last can of formula, first pair of shoes

I think that I may have bought Daniel's last can of formula today! Once he hits the one year mark, he will transition to whole milk. From $23.99 for 96 oz. to $2.99 for 128 oz., I am pumped!

We also bought his first pair of real shoes today. I got a little choked up in the shoe store because I realized that I was due exactly one year ago today, and here I was with my almost one year old as he toddled around the store. Wow! Time really flies. Daniel is so good with people. He did not complain at all as the salesperson measured his feet. We went to this little store in DC that has been here for 25 years. Excellent service, for the same price as a chain Stride Rite. I love independent places.

Daniel is just brilliant, to use a term from one of the South African au pairs in my group. He is so much fun and is learning so much. He can mimic just about everything now. He will brush my hair with his brush after his bath. In the morning, while he watches me brush my teeth, he grunts for my toothbrush and puts it in my mouth for me. I taught him how to touch me gently as opposed to whacking me in the face, and yesterday, he actually did it on his own!! It occurred to me that I am a teacher, and it makes sense to apply the concept of teaching him not to hit me as opposed to just saying, "gentle" 46 times like so many other moms I run into. Duh, right?

The big party for Daniel's one year mark is next Saturday, and I am tring to get lots of projects finished up around the house. Having people over is good motivation. Who knew window treatment could make such a difference? My living room looks much more pulled together now. World Market came through for me again!

Will post pics of Daniel in his new kicks tomorrow.

ddggee

Ddggee means Doggie! Yep, Daniel's third word! I noticed it this week, and then today I was talking to my friend and I mentioned this. As soon as Daniel heard me say, "doggie" he smiled and said, "dddgggee!"

WALKING!

Daniel is a walker! He has been taking a few steps here and there for the last two weeks, but as of yesterday, I will officially say he is walking. Ty's fiance was here last night, as was Aunt Jo, and Mr. Personality turned it on. He would throw something and go walking after it, squat to pick it up, regain his balance, and do it again. Very impressive. Wow!

Nat, your pics are coming soon!

Mr. Personality

Just call my son "Mr. Personality." He is really blossoming! Jabbering away at anyone and everything, Danial is such an interactive baby. He is still in love with dogs and little kids. We went to visit Gramps and Gigi last weekend where Daniel frolicked with the poodle of some friends of theirs. The dog loved Daniel and Daniel just laughed and squealed whenever Cody came over to smell him and lick him. His latest facial expressions include wrinkling his nose and pushing his lips together up under his nose. Oh, and he thinks it's fun to stick his tongue out at you and get you to do it back to him. Daniel will point to things that he wants! And he also points to things and jabbers at you, so I think he explaining and describing the item to me. Right now, it happnes to be the elephants, giraffes, and polka dots on his high chair.

He is taking small steps to get between his cruising posts. He did it for the first time on Thursday, August 31st. It's okay with me if he waits a little bit longer to start really walking. I don't know if I can stomach the bumps and injuries. He poked himself in the eye yesterday and mildly scratched his cornea and I barely escaped a nervous breakdown!

We started a sign language playgroup this week. If Daniel takes to the sign language, that will be a bonus. I really just want him to be around some other babies his age on a regular basis. I don't think any baby his age shares or really plays, but last time we went he yelled at the other ones and threw his toys at them! We play roll the ball back and forth a lot, so I think he expected the other kids to throw them back to him.

I am so glad the weather is finally cooling off and we can get outside some more. If I had a solution for the mosquitos in our back yard, we'd probably spend a lot more time out there. They will die off sooner or later, right?

I am way behind in downloading photos, so I promise to post some in the next day or so. The au pair business has been extremely busy the last couple of weeks, so I am off to do interviews and meetings with host families an au pairs almost every evening after Scott comes home.