james is one!

James is one today. WOW! What a year it has been. The other day Derek said, "Can you believe we have been sleep deprived for a whole year?" hahaha, it's not that bad...

Here's a few things James is up to these days...

~is so smiley
~waves at people when we are out in public
~claps his hands when I say Clap!
~torments his sister with a smile on his face
~loves to pull Alli's and my hair (must be because he has none of his own to pull!)
~is a walking disaster
~still not sleeping through the night (errrrr! but it's my own fault so i can't complain))
~says uh-uh instead of uh-oh (as he purposely throws his food on the floor from his high chair)
~laughs in my face when I tell him "no"
~LOVES tickles
~is obsessed with putting on his shoes and and playing with his feet.

I'm so happy James decided to join our family. And I'd like to know if it was him who had anything to do with the when! Ok, I'm going to do it. This is for me.

I've had so many emotions going on these past few days. I'm sad/happy/stressed about the move. Can't believe my baby is a year, and how happy I am that he is part of our family. And been thinking lots about my brother Ryan who passed away 10 years ago today. (note to self: never watch ps i love this time of year)

James was born on the very same day that Ryan died. And like I said the other day, I just knew it was going to be that day. I sooooo didn't want it to be, but I had a feeling that it would be, and was prepared. And you know what? It's ok. It's ok to be happy today.

When I was driving in the car with the kids today, Alli was "singing" along to the radio. So I started singing with her and we cracked up. As soon as we busted out laughing, I instantly thought of Ryan, and I knew it was just how he would want it to be. I know that is so cliche to say that, but I don't care, it's what happened. Ryan was a happy guy who laughed a lot with this great contagious laugh, I might even venture to call it a giggle. I don't have anything profound to say about today. I just wanted to acknowledge my brother. I love him. I miss him. I don't want to forget him. I know I never will. I think of him often. Maybe Ryan is just telling me I don't need to be sad anymore on this day. (so he pulled a fast one and sent me kid!?) Because I know I am going to be with him again someday and that brings such a peace to my heart. And maybe if we're lucky, James will have a piece of that crazy personality Ryan had. I hope so.



We had cupcakes with candles after supper today for James. Nothing fancy or exciting. James (actually Alli) just opened a little present. We decided we're saving what we are really getting him for after the move. Alli was out of control excited for his birthday. She has put together one thing. Birthday=Cake. So once again she had the icing off 2 cupcakes and was up until 9:00 bouncing off the walls. What kind of mother am I anyway?

Here's a jumble of pictures. One from every month! It's a lot. You can click on them to make them bigger.

May 2007, one week old.



June, first smile


July, a visit at Grandma's


August


September


October. He's gonna love me for that costume.


November. Learning to crawl and get bruises.


December. Merry Christmas! ok, this picture is kinda scary.


January. one of my favorite pictures.


February.


March. A rare snooze in public.


April. Woohoo, bathtime!