Reese Joseph Austin: My First Birthday

September 17, 2009...I turned one year old today!!! It is hard to believe I am getting so big. I haven't changed too much in the past month, but there are some new things I am doing. I am trying to take some steps...every once in a while. I can get around the furniture well, cruising everywhere. I have learned how to give high-fives, and I love to play peek-a-boo. Some words I am saying are Dada, Mama, more ("muh"), Jack, and night-night (nye-nye). Some new foods I am enjoying are smoothies, corn muffins/any kind of muffins, black beans, and bread & hummus. I mostly like to eat fruits and veggies, but sometimes I will try something new. My favorite foods are cheese and "granola"/cereal bars. I have learned how to use a snack cup, and I really love to eat a snack all by myself (Puffs/crackers/etc). I can use just about any kind of cup. My favorite cups are the ones that Jack is using at any given moment. My favorite things to play with are shape sorting toys, cell phones, cameras, remotes, blackberries, and anything that Jack is playing with. My favorite books are Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?; Colors; This is the Way; Feely Bugs; Smile; Peekaboo Jungle; Duckling & Friends; Furry Friends and Peekaboo. I am really enjoying listening to books now...much more than I did a few months ago. My favorite songs are Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, We're Going to the Moon; Acka Backa Soda Cracker; The Backyardigans Theme Song; and We Love a Luau (from "The Backyardigans"). Jack's favorite show is "The Backyardigans", and everytime he watches it, I like to clap and dance with the theme song comes on before the show. If I am not near the TV, I will crawl over to the living room so I can hear/see it. I still have two teeth, and there are no signs that I am getting any more any time soon. I love to take baths; play with Jack (which sometimes drives him crazy when I'm getting his toys); go for walks in the stroller; play with Grandpa & Grammy; see Daddy when he comes home from work (and he must hold me immediately or I cry); be tickled & held; going to Rhyme Time and standing up for the songs & trying to get the bubbles; going for walks with Daddy after work in the Baby Bjorn; chasing Mommy & Jack while crawling; playing; eating snacks; and snuggling with my blankie (which I must have while sleeping & when I wake up in the morning). I like to make silly sounds, and I love it when Jack does funny things to make me laugh. I am pretty wild and silly, and Daddy & Mommy think I'm very different than Jack...but just as adorable. Another change in my life is that Jack goes to school three days a week, and that I get Mommy all to myself during that time. I also got to turn my car seat around today, so the world is starting to make a lot more sense! I like riding right beside Jack. Happy Birthday to me!

Opening presents with Jack in my crib...thanks for the