365 Days In a Year?

Is that still true? I'm pretty sure this one must have been cut short. Wow! A year ago we met for the first time Brennan. Remembering that moment is still amazing. It has been a fabulous year getting to know you, but I just can't fathom that it has passed so quickly. You are the most wonderful little boy! Your twelfth month has been one of your best I think. We have been so busy with Christmas fun!

This month your big accomplishment has been WALKING! You took your first steps on December 14th. We were having supper at Nonna and Papa's that Tuesday night. It was my night to cook, so I was busy in the kitchen. You had crawled in and were talking to me and trying to hang out by the stove. Nonna came to distract you, and I turned to walk away to get something. You stood up, bounced up and down a few times, then took off across the kitchen after me. You took three or four steps before sitting down. We all cheered and clapped for you. From then on you have practiced every day, and are able to walk across a room now.

You have also begun to like table foods. You really love macaroni and cheese right now, but you've also liked: corn, carrots, peas, and all kinds of fruit. Mashed potatoes are the only thing that have still made you gag. You've also decided you don't care for whole milk. At one point you would drink it when it was offered, but now that it's time to switch from formula you are acting like milk is awful. You make the funniest faces when you realize that's what is in your cup. You do love water though.

We've had a lot of fun firsts this month. We went to Santa's Village with the Glazes. You loved watching everything, and sat in Santa's lap like you saw him everyday. We went to a tree farm and cut a live Christmas tree for the living room. There were actually snow flurries that day, which helped to get us into the spirit of the season. The next weekend we went to the children's Christmas party at Fairview. The older children had a program, and then the Santa's helper that had come to our house was there while we enjoyed cookies and milk. The weekend before Christmas we started our family gatherings at Aunt Lucy's and Uncle Rob's. We had dinner, and opened presents. You got your first Christmas present, a Chuck the Talking Truck. You thought Chuck was pretty great, but the boxes were so much fun also. On Sunday, we went to the Christmas program at McKendree with Nonna. That same Santa's helper was there too. You really put on a show for the camera's there, while most of the other little ones cried when they were put near the helper. On Christmas Eve we went with Daddy for him to finish his Christmas shopping. It was well worth it. He put together a scrapbook of your first year's blog for me. On Christmas Eve night you got to enjoy my longest Christmas tradition, going to Granny and Granddaddy's. We had dinner and opened presents. You also spent a lot of time practicing your walking. After we got home, we all read The Night Before Christmas and you were off to bed, on the air mattress you seem to like better than your crib right now. We awoke to your first Christmas, and a WHITE CHRISTMAS. Alabama hasn't had a white Christmas since 1989, and never as much as this year. We had two to three inches of snow. You loved looking at it, but weren't so keen on it touching you. Gam, Pawpaw, and Uncle Ryan came for lunch. Nonna and Papa stopped by for a few minutes. We had to postpone our night at Nonna and Papa's because of the snow. On the 26th we had lunch with them, and opened presents. You and Maeleigh had a great time playing with the wagon you got, and trading each other's gifts. We've spent a lot of time playing and getting ready for your party since then.

Other things you are doing this month include: playing patty cake, dancing, clapping at everything, saying uh oh before you throw things, talking more clearly, and having little "come aparts" especially when you are tired. You say momma, dada, nonna, papa, tree, thank you, bye bye, and sometimes say woof or what could be dog. You've been saying some of these for awhile but now they are clear and often. You still love to read, play with blocks, throw things, empty and fill containers, and sometimes snuggle. We turned your big boy car seat around a few days ago. Your legs were just too long the other way. I thought you would really pay attention to everything you can see now, but you still often fall asleep as soon as we get going.

Your birthday is going to be a busy day with a visit to Dr. Cartwright first thing in the morning, then setting up and preparing for your party, and finally party time tomorrow night. I can't wait to see your reaction to the birthday festivities. I hope it's as special a day for you as your days have been for us this year. Happy Birthday sweet boy!