Year One

Happy first birthday to my baby boys. You are my sunshine... in that sometimes you are the comforting warmth of the afternoon.... and sometimes the stubborn beam of light finding its way between the curtains accidentally left ever so slightly ajar to fall perfectly across one's eyes at the crack of dawn on a Saturday.

These sweet innocent faces!? They'd never cause any trouble!

(Jack left, Henry right)

Well...

(Henry left, Jack right)

Around the House

Family portraits on the front porch:

(Jack with Dad, Henry with Mom)

Henry plays peek-a-boo in the curtain with Jack:

Jack prays hard for the cell phone to be turned over...

... but is ultimately disappointed.

Trying out a new look at Baby Gap:

 (Jack above, Henry below)

Can't wait to get to the twin pillow, and are thus fed like baby goats:

(Henry left, Jack right)

Jack shows off his climbing skills, sitting in a toy box, which he has also used to gain access to the couch and coffee table:

True, our house is small, but one would still think Henry could find a better place to sit than in Jack's lap:

I've had less time for reflection than I would have liked. Two nights a week, as soon as the boys are in bed, I race off to the gym to work with my rehabilitative personal trainer to continue my recovery. The other nights I'm supposed to work on my exercises at home... although more often than not, by the time cleanup and dinner is done, I just collapse into a bit of stupor before I stumble off to bed.

Jack

Jack is a charming little bundle of energy. He has a wide range of facial expressions and vocalizations. Though not at all consistent with his words yet, he has said "Daddy," "Dada," "Mama," "Mom," "Henry" (that one was a bit surprising, but very clear) and "head" (while smacking his brother on the noggin). He shakes his head frequently and with vigor... we are not looking forward to him figuring out the word "no."

Enjoying his sippy cup:

Though his physical therapy continues for his curling toes, he pulls himself up well now, and stands correctly about half the time. Though he doesn't walk yet (he does cruise a bit), he's developed a penchant for climbing.

I tried to tell him that his selected book was above his reading level; he was incredulous.

Jack continues to steal pacifiers and toys from his brother with impish enthusiasm, and loves to chase Henry down, grab him with both hands, and attempt to tackle him to the floor. Jack is surprisingly strong, and will try to crush new toys in his hands (just to see if he can, I guess?). We keep a close eye on him to be sure he doesn't injure his brother or figure out how to climb something new and exciting.

Showing off his new facial expression: pout.

Other hobbies include: drumming on everything, blowing raspberries, going on afternoon walks with Daddy, pushing boxes and the like across the floor then trying to climb into them, using his four teeth to grip blocks and wear them like noses, and laughing maniacally while held upside-down. His favorite book by far is Goodnight Moon (he always points to the mouse on the "goodnight mouse" page).

Goofy boy, pushing his birthday toy cement mixer from Grandma Cindi and Grandpa Larry:

Henry

Henry has recently learned to clap (thanks to Aunt Staci!) and is enjoying that immensely. He's a solid cruiser and has started to stand on his own for up to five seconds (!) at a time. He's working hard to figure out the whole walking thing.

Yay, bottle!

His favorite vocalizations are an insistent babble of "bwabwabwa" and his roar, although he still does have an excellent shriek. He's an enthusiastic but disastrously messy eater, still having a bit of a sweet tooth and an obsession with whatever Steve and I are eating. He's up to six teeth now, with more on the way.

Our little Dexter, enjoying his beets:

He's a very sweet little boy, who gives gentle headbutts of affection to people he likes. He's taken to holding my hand (well, fingers) when he's feeling cuddly.

Playing with Mom under the bouncer:

Other hobbies include: untying Daddy's shoes while he's getting ready for work, racing around the room with a squeak toy in each hand (so he squeak, squeak, squeaks as he zooms by), being chased around the living room by Mom or Dad, having Mom sing along with his toy piano and tickle him while he hits the keys, and turning pages in his board books.

Visiting

Steve's parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year. The boys did their best to be adorable for the celebratory open house in Sacramento.

Jack with Grandma Loveridge:

Henry not fully appreciating Cousin Nathan's hat loan (Jack seems interested, though):

Nathan makes it up to Henry with the loan of his cell phone... Henry considers his capacity for forgiveness:

Jack brandishing his victorious car after winning a race against Grandpa Loveridge:

On the day of the event, the boys (with name tags identifying them as the honorees' grandsons placed on their backs to prevent removal and consumption) cruise the party:

We returned to Sacramento weeks later to celebrate the boys' first birthday. The weather was a bit toasty so, while they didn't celebrate in full birthday suits, they did party pants-less.

Henry operates the remote on Grandpa's chair (he really enjoys pushing buttons...):

Henry on the loose!

Jack on left, Henry on right, probing the perimeter for weaknesses:

Uncle Ed and Jack have a staring contest (Grandpa waits to take winner):

Aunt Tiffany plays with Henry:

Cousin Tim made birthday cupcakes for the boys (thanks, Tim!). Jack was unsure of his course of action, but Henry immediately scooped up the proffered treat and smashed it to bits in his hands.

Onlookers (Uncle Ed, Cousin Camdan and Grandma Loveridge hidden from view, Aunt Tiffany, Grandpa Loveridge, family friends from Long Beach, and Mom):

Jack studies the effects of frosting on his fingers...

... and elects to attempt to draw a Snidely Whiplash mustache with it...

... and then seems to regret what he's done.

Henry absolutely devours his birthday treat:

Henry is going to be incredibly disappointed to learn that cupcakes are not everyday food:

(Jack left, Henry right)

Then it was time for gifts. These boys are ridiculously spoiled.

After sitting on this gift from Uncle Ed and family to claim it as his own, Henry contemplates how to extract it from its plastic prison:

Quite the audience (Uncle Ed, Grandpa, Grandma, family friend, Aunt Tiffany with Cousin Camdan, Cousin Tim and, of course, Mom):

Henry puzzles over how to grab a third ball while holding one in each hand, while Jack examines his prize (gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Loveridge):

Balls, frogs, ducks, penguins and trains oh my!

(Henry left, Jack right)

On a sentimental note...

These boys have no idea how fortunate they are to have such a large, loving family.

As they are not quite yet able to do such things for themselves, I made a birthday wish for them that I hope they approve of. No matter what I might want for them, not all of their days can be happy... so I wished that on those which are not, they still feel loved in the present and hopeful for the future. As long as their Dad and I are living, they will be loved. As long as they are living, there is hope. May they find much more love and hope along the way.