Dear Ducky,
Hallelujah! For the love of God!
You just put yourself down for an unscheduled nap in your play pen. I love you.

Since I’ve finally got a free minute, let me tell you a few things about yourself. Your first birthday is this week. I just can’t believe it. Where did your babyhood go? Stop, please just for a minute, I need to soak you in before you’re a little boy.

We went to the L.A. County fair this week. Of all the sights and smells and sounds, the one thing that got a reaction out of you was the camels. Both of them. You laughed and laughed and laughed. We got an up-close tour, so the camels were right in your face, and you LOVED every minute of it. Nevermind the Zebras or the ostrich, they were not interesting at all.

You and I flew to Ottawa to go and visit Nanie and Grandpa D. You were a little turkey on the plane ride. You spent five hours standing on the seat and making faces at the woman behind you. Also, you made me change three dirty diapers on ONE flight. What’s up with that?

Nanie and Grandpa had a blast taking you into town to show you off. We went on a long boat ride around the Thousand Islands, and then Nanie baked you your very own birthday cake. They sure miss you.

As soon as you can talk, the first thing we’re going to teach you is “Where’s the remote?” because, Dude, you have a T.V. remote tracking system embedded in your little brain. If it’s not the T.V. remote, it’s my cell phone, my Ipod, the mouse or the keyboard. Nanie tried to give you your very own mouse, but you were to smart to be fooled.

You’re starting to get into things that you know you’ve been told not to. It’s really annoying to yell “Get out of the Dog Water Dish” several times a day. You know when you’re in trouble too, you stick your lip out and cry, much like I imagine your father used to.

You love to play “Upside-down Baby” with your father. Your other favorites are “Upside-down Puppy Kisses” and “Upside-down Mama Kisses.” You throw your head backwards when we’re not expecting it, so we have to be careful to hang on to you.

You’ll eat more for your father than you will for me. We’re not sure why, I guess you take him more seriously? He’s more fun? Who knows?

I finished your “My first year” photo collage yesterday, it was so hard not to cry when I put it up on the wall. You’re our whole world now, and you’re growing so fast.

I love you, little Duck,
Mama