around 13 months

Edwin is such a treat these days.  I've mentioned in previous posts that he seems to be a little toddler already, and it's true!  I had no idea that my little baby was going to change so quickly and become a little boy so soon.  He definitely has a fun and easy going personality.  He loves to play and be tickled and listen to music and read books and run around and give hugs and kisses and go up and down stairs and knows lots of baby sign language.  He doesn't like getting picked up if he wants to run around or getting strapped into his car seat or getting his diaper changed or eating green beans or broccoli.  He throws short little baby tantrums if we do these things. ;)  He loves to eat, but also loves to throw food on the floor!  He drinks lots of milk but still loves to nurse 3 times a day.  His sweetest time is right after he wakes up and he sits in his crib singing to himself and turning on his musical seahorse, totally content.  He sometimes plays independently but sometimes wants to be silly with us.  His favorite toys are puzzles, trucks, blocks, and the vacuum cleaner hose.  He eats crayons while I teach him how to color.  I give him spoons and bowls to play with while I cook.  I bundle him up in his snowsuit and go for walks until his little cheeks get chapped from the cold.  He also has a budding modeling career and has posed for 3 local baby apparel items in the last 6 months!  He seems to love the camera and I'm not surprised with how often I'm photographing him lately.  He's definitely getting trickier to capture though.  It seems like he always has drool on his shirt or crazy hair (um, he might need a haircut soon!) or the never ending runny nose, making it impossible to get a decent shot.  But I love when he runs up to me while I'm taking his picture.  I think he is starting to figure out that I love him to pieces.  And I think he loves me back (even if he sometimes bites me or hits me or throws something at me) because he'll wrap his arms around my legs and look up at me until I pick him up and then he'll dissolve into giggles when I kiss his cheeks.  He's pretty amazing.  Even when some things feel really hard and like I'm constantly being pushed or challenged in some way, and I'm constantly making mistakes, I know we've learned a lot and are good parents.  Not great parents, but we'll get there.