Parker's Birthday Party

[This event actually took place on August 2nd: I've gotten behind in the blogging! We had a rough week: Kevin, then Mommy, then Andrea, fell victim to a nasty virus that simply had to run its course. Anyway, back to the party story!]

Last Saturday, Andrea, Kevin, Daddy and I went to Parker's house celebrate his first birthday with everyone. (We only got to stay for a few hours, because Mommy and Daddy had evening plans.) It was really interesting, because there were lots of babies close to Kevin's age there. All of them were in the 11 to 13 month age-range.

Kevin was really shy at first, and didn't say too much, until I plopped him down next to the other babies, with some toys. Then he started to get excited, waving his arms and kicking his feet, banging on the toys, and gabbing away.

Parker, the Birthday Boy (I think he's a bit excited!)

Kevin and Parker sharing the music toy

Kevin playing with Ada and Parker

Kevin, Alia, Parker, and Ada

Kevin and Jackson

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It was so funny watching these little people interact. They babbled, cooed, and squealed, and seemed to completely understand each other's language! If one got upset, the others would get concerned. We had to help them with sharing, because they all seemed to want to play with the same toy at the same time, but it worked out. Parker even went up to Kevin and patted him, and gave him a hug! Parker isn't shy at all. :))

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Meanwhile, Daddy and Andrea were out in Mike and Michelle's pool. Andrea started to jump in the deep end, off the diving board, all by herself! She had water-wings on, and Daddy was swimming within arm's reach. She is very brave!

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Footnote: Some Extra Thoughts

It was hard for me to see the developmental differences between Kevin and the other babies his age. He was the only one that wasn't even crawling; and all of the other 12-month-olds were walking. It wasn't that I was embarrassed; I just felt so bad for him, because he'd end up getting left behind. The other babies would wander around the room socializing, or go congregate around a different toy, across the room, and he'd get left out. I kept helping him make his way to where the other kids were. I could clearly see the social differences, too; Kevin mostly talked to himself, while the others would wander up to one another, play, embrace, "chat," etc.

Well, we are going to see a pediatrician soon (see next post), and I hope daycare will help him expand his social skills a lot. (He starts daycare 5 days a week on August 18.)