The Prince and The Party and the Letter B

Sounds like the beginnings of a Brother's Grimm Fairytale. :)

But it makes sense I promise.

Yesterday we had Jet's 12month check-up at the pediatrician. Needless to say it didn't take him long to recognize that crinkly paper and doctor lingo from a few weeks ago and before I knew it he was crying and clinging for dear life! Man that kid is strong! Praise God for those kicking legs and an amazing doctor who knows how blessed he is to be able to fight her off so forcefully. :) He was pretty much against the whole thing and let her know it - but he got a clean bill of health and some stats that made me giggle - 23% for height, 21% for weight, and 86% for head circumference! lol. Is that an SB baby or what?! I'd say it's just a "Palmer Baby" cause of the big head but we grow 'em bigger all around - so this little boy with his big head is a new combination I think. :) New and precious - the doc had no concerns cause he's proportionate with height and weight and actually says it's good for him to be on the smaller side with his SB so he won't have so much weight to hold up when he starts trying to walk. Makes sense. :) And he's getting so strong and just doing amazing things with just 2 PT appointments per month so we are very proud and excited at how well he is doing.

We talked about his picky eating and she says it's normal for his age and he won't "starve himself" so we don't have to worry. He's got 5 (almost 6) teeth now and he's pulling up on his knees and even doing some "knee walking" around the floor and along furniture. He's crawling faster (under tables and over objects) and getting into more things everyday (cabinet doors and tv cabinets anyone?). He's saying "DA-DA" like a chant all day and playing around with new consonants like "tuh" "kuh" and "nuh" - saving "Ma-Ma" for when he's frustrated or whiney of course. What a stinker. And the big next step in our "big boy" routine - giving up the bottle. (gasp!) He's good with a open cup and likes the sippy cup pretty good to - but he won't hold any of them himself! The doc says it's cause he's been "a little prince" and he'll learn it soon if we stop doing it for him. lol. I can't really argue with his "princely ways" so we'll see if we can start teaching him some more independence. :)

And speaking of the Little Prince - he had is first birthday party this weekend! The rain held off allowing us some back-yard fun with friends and family and the biggest party this house has ever seen.

Man oh Man - it was quite the day!

All of Jet's adorable little friends came to help him celebrate!

If we lived on Sesame Street (which sometimes I feel like I do) the "letter of the day" would have obviously been the letter "B".

B for Buckets and Blue-eyed Babies.

B for Balloons (which were quite popular).

And B for Brothers.

B for Bubbles!

And Beauties...

And Big Blue Balls....

And Bashful smiles (in unabashed seating positions. lol).

B for Buddies...

And Birthday Presents..

And don't forget

B for "blowing out candles!"

...Bossy Birthday Boys...

And bright happy memories made.

It was definitely

a "letter B" birthday bash

And we are so Blessed.

ONE

My favorite picture in our house is one that was taken ONE year ago... within minutes of meeting our baby boy for the first time. Even in the rush of nurses and doctors, his Daddy captured the sweetness of the most precious moment of our lives in this beautiful baby picture.

And now, not only does it sweeten my dreams in a frame by my bed that reads "Always Kiss me Goodnight". But it brightens our hallway with it's simplicity and innocence in a frame that states quite perfectly "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." You can guess which way we live ours...

And today we celebrated our little miracle ALL day. :)

It began with a breakfast fit for our little prince - ham and cheese bagel sandwich, apples and pears baby food, and a perfectly portioned pink birthday cake donut from (where else?) Starbucks. :) And boy did he FEAST.

I've never seen him eat so much.

And after conquering his breakfast...the day was filled with more food (ice cream and nuggets at Chik-fil-a of course), family (both in person and through numbers texts and phone calls of birthday wishes) and of course...

PRESENTS!

WAIT! Don't forget a birthday cake! It's a tradition in my family to have a simple pound cake for your first birthday. So Jet wanted to be like his Mommy (and his mommy happens to still love pound cake) so we had second slice of birthday cake. (Yes - we had a "pre-birthday" slice of cake with Grandmother and Grandpa last night at dinner. Jet knows you never turn down a piece of cake!) So like the donut this morning...this piece of cake got a PIECE OF JET! GRR!

Don't worry - I didn't let him eat the candle.

But I think I figured out why he went on a hunger strike a few weeks ago - he wasn't sick - he was preparing! Fasting so that he could get the most of his celebrations this week and EAT ALL DAY! lol. ;) So glad his appetite is back...I wasn't ready to see those rolly arms and legs go just yet. And you know the best way to keep those chubbies nice and plump...

Let Them Eat Cake!

Thank you to all our friends and family for the birthday well-wishing.

We are well.

And our wishes have come true.

What a difference...

...A year makes.

Yes - that is the same shirt and yes I can't believe how huge I was. Or that I'm publicly posting it to remind everyone! lol. But the memory is SO happy - because one year ago today we were going over our hospital checklists, packing up the car, setting the alarm for 4:30am and dreading the get-up because we didn't expect to sleep much that night (or many nights after).

A year ago today was the day before our little boy was born. :)

Excited. Nervous. Uncomfortably pregnant. It was unreal then...yet couldn't feel more real tonight just thinking about it. I remember the feelings so distinctly. I remember the anticipation and the prayers we said before bed. I remember getting up the next morning (cursing David for getting Starbucks when I wasn't allowed to eat or drink anything!) and thinking...this is it...my baby is coming...and he's gonna be okay.

That is if I don't pass out from this griping anxiety. lol.

I was so confident that God was taking care of him...but I still felt a horrible panic when it came time for the surgery. The memory of wanting to rip the i.v. from my arm and run (okay probably waddle) very fast out of the pre-op room is still at the surface of my most vivid memories.

I remember the whole family arriving. I remember David laughing at my horror that this was actually happening now! I remember how great my doctor was and how sure of everything. I remember the noises - the beeping, the nurses talking, the air flowing helping me breathe.

And I remember hearing the cry.

That first, amazing cry.

The most beautiful sound - so sweet - bringing instant relief - glorious introduction - answered prayer.

I felt the tears of joy and my whole countenance transition from worry to the most calming feeling of serenity I had ever experienced.

The feeling of being totally cared for.

The feeling of reaching a safe place of rest.

The feeling of completeness.

I'll never forget that feeling.

And I'll never forget how much we are loved by our Father in Heaven when I think of that day,

the peace we received,

and the gift we were given ~

Our Little Miracle.

Let the Birthdays Begin...

With Mine! (lol)

This weekend we began the countdown to the big O-N-E for our little man (don't make me cry)-

Yours truly had to sneak in her birthday first. May is a BIG birthday month in our family and towards

the end they all get crammed together. lol. But I have a few family members in particular (Aunt Kelly. :))

Who REALLY put the "Happy" in "Happy Birthday." So we did HAPPY!

Okay I'll tell you - I turned 26 (ahh!) on Sunday and I have to say so far 26 has been amazing!

A good cookie cake is the perfect kick-off.

Caution: watch out for bursts of flame!

My mom took some pictures of the 3 of us (you momma's out there know that NEVER happens!)

A rare a perfect moment - me with my boys. The best present.

And check this out...

I can't believe how big he's getting. And standing! Of course we're holding on to him

like perfectly cautious parents but he is STANDING none the less. :)

And can you believe how cute?!

Uh-oh...somebody's getting bored.

Momma's Boy.

Sweetness...

...and Surprises!

Could there be a better birthday combination?

Thanks so much to my fabulous family and friends who made this one of the most special birthdays I've had yet!