January 21st

So I'm a day late, but that is unfortunately because I didn't get home from work until super late last night and went straight to bed. But, yesterday was Justin's 1st birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEETHEART! Here is my prayer for you:

May you always know the depths to which you are loved.
May you see the dignity and worth in all human beings.
May you love the Lord your God with all that is in you, and follow Him all the days of your life.
May you be genuine, generous, compassionate, empathetic, gracious, and wise.
May you be blessed with good health and many, many days.
May you grow through all suffering, keeping things in perspective and giving thanks for what is good.
May you always light a candle instead of cursing the darkness.
And, may you always remember that the God who knit you together in my womb continues to DELIGHT in you!

Love,
Mom(my)

Noises

From baby babbling to actual words, Justin has become quite the talker! I love listening through the door when he wakes up in the morning and talks to all his stuffed animals. Here are the real words he says:

1) Daddy - This started as "DaDa" and was lingo for Bill or anything he touched (like his computer). Now, Justin will actually point to Bill or a picture of Bill and say "Daddy". So adorable!
2) Hi - Justin LOVES to say "hi" to very nice looking ladies at church, waitresses, me when I come home from work, or anyone who comes to get him from his crib. Sometimes "hi" is followed by a wave. Or, a swat, as in when I use Justin to wake up Daddy on the weekends. He will say "Hi Daddy, Hi!" and swat Bill until he gets out of bed. Very entertaining for me!
3) Uh-Oh - On our drive home from Pennsylvania over Christmas, I taught Justin the "uh-oh" game to entertain him for an hour. Basically, the game consists of me putting something in his hands, which he immediately throws on the floor, looks to see where it landed, and looks back and me and says "Uh-OH!" Hilarious, until we got home and he decided to play the game with his dinner.

On random occasions, I will catch him saying other words (or things that resemble real words), but not with any consistancy. Some of these are "tat" for "cat" and "all done" after finishing a meal. We're also doing baby sign language with him, and the only sign he does at the appropriate time is "all done." He can't quite do the 2-handed version, but will wave his hand in front of his plate when he is finished. This has been soooo helpful, and sometimes I'm surprised by how much or little he eats before letting us know he is done.