Happy 1st Birthday James Peyton!

Dear James,
Happy 1st Birthday sweet baby boy! I cannot believe it has already been one year since you were born. This first year as your Mommy has been more incredible than I ever could have imagined! I remember feeling such overwhelming love and emotion the minute I held you in my arms and could not wait to experience our first year together.

It has been so amazing to watch you grow and reach all of your milestones this first year. It seems like yesterday you were learning to roll over! I remember when you smiled at me for the first time, when you had to work so hard to roll from your back to your tummy, wobbling and falling over when you were trying to sit by yourself and finally being so proud when you could do it, army crawling and finally pushing up to crawl on all fours, the first time you said "mama" and most recently watching with such excitement as you took your first steps! Everyone says the first year goes by so fast but I did not really understand until now. How is it possible my baby boy is now a toddler?!? You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me and I am truly blessed to be your Mom. My heart still melts everytime you reach for me to pick you up. All of the moments I have held you, rocked you to sleep, and snuggled with you this first year are priceless. I would not trade them for anything!

So James Peyton, what are you up to at ONE years old?

You are 32 inches long and weigh 23.5 lbs

You wear a size 4 diaper

You wear size 12-18 months clothing

You wear a size 5 shoe but do not like shoes at the moment. In fact you sit and pull at them until they come off or scream until mommy takes them off! Hopefully we can work on wearing shoes this month!

You have four teeth, two on the bottom middle and your two top front

You are a busy, busy boy! In fact Mommy is exhausted at the end of every day but after you are asleep a few hours I miss you and can't wait until morning when we get to start our day again!

You LOVE playing in water, especially the dog's water bowls. I now have to let the dogs drink water then put the bowl up!

You also LOVE taking a bath and bathtime/bedtime is my favorite time of day because it is our family time together. Daddy usually bathes you but I always sit on the floor and we all talk & laugh.

You love music and dance all the time!

Your favorite toy is a big dump truck with big legos in the back. You push your truck all over the house and if anything is in the back besides the legos, you throw it out!

You love to bounce and throw balls

You wave bye bye, clap your hands, and point

I am 99% sure you are going to be right handed. You occassionally pick things up with your left hand while eating or playing but mostly use your right.

You are walking! You take 10-12 steps at a time then when you get a little wobbly you drop down to crawl

You LOVE playing outside and try to crawl out the back door anytime it is open

You eat just about anything we give you but love pasta, apples, blueberries, grapes, tomatoes, and peas

You talk a lot but we don't know everything you are saying. You say "dada", "mama", and often point to different things while saying what we think is "what's that?" So we usually answer you and tell you whatever it is you are pointing to!

You are a very happy baby and smile & laugh a lot

You still love to snuggle and be held (I hope that doesn't change for a while!)

You love to play with books but get a little distracted when Mommy reads to you. I have found it is easier to read to you while in your highchair while having a snack. I can make it through 2-3 short books at a time!

You are really developing your own personality. You are very strong willed, determined, slightly dramatic when you don't get your way (hmmm, not sure where you get that from), but also the happiest, sweetest, most loving little boy!

We love you so much and can't wait to experience year TWO!

Love,

Mommy

One year ago today

On our way to the hospital
self-portrait of Daddy & Mommy-to-be
SO excited to meet James Peyton!

I will remember April 27, 2009 forever. I was SO excited to check in the hospital knowing we would soon meet our son. I feel incredibly blessed to have James and cannot wait to celebrate his 1st birthday tomorrow!

Walking

James is really walking now. He will still drop down and crawl some but his balance is getting better and he is even starting to turn corners. What a big boy!

First Steps

James took his first steps late this afternoon today! I thought it would be a while before he did it again then to my surprise he took 6-8 steps several more times. I finally captured it all on video (with the help of my cell phone. JP loves my cell phone and so I held it knowing he would come over to me wanting to play with it!) He also laughs the whole time he is walking. It is so cute!

11 1/2 months old

This picture was taken Easter weekend and I love it because James' hair is a mess and he is laughing so hard! JP is 11 1/2 months old and I cannot believe he will be ONE two weeks from today! In the last couple of weeks James has said "hi" a few times, waves bye bye all the time now, and is sooooooo close to walking. He loves to stand up and walks holding onto things but has not walked by himself yet. I am hoping he will be able to walk a little at his party which is still two and a half weeks away!

TCU Weekend

Easter Morning

The kids woke up and found that the Easter Bunny came and filled their baskets with books, bubbles, and plastic eggs full of money and of course chocolate! Sean was excited because he got to eat James' candy. We all went to chruch and took some family pictures before but were in a hurry so they did not turn out great. I posted the only two that I like. We will take more with Simon & Ellie when they are back in a couple of weeks!

Yay more Easter eggs!

Simon & Ellie with their baskets

James & Daddy
James & Mommy

Easter Bunny

Grandma Janie and I took the kids to get their picture taken with the Easter Bunny. James was so unsure about the whole thing. He kept turning around and staring at the bunny and looking at us like "Really? You trust him to hold me?" His expressions were priceless. At least he didn't scream or cry. Of course Simon & Ellie were pros, they are good at posing for the camera!

Easter Egg Hunt

On Saturday my friend Tracy invited us to an Easter Egg Hunt she organized for her neighborhood. I wasn't sure if James would understand since he is only 11 months old but he got the concept and was quickly picking up eggs and putting them in his basket. It was so cute! There was three different Egg Hunts for the different ages. James' group was 3 & under. I can't wait until next year when he can walk (or run) and pick up the eggs!

James picking up eggs

Putting the eggs in his Easter basket

James & Simon
Just chillin'
Simon & Ellie in line for balloon animals