The Bun is ONE!

So, my cute little bun is one. And suddenly a little man. Who knew this would happen so fast?
AMAZING accomplishments have heralded his one-ness. Like, for example, his first haircut. I know what you're thinking.
"WHAT HAIR?"
Ok. It's true. He's a little baldy. But there was this seriously absurd right-behind-the-ear hair that made him look like an octogenarian. Or Gollum. And I wanted him to look like a cute little boy! So Brian got out the clippers and went to town. And by "went to town," I do mean, completed his haircut in less than two minutes. Mommy got her clipping for the scrapbook, and now he doesn't resemble a creepy creature.



Yes. Well. What a darling. So obviously I made him some birthday cupcakes...they were half whole wheat flour, which sounds sketchy for cupcakes, but actually they were the best cupcakes I've ever eaten. Airy and light as a feather with a rich, surprising flavor. Then some buttercream frosting, and Hyrum's favorite - fresh blackberries. Which, not shockingly at all, he ate off the top, mainly mangling and smashing the rest of his cake (with just a little frosting-licking for good measure. See our shameless documentation?

Oh, and did I mention he walks all the time now? Five and six steps in a row sometimes. He says "dada" (dad), "bah" (ball - his favorite birthday present. $1. thank you Walmart), "ohhhhh" (uh-oh), and "mama" ("I pooped, and I need you to change me, mom." Seriously. He only calls me mama in this instance. Hopefully this will change). So in other words, he's amazing, and his hugs and kisses are like the best present anyone could ever get. More updates soon!

Hyrum and the Holidays

Here's a quick snapshot of my little guy's first Christmas and New Year's, complete with those all-important photos!
As many of you know, we moved to West Virginia to stay with my family for a few months while Brian waits for training to begin for his job as a Spanish teacher in Maryland.  Here's Hyrum helping with the packing.  It really freaked him out that his bed, his toys, and everything else he loved was going into cardboard boxes, but he did enjoy climbing them.

The scariness of moving did not, however, interfere in any way with his extreme enjoyment of his baths. Bathwater has become his second favorite beverage (nothing can compare with mother's milk, of course) whenever we have put cups into the bathtub.  He'll even suck the water intensely from a washcloth, which my mother informs me used to be rumored to give one typhoid fever.  Yikes! (And yes, that is a string of drool hanging from his mouth.  Amazing, I know.)

Ok, but on to actual holiday-time delights.  Here's my little bun-son enjoying his Christmas orange (aka "cutie").  Ok, actually just licking the outside.  But he still liked it.

One of Hyrum's favorite activities continues to be going on a walk.  Whether in the stroller or the backpack, as long as it's not freezing he's game.

With Daddy and "pretty Aunt Mary"!

"Help! They're making me wear this HAT!"

Hyrum and Grandma in winter attire.

Hyrum was very excited about the visit he received from his cousins Savannah, Matthew, and Johnny and his Uncle Bill and Aunt Angela at New Year's.  Besides enjoying Quinn family "FUN-due!" he also appreciated Johnny's willingness to wrestle with him and Matthew and Savannah's more gentle caretaking.  Uncle Bill got him to wave for the first time by pointing at him and saying, "I know YOU!  We met at Kukenhoff's!" repeatedly.  It was great.

Uncle Bill, Matthew and Johnny shooting hoops

Here's Hyrum at "The Little House" in Shepherdstown! Just the right size!

Johnny takes on Uncle Brian.

This was the best.  Hyrum and Johnny wrestled very nicely, as you can see from this video.

And here's a final word: don't try to wrap Hyrum up in a blanket and carry him around like a cute little baby.  He just doesn't like it.

NOOOOOO I hate this blanket take it away NOW!