Bubba one

3 years ago when we first entered into the world of NZ parenthood, the term 'Bubba' or 'Bubs' (slang for baby) really iritated me. I refused to use it. Who would call their baby such a thing? Several years later I now use it as a term of endearment. It just rolls effortlessley from my mouth...you, Wyatt, are my Bubba and last month your turned one. My how things change.

This week you have begun to master the art of walking, and you think it is the coolest thing in the world. You walk a bit like Frankenstein - arms out in front of you, legs kicking out in front of you, till you lose your ballance and fall down. You look so proud of yourself, when you are walking, and indeed WE ARE very proud of you. Claps, cuddles, and laughter encourage you to keep going.

You crawl faster than the speed of light, and often you chase your brother around the house on all fours - walking can't quite get you there fast enough. You have no sense of fear. You like to climb up on the couch (where your brother sits perched in the corner watching cartoons) and then tumble off when you lose your ballance. Your sense of adventure has made us very aware of where you are at all times. This year has gone by so incredibly fast. You still feel very new to us, and it's hard to believe that you are already one. You have become very vocal, and like to chatter and babble away to no one in particular. You like to make yourself heard, and especially like to pick up the phone and say 'Da-da.'

Your favourite things are pushing the buttons on the telephone (luckily 111 has yet to be dialed!), opening up the microwave, unrolling TP, taking every tissue out of the box, dropping things into the toliet (my cell phone was the latest casuality), throwing balls, and your of course your big brother, Luca.

You are my little dancer. When you hear music, your whole face lights up, and you start shaking your head and bending your knees. You like it most when I dance with you - the more crazy the better. Your love being dipped down low and raised up high. Perhaps (shhh don't tell Daddy this plan) you'll want to take dance lessons when you are older. Everyone knows that guys that can dance get all the girls, right?

Grandma Cassie was visiting us for your Birthday. I feel so lucky that she was able to help us celebrate. She made you a pretty amazing tractor cake, and we invited close family and friends round for a BBQ dinner and cake.

You are more relaxed than your brother was at this age, and a much better sleeper. Dare I say that from about 6-7 months you sleep effortlessly through the night. Perhaps I'm jinxing myself by declaring that...You even take naps in your cot, which we struggled to get Luca to do. I think that's the 2nd child syndrome. The parents have figured out how to do things and we don't stress as much along the way. That, and a fairly structured bedtime routine helps.

I've spent countless hours with you balanced on my hip as we go about our everyday routines. I cherish how you grab on to my shoulders and shirt with your pudgy little hands - like a monkey clinging on for the ride. Still my favourite part of the day is putting you bed to night. I feed you a bottle (he's still a baby, ok?) and then pat your back as I wait for that gut wrenching burp to come out. You then rub your eyes, yawn, and put your head on my shoulder before I put you into bed. When I wake you up in the morning, you lay that little head again on my shoulder and give me cuddles. Warm, just woken up baby cuddles. There is no sweeter moment in life.

I love you Bubba~

Mommy