James' First Year

One whole year. I don’t even understand how one entire year could have already passed. The last few months I disappeared from social media, to give myself a break, but in doing so I inadvertently stopped his monthly posts. It’s wild that this is the last time I’ll post a specific update about my sweet boy!

James is absolutely thriving. I can barely remember what life was truly like without him. He, Lily and I have become such a team and have such a special bond. I hope that bond only strengthens with time. Lily still refers to James as “ours” and is very protective of him when other people are around him. She’ll always be a little mama, and I hope the two of them always love each other as fiercely as they do now!

Here’s an update on what life has been like since my last post:

James is walking! He took his first steps in August, and then immediately boycotted walking. These last couple of weeks he’s started doing it more and more! He’s not a full time walker yet, but it’s just a matter of time at this point.
James continues to be THE happiest boy, with the most amazing smile and giggle. It never gets old. Ever.
I’m so grateful that I was able to stay home with him for the first ten months of his life. In September, he started daycare and Lily started pre-k. Lily LOVES pre-k. James hated daycare. It was a very rough transition for him, and for my mama heart. Thankfully, now it’s not an issue. He’s all smiles when I drop him off and when I pick up him. Now, if only we could get him to stop biting the other babies (we’re pretty sure he’s trying to kiss them, haha.).
I’m pretty sure that wrestling an alligator would be easier than trying to get James dressed or changed.
I had to cancel his first birthday party due to Covid quarantine, after finding out he was a close contact at daycare. I went ahead and gave him his cake anyway, and it was still a sweet mini celebration of the big boy he’s become! I’m so grateful he’s too little to know the difference. His balloon terrified him. He’s been giving it the side eye ever since Satruday. I’m glad we didn’t end up blowing up his dinosaur balloon, hahah.
We stopped breastfeeding a few weeks ago. Thankfully, he had no problems weaning off of it.
He didn’t really care for apple picking. Something about touching the apples on the trees totally freaked him out.
James looooves to eat. I don’t think I’ve come across a food yet that he doesn’t like!
He recently learned how to play ball, and it’s probably the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. He’ll throw it, it goes a few inches in front of him, and he gets SO excited when I pick it up and roll it back to him. I could play that game with him all freaking day.
Watching him learn and explore the world is so incredible. I think that’s my favorite part of being his mama. He’s so smart and curious.
He loves looking through books, and eating them.
James is such a good snuggler!
His favorite thing to do is play with anything that opens and closes. And anything with wheels.
He is also obsessed with the bath! Anytime I start running the water for the tub, he beelines for the bathroom and stands on his little tiptoes so that he can stretch his hand out to feel the water as it comes out.

Here’s a trip down memory lane, to see how much he’s grown over the past year, as well as some recent ones from the last few months!