Where Did It Go?

Where Did It Go?
Originally uploaded by deirdred75.

The magic of helium.

I Have a Balloon

I Have a Balloon
Originally uploaded by deirdred75.

One of the hits of the birthday today .. the free balloon from the party store.

Opening Presents

Opening Presents
Originally uploaded by deirdred75.

That was a concept he didn't quite get. The wrapped boxes were interesting, the unwrapped toys were cool. Getting from one point to the other wasn't that thrilling for him.

Chocolate

Chocolate
Originally uploaded by deirdred75.

I gave Nathaniel his first taste of chocolate today-Hershey's syrup dribbled over banana. He was an instant chocoholic like me.

Assembly Required

Assembly Required
Originally uploaded by deirdred75.

Doug and I completely forgot a crucial component of a child's birthday this year .. assembling the gifts. So it wasn't till his naptime when I went to wrap his stuff that I realized he is now the age when you have to start building his toys. I managed to construct his garage, which required the use of multiple screws. The hilarious thing about the building instructions is the number of requirements put into air quotes, i.e. "snap" the ramp into place. Even the manual writers are laughing at just the thought of you trying to assemble the thing.

Blankie

Blankie
Originally uploaded by deirdred75.

Nathaniel's normal sleep pose. He keeps a corner of his blankie jammed into his mouth, sucking on it whenever he stirs to soothe himself.

Washing Machine

Washing Machine
Originally uploaded by deirdred75.

The washing machine is the only thing in the kitchen that will keep Nathaniel occupied these days. He has now learned to turn the buttons so its best to only let him play with the machine not in use.

Old Man Pajamas

Old Man Pajamas
Originally uploaded by deirdred75.

Yes he wears a set of old fashioned, two peice, button down pajamas around the house. I think they are cute, Doug thinks he looks like he is 60 in them.

Birthday Boy

Birthday Boy
Originally uploaded by deirdred75.

Nathaniel Edward Smith is one year old today. More shocking to me than to him.

Here I come

Here I come
Originally uploaded by deirdred75.

So for the first time in what felt like months, I made it home before Nat's bedtime. Although he seems to have lost his trousers, he was very happy to see me and spent the rest of the night chasing me around the room.

What Are You Waiting For?

What Are You Waiting For?
Originally uploaded by dyrlac.

One of Nat's favorite places is Eel Brook Common in Fulham. It has a playground for little kids with the requisite squishy concrete. He's allegedly learned (according to his mom) how to climb the stairs and run around on the jungle gym.

Bad Feeling

Bad Feeling
Originally uploaded by dyrlac.

Nat has gone to two football matches: the opening game of the season Fulham v. Birmingham City and the recent London derby Fulham v. West Ham. In both cases, he lasted about a half hour before Fulham's undistinguished performance proved to be too much to take and he demanded to go home. Like a lot of FFC fans, he's got a bad feeling about this year.

Trapped

Trapped
Originally uploaded by deirdred75.

We put off gating the house as long as we could but this month we realized we could do it no longer. Nathaniel was bolting for the stairs every minute and he seemed to have no concept that he might fall down them. Nathaniel seemed to find the gate pretty cool the first few weeks after it went up. Now he is realizing the true purpose of the gate-preventing him from full autonomous movement around the house.

Kids Meal

Kids Meal
Originally uploaded by deirdred75.

Nathaniel ate his first restaurant meal (pizza, quel suprise) at the ASK on Fulham Palace Road. The kid's meal menu could be folded up into a race car. Nat watched me struggle with the tabs untilI finally finished building the car, then he destroyed it. Thanks buddy.