Happy Birthday Jack!
Your first year flew by so fast. One minute I was welcoming you into my arms, and I closed my eyes for but a second, and you are
one. I cried on your birthday, mourning the rapidly ending days of your babyhood, but I'm so eager to see who God is shaping you to be. You are funny and charming, and you have a million-dollar smile. You happily play all day long, sometimes on your own, sometimes with your sisters, and though you'll wander off to explore, you are always back near me, checking in, touching, making sure I'm still there.
You are cruising still, and I keep thinking walking is imminent (since I'm writing this more than three months late, you didn't walk until 15 months). You are a "rascal-baby" as Eleanor has dubbed you, into everything. Your favorites are the office to mess with the computer and the pantry, and if you can get your hands in the toilet, it's an extra special day for you.
You have yet to grace us with what I would call good sleep, but you aren't the worst sleeper ever, so I'll survive. You go down for naps very easily, twice a day, and each nap is usually a couple hours long.
Mealtimes are fun, because you aren't a picky eater yet (and hopefully never). You seem to like a lot of seasoning and don't mind spicy foods too much. We had to get you tested for nut allergies before we could introduce anything, and praise God you aren't allergic. We started you on almond milk and almond butter, since these are also safe for Eleanor, and if we get a moment without her around, we'll try out some peanut butter just for fun.
You seem to have sensitive skin, and we are constantly battling eczema on your face (to come over the summer - an elimination diet that seems to prove it isn't dietary, but it did give your skin a break and your face cleared up, with no reaction when the foods were brought back in).
You clap and point and babble and sit back and observe and love bathtime and your sisters and you are just the most fun.
