Sunday, January 30, 2011

Happy 1st birthday Lyndon!

At 4:37 am one year ago, this little guy came into our lives.

Newborn

He was way bigger than expected-- 8 lbs. 2 oz-- and took way longer than expected to get here-- 1 week past his due date after several days of labor-- and we couldn't have been more smitten with him. The next few weeks were hard ones, though, as we dealt with sleep deprivation, nipple shields, a 2-hour feeding schedule, acid reflux and tissue damage (mine, not his). We all made it, though, and lived to see the beginning of month two!

One Month Old


In March, Lyndon got the hang of eating and grew like a weed. He also got some reflux meds and became a much happier, sweet little baby.

Two Months Old


Then, all of a sudden, Lyndon "woke up" and started showing some personality.

Three Months Old


Four Months Old
(This is the pic we save and show to his fiance.)

Five Months Old


He started working on his skills (sitting up, rolling over, etc.) and has never really looked back.

Six Months Old


He discovered Cheerios around this time and has never looked back from that, either. They're still one of his favorite foods.

Seven Months Old


This was about the time he started actively "posing" for the camera. It's hilarious. He'll stop what he's doing, look at the camera and at least make a face, if not smile.

Eight Months Old


And then he discovered stairs. What, I didn't tell you that he's been climbing our stairs since he was nine months? Must've slipped my mind...

Nine Months Old


Like any good mother, I see my child playing with a strangulation hazard and immediately... take pictures. But seriously, who can resist a baby in red pants unrolling green Christmas ribbon?

Ten Months Old


He's looking less like a baby now and more like a little boy. All that hair definitely helps.

Eleven Months Old
(and "helping" mommy make her grocery list-- he actually really loves to "help" with things now)

And finally, hot off the press (taken last night in his big boy carseat)...

Twelve Months Old


He does this odd close-lipped smile when he's teething; I think he's rubbing his top and bottom gums together.

Well, little guy, it's been quite a year. We can't believe that we've been allowed to be your parents; you are such a loving, joy-filled little boy, and we feel blessed beyond belief that you are ours. It's amazing to think of how much you've grown and changed in the past year. We can't wait to see what this next year will bring!

Happy Birthday Lyndon!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

(Lyndon) Walking With Dinosaurs

After a few weeks of (mostly gentle) encouragement, Lyndon has learned how to use his Christmas present! Enjoy!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

"Dada", part 2

Lyndon loves his Daddy.


And I love my family.


my two favorite guys

Thursday, January 13, 2011

"Dada"

It's official: Lyndon said his first word!

Well, actually, we think Lyndon has 3 or 4 words in his repertoire, but we've been unwilling to believe that our almost one year-old can talk until we're absolutely sure. And now there's one word that he consistently uses to refer to the same thing, which is about as sure as it gets.

And his first word was . . . "Dada". Big surprise, right?

Adrian, of course, was elated at this development. And I think it's absolutely adorable that Lyndon loves his daddy so much and can now articulate some of that love.

I keep waiting for him to say "Mama" too, but he stubbornly refuses to include that word in his vocabulary, no matter how much I coax him.

Our conversations go something like this:
"Lyndon, it's Mama. *points to self* Say 'Mama'."
"Dada."
"No, not Daddy. Mama. Say 'Mama'."
*giggle* "gurgledava."
*sigh* "Good try, little man."

I'm convinced that he used to use "Dada" to refer to both of us, essentially meaning "parent," not just "Daddy". Not now, though. Now, he points to Adrian and very clearly says, "Dada", and he never uses it to refer to me anymore. I'm taking this as a good sign that "Mama" may not be far off.

Other words include: "All done", "Yes", and "Cheese" (you read that right; cheese).