Johnson Doodles: Grady 1.0

Although I've had a one year old for a couple of weeks now, when asked how old Grady is, I still stumble a bit before I can get around to saying that he is one. I cannot believe that we have a one year old! I'll admit, I wept a bit the week before he turned one maybe in part because life has been so busy these days that I was sad I hadn't been able to savor those baby days enough and maybe in part just because life is just so beautiful. I never knew the immense joy that would come with seeing a little person develop who is part me, part Christopher, and 100% his own little person.

This has been the fastest, most amazing, and life-changing year of my life. I remember that first time I was handed my little Grady in the delivery room finally able to see the little boy who'd been with me for nine months. I'd imagined that moment so many times while I was pregnant and for years before even becoming pregnant and nothing can compare to the way I felt when I could finally touch his perfect little ears and see his tiny fingers wrap around my pinky finger. Now the same wonder continues with each stage along the way. My heart swells with love with each new day, new milestone, new endearing little trait that our Grady shows us as he becomes a little person. I am thankful today and every day for the privilege of being a mom. How God knows to match each parent with child (whether by birth, adoption, or other life circumstance) is the real miracle in my mind because I look at Grady every day and wonder just how God knew to give him to me. He is not perfect, but he is perfect for me. Grady you are the light of our life, and we are forever thankful for you.

Grady tid bits at ONE!

Grady is wildly active, precocious, observant, independent, strong-willed, spirited, adventurous, and hilarious.
spirited = nice way of saying fit thrower.
He is on the move at almost all times, but lucky for me still likes to be rocked to sleep most days.
He has started to talk and in true, strong-willed Grady spirit his first very clear and word was "no!" Bella barks, Grady says "no no". We tell Grady not to do something and he turns to us and says "no no." Grady decides he doesn't want to do something and he shakes his little finger at us and says "no no". Oh boy, we are in trouble.
Grady also now says "mama" (his second word after learning No!), "dada" (new this weekend!), "dut" (duck), '"git tu" ("get you" when being chased), "wa" (water), "mo" (more), "ba" (bottle or ball depending on context), "beda" (Bella), "ow" (said while he disturbingly slaps his face) and "whoa" (probably said most frequently behind no).
When trying out new words, he'll first move his lips without any sound coming out. It is not even a whisper, it is a silent word.
When driving home from Priest Lake, in an attempt to entertain Grady, I'd hide behind his car seat and peek my head out and say "boo" and he'd giggle and giggle. We did this probably 50 times before Grady got tired, threw a fit, and eventually fell asleep. When he woke up he alerted us that he was awake by saying "boo!" It cracked us up and ever since then, "boo" is a new favorite word.
He loves to hold his towel over his head and play "boo" or to hide behind his rocking chair and say boo. He tries to sneak into any little small corner of the house just to hide these days. It is adorable.
His very favorite activity is still being chased around the house by us, which is now followed closely by mowing the house with his new lawnmower, which still has yet to see any real grass.
He also loves being outside and having the freedom to explore.
Favorite foods include grilled cheese, sweets, and anything that anyone around him is eating but it doesn't count if he has the exact same thing on his highchair, he must see it come from the plate of others if he is going to enjoy it.
He has started mimicking what we do, water the flowers with the hose, push the wheel barrow, talk on the "phone", I guess we need to start acting like mature adults.
He holds everything that is semi flat (drink coasters, books, flip flops, etc.) up to his ear like it is a telephone and tilts his head as if talking on the phone.
Without fail if he picks up a blanket, a stuffed animal, or anything remotely soft, he tilts his head to the side and nuzzles his cheek to the soft object and loves it when we saw "awwwwwww."
Despite cousin Cam having already received two haircuts, Grady's hair consists of white wisps that preserve his baby face.
He does like to brush his "hair" when he gets out the bath and he thinks getting his toothbrush is the best treat ever.
He sleeps so cutely with his butt straight up in the air, arms tucked under him.
He has the best giggle of any kid I've ever heard (and yes, that is probably because he is my son). It is contagious and so sweet.
He'll stop to boogie wherever he hears music. Sometimes this happens in a store when I don't even hear the music.
His jumping on the trampoline consists of bending his knees in much the same style as his so-called "dancing", he is so proud when he "jumps" on the trampoline.
After taking a bit of a swimming hiatus, the boy is back in the pool.
He LOVES sprinklers and is still a water boy. He runs straight into the freezing water so that he can put his hand over the spraying sprinkler.
He understands much more than I used to think he did. I asked him he wanted his shoes off yesterday and he bent down and started undoing the velcro.
He destroyed his birthday cake like no kid I've ever seen before. It is a good thing he likes sprinklers so much because an outside shower was much needed to remove the neon blue frosting from his hair, back (how does that even happen?) and just about every inch of his body.

Grady, I'd wish that I could do year number one all over with you again because it was so amazing, but I know I'd miss out on all the fun things that you are going to show us this year. Maybe you can work on the fit throwing a little bit, but if that is your only downfall, we'll take it. We love you to the moon and back.

And now for the picture OVERLOAD (I can see Chris rolling his eyes now).

Month 1 (August)