12 Months Come and Gone

9/13/08 - 2/2/09 - 4/2/09

7/2/09 - 8/27/09

The final days of August are upon us. So are the final days of Peyton's first year. The year has felt as fast as it has felt slow. There were as many days that I was sure would never end, as there were special moments that I wished would last forever, but ended too soon. Many sleepless nights and hundreds of photographs later - both proof of parenthood and the passage of time - here we are wrapping up our 12th month with Peyton.

Peyton has learned this month to kiss, hug, pat your back and blow kisses. It melts my heart every time he does it. I really can't imagine that a true gesture of love from your child can ever get old. He likes to kiss the baby he sees looking back at him in the bathroom mirror, which he follows with a delighted squeal. The people in his story books and his stuffed animals also get showered with his baby love. Adorable.

Tooth number 2 appeared last weekend during our camping trip adding that much more character to the Barracuda's smile. He's been trying them out on the crib rails ever since. Good news, they work! He's whittled away quite a few divots.

He's mastered "uh-oh" and delights in creating such moments. He'll launch his binky out of the crib, the lotion off the changing table, food over the highchair tray, toys out of reach, and watch them fall with anticipation. Then in the most adorable baby voice say, "uh-oh."

Another game he enjoys is tickling. When he reaches for our tummy or toes to engage in this game we pretend to squirm and wiggle away and of course laugh. This sends him into a fit of giggles. He loves to make us laugh. The tickle game is a sure fire way to get our attention and make us laugh and smile.

Quite the mimic, we have to start watching what we say and do. Case and point - he's taken to playing "phone." The real phone is the best, when we turn our back, but since that usually gets shut down, the remote control will do. Peyton holds it up to his ear in the "I'm talking on the phone" posture and says, "Dada" - just like moi.

Peyton makes life fun. He fills my life with purpose and meaning. I enjoy watching him learn and grow. I didn't know it was possible to love someone this much, in such a short period of time.