Will at one year!

Happy first birthday, Ittle Bittle, Little Bo,  Little Buddy, Biggie, Bubba, Bo... Will! 

This month he's started putting things inside of things (like toys in a basket) instead of merely pulling them out. He still tries to get into the refrigerator and the dishwasher whenever he has a chance. He reached inside the refrigerator and pulled out an avocado, then toted it around the house, biting on it. He managed to bite through the skin and gnaw on the avocado flesh a bit. He likes to do this with apples too.

It seems like everyday he's reaching something new. It won't be too long before he's reaching doorknobs. OMG.

Yesterday he spent 30 minutes dragging and waving a mop handle around the house in absolute bliss.

He can open the trash lid and the toilet lid, both of which are quite annoying and anxiety provoking! Especially if he manages to get those little hands in the toilet and when he pulls things OUT of the trash and tries to eat them.

Recently there was a bright shaft of light hitting the floor and he stopped and bent over and tried to pick it up.

He still has his clingy days, but he has moments of independent play as well. He toddles around and then comes back to me for a moment of connection. He's become a good little snuggler and leans in for a hug. Oh, my favorite thing in the world!

Will's favorite foods are still pretty much the same, but I keep trying to expose him to new foods often. His favorites include: Eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, cheese (brie! Fresh mozzarella! manchego!), banana, pear, watermelon, ground beef, chicken tenders. He does not yet like cow's milk. Which fills me with some anxiety around the subject of weaning. But I'm reconsidering my plans for weaning at a year. He doesn't seem ready, I don't mind breastfeeding, and after doing some research I'm feeling open to it.

Up until this week he still only had 4 teeth! But a new one broke through on the bottom, so now he has five. The weird thing is, the morning I found it, I'd had a dream about it the night before. I checked his mouth - and there it was!

Will's favorite toys are everyday objects from our house that he totes around. I call them his treasures. His favorite treasures include:

• Empty starbucks cups, water bottles and coke zero bottles
• Glue sticks (lid on of course)
• Our keys
• Retractable measuring tape
• Stainless steel measuring cups
• Bag of dried cranberries
• Spray bottle
• Wet dishcloths
• Watering can
• Remote control
• Telephone

He's not big on reading books. He doesn't sit still for me to read to him. So I don't try to read to him very often. I feel bad about this sometimes, but he's just not ready yet - he's in full on physical development mode - I don't think he needs to be pushed on verbal development until he's ready. But he does have a few simple books he likes to carry around and look at the pictures in. The Bright Baby animals book is one of these - I love those books!

We take him on walks often, usually carrying him in the baby carrier. He is spoiled. Seriously. I don't think this (very heavy) baby has even seen the inside of a stroller in a couple of months. But stroller time will be coming soon. He's just going to be too heavy to take on a 30 minute walk.

Almost every day we have outside time which we BOTH enjoy. He likes to watch cars go by. When people go by walking their dogs, that will get him really excited. He starts "talking" and points and sometimes tries to follow them.

Pointing is his only gesture, even though I've been trying to teach him to wave and clap. We wave goodbye to daddy every morning, but he doesn't get it yet. He also doesn't have any words yet, but still babbles up a storm. In fact, he just starting saying "mumumum, mamama" and I'm getting excited to hear "mama" soon!

I cannot, CANNOT, believe it's been a year. It's been a blessed year and he's more fun and cute than ever. We love our little Bo!