Our 1 Year Old

Happy Birthday Sullivan! June 3rd was on a Sunday this year so our morning was a bit more rushed than usual. We still managed to have time to squeeze in Sullivan's birthday pancake which will be an annual tradition for us. He loved when we sang Happy Birthday and enjoyed his pancake thoroughly.

Matthew had installed his new car seat the night before so it was ready and waiting for Sullivan when we left for church. We had planned on waiting to forward face Sullivan for another year, but his infant seat was not working well for him anymore and we felt like it was safer to have him in the middle forward facing with access to air conditioning than on the side rear facing with no air conditioning. You make the best decisions you can as parents; no judgements please. 

That afternoon I got to take a few pictures and I am pleased with how they turned out. It's really hard to believe that our baby is a year old. In some ways I feel like it's been much much longer and in other ways I think it all passed by too quickly.

Sullivan is silly, loving, friendly, mischievous, and wonderful. He has so much personality and we love him so so much! Happy Birthday, my sweet peanut!

Sullivan's Up, Up & Away Birthday Party

I am very behind on blogging.. it's been a crazy week. We had Sullivan's 1st birthday party last Saturday and he had a great time. I don't think I've ever seen a baby enjoy their 1st birthday party more than he did. We held  it at his favorite park near our home and invited several friends and family. The weather was perfect. In my wildest wishes and dreams I could not have picked a better day! I decided that since our budget was tight that I would do most of the prep and decor myself. I wouldn't say it all turned out exactly as I had pictured but it was very cute and very close. We always talk about life with Sullivan being a journey and an adventure so a hot air balloon theme seemed appropriate. I designed the invitations in Photoshop and then printed them on the photo printer I got from Matthew's parents last Christmas.

I thought they turned out pretty cute and best of all, they were FREE!

I stayed up much too late the night before decorating cupcakes, making Sullivan's party shirt, and making his banner.. one day I will stop procrastinating (right?). The morning of the party was pretty hectic, but our families helped alot. Setting up didn't take as long as we thought it would which was really nice, and we had a great turnout! I had several people taking pictures for me (THANK YOU SO MUCH!) and my friend Sara videoed which I am so so grateful for. 

(I made these the night before by cutting and sewing felt triangles onto shoestring ribbon and adding fabric paint.)

The food all turned out pretty good (we had no complaints). I made key lime cupcakes with buttercream icing and topped some of them with the hot air balloon sugar cookies that I had made by the wonderfully talented Cookie Lady! Homemade chex mix, animal crackers, and watermelon made for a very simple and yummy spread. The cookies were definitely the star of the show. People are still talking about those cookies!

Sullivan's cake was a Funfetti cake with tinted buttercream.

I tried to get a picture of all of our kid guests before everything started but this was the best any of us could catch... and we are still missing a few kids. We had some runners!

The Birthday Buddies!

Everyone ate while Sullivan opened presents. He got so many great gifts!

Some of our friends and family at the party...

My Maw!

Matthew's Pap Pap & Mom (Sullivan's Gran)

My Granddaddy

Playing peek a boo with his Grandma!

My parents (Sullivan's Grandpa & Grandma)

Sullivan was very excited about his cake. He'd had cake at several parties before his and he knew what was coming was going to be good!

He had a brief moment of shyness while everyone sang Happy Birthday but he quickly got over it!

I finally just had to take the cake away.. he just kept eating and eating, which lead to a bit of a sugar high...

Matthew's youngest brother, Nicholas, gave Sullivan a balloon and he became obsessed with it.

Sullivan and his "Unc"

I tried to get a picture with some of the kids that missed the first group shot, but when I tried to take his balloon away (he kept putting it over his face) this is what I got...

... and the meltdown lasted for a few minutes.

We did manage to get one great family shot before we all left (minus the balloon!)!

I can honestly say that we all had a blast, but no one had a better time than Sullivan. He loved talking to all of his family and friends, playing in the bouncy house, eating cake, and playing with his balloons and presents. He thoroughly enjoyed his day and was worn out! 

He fell asleep before I even got the car in drive.

Wordless Wednesday

Because Tomorrow You’ll Be One.

Each morning when you wake up

You are super snuggly and all smiles.

So this morning I’ll snuggle a little longer

Because tomorrow you’ll be One.

Peek a Boo and Where’s the Baby?

You are always playing games.

So today I’ll play a little longer

Because tomorrow you’ll be One.

You laugh as we read book after book

And make funny faces in the mirror.

So today I’ll linger a little longer

Because tomorrow you’ll be One.

As you throw your lunch on the floor

And say uh oh! over and over again

I’ll be a little more patient

Because tomorrow you’ll be One.

When it’s nap time and we’re rocking

And it’s time to lay you down

I will rock and hold you a little longer

Because tomorrow you’ll be One.

Being outside swinging while we sing

Makes you happy. Makes you laugh. Makes you smile.

So we will swing and sing a little longer

Because tomorrow you’ll be One.

Sometimes life gets really busy.

Chores and church and therapy and play group have us always on the go.

So today I will sit and just breathe you in

Because tomorrow you'll be One.

You always love bath time.

You could slash and kick forever.

So tonight I will let you play until you prune

Because tomorrow you’ll be One.

Bedtime nursing is our special time.

It’s been that way since day one.

So tonight I’ll make sure you have my undivided attention

Because tomorrow you’ll be One.

Although tomorrow is just another day

And nothing about us is going to change

I will cherish this first year we’ve had together

And the memories we’ve made.

Tomorrow you turn One my love

Congratulations! Bravo! Hooray!

This is just the beginning of our amazing ride

I love you more each and every day.

You’re one of the most amazing people I know, Sullivan. You’re my hero, and I love you more than you will ever know.

Bazinga!

First of all, if you don't watch Big Bang Theory, you should; you're not going to get this post if you don't. Here's a youtube clip to kind of catch you up: http://youtu.be/0MrDe_2eW10.

I've been eyeing the ball pit at the Infant Stim building for several months. It's been begging me to throw S in there and take these pics. So when Matthew bought S a Green Lantern shirt a week ago I knew this had to happen.

Sullivan was very comfortable in the ball pit. At first he wanted to pick them up one at a time and throw them...

.. and then kick them with glee.

He loved it so much!

BAZINGA!

I think he could have even gone to sleep in there if we would have let him.