starts shaking his head - the right direction too! 

- It's amazing to realize the words he recognizes too. He responds to: Where's your water? Where's your paci? Can you put your paci here (with a point)? Can you turn off your music (in his crib)? Can you put Lamby in your crib? Are you all done (accompanied by sign language)? Do you want to take a nap (he'll stop fussing and snuggle into my shoulder)?

- We've officially marked his first word as "mama." He's been babbling and saying "mamamama" & "dadadada" for a while. But this month he would isolate "mama" and we would ask "can you say 'mama'?" and he would! Hopefully it will become more consistent. ;-)

- Dad has continued to take the "breakfast shift" every morning. For a while it was so mom could do dissertation work. Lately it's so mom can pack the house. But regardless both parents (and Gabriel!) still find it wonderful. 

- Gabriel has gotten some for real babysitters this month! We've had several college and high school students (music students mom teaches) watch him both at home and at school. He's been great with all of them, even waking up to a surprise person! He has had a couple instances of some stranger apprehension this month but he's still handled it really well. He just looks quickly back and forth from the person to mom, maybe a little lip quiver or slight fussing, and doesn't go running to them. But he's even let some of those people pick him up as long as he can still see us, so we figure it's still success!

- And one other instance of apprehension popping up is over loud noises. He used to be so excited when I ran the vacuum cleaner, now he's less sure. He's ok with the dog barking (as he always was) but if she barks a lot and/or close to his face he's less tolerant. He's even cried a couple times at the coffee grinder! Hopefully he will outgrow these little startles and fears as he realizes they can't hurt him. :-) 

- He gives "kisses!" They are open mouth and VERY wet, but we'll take it! The only trouble is when they turn into bites... He may only have 4 teeth but boy do those 4 teeth hurt!