Joaquin at 1

What can I say about my beautiful baby boy at 1 year old? So many wonderful things have happened this year it feels overwhelming to write a 1 year old post. He is such a joy...we hear over and over again that he is one of the happiest babies the person has ever seen. And he really is...smiling and laughing all the time. He has started to throw little tantrums when we tell him no, but he has even found a way to make that into a game...now when I tell him no he will keep shaking his head no so that I say, "that's right, that's a no...good job!" and then I get my big smile.

He's started to high five and is still talking up a storm. He feeds himself with a fork. He seems to cycle through favorite things to say (meaning he'll say something for a long time, drop it, and start on something new) and his things to say right now are "Did you see?" and "Are you sure?" He loves the water...likes to drink out of the hose, play in Bailey's bowl, the toilet, and our fountains, and ran right into the ocean for his 1 year photo session.

He is not walking for long distances by himself yet and that is a big surprise for us. Since he was 3 months old he has tried to walk and we thought for sure he would be early. He is very...how to describe it?...almost analytical about things though and he wants to make sure he can do something well before he does it. So he can walk...we've all seen it...but I don't think he wants to go through the process of walking and falling over and over. And so he waits. He goes as long as he can go steady and then asks for a hand.

So I guess you can't predict things for your children, right? And I'm not sure I want to. We were so critical of bed-sharing before we were parents and now we love it. I am proud that as new parents this year we have followed our hearts and done what is best for our family even in the face of our naysayers (one year of cloth diapering and exclusive breastfeeding!). Having Joaquin around has changed us and I love the changes. I can't speak for Gideon, but I think for me, Joaquin has made me a gentler, nicer version of myself. I see things through rosier glasses, I am more forgiving to strangers and friends, and have a renewed appreciation for family.

What a wonderful gift he has been to us...happy birthday baby boy.