My Little Pet

Everyone knows that babies start out cute. Okay, there may be some mild debate ("little old men"), but they do--they start cute. The fabulous thing, is that they keep getting even cuter!! They go through delightful stages, each more enchanting than the last. Right in between "Baby" and "Miniature Person" (which is my personal favorite) is the one that Little Buddy is in now--"Little Pet".

My Little Buddy Pet just turned one, if you can believe it. Happy Birthday to him!! Let me tell you about him.

Disposition: Happy, playful, cuddly, and a tiny bit of a temper. Laughs spontaneously, smiles to himself when things like thumbs are funny to him, and throws Cheerios (while yelling) when things don't go his way at dinner time.

Modes of Transportation: Crawling, primarily. He also pushes a walker around, cruises around furniture, loves to be carried, strolled, carted. Most recently, firetruck.

Favorite Things to Do: Making messes at blinding speed. Unloading the bookshelves, the pantry,

and drawers with lightning-quick efficiency.

Hobbies also include following Mommy around (sometimes literally biting her ankles), trying to keep up with the big dogs (I mean, kids...), climbing stairs, smiling so big it fills his whole little face, and hassling the vacuum (and panicking when he accidentally starts it).

If I sit down for a nanosecond, Little Buddy crawls into my lap for a snuggle. He eats stray fruit puffs on the floor by his high chair, and loves to be petted and covered in kisses. Possible future occupation: escape artist. If I turn away for a moment during a diaper change, I turn back to see a bare little bottom high-tailing it out of the room.

Vocally Speaking: Volume: Loud

Words: Mama, Dada....and a whole lot of yellin'.

Hours of Operation: 7-9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 3:30-5:00 p.m., 5:30-8:30 p.m.

He will "lay his sweet head down" upon request, loves his white blankie and sleeps with a little stuffed hedgehog.

We celebrated his joining our family ONE YEAR ago with a little family baseball party. He got his first taste of refined sugar (from me, anyway. ....J...sheesh....) and loved it.

We all absolutely adore our sweet boy and feel so very blessed to have his joyful soul in our lives. Here's to you, Little Buddy! We love you a million, billion, zillion.