Happy 12 Months!

We are late as usual, but things have been so busy that I can hardly keep up. You are changing and growing so fast, little man -- happy 12 months all the same!

So the category for this portion of your life has changed, appropriately, from LittleTeo to ToddlingTeo, as you have figured out the walking thing now. After taking a few steps on your own each day since just before your first birthday, last night you really wowed the crowds by walking back and forth from person to person in grandma and grandpa's new living room. What a way to welcome them to their new home!

It is so exciting to me that you can walk, even though it means things are going to get crazy from here on out. Your doctor says that temper tantrums will start soon (we've already had a few), as will some downright stubbornness when it comes to food, sleep schedules, and other things that help keep you human. I can already tell you're a bit... um... strong-willed. So this year should be interesting.

Still, my goodness, you are more and more fun each day. For example, her is some Teo cuteness:

Animals! from odessa on Vimeo.

You are ten times more interactive than just a month or two ago, and I can see your development expand daily. It's so exciting! To date, you can say the following words:

Mama
Car
Bottle (even though you are off the bottle, you call cups bottles sometimes)
Dog (which you say "God" but we know what you mean)
and my personal favorite: Bird!

You also know how to sing along to "Wheels on the bus" -- not the singing part but all the motions. It's so cute and so fun. I actually discovered you had learned them on day care by accident, just singing the song to you one day.

As I type this with my left hand, you are nestled on my right shoulder, having just woken up. We've had a tough couple of day, with your ear infections acting up again. Let's hope this year that happens less.

I love you Buster Brown. I can't wait to watch you grow over the next 12 months.