Eric and I cannot believe how quickly time flew this past year!
Last month, we left off on Christmas Day when Lucas took his first step, then three more later in the day. For the next 3 weeks or so, he was content just practicing his walking here and there throughout the day taking 3-6 steps at a time. We never pressured him to take more steps as he felt most comfortable standing up on his own and stepping forward when he felt he was balanced. That fourth week, something just clicked and at 12 months old, Lucas is walking about 75% of the time (and, now, as I write this post 7 days after his birthday, that number is probably closer to 95%!). And, OH, how proud he is to be performing his newest motor skill. He squeals with delight as he stands up and walks towards us. I tried to hold his hand yesterday while he was walking across his bedroom just to see what he would do, and wouldn’t you know, he quickly pulled his hand in as if to say, “I got it Mom!”
Communication has also picked up a ton this month! Though many words may be hard for some to understand, to Eric and I, Lucas makes perfect sense :) Words from last month are improving, include "mama", "dada" (and definitely with intention this month, as he will also point to us while saying those words! Though, we are pretty sure that Lucas has taken to calling Eric "buba"!), "nana" (banana), and "dar-dar" (Darby). New words this month include many nouns that he can say and also point or wave to the object when he sees them in a book or photo -- "dog" (and he will actually point to different breeds of dogs when we see them on our walks or point to them in photos), "woof" (and he definitely associates this word with a dog or Darby as he always says it when we are talking about dogs), "duck", "turtle", "baby", and "balloon". He only says one verb right now that he can also associate with the motion -- "dance" (he says this while he shakes his head or bounces up and down dancing!). "Dance" was actually his second word after "banana" :) Lucas is also doing great with his signs, though many are his own interpretation of the motions for "eat" (he will point to his mouth), "more", and "all done". It is so amazing to finally be able to speak to Lucas and know that he can actually comprehend what we are saying!
Eric and I are so pleased that daycare continues to go very, very well. He is a favorite of his teachers and we are constantly getting glowing reports from them. They cannot believe how good of an eater he is compared to the other kids his age. They are also impressed at how easily he took to a sippy cup of whole milk. His teachers have mentioned that they consider Lucas the welcoming committee as he is always waving to the parents and kids as they are dropped off! He LOVES the other babies in his class! He is also in the process of transition to the 1 year old room along with his 2 little buddies, Catie (who shares his birthday) and Luca who is a month older. They expect the three of them to be in the 1 year old room in March sometime. Lucas is really enjoying arts and crafts (though, he still wants to eat the crayons!) and spending time in the music room. He is in awe of the "big kids", aka, kids who are betwen 3 and 6 months older than him! :)
Speaking of eating and food - Lucas is completely off of bottles and now takes whole milk in a sippy cup! He is eating all table foods and finger foods, and we have not met a food that he does not like, except for green beans. He eats many of the meals we make for dinner, and this month has had chicken tacos, turkey chili soup, venison (at a tapas restaurant we went to on New Year's Eve), and pizza. All fruits are a major go-to including grapes, mango, kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, and peaches. I'm still waiting for the day that he decide that all he wants to eat are 3 meals of goldfish! But, if that happens once in a while, that's ok, since he usually eats healthy and well for the most part.
Eric and I both agree that our life is richer and full of so much more love, joy, and laughter with the addition of Lucas. We are amazingly blessed beyond words that we constantly look at each other in wonder. How did we get so lucky? Lucas is SUCH a happy, smart, and pleasantbaby toddler (sniff! sniff!)! He makes us laugh countless times a day and his own laugh is just so contagious that our hearts just melt hearing it. It has been such a pleasure watching him learn and grow this past year - we cannot wait to see what his lifetime will bring (well, I guess we CAN wait - don't want to get too ahead of ourselves!). We love being his mommy and daddy and could not have asked for a more precious gift!
Happy 1st Birthday, Lucas! You will always be our baby boy!!
Last month, we left off on Christmas Day when Lucas took his first step, then three more later in the day. For the next 3 weeks or so, he was content just practicing his walking here and there throughout the day taking 3-6 steps at a time. We never pressured him to take more steps as he felt most comfortable standing up on his own and stepping forward when he felt he was balanced. That fourth week, something just clicked and at 12 months old, Lucas is walking about 75% of the time (and, now, as I write this post 7 days after his birthday, that number is probably closer to 95%!). And, OH, how proud he is to be performing his newest motor skill. He squeals with delight as he stands up and walks towards us. I tried to hold his hand yesterday while he was walking across his bedroom just to see what he would do, and wouldn’t you know, he quickly pulled his hand in as if to say, “I got it Mom!”
Communication has also picked up a ton this month! Though many words may be hard for some to understand, to Eric and I, Lucas makes perfect sense :) Words from last month are improving, include "mama", "dada" (and definitely with intention this month, as he will also point to us while saying those words! Though, we are pretty sure that Lucas has taken to calling Eric "buba"!), "nana" (banana), and "dar-dar" (Darby). New words this month include many nouns that he can say and also point or wave to the object when he sees them in a book or photo -- "dog" (and he will actually point to different breeds of dogs when we see them on our walks or point to them in photos), "woof" (and he definitely associates this word with a dog or Darby as he always says it when we are talking about dogs), "duck", "turtle", "baby", and "balloon". He only says one verb right now that he can also associate with the motion -- "dance" (he says this while he shakes his head or bounces up and down dancing!). "Dance" was actually his second word after "banana" :) Lucas is also doing great with his signs, though many are his own interpretation of the motions for "eat" (he will point to his mouth), "more", and "all done". It is so amazing to finally be able to speak to Lucas and know that he can actually comprehend what we are saying!
Lucas will point to his belly and his head when asked. He will also hold up one finger when you ask "How old are you?"
Lucas had a pretty tough time this month with teething. Just like when he was 7-8 months old and was teething his incisors, this month, he also had a cold during the toughest part of teething his 1 year molars. Good news is that 2 have broke through (top and bottom left), and the bottom right can be felt and should be here soon.
Eric and I are so pleased that daycare continues to go very, very well. He is a favorite of his teachers and we are constantly getting glowing reports from them. They cannot believe how good of an eater he is compared to the other kids his age. They are also impressed at how easily he took to a sippy cup of whole milk. His teachers have mentioned that they consider Lucas the welcoming committee as he is always waving to the parents and kids as they are dropped off! He LOVES the other babies in his class! He is also in the process of transition to the 1 year old room along with his 2 little buddies, Catie (who shares his birthday) and Luca who is a month older. They expect the three of them to be in the 1 year old room in March sometime. Lucas is really enjoying arts and crafts (though, he still wants to eat the crayons!) and spending time in the music room. He is in awe of the "big kids", aka, kids who are betwen 3 and 6 months older than him! :)
Speaking of eating and food - Lucas is completely off of bottles and now takes whole milk in a sippy cup! He is eating all table foods and finger foods, and we have not met a food that he does not like, except for green beans. He eats many of the meals we make for dinner, and this month has had chicken tacos, turkey chili soup, venison (at a tapas restaurant we went to on New Year's Eve), and pizza. All fruits are a major go-to including grapes, mango, kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, and peaches. I'm still waiting for the day that he decide that all he wants to eat are 3 meals of goldfish! But, if that happens once in a while, that's ok, since he usually eats healthy and well for the most part.
Eric and I both agree that our life is richer and full of so much more love, joy, and laughter with the addition of Lucas. We are amazingly blessed beyond words that we constantly look at each other in wonder. How did we get so lucky? Lucas is SUCH a happy, smart, and pleasant
Happy 1st Birthday, Lucas! You will always be our baby boy!!
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