Happy Birthday To Me!!

Well, the big day has come and gone. And I believe that we are still doing what we can to recover from the event! Braxton had a wonderful 1st birthday party on Sunday afternoon. The festivities kicked off around 3. Everyone came over to play with toys, have some snacks, and eat cake. We were all a little disappointed that the weather did not work with us. We were hopeful that the kids would get a chance to run around outside. A few die-hards, Braxton included, were doing what they could to get outside when the sun would come out, but it was short lived. Thus, needless to say, the house was bit crowed for awhile, but the more the merrier, right :).

When Braxton had his moment to dive into the cake whole-heartily, he got a little stage fright. He looked like he was going to go for it head first, so we stripped him down and put him in his high chair with his own piece. But, he didn't think much of it. I don't think he even got any in his mouth! Oh, well. Maybe next year.

We ended the day with all the grandmas and grandpas and aunts and uncles and cousins and... sticking around to grill burgers and brats and the works. The last party-goers left about 9 PM. I felt very lucky to have so many grandmas, aunts, etc, around to help clean up. But, we were still picking up balloons tonight! I think we finally have the last remnants of the party in the garbage :).

Braxton was a trooper throughout the entire event. Not hardly a fuss! And Monday we had a good time playing with all of our new toys! He received so many great things to keep him busy this summer - a wagon, a sandbox, a pool, trucks, tractors, etc. I think his favorite, though, is his new four wheeler! I told Jon when we bought it that there was no way that a 1 year old can drive a battery operated four wheeler (even if it only goes 2 miles an hour!). Boy, was I wrong! He knows just how to get that thing going! Turning is a whole other story, but we're working on that :).

To think about the last year, it has been the most wonderful year of my life. I would never have believed a year ago that my life would have changed as much as it has. To watch him change and grow has been the most amazing experience. And to know that I will get to continue to watch him do so for the rest of my life is almost too huge to wrap my mind around.

To know that he has gone from a tiny, 8 pound infant to a walking, talking (well, not really talking :) toddler. To get to see his huge smile when I get him up for the morning, or to watch him clap his hands when I arrive to pick him up from daycare. To know that he relies on his father and I for every need, and to know that we both work as hard as we can to not let him down. To hear his giggles, his "da da da"s, to watch him blow kisses. What a blessing I have!