news from chicago: 1

Hello my darling Cillian. You are one. You have been alive on this Earth for one entire year. You have brought our family so much joy Cillian and you have shown us the beauty of life, the subtle magnificence of everyday miracles and the great joy that accompanies the relief when unbelievable miracles occur and surgeries are successful and unexplainable achievements are made. Over the last two months we've lived here at our new home, we have see you transform. You are such a smiley little guy. You are thriving. You are happy, you are eating, you are drinking, you are wanting to explore and investigate and know things. Thank you God for the blessing of this home.

You have started physical therapy and you are working so very hard. You are tolerating being on your stomach more even though you really just want to lay on your back. I cannot let you do that anymore. Leida says so. And I know I have to do it. I want you to get stronger and be able to do things like be on your tummy and to be able to crawl. You are sitting now! You can sit! For a long time! You could NOT do this a few weeks ago and NOW YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are so so so happy for you Cillian. It's literally a whole new world for you. A whole new point of view as it were. We have been working on you raising your arms to reach toys. I have to actually stretch your arms our at the shoulder joints and this makes mommy very very nervous. I am so afraid I'm going to pop your arm out of your socket. If anyone is curious, you do not like this at all. Ever. You scream and cry when I have to do your stretches. Leida says it will help you reach your full range of motion and that your muscles are super tight from not being used and she doesn't want them to atrophy so to work we go. I have all of these exercises to do with you and James helps you too - we play physical therapy or (phiz) at home. James pretends to be Leida. It's adorable.

We are just now in earnest adding in solid food bits to your pureed foods. You are doing okay. We will continue to work on it. You still have no teeth! Where are you hiding them in there? :) I'm so curious to see which ones come first. You still drink formula in bottles and are having somewhere between 24-30 (!!) ounces now. It's like whoa. I'm not sure what Dr. Hirsh will say at your appointment with the no bottles or the switch to milk. With James at 12 months we had to go cold turkey on both but I have a feeling with you, we won't do the same thing. But, we'll see.

You are still in 6-9 month clothing and you still do not like to wear socks - you would much rather prefer to take them off and then eat them. You like wearing hats - I think you realize that you look very cute in them. Also I think you realize when they're on they sun doesn't get in your eyes. You are wearing size 3 diapers and we have to double diaper you at night now that you are drinking so much formula! (Mr. Big Stuff!!)

You love being outside. Love it. Dad bought us a blanket that's fleece and I put it down on the grass and bring out toys and you play on it while I play with James or we all sit together and play. Thank goodness for that blanket. You also love to pull the grass - you were putting it your mouth at first and James said, "Mom he's eating the grass! Tell him to stop!" James likes to alert me if you are doing something you shouldn't be doing. Ah first borns.

Cillian you LOVE your big brother so much. All you want to do is be near him and touch him. It is heart melting to watch you try and get his attention. Mommy tries to get his attention to you as well but it's hard sometimes. He will warm up I promise. He loves you so much too. He is very protective of you and actually is very sweet to you when no one is looking. He pats you on your head and gives you snuggles and sometimes a little kiss. He also likes to give your legs a squeeze and hum a little song while he does it.

And Daddy. Oh gosh. Cillian and Dad. You fight for Daddy's attention on the weekends sir and you're doing very well. I cannot believe how wily you are sometimes. You are a wise little man.

Mommy and Daddy and James love you so our little darling. You are our sunshine and you are our wee one. We love you with all our hearts and then some. You know how many leaves there are on trees in the whole world? We love you more than that? You know how many drops of water there are in the oceans? We love you more than that. And then more than that. Thank you for blessing our lives. Happy Happiest of Days Birthday Boy!

July 25, 2012