12 months = 1 Year!

Dearest Zach Man,

One year ago you were yanked brought into this world by Cesarean after 20 hours of induced labor.  You were 10 days past your due date, and must have been so warm and comfy in my tummy that you never wanted to come out.  You had a great set of lungs and started SCREAMING as soon as they took you out. You then proceeded to scream for the next 30 minutes.  Your father and I looked at each other as I lay on the operating table thinking..."What have we gotten ourselves into?"  I'm sure that is a phrase we'll use a lot in the next 17 years.

In the last year we've learned so much about you, your personality, and how you view the world.

You are an affectionate little man.  For the first three months of your life, you wanted to be held (while moving) at all times.  Your father and I may have permanent indentations in our skin from the amount of time we spent wearing you in various baby carriers.  You still love to be held and carried, and much prefer this method to sitting in a stroller or shopping cart.  You've become accustomed to being held and since you've gotten older, have decided that you will point your way to where you want us to take you.

You LOVE music and lights. You have danced since the day you were born.  From the mobile that streamed animals on the ceiling, to the colorful blinking star on your playmat, music and lights had you hooked from day one.  You dance to music now, clapping your hands, stommping your feet, and shaking your little head.  It is too cute.  One of your favorite pastimes is to have your father or I carry you around the house to various light switches so that you can turn them off and on.  You stare at them and then point at the light and go "Oooooooh."  Honestly, nothing seems to fascinate you more than light switches,ceiling fans, or singing animal toys. This fascination with music has been much to the delight of your father and me.  We can't wait to start you on your first instrument and we've been talking about what you'll play since before you were born (Dad wants you to learn the Sax, and Mom wants you to start with piano and then choose whatever suits your fancy).

You are very opinionated. You have never been shy about letting your feelings be known, and have the personality of a true first born!  You grunt anytime someone does something you don't like or find amusing (something you inherited from your dear mother). I find your grunts amusing and usually laugh at you, which only makes you angrier, especially when I copy you and echo your grunt right back. When you are very frustrated or mad, you dump buckets of toys upside down and then proceed to throw them at me. I don't appreciate this behavior, so we're going to work on proper expression of feelings this year. Ok Zach?!

You are well adjusted and trusting.  You haven't gone through the separation anxiety phase that most little ones your age have.  While you love your Mom and Dad, and squeal with delight when we come to pick you up from Day Care, you NEVER cry when we drop you off.  In fact, the other day when I dropped you off, I asked you if you would say goodbye to me.  You promptly crawled away towards the toys while waving your hand goodbye at your back without even looking towards me!  You love to be with your grandparents, babysitters, and just about anyone who will give you the time of day.  You don't like to be left alone, but as long as someone is in the room you are a happy guy.

You are an explorer and like to test your limits. The word "No" makes you laugh.  You look at me and shake your head no at the same time, and then proceed to attempt to do whatever I just told you that you shouldn't do!  You can get very frustrated when you don't get what you want, and if not properly distracted, have been known to pitch fits I thought were only capable of toddlers twice your age.

Like your father, you seem to have a "go with the flow" attitude.  Being in new environments doesn't faze you, in fact, you enjoy it. You are great in restaurants, good with new people, and love to play with other children.  We can, and do, take you everywhere and usually don't have a problem with you settling right in. You are a delightful baby.

Your father and I have had so much fun watching you grow into this sweet, playful, opinionated, trusting, explorer of a boy. You brighten my day with your kooky 4 tooth smile. You make me laugh. You make me smile.  At times you make me frustrated. But you always make me so happy and grateful that I have you in my life!  I couldn't imagine life without you my darling boy.

Love,
Mommy