Happy Anniversary Mommy and Daddy!

First it was just Mommy, Daddy and Cooper

The following September you came along!

Then there were 4!

First Birthday Celebrations

This weekend was full of birthday parties! Owen's friends Emily and James both had their first birthday parties and Owen was there to help celebrate. On Saturday we travelled to Clayton,NC to celebrate with the Johnson's. James was a super sweet birthday boy and shared all of his toys. He had an airplane themed birthday party with a yummy cake from Edible Art! I heart birthday cake! Here are some pictures from our birthday weekend.

Owen made his first trip to the ABC store to get a present for the birthday boys dad!

Owen and the birthday boy James!

Clearly it was time to go!

The John Deere toy was the best part of the day for Owen. He was OBSESSED with it. I guess my little guy is a country boy now. We will have to cross out the NY,NY on his birth certificate if he is going to ride on a John Deere. However, I am drawing the line when it comes to cowboy boots and hats. NOPE! Here are some pics to show just how much he LOVED this toy!

Disclaimer: I'm not sure that this song is really appropriate for a kids slide show. But it's all I could think of when I saw him on the John Deere toy.

On Sunday we went to Emily's Elmo themed party. Owen had fun splashing in the pool and eating jello for the first time. Here are some pics from the party...

Owen chose a European look for his swimwear. He thought a Speedo was a good birthday party swimsuit. I can't believe I forgot his bathing suit. BAD MOMMY!

Trying to decide if he likes Jello. I secretly hope not because I don't want him to eat too much red food dye!

Owen and Emily

They say it's your birthday!

Owen recently celebrated his very first birthday with a monkey party! We were so glad so many people wanted to be part of his big day! His monkey themed party was in full swing with a monkey cake, homemade banana cookies, and sock monkeys for the kids.

The birthday boy in his new Pottery Barn Kids Chair! This was the most amazing Birthday Cake I have ever seen!

It was more than I could have imagined!

Cake Table

Monkey Cupcakes for the kids!

He wasn't really interested in the cake! No cake in the face pictures for him.

Mommy and Tammy worked hard on the banana cookies. Owen's PopPop made these for his party! Happy Birthday Owen!

Little Red Wagon

Owen's great grandmother bought him a really cool birthday present. We are sure to put a lot of miles on this wagon! Owen laughs so hard that he gets hiccups when he rides in it. He's part of the cool kid crowd at the playground now that he has his own wagon. It's so much fun listening to him babble on our walks around the neighborhood. It's like driving around a little old man that shouts orders at you. If I didn't know better I would swear he is telling me where to turn and how fast to go. I couldn't resist using this song and it has been in my head since I made the slide show! It's a catchy little tune! I'm still working on his first year slide show.... I had it all done and then some pictures got erased. I will also post his birthday party pictures soon!

Happy First Birthday!

I can't believe the day is finally here. I have spent all day thinking back to what I was doing last year this time. I look at him and I am amazed at how much he has grown and changed. When I think back to before he was born it's strange because I can't imagine a day when he wasn't around. I am experiencing the kind of torn emotions that I suppose characterizes much of motherhood. While I want my son to grow up and I want to see him reach new milestones in his life, I also want to keep him a wee little baby for as long as I can. He has, of course, decided that he is no longer a baby. As I look at Owen, I am so thankful for all of the wonderful things we've done together as a family... and thankful for each and every memory along the way. And, while the thought of him growing up and eventually leaving home is more painful than I can stand, I also look forward to all of the new memories yet to be made.

As I celebrate his first year of life I am aware that I am celebrating my first year of motherhood and our first year as a family. We have come a long way from those first few days home from the hospital. Those sleepless nights seem like a lifetime ago , yet I feel like it was just yesterday. It's really hard to believe an entire year has gone by already. In 12 short months he accomplished so much. My 7lb 14oz little guy is now a toddler. He's full of energy and curiosity that makes him so much fun. As much as I miss my little baby I am so excited for the wonder and joy of raising a toddler. I am really going to soak up the moments this year because now I know how fast it goes by. Happy birthday Owen!!

We spent a wonderful day together celebrating Owen's 1st birthday. Here are some of our memorable moments! We had his first birthday pictures made with a smash cake. All I can say is PRICELESS!

After we cleaned up from all the mess we tried on some new kicks! Since he is a big boy now we checked out the play area in the mall. However... I thought it was a little too dirty so we didn't stay long : )

Owen is very proud of his big boy shoes! Here he is doing his "I got some new shoes" dance!

Before he went to sleep we opened presents. Check out the look on his face. He loved this little people set from Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin.

Bath time!

Bath time has become quite an ordeal. He has learned how to really make a splash. I know that I shouldn't laugh at him because pretty soon I am going to want him to stop. I try not to but I can't help it. It really is funny. Of course he knows it so he continues to do it. I am creating a monster. A VERY CUTE MONSTER!