Sol WALKS

Sol has been taking a step or two for a couple of weeks. But tonight was the first time he really started walking.  Love how he walks with his hands in the air, full speed ahead!  If turning 1 didn't make me a mama without a baby, this milestone does.  Grateful that my babe followed the house rule of "no walking before first birthdays!"  

cake photo comparison

JANERS

SOLLY-O

Solly's cake smash

Finally!  A cake smash success! Solly had a grand time during his cake smash.  He just dug right in.  I made everything from scratch.  The cake kind of sucked, to be honest (sorry bud) but Solly didn't seem to mind.  The frosting was whipped cream frosting (cream cheese, whipping cream, and 2 T of sugar), which is what he ate the most of.  There are a lot of photos in this post!  I took about 4 times this many.  There is a video at the bottom of the post.

Jane waited so patiently for Solly to enjoy his cake.  She got to join the fun after Solly had a big turn by himself.  Of course Jane used a fork, so as not to get her hands dirty.  Also, she did not like it when Sol tried to touch her.  

VIDEO!

A letter to my little monster on his first birthday

Dear Sol Bol,

Oh Solly-O (Jane's nickname for you), you are ONE!  It has been so incredible to watch you grow and learn new things this year.  I loved each one of your baby stages and milestones, from the littleness of your newborn days to learning to roll over, sit up,crawl and most recently learning a few words.  Some words that describe you are laid back, serious, patient, clever, daring, and curious.  Here are some things that I want to remember about you at age 1:

You are not a snuggler but you are such a lover. You frequently cover our faces with big slobbery kisses.  Of course you planted your first kiss on Jane...that's ok, though because I was your first word!

You are such a little monkey.  You learned to climb around 9 months and haven't stopped!  I'm so glad you are my second child as I am much more relaxed about that sort of risk.

And you are a little dare devil.  The second child thing also applies here. 

 

You are a serious baby but that does not mean that you are unhappy.  You like to watch and figure things out.

We have all sorts of toys in our house.  Too many, probably.   Of all the things we have, you are completely drawn to balls and cars (such "boy" choices).

You like sensory play.

Your relationship with Jane was the most surprising and amazing part of your babyhood.  Jane loved you from the very first second she saw you. When you were first born, she would bring her toys and books to you and play right alongside you. You would look at her the way you looked at nobody else.  You would smile and laugh for Jane more than anyone else. Now that you are a big boy, you two play together so nicely. We put so many of your baby toys away months ago because you wanted to play whatever Jane is playing with. You two love each other so much!  One of my top hopes is that you and Jane will always be great friends.

THOSE CHEEKS! Need I say more!  I kiss those chubby cheeks countless times throughout the day.  One would think that you would get annoyed with all of those kisses but you don't.  You lean right in and let me smooch those chubby cheeks.

Also, you are so squishy and I love it! 

You recently started enjoying books.  I make a consistent effort to read to you before your two naps and bedtime.  Your favorites are Peekawho, Red Truck, Freight Train, Brown Bear, and any lift the flap.  I love snuggle time that we have together, just the two of us.

You take 2 naps a day.  You sleep in your crib all night long.  You like to snuggle your blanket, but only when you are sleeping or tired.

 

You are not walking yet, but you are so close. I am happy to report that you followed our house rule of waiting until you turned 1 to start walking.  Here you are pushing your wagon up the sidewalk after your big sister.

You enjoy gross motor activities.  Here you are riding your new bike that Grammy and Grandpa gave you for your birthday.

You enjoy being outside.

As I was rocking you to sleep tonight, I kept thinking about how your babyhood whizzed by, more so than with Jane.  I attribute that thought to a couple of things--how quickly you grew (both in height and weight), your ability to explore (you do have a big sister to keep up with!), and finally, just the fact that I am busier with two kids than I was with one.  It went so fast!  But I also had a conflicting thought,--has he really only been with us one year?  You fit so well into our family that it feels like you've always been with us.  You are the perfect fourth member and I am so glad that you are here!  We all love you more than you can know.  I cannot wait to see what adventures we will have during your second year.

Love,

MaMaMa

Sol's new wagon

Sol Bol got an early birthday present--a walker wagon.  Really, this should have been on his Christmas list. Solly took right to it.  He is such a big guy that he can even push Jane!  You'll hear Jane repeatedly say that she thinks Solly's tired.  He wasn't.  She just wanted a turn pushing the wagon.  Solly cried big mad tears when it was time to leave the wagon and head to bed.

Happy 11 months (posted late)

 Sol Bol turned 11 months on Christmas.  This was a big moment in our household, as this will be the last calendar photo shoot.  Solly turns ONE in just a few weeks!

Solly had some big milestones this past month.  He learned to stand on his own.  There is a video HERE taken when he first learned to stand. He is now a really proficient stander. I encourage him to try to take a step, but as Jane Says, "Solly not interested."  Solly also learned words. Of course, my mama heart is happy to report that I am his first word!  He calls for me "mama" when he wants to be picked up, when he first sees me, when I leave the room, ect. Shortly after, he learned a second word ("das", which is what Jane called nursing when she was a baby so we have always termed it that as well).  I didn't think Solly would be interested in nursing for an entire year, but he has recently become obsessed, often trying to help himself.  Honestly, I'm ready for a break.  I've had a nursing child (or 2) for almost 3 years.

Solly is a true boy.  He gravitates towards boy toys--cars, trucks, and balls.  He loves to climb on everything, wrestle, knock things over, and play rough.  Solly can hold his own with Jane.  He tattles on her (by looking at Erik and me and whining) when she takes something from him.  And he is such a big guy that he rarely flinches when Jane runs into him.  But Jane and Sol really are great friends!  Jane asks for Sol first thing and the morning and almost always wants Sol down on the floor playing with her.  Solly wants to play whatever Jane is playing with, looks for her when he wakes up from his nap, and laughs at her antics like he laughs at nothing else. Other favorite activities... Solly enjoys reading books.  His favorite books are interactive books (like lift the flap and touch feel) but he is starting to really like normal books as well.  Sol also likes to be outside.  We go outside nearly every day, even in the rain (like true Seattlelites!).

Solly also turned into quite the mama's boy this past month.  It took me by surprise, as he was not a mama's baby like his sister was (and is).  I need to be more aware of his desire to be in my arms or within arms reach at all times.  He can be pretty distraught if I move across the room (or worse, leave the room) without him.  I could only snap a couple of photos during our monthly photo shoot before this little one was pulling himself up on me with demands to be picked up.  Of course I love his love and desire to be snuggled, but it can make the day-to-day challenging at times.

Solly also turned into a cuddler this past month, a truechange for him (love it!).  He is also quite the kisser.  He often coveres Jane, Erik, and me with open-mouth slobbery kisses.  

Love what a big guy this tiny baby has grown into!

Video: the kids and some of their Christmas toys

I posted a video of the kids trying out some of their new Christmas toys.  Special thanks to Parker for the basketball hoop and Grammy and Grandpa for the scooter.  Jane got the yoyo and hula hoop from Santa. Of course she is too young for them, but she has been asking for these two things for months.  And she finally got them!  I think she does a pretty good job with them!  At the end of the video, Erik is pushing the kids in Bilibo chairs (just one of Santa's many great deals on Amazon).  Enjoy the video.

Christmas pictures coming soon.