50 weeks, 4 days.

Graham feasted on Italian treats today: fresh mozzarella, meatballs with raisins and pine nuts, and whole wheat fusilli. Yum!

Graham had a great swim today and took his first "independent swim," where he swam unsupported underwater for a couple seconds. He seemed totally unfazed. He also walked two little steps to me and, I think, called me "Mama." So, basically, big day!

50 weeks, 3 days.

Back at the park, but this time on the big slide!

50 weeks, 2 days.

Graham, Will & I explored a new-to-us toddler park today. Graham loved playing peekaboo around the play structures and going down the slide. He is a very brave little guy.

50 weeks.

Too many cooks in the kitchen. Please note that our little ginger is not quite as bald as he used to be.

49 weeks, 6 days.

Daddy's boy giving snuggles.

49 weeks, 5 days.

Graham enjoyed a cruise around the park using the lion walker.

Graham has started demanding for books to be read to him over and over and over. We read Dr. Suess' The Foot Book at least 15 times in a row today.

49 weeks, 4 days.

Graham thinks it's hilarious when something is put on his head or on someone else's head. In other head-related news, Graham has figured out how to take off his own hat and how to pull someone else's hat over their eyes.

49 weeks, 2 days.

A boy and his cat in their birthday suits.

Graham had his best swim yet today--he "jumped" (aka slid) into my arms in the pool all by himself from a seated position!

49 weeks, 1 day.

Daddy and Graham go for the same grape. Graham likes to share food right now--cereal, sandwiches, fruits, anything you are eating, he wants too.

We've had a couple exciting developments around here! For the first time, Graham pointed at an object in a book when I asked him a question about it. We were reading I am a Bunny, starring Nicholas the bunny, and Graham pointed to Nicholas when I asked, "where's Nicholas?". Also, Graham has been saying "Daddy" and "Dada" seemingly appropriately, when he turns to Will or wants something from him, but this is impossible since his first word will be "Mama."

48 weeks, 6 days.

This afternoon, a certain teddy Graham practiced crawling up stairs on our front stoop and then took a trip to the park.

48 weeks, 5 days.

Graham was very pleased that the weather warmed up enough to get him back on the swings. So pleased, in fact, that he displayed a little toddler behavior and put up quite a fuss when it was time to get back in the stroller and head home.

48 weeks, 2 days.

Graham attacks Lewis the bunny, who was his very first baby present (thanks Auntie Spice and Uncle Adam)! Graham has started to get interested in stuffed animals, for tackling purposes only, of course.

48 weeks, 1 day.

We made a very rare trip to a restaurant with Graham in tow. He was too excited to really eat his dinner but seemed to have a great time throwing his meal to the floor, piece by piece.

Happy birthday, Uncle John!

48 weeks.

Turns out Graham enjoys a pasta sauce with his ravioli, though this ups the mess factor by about a million percent.

47 weeks, 6 days.

Graham in unsupported motion! He is standing for longer periods of time and really considering taking some steps. Last night, we think that he accidentally took a step.

Thanks for the great pants, Granny Annie! And thanks for the adorable onesie, Molly!

47 weeks, 5 days (aka 11 months).

Happy 11-month birthday, Graham! The next one's the big one!

Bulldozer Miller and Elliot played the guitar after music class today.

Thanks for the great outfit, Grammy! A trip through the dryer and it's a perfect fit.

47 weeks, 4 days.

Graham tried frozen blueberries for the first time today. Huge hit (not to mention good practice for his pincher grasp).

47 weeks, 3 days.

At play group today, Penny crawled right up to Graham and the two of them had an extended chat, as if they were long-lost friends.

47 weeks, 2 days.

After finding a piece of cat food in Graham's mouth one too many times, we put up the baby jail today. Here is Graham head-bopping to the Jailhouse Rock (turn up the volume).

47 weeks, 1 day.

That purple blur is a balloon which Graham was wildly swinging around at Reed and Vivian's birthday party this afternoon. He loved the ball pit and hung out there for nearly an hour.

47 weeks.

Graham kept a close eye on Lola, who is 15 months and walking well, at a play date today. Graham has made huge progress on standing independently over the past week (I often catch him standing and clapping or with toys in both hands for up to 15 seconds or so) and is definitely considering whether walking is a good idea or not. So far, he has always decided to take a seat and crawl to his next destination, but I think he could decide otherwise anytime now.

Thanks for the Durham Bulls shirt, Auntie Mac!

46 weeks, 6 days.

Strawberries have ruined Graham for all other foods. Since I introduced him to them a few days ago, he has pretty much been on a food strike of anything not sweet. Sadly for Graham, we just ran out of strawberries, so he may need to consider the merits of green beans again.

46 weeks, 5 days.

Graham demonstrates his drumming skills at music class.

46 weeks, 4 days.

Lunch time play date!

46 weeks, 3 days.

Graham enjoyed brunch with our friends Sam, Jessie, Howie and Jaime this afternoon. He showed off some of his new standing skills and gobbled down multiple strawberries, his new favorite food.

Photo credit to Jess!

46 weeks, 2 days.

Happy New Year! Graham welcomed 2012 in with a trip to the park, where he rode on his favorite jeep.