From just one week old, to just one week away from y our first birthday, one thing you've had all along is your crazy hair. The color has evolved throughout your life, but you've always had a lot of it. You had your first haircut a little over a month ago, and you're due for another one soon.
Being outdoors has always seemed to calm you. Now that you're mobile, you love exploring the park across the street from our house. Your siblings are usually playing elsewhere, so you get some time to yourself to play and explore your own way, which you seem to love. You like going down the small slide, but we have to re-introduce you to it each time we go before you get excited about it. You don't like crawling on the astroturf under the jungle gym, which may be part of the reason you've started voluntarily walking more often. One thing is for certain though, you are becoming more and more adventurous.
You have also loved the water since your first bath. I still remember being completely shocked at how calm and comfortable you were in the water even as a newborn. Your brother and sister both went through phases where giving them a bath was a bit of a battle. You, on the other hand could splash and play all day. At swim lessons, none of the other parents want to be near us because you are splashing and kicking so much. You think it's hilarious though.
Over the course of the past week, you've really started to walk more without holding onto anything. You'll even stand for a while sometimes, and I am pretty sure you're doing it just because you can. The other night, you actually grabbed a hockey stick and stood there trying to move it around like your brother. After playing with him for a bit, you naturally got tired and decided to lay in the middle of the floor with your stick. You do that more often these days too. You'll just randomly lay in the floor, flat on your back. Your sister says you're playing dead. Whatever the reason, it's really stinkin' cute.
While Fletcher's gross motor skill growth is probably the most striking development of the past month, his communication skills are also growing rapidly. He loves to say "hi" to anyone and everyone he sees. This morning, when I was letting the dogs in, he siad "hi Jack" as Jack walked beside him. He can say a number of words, although many sound very similar still. He is also learning non-verbal ques can communicate information. Specifically, nodding or shaking his head. I am pretty sure he doesn't understand what the head motions mean, except that they should be used to answer questions. I asked him yesterday if he liked his birthday cake that he was shoving in his mouth. His response was shaking his head "no." He ate most of it though, so I am pretty sure he actually liked it.
Fletcher's comprehension is also increasing. He watches and observes everything going on around him. He especially loves watching and imitating his siblings. He has a look on his face when he things he is doing something like a "big kid." For instance, he will "use" a fork at meals by touching his food with it before picking up the food with his hand and shoving it into his mouth. He also loves to "build" with Legos; we just put the pacifier in his mouth so he isn't tempted to eat them instead. It is so cute to see how he looks up to his older siblings and wants to do everything they do.
You have grown so much this past year, and I know you'll only continue to learn and grow as you enter your second year of life. I am so glad that you are part of our family. Even though you've been with us for only a year, it feels like you've always been here. Our family wouldn't be complete without you.
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