Happy 13th Month Birthday, Big Boy Bo!

Bo,

I promised Daddy I would not be one of "those Mommies" who counts your age in months after your 1 year birthday -- but amongst all of the chaos around your actual birthday, I never found the time to write your 1 year letter - so it's a 13 month letter instead. (I promise not to say your age in months when asked -- until you turn 18 months. And then I'm saying you're a year and a half. I gave birth to you, so I have that right.)

You are becoming more fun (and more stubborn) each day. You are starting to throw temper tantrums when you do not get your way, which is both funny and frustrating. I'm starting to read up on how to parent a toddler as I have no clue how to deal with your outbursts and I'm determined you're not going to be one of "those kids". (That statement will bite me in the ass later, won't it??)

You're starting to say a few things, but mostly you just point. You'll point to a cat and say "at". And at a car and say "are". But I wonder if you're just babbling and I'm delusional.

Within the last week, you've suddenly become a stellar napper. Naps have been averaging about an hour and a half each on top of the over 12 hours each night. At first, I thought you might be getting sick, but you've been consistent all week. I think I've figured out why though... you aren't napping, you're playing!

When we put you down for the night, some evenings you play your musicand play with your toys for awhile before actually going to sleep. You don't cry or fuss, just play, so I guess that is okay. Sometimes you do this in the middle of the night too. Now that you've learned to turn on the music, you play it over and over and over again, so there is no doubt you are awake. You've stopped crying for me to come get you. This is a BIG change from the banshee scream that use to beckon me when you awoke.

Your mobility is increasing. You'll walk no more than 6-7 steps at a time, but you're definitely doing it all on your own. It's not going to be long before you are running. And I'm not sure I'm ready for that...

Your favorite toy right now has to be the Elmo Live! that Grammie bought you for your birthday. Your whole face lights up when you see Elmo. Grammie says it was worth every penny just to see that smile!

Because of your love of Elmo, we've started to watch a little bit of Sesame Street after supper. It will hold your attention for about 15 minutes (of which I need to be holding you... so much for allowing the TV to babysit so I can get something done!) and you especially like Murray and Elmo. The other night we turned it off when Daddy arrived home and you cried and pointed to the TV. I'm definitely not ready for you to be a little TV addict, so it will definitely be TV in moderation for you!

You're favorite person has to be Daddy. You don't get to see him enough right now, so when he is home, you want to be in his arms. Mommy doesn't have any rank when Daddy is around. :)

You're still a good eater and will try anything that we put in front of you. Your only real dislike has been shrimp alfredo. You didn't want anything to do with it. You drink out of your sippy cup all by yourself and soon we will have to start really working on your spoon skills. I'm not looking forward to the mess that will create as you fling blueberries and yogurt in your hair.

You've taken to throwing food off of your tray "for the cats." If the cats are around and find what you've given them you cackle like crazy. It's cute, but I'm ready for the day when I don't have to get on my hands and knees to clean the kitchen floor after every meal. (Any suggestions for how to get a child to not throw food would be greatly appreciated.)

We are only planning to give you a stocking for Christmas. We received so many great gifts for your birthday and know that the grandparents and other friends and family will spoil you rotten at Christmas as well. We decided to invest in some bonds for you instead of adding to the toy accumulation this year. You're little and you won't realize the difference if Santa doesn't bring you a ton of gifts at home this year. And hopefully your lack of Christmas gifts as a one-year-old will pay off when the bonds mature for your 16th birthday. :)

You're definitely a toddler now and developing your own personality. It amazes me how much you've grown and changed in the last year. I'm looking forward to experiencing the next stage of your life with you and seeing the world in a whole new light through your eyes.

You're growing and changing so fast. I'm afraid to miss a moment of it.

Love you. Always.

Mama

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