No great pictures, just a Hal update

Hal is walking. Hooray! Everyday a few steps more.
I put a short video on facebook and haven't taken any quality pictures in a few weeks, so this post is pictureless. And I'd like to narrate about the annoying parent at work today who insisted Greenhill wasn't an "academic" school or even how Eric and I are starting to have microseizures thinking about any home decorating or our water bill, or new adventures in 110 degree weather, but instead I need to write about Hal for his first birthday.

I'm still working on figuring Hal out and, of course, he surprises me everyday with some new revelation of personality or mastered skill. He is a sweet fellow, loves poring over albums of pictures of his family, smiling and pointing at "daddy" most of all. Of course, when daddy comes home, then Hal is shy and mommy is the center of all attention.
He deals with my leaving everyday very well, but never fails to remind me that I was gone all day when I come back- sometimes disagreeable and needy, other times loving and gentle.
Hal loves his trucks, things with wheels, things that move. Everything goes "truckatuckatrucka" when it moves across a surface and Hal especially enjoys when I play alongside with my own truck. He stacks blocks three high but mostly takes the blocks to load onto truck trailers, tractors, etc... and cart around the house. Anything can be carted. Pieces of dog food, pebbles or tiny bits of dust, sippy cups, plastic animals, wipes, clean diapers.
Hal is not a daredevil. He certainly can throw his body about for the sake of a truck hauling up to the couch or along the toilet cover. But Hal is careful and generally concentrates on body position and movement. Thus, he walks when he can concentrate, and is deliberate while stepping and joyful once he plops down, proud of his work.
He is a fickle eater at one. Veggies are often from the Ellas (which he adores) and sneaked into his quesadilla. Eggs are rejected, along with most meats not disguised in the eternal quesadilla. He knows where the snack packs at Starbucks are, which is a bad sign.
I recently went to Whole Foods (its convenient, has free bananas for babies and a better experience with baby ie: faster checkout) than Tom Thumb on a weeknight for milk. And a mother with a beautiful baby Hal's age had him in a grocery cart cover eating organic peas from a cup so daintily. His neat striped jumper had a matching bib.
Hal was leaning forward to take massive bites from a banana I held against the handle of the cart, dressed in a dirty shirt, with banana bits streaming down his face, hands right on the cart, broken cart belt and all. Of course, the mom encouraged her baby to talk to Hal and enunciated a lovely greeting. Hal just vocalized banana bits down his shirt.
Did I mention the Whole Foods mom had just come from her workout? Yeah.
Anyway, Hal takes it all in stride. Easygoing, adjusts quickly, occasional poo-face.
Loves his DVDs. Did I say I would be one of those moms who played a DVD everytime her kids got in the car? Let's pretend I did. Because I am.
Hal loves watching DVDs on the portable player in the car. This has saved our hide many times. He can sit and watch Elmo or Thomas or the old school Sesame Street singalongs for hours. But we confine it only to the car. He works hard on climbing into his carseat in order to watch these DVDs, all facing backward of course.
Hal can point to things in his books, says words when he feels like it- "cat" "moo" etc...
He says "nononono" shaking his head emphatically with such emotion and seriousness bystanders laugh.
And he's still a truly beautiful baby. His face would make you give him a free ice cream if he so much as looks at you. This comes in handy for when he is being a poo-face. Strangers forgive a pretty guy pretty fast. If he flashes you a smile, you're likely to hand over your car keys.
Hal still naps 1-2 x a day, and plays with his trucks in his bed when you put him down. He'll stop to look at you like "and why are you still here?"
At night he loves PEEEEEJAMA time and holds his foot up for socks. We have not been successful with shoes; however, and Hal does enjoy being a nekid bebe. Watching the gas stove and playing on his own in his little playhouse are also favorite activities. If I would let him sit in the heat in the mud and dirt, he would be there for hours, taste testing leaves and rocks.
At restaurants he bends over his high chair to look for "duggggies" and feed them pieces of lima bean or whatever horrifying vegetable I have insulted him with. He is fair when feeding the westies- one at a time, please.
Every gray vehicle that goes by the house is "daddy"- from the toyota Camry Eric drives to the largest grey Landrover. Poor thing gets his hopes up for daddy coming home from work at least 3 times a day.

Dear Hal,
I'm sure when you are a preteen/teenager/crazy guy at some point, I will momentarily forget how precious you are. But then I'll remember, and think about how beautiful and precious and wonderful you are, how you are the best loan from God we could ever hope to share, and how much I treasure where you are right now- full of babyness and exploring spirit, love and delight.
Love,
Your Mom

Dear Lord,
If you could give me the same baby again, I'll take 5. To go. Paper or plastic is fine. Thanks.