Playdate

Liam had one of his first "play dates" last week.  Our good friends Kristen and John brought their adorable son, Brayden over for lunch, bubbles, kiddie pool and of course--throwing rocks...'cause that's what boys do on playdates!

Isn't Brayden adorable?

It was fun to see the differences between the two (Brayden is four months older) and imagine that in a couple months Liam may be doing some of the same things--walking confidently, parroting every word mama says and even testing boundaries.

Thanks for a fun afternoon, Kristen, John and Brayden!

Our little, perfect, happy family.

It's rare that all three of us are in a photo together.  Rare if all of us are smiling.  And impossible that all of us are looking at the camera at the same time.  This photo is one of the best yet {too bad Liam was distracted a bit}.  So it is making the blog.  LMF {love my family}.

Let me introduce myself...

Hello.  My name is Liam.  

I am one year old.  

I like squinting my eyes and making funny faces:

I like dancing to music.  

I cry when I can't listen to the ipod when I'm eating breakfast.

I like walking and know I'm doing something special:

I like waving "Hello" and "Goodbye" and melt old women's hearts in Banana Republic. 

Strangers are always telling me how sweet I am.

I still put everything in my mouth:

Potential choking hazards don't faze me:

Dad is teaching me how to extract my own teeth. 

He says it will save us some moolah.

I'm kind of rough and tumble.

I'm currently sporting three big scratches on my face:

I have a total of seven teeth now.

And still have the most beautiful blue eyes my mommy has seen.

So, that's me in a nutshell (at least for today).

Mommy says that I am changing so quickly.  

Sometimes she gets tears in her eyes when she says that.

But then, I do something funny (like blow raspberries on her tummy) and she's happy again.

At the park

After a very full and very fun birthday party, we started your BIRTH day with a morning rendition of Happy Birthday from Mom and Dad (which kind of scared you since we don't often enter your room singing in the morning) and ended with a lovely time with our little family at the park.  Happy Birthday to the coolest one year old around!

ONE YEAR OLD!
What an amazing year this has been.  In one year, you have changed our life in so many ways... ALL for the better.  There is not one thing that I would change.  You, our life, our little family is COMPLETELY PERFECT with you in it.  From the day you were born you have brought me joy, fulfillment and a desire to be the best mom to you.  Everyday that I wake up and hear your little chatter (or see your bum sticking straight in the air if you are still snoozing) that joy, fulfillment and desire is renewed.

You are still as sweet spirited as you were when you were born.  Your sweet infant coos have been replaced with loud, confident words--most of which we can't interpret (but that doesn't deter you).  We do understand dada (most used phrase), mama (rarely used), and ball (used to interchangeably represent anything shaped as a sphere--ball, peach, moon, balloon, etc).  You love climbing--up things, thru tunnels and over people laying on the ground:)  You smile often; big, toothy and currently drooly.  You toot a lot.  You eat well (a 1/2 a chicken breast for dinner tonight!) and drink like you've been stranded in a desert all your life.

You point at everything--inquisitive and wanting to touch and feel things.  You know what you want and communicate it well.  Sign language has helped--"more" and "please" signs are almost constant.  We are now trying to instill some gratitude by teaching you thank you:)

Here are some of the things (tricks) that you are currently doing:

• Sign Language - More, Please, Food
• Blowing kisses and giving hugs
• Walking a little (we are up to an 8 step record)
• Giggling when your toes are tickled
• Kicking the soccer ball
• Playing peek a boo with your self (often with your blanket in the crib)
• Unlocking the iphone and turning on music (you've been doing this for a while)
• Throwing and catching the ball
• Smiling ALL the time

What a crazy fast year this has been.  Such a change from the little eight pound bundle that we brought home a year ago.  It struck me today:  I only get four more of these before you start school, about 12 more before you start liking other girls (and I'm no longer the most important woman!) and 17 more of these before you leave to go to college.  I'm cherishing every day because it all goes by like a flash.

You have become the center of my life, the center of my conversation, the center of my thoughts and the center of my prayers.  I understand so much deeper the love that my Father God has for me.  If I care for you this much...how much more does God care for me and for you.  I can't even grasp how deep his love for you must be, but everyday I pray that you will experience his love as you grow strong in his strength, experience his grace and live the great adventure that he has ordained for you.

I love you very much my little Liam.  Happy Birthday!

Goodbye, Mullet. Hello, Big Boy Haircut.

Your first haircut :(
I already miss the wispies in the front.
It makes me a little sad to look at your grown up hair cut.
You officially look like a toddler.
You are so handsome, but growing up too fast.
Please stop!

BEFORE

AFTER

Happy Birthday AMERICA! (and almost to LIAM!)

Happy 4th of July.  Here is your day in pictures (or at least the moments I caught):

You started your morning with a little drive time.

You threw up quite a few times :(

You are walking pretty confidently--at least up to six steps on your own.

You hacked not one, but TWO, iphones at the same time.

You saw your first fireworks, and though not afraid--not ecstatic about them either.

You clapped for all of them.

A year ago today, I SWORE you were going to arrive on this date.  I even made your grandparents stay in town longer than they had planned because I SOOOOO thought it would happen.  But you stayed put for almost another week.  

Last year, I spent the 4th swimming at friend's pool.  We went back there this year.  Last year, you squirmed in my tummy when I got in the chilly water.  This year, you jumped in from the edge.  What a difference a year makes.  What a wonderfully, amazing, beautiful difference this year has made.