| | And so time moves ever on . . . I remember my own childhood vividly, and yet now I am watching my son live his childhood. I can’t believe he is becoming such a little boy—my adorable baby, but really no longer a baby. Gabriel is one year old today, Wednesday, June 4th! What is it like being a one year old? He says his favorite words—cheese, ball, baby, mama, dada, kiss, and tries to imitate many others. He follows directions very well—turn the page, comb your hair, stand up, give that to mama/dada, brush your teeth, and seems to have a great vocabulary as far as understanding what we are saying. He nods his head “yes” or “no” to our questions and sometimes even says “no, no, no” if he doesn’t like something. I haven’t heard “yes, yes, yes” yet! He has eight teeth with more on the way. His favorite foods are macaroni & cheese, cheddar cheese, plain yoghurt, grapes, oranges, bananas, tomatos, and sauteed zucchini. His favorite toys are the wooden kitchen spoons, his books, ball, blocks, and his drum/maracas set. However, he still is much more interested in people than in toys—and he is as smiling and friendly as they come. He waves hello and goodbye, and will use his wave and his smile to try to attract people to talk to him. He’s tall and lean for his age, but still has that chubby baby face. He crawls, walks better every day, climbs the couch (or dresser!), and loves pushing his stroller around. His favorite games are tossing his ball, This Little Piggy, I’m Gonna Get You, a Korean clapping game, and blowing “raspberries” on mom, dad, the floor and just about anywhere. He loves singing, clapping, dancing, and music of all kinds. Generally he’s a pretty happy guy, unless he’s got a good reason not to be (teething, not enough sleep, etc.). But he does require a high level of energetic input from mom and dad to stay happy . . . We feel so blessed and proud and happy to have the privilege of parenting this joyful, challenging, bright little boy. It is a challenge . . . yet a great, great joy. God has blessed us in so many ways, and He speaks to us through our little son. Happy First Birthday, Gabriel! Here’s looking back, the first days and then month by month . . .                     
|
