Daddy, according to his daughter.

My friend Stacy had such a good idea to include Daddy on the recent questionnaire, so I thought we'd sit down this morning during Fisher's nap and see what she had to say about her Daddy. 1. What is something Daddy always says to you?
I love you.

2.What makes Daddy happy?
When I give Daddy kisses and hugs.

3. What makes Daddy sad?
When I don’t listen.

4. How does Daddy make you laugh?
By tickling me.

5. What was Daddy like as a child?
Books that make daddy happy.

6. How old is Daddy?
One hundred and fifty-two hundred.

7. How tall is Daddy?
Like this tall.

8. What is his favorite thing to do?
Play games.

9. What does Daddy do when you're not around?
Look for me.

10. If Daddy becomes famous, what will it be for?
It would be for Daddy.

11. What is Daddy really good at?
Playing games.

12. What is Daddy not very good at?
Playing tea party.

13. What does Daddy do for a job?
Go to work.

14. What is Daddy's favorite food?
Chicken.

15. What makes you proud of Daddy?
When daddy runs (like in a race) and he wins.

16. If Daddy were a cartoon character, who would he be?
Obama.

17. What do you and Daddy do together?
Play games.

18. How are you and Daddy the same?
Because we have the same color.

19. How are you and Daddy different?
Because daddy’s a boy and I’m a girl.

20. How do you know Daddy loves you?
Because he gives me hugs and kisses.

21. What does Daddy like most about your mom?
Because you give daddy lots of kisses.

22. Where is Daddy's favorite place to go?
Chuck E Cheese’s. (She is definitely dreaming on this one. She hasn't been there but once, and that was before she was even two.)

Happy Pizza Friday, Daddy, we love you!

The rest of the weekend.

Nana + Pappi were in town to help celebrate Fisher's birthday, and everyone was happy about that. Alla got to have a very special day with them all to herself. They took her to the Mall of America where they visited the aquarium, the rides, the Legos, Build-a-Bear, and had lunch at the very scary Rainforest Cafe. Her new bear, Lily, made it all the way to yesterday before Alla decided she didn't need to wear that wedding dress after all, and should share it with Zebra. It was only a matter of time. Ron and I were just short of betting on how long Lily would get to keep her beautiful wedding gown.

The weather was pretty wonderful the whole weekend, with highs in the 50s, so we were outside a bunch. We got Fisher some shoes, since the Shoo-Shoos he's wearing (handmedowns from big sis) are really not meant for learning to walk on asphalt. Something about shoes. Makes him look like a Big Boy.

We took a few walks, taking Fisher's walker so he could get some exercise, too.We ventured down to the stream, and then meandered on over to the park to swing and climb and slide. I do think your "park muscles" must go dormant in the winter. We'll have to start working them out again.Unfortunately, we stayed just about a half-hour too long, causing quite the breakdown from the little girl. She was wiped out from all the extra excitement - showing Nana + Pappi all her toys, all her new skills outside, getting up early so she could go wake them up. I was remembering being that same little girl, Nanny and Papa asleep on our living room sofa, and creeping ever so quietly down the hall to see if they were awake and ready to start the day. Climbing into bed with them anyway. Grandparents are wonderful.

Lucky for me, I was tired too. (We hadn't exactly planned the walk to the park, so there was no stroller along to help with the 23-pound baby. Mama's left arm got a workout.) I told Alla she could come lay with me if she wanted. She read stories in the Secret Clubhouse, and soon decided to join me. I'd say that within three minutes of her arrival under the covers, we were both asleep. What a well-spent Sunday afternoon. Well, once she finished having a tantrum all the way home and just took a nap with me already, that is.

The Birthday.

5:46 pm on March 19, 2008:Exactly one year later (I still see a double-chin!):

The birthday was wonderful and enjoyed by all, and when I say that, what I mean is, I wasn't rushing around like a crazy person, I was actually spending the day with my Birthday Boy and enjoying him. Wonderful.I started working on this blue+green banner about a week before, and hung it the night before so he'd feel festive when he saw it in the morning. I really hate to put it away, it's making me so happy!We picked up some balloons that morning. Four of the dozen are still flying high!He opened presents all weekend, veeeeeeeeeeeeery slowly, and we let him take his sweet time, enjoying it. Perhaps he'll be like his mama, waiting til the very last minute to start unwrapping, because, as you know, once they're opened, that's it. You're done til next year.

This is one of my very favorites. Perhaps ever. It's just him, his smile, his laugh, his zest. I'm happy to report that this Killins kid did get to enjoy cake on his first birthday, happily shoveling into his mouth.
Later that evening, we watched his first-year video, the one little snippet we'd taken each Wednesday for the first year of his life. So amazing to see him grow and change, and yet to see how he was always going to be this little guy, right off the bat.

We love you, Little Fish. Happy One! We can't wait to share in your second year with you.

Birthday update, coming soon.

It was lovely. And I got what I wished for, a photo with my baby. Thanks, Ronald:)

Happy Birthday, Buddy.

We love you immensely. You are warmth and sweetness and light to us, and we look forward to year number two.

Birthday Video

This is set to "I want to Love You" by Bob Marley, which we've sung to Fish approximately 1,260 times since his birth. I've spent a few days trying to convert files, get around Bob's stupid copyright, embed, etc., to no avail, so if you know the words, then when you click the link, sing it!

Ten on Tuesday, The Fisher Edition.

A year ago today I was still pregnant, yes, and 8 days overdue. The following day at my doctor appointment, they told me my son was off their charts and their best guess was that he could be up to eleven pounds, five ounces, and did I still want to wait for him to come on his own or did I want to schedule a repeat cesarean. Well, I really did want to wait for him to come on his own, but after a few hours thought about what it might be like to push out a baby weighing more than eleven pounds, I gave up on that silly notion and called the very next morning to be sliced open again, thankyouverymuch, and stat. That evening, my son was born, and we were ever so disappointed that he weighed in at only ten pounds, two ounces, and twenty-three inches long. Ha.

So, without further ado, this Ten on Tuesday is to celebrate you, Fish. Just you.

1. You don't really like to play with toys. You prefer pulling plugs out of outlets, scooting the dustbuster around, opening cabinets, and pulling all of the ziploc baggies out of the ziploc baggie box.

2. The exception seems to be the play kitchen, where you can sit for a long time and, you guessed it, pull out all of the pieces. Once those are out and on the floor, though, you move on to more trouble.

3. Consequently, we call you a "menace" and "Trouble" quite as often as we call you by your given name. I mean, it's written all over your face.

4. Yesterday we brought your walker outside. You loved that. You walked all over the street, showing all the friends we haven't seen all winter what mad skills you have. When last they saw you, you were just learning to sit up, so this is amazing progress.

5. You give kisses pretty freely. And say mmmmmmm when you do it.

6. Sometimes, after I kiss you at a nap or bedtime, I'll hear you mmmm'ing from your crib, beckoning me back for just one more kiss. And I oblige.

7. You're over rice cakes.

8. You love pineapple, and Mama's banana bread is pretty fine to you, too.

9. You did NOT like your one-year check-up today. You definitely are wary of the doctor's office, and pretty much cried through the whole thing. I do not blame you, buddy, that finger prick thing was brutal.

10. You are 23 pounds, 2 ounces and 32 inches tall. And we love every bit of you.

Me, according to my daughter.

Came across this via a friend's Facebook page, and had to share our version of it here. It's just priceless. I've italicized her responses, and put my commentary in parentheses afterward. I encourage all of you with children old enough to really give you some good answers, to try this. You'll not be sorry.

1. What is something mom always says to you?
I Love You.

2. What makes mom happy?
Love.

3. What makes mom sad?
When I don't do things right.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Tickling.

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Reading books.

6. How old is your mom?
Sixty-one hundred. (Thanks, babe.)

7. How tall is your mom?
This tall (showing me with her hand and arm).

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Read books to me.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Look for me.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Famous chef, like Ratatouille.

11. What is your mom really good at?
Reading books to me. (Notice a theme.)

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Sleeping. (Well, I'm only not good at GOING BACK to sleep when someone, ahem, has woken me up for, say, a hug at, oh I don't know, two a.m.?)

13. What does your mom do for a job?
Make dinner.

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Tomatoes.

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
When you give me lots of love. Can you give me lots of love while my waffles are cooking?

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Obama. (Yeah, baby.)

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Play.

18. How are you and your mom the same?
Because we're the same color hands.

19. How are you and your mom different?
Because we don't have the same color of us.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Because you give me lots of hugs.

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
When he comes home very early.

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?

The grocery store.

Ten on Tuesday.

1. Today was my day to read to Alla's preschool class. I've been keeping this surprise for her for several weeks now, and every school day she'd tell me whose mom was the special reader, and how she wished her mom could be the special reader. She led me to the chair I was to sit in, and sat right in front as I read two of her favorite stories:

2. Tyrannosaurus Drip, and

3. Where the Wild Things Are.

4. The booster is.not.working.out.

5. We're chalking it up to both user error (maybe he's not ready), and crappy seat. It was a handmedown that I snatched up from a friend with older kids, and was great for outdoor summer eating with Alla, or for her friends when they were all still highchair-bound. Basically, she was older when we put her in it, so this was not a problem. Made for a very stressful lunch today.

6. The good news, however, is that I gave Fisher a sippy cup of soymilk today and he drank it. I am completely clueless when it comes to introducing milk in general, as I didn't do a good job with Alla, and consequently she doesn't like milk. Feel free to leave helpful hints.

7. So much for spring. It's snowing today!

8. I would really like Dear Genevieve to come to my house and reconfigure my lower level family room, now that we're not using that nook-space for an office. She's a Minnesotan, I just know she'd love to come back home and do-up our house.

9. This Lands End dress is just about the best thing I ever bought for Alla. She puts it on and it's like her whole face lights up. She seeks it out. She can put tights or softie pants underneath for warmth. It has pockets. It's just the perfect little girl dress.

10. Amy + Erin, thank you for introducing me to the Baked Oatmeal. Fisher loves it, too!

We were waiting for you.

One year ago today, I was due. And then overdue, and still you flip-flopped in my belly, not giving a rat's behind if it was the ninth of March and your mama had already carried you to term. You stayed in there ten more days and then, although you were a big ol' bundle of joy when you came out, somehow you were still so teensy.

And now look at you, sittin' like a person at the kitchen table. Stop already.

Feels like spring.

But we won't get our hopes up, since rumor has it more snow is on the way. I remember watching snow fall from the hospital room last year, when my gaze actually fell beyond my newborn's head, that is. And I also remember waking up to snow on Alla's birthday. Minnesota is definitely not done with winter, so we try not to get antsy. All that makes you is, well, antsy. But we do drink up the warmth and sunshine when given the chance. We put lunch down yesterday, and just ran outside fast as we could to meet up with friends riding bikes. My body literally doesn't know what to do with all the fresh air and vitamin D. One suggestion: heal my left side which is quite achy from carrying around my almost-one-year-old on my hip through all that fresh air.

You tell me.

How does a baby go about taking off his pants when he's supposed to be napping?

Payin' it forward.

Almost three months ago, alnost to the day, I got a lovely package in the mail from my dear friend Megan, who was paying it forward by sending me a gorgeous pair of earrings that she made. OK, so this is more a picture of my son than of the earrings, which is why I had to show close-up here how lovely they are.

I've thought of this pay it forward project nearly every day since receiving the lovely little package, and have finally put together three little packages of my own to send out to three of you.

To participate in Pay it Forward, you must have your own blog. You must be willing to continue the gift-giving by sending the first three people who comment a gift. It can be homemade or store-bought; it truly is the thought that counts.

Leave a comment to play, the first three people will have these little packages shipped out to them in the morning. Don't forget to leave your email address so I can contact you for shipping info!

ETA: Tricia, would you mind emailing me your shipping address:) missfagan@gmail.com Thanks!