Happy Birthday Weston! 1 year old!

Weston is 1!

What a year of ultimate highs and some really big changes!  

Its been a year of big ups and big downs for a crazy little Weston pea.  

First a summary of the past month:

Weston has gotten like 5 more teeth and turned into an absolute MONSTER at meal times - eating anything that he can get his hands on (mostly cheese). His daredevil streak is only intensifying as he climbs stairs, climbs up couches and wrestles dogs all by himself. He is learning to talk and expanding his vocabulary.  To his previous words (Doggie, Elli, Dad, Mom, hi) he has added "CHEESE!" and "THIS!" which typically happens while pointing at either a cup of milk or something that is TOTALLY inappropriate for a toddler (like dad's pager or a huge knife).  There is a bit of spanish mixed in like "leche" for milk.  

He took his first steps about 1 week before his first birthday and hasn't slowed down then.  In a tremendous stroke of luck, Wes decided to walk when both Crystal and Mac were home, with Elliot cheering him on.  While he still crawls when trying to get somewhere fast - he is gaining confidence and independence.  We can already see the ER bills in our future as our little boomer gets himself in trouble over the coming years.  

"Put things in there" continues to be a hit game - although is beginning to morph into "throw things over there" which results in endless entertainment as parents and dogs go scrambling for whatever just got chucked.  Its a bit humbling to be manipulated by a toddler...oh well.

Sleep is generally improving and he is even sleeping, mostly, thought the night.  The trade off is that he wakes up at 5:15am - but at least it isn't a 3am dance party.  This month also marked Wes' first official swimming lesson. He was enrolled in the baby-tot class Mac at the same pool where Elliot is swims.  It is quite a sight to see Elliot swimming in the big kids class with her teacher while Mac and Wes splash, jump and play.  Wes LOVES the water and it was a bit of a wrestling match to keep him from jumping in the pool whenever dad took both hands off of him.  

Wes joined the family on our first test camping trip as a family of four.  We traveled East down the gorge, to slightly East of the Dalles and camped along the Klickitat River.  While it is hard for a little boy to fall asleep when the sun is still up - Wes did a pretty good job in the tent once he was asleep and LOVED crawling around in the dirt and riding in the backpack with dad on a beautiful hike along Coyote wall.  

Crystal put on an AMAZING first birthday party for Wes.  Coupled with visits from Grandma Weis and Grandpa Cook as well as visits from friends - it was a special day for Wes.  He got to play in his new water table, stuff himself full of sausage and feast on a smash cake that Crystal made for him.  It was really a special day that Crystal put a lot of effort into making a reality. 

Wes likes: 

- cheese

- sausage

- dogggies!

- Mom!

- Elliot!

- Playing in the sandbox

- SWIMMING

- waving at everyone!

Wes doesn't like

- being physically constrained in any way

- being hungry (the HANGER is getting worse). 

New developments

- Wes can WALK!

- LOTS of new teeth (7 at this point)

- Lots of waves and smiles

- learning sign language to communicate, screaming is still # 1 though

- can follow simple 1 step commands with a high degree of accuracy in both English and Spanish (!)

Wes has really grown into his own as a young man.  He is curious, friendly, tough and adventurous.  He is more than willing to through his body into new situations to explore then - consequences be damned....while he is usually tough enough to take the bumps and bruises that come his way right now, we worry about the future.  

His smile and laugh is contagious and when he is happy, it is impossible not to laugh along with him.  He LOVES snuggles and will crawl over, give you a big hug for 3-5 seconds and then take off on the next adventure. HE is quite the ladies many already at the park, attracting people with those big blue eyes. 

Wes - we love you from the sky to the ground.  This has been a year filled with laughter, adventure, occasional tears, learning and growing as individuals and a family. Happy birthday buddy!