We've watched in awe and wonder, with a touch of humor, as you've grown and learned. Right now you're torn between not wanting to be alone and yet wanting to be independent. You're enjoying cuddle time, especially with mommy and Mema, and yet can't wait to be off on an adventure! You're learning to love books, for which I am very thankful and had hoped you would. You like to flip through them and you reach for your "My Dog" book every night at bedtime. Mommy'll read to you and make you giggle with the silly voices and motions and then let you flip through when she's done. I love watching you turn the pages, and then search each page with your hands and your eyes for the different textures of the doggies' fur and the boy's shorts.
Speaking of textures, and animals for that matter, you LOVE your kitty and doggies. You hear Cali's bell jingling and start to look around and meow for her. She loves you so much. You're a little rough with her, but she seems to know you won't hurt her and you are learning to be more gentle. Lady entertains you with her bark. She gives you lots of doggie kisses, too, which you don't know how to take sometimes. You can say "doggie," "Lady," "kitty," and a few other words now (well, well enough that they can be understood!).
At mealtime, you're alternating silly and fussy. I'm not entirely sure what happens that makes you fussy out of the blue, but usually it's not for long and are easily swayed back to silliness again. You have four teeth, two upper and two lower, and just the other day seemed to amaze yourself that they can bite off a bean, instead of putting the entire thing in your mouth. Speaking of which...you need to slow down, child! Chew your food, or at least gum it some! I know right now you want to be a big boy and feed yourself, but just because there's a bunch of pieces of food in front of you doesn't mean we want you to eat them all in one mouthful! You do love food, though. If we go out to a restaurant you want to eat, too, as long as someone has food on their plate you think you need to eat! At home, even though you've already eaten, if you see mommy or daddy with food you want some, too.
At Mema and Pawpaw's, you are definitely Pawpaw's little buddy. You go for walks sometimes, or just sit in the living room eating popcorn and "flipping" the coaster. As soon as you see him, you demand to be picked up. You love Mema, too, but it's Pawpaw you want to see the most.
There is one strange thing that has happened this past year, and I'm not entirely sure what to make of it. You'll hear mommy talk about someone in the house sometimes. It started before you were here and goes off and on. The first time it started with you was when you were six or seven months, I think. You woke up crying one night and when mommy got up to go check on you, someone turned on your mobile and you went back to sleep. You can see him, I know. You'll talk to him at night sometimes. He'll sit in the chair in your room and you'll smile, then look at me and smile. You try to reach for him sometimes, but you don't realize that he can't pick you up. He's gone away again for now, but I'm sure he's not too far away. Mommy thinks she knows who you're seeing, and he won't hurt you. He's here just to keep an eye on you, and possibly mommy. When you're older and can understand, you'll have to get mommy or Pawpaw to tell you about him.
There's so many things I could put down that you have discovered. You can stand on your own now, and can walk around with the help of furniture, but you're not ready to take that step away on your own. I'm sure the day you decide to do that is the last day I'll be able to keep up with you! You look at everything and study everything, and I can see your mind working, trying to make sense of it. And when you do, you turn to mommy or daddy and give us a big smile! Keep trying to make sense of things, little man. Keep trying to figure stuff out. Keep learning. But just don't get too big too fast, okay?
We love you, monkey. Happy birthday, baby.
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