Happy Birthday, Collin!

Yesterday was Collin's actual first birthday! It is hard to believe he is already one. We celebrated by giving him his gift from Mommy and Daddy. We got him a Little Tikes Castle playset. Since it was so cold outside we set it up inside. He was not sure what to think of it. We put him in the swing and slid him down the slide and he loved it. We cannot wait for the weather to warm up so he can go outside and play. Collin also got to open a gift from Grandmommy and Granddaddy. They bought him a little dog that he can pull along and barks like a real dog. Collin loved it!

Today Collin had his 12 month check-up. He now weighs 22 pounds, 8 ounces (50%)and is 30.5 inches long (75%). The doctor said Collin looked great! He has caught up in his development of skills such as crawling and cruising and appears to be right on track. He does still have fluid in his left ear that has been there since late August and has not budged despite two rounds of antibiotics. The doctor is confident it will go away over time and is going to recheck it in six weeks. Poor baby had to get three shots and have his finger pricked to check his iron level. Needless to say, Collin does not like going to the doctor and now knows what is going to happen as soon as he sees the exam table.

Over the past month Patrick and I have seen so many changes in Collin. The biggest is that he is now a crawling machine and into everything. Anytime he realizes he is alone with Mommy or Daddy not right beside him, he makes a beeline to Sweetie's food. He is obsessed with throwing his toys in her water and eating her food. I would not think it tastes good but he loves it. He is also crawling all over the house. He loves to go to his room and take everything off his shelf and then dump his diaper bin and humidifier. He is now crawling up on all fours and is fast! He is definitely keeping us in shape.

Collin is also talking up a storm. He loves to say "da-da" and has started saying "hey da-da" when he comes in from work. He has even started to try to say Sweetie to our cat. Collin is also starting to recognize so many things. If we lay out his barn animals he can find the horse, cow, duck and dog. Such a smartie! If we ask him to get a toy like his ball or balloon he can go and find it. Each day is so much fun to see what he will pick up.

Words cannot express how much we love Collin and how much joy he brings into our lives. We always say we wish we could keep him at this age forever because he is just so sweet and can do so much. We thank God everyday for sending us this miracle and keeping him healthy and safe thus far.