This post was inspired by An Imperfect Mum several months ago when her son turned 8. I loved the idea so much that I bookmarked it to love on her idea for my sons 1^st birthday. We have already done so much before he turned one that it is interesting to think about what we can accomplish now that he has passed the twelve month mark. I’m so looking forward to this year with him as he really begins to discover the world and process things, turning from a baby into a little boy.

Twenty Things To Do Now Than You Are One

1. Move To A Bigger House – We just accomplished this one, and we could not be happier. Not only do we have more space for you to move around, we have a big yard for future playtime. You made the transition with ease, and it has been wonderful for your continued growth.
2. Help You To Your First Steps – With more space comes more freedom of movement, and you have begun taking more steps than were even possible in our previous space. This year we will see you become a full-fledged walker, getting into everything.
3. Enjoy Pool Time – We just headed off to our yearly vacation to Florida. Last year, you could not fully appreciate the pool, but as your bath times have become more fun, splashing around, you will have already had so much fun floating and splashing around.
4. Spend Time With Your Bucket In The Sand – Spending time on the beach this year, you’ll be able to really play and enjoy your feet in the sand. I’m looking forward to you experiencing your toes in the sand now that you’re old enough to enjoy it. We will have to start working on your digging.
5. Expand Your Vocabulary – You say mama, dada, bye-bye, and brown bear (brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?). I’m looking forward to hearing all your little statements and feelings as you develop a stronger vocabulary. Not looking forward to losing all the little baby noises though.
6. Learn To Share – I’m not going to lie, you have not been the best at sharing when we have gone to story time at the library. I’m looking forward to your continued interaction with other babies and learning that you need to share to enjoy the company of others.
7. Eat More Complex Solids – We have spent a lot of time on puree, partly because you were a preemie and solids are a bit harder for premature babies. I’m looking forward to expanding the textures you will eat and being able to eat more and more foods together.
8. Get You To Let Me Brush Your Teeth – Sometimes you let me brush your teeth, and sometimes it is not possible at all. We will continue to work on this and make brushing your teeth part of your daily routine.
9. Actually Enjoy The Zoo And Aquarium – You’ve only been able to notice the very obvious and brightly colored animals like the flamingos. I can’t wait until you really see giraffes, elephants, and tigers and discover the diversity this world has to offer.
10. Make Baby Friends – I am determined to have a 2^nd birthday party for you with baby friends, but first, we need to make them. Since moving to a new place, I’m making a point to meet new people to give you plenty of opportunities to make baby friends.
11. Work On Your Musical Talents – You’ve finally figured out which end of the mallet to use on your drum and xylophone. You love music so much, I’m looking forward to getting you involved in as many musical activities as possible.
12. Introduce You To Soccer – While I’m not a soccer mom stereotype, by the way you use your feet for everything, you’re going to be a little soccer star. Maybe I’ll just have to get your dad to drive you to all the practices.
13. Go To Baby Yoga – I am so excited for you to do yoga with me. We went to classes before you could crawl, but I’m looking forward to taking you to classes where you can be an active participant.
14. Introduce You To Art – You love the color yellow, and your daddy is a creative type. My family is also full of painters, which I unfortunately did not also inherit. I can appreciate art though, and I want you to be stimulated by the creative arts and be creative on your own.
15. Science Museums – The science genes are the ones I did end up inheriting, and by the way you already have to explore how everything works, it looks like you did too. I cannot wait to begin doing baby science experiments with you and taking you to hands on museums to explore your intellectual curiosity. Most adults do not have as much scientific curiosity as babies, and I want you to keep that curiosity as long as possible.
16. Play With My Friends’ Babies – I’m so excited for you to meet the babies of my closest friends. As a default, you will know these babies all your life as I have known their parents since we were practically babies. Since we have all had boys, we almost able to have our own soccer team.
17. Walk Around In Public On Your Own – I’m waiting until you are a bit steadier on your feet, but I’m looking forward to walking down the street with you holding my hand.
18. Travel Out Of The Country – I love to travel. It is one of the most important and eye-opening things that you can do, and my mother got me started travelling at an earlier age. I want to do the same for you, and I hope we will have our first international family trip this year.
19. Build Snowmen – Last year, you were not so keen on the snow. You were a little too little, and you chilled too easily. This year, we moved to a location where there is more snow, and I hope this year, you are better able to enjoy it and we can build a snowman.
20. Move You Into Your Own Room – You have been sleeping in our room since you were out of the NICU. We have been lucky that you do sleep in your own bed, but I hope by the end of this year, you will be comfortable in your own room. Something tells me that it may be harder to convince me that you can stay in your own room than you.

I’m sure there are so many things that are not even occurring to me, but I am very excited about what this year holds for you and us as a family. It has been a wonderful (and at times scary and anxiety-ridden) first year, and I have grown so much because of you. Things are only getting better.

A Blogging Good Time