1st Birthday!!

Riley had his first birthday!!  I can't believe he's already 1.  It doesn't feel like he should be "that old".  Maybe because he still feels like a baby and he is still mostly bald, but he doesn't feel old enough to already be a "toddler".

We had a little party for him and it started off with his first cupcake.  He has never been one to actually put food in his own mouth.  In fact, he doesn't really put anything in his own mouth, which I guess is a blessing because I haven't been worried about him choking on anything.  Anyway, he started off slow and Bryan had to put a piece of the cake in his mouth and then...

Then it was time to open presents.  Bryan and I both thought that he wouldn't understand any of what was happening, but he seemed to know everything was about him!  He even got really into the presents he got.  He tore off the paper and was more interested in the toy than the paper which surprised us!  He did however get frustrated when we took a new toy away to open another one.

 We missed a few of the gifts because we didn't grab the camera in time.  Grandma and Grandpa McKinnon got him a wagon!  He LOVES it!  He was in it before it had the wheels on.

 Bryan and I got him a little activity table. He played with one at a neighbors and didn't want us to take him away from it so we figured it was a tried and tested toy!  He loves it as well and it's good because he loves to stand!

 We got it assembled and then he and Charlotte (my old roommate, Lindsey's daughter.  They are only 19 days apart in age) took a spin.  The wagon is cool because it has little seat belts!

 They also made sure they had other toys with them in the wagon.  The little red car is from Grandma and Grandpa Sellers.  He had it with him a lot that day.  Charlotte is playing with puzzle pieces from a gift from Aunt Amy.

Bryan drove them around and around the living room for quite some time and the kids loved it!

 So we decided to take it out for a real test run!  We took Riley around the block in it.  He LOVED the ride and it was a beautiful day!  He talked and laughed and held on and played with the little red car too.

Had some more play time as the day settled.  It's so fun to have some new toys around!  It felt like gifts for me too since I'm playing with them during the day as well.  

It was a great day to celebrate the birth of this sweet boy.  There have been ups and downs, but it's been the greatest year ever.  We love him so much!

Some of the things he can do:

• Took his first steps on Sept 27th!  He's still shaky, but he's getting it. He'll be up and running any day now!
• says "mama" and "dada" but not sure if they are actually directed at us.
• loves the bottom stair.  Takes his toys to it and will play with them there.
• Is becoming quite the daddy's boy!
• Likes to share his binkie.  He'll stick it in our mouths even if we're not provoking him
• Getting a little better at sleeping through the night, but not there yet.
• Finally is taking a bottle again.  That helps while he's being weaned from breast feeding.
• Hyperventilates with excitement when someone comes in the door or are coming from somewhere that he can hear.  He'll run to someone with a huge smile on his face.
• Likes to be chased.
• can blow kisses
• Is still very snuggly
• Has only gained 3 lbs. in 6 months!  He's 23 lbs and is almost average now as opposed to his heavy beginning!
• Loves reading books.  He'll grab one and bring it to us to read.
• Favorite toys: plastic hammer and princess wand! :)
• Likes to throw balls
• Is very good at kicking a ball!