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Happy Birthday Hip

I made this cake with marshmallow fondant. It was a very messy job but it turned out pretty great if I do say so myself. Hip insisted on having a pink cake with flowers on it for weeks. I am a parent who encourages self expression, ideas, and opinions so I never questioned his choice but about a week out he changed his mind and said he wanted an orange cake.

We had a party with the neighborhood friends and the weather was nice enough to enjoy it outside. In the four times it has rolled around in Hip's life March 19th has been sunny.

The games included a 3-legged treasure hunt. Here Hip is partnered with his BFF. They were so funny we had tears of laughter. Hip kept saying, "I'm done with my foot like this."

And a ring toss. You got to keep the soda you ringed...or in the even no one ringed any everyone got a soda! There was a dance party at the beginning of the party but the only pictures were of PT because the kids dumped out toys instead of danced.

I have a philosophy that it's not a good party without a pinata.

Opening presents. Hip enjoyed some "Cars" toys, a "Lightning McQueen" fishing pole, a puzzle, and a horn for his new bike.

Hip received from us/grandparents: a bike! some play-do toys, Candyland (which he said after opening, "I don't like this"), and a marble toy (because his cousin got one for Christmas and Hip was enchanted with it). He got from his Harris grandparents a dump truck, a monster truck, and a book.

Hip loves a busy day so we kept the festivities going all day. Here were the day's activities: a pancake breakfast with strawberries as requested by Hip himself (made by Daddy), a walk/run to the library with Mom and PT, practicing on his new bike with Mom and then with friends, lunch at his BFF's house (he requested a quesadilla), a movie for quiet time ("How to Train Your Dragon"), party with friends, play outside with friends, and dinner with Mom, Dad, and PT at McDonald's (he got chicken nuggets and chocolate milk).

It's hard to remember the little baby that joined our family three years ago when we look at Hip, as he has grown into such a self-reliant and assured child. Hip continues to have a BIG personality with not a shy bone in his body. He makes new friends with children and adults everywhere we go. He loves to play with friends, loves to be outside, loves trucks and construction equipment and race cars, he loves to read (favorite book right now: anything by Dr. Seuss), loves to be out and about, loves to cook, loves to fix things, loves to help Mommy and Daddy, loves his Daddy more than life itself, loves being a big brother and introduces PT to everyone (usually more than once), is incredibly intelligent, and is fun to be around. He likes to dance, he likes to be involved, he likes to talk, he knows everyone's name that he is around more than five minutes, and he likes to be scheduled and to anticipate things in his day. He also likes to look forward to things and enjoys discussing the next day's plan the night before. Hip is sensitive to emotion and can sense how others are feeling. He can feel sad more often than other children and so Mommy and Daddy pay close attention to the events in Hip's life to make sure he can cope with his feelings. Hip has a lot of energy and is looking forward to starting some sports this year. Hip does not like to be pushed around and likes to decide things for himself. Hip is also polite and kind. He has learned to share and to be a good friend. Hip is very funny too and has learned to strike deals in order to get what he wants.

Hip has had a huge year of change during this last year and we feel his personality has persevered despite all of those changes.

Month 4 & 5

PT making his signature look #2

PT continues to be a happy baby. He has a keen sense of humor and looks for opportunities to laugh and engage with others. There are an average of three hysterical laughing episodes a day. PT coos constantly, and loudly, and sometimes is quite serious in whatever point he is trying to get across.

PT loves Hip. He really loves him. He has a hard time focusing on eating, bathing, getting changed, or Mommy/Daddy when Hip is around.

PT is just about sitting up on his own. He likes to be in a sitting position so he can see the world around him better.

PT loves toys. He enjoys interacting and playing with other people but he also enjoys playing with his toys and can entertain himself for several minutes at a time. PT also loves to chew anything he gets his hands on. Either his hands, his toys, his pacifier, his rag, or someone's fingers are in his mouth nearly all of the time. It is quite funny to watch him attempt to get those pandas in his mouth.

Did I mention PT really likes Hip? Hip likes to read to PT, to play with him, to talk to him, and to make PT laugh.

PT is quick to smile and extraordinarily congenial. PT knows what he wants, however, and does not take "no" or "just a minute" easily. When angry he will grab at his face and head and scratch himself severely. He often draws blood. Lately he has been hooking his ears with his thumb and gauging the inside to the point of bleeding quite a lot; I found him the other day with blood all of the right side of his face from one of these episodes (he was alone for one minute while I said good night to Hip).

PT started rice cereal this month. It has been a huge success and he feels hungry and willing to eat at any point in the day. He has also tried zucchini which he didn't like very much and oatmeal.
PT is working on creeping on his stomach and loves to stand in his Johnny Jump Up and exersaucer.
PT continues to gain weight and grow. five months has gone by so fast because of his happy addition to our family.