First Birthday Party - Round Two!

We postponed Thomas's party to Sunday June 10th - his actual birthday! The day started with thunderstorms and the forecast didn't show it letting up all day. We changed gears and planned for an inside party....about 20 minutes before the party started, the sun was bright and shining with no clouds on the horizon. Quick change of plans and we moved everything outside. It was a hot afternoon, but the sun was shining so we were grateful!

The table for the kiddos!

The party was a Peter Rabbit theme...in case you couldn't guess! : )  I have always loved the Beatrix Potter stories. Thomas's nursery has the same theme with prints from the nursery in my grandmother's house and figurines from my childhood and others in my family. I would imagine this is the last time I can use the sweet theme since future birthday parties will be left up to Thomas. I see Elmo or Thomas the Train in our future.

Muddy's mini cupcakes, ice cream cups and juice boxes!

Refreshments for the adults!

Miss Racheal came to Thomas's party. She sure does love Thomas and he most definitely loves her (despite the serious look on his face in this picture).

Thomas is wondering why there is no water in his water table. I didn't think the parents would appreciate getting the cute outfits wet for the party!

Thomas greeting Henry and Graham and trying to steal the monkey wubanub at the same time.

Sweet friends that came to celebrate!

Birthday cake time!

While he may have icing smeared all over his mouth, truth is, Thomas doesn't really care for cake. He will take a few small bites but he would prefer ice cream or fruit! Guess I should be happy about this, huh?

Sweet sisters! Caroline is the best big sister.

Enough sitting down...time to move. Just a side note...Thomas stood up and walked across the kitchen all by himself the Friday after his birthday. He prefers to walk with this walker because he is much faster, but little man can get around just fine by himself....when he wants to!

Tino and Mimi gave Thomas a basketball goal for his birthday. We are learning how to play the game! Right now he just likes the ball!

Hi Lulu! She was behind the camera or helping set up/clean up the whole time, so there aren't any pictures to post!

Caroline wanted to help Thomas open his gifts before she left. I was grateful to have someone help him open them....she is such the little helper!

Caroline is going to be Lisa's flowergirl next year for Hutchison graduation. Hard to believe Lisa will be a senior and Caroline will be in kindergarten!

Tino and Mimi

Nana and Papa

Thomas and Annie checking out his new toy!

Thomas and his girls!

First Birthday Party - Round One!

Thomas got sick the day before his birthday party. Looking back now, I think it was just serious teething since he had 3 teeth coming in at the same time and no one else got sick. I couldn't be sure, and I certainly didn't want to risk getting anyone else sick, so we postponed his party. Little man did not feel well all day but rallied in time for the family cookout and birthday round one.

Quy, the lady who used to clean my grandmother's house, made a cake just for Thomas.

Cheese!

Singing with the birthday bear!

After dinner and cake, Thomas's outfit was filthy so....we lost the clothes all together while he opened his presents. Thomas is one lucky kiddo! He got so many wonderful toys and gifts.

Grandmother (Gram) made the trip all the way from Sandersville for his first birthday!

Trains from Tino.

Walking is much more fun pushing the popper! Have to point out that Uncle Brian made the trip from Atlanta for the big day. I don't have many pictures of him...bad mom...so this one will have to do!

Grandmother gave Thomas his very own Georgia chair. Notice how intently he is ready his animal book, naked and with only one shoe on....100% BOY.

Annie flew home from D.C. just for Thomas's birthday too. He has the best family...the sure do love him a lot!

Party wouldn't have been complete without BooBoo!

These two are buds. They spent lots of time walking around, riding in the wagon, and pushing the cozy coupe during the weekend. Papa is excited to show Thomas all of the animals and toys on the farm.

Nana and Papa gave Thomas a trike for his birthday. It has lots of stages so he can use it as he gets older. It even has a cell phone!

Birthday Weekend Hangover

I don't have the energy to create the full birthday weekend post today. I feel like I've been run over by a Mack truck! This weekend was chaotic and fantastic all at the same time. While I am exhausted, I feel more blessed and grateful. Blessed to have a happy and healthy ONE year old boy and grateful to all of our parents, grandparents and siblings for the tremendous amount of help they gave us this weekend. They say it takes a village to raise a child...so true!

I have to share two pictures that sum up with swing of emotion at our house this weekend....

From "Stink Face".....

to Happy Boy!

More to come.....

358 Days....

We have been parents for 358 days or 51 weeks. Thomas will be one next Sunday (and he is already driving - see the pic above.) It feels like just yesterday he was born, but at the same time, it is hard to remember life without our little guy. What a whirlwind parenthood has been...never a dull moment! But what an amazing gift Thomas has been to us - all of the hard work and trying times are forgotten when those little arms wrap around my neck or I see that face light up when I walk in the room.

I did not get a chance to do our 11 month update before we left for the beach earlier this month, so I decided to give an update now. Thomas doesn't sit still for long, so the chair pictures have taken on a new look...he is sitting in the chair, standing on the chair, pushing the chair...you get the point.

Thomas still loves to read his books. Most times, he would opt for a book over a toy!

Little man became quite the water baby after our extended stay at the beach. We both fell into our routine, which comprised of lots of walks and lots of water time. Since I couldn't bring the beach home to Memphis, I opted to bring the water to our house in a different way. We gave Thomas a water table for his birthday. He spent hours this weekend splashing and pouring water all over the driveway, himself and anyone that stands close enough. He helped me put the table together by sitting on the box!

                                    

I love this picture...playing in our pj's and water shoes, sopping wet and could care less. Yes, he is a boy!

He has been so talkative over the last month...constantly jabbering and saying some real words in between. He knows ball, "baba" (bottle), banana, meow, moo, thank you, amen, bye bye, hi, duck, and of course mama and dada.

This weekend we let Thomas open and play with some of his early birthday presents. Lulu gave Thomas his first set of wheels. Thomas LOVES his cozy coupe. He bounces up and down when we push him.

Lulu also gave Thomas this bear from the Women's Exchange that sings "Happy Birthday." Thomas loved this bear when we had lunch there a few months ago and Lulu remembered.

Thomas has 5 full teeth now but 2 more are coming in. Popsicles are great for soothing those sore gums and standing over the open freezer door sure helps keep Thomas cool in these hot summer days. (Ha! I don't let him do this a lot, but he was having fun!)

Had to close with this picture from tonight. What a mess this little boy is! His "mis-be-having" shirt on from the pool, pj pants, blankie in one hand and "baba" in the other....laid back watching some TV with Daddy and laughing at Mommy. Looks like this little guy has quite the life!