It Has Been One Whole Year...

...since our little superstar started walking. We're talking about walking as a means of getting from here to there, not the day he took his first step or anything. He actually had taken his very first step back on September 30th and built up to maybe 3-4 steps between pieces of furniture, etc until November 15, 2005:



What a big day...he was only 10 months old! And, if you adjust for his prematurity then he was only equal to 8 and a half months! Quite early. We weren't ready for it that early. Oh well. You can click the "Same Time Last Year" link for a video from his first few walks caught on camera. Wow. I'm sure with such an active big brother Deucie will be the type to sit around and simply watch, not bothering to do much on his own till much later. We'll see, though. Easton has never been the type to be very still...the physical milestones all happened quite early with him. That's probably why he's so underweight...burning off more calories than he can consume. Don't you wish we all had that problem?

Okay, well enough reminiscing and onto yesterday. Swimming was fun last night. The pool felt warmer to all us adults than normal yet the kids were still shivering. It didn't help that last night was "underwater night" as far as the "practice skill" was concerned. I dunked Easton 3 times and he did super but got a little clingy in the water. I'm not sure if it was from the dunking or the cold. He was the one that wanted to dunk the 2nd and 3rd times, though. Then he did some sliding on a little mini slide. He liked that pretty well.

We were a little late with dinner again, of course, despite the Crock Pot usage. As I was getting his blanket ready I noticed a small crime scene in his crib:

Not sure what the CSI folks would have to say but it's strange. His lip is a little bleedy from biting it the other day but otherwise I don't know where this is coming from. Dab dab dab all over the sheet and rail there. Bizarre, no? Oh well, 'cause Easton went right to sleep last night. I was quite glad about that.

This morning we got ready, here is Easton with his new blue water bottle. When I brush his hair in the mornings he usually asks for water. I guess he wants to look his best? Anyway, I bought this 50 cent bottle to keep water in and he likes it. With his hair being on the longer side right now he's often got quite a case of bed head goin' on. So, the water helps us keep him looking sharp:

He'll probably be getting his first professional cut very soon. He's already had 3 cuts by Daddy with the clippers but I want it a little longer this winter, I think. As long as he looks okay, that is.

Anyhoo, after getting ready we headed out to Target for a new $1 toaster. I broke his other one yesterday. I dropped it on the floor as I was trying to hand it to him and it was all bus' up. Oops. He handled it very well though when I told him he couldn't play with it and I had to throw it in the trash. Good thing it was cheap. We went straight to Circle Time from Target and he did better than last week. He did all the motions to the songs and such all on his own and he didn't sit for the first story so well but we managed. He really liked the second story, a Dr. Seuss book. We picked up a new book for him and some new ones for me and set off for Wal-Mart. The Toys for Tots guy accosted us on our way out. I promised him we'd help out after Thanksgiving. Actually, I've been planning for awhile for Easton to pick out a few things and then I think we'll donate them to Children's Hospital for the kids that will be stuck there on Christmas. It's a real program so I know they can use some stuff. I think charity is important and I've always wanted to set examples for my kids as well. We also don't like for the boys to have too many toys so our plans have always been to donate old stuff when you get new stuff. In E's case right now he's simply donating to his baby brother but it's a start.

He went down for his nap even better than yesterday although our 15 minutes of rocking was still pretty crazy. I peeked in at him to see if he was asleep yet and found him on his back:

Awwwww...the little dude never sleeps on his back anymore so I had to snap a picture. In fact, as I was leaving his room the floor creaked and he woke up and looked at me and rolled onto his tummy. I really wish he was willing to nap with me sometimes. He just looks so cuddly. I'll just have to take naps with Baby Deucie when I'm able. I always loved that with Baby Easton.

When he wakes up we're going over to play at Lilly's house. We went to her 2nd birthday party a few weeks back. I'm excited they invited us to play. I hear she's got a pink kitchen set and I think Easton likes kitchens. And now he can make toast.

Tomorrow after Kindermusik we have to go get his flu shot. :( I'm not looking forward to it for him at all. It gets harder and harder the older he gets and the more I know and love him. Boo hoo. Hopefully we'll be able to dine with Daddy afterwards to make up for the sore leg. Till then...