Dear Rio,
Today you turned one year old! When you become a parent, people often stop and say, "enjoy them, they grow up so quickly." As a parent of a newborn I thought that's ridiculous, I'll be changing diapers for the rest of my life. Those people are right, it does go by fast. I know this because today you are one and it feels like just yesterday we brought you home from the hospital. It's hard to keep up with all that growing you do. You are long and lean with long fingers that never stop exploring. Every morning when I bring you in bed you crawl up to my head and wrap your arms and little fingers around my neck while giving the greatest squeeze.
It took almost a year but your eyes are definitely brown. Your skin and hair are the exact same color as mine. The genetic lottery completely skipped over your dad's dark features. For now, you are physically so different from your sister. Your personality and temperament are starting to become more clear. You are social and don't like being alone. You are most comfortable seeing the world while in my arms. You get frustrated with toys that don't comply with your demands yet you calm down easily without too much fuss. You love the outdoors. When outside you feel the need to touch every plant, flower, and piece of dirt.
You are very close to walking but not quite there yet. Your top two teeth broke through last week. You eat like an adult. You much prefer real food to baby food and you can eat a surprising amount of it. You probably eat more than Lily. However you are not always eager to eat. You don't love your highchair. You put your hands in front of your face to block any food from your mouth until you decide you are ready to eat. Daddy calls this t-rex arms. This can change from minute to minute during meal time. You are good at communicating what you want without the use of words. I know when a toy is out of your reach, when you want more of something, or when you are all done just by your vocalizations. Even though you understand so much more now, you still don't point to your body parts or do any cool tricks like your sister did at your age. You are skilled in a very different way. You can explore a toy to figure out how it works, you can throw a ball, and climb stairs. Your interests are very different than Lily's and I am thrilled to be able to play with you in a whole different way than I am used to. You are however saying a few words: this, go, Scout.
We had your birthday party last weekend. We celebrated at home. Here you are opening your presents. All the big kids got a little too excited and and opened them for you but I don't think you noticed.
Homemade cake, Lily picked blue icing because you are a boy:
Family picture, Lily sat in that same chair on her first birthday:
What one year old birthday party would be complete without a friendly game of Pong:
Rio, it's been a great year. I love you ooodles.
Love,
Mama
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