HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY BROOKS!!!

Dear Brooks Baby
Thank you for giving us the best year of our lives- you have changed us completely and we have loved every bit of it. In the words of my mother, I don't care that technically a toddler now- you will always be my baby, always. I started getting misty eyes as I went through old pictures from just one year ago- it is amazing how much you have changed.
We have learned so much about you and so much about ourselves in the past year, you have changed us in so many ways-our priorities, our outlooks, our joys. Being your parents makes us happier than anything we have ever experienced before.


YOUR ACTUAL BIRTHDAY- a recap- Thursday, June 17, 2010

To start the day- you were on Philadelphia's NBC News at 5am :) Thank goodness for DVR


After you woke up, Daddy and I came into your room singing, I think you were a teeny bit confused



Traditionally- members of my family get breakfast in bed on their birthday- I think we will wait another year or two for that for you. Instead we went out as a family to Sabrina's- a great breakfast place. You had a strawberry pancake and loooved it. Daddy took the whole day off of work to celebrate with you- we were going to do something like a museum but since you just recovered from 5 days of high fever, we took it easy and stayed close to home. I actually think we had a better day doing this than we would have if we rushed around.



After brunch we came home and you took a nap. While you were napping we worked hard to put together your new Cozy Coupe- a bday gift from Mom and Dad! Man, was that tough to put together but you looved it. Once you woke up we gave it to you and went for a walk and you looked like you were having a blast.







After our stroll in your new ride we headed up for lunch at a local grille and grabbed some ice cream. We got you some frozen yogurt but you were not into it. Daddy got birthday cake flavored ice cream (it has bits of cake and icing in it)- he let you taste it, but again, you just were not into it.



At this point it was time to go home for a nap again. We set up your other big gift while you were napping and when you woke up you got to play- you LOOVE your new ball pit and tunnel.



We had a simple dinner at home- your favorite- chicken noodle soup without the broth and you got to have a cupcake for dessert. You were not big into the cupcake either.







Saturday- June 19th- Your 1st Bday Party at the Philadelphia Zoo.

B's party was great. It was 90 degrees out, so a bit hot, but the zoo has a setup where you have 4 picnic tables under a tent, and 4 right next to it. Then there is a whole grassy area for running around and playing. He was a complete ham and hungry for the attention- Here are a bunch of pics.


Cake Time & His Party Shirt!










with Uncle Griffin

loves checking himself out


Random Pics of Friends




A family shot I am actually happy with- we had such a great day!

and this one is funny


The setup (before people arrived)

kids tables:



The ADORABLE and yummy cupcakes


Gifts went on this table as well




It was a WONDERFUL PARTY!!! The only bad part about it was with his nap schedule and timing, we personally didn't get to enjoy much of the zoo with him- he was just beat, and flushed, and hot if you cannot tell from the pics of him and the cake. So we walked around a bit after, but went home. We are definitely going to go back soon to really 'do' the zoo.

And of course- to wrap this all up we have our monthly growth shots- the final month - although I think I want to keep going, I am out of stickers for the onesies- and a 'what are you up to now?' list.

So- the chair shots, he was also a HAM for these, I am having a hard time choosing which shot I want to be his official 12 month shot for the frame.

These are my top 2




And the comparison monkey shot:




And some other cute shots from our photo shoot







And Lastly-
What are you doing now. Well baby- at 12 months, or ONE YEAR OLD!!!! you:

*sleep mostly through the night, although lately you seem to need only 10.5 hrs of sleep and have been waking for the day around 6 am, I really miss 7:30.
* take 2 naps a day, 1.5 hrs each
* We made it 1 year on breastmilk!!! Starting this week, after we talk to your dr, we will be switching you to cow's milk and mama is free! I am so excited, but sad all at once about this.
* Loooove drinking water from your sippy, love it
* are obsessed with Daddy's glasses
* words are ball (bah), bus, (buh), blueberries (babaoo), bath (baa), Dada (gaga), Mama (mama), Ming (gee), Hey,
*Are too cool for eating in your high chair, you last about 5 minutes and then want down so we have been feeding you in your walker and as long as you can zip around you are happy and eating
* Mostly eat real food now- I cannot remember the last time I spoonfed you baby food, you just won't have it
* Give kisses and hugs
* Give high five
* Clap & Wave
* Understand things (where's ming, get the ball, want to see the flags? etc)
* Love watching the flags blowing in the breeze
* Ate dog food for the first time this week
* Have 6 teeth! 4 on top, 2 on bottom. The 2 outside ones on the top just came in in the last 2 weeks- one just now and is hardly through
* Like to stuff your mouth and spit your food out
* Giggle hysterically at a lot of stuff- peekaboo, fake sneezes, ming barking
* Walk around the house pushing whatever you can push to help you do so- no steps on your own yet
* Let go of things while standing and stand alone for a bit, you have even clapped while standing!
* Shriek- a.lot.
* Notice other kids and interact as much as you are able
* Get scared of loud, sudden, unfamiliar noises.
* Need constant attention- if I am on the phone, you want it, if I am on the computer, you want it, if I leave the room, you get bored fast... it is a bit exhausting.