Happy First Birthday, Potatoes!

On Thursday, our sweet, energetic boy turned one year old!

We had a great time celebrating his birthday, first with my dad and then at his party on Saturday with my mom and a small group of close friends.

On Thursday, my dad and I had a laid back day with a happy Alexander.  We enjoyed the gorgeous weather by playing disc golf, the same activity I was doing a year earlier when I had to leave to head to the doctor to find out I would have a baby that day.

That evening, Xander opened his presents from my dad and me....a super great walker, toy carrying Red Flyer wagon and from me, an air dancer.  He loved the wagon, but the air dancer terrified him!

After presents, I served a baby picture classic for the first time- spaghetti!  I thought it would be perfect to save this photo opportunity for the big b-day, and little man did not disappoint in cuteness!

We had a cookout with a few friends on Saturday afternoon.  It was another warm December day, so we were all happy to hang out both outside and in, and we were able to take advantage of our ping pong table!  Daniel was proud to boast that he came into a game down 8 and still pulled off the win!

Smash cake time!

We were all shocked by how much cake Xander was able to consume!  He left only a few bites on his tray.  Sugar rush!  He headed straight to the bathtub before rejoining the party.

It took hardly anytime at all to figure out how to open presents!

A Mega Blocks car with self propulsion from Laura- vroooom!

Two books illustrated by Andy Warhol from Uncle Ryan and Aunt Mary

A hoodie towel that feels like a blanket- perfect for our blankie loving boy

Babies for Harambe!

Gammie gave our little reader a box of books.  We've already read nearly all of them!

In true Potatoes style, Xander loved being the center of attention at his party.  He was passed between all his closest grown up friends and got some awesome peer play with his new friend, Elsie.  It was really great watching his social skills in action.

This was not just parallel play.  These two were very interactive!  When Elsie woke up from her nap later, she asked, "Where's Potatoes?"  Play date required- soon!

Happy Birthday little man.  We love you so much!

Milestones:
We have his twelve month appointment tomorrow, but looking at his Ages and Stages questionnaire, it appears he is right where he should be for his age.

He is not sleeping well this week, waking up pretty much every two hours.  He will not deescalate without nursing, so I am running on fumes for energy right now.
This is likely because he is weaning himself off of breastfeeding during the day-. only wanting to nurse before naps.  He has to much to do to slow down!

He tolerates whole milk well and will gladly take it on the go.

He loves walks in his riding car, but needs a snack or something to do if he has to sit in his stroller.

He is crazy energetic!  He loves to be outside, to open and close things, to throw and to empty things.

Our biggest milestone is far away the fact that our little guy is now WALKING!

On Sunday, he took his first steps, and we were blessed to have the Goeres's over when it happened, so Karlee got it on camera for us.  On that day, he managed two steps at a time, and did it repeatedly for the attention he received.

On Wednesday, the night before his birthday, my dad, Leaha, and I were all hanging out in the nursery after dinner.  Alexander not only practiced his new walking skills, but we literally watched his face as his brain made the connection that this new skill could be used for transportation and not just for getting attention.  We could see the light bulb go off!  For nearly half an hour this little guy worked and worked on his walking, resembling a movie montage of an athlete in training.  It was one of the coolest things I have ever experienced and brought all three of the adults in the room to tears.

He seems to be an evening trainer.  Every night after dinner is when he really gets to work on his gross motor practice.  He is now able to nearly cross the room with walking!  

The funny thing is, he is far more stable if he squats to standing on his own than he is if he leads off from standing while holding onto something.  He likes to do things on his own.