BIrthday Boy

Truman turned one on April 11 and we had a big family bash. Unfortunately I was sick but thinking I could will myself out of being sick (a plan that worked fairly well). As a result there are a lot less photos of somewhat lower quality than you might expect from moi. Ritual apology.

We had a feast of roast, oven fries, chicken, salad, watermelon, carrots and two kinds of cupcakes I baked from scratch. Let me tell you, baking is not easy but most of the attempts were edible.

On a sappier note, this year has been amazing. Already Truman has made our lives fuller and renewed my sense of wonder in the world. Happy Birthday my darling boy!































Thank you everyone who came in person and in spirit and for showering him with gifts. He is so well loved. It's just a matter of time before he starts telling you all how much he loves you back.

Sneaky, Very Sneaky

One minute he's diapered and playing on the floor. I turn my back for the next minute and this is what happens:




I think we've entered a new era — the climbing era. The previous era will be referred to as B.C. (before climbing).

"Remember that time at 12 months b.c. ..."

His Little Red Balloon

He got his first balloon at Trader Joe's this week. His face lit up when he saw it. He kept wiggling his wrist to make the balloon move and once he figured out I could pull it close to him, kept asking me to bring it close so he could stare at it. Then he took a nap with it in the car.

Avacado on a Stick

Truman discovered the next big hit for the Minnesota State Fair: Avacado on a Stick.








Alright, it might not catch on, but Truman loved it yesterday when he had sushi (just cucumber rolls) for the first time. We went and got him his own pair of chopsticks after so we can recreate his favorite way of eating, on a stick.

He's definitely a Minnesota boy.

(We) Let Him Eat Cake

Truman's one. His birthday was a wonderful family get-together involving delcious food and cake. I have more photos and video of him digging in to share, but it may take a bit to blog about. So for now enjoy this:

And the Bunny Says ...

"get these ears off of me!"

Truman had a great first Easter watching dad sing at church and then spending another wonderful day with family. He even got to play the piano and sample a cookie.

12 months: It's a Big World and I'm Going to Run Around it

At twelve months Truman is a 25 pounds on-the-go toddler. It's hard to believe that a year ago I was still waiting for him to come out and say hello. Or, "Hi, I'm new here," to be more exact.




There is so much accomplishment that comes with this birthday for Truman, but also for Joe and I. He has grown from a little, nearly-helpless being into a pint-sized boy who feeds himself, uses the potty, signs for milk and calls my name when he's looking for me. He sings along to music in his own little language, much of which I am convinced is real words pronounced strangely because he hasn't yet mastered the art of uttering them. He says mom, dad, poop, pee and boo often and he has said peak-a-boo, book and hi a few times.





We watched him journey from rolling over at two-and-a-half months to walking at 5 days before ten. Now he runs all over our lawn in his little red shoes bearing the four slow-to-arrive teeth he has.





At a year he loves music, looking at books himself but not reading them, and anything that involves stacking things or placing lids on things. He will sit for 5-15 minutes if concentrating on a task or studying if something will fit inside or stick to something else. As a result, we call him a little scientist or engineer.





Of course with his cool red kicks and harmonica (our birthday gift to him) he looks a lot like a little rocker, too.











I am an entirely different person than I was a year ago. I am calmer, happier and more confident, even if I'm running all over the place chasing a toddler and telling him that crayons are not food for the 100th time. Parenthood is as amazing as everyone said it was going to be and I can't wait for the adventures yet to come. He's a kid now and we're ready to explore the world together.

Rest assured it will be a rock'n, well photographed adventure.

Hats

Spoken Word

Last week Truman asked to go pee verbally 3 times and has been saying pee afterward many times. Today, he started signing milk (I think his word for milk is "ba ba.") Joe and I were so shocked he finally got it. His other favorites are "mom," "dad," "papa," and "bu-bye." And, of course "poop." He loves poop. He's a bit like the WB frog, though. He gets shy about doing it for others. It's really fun to watch him concentrate on turning sounds into words. It's incredible. I realize, now, how hard it is to speak.

TruChef

Truman was strangely quiet while I was cooking one day. I looked down to find this scene. I really should have checked the cap on that chili powder before giving it to him.







p.s. The bath that followed looked a lot like soup.

The Chair Portriats

"Onward soldiers!"

I set up some strobes with umbrellas to take pictures of the Milaca Speech team. Since they were up I created these for your enjoyment. They were taken on-stage at the Milaca High School auditorium.

Prepare to Laugh

Magnet Letters and Pugs, Oh My!

We went over to a friend's house where Truman took over. Among his adventures: magnet letters and chasing Mortimer, a pug.

Spring Swing

We've been waiting all winter to do this:

Truman Tricks

Here he is playing peak-a-boo:





Here he is saying bye-bye:

My Little 11-month-old

making a face I haven't captured before:




Mid-peak-a-boo:




And investigating a treasure chest (of drawers):











At 11 months he is a toddling machine, walking almost exclusively to get around. In the last few weeks he's been working on the words "poop," "pee" and "bye-bye." He even sort-of said "bye-bye poop" once. Although I am not going to claim he's speaking in sentences.

He's also starting to slim down and trading in his "baby" look for a kid exterior.

Your Lens ...

... I want it.