Bub

That's what we call him. "Bub," "Bubby," "Mamas" as in "Mama's Boy," and "Cookie." Lately I've been trying to call him by his actual name.....I think knowing his name would be a good thing!

I can tell that he understands more and more of what we're saying to him....there are a few catch phrases that he's very familiar with. If we say, "Hey Bub, whats in your mouth?" He immediately makes a "blech" sound, wrinkles up his nose, and spits whatever is in his mouth out for our inspection. Well trained, that one! If we say "Hey Bub, no no no no!!!" when he starts to climb the stairs - he looks over his shoulder and flashes us an adorable little grin - as if to say "hey, I didn't leave the gate down. YOU DID" and then scrambles up the stairs as fast as his chubby legs can carry him. If we say "Hey Bub! Are you hungry? Want some num num num?" He starts crawling over to his high chair while "air chewing." Once he's in his chair ,and he can see the food preparation happening he starts eagerly saying "MMMM!!!!!! NUM NUM NUM!!!!!"

Bub's favorite toy is the Playskool busy ball popper. He thinks it's fantastic. I've been meaning to take some pictures of him playing with it, but really - a video would be better. How else can I capture all of the screeching?

He adores his brothers, and the feeling is mutual. Luckily, they've both been very sweet to him and are very understanding when he knocks over their towers or ruins their race tracks. R. plays with him a little more than N. does - and so, they are especially close. Funny, I always thought that N. would be "the joint" between the other two brothers. It's pretty clear that R. will do the job instead. Most would say that it's typically the middle sibling who does this - but I wasn't sure how R. would react to the baby. I know I've said this before - but for all of his....um....indiscretions as a four year old human being - he's a wonderful big brother. He could work on being a better little brother....that's for sure.....but he's got the older brother thing down pat.

Typical for an almost one year old - Bub is into everything. The dishwasher, the fridge, the closet where the boys keep their shoes (he seems to have a bit of a shoe fetish just like N did....and still does.....) the pantry, and every and any drawer he can break into. We really need to update our childproof latches because they are now well over three years old.

Yesterday, Bub took three steps! It seems like he's making a very obvious effort to walk. I'm in no hurry! But sadly - he seems to be. And needless to say - he's huge. Just really tall and really solid. I swear he's bigger than his brothers were. I should weigh him to confirm....all I know is I ordered him some 18-24 month clothes for this fall, and most of the tops went back in exchange for the 2T. He's in 18-24 months now. All torso. Huge hands (see pool pic!) Again - no surprise there.

His hair is undeniably red. Paired with his light brown eyebrows, dark eyelashes, and huge round, greenish eyes - he's adorable. Going to the grocery store is an event, because I can't go two lanes without someone stopping to tell me how cute my baby is. Who doesn't love that? Of course - he's always clapping and smiling at the grocery store because he LOVES LOVES LOVES balloons. Have you ever noticed how many balloons there are in the average Safeway? LOTS! I'm cheap though - I only buy him one if we happen to be at the crap (dollar) store. Because....balloons are only - you guessed it - $1 at the crap (dollar) store! And they're $3.99 at Safeway. If I buy him a balloon, it'll be coming straight out of my Diet Pepsi allowance and we can't have that.


This year has just flown by. Truly - I can't believe my littlest guy is almost one year old. He's a wonderful, beautiful, splendid little child. We're so lucky to have him.