ONE

The past week has been such a whirlwind... trying to get the house ready and all that goes with planning a 1 year old's birthday party, that it did not fully hit me until yesterday that my baby is no longer a baby. He is and will always be my baby, but he is a little boy. It is with tears in my eyes and a huge smile on my face I think back on all of the wonderful, beautiful, trying, exhausting, precious memories and moments from the past year. I had no idea when I found out that I was pregnant how my world would turn completely upside-down with one little cry and how marvelous each and every second would be after that. Crockett has never been an easy baby and there were nights when I thought I was going to lose it.... but I realize now that each of those times were so special and they only lasted a couple of nights. Nothing that I would not do all over again... as many times as Chris would let me :)

Crockett is the light of my life. He now has 5 teeth, 3 on the bottom and 2 on top. He is not really walking on his own, but can do it with minor assistance and has taken 2 small steps. We have gotten his haircut once and it already needs it again. He is able to say more, please, all done, and thank you in sign language. He can say even more if you are bribing him with ice cream :) He sleeps until about 1:30 or 2:00 a.m. in his bed and then wants in bed with me... and yes, he gets his way the majority of the time. He hates getting his diaper changed, but loves it when his diaper is off. He always talks to every little kid he sees. He is one friendly little guy. He just jabbers all day long. I am never sure what he is saying, but he is saying something... sometimes screaming, happy screams. He is my own little monkey. He climbs on top of the toilet, his chair, up stairs, out of the bathtub (he tries anyways and almost made it!), on the fireplace... really there is almost no where this kid will not climb. He does not like big dogs or horses (up close, anyways), but he loves saydi and she loves him as long as he is feeding her or throwing her ball. He gives his hugs and kisses the same way... by resting his head on you and going "Mmmmmm". It is the best hug and kiss EVER!

There are SO many things I absolutely love about this little guy. Each day I watch him do something new and my list just grows. The past year has been filled with so many great accomplishments for him and Chris and I. We have grown so much closer and we are able to look at Crockett and see what we have made. It is such a miracle. A special bond. A gift from God. This year has FLOWN by way too fast, but it has been the best year of my life so far. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Crockett, Chris and I and our family.

Crockett, you are so precious to me. I am honored to be your mom. You bring me so much happiness and joy. My cup runeth over.

Happy 1st Birthday!

Happy 1st Birthday, Crockett!!

After weeks and weeks of planning and preparation, Crockett's big 1st birthday party has come and gone!! It was SO much fun, despite the SNOW and freezing temperatures. It was a lot of people squeezed into our home, but each person has a special place in our hearts and will play a part in Crockett's life, so we were so blessed to have each and every person there! We had cowboy hats and badges for the kids and just let them play and have fun together. They were all SO good and got along really well! Crockett was a little fussy as he would NOT take a nap that morning, so he was not quite his friendly self, but he had a great time! We all ate fajitas (which we will still be eating months from now...), queso, chips, salsa (Rachy's AWESOME salsa) and the really yummy cake. It was delicious, and I must say, would not have been ready without my mom and sisters who saved me this weekend. I love you all SO much and am so grateful for your help. I cannot tell you enough! Crockett got lots of fun toys and hopefully the weather will get nice so we can put his new sandbox outside with all his cool trucks! He is going to have so much fun stuff to play with! By the time we did the cake, he was about done. He did manage to get black icing all over himself, before he lost it. About 15 minutes later.... he was sound asleep... It was a lot of excitement for a little guy and I guess it was his birthday party and he can do whatever he wants! We had a good time and I can't wait to celebrate again, although next year, it may be somewhere else :) Crockett is so lucky to have so many wonderful people in his life! Thanks to everyone for celebrating with us!

(By the way, I will post pictures tomorrow! I just need to download them first!)