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:: June 12, 2008 A Year of Ott
Our Otto is one year old today. Ott (which he can say). Toto. Totebag. Looking through all these photos, trite but true, I can't believe how much he has changed in so little time. Especially: When did all that hair come in? There's always something extremely difficult about each stage of infanthood, but there's always something going on even more extremely wonderful. Right now he's walking (wonderful) and exploring (following him around every waking second - difficult). He's starting to puzzle things out, like how to hold the pop bead in the bath water just right, so that bubbles come up as it fills with water. If he takes a piece from something he tries to figure out how to put it back, and if he can't, he hands it to us, always saying "oin?" (Wonderful.) He's holding his little graham crackers and biting off little pieces -- no need to break everything up, paranoid first-time mom. But how did he learn that? (Wonderful.) He's gone from downing two jars of whatever baby food per sitting to refusing, with an unambiguous head-shake, pretty much anything but yogurt. (Difficult.) He's starting to show fear and sensitivity -- last night I yelped "NO!" when he stuck his entire fist into a smoothie, and he started crying and wanted away from me. That was awful. (Just the first in a long line, I know. Difficult.) He knows that the remote works the TV, that grandma's voice comes out of the phone, and that the mouse works the computer. He comes up when I'm working and pushes my hand out of the way -- HARD -- and takes over the mouse, looking at the screen as he moves it around. I'm realizing what "setting a good example" means and that we need to start -- now. (Difficult.) He is happy and wonderful and curious and the cutest sweetest baby ever. I have kissed his gigantic cheeks a million times every day. He has lived with us for a whole year now. Wonderful wonderful wonderful. He's officially a toddler now, and we're just now getting glimpses of the new set of difficult/wonderful things in store. (Parents - what do you wish you had known? That's my favorite kind of advice.) Happy birthday baby guy, we love you big time. posted by in Baby
Comments What a great photo montage! You can really see how much he's changed over the year. Happy birthday to your little guy. Posted by Kim U on June 12, 2008 9:46 AM happy first birthday, Otto! he definitely looks like a toddler on the last picture. your entry made me laugh hard and almost made me cry. too close to home, i guess. the "oin?" is sooo wonderful! Posted by thalia on June 12, 2008 9:54 AM Happy birthday, big boy! Here's what I wished I'd known: that it's ok not to stress all the time, that it's nice to just go with the flow and enjoy the little surprises. I guess I'm a type A personality, and I always wanted everything under control, which is pretty much impossible with a baby or toddler! I'm learning to enjoy the lack of control and the surprises it brings. About Otto's yogurt phase: Max had a similar one. We used to call him a cheesatarian, he would eat little more than cheese and yogurt. He still loves cheese, but he's definitely expanded his menu in the last few years. Posted by Amanda on June 12, 2008 9:57 AM oh cutie! those cheeks are incredible. happy birthday otto :) as far as advice.. wish I could remember what I wish I had known. might come in handy with miss phoebe! Posted by hillary on June 12, 2008 9:59 AM aw :) my youngest just turned one and i think it has to be my favourite baby stage. you can see them making new connections in their brains on a daily basis, as they turn into little people who understand you and can make themselves understood, but they're still squishy and cwtshy. what i wish i'd known? that it keeps on getting better :) Posted by soph on June 12, 2008 10:03 AM oh kim.... so great. Posted by lisa s on June 12, 2008 10:26 AM First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear Otto! (Love the name, by the way). What a precious lil guy! SO nice to the year in review. Posted by Cicada Studio on June 12, 2008 10:38 AM Wonderful! Happy Birthday, Otto. Advice is hard because each kid is different. Posted by Michelle on June 12, 2008 11:46 AM Happy Birthday, Otto! Oh, my those cheeks would do me in. And I don't think there is any special advice to give. My mom always said, "kids usually turn out ok, despite our best efforts." :) Enjoy him! Posted by miss chris on June 12, 2008 11:48 AM Happy Birthday, Big O! Though my own O is only 7.5 months, I think you have described my feelings about the wonderful/difficult perfectly. Congratulations on making it through the first year, and in style, even. You have such a cute little boy. The cheeks! Can't wait to see him again. Posted by Gina on June 12, 2008 12:26 PM Happy Birthday Otto! Awesome photos, mama! Posted by denice on June 12, 2008 1:25 PM delurking to say happy birthday otto! my baby's just turned one too, and what I wished I knew one year ago is that babies are quite resilient and not fragile at all. and that they won't starve themselves even if they only eat cheerios. Posted by amanda on June 12, 2008 3:51 PM Happy Birthday Otto! Way to go, Kim! You guys have survived a year with grace and style. I wish I had known how long the effing waiting lists were for schools. I would have signed Fletch up much sooner. Posted by Susan on June 12, 2008 4:19 PM Happy Birthday Otto! You big handsome lug! Posted by Izzy on June 12, 2008 4:51 PM Otto..... I can't believe it has been a year. This has been one of the best years of my life. Taking care of you has been a real joy and seeing you grow is awesome!!! I love you so very much my big guy. love you, m-ma Posted by grandma on June 12, 2008 10:38 PM Happy Birthday to Otto, your photos are too precious. My advice: always listen to your heart and trust your mommy radar, they'll never lead you in the wrong direction. Posted by kathy on June 13, 2008 12:42 AM Happy Birthday Otto! Posted by hilde on June 13, 2008 2:14 AM Happy one little Otto...direct from France ;-) Posted by Fati on June 13, 2008 8:30 AM Happy Birthday, Otto! I love seeing your year in photos. Posted by Stephanie on June 13, 2008 11:57 AM Happy Birthday, Otto! Posted by dixie on June 13, 2008 4:29 PM So sweet! You're just at the beginning...it's such a wonderful adventure, at EVERY age! Happy birthday to you all! Posted by suzee on June 13, 2008 8:32 PM happy birthday to otto and to you! Posted by traci on June 16, 2008 4:00 PM Oh, Otto is one! I remember reading your birth post crying and laughing...where on earth has the time gone? Our youngest in now seven months - whoosh, birth to now seems like a blue. So happy for you and sweet, sweet Otto! Happy first birthday Otto! Posted by Vanessa on June 18, 2008 9:31 AM Well if history repeats itself, expect him to eat nothing but macaroni and cheese for the first 18 years of his life! Posted by Jeff Mellen on June 18, 2008 8:44 PM lovely, lovely post. my only advice: don't get pregnant yet. Posted by meg on June 21, 2008 7:40 PM Hapde Burfday to you Otto! And congrats to you mama for making it through that very difficult first year. :-) Posted by Sarah on June 25, 2008 4:53 PM Oh how cute he is!! I love his cheeks... we have some pinchable cheeks at my house that will be a year old in two weeks! How fast the time goes!! Its amazing to watch them grow into such silly little characters! Happy Birthday to your little guy, congrats on making it through the first... and good luck heading into the second!! Posted by Stephanie on July 7, 2008 12:39 PM aww, very sweet. happy birthday, otto! Posted by shiso mama on July 10, 2008 7:21 PM Your little guy is so cute. Advice from a mother of 4...be in the moment. Enjoy the little things. Choose to be happy and know that if you have a difficult day, the next one will be better. Posted by alisa on July 19, 2008 1:50 AM What a smart baby! You give me baby-fever, but oh.....I do remember how much work it was. Still.... Posted by Meg on July 20, 2008 4:14 PM |
