Nikolaus is what?

 



"I am 1"

 



 Celebrating the birthday boy

 

He loved his cake

 It was not fun cleaning it off

 

 "It's my BIRTHDAY and he is wearing my outfit!"

 

All boy 

 

Not too sure about this sledding thing

 

Okay, I like it!

Dancing with daddy by the mountain

First gondola ride in the fall

 

Nikolaus' Mustache Bash back at home

 

 He didn't really like having all those people

 in his house, but he enjoyed his

cake later on when everyone left

 

  Mustache cake

He has a sweet tooth like his sissy

 

Word on the street is that my baby boy turned one (and is now 13 months).  How could that be?  Our little peanut is now a little man walking everywhere, finding his own voice (through his sister's constant chatter), learning to sign (he's nailed "eat"), gives open mouth kisses (watch out ladies), and gets down and boogies at Natasha's nightly dance parties.  "Mama" and "dada" are the words he knows, but I have heard him say "up" a couple of times when he wants to be held.  Nikolaus will wave hello and goodbye and he loves to point to things to know what they are.  He has mastered the stairs, that we rarely use the baby gate... I know what you are thinking, how old is he?  All I have to say is, second kid.  They pick up on things way quicker.  Our thrill seeker still loves to climb, slide down slides head first and gravitates towards water when given the chance.  But he still loves to be held and is quite the mama's boy, but I'm not complaining.

So, let the celebration begin!  Nikolaus had two celebrations since his first birthday fell on Thanksgiving this year.  His actual birthday was spent in Steamboat with our family.  Marsha did a great job making Nikolaus' birthday so memorable.  We had an early celebration before our Thanksgiving feast, so it felt like it was his day.  He went after his smash cake and everyone was so nice to bring gifts for Nikolaus too.  His "Mustache Bash" was the following weekend.  We had 40 of our friends and family in our home (due to rain), but we managed and had a great time.  I can't say the same for the birthday boy though.  He was feeling a bit under the weather and was maybe a little overwhelmed with all the people in our home.  And unfortunately we didn't get many pictures of him at his party... Oh well.  Since Nikolaus' birthday is so close to Christmas, we asked our gifts to bring a new unwrapped gift to be donated to "Toys for Tots" in lieu of giving Nikolaus a gift.  Our family and friends were so generous, we had two bins filled with toys to be donated.  And don't worry, Nikolaus was not left out.  He still received plenty of gifts.

Nikolaus had a great one year well-check with his doctor, despite the four shots he had to get.  He is right on track developmentally.  Here are his stats:

Weight: 21 lbs. 6 oz. (55th percentile)

Length: 31 in. (85-95th percentile)... must have caught him after a growth spurt

Head Circumference: 47 1/2 cm (85th-95th percentile)... our kids have huge noggins

The next appointment is at 15 months and he should have 3 to 5 words by then, so that is the only thing we need to work on with him and reminding Natasha to let him speak too.

Not only has it been fun to watch Nikolaus grow, but it has been amazing watching Natasha become a great big sister.  She loves to be the first one to greet him when he wakes up, talk for him (not a surprise) and play with him (but not with her toys in her room).  And, of course Nikolaus loves to be around her too!  His smile tells it all.  This last year has flown by, but what a joy it has been to have Nikolaus in our lives.  We can't wait to see what the second year brings.