One Month Until One Year

I'm not entirely sure where the past 11 months have gone. 

I know every mother on the face of this planet has shared this exact sentiment...

...but when I look into your baby blues I'm really blown away that my tiny baby man is almost one year old! 

As a fifth time mom I'm finally getting this "soak up every day because they are fleeting." All the teething, spit up, middle of the night feedings, wardrobe changes, and nap revolts are precious in their own right. 

Washington, you are now 11 months and have emerged into a handsome toddler that loves to squeal, hum, and blow raspberries. 

Even though you've got two cute little teeth and an appetite to rival your big brothers', you prefer to have baby food. But if I can get you to forget about the mango and spinach puree, you love a good pb&j, grilled chicken, blueberries, grapes, and oatmeal. 

You nurse once or twice a day, drink milk out of a big boy cup, can use a straw, love gnawing on apples, and are usually very polite about signing "all done" when you're ready to get down. 

You are in size 12-18 month clothes, size 3 diapers, size 4 shoes, and size large personality. You smile and wave to everyone that glances your direction and if they didn't you'll make every attempt to get their attention. 

You love wrestling, "playing" Wii, and jumping (bouncing) on the trampoline with your big brothers. You think they are the best in the world and if you hear them on another level of the house or in another room you try with all your might to figure out a way to get to them.  

You love watching your big sister twirl in her dresses and clap for her performances. You also love pulling her pigtails and you laugh at the reaction it elicits. You love your "Dada" and talk endlessly to him. We're not sure all you're saying but you pour your heart out to him!

You are precious, gentle, manly, tough, happy, laid back, flexible, outgoing, cuddly, sweet, and a gift to us all! We are so grateful God designed you for our family and we love you to the moon and back! Even though I'll be soaking up these last few weeks of your first year, I can't wait to continue to watch you grow to be the man God has equipped you to be! We love you Washington!