Becoming a Toddler

Becoming a toddler is hard work, but definitely worth it.

Here I am exercising with my wagon. I'm taking more steps, but really I prefer to walk around the perimeter of furniture. Mom and Dad are impressed that I've stood alone for a few seconds, but since I still really enjoy being carried around, I'll hold off on the solitary walking for a bit.



Grandmama and I had fun for a couple of weeks and then Grandad came down to visit too. He taught me how to make paper airplanes. He's an engineer, so he knows about stuff like that. The paper airplanes are not only fun to fly, but fun to eat.



Grandad also taught me about the benefits of the NY Times Book Review.



And I've discovered that my collection is lacking in a few of this week's recommendations.



Yup, that's Niamh, my baby sister. She's pretty ok. And she's kinda cute, too. But I still don't understand why Mom and Dad don't allow me to pinch her, or poke her, or use her as a drum...




If you look closely, you'll see that I've now got two top teeth, and two more coming in. Teething is part of growing up, but if you ask me, it's kinda painful and not as fun as eating.

The Big One

11 April 2008: I turn ONE! Pretty exciting if you ask me. This birthday thing is pretty great. Daddy gave me a helmet. I wasn't quite sure what it was for, but he showed me later on in the day...



Here are some other highlights:



Mommy and Daddy gave me this walker wagon. I haven't really gotten the hang of it yet, but it's a work in progress. When my baby sister gets older I can walk her in it...



Finally, the helmet makes sense:





My birthday ended with something called a birthday cake. It came with a flaming torch--I was told to blow it out, but Mommy had to help. I'm not saying what I wished for. At first the icing stuff was a little slimy, but after a bit, I discovered not only was it really really really fun to smear around, but it also tasted great!

I'm a Big Brother

So, things have been a little busy around here lately. Mommy and Daddy brought home a baby; they call her my sister. That makes me her big brother. I'm not quite sure what those duties entail yet, but Mom promises it'll be fun. Still, I'm told I have to share my toys with her and that I'm not allowed to date too many of her friends. I don't get it, but that's okay.

She's pretty cute. People say she looks a lot like me when I was her age. If you want to see more of her you can check out her own blog: niamhmarg@blogspot.com.





I'm supposed to be "gentle" when I touch my sister. (Personally, I think it's more fun to squeeze and pinch)...



I may have a baby sister now, but that won't stop me from my own fun (besides, she's not big enough to ride Elijah the elephant yet).

Easter

Spring affords lots of beautiful flowers and new grass (not to mention really, really, bright sunshine) to investigate.





Easter brunch: a feast to feast my eyes on...



Some people say I'm a little messy when it comes to eating.



I say I just have a good appetite and enjoy food.



But, I can have really good manners, too.

Ye wee Lad

True to my heritage, I thought I'd dress up for the occasion of St. Patrick's Day. I need to find me a little lass who can read.




Seems like I'm an important little guy, since Mom and Dad named me for the 6th c. Irish saint (spelled Finnian) who also had a following in Scotland (homage to my surname). Like me, he was a great scholar, was extremely popular in his day, and even had his own feast day (mine is coming up soon enough).




I think St. Finn also enjoyed a good Guinness or two after those long days of copying manuscripts.

Eleven-to-Life

We're hoping Finn doesn't get too used to this view...



At eleven months Finn learned to kneel up in his crib (he has since learned to stand up). Thrilled at his accomplishment, for two days he did it over and over and over, again and again, and again (even in the wee hours of the night). We were thrilled for him. Only problem? Initially he couldn't figure out how to get out of the position and screamed bloody murder until someone rescued him from his predicament. Thankfully, he has since learned how get back into a sitting position.

Mom's Party

My mom is real special. She's so special, in fact, that she's getting ready to turn 30 for the second time in a row! Granddad and Grandmama are visiting to celebrate the occasion, and of course to see me and spoil me and stuff.

In honor of mom and me, we enjoyed a super nice meal out at the Barbadoes Room, and I ate scallops, lamb and duck, as well as some mushroom risotto and various veggies and an entire adult size bowl of blueberry yogurt and some other concoctions including key lime pie. Whew!

Yeah, everyone expressed amazement at my appetite, to be sure. But aside from the heavy chowing down, I also endeavored to turn on the charm so as to further distract my awesome mom from her Aging Process, whatever that is: