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It would seem that Elgin either didn't really drink the tiny sea monkey egg water, or his digestive system is cool with it.  He's on augmentin for an ear infection (which isn't supposed to happen due to tubes placed at 7 months), so his diapers are a mess, but his stomach seems to be fine.  Perhaps he won't be allergic to crustaceans? We have a particular affinity for lobster and oysters in this house, so I sure hope he can participate!

Instant pet... Food

Today we will find out if Elgin is allergic to teeny tiny shrimp. Not sure how much Amazing Live Sea Monkey water he ingested, and poison control says it's not toxic but to watch for an upset stomach.

Who put the container within his reach? I'll give you a hint. It wasn't this Total Elimination Dieter.

Cheeeeese

Oh, my! At just twelve months, Elgin is giving me a fake smile when he detects a camera flash!

Supermom!

Tonight I managed to nurse EW while providing a breathing treatment and clipping his finger nails, all while instructing Henry on his next steps for bedtime.

I'm finally ready to admit that I'm a supermom.

12 Months

Yep, I didn't post for the 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 months, so here's a few pics from today's 12 month session.  It's really, really hard to get pictures of Elgin now, so I'm especially glad that we got a friend to do some real photography about two weeks ago.  I'll post some of them later.  They are beautiful.  Meanwhile, here are the ones I took today with my camera on the wrong setting.

Big bruise from a fall down the slide at school.

 Always looking to chew on something

Lips

 Both are always on the go!

I love that this boy smiles so easily... laughs, too.

 And gets a little cranky sometimes...

 Silliness is a family trait.

 His hair is so silky and so curly!

Elgin can be summed up with the following:

Toothy: 8 fully processed and at least two more on the way
Smiley: Smiles are reserved for most of the day and for anyone who will look his way.
Crazy about waving: Loves to wave at his people and to be waved back to.  You should see that return smile.
Snuggly: Well, when he wants to snuggle.
Laughy: It's easy to get him to laugh.  Sometimes you don't have to get him to laugh.  He just cracks up at himself, too.  It's good to laugh at yourself.
Pinchy: He pinches me a lot... bites me, too.  Still, I love to nurse him.
Mama's boy: He runs to the other side of the crib if Daddy goes to get him when he wakes. He screams until I come into the room.  We're in trouble.
Independent: Don't try to get him to go where you want him to go.  See above cranky pic.

A day to celebrate

Our Elgin is one! It's almost 10:30 PM, and I haven't cried yet today.  I think I got most of the tears out already, and I'm feeling celebratory about a year well-lived. We started out with Henry's present to Elgin, a Batmobile.

Henry was far more interested in giving the gift than Elgin was in receiving the gift.

 Until...

Too slow with the camera! This pic is right after he put the bag over his head just like H did on his first birthday... what will we do with two entertainers in the house?

 Getting the hang of gifts...

 Special snacks!

 Sweet boy:

 Yea for being one!

Later, after school, a birthday dinner of special favorites:  Grapes, Turkey (of course!), and Broccoli

 Birthday allergen free brownie:

 Birthday brownie face:

The rest of his presents

 Happy Birthday, Elgin! It's nice being the mother of the cutest, sweetest, funniest boy born on August 24.

One year eve

My sweet boy fell asleep in my arms for the last time as not yet one tonight.

Rest assured, we never got around to sleep training the baby, so I'll be nursing him to sleep for a while. I find comfort in our nightly snuggle. (Except for when he bites. Then I just find amazement in my ability to not throw him across the room in a surprise moment of the sharpest pain.)

Elgin, I love you. Even when you bite.