Keeping up with the Strange's: Our Big 1 Year-Old

      Justin and I have been talking about this day for the last 6 months. I can't believe it has come and gone. One year ago, we had no idea what to expect. We were nervous and excited. Colt came in to the world 2 weeks early, and challenged us in ways we never could have imagined.
      Today, we have the most amazing son. We are enjoying watching him develop. He still looks like me, but now has Justin's eyes- shape and color. His body proportions are exactly like Justin- short legs and a long torso, but Justin says he has my "five head" and long neck. He has big feet- size 5.5 right now and growing by the minute.
     His personality is a lot like Justin. He likes to take it all in. He is observant like me, but constantly moving- like both of us. Fortunately, and unfortunately, he is very independent and has a mind of his own- which he gets from both of us too. He is very rotten- like Justin! When you tell him no- he looks at you and tries to do it again. And he loves to throw his food off the table and feed Winston. When he smiles... he SMILES! And he laughs with the biggest belly laugh for someone so small. He is content to just walk around the house and look at everything. But he LOVES being outside.

     Here are some of his new favorites....

everything with buttons and music
animals
sticking his finger up his nose
crinkling his nose at people
dancing
the lent roller
food- chicken fingers, cheese, yogurt, animal crackers, potatoes, bread
basketball- his little fisher price one. He is good!
any ball- which was his first word after dada and mama
tickles- he loves to be tickled!
stairs
peek-a-boo- he likes to pull a blanket over his head and play with us
Little People

Developmentally

he is great with his pincer grip
he pushes any button, even really small ones
he gives high fives
he waves- but only if he wants too- he has a mind of his own
He sleeps 12 hours a night (it has been 10.5 hours since he was 12 weeks old, but started doing 12 hours this week!) He usually goes to bed between 9-10 and wakes up about 9!!!! And he still does a great job going to sleep on his own. We usually sing and pray while he drinks his milk and then he goes down. (Hopefully we can transition to the sippy cup soon)
He usually takes a short nap in the morning and a long nap in the afternoon- usually 1-3 pm.

Justin and I truly feel like we are the luckiest parents in the world. We must turn to each other at least once a day and say- "we have the best kid ever!"