One And So Much Fun

My PR peeps are calling Lettermen, getting AP on the horn and drafting the memo for distribution to the throngs of paparazzi because I finally joined the ranks of Top Ten One Year Olds of 2009 -- minus Blake cuz he’s still, well … a ‘baby’

This year has been one crazy ride for us (by us I mean my family of three consisting of my Dad, my Mom and moí). Once a mere scrawny six pounds 11 ounces, I have nearly tripled in weight (thanks for the good eats, Mom). I used to fit and snooze perfectly on the chests of friends and family. Now I can’t really comfortably sleep on people because stretched out, I’m almost the entire length of an adult from shoulder to knee (sorry, Dad) … and today, for a special birthday treat, I actually pulled myself up for the first time!

I am told so many people came to the hospital to see me and give me a proper welcome 365 days ago. Uncle Duncle, Aunt Kell and cousins Sam, Meg and Kate, Aunt Jennifer, Glam-ma and Granddad, Nonna Franny and Nonno Billy were part of the very first welcoming committee. Grandma Florida and Grandpa Charlie jetted (literally) to PA when they heard the news of my surprise early arrival.

I moved from a loft apartment into a lovely, almost completely renovated, home with a kickin kitchen (snaps to Grandma and Granddad). I traveled, traveled, and traveled some more. I was an intrepid wanderlust at one month 25 days when I took my first Amtrak train to the ‘burg’. Not, however, to be outdone by obtaining a passport at four months to see O’Canada for Thanksgiving Canadienne and an airplane ride all the way to sunny Florida to Grandpa Charlie, Grandma Florida, Aunt Laraine and Uncle Ray for Christmas.

I foresee many more trips in my future because I am constantly hearing from my Mom and Dad how important it is to be well traveled, well read and well rounded if one truly wants to be a 21st century renaissance man (and I do). I already love fine music (moonlight sonata as sung by the muppets), food (perfectly diced roasted sweet potato with just an ever so slight hint of maple syrup – nod to the Mother Land) and books (Pajama Time and Let’s Be Thankful … cuz I am).

As I get bigger, the waterworks are already starting with my Mom (she leaks a lot) and my Dad is starting to get nervous about the whole lack of sports in our house thing. But (I know, grammar) to paraphrase my Uncle by Association, Lloyd (who will teach me sports my Dad doesn’t care to know about) ‘It’s All Good’. I have decided I’m going to live my life exactly how my Mom and my Aunt by Association, Lorraine, run their business in that ‘Something is better than Nothing’ (so don’t worry about the sport thing, Dad) and in the years to come ‘We’ll See What Happens’ (because good things will, so stop with the leaky eyes thing, Mom)

I love you all and will continue to love you more with every day, week, month, and year(s) of my life. Thanks for making my first one so special. Peace, Love and Cheerios.

XOXO,

McLean Howard Now-Officially-One-Year-Old-Hudson