More Than A Hat Rack...

...my head. It's more than just a hat rack. That's what I heard Daddy say the other day.

Want some proof? Well...

I am an excellent communicator. (How many other 12month old babies, almost 13months old, do you see posting on their own blog?) When I want to read a book, I "tell" Mama or Daddy by bringing the book to them. When I'm hungry, I go to my chair in the dining room and yell until Mama feeds me. (Sometimes I stand at the gate and yell. That usually gets me some food. Or crying...that works really well!!) Offer me a graham cracker or an animal cookie or an apple and I'll let you know just how excited I am about getting those treats! Tired of the diaper I'm wearing? I just pick out a new one and take it to Daddy. (Today was the first time I tried that one. Daddy seemed pretty impressed. I'll have to consider doing that again.) Mama shows me sign language words sometimes. Although it's my own version, I'm pretty good at signing "dog" and "apple." And "cookie." (I surprised Mama with that one at breakfast today! Didn't get to eat one though.)

I understand. Tell me that it's time to eat...I know I need to head over to my chair. (Or cling to Mama's leg and cry until she picks me up and puts me in my chair.) When I see Jonathan getting his shoes on, I know he's gonna need a coat to wear, too...I'll help get it out of the basket. ("Oh, please, oh, please...I want to go too!!!") When Mama says it's time to take a nap, I head for the stairs cause I know it's time to "go up the steps!!"

I'm teachable. Show me how to hammer the pegs in the bench...then give me the hammer and watch what I can do. Show me how to put blocks/balls/stuffed animals/puzzle pieces/lids/etc in the container/basket/box/bag/etc and I'll put everything in sight away. Show me how to stack up blocks or empty containers and I'll give it a try.

A

I Get Around

Mama keeps wondering when I'm going to walk.

What's the rush, Mama? If I need to go somewhere, all I have to do is "tell" you... your "taxi service" can't be beat!

Or I can crawl. Daddy said I'm the fastest crawler he's ever seen. And check out this talent...

Oh, that toy you got me for my birthday? Thanks for showing me what I can do with that!!!

Don't worry about me, Mama. Everything is under control. Better enjoy it now while you can, though. Cause when I figure this walking thing out...

I'M

NOT

STOPPING!!

A

I Wearned It

Mama taught me a verse. It comes from the Bible.

Wanna hear me say it?

J

So Mama Sews

We've come to the conclusion that our Mama is a somewhat talented lady. She gets us food when we're hungry. She keeps us clean. Relatively speaking. (We do our best to challenge her on that one!!) She sings silly songs and tickles us and makes us laugh. She takes us fun places like the pet store and the library and the playground.

And she knows how to use a sewing machine. Go check out her new store. And while you're there, be sure to take a look at our pictures...we got to "help"!!!

J and A

Spring has Sprung!!!

Yesterday Daddy said he knew that the first day of spring had arrived cause he saw some snow flakes.

Mama said she knew it the was the first day of spring cause when we got in the car to go to Rita's for free water ice, we cried.

We didn't want to let you down, Mama. Just trying to establish a few traditions!!

J and A

I Am Boy

I am a boy.

I wike cars.

And twucks.

And basically anything with wheels on it.

I wike to dwive them across the wiving room fwoor. I wike to wook at them and touch them when I go for walks with Mama or Daddy. I wike to ask Mama or Daddy what each and every single car's name is. (Don't tell Mama or Daddy, but I weally know all the cars' names. I'm just making sure Mama and Daddy know too.)

Mama said that when Daddy was 3 he could name all the cars he saw driving by. I can name them, too. And I'm 2.

I am a boy.

I wike to be loud. Only Mama says we must use a quiet voice inside the house. Yelling is for when we go outside. Sometimes I forget that.

I am a boy.

I wike to eat. I wike gwapes and peanut butter samwiches and oatmeal with raisins in it and gwaham cwackers and cookies and....

I am a boy.

I wike to play motor boak and motorcycle and airpwane with Daddy.

I am a boy.

I like to watch the world go by. Well, I weally like watching all the cars and twucks that drive by.

I am a boy.

I eat dirt.

Sometimes.

But Mama told me to stop eating it.

J

Please Pray...

for my friend Pastor Bob. I didn't get to see him or shake his hand at church last Sunday. Mama said the doctors and nurses are helping him get better. Mama said that God can make people all better so we're praying that God makes Pastor Bob all better.

Would you pray for him, too?

J

ps...Mama said you can let him know that you're praying for him if you go here.

THANK YOU...

for making my 1st birthday sooooo wonderful!!

I've decided that I like this whole birthday thing! And who wouldn't?

Mama got a balloon for me and Jonathan showed me how much fun they are to play with.

I had presents and cards to open...FUN!!! It was probably just as much fun pulling the paper off the present

as it was playing with what was inside.

And... I got my OWN "cake" to eat!! I didn't have to share it with anyone. YUMMMM!!!!! We did something funny before eating the cake, though. Mama put a burning thing in my little cake. Daddy wouldn't let me touch it.

Instead, Mama and Daddy sang a song and then Jonathan and Daddy blew on the burning thing and made it stop burning. Little bit disappointing...but then I got to eat my cake.

Thanks, everybody!!
A

Recipe for a Happy Birthday Boy

A bunch of this...


A pinch of this...


Mix in gobs of this...


Stir a few minutes...


And...


...you have a Very Happy Birthday Boy!!