The Big Man on Campus

Joshua turned one a few weeks ago! I just wanted to post a quick update on how and what he's doing right now, mostly for my own memory later down the road. So, here goes...

Teeth - 4, the top two came in just in time for his birthday!
Walking - Not yet, but crawls like crazy and is standing on his own, which gets much applause from us and Abby, and Joshua thinks that's pretty awesome.
Favorite birthday gift - Balloons! He called them "boons" and gets excited every time he sees them.
Words - Mama, Dada (sometimes calls him Dadoo), and looks around in the morning, saying "where's Dada?", Abba (Abby), thank you (he says this whenever someone hands him food. He loves food!), what's that?, hi, bye, "boon", doggie, Boo. That's all I can think of right now. He also yells. A lot, and mostly for food. This is getting kind of old, to be honest!
He has finally started drinking from a sippy cup after refusing all attempts for the last 4(?) months, and never taking a bottle!
He eats everything in sight. No food goes untried, including raw onion and garlic. He cried when Brian took the onion away.
He is finally putting on more weight and getting sweet chubby cheeks again. We still don't know why he had a rough time there for the past 6 months, but it seems to be working itself out. Yay!
After months and months of waking up at night and screaming, and all of out attempts to train him to sleep, in the past week he has finally started sleeping through the night. Well, until 5 or so in the morning at least. I feed him and put him back to sleep until 8 or so, which is really nice. This has been such a relief for us. We're feeling much better now that we're getting some regular sleep. Joshua seems happier, too. He is also finally going to sleep right away at night and naptime. SUCH a relief to be hearing less screaming around here.
He is still a mama's boy. He gets so excited whenever he sees me and starts saying "Mama" and holding out his arms. Super cute! Not so cute, however, is when he frequently hangs on my pant leg and whines while I'm trying to get things done. This is especially a problem when I'm still in my pajamas and my pants end up around my knees. :-p
He is determined to be a part of everything. He is not content to play with his toys while Abby and I do an activity. He wants to be in on every tea party, and he will "stir" with a spoon and a cup for quite some time. He loves to color, and he holds a crayon and marks on paper pretty well for a little guy. He and Abby love wresting and jumping around on her bed. They laugh and laugh.

I know there's more, but it's late! Tomorrow is Monday...boo! Abby will wake up tomorrow morning and be all disappointed that Daddy isn't home. :-)