Dear Karsten---
Let Mommy begin by saying that she can hardly believe she's planning your 1st birthday party. It seems like just a few months ago that we brought you home. Mommy and Daddy are enjoying you so much. You are beginning to understand games like Peek a Boo and you love when we "chase" you...I'm sure that will continue to the point that it is no longer a game for us! You have a great sense of humor and understand silly faces and funny voices. You think it's hilarious when we talk to you in a funny voice or say "peeeeee U" when we're changing your stinky diaper. You currently love playing with most of your toys and you love dragging certain things around like your barn. You'll also try to crawl while holding things in both of your hands. You love pushing a plastic bottle around on the wood floors. You still use your pointer finger to feel textures and scrape at things.
You are a great traveler and have no problem with your car seat. Most of the time you will fall asleep in the car if the trip is over 10 minutes. When you do stay awake you're interested to look outside, play with your toys, and babble to yourself. You also enjoy taking your socks off during car rides! You still love books; holding them, flipping the pages, and chewing on them. We read to you everyday, although don't always sit still for the story. I know, however, that it's good for you to hear us read books because of the repetition of words and the cadence in how we read.
This month we've introduced you to many new foods. We had to take a little break the past couple of weeks because you're tummy was upset from antibiotics you were taking, but you like lots of different things: Black beans, cooked carrots, potatoes, zucchini, peas, avacado. We've started also feeding you plain Greek yogurt with baby fruit mixed in. You really like that and it's so good for you. You're not big on pasta or bananas. Mommy has also started buying Magic Pop rice crackers, at HEB, and you love those. You like bigger pieces so you can hold onto them. You still love your bottle, but are doing great drinking out of your sippy cup.
We've also been taking lots of walks using your big boy stroller. You just chill out and look around. Sometimes you even fall asleep. We live in such a beautiful neighborhood with walking paths, lakes, fountains, a playground, and lots of turtles in the lakes. You really like your big boy stroller when we're shopping or running errands as well.
I believe you're at the beginning stage of talking. You'll see Zoe and say something that resembles kitty. Sometimes you will say mama and dada or baba. I think when you figure it all out you'll never stop. You love when we sing to you and you continue to enjoy watching Baby Einstein.
Sadly, this month was also the first time you've been sick. You ended up having a sinus and ear infection that resulted in your taking antibiotics for the first time. Thankfully, you never ran a fever, but you struggled to get a good night's sleep because you were having a difficult time breathing through your nose. You are so attached to your Wubby (pacifier) that you really struggled when you were trying to sleep and suck on your pacifier, but couldn't breath. It made for some late nights with you, but you're totally worth it!
Not only are you absolutely adorable, your personality is really beginning to develop. You continue to be easy going, sweet, and very social. You love spending time with both of your parents and having people pay attention to you. You get upset when you don't get your way, but you quickly get over it and move on. The few times I've had to raise my voice at you because you we're trying to play with the outlet and you bit me, the sound of my "teacher" voice startled you and hurt your feelings.
When we went to the Pediatrician a few weeks ago (when you were sick) you weighed 19lbs 14 oz. You probably aren't going to be a big kid, but your personality will surely be larger than life!!! You have 7 teeth and crawl around very quickly. You can pull up on furniture and stand and are slowly learning to move around things while standing.
Darling boy, you are the sunshiine in our lives....making everyday full of joy, happiness, and unexpected moments. We are so blessed to get to raise you and watch you grow and develop into who God created you to be. You are our greatest treasure and we love you more and more every day!
Love,
Mommy (and Daddy)
serious face (something we see more than many would imagine!)
and hands down, one of my favorite photos of Karsten
ang- he is so amazing!
Posted by: amy | February 22, 2012 at 09:14 PM
I just CAN'T believe it has almost been a year! LOVER these pics. I am pretty sure I need one to put in a frame. He's a keeper!
Posted by: CB | February 23, 2012 at 10:54 AM
So.amazingly.adorable. 10 months has flown by! I absolutely LOVE the pictures of Karsten laughing...........puts a big smile on my face!
Posted by: Carol H - Fairview Heights, IL | February 24, 2012 at 10:52 AM
No one else can make a more natural and admirable smile than a baby like Karsten. Although he got sick at that time, his cute personality hasn't changed at all. I'm sure you took care of him a lot during those days. You indeed deserved to be a proud mommy for Karsten, Angela! =) By the way, did you go to a doctor that time?
Posted by: Chalice Lindgren | August 29, 2012 at 01:09 PM