Thirteen Months: A Letter

Dear Nicholas,

You are 13 months! I feel like we just cleaned up from your birthday party (in truth, I did just take down the last two tissue paper poms hanging in the dining room last week), and now here you are-- another month older and wiser. After all the excitement of month 12, month 13 has been relatively quiet. And that's just fine with me.

You'll notice we're no longer taking your picture with Babar. You are just too wiggly and want to be on the go at all times. Over this past month, you did take a quick step from the ottoman in your room once each to both Daddy and I, but other than that you aren't walking quite yet. However, you love to stand up and walk while pushing anything you can get your hands on-- kitchen chairs, your music table, your rolling dinosaur toy, your lawn mower toy (a favorite birthday present)... even that jumbo size package of paper towels from Costco.

When you're not walking while pushing something, you still happily crawl anywhere you need to go. And you have discovered the joy of opening and digging through the cabinets. This is one of your favorite new hobbies, much to your mother's and father's dismay. I'm happy to let you dig through my bathroom cabinets and drawers because it keeps you occupied while I'm getting ready in the morning (and all dangerous materials have been moved to higher surfaces), but we're less enthused when you dig through the trash or recycling. We've purchased cabinet locks, and we're going to have to get around to installing them one of these days.

You continue to become more and more adventurous, and as you find new ways to test your limits you are beginning to hear the word "no" more often. I try not to overuse it, but sometimes it's necessary. ("No, you can't play with the knife." Said recently.) No makes you incredibly angry, incredibly sad, or both. Upon hearing the word, you will burst into tears and lie face down on the ground with your face on your hands, as though your world is ending. I try not to laugh, but sometimes it's hard to stifle my giggles because you are just so dramatic. It's cute. Sort of. ; )

During your 13th month, you celebrated your second Valentine's Day. We opened cards together as a family. You got the lion's share of Valentines, along with a card from Mommy and Daddy and a stuffed monkey-- because you are our little monkey. You also attended your first birthday party, for your buddy Doss.

On to the stats... you are 24 lbs., 8 oz. You got your 7th tooth (to the left of your bottom center teeth) during the first week in February, and you are gradually branching out and trying new foods. During a recent trip to Costco, you were watching me longingly as I tried several free samples. I felt kind of guilty for not sharing, so I decided to let you try the next one we encountered. Lo and behold, it was for Amy's frozen Indian entrees. You looked eager to try it, and I was a little skeptical, but I let you and you loved it! You ate the entire sample and so we had to purchase a package of the Indian entrees, and now you eat them several times a month. I'm glad you've inherited both of your parents' love for Indian food. You've also tried both ribs and brisket from Daddy's smoker, and roasted asparagus. Overall, carbs are your favorite, and waffles, peanut butter toast, pasta, crackers, and puffs are in heavy rotation. You also eat a lot of yogurt, apple sauce, bananas, satsuma oranges, and string cheese.

Your favorite source of nutrition is still your "bot" and you love drinking your milk every night in the glider before bed. Feeding you, rocking you, and putting you to sleep each night is our special time together.

At this age, I want to remember you doing your crazy head floppies in your high chair with your eyes open wide; handing me a "buh" and crawling into my lap for a story; stacking rolls of toilet paper or putting your wooden balls inside your bath cups-- such concentration!; and saying "uh oh" every time something falls from your high chair tray (or when you throw it.) You are so funny and smart, and coming home to you each evening is the highlight of my day. Keep growing and shining, buddy.

Love,
Mommy