Aaron is ONE! (almost)

Can you believe it? I can hardly believe our baby is almost one! To celebrate, I decided to do something a little different.

We've had Jacob professionally photographed a number of times. I haven't been overly impressed with the chain store company that we have used (and their prices!) and while I liked the private photographer we've used with MOPS, her pictures were getting kinda old, too. So, we just haven't had Aaron professionally photographed very often.

For Aaron's first birthday, I really, really wanted a smash cake with pictures. John thought I was crazy, but I thought it would be fun, especially for my little eater. But I didn't know any photographer who would do it, so I googled for "Orange County Smash Cake." And I found Suzuki Photography. I loved the pictures that she had on her site. And her prices were decent. I went ahead and booked a session.

Wow! Wow! Wow! I like to take pictures of my kids. But I'm not very good at it. This So. Cal. mom is amazing! She has a studio in her home, and two boys of her own, so she really gets kids. And she worked so well with my baby. The pictures are incredible! All we have now is some teaser photos, we should be getting more in a week or so, but you can see them here. I can't wait to see more!

Healthy Boys

I took the boys to their pediatrician for their well-checks today. I was 2.5 weeks late on Jacob's and 2 weeks early on Aaron's but I wanted to save a trip, and I also needed the doctor to check Aaron's ears to assure that they are clear. So, I killed three birds with one stone! Efficiency at it's best!

Anyway, here are their current stats, more for my memory than anything:
Jacob weighs 28 pounds (11th percentile) and is 37.5 inches tall (48th percentile).
Aaron weighs 23.5 pounds (66th percentile) and is 31 inches tall (89th percentile).

The doctor is not at all concerned by Jacob's weight. So, therefore, I'm not going to be either. He eats what he eats, and that's that. He's a smart, creative little man, and maybe someday he will eat a bigger variety. He may always be a vegetarian, but that's his choice to make. I love this guy!

As for Aaron, he's still our little garbage disposal. He will eat anything and everything, including dirt. I love him, too! They are so different. And they love each other so much.

They each got one shot today. This was Aaron's first, as we decided to delay vaccines with him. They both cried, for about 2 seconds. All is forgotten now. My sweet boys.

Talking

Our baby is talking! Aaron is very much a babbler, and has so much to say, as long as it's not in front of an audience. He's been verbalizing "mama' and "dada" (and many other baby babble sounds) for a little while now, but not really expressing a distinction between John and myself, or calling our names to us directly. Recently, he has been waving, or playing "Open, Shut Them" with his hands. And today, when he and I got in the van to go get Jacob, he started to wave his little chubby hand and say, "buh buh. buh buh." It was so stinkin' cute! I guess you really had to be there, and also be one of his parents, to really appreciate this. But I'm proud of my little man! He's saying "Bye, bye!"

And then later on this evening, while I was hiding in our bedroom and on the phone, he came and found me, and then said, "mama. mmmm- mama." Oh, my sweet boy! I am in love.