No more potatoes

Over the last few weeks, Peregrine has been diligently taking one or two steps more before touching the wall. He still does quite a bit of 'bear walking' on his hands-and-feet, and no crawling, and was mostly comfortable walking around holding on to a finger, errant pant leg, piece of furniture, or the like.

On Saturday late morning, we all went out for brunch. It was long, tumultuous affair which isn't actually the point of the post. The point: nearing the end of brunch, Poppa and Pip went outside to walk around a bit while Momma worked on actually eating. We were out on the sidewalk, with Pip walking as normal holding on to my index finger. And then I just took my finger away.

And he just kept walking. And walking.

He walked nearly the full length of the block back to the restaurant, without pausing or falling down. Then Momma had finished brunch and came outside and he walked back down the block. Then we turned around and he walked some more. He was clearly quite pleased with himself. He really just didn't want to stop walking. It was pretty neat.

Later that day we went out for wonton noodle soup. In the restaurant, we set him down and off he went like a windup toy! Down the hallway to the bathrooms, touch the door, back down to us, then out and around the tables, then repeat. He was clearly having a good time and getting cocky - starting to swing his arms and everything. Fortunately, the phone Billy gave me takes video.

While it's not high resolution, it's at least "proof," if you will, that he has graduated from potato-school.



Things are liable to get a little more interesting around the house, now. He's standing himself up and just wandering off. Combined with how tall he is getting, we're becoming more aware of how many things we leave out on our side tables, which, it turns out, are just within his grasp.

He did some more practice on Sunday (on our hike) and today as well. Exciting times!

stats

Pip had his one year checkup today. Perfectly clean bill of health. Vital statistics, for those of you keeping track at home:

Head circumference: 47 cm (that's big)
Weight: 20.95 lb (that's moderate)
Height: 31.5" (0.8m)

He shot up like a weed this last measurement period - he's in the 95th percentile on height now.

Happy birthday, Peregrine!

Peregrine's first birthday was yesterday, and he celebrated it in style. We had a gathering of some local family and friends, gifts, pizza, beverages, and, of course, a big cake. Oh, and no afternoon nap. But who wouhld want to nap on their birthday! Pip also managed to get just the slightest of sunburns from *gasp* the sun, making its first appearance since...hmm...2007? That's what it feels like, anyway.
Peregrine had a lot of fun playing with his cousins James and Lana, and friends Anuk and Emmy. He also got to see his whole host of grandparents in one day - Grandpa Ben, Grandma Myra, Grandpa Dave, and Gramma Pam in person, and Grandpa Bruce, Grandma Biddy, and los abuelos via Skype. It was a very full day for him!
Our thanks to everyone for the wonderful gifts, thanks to everyone who stopped by to enjoy the weather and wish our sweet boy a happy birthday!

1y