Hello, dears.  There have been some requests for photos, and I am, big surprise, a sucker for requests like that.  So here are a whole lot of ’em.

Update since I started “writing” this post: we have survived our home study.  The social worker was really very nice — not at all like the horrid psychologist from the last parental-fitness screening — and was from North Carolina, which does help.  She wasn’t nosy about the house or anything like that, and she framed her personal questions as a way to build a document the Bean would one day read, which was much more welcome than thinking of it as proving ourselves to an authority.  (If any of you in Brooklyn decide to hire someone, I’d recommend her.)  Once she’s written her report and the lawyer has submitted it to the court (within the week), the only thing left is for us to get a court date.  Phew.

March 2012  — 12 months old

For his actual birthday, I made a pound cake in a tiny loaf pan, cut it into three layers, and frosted accordingly.  I cut a “G” (his first initial) and what was supposed to be a “1” out of parchment paper, put them on the frosting, dusted with powdered sugar, and peeled them up, like a delicious, delicious batik.

The Bean helped.

I had to work that night, so Sugar and I had his family celebration at lunch.

For his birthday party, my dad managed to come for a day — he lives far away, but he had a meeting in Boston.  He gave the Bean some piano pointers.  (My dad plays very well, but even he doesn’t have a piano in his bedroom.)

His party cake, a variation on on Swedish princess cake, as directed by the Dane.  Mine turned out very awkward looking and very fantastic tasting.  Or maybe everyone just thought so because of the French 75s.  Either way.

He had a great time, especially when hanging out with the Danelette.

April 2012 — 13 months old

Petting grape hyacinths at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.  They’re so bouncy.

Flying!

Poster for the action movie he’s planning with two friends.

Spring Break!  Rode the train all the way to Charlottesville, to visit the magical starhillgirl.  Plenty of time to practice with chopsticks.  (NB, travelers: the sushi place in Penn Station is a hidden gem.  And the ladies there love it if you come in with a baby on your back, “just how we do it in Korea!”)

He met his first chickens…

…was stalked by cats…

…did some cat stalking himself…

…sorted starhillgirl’s rocks and rubble…

…and checked them for freshness.

He enjoys his work.

He damn near climbed his first tree — immediately after this was taken, he started pulling up, and it was all I could do not to lose him.

He gave and got some quality snuggling.

He petted cats!  In trees!

The Bean refused to pose among the dogwoods, but Trip here knows how to be a good Southern baby.

It is a good friend who will share her danish while you wait for the train home.

Easter!  We hunted eggs at the playground…

…and in the bathtub.

Stacking blocks became the new thing.  He’s looking smug here because he has stacked them on an unstable surface.

Had his first attempt at a big-kid swing.  I suspect he will like those more than the baby kind, but they are sadly hard to find in this town.

May 2012 — 14 months

“Welcome to the Pajamatime Piano Bar, where it’s always time for pajamas.”

Hanging out with the cats.  Orson (shown here) is getting less wary.

Trying miso soup at our Mothers’ Day brunch at the japanese restaurant.

…and it’s a hit.

We went to reunion.

The Bean and Sugar vogued around campus.

Brace yourself for schmaltz: it’s a family portrait on the site of our first kiss.

Back in the city, we have been exploring outdoor art…

…and attending birthday parties.  The Bean tries really hard not to make a mess…

…but sometimes it’s hard.  (I don’t usually get into pictures of my kid with food on his face.  Probably my mind is going.)

Hanging out at the community garden.  Where did I get a blond child?