Happy First Birthday!

As Charlie would say, “Holy Guac” Baby Boy! We cannot believe you are one already. You had a nice birthday yesterday. You woke up to us singing to you, and you clapped and clapped after we were finished and gave us all kisses. Your kisses are too funny. You open your mouth and head straight for our faces—slobbering on us, but we love it. Charlie laughs and laughs when you kiss him, so you just keep doing it.

On Sunday we are having a bit birthday bash for you at the house. I hope you have fun and are not scared of all of the people. We will post pictures later. I have enlisted Atha as the photographer. If she wasn’t so good at it, I would not ask her all the time. Ha! It will be a fun day with lots of good food and lots of people who love and adore you.

I thought a lot yesterday about the day you were born and what a wonderful—and scary—day it was. You were born at 2:35 p.m. and weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. and were 20.5 inches long. And you came out “blue.” Thank goodness for the amazing NICU team who resuscitated you so quickly. On Monday we will find out your height and weight now. I cannot wait!

You bring so much joy to our lives with your sweet smile, your silly laugh and your constant chatter. You move all over the place but are not quite confident to take those first unaided steps…even though I know you could do it. You love it when we play “Mommy’s gonna get you” and you crawl as fast as you can away from me and squeal the whole time. You also love to be outside but do not like the way the ground or grass feels on your knees, so you walk on your hands and feet, which is quite comical. Ms. Teresa says that you love to go out to the courtyard at school with the big kids and play.

You are eating like a pro, and you have liked most everything we have given you. Your most favorite thing is berries, especially raspberries and blackberries. Last night for your birthday dinner you had fish, berries, pasta and sweet potatoes. Charlie said the prayer and he prayed that you would have a good birthday and then he prayed that he would have a good birthday…in January. I hope he, too, survives your party on Sunday. Charlie, you are certainly accustomed to being the center of attention.

Daddy and I cannot wait for the upcoming weeks when you start walking on your own and start using words other than Mama, Dada, Nye Nye, hi and Ba Ba. The other new thing you are doing is brushing your six teeth. You open your mouth really big and say “ahhhh.” It is too funny. You are definitely in the stage of mimicking things you see us do.

Happy first birthday, Sweet Ryan. Thank you for being so wonderful. Daddy, Charlie and I love you too, too much!

Mommy

Friday FUNday

Hi Charlie…My little sunshine,

How is it that we are so lucky to have two wonderful little boys? My heart grows every time I think of you and Ryan. You two are pretty amazing!

I am so thankful that I am able to spend my Friday mornings with you. We have so much fun trying new places for breakfast. I think your favorite thus far is Over the Counter on 3300 South. You loved sitting at the counter and watching the guys cook. “Momma, they are cooking so much eggs. I cannot believe it!”

Last week we went to Blue Plate, per Miss Christina’s suggestion. You picked a table outside. Every time we go to breakfast, you always want “cancakes” and scrambled eggs. When we were leaving Blue Plate, you said to me, “That was a fun place to eat, Momma. Thank you for taking me there for breakfast.” I am amazed at how sweet and polite you can be. You are a very thankful child, and I hope you always stay that way.

In fact, the other day we passed by Judge, and I told you that I went there for school. You said, “Can I go to Judge when I get bigger?” To which, I responded, “yes.” You then said, “Thank you for letting me go to Judge when I get bigger. I want to play football there.” That, my sweet boy, is something that we may have to re-think down the road. How about soccer or lacrosse, instead?

Charlie, I say thank you to you for being my little buddy, for filling my heart with joy and for making our lives that much better. I hope when you are all grown up that we can still enjoy our little “dates.” I look forward to our next outing…where will breakfast be this Friday? No matter where we go, I know it will be fun!

I love you too, too much!

-Momma

p.s. Here you are this past weekend on your bike in PC. You rode for two miles...boy were you tired!