Vertical Venturer

In recent weeks, I've found myself standing perilously in mid-air with no prop of any sort holding me up. While it feels okay and strangely natural, each time, I immediately squat back down to crawling position to ensure my safety.



I've also noticed both parents staring at me alot more lately when I'm cruising around the house on whatever crutch is available. Not that its terribly abnormal, but Mom also seems to have more cameras at the ready these days too. I've been feeling like I'm on display and they are waiting for the Cooper show to start. Maybe they want me to dance? clap? point at various objects quizzically and repeatedly ask "whats that?" I've tried all of these tactics and the staring continues....sometimes it looks as though Mom has even been holding her breath. While its nice to be paid attention to, it was getting out of hand, and causing me much confusion trying to figure out what it was they wanted from me and how I could provide the best entertainment.


This weekend was apparently a monumental one, albeit seemingly normal to me. Outside of my becoming proficient at saying and signing "Doggy uh-oh," at the same time, which caused much fanfare from the parents, I have completed the task which I believe will satisfy their hungry eyes...


We had another session of "Go See Daddy/Mommy," its a game we play in our family where Mommy and Daddy will let me cruise to the other one while holding their hands (I'm sure no other families are aware of this ritual, I believe its original to our household). Anyways, I decided to switch things up for entertainment value and release their hands and cruise to the other one with no support.



My Goodness! You would have thought I just graduated from Yale with honors!



This led my mother both to hysterical tears and laughter, all the while clapping and cheering my name. Daddy hugged me and threw me up in the air and told Mommy to 'stop crying or I'd think something was wrong.' While I'm still confused at the potpourri of emotions, I think I did something quite important that will be a part of my life for a long time to come. After a few runs, I felt really confident and ventured away from our normal straight path and headed for the toy box. See video:



This post is dedicated to my ottoman, couch, music table, walker hippo, baby gate, chairs, drawers, and most of all...to my dearest and most loyal supporter, Shiner dog. All of you have been there to guide me through the perils of navigating this new world above my previous domain of one foot off the floor. I must thank you all for your support...I couldn't have made it through the past few months without you there to lean on.

My Birthday Bash

My first birthday was apparently reason for celebration. People just began coming over one day and I seemed to be the focus of their attention. Nolan came and tried to steal my new bike. I showed him and pulled it from his hands thus knocking his tiny self to the ground. I bet he won't be messing with any of my future rides.

Elmo and his girlfriend came too...aren't they a cute couple? A perfect match.

Cadence and McKalyn stared longingly at this strange rectangular celebratory object.

Grandpa stayed outside with the bigger kids, perplexed by their extreme intelligence and wit.

Here's me playing with some of my buddies, and Aunt Steph showing us that Josh does, in fact, have a face under all of that hair.

Note that we all require something in our hands at all times, preferably something we can also attempt to eat.

Mom gave me my own personal "cake" to tear into. I assumed it was intended as a hand lotion of sorts for dry baby hands but it didn't seem to nourish my skin very well. ....so I took the tiniest nibble and was pleasantly surprised to find it was sweet and delicious and obviously intended for my consumption. An added bonus was that the paints used for decoration could also be used as Native American war paint for my face. Little did I know that this paint doesn't feel great in the eyes. You live and you learn I suppose, something to remember for next year. Not only were my eyes burning from the paint, I felt a sudden surge of emotions like the cake had some chemical in it that provided me with a short period of bliss, followed by a quick dive into crankiness. I wanted no more of this and Mommy quickly obliged and placed me back on the floor with my friends and great new toys. Ryeland felt similar and, being too young to communicate properly, gave out a peace sign in the hopes things would calm down.

Once the excitement died down, I decided to retreat to my toy basket for a few moments of reflective thought. I pondered how it was possible to have so many friends close to my age that I can play with and how wonderful it is that my Mommy and Daddy can play with their parents too, what a deal. I am truly blessed.

Once everyone had gone, I collapsed out of sheer exhaustion and joy onto the floor.

What a great day! I am one lucky one year old.

Happy Birthday Aunt Nessa!

Remember last year when I was only a month old and I wore this hat for your birthday?

Well, since it did not quite fit last year, Mom had the novel idea to see if it was a better fit this year.....

I'm thinking ....not so much. I'm not really down with the cheesy birthday attire.

I gave Mom a taste of her own medicine and told her that if she wanted to wish my awesome Aunt Nessa Happy Birthday on her head, she was welcome to do it herself.

Now isn't that a better fit?

Happy Birthday from us, Nessa, we love you and are so glad you were born!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!