One Year

On the eve of Isaiah's first birthday I am reflecting on what life was like a year ago. I had left work two weeks prior for maternity leave. I had left a job that I found heart wrenching and stressful. We were living in the city on a tiny property beside the best neighbors a girl could ask for. And we waited. I was overdue by 4 days and waiting to be induced because Baby wasn't growing.

Now I have a boy who is verging on toddlerhood. He's a whirlwind of activity and very vocal. Crawling suits him just fine and he is in no rush to walk. He can probably get there faster on his knees anyway. All day he babbles, copying as many sounds as he catches. He says Dada, Num num, again, done, uhoh, and makes a few animal sounds.

Isaiah is definite on what he wants. He knows who should hold him at any given moment and where he wants them to take him. He needs no words for this - just a point of his fingers and some grunting. He pushes away the people and things offered to him that he doesn't want and gets mad if the same thing is offered twice. He is a boy of structure - milk is for bottles, water for sippy cups. He seems to be inclined to a sense of order.

He is adventurous. His favorite thing is the swing at Grandma's house, which hypnotizes him into silence and stillness. Rides on the ATV, climbing up and down stairs, and banging anything to hear the sound it will make are exciting. He's got a great arm and loves playing catch. His ride on ATV and shapes sorter are some of his favorite toys.

6 teeth have forced themselves through. He doesn't cope too well with teething. He is tall, filling out his age appropriate clothes in length but not width. He likes his bottle and anything new in his diet. The same menu in two days is not appealing. Baby food is a definitely dislike. He does seem to have a sweet tooth.

mmm cake

Isaiah has taken to daycare very well. He loves watching other kids and is learning to interact with them. Some days he jumps into the babysitter's arms and doesn't want me to take him home when I get there. He wants to show me what he's doing and what toys he is playing with.

Bedtime is easy. He likes to be put down in his crib and he'll take his thumb to fall asleep with. Otherwise he is not a thumb sucker. Usually there is no fuss. At bedtime we read stories. Sometimes an hour's worth. It is his favorite part of the day. He still wakes a couple of times every night to eat.

He is so much fun. He is learning to tease. Most days are more fun than effort now and he is learning so quickly. This year has flown by. I can't wait to see what Isaiah grows in to. He has made our lives so much richer and taught us countless lessons.

We love you baby! Happy Birthday.