EPIC 2012 POST: Featuring 39 photos of Tor and 1 of Tor's cake
Before anything else, because I'm super late on this: HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY, LITTLE BUDDY!!
You don't often see me write in all caps. But making it to ONE YEAR is huge! And it's not just Tor who made it. All three of us survived, and we even survived as a family unit.
Tor, you have caused me to experience a range of emotions I never knew was possible. It defies description, and you won't understand until you're a parent anyway--and I guess you may never really get it, since you'll never be a mom. Suffice it to say that it is a joy to watch you learn to be human and to be in the world.
"But how did you celebrate this moving and momentous occasion?" you might ask. Well, settle in, folks, cuz it was a long day. It began at Grandma Charmaine and Grandpa Norm's house with Martha Stewart's strawberry cupcakes served on Tor's great-great-grandmother's birthday-cake platter...
Don't be fooled; they're all out of his reach
...which led directly to a dizzying series of circuits around the kitchen island using the high chair as a walker.
It's probably clear why he's not wearing pants at this point
Finally, Tor opened presents from Grandma and Grandpa and posed for a (slightly feminizing) family portrait.
This is what people do in Tahoe when there's no snow
After party the first, we drove the four hours to the Bay Area (with Mr. Birthday Boy asleep for three-quarters of that. Thanks, insulin spike!) When we arrived at our Berkeley vacation rental, we commenced party the second with my mom and dad, Christina and Caleb, Tim and Caitlin, and an epic cake.
And it's all edible
No, no, he totally blew out his own candles
No wonder babies think they're the center of the universe
Party the third took place the next day, where Tor was a co-celebrant with my grandmother (80) and uncle (50). The theme: LUAU!
"How come THEY got hats?!"
This bodes ill for his future bride
From the London Andersens: a puzzle that makes SOUNDS!
Thanks to all who shared the occasion and who wished Tor well on his birthday. We are so thankful for our wonderful support system of family and friends!!
***
And now I will jump backward in time. So much has gone on in the last six weeks that I feel like I must be leaving some stuff out no matter how careful I am, but I'll try to sketch our happenings. At the beginning of December, Lars packed up the dog and drove west to attend his annual American Geophysical Union conference in San Francisco. A day later, my mom arrived to stay for nine days, keeping me company and helping with Tor. I was grateful on both counts! Although it was definitely a work week, we had two weekends surrounding it, and we fit in plenty of quality time.
Policing the wine rack
Tor was the delighted recipient of several early Christmas gifts.
Opening his new scooter/walker...
...and preparing to face-plant!
Hopefully he won't outgrow the snowpants before
we actually get some snow around here!
Sharing or showing?
Mom even put new batteries in all his old toys, to his delight.
We did some pre-holiday visiting with friends and their babies (ex and in utero, although I've delayed in posting so long that the in is now also ex, and his name is Owen).
Tor and I are apparently on our first date
On Dec. 11, I flew out to San Francisco with Tor and Mom flew back to Oregon. Norm, Charmaine, Lars, and our friend Steve met us at the airport, and we motored up to Tahoe for two weeks of relaxation, work, and general family time.
Learning his ABCs with Grandma
The ol' chair share
Mesmerized by the lights
A one-Tor open sleigh (pants optional, natch)
TICKLE MONSTER
Sharing the joy with cousin Nolan on Christmas Eve
Aunt Bern and cousins John, Molly, Sophia, Nolan,
Beau, and Nicole brought the lucky lad gifts
"I knew it--YOU GUYS are Santa!!"
We had a cozy Christmas morning, just the five of us, Dendro, and Gracie.
A stocking memorializing Baby's First Christmas
Unwrapping his new pet tarantula
Post-Christmas carnage
Tor was showered with awesome toys all day long...
...yet ya can't beat a good box.
On Tor's birthday, as I said above, we headed to Orinda. Sadly, my Morfar (Tor's great-grandfather) had passed away on Christmas, so we added Morfar's memorial service to an already full social calendar. Tor was a trouper throughout, charming and patient, although he just doesn't sleep great while we travel. (Thank goodness we're still nursing so that I can soothe him easily in the wee hours.)
How not to use a stomp rocket
Playground teaser...see you in the spring, slide
During New Year's Eve at my Grandma Karplus's house, Tor serendipitously awoke only a few minutes before midnight. He was surprised when, instead of being soothed back to sleep, he was thrust into a mob of adults chanting "TEN...NINE...EIGHT..."
One thing's for sure: it beats last New Year's Eve
Somewhere in here, Mr. Tor began to walk. Maybe. It started with a swift move from one object to another, then progressed to two steps, then three, and who sets the standards by which a movement is "walking" or just "taking some steps"? Even now, he can cross a room if he sets his mind to it, but he still prefers to have a few anchors along the way.
"No I WON'T go back to the Minnesota winter, Mother!"
I suppose we didn't expect him to walk ALL the way around the lake
Once back, we settled easily into our routine. I admit it's nice to just be our little family again after all the excitement. Enjoyment is created through contrast, though, so we'll be ready to enjoy visiting/visitors again soon!
A late Christmas/birthday present
Acculturation at work
Dendro's plaid shirt was in the wash
One final milestone: Tor had his one-year doctor's appointment last Wednesday.
Height: 29" exactly, 21st percentile (the car seat upgrade has been justified!)
Full speed ahead for year two! Again, because I can't say it enough, sincere thanks to all who sent well wishes, cards, and other tokens for Tor's birthday. We are so grateful that he is so loved.
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