lucky THIRTEEN!

 Our boy is 13 months old today.  Check out his new curls (just in the back of his hair) - looks like he's getting mama's curls and haircolor with daddy's cowlicks.  

balls pop out of this hole in the toy - Ryland is watching the inner-workings, getting it all figured out!

He is more and more fun everyday.  I love watching him learn.  He says: Mama, Dada, Dog, Banana ("ah-nanana"), and sometimes we can get a "JayJay" out of him (our buddy Jacob)

 He loves watching dad get ready for soccer or mom get ready for work.  He likes to put on my jewelry with me (especially bangle bracelets!)

 He's so sweet.  I'm biased.  But really, he is.

He loves baths, but hates getting dressed 

 so our bedtime routine usually includes some nakey-time

 His current favorites:

eating bananas

pointing out all the dogs in books, movies, on walks

sitting in big chairs (don't ask, he just gets so excited about this)

having his feet rubbed

DANCING!  (He's a hip-hop fan, by the way)

any musical instrument - especially our ukelele and his shaker eggs

Yo Gabba Gabba (aka mom's sanity)

stacking blocks then knocking them down (it is so so funny, you guys)

popsicles

snuggling with mom and dad to read books before bed

 he is constantly a messy-faced little guy

and yes, he still uses a binky. He sleeps so well with it, I think I'll wait a little longer to start the weaning process...

As far as nursing goes, he's down to one-time a day and he's completely happy with that.  I am sad about it, but he's made it very clear that it's just not what he wants to do anymore.  He is growing really well these days, so I'll just let him call the shots.  

He's walking sometimes, still crawling a lot.  I think he forgets he can do it!  He is an excellent climber though (much to my dismay).  A couple different moms commented on his "good climbing skills" at the park today.  He is too fast for me sometimes and today scrambled up the play structure (BY HIMSELF!!!) and proceeded to try to go down the slide, face first (BY HIMSELF!!!)  All play equipment should have easy grown-up access!  He's going to give me a heart attack.  But that said, he loves to slide, and knows how to do it alone!

He is a great sleeper.  Down to bed at 7:30 pm, up for the day around 7:00 am.  He takes a 3-hour nap in the mornings and a 1.5 hour nap in the afternoons.  He still needs multiple pacifiers in his hands to go to sleep, little weirdo.

He is a GREAT imitator, and especially loves to imitate the bodily functions (such a BOY, right?)

He also loves toys - especially blocks and puzzles.  This age is so much fun!

So basically we love him - he's super great.