1 year old

Miles turned 1 last Tuesday (9/14)!!! This post is just a tad bit late. We had a busy week getting ready for his first birthday party that was today. This post will be his "chair picture post" and his birthday party pictures will come later (hopefully tomorrow).

It's crazy to think that a year ago today we were anxiously (and that doesn't even describe it) awaiting a call from our caseworker in North Carolina to deliver the news about what Miles' birth mom had decided; to place or to parent. It was a very long and very emotional day! Sometimes that day feels like forever ago and sometimes that day feels like it was yesterday. We have been so blessed over this last year by having Miles in our lives. He is the greatest little guy! We also continue to thank our Heavenly Father daily for Miles' birth mom and for her sacrifice and selflessness. It has been a fun year experiencing life with Miles.

This month Miles...

• Basically went from walking to running. He is full of energy and likes to get places fast!
• Continues to be very vocal. We had a lady a few rows in front of us on the plane mention how vocal he is!
  
• Has 7 teeth now; 4 on the top & 3 on the bottom. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the 4th tooth on the bottom so he'll be balanced!
• Is starting to exhibit more and more "stranger danger." He tends to be especially scared of men although he is still a daddy's boy.
• Is still taking two naps a day.
• Continues to be a great sleeper at night and sleeps for 11-13 hours straight.
• He is trying to get the arm rolling technique down for songs like Pat-A-Cake and The Wheels on the Bus.
• He loves playing outside and loves putting everything "yucky" in his mouth.
• He loves getting up on the couch, going up the stairs, and being in the kitchen, all things he is only allowed to do while being closely supervised.
• Will throw a small fit if told "No."
• Loves to do everything Mom is doing and will follow her around crying asking to be picked up so he can "help."
  
• Is at the 81st percentile for weight, 93rd percentile for length, and 69th percentile for head circumference.
  

I could go into all of the details like the fact that if you put your hand out and say, "Give it to me." he sometimes actually does give it to you, etc. etc., but I figure those are mainly things that the doctor and us as his parents are interested in.

At his 12 month checkup, the doctor said, "It doesn't get any better than this." He then followed this statement with an explanation about how well he is doing in the growth department as well as the development department. He is right on track and even ahead in some areas. The doctor also suggested we get a basketball hoop installed at our house soon because he thinks Miles will continue to be a big/tall boy.

Just in case you were wondering, this is the last monthly update on Miles. I'll periodically post updates on how he is doing, but not on a monthly basis with his chair picture like we've been doing.