one

today the little man turns one. one. i can hardly believe it's been a year since he came into our world. it feels like it was last week that hank and i headed for the hospital and said "well, guess we're going to have a baby today!" he has been such a joy and blessing to us. i think the best as a parent is watching these little personalities unfold right before your very eyes, and that has just been the raddest over the last year with this guy. he has a very light heart, loves to smile and laugh, loves to be in the middle of the action - can't stand to miss a thing, and is so anxious to get up and play, especially with his sister. when she actually takes the time to play with him he eats it up and laughs and squeals and takes it for as long as he can get it. he is always on the go (he started walking running shortly after turning 9 months) and hasn't looked back since. before that he used to watch beth so carefully and you could see in his eyes that we wanted to run after her, do what she was doing, and wanted so bad to run around the house and in the grass and streets as she did. it didn't take him long to figure it out! and now he can't stand to sit still. the kid is constantly moving.

something in him draws him to music - ever since he was born he would perk up and look and try to find the source of music whenever he heard it - on the tv, on the radio, in the car, at church... and will usually calm down if he's upset and i sing in his ear. i love it. now he claps and turns around and dances when he hears something lively and the giant smile that spreads across his face as he does it is incredibly endearing.

he's super into cars and trucks (hank is super relieved) and everything else he's not supposed to be. i am constantly picking up after this kid as he tears into everything, opens every cupboard and drawer and pulls everything out, strewing it across the house. his very favorite though is, of course, unrolling the toilet paper in the bathroom. that door stays shut permanently, as you would guess.

he is laid back and good natured (except for when he's sick and cries unless he's held 100% of the time), and LOVES to eat. kid is a good eater, i'll definitely give him that, which i so appreciate. but he tends to burn a lot of calories running and falling and picking himself back up for most of the day. he is curious and mischievous, energetic and funny, and i have a feeling he might become one of those that knows how to charm the pants off of anyone. i'm already a sucker for him, so... (secret: his dad is even worse.) he has been such a beautiful addition to our little family.

he's figured out tantrums and though i shouldn't laugh at them, i can't help but do! if he gets told no or has a non-toy taken away from him he puckers up his lips, lets his eyes fill to the brim with tears and then bangs his head on the first thing he can find - most often, just the floor. he will bend right over into downward facing dog, letting his head fall to the floor, sit there for a minute, then look up to see if i've moved or changed my mind, and if not, goes back to the same pose, this time hitting just a little bit harder. sometimes he will use furniture or a wall, throwing himself up against it - hands and face and all - and then hitting his head repeatedly, occasionally looking over at me to see if i've noticed and/or care. is it terrible that it's so comedic to me? he's learned early to work it.... and sometimes it's just so dang funny and he's just so dang cute that i have to give in. what can i say?

happy birthday my sweet boy. we love and adore you so much.

some pictures from yesterday, scratch on face, runny nose, drooly mouth, messy shirt and all...