Nick + Lauren: ): Twelve Months

1.18.13

Weight: 23 pounds, 6 ounces (60th percentile)

Height: 30 inches (58th perecntile)

Size: 12M and 18M

Little Nee Nee,

My oh my! My little baby boy is twelve months old...ONE. How is this possible? I told myself each month that time was flying by because I was counting by weeks and months. Now that you are 12 months/one year, I will only count by months a little bit longer. In a blink of an eye, you will be 2...3...4...5. Before I know it, you will go to kindergarten! Time must slow down!

I kind of felt like you turned into a little boy this month. Your face looks more grown up, you are learning so many things, and - now that you are walking - you are so strong on your feet. You're even on the verge of talking!

In addition to walking on your own - EVERYWHERE - this month you started to clap and wave when you heard the words - SO cute! You clap, clap, clapped at dinner, in the car, and for family and friends! We also became confident that you know the meaning of "Dada" - SO special: ) "Dadadadada" is your favorite thing to say, and you love to point at "Dada" while you say it!

Auntie Lisa was here for Christmas, so you got to spend lots of time with her! I took the whole week of Christmas off from work, so we got to see her several times - including for Christmas Eve, Christmas day, and a trip to the Plaza! It was SO SO good to spend time with her and with other family in town for the holidays!

You continued to be such a great little shopper - so patient! You also continued to love to read before bed. Most nights we read three books, and sometimes you wanted to read two or three more! This month you loved some of the books you got for Christmas: Tails, That's Not My Puppy, and That's Not My Train.

I realized this month that I spend less time wondering about what your next day will bring and spend more time thinking about what your future may hold. When you examine the wheels on your stroller or on one of your cars, I catch myself wondering if you will be an engineer, and when I watch you look through books, I catch myself wondering if you will always like to read. I read somewhere that you are like a little researcher at this age and that you are learning every second as you explore the world around you. I love watching you learn and grow. No matter what you do when you grow up, I am certain that I will be proud of you!

We had only a few rough moments in your first year, and I am pretty confident in saying that this year will always be one of the most memorable and most special years of my life. I never could have imagined how much I would love you, and I am blown away each day at how my love grows. I tear up all the time at the sweet things that you do. I am trying so hard to slow down and be in these moments with you because I know that time will continue to fly by, and I want to remember these special times we have together.