Baby Schwartz 2011: Month 12

Dear Evan,

12 months! One whole year! I can barely believe it!

Happy birthday, my baby love!

Your twelfth month was quite a month. You are officially INTO EVERYTHING. You're so curious and you have an amazing sense of what's yours and what's not. And, of course, you're completely disinterested in anything that's yours. And, you have what we call "Gate Radar". No matter where you are or what you're doing, you somehow know when the baby gates have been opened. You immediately drop what you're doing and make a beeline toward the open gate to make your grand escape.

You are making some serious progress toward walking. You can take about 4 steps between me and Dad, but then you just fall forward into our arms. You walk with your walker (or a clothes basket sliding across the living room floor, or a kitchen chair sliding across the kitchen floor, or Laika...), cruise around furniture, and even take a couple steps between furniture. You should be up and running any day now.

Your sleeping has been about 50/50 this month. Half the time, you sleep like a champ and I wake up so proud. The other half, you've had colds, teething, bad temperature control, barking dog, and all kinds of stuff to keep you awake. I have to admit, I've enjoyed some of it because all you've wanted was to snuggle with me. You're so independent and busy getting into trouble these days that I don't get much snuggle time. I just wish you'd snuggle during the day and sleep at night.

You transitioned daycare rooms this month. You're still not totally sure about the new caregivers and new kids, but you're adjusting. The new room has much better toys, and no little babies for you to beat up on.

You also finished your first swim lessons this month. You didn't love it as much as I expected but it was bad timing. We'll get you signed up for the next class in a few months.

You're not saying much more than you have been. However, you're clapping, giving five, waving (to everyone), shaking your head "no" and just recently making the connection between the word and the action. That's going to be trouble. You got your first skinned knee this month. First of many, for sure. You adore Laika and Lars. You love feeding your food to Laika, which makes me crazy. You don't know how to be easy with her-- you're always attempting to pinch her eyeballs out, or pull her claws off. And, she doesn't know how to be easy with you-- she's always pawing at you for more attention. I spend most weekends yelling, "Evan, NO!" "Laika, NO!" And, then I finally just give up and let the two of you battle it out. It's a good thing she's such a good, patient dog because she could totally bite your face off.

It's been a crazy year, buddy. One year ago, I had no idea you'd so very, very cool. I can't wait to see what the next year holds!