One year and all is well

Twenty-nine pounds and 31 inches of pure cuteness and delight. Ooy! No wonder my back hurts these days!

Yesterday I took Santiago in for his one year well visit. He loves these well visits. He loves to rip the paper off the examination table like a hero and charm the pants off all the nurses, though that didn't spare him from getting 4! Yes! 4 immunization shots! He looked up at me with this terrified look on his face, like, Pain! This hurts! Owwwwww!

The pediatrician asked plenty of questions. (Walking yet? Yes. Sociable? Very), she listened to his heart, inspected his ears and eyes, his muscular development, and then gave him a good squish on his tummy(can you blame her? santiago is pretty darn delicious these days) and she told me I was doing a good job no less than three times(what all moms like to hear as many times as possible, am I right?). She also told me I birthed the greatest specimen of manchild that ever existed on the earth! Ha! Ok, so, maybe she didn't say that last part.

After the trauma frozen yogurt was called for.

My little Picasso

i'm raising a Picasso! really i am

see for yourself. . .

my little Picasso created this stunning masterpiece! it's remarkable for two reasons:

• he painted it by himself without any help from me
• it could probably sell for millions in an art gallery. i'm on it!!

*santiago used these paints made by crayola

also used these and these paint brushes

disappearing act!

For my next trick, I will successfully eat a happy stack of pancakes while Santiago is taking his morning nap with no guilt or remorse that I could have ate something much healthier or accomplished something much greater in this amount of time.



 

I ask you, is there anything better than a delicious stack of pancakes? Nah.

this weekend

was the kind of weekend where you want to french kiss your air conditioner. the high today was 105. one hundred and five! let me tell you, it feels like we are literally living inside of a heater! two minutes outside and you're melting into melty puddles.

and in the midst of all this, i have a happy and energetic one year old who wants to do fun and exciting things! so, what do we do around here to escape the heat,
you ask?

we hang out in the pool!

 i am proud to report that my kid is a water baby!

we take strolls to the park late in the evening when it's cooler and not too crazy hot.

santiago is a little book worm he loves to explore picture books so, going to the library is a major event around here.

and . . .
we're staying hydrated by eating lots and lots of watermelon!

 



 I hope you're finding ways to escape the heat friends!



Oh how it flies. . .

Time, I mean. My baby boy turned ONE year old on Monday! We kept Santiago's first birthday relatively small(just immediate family). But that doesn't mean it was any less fun. Santiago played till his little heart's content. He devoured his birthday cupcake in half a millisecond while we sang Happy Birthday. It was so cute to watch, I tell you! Then he unwrapped presents, he smiled and giggled while he played with his new toys.  

I wish I could freeze Santiago. right. here. at. ONE. Where he is a my baby, where he needs me, but he is testing his independence. Where he holds my hand to fall asleep and gives me kisses all day. I hope the teenage years go by this fast or faster, but until then I want time to slow down!

Dear child of mine,

You came to me, one year ago after 4 hours of glorious labor, out you came plump and pink, with dark fuzzy hair. I held you in my arms, nursed you, and fell in love. You were mine. All 9 pounds and 21 inches of you were all mine. My Santiago.

Just one year ago, you were a newborn, swaddled tight and seeing the world for the first time. Today you are almost walking, started potty training, giving kisses and eating macaroni & cheese. I can't wait to witness your personality continue to bloom and share new experiences and milestones with you.

You have brought so much joy into my life and those around you. Your smile and giggles are so contagious. I am convinced you are the most beautiful, brilliant, amazing child in the world.

Life before you my dear child? I can't remember. . .

Happy first Birthday!! Love you eternally,

Mom

just a few minutes old.

mommy's little helper?

Household tasks that are almost impossible to complete with an (almost!) one year old in the house:

1. Sweeping. Santiago seems to think this yellow stick with the fancy brush at the end is a toy.  His toy.  When we're not fighting over the broom, I'm chasing him away from the debris pile.

2.  Laundry.  The look of satisfaction on his face when he demolishes a pile of perfectly folded clothes.

3.  Toilets.  Do I need to explain?

4.  Dishes.  "What Mom? This fancy pull down door isn't my personal platform?  But there are all of these shiny toys inside."

5.  Vacuuming.  If vacuum chasing ever becomes an Olympic event, he totally would win a gold medal.