Karl and Angela Rees

We can’t believe our little boy is one.  He has changed quite a bit since we left that hospital.  Last night we celebrated his birthday with Angela’s Grandparents and Karl’s sister’s family.  We had homemade cake (Angela’s first attempt at a decorated cake) with Mango ice cream.  Thomas didn’t much like the cake, especially the frosting.  He liked the ice cream though.  He got some nice presents such as books, a truck, pull doggy, electronic alphabet palm pilot thingy, and basketball hoop.  He didn’t care for unwrapping presents.  However, one of the gifts made noises, and once he heard that, he opened that one all by himself.  Half way un-wrapped presents were more likely to catch his attention. 

Earlier in the week Karl was busy at work so he could leave early on Friday and we could go camping.  We went to Fremont Peak State Park.  Our site overlooked Monterey valley.  It was a nice view from our site even with the fog-covered lands below.  The only thing that we didn’t like about the spot was that it was next to a parking lot and many came over to watch the sunset.  The bathroom was on the other side of the parking lot and there were a few people congregating there throughout the night.   Most of the time they were quiet, unless they belonged to the noisy scout troop (why don’t they have their own camps—Angela).  Saturday morning we went on a few short hikes up and down the peak, and then headed home.  In the evening we went to Red Lobster for dinner (we have a $10 off coupon).  We were exhausted that evening and were content to just watch Olympics all night.

Early this week, Thomas started cow’s milk.  At first he didn’t it like it much, he preferred formula.  Now he loves it.  Same thing with real oatmeal and cream-of-wheat.

Thomas at 1 year:  He is a good eater, that is unless he doesn’t like it or wants something else to eat.  His favorites are applesauce, peas, bread, cheese and meat.  He has been eating all table food instead of baby food for about a month.  He decided that he would rather eat what we are eating.  If he doesn’t like it so much, he will eat it if he sees us eat it or if we put it on our silverware instead of his plastic spoon.  He has six teeth.  He walks everywhere.  He likes to grab our fingers and take us to places he wants to go (the door for outside, the refrigerator for food, and the bathroom doors to play in the bathroom cupboards).  He says both Mama and Dada.  He understands many words like outside, dada, ball, shoes, book, get the mail, etc.  He will look under the sofa if he looses his ball there and then try to retrieve it.  He will grab his shoes when we put on his socks.  He loves to be outside (too bad we don’t have a backyard).  He is, for the most part, a very happy child—that is unless he doesn’t get his way or he is tired.  He has the cutest smile and MANY people have said so.  He smiles at all stranger, but shies away when they get in his space.  He is a good sleeper (except at church).  He loves balls and books.  He loves to take things out and put other things back in.  (He loves to take out the Tupperware). He smiles and laughs at the strangest things.  If someone passes gas or burps and we say “xcuse me” he laughs.  Lately he has begun to sing or at least that is what it sounds like (different from his talking).  He loves the bathtub and swimming.  He loves to go upstairs, both in our arms and on his own.  Lately he has wanted to walk up them—he does a pretty good job when he holds our hands.  He thinks he can just walk down them—fortunately we catch him before he does.  He loves to play with his daddy.  We look forward to all the things he will do this next year.