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Speaking of milestones, someone is now 1.25 years old.  And, he couldn't be happier.

What's new, Jackaroo?

You've been walking for 5 months now.  We get a lot of comments about how steady and mobile you are for your age.  You have never been one to just sit back and relax.  Now, you are not only walking, but running and climbing on everything.  You can climb up to the back of the couch pretty quickly.  In fact, I just now rescued you from the top of the coffee table.  We have to be extra careful to make sure that your sisters' bedroom door is always closed because you can and will climb up to the top of the loft bed ladder.  Boys!

You've started talking, too.  You love to jibber jabber especially to Penny.  But, you have also mastered a few words in English.  You can say dada, mama, hi, more, wow, yeah, uh-oh and a very close approximation to there he is and there it is.  You can also wave goodbye, nod your head yes and shake your head no - your favorite!  When you're not saying actual words, you like to practice saying guh-guh-guh over and over.  Your receptive language is exploding as well.  You usually understand what we're saying to you.  The other day, I asked "Do you want to go bye-bye?" and you ran to the door expectantly.  You may not have very many words that you verbalize, but you certainly are communicative.  For several months, you've been in the habit of pushing dada and me to the pantry if you want a snack or to your room if you want to show us something or to the door if you want to go outside.  I love how you are able to make your needs known.

When you were still just a few months old, one of my friends warned me about the internal noisemaker that boys seem to discover right around their first birthday.  Boy was that true!  You have discovered your noise maker, and moreover, you love it.  Often we know exactly where you are because we can hear your motor running!

You adore your dog.  You look for her every morning when you get up, and you are so excited when she makes her appearance.  Although Penny gets a little tired of your, umm, enthusiastic attention, you make it up to her by sharing your food with her whenever you get the chance.  You were thrilled when I let you hold the leash while we were getting ready for a walk one evening.  Penny, however, was nonplussed.  Regardless, you actually did quite a good job with her.  Unlike your sisters, you are not one to bend to the will and whim of your four legged friend.

What's the most fun is seeing your natural 'boy-ness' come through.  There's no doubt that you are of the male species.  This picture cracks me up.

I didn't even know you could open the hood of the Barbie jeep, but that's one of the first things you did.  You've also been known to push that thing strong-man style about the yard.  

But, most of all, I love your cuddles.  You are such  a sweet boy.  And, I love that you save most of your cuddles for me.  You will bury your head in the crook of my neck with your arms around my shoulders.  You will stay there happy and content occasionally kicking one of your little legs.  It is one of my very favorite things.  

Oh, sweet boy, how I love you so!