12 months old

It is hard to believe that one year ago, I was meeting my precious baby for the very first time.

The moment I heard that first cry, I was taken over by emotion. And I knew right then, that I loved my James more than life itself.

Just 12 months ago.

15 minutes old

Justin said, “This has been the fastest, longest year of our life.” And I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Looking back, this has also been the best year of our life.

One month old

At 12 months old, James, you are talking up a storm. (This started about a month ago.) A lot of what you say has the inflection of a question. Some of your favorite words are: ball, bye, Lynyrd “yeh- yed”, yogurt “go-gurt”, quack, vroom, dada, book “kuh”, and cracker. But your most often used word is no, especially if we take something from you or do something you don’t like. We get an earful of “na, na, na, na, na!” sometimes accompanied with a little {or big} fit.

Two months old

At 12 months old, you are trying to climb everything. From the stairs to a person sitting on the floor. You get hurt daily {hourly}, and wear yourself out just by playing at home. You can climb to the top of the stairs in about two minutes if I let you. You are all boy. You’re my little explorer.

Three months old

At 12 months old, Sweet Baby James, you are going through a clingy phase. (This started about two months ago.) You’re not doing well in nurseries where you have divided attention. My friends tell me this will pass, and you will learn to play independently. One day I will probably miss this.

Four months old

At 12 months old, you have just begun walking! You are taking two to four steps at a time and are very proud of your new accomplishment. So proud and excited, that you usually tip right over.

Five months old

At 12 months old, you love to make people laugh. You hide your face (or just your eyes) in your lovey, and then quickly move it away. You expect someone to say, “Peek-a-boo!” and then you give that big JW grin (that one day, I don’t doubt, will win over all the ladies).

Six months old

At 12 months old, your favorite thing to do is read. You pick out a book, hand it to someone and say, “heh?” or “kuh?” Your favorites are your Llama Llama books and touch and feel books. If you need a distraction, I say, “Do you want to read a book?” and you scurry to the pile of books.

Seven months old

At 12 months old, you are trying new foods and liking new textures more and more. You recently went through a phase where you did not want to eat anything from a spoon, because you like to feed yourself with your fingers. (This makes it difficult with many dishes!) If we give you a bite, you often take it out of your mouth and put it back in, just so you can be the one to do it. Some of your favorite foods are yogurt, crackers, cheese, bananas, turkey deli meat, applesauce, cheerios, muffins, and now barbeque!

Eight months old

At 12 months old, you weighed in at 90th percentile for height, and 90th percentile for weight! I even checked that with the doctor, because it’s hard to believe! (With a head circumference of 65th percentile, which nobody cares about but me) My little tongue-tied, reflux newborn has climbed up the ladder to be quite the big boy!… physically speaking.

Nine months old

At 12 months old, you are a great sleeper. Although you gave Mommy and Daddy a rough first six months, you started sleeping long stretches at night a long time ago. For months now, you go down at 7:30 and sleep until about 6:30. (This goes with variations, hiccups, and a few trials and errors.)

Ten months old

At 12 months old, you most often get told you look like your great-grandfather, Colonel Hicks. You also get told you look just like your Papa. Occasionally, Mommy and Daddy get some credit, too.

Eleven months old

At 12 months old, I start each and every morning with you.

The morning of your first birthday.

James Wallace, I cannot imagine life without you.

March 16, 2011

You are my life, 24 hours a day, and I wouldn’t have it any other way {minus a couple of breaks here and there!}. You are my best buddy.

One year old

At 12 months old, I look at you and your Daddy, and I think, ‘You are ours.’ And nothing in life could make me happier than that.

Twelve months old

It’s hard to believe that one year ago, a became a mother and Justin became a father. And though many times rough, we became parents together. We love you, our Sweet Baby James. Happy One Year Birthday!