Happy 1st Birthday

One year ago, my world changed. I returned to the land of diapers, middle of the night feedings, rear-facing carseats, the tiniest of onesies and the sweetest of experiences.


One year later, my world changed. The rear-facing carseat can now face forward, mealtime is no longer strictly liquid, the onesies are now a size "Large," but the experience remains sweet.

That seven pound, three ounce newborn is now a 20+ pound baby who's about to become a toddler. He's always on the move, crawling or cruising somewhere. While 5 o'clock is often the witching hour when it comes to trying to get dinner on the table, one of the newest developments is the peals of laughter coming from the hallway as RTR and CSR play... I think it's a game of chase that generates the most laughing... RTR "chasing" after CSR. Also getting big laughs, RTR at the cat door in the laundry room door reaching through and looking through the opening. For some reason, CSR finds this extremely hilarious. As long as neither of them is eating cat food or the sandy cat litter, whatever it takes to get dinner made.

Happy Birthday Baby!
Here are some pictures of RTR celebrating his first birthday with a cupcake. Not exactly a delicate eater, he pretty much tried to eat it all in one bite. We joked that it would be all fun and games until we had to call 911.

His Baby-ness is Floating Away

Tomorrow is RTR's first birthday. I can't believe it's been a year... as I've asked myself frequently in the past year, where did the time go? I have been feeling in the past few weeks his baby-ness floating away. It's this essence of baby... an emergence from this baby cocoon he's been in since he was born, maybe even before he was born. I was lucky it lasted as long as it did. He figured out the crawling thing just two weeks ago and it looks like walking is close at hand (or would that be close at foot?). I think if he would have crawled sooner, or got his first tooth sooner I would have felt that babyness floating away sooner. Even at one year old, he still looks more like a baby than CSR did. I think it's the hair--RTR doesn't have as much as his brother did at this age. I've tried to savor the joys (and frustrations) of the first year--since it's our last.

There's just something about turning one, marking the biggest of those "firsts"--the first birthday. I have probably set myself up with too high expectations, but I want to make sure I do RTR justice with celebrating his birthday (I know it's more for us than him). I can't make it the same as it was for the first-born, but I'm still planning. The first-born's first birthday fell on a Sunday, so a little celebration was easier than planning something for a Thursday. We even had a grandma in town visiting.

Is it sad that I ran to Fred Meyer tonight to get RTR a few gifts? I guess I should give myself some credit--I baked mini cupcakes to share at our baby class picnic on Tuesday. He seemed to like his. I also had enough foresight to get RTR a birthday balloon while grocery shopping today--so maybe I'm not doing too bad. I think my mom forgot my sister's birthday when she turned one.

Time to Pee

As I was getting ready to give RTR a bath yesterday, he was waiting in his crib--standing up at the rail naked. Of course, the risk you take of letting someone stand naked in their crib while you rush around getting bath water ready is that there's going to be some pee somewhere, sometime. As I walked into RTR's room, out it came. A stream flowing perfectly between the slats arcing onto the floor (thank goodness for hardwood flooring). I was obviously caught off guard--and surprised by the amount and speed of the pee. I started laughing. I don't think RTR found it nearly as funny. He started crying. Maybe he was surprised by the pee too. More evidence that I find some of the strangest things funny.

The Giggle Boys

Our boys got the giggles this afternoon. It's amazing what will get them laughing. Never thought it would be the shrubbery.

Happy Birthday to You

Five years ago my life changed. I became someone's mother. We marked that milestone on Saturday with a birthday party. Seven friends over for a backyard party. Plenty of running around, bubbles, swinging and general mayhem. There's nothing like a pack of preschoolers running around to make you feel old. Although it threatened to rain, the gray skies didn't dampen spirits. Also, proof that kids run on a different internal thermometer-- we couldn't get some of the kids to wear their sweaters and jackets.








But back to that day five years ago. The day before Mother's Day, just like this year. Amazing to think such a tiny thing could have such a big impact on our lives, on our hearts.

Preschool Mother's Day Party

Friday was the best day at preschool-- for ME. It was the class Mother's Day Party. Our invitations said to be there at 11 o'clock. "Eleven o'clock sharp!" said CSR. I was also told to comb my hair, brush my teeth and put on clean clothes. Check, check and check. When I arrived at the door, I was given a name tag hand-colored by my first-born. Then, one of the teachers called to CSR that I was there. He stands up from his table, comes over, greets me and escorts me by the hand to our table. I thought I might start to cry.



At the table were placemats for each of us, decorated by CSR. Too precious. As we waited for all of the moms to arrive, CSR asked me what I wanted to eat-- there was Tiki Punch, ice cream with whipped cream and cookies. What a menu. But before the food was served, there was more on the program. First, all the moms were invited to look for their child's "Mom" poster. On the pink paper was a painting of me and the sun, along with my four year old's view of me: I shop at Top Foods, I read books about babies, I listen to Miss Lorrie music, I clean up scattered toys, I read books to him, I like cheesecake, I watch race cars on TV. Each so touching and funny--for all the things that are true and all the things not true as well. All of the mothers laughing and clearly enjoying this new perspective of themselves.

We were then led to the gym. There CSR's class joined those from room 7 to sing songs they had learned-- Peanut Butter and Jam, Baby Bumblebee and a few others. So cute to see all of these little people singing in and out of tune doing hand motions along with the words. With all the camera flashes, you would have thought us moms were the paparazzi. I'm not sure if CSR could see me in the crowd-- he looked a lost at times. It was so sweet though when one classmate pointed right at his mother who was sitting in front of me while singing a song about moms.




Back in the classroom, it was time for the food. CSR being the little host, getting me a cup of Tiki punch (after he got his own cup) and then asking me what I wanted on my ice cream-- chocolate syrup or whipped cream-- apparently you can't have both. The party conversation also included discussions of bowing and curtsying, whether he could have more ice cream and would I give him the strawberry from my punch. It was such a fun hour. What a milestone-- for both of us.