Lincoln & Berkeley: Berkeley Turns One

December 22, 2010. One year ago today, at 10:41am, Berkeley Lennon Walker was welcomed into the world. Far bigger than his 5 lb brother, Berkeley weighed 6 lb, 12 oz and measured 20 inches long. At the time I remember thinking that I couldn't believe I had delivered such a giant baby...which turned out to be definite foreshadowing of the fat baby that Berkeley would grow quickly to be. He has changed so much from a year ago today (as all babies do) - with his blue, blue eyes, strawberry blonde hair, chubby everything, and his own personality. But he is still my baby.

He hasn't yet had his one month check-up, but judging from his 9 month weight of 23 lbs, 9 oz, the thickness of his waist, and the size of my bicep, Berkeley is every bit of 25 lbs. His waistline (which is larger than his nearly 4 year old brother's) is a direct result of the amount of food he puts in. I am amazed on a daily basis by his intake and even more so by his interest in food. This kid will have loaded up his belly until you think no more can go in, and the next thing you know he spies someone with food and he is crawling as fast as he can to get to you. Doesn't matter what you are eating, he wants to try it. Most of the time it only takes him two bites and he is ready for more. Some of his favorite foods include banana, yogurt, turkey, pears, peaches, Colby Jack cheese, chicken, ham, lima beans, carrots, sweet potatoes, graham crackers, goldfish crackers, and cheerios. And I should add that he loves ice cream. Not walking yet, Berkeley can crawl super fast with his right leg kicked out at just the right angle to give him speed. He is extremely motivated by curiosity and pretty much anything he sees Lincoln doing. Cruising from surface to surface, it is just a matter of time before he will be toddling about. Other fun facts about Berkeley - he loves his bottles and his paci, enjoys tackling his brother, Chase, and any stuffed animal lying around unsuspecting (including his penguin pillow pet from aunt Sarah), he can sign and say "cup", makes the sound for clock and has his own unique sound for all lights (which he loves to point out to anyone that will look), he waves bye-bye, grunts with gusto and/or imitates a gorilla when he wants something, and says mama perfectly.

Berkeley awoke on her birthday morning, happy and ready for the day. Here he is his playing with the birthday "snake" that Lincoln enjoyed on his first birthday.