Happy 1st Birthday, Daniel!

Today is Daniel's birthday! It's hard to believe that it has been a whole year and it is amazing to think what our little guy has learned and accomplished in just one short year! He learned to hold his head up, roll over, sit up, crawl, pull up to stand, walk, and walk faster (lol. not *quite* running yet). He can crawl up the stairs and knows to tun himself around backward when crawling off of something (like the mattress in the playroom). He can stack a couple of blocks and has recently learned to clap. He learned his name and will turn toward you/come when you call him. He has added several consonants and vowels to his babbling. He will say "mama" and "dada" (sometimes) and "uh oh" and I think he's also saying "all done".

He adores his big sister! He wants to do what she's doing and lights up when he sees her. He likes to take her glasses off and pull her hair and steal her drink cup (you know, all of the things annoying little brothers do.). In return, Etta likes to push him down for no reason and pile toys around him even when he doesn't want them. He loves to take a bath and to splash in any water when given the opportunity. He loves to eat! He likes to feed himself, but is still having trouble actually chewing food before he swallows it. Daniel has eight teeth. Four on top and four on bottom. He has just started drooling again so I suspect those one-year molars are coming soon.

He's such a SWEET little boy! He likes having books read to him and loves to be worn in a carrier. He takes a pacifier when he sleeps and I am so glad we discovered wubbanubs because he can easily find them in his crib and knows how to self-soothe. Though, once he's awake for the day (or from his nap), he's crying and wants someone to rescue him IMMEDIATELY! His favorite "toy" is the tv remote, my phone, and the video baby monitor. We have already had to replace the video monitor because he drooled on it so much it stopped working. He likes music (just like his big sister). He likes to play the piano and drums in the play room and he will "dance"/shake his head when he hears music.

Today Daniel is one! Well, he WILL be one at 2 minutes before midnight tonight. ;)

Because Keith had to work all day and because he also has a work event to attend tonight, the only opportunity for us to celebrate Daniel's actual birthday together happened at breakfast this morning. I think both kids thought they won the lottery when we let them have cake for breakfast!

For some reason, the video isn't playing. Try clicking this link: Daniel Birthday Video

Daniel ate that cake "all gone" and had his eye on Etta's plate...

Then, it was time for Daddy to go to work and mama took care of bath time for the messy TODDLER and cleaning the cake mess and time for D's morning nap.

We had a pretty average rest of the day. We played in the play room and ate lunch and napped and played in the play room some more. Soon, it will be time for dinner and bed and the whole day will be over for the sweet little boy. Though, this mama will spend time remembering the way this day/evening/night unfolded a year ago today.

Happy Birthday, Daniel. We love you VERY much!