I am one year old today. When I reflect on all the change of the past year, I feel very self-satisfied. I mean, what a list it is: I can roll over, sit up, walk, babble, grab things with either hand, pass things from hand to hand, pick up small object between my thumb and finger, understand a few words and respond to them (clap, high five, wave), and so on. In short, I'm very happy with myself and my situation in life.
Since this is also the one year anniversary of Apple's iTunes and since Daddy makes such a big deal about both Apple and music, I thought I'd make a list of songs I've listened to in the last year:
The Köln Concert by Keith Jarrett. One of the best improvisational piano albums of all time. From age 0 to 6 months, this was my mid-afternoon sleeping music (along with some stuff Dad hammered out).
Shepherd Moons by Enya. Daddy and I danced a lot to Caribbean Blue after I got home from the hospital. Listen to Caribbean Blue here.
The Best of Al Stewart by Al Stewart. This isn't the exact album I listened to since that one is out of print, but it includes all my favs like Year of the Cat, Song on the Radio, and Time Passages.
I Got Shoes by Sweet Honey in the Rock. Music for little people like me!
UPDATE: Be sure to check out Jonah Gallery 018 featuring me in all my 10-11 month old cuteness!
Yesterday I got to go with Mom to see her work. It was fun! There were so many people there, and I was so widely admired that I got very excited and only took a 30 minute nap for the whole day! This made me very sleeping come evening, and I went to bed before 8 PM and didn't wake up until this morning at 7:15 AM. That's a long time, even for me!
The high school kids were very good to me. When I went walking in the halls during passing time, they even created a protective bubble of space around me so that I could walk unimpeded. I could definitely get used to being treated so royally. Later, during Mom's prep period, I was walking out in the hall when an older boy walked by and said hello. I ran over and grabbed his leg so he'd know I was friendly too. I think he understood my meaning, but he sure seemed a little uncertain.
I had a great day! Mom should take me to work more often.
I had such a miserable day today—lots of fussing and unhappiness—that it was great to end it with my first game of hide 'n' seek with Dad. Dad couldn't tell if I was upset by teething or gas today, and since I wasn't about to tell him, about all he could do was hug me when I started crying. I'm sure he felt badly, but, hey, I felt badly too.
All that aside, we had a great time this evening playing hide 'n' seek around the living room sofa. Mom was gone to her monthly French group, so she didn't get to play, but I'm sure she will next time. Anyway, the way it works is this: Dad hides somewhere around the sofa, and I go find him. I found him every time! Some times it was easier than others because I could hear him laughing as he crawled along the other side of the sofa. Then I knew for sure which way to go! Once I found him he'd give me a hug or we'd laugh a lot (or, usually, both) then we'd do it again.
We musta played for a good 90 minutes. I'm looking forward to doing it again.
I've been working on my high fives with Dad to the point now where I think I've got it down. Since today was National High Five Day, I figured this was a good opportunity to lay some skin on all the homeys who requested it. Of course I still gave out lots of hugs and kisses. Anything to keep the fans happy.
Grandma and Grandpa stopped by today which was cool because it meant more love for me. I got to show off my walking skills as well.
I walked a lot by myself yesterday. While there are still a few wobbly moments, I've more or less got it figured, I think. I watched the kids at Lapsit Story Time at the Library on Friday and I watched Abby across the street yesterday, and it's all coming together for me. I am very happy and excited by this turn of events!
Dad has promised to post pictures of my bipedal achievements soon—good thing 'cause it's been awhile since we had new photos of me, Pops—and you'll all be able to see and revel in my achievement. My plans for and progress toward world domination continue....
I slept for an extra long 3 hours this afternoon, which surprised Dad a bit since it's roughly double my normal amount. I guess I was just feeling sleepy.
In the evening they gave me a certificate for being a great swimmer, which is pretty funny since I don't even know what swimming is. I guess they felt like they owed me something for not putting up much of a stink about getting into the cold water day after day. Tomorrow is my last swim class this session. Then I'm gonna take a few weeks off and try another two week course. I should be bigger and stronger then and with luck my kicks will make some really big splashes. That'd be cool.
I got my first shiner today, courtesy of the stupid coffee table that got in my way when I fell down. It's not too bad, but I wasn't very happy about it at the time. Probably marr my good looks for a day or so. Oh well.
I didn't do much kicking at swim time today. I did a little, but I was cold and tired and preferred to just huddle up with whoever was holding me. Still, I'm enjoying the swimming more than I did when I first started. I'm even getting used to taking a shower—something I never did before I started going to Olinger Pool.
I kicked my feet in the pool today. In fact I did this four or five times. I'm not prepared to call myself a swimmer just yet, but I think I'm starting to get the hang of things.
This evening I had a lot of fun with Mom and Dad. They were sitting about 10 feet apart, and I got to walk back and forth between them while they cheered. It was neat! Even though I wasn't always able to make it and sometimes had to crawl part way, I'm still very proud of myself.
I'm also talking a lot more in recent days—especially today—but neither Mom nor Dad can tell what I'm saying yet. They'll learn.
I've started walking longer distances. For example, yesterday evening I went from the far side of the dining area into the middle of the kitchen. Hands-free, baby! It was very impressive if I do say so myself. Mom, Dad, and Grandpa all started clapping, so I joined in. I'm not sure why we were all doing that, but it was fun.
Earlier, I climbed the stairs four or five times just to make sure I could do it. When Grandpa got here, I went half way up the stairs with him, then I had him carry me the rest of the way. I liked that.
I'm pointing at a lot of things now. Sometimes I see something worth pointing at, other times I just like to point. My hands sure are interesting. Feet, too, which why I frequently try to take off my socks. Toes should be free!
I've started talking a little bit, though there's a better than even chance that Mom and Dad don't have a clue what I'm saying. I don't quite have the pronunciation down for most words, so when I try to say something like, "Doggy" it comes up more like "Ahhh-eeee." I'll work on it.
I climbed up the stairs from the basement to the first floor all by myself yesterday. No sweat. I can't quite figure out how to get back down without holding on to Mom or Dad, but I'm sure I'll figure it eventually.
I enjoyed swimming this evening a little more than I have in previous days. We had a ball to play with, and that helped.
UPDATE: I just went up and down the stairs five times!