I am Learning how to use a Fork

A few days ago I went out to dinner with my Mama and Dada.  My Mama tried to feed me something off of her fork but I just took it from her and fed myself.  That was my way of saying, "Mom, I am a big boy now. I am ONE year old and I am ready to start using utensils when I eat."  So now she is letting me practice at home.  Here is how it is going...

I try really hard to stick my fork into my food...

...but it is easier to just put the food on my fork with my other hand.

Once I finally get food on my fork, either by myself or with Mom's help, I am really good at bringing the fork to my mouth and eating my food.   

Then I get bored and chew on the other end of my fork.  Hey, you would too if you were teething!

The End!

I can't take my eyes off of him for one second

Getting into naughtiness Just exploring the world around him. 

 

Organizing my pots and pans.

Cleaning out the pantry.

Alphabetizing the DVDs.

Clearing out the napkin basket to make room for his toys.

 

 

And well, you know, just unrolling the TP because who can resist that game?

Joshua's First B-day

I still can't believe we now have a one year old. Joshua is a sweet natured, observant, funny little boy who likes to give cuddles and act silly.  We just love him to pieces and are very blessed to have such awesome friends and family who love and care about him as much as we do.

To celebrate his first year of life we grilled out with both families and our neighbors who Joshua absolutely adores.  I had so much fun planning and preparing his 1st b-day party. 

Everything was perfect and Joshua had a fun time.

His b-day sign and b-day boy shirt I made.

 

The b-day boy's special chair.  The banner hanging behind his chair has a picture from every month of his life.  My favorite part about the pictures is that in the pictures from his last half of his first year you can really see his personality shining.

 

Treat table.

 

Mommy and Daddy with their big b-day boy.

 

Papa feeding the b-day boy  "green stuff" for lunch.

 

                               

Playing Lawn Darts 

Present time! 

I couldn't pass up this wrapping paper.  It has dogs all over it.  Our boy loves dogs!

 

Beep beep!

 

Joshua and Jacob (our sweet neighbor boy) playing with Joshua's new Mega Blocks.
 

Joshua loves putting things together and connecting things.

 

Playing cars with Omah and Uncle Andrew.  He would crack up when Uncle Andrew would release the cars and they would go zooming down the tracks.  So cute!

Joshua with his Aunts and Uncle.

 

Grammie, Omah, and Papa 

Cake time!!!  I made him a sugar free banana and apple cake and used plain Greek yogurt and apple sauce for the frosting.  SSSHHH don't tell  him that it was a healthy cake ;)  He actually LOVES yogurt.

This last year has been such a blast.  Joshua brings us so much joy and laughter to our lives every single day.  We are looking forward to celebrating many more b-days with this precious son of ours. 

Joshua at 12 Months

WOW!  I can't believe my little baby is a year old already!!!  Not really a baby not yet a toddler. 

It's funny, sometimes when I look at him he seems so big and other times he still seems like my little baby.   
 Here are some fun things about Joshua from this past month...

• He tries to use items for their intended purpose (using a pick to brush his hair, pointing the remote at the TV, holds things up to his ear and jabbers, tries putting his shoes on, and tries putting daddy's hat on his head)
• He loves to wave.  He waves at strangers at the store, waves at me while he nurses, waves at cars driving by.  It is so cute!
• He blows kisses.  Well sort of.  He brings his hand up to his mouth but doesn't release it yet.  It is still so cute and melts my heart because I know what he is trying to do.
• He dances when a certain toy plays music.
• He likes to crawl up the stairs and giggles as he does it like he is just so proud of himself.
• He gives his stuffed animals hugs
• He understands quite a few words and also says, or at least has his own version, of a handful of words.  My  two favorites are when he says, "Dat?"  for "what's that?" and "buuurrr" for bird.
• He makes the "vrooooooom" sound when he plays with his cars.
• Some of his favorite things right now are walking with his push toys, birds, dogs, putting his hand prints all over the TV and getting into anything and everything around the house ;)

12 Month Stats:

• Height: 29 and 3/4 inches (50%)
• Weight: 21 lbs and 14 oz (40%)
• head circumference: 18 5/8 inches (75%)

That boy was such a ham at his well baby check up to say the least.  He was so goofy and had the doctor and me laughing.  He usually does pretty well at the doctors.  I love hearing how good he is.  Of course he cries once he gets poked but usually stops with in seconds of me holding him.  Such a trooper. 

And now for some pictures of my big boy...

Cool Man J.

 

Just chillin'.

 

Crawling out onto the patio.

 

Joshua LOVES this train.  He spends most of his day pushing it all around.

 

Playing at the library.  Look at those barefeet.  He loves taking his shoes and socks off.

 

He loves playing with and watching other kids at the park.

 

There he goes.

 

Pointing, he loves to point.

Silly boy.

 

Loves chewing on straws.

 

More pointing.

Who can resist such a cute face?