Way too fast.

I keep meaning to hop on here and record every little thing you're up to- and of course spending time with you always trumps updating this blog :).  Your first birthday is in less than a month- I can't believe how this year has flown.  What they say is true about the speed in which time moves when you have a kid. The following are things that are special to me that I want to make sure I remember:

Your first word was definitely "Da-deee" and you say it ALL the time.  You do say Mama- but only when you're upset.  Daddy, on the other hand, you say with exuberance and joy, many times it is the first thing you say in the morning.  You started with these words about mid-march, I think.Around the same time you also started signing "more" and "all done".  Before then, you were waving "bye-bye", but you're totally bored with that now and refuse to do it.

Last week you totally surprised me by repeating "Ducky, quack quack quack"  (it sounded more like cack cack cack) after me when I was reading you your farm babies book from grandma,  You're crawling, cruising, pointing at all sorts of things and imitating tones, sounds, and actions.  It is absolutely amazing to watch you learn new things every day.  You get upset when I go to work in the morning, which makes me sad.  I miss you all day long when I'm at work- some days are really hard.  I do get to talk on the phone with you every day, sometimes you "talk" back too!

You remain the happiest baby in the world in the morning- loads and loads of giggles, talking and smiles.  Evening is definitely cranky time for you.  You "share" pretty much everything.  You're very fond of sharing whatever you are eating, and very fond of sharing the dirt you pick up when playing outside.  So considerate!  You're very friendly and outgoing with strangers and other kids, you are so interested in what people are doing-much more than toys most times.  You love being outside- and point out the window every time you see one.

Today- you "threw" the ball for Pepper on the patio- we were so proud of you! Up until now, all of your throws ended up behind you- but you mastered it! You can definitely propel the ball forward now- and of course you are delighted when Pepper returns it to you.  This is the beginning of a beautiful relationship....

Every day I look at you I marvel at how just last year, you weren't even here yet. I could never have imagined loving someone exponentially like this- it just keeps getting better and better.