12 months...we made it!

this has been by far the most eventful year of my life. i just thought pregnancy was memorable! this year has been the most challenging and rewarding year to date.

i have learned that when caring for a newborn, although it feels like as the parent you are supposed to know what your baby wants, your real job is to patiently listen and translate what your baby is telling you....and to be comfortable about not having all the answers. i have learned that just because i did not feel love at first sight with donovan does not mean that i have not fallen in love with him in a way that i have never felt before. i have learned that discussions of bodily functions, tiny smiles, food intake and length of naps can in fact be the most exciting part of most days....and by saying that i do not mean my life is boring. i have learned that it is in fact possible to believe with my whole heart that i have given birth to the cutest, sweetest, smartest baby on the planet, and know that any day now that agents will be contacting me to sign contracts. i have learned that every time that donovan does something new that it is the most amazing thing that i have ever seen....seriously. i have learned that in the context of being a mom, i can do anything...even when i do not want to or think i can. i have learned that when i get a needed break from donovan that i can miss him terribly. i have learned that you can be perfectly happy and fulfilled in life and go and have a baby and somehow be happier and more fulfilled than you knew even existed. thank you donovan for being the best teacher ever....and for being patient with our learning curve.

now for the stats:

-weighs 21lbs. 10oz.(50%) -- 31.5 in. long (90%) -- 46.5 cm. (55%)
-size 3 diapers-- most 12 month clothes .......some 18 mo.
-had his first cold....which involved his first antibiotic........which led to a month of not sleeping through the night......which took me back to a dark time in life
-he has 7 teeth
-this past month has been full of new things.....i feel like i have watched him become a toddler all in just one month. he loves crawling up and down the steps, is eating peanut butter like crazy, and cannot get enough time outside.
-he loves to do "cheers" every time he sees a cup....which can be time consuming because we don't want to leave him hangin'
-he will lean in when you ask him for a kiss....not with his mouth...but with his forehead
-he can pick out a cow, monkey and dog when asked, and can make monkey and cow sounds when asked
-he is obsessed with being outside--we are witnessing tantrums when the door is not open when he wants it open to get outside
-speaking of tantrums......he is coming into his personality (a hard headed murphy)
-he is careful in nature about trying new things, but when he is confidant it is go time....for example, he does not climb on the furniture but he does have a child size rocking chair that he is brave enough to stand up and rock in
-he is making "ca-ca" sounds to talk and pointing at everything...he also says "ma-ma-ma-ma-ma" alot
-he continues to love books

the pictures are from his birthday. the first picture is donovan having his breakfast of french toast and drinking from his new silver cup (from gigi). the second picture is donovan in his birthday suit playing with his new bath toys. we also went to get his shots on his birthday which we did not document with pictures. and we finished the day off playing in his new water table.